Fabulous Friday Web Freebie: Tom's Planner

How about a "Fabulous Friday Web Freebie" to kick off the weekend?

I've explored a number of online project management tools, and I have a new one to add to the mix: Tom's Planner.

This is a visually appealing product, and one that looks quite easy to learn and adopt. Project Management software is a very useful tool, particularly for the linear minded...or for those in jobs which require that type of mindset.

However, while Microsoft Project is the gold standard - it is complex tool, and overkill for many people who end up using it anyway. Online, cloud computing web sites are a great alternative for many smaller projects or organizations.

I like the fact that Tom's Planner allows you to jump right in a create a project plan, without needing to go through a complex registration process. That let's you "try before you buy" quite easily. 

They currently offer a free version, with plans to move into a paid status once their beta testing is complete. From their web site:

What happens after the beta? We plan to release Tom’s Planner and turn it into a paid service post-beta launch once we’re confident enough that there are no bugs. Once Tom's Planner is released out of beta, it is our intention to extend all actively used beta accounts for a minimum of one additional year without any obligations. This will enable all Tom’s Planner beta users to continue to work with and use Tom's Planner for free for at least one more.

If you give it a try, let us know your thoughts in the Comments. 

Comments

[David]

Wow. I just got an account this afternoon and started using this. It's very user friendly, and very helpful for us marketing types with a big project to manage, (hint, hint).

Thanks a lot.

David

[Jane Neumiller-Bustad]

Glad you found it useful, David. Yes, it would be a great tool to manage some of our ASTD-TCC projects. Love finding these neat web tools :-)

[Tom]

Thanks for blogging about Tom's Planner! At the moment we are working on a collaboration feature, which will enable you to also save your projects online and share them with a team & a 'printing to pdf' option. These are the number one requests from our users at the moment.

Thanks again,
Tom

[Jane Neumiller-Bustad]

Tom, always so nice to hear from software creators when I feature their work. It's a terrific tool, and I wish you and your team much success.

When you leave Beta, I'd encourage you to still offer a long term free version, since it lets people try your product and upgrade when they are ready. Those companies that make all versions paid, do the solo-preneur and small business person a disservice.