Updated 30 March 2026
Wrike Free Plan: Everything You Get and Everything You Don't
Wrike Free gives you Gantt charts, board view, and task management for up to 5 users and 200 active tasks. Here is exactly what is included, the limits that matter, and strategies to maximize your free usage.
Complete Feature Breakdown
Everything that is and is not included in Wrike Free, with the specific plan required for each missing feature.
| Feature | Free? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Users | Yes | Up to 5 users |
| Active tasks | Yes | 200 active tasks (completed tasks don't count) |
| Storage | Yes | 2 GB total workspace storage |
| Board view | Yes | Kanban-style boards for visual task management |
| Table view | Yes | Spreadsheet-style view of all tasks |
| Interactive Gantt chart | Yes | Timeline view with basic dependencies |
| Task management | Yes | Tasks with subtasks, descriptions, assignees, due dates |
| File sharing | Yes | Attach files to tasks (within 2 GB limit) |
| Google Drive integration | Yes | Link and attach Google Drive files |
| OneDrive integration | Yes | Link and attach OneDrive files |
| Mobile app | Yes | iOS and Android (basic task management) |
| Custom fields | No | Requires Business ($25/user/mo) |
| Request forms | No | Requires Business ($25/user/mo) |
| Calendars | No | Requires Business ($25/user/mo) |
| Custom workflows | No | Requires Team ($10/user/mo) |
| Custom dashboards | No | Requires Business ($25/user/mo) |
| Gantt dependencies (auto-reschedule) | No | Requires Team ($10/user/mo) |
| Guest access | No | Requires Team ($10/user/mo) |
| Wrike Proof | No | Requires Business ($25/user/mo) |
| SAML SSO | No | Requires Enterprise (custom pricing) |
| Slack/Teams integration | No | Requires Team ($10/user/mo) |
| Advanced reports | No | Requires Business ($25/user/mo) |
The 200 Active Task Limit: The Real Constraint
The 5-user limit is straightforward. The 200 active task limit is what actually determines how long you can stay on Wrike Free. Understanding how tasks accumulate and how to manage them is the key to making the free plan work long-term.
Only active tasks count toward the limit. When you mark a task as completed, it no longer counts. This means teams that run sprints or follow a workflow where tasks are regularly completed and archived can sustain free usage much longer than teams that create tasks and leave them open indefinitely.
How fast do different team types hit 200 tasks?
Freelancer (1 person)
Tracking 3 to 5 client projects with 10 to 15 tasks each. Creates about 20 new tasks per month. Completes 15 to 18 per month.
Time to 200: 12+ months
Free works well long-term with basic task hygiene.
Small startup (3 people)
Running 5 active projects with 15 to 20 tasks each. Creates 60 to 80 new tasks per month. Completes about 50 per month.
Time to 200: 4 to 6 months
Manageable with weekly task cleanup sessions.
Agency (5 people)
Managing 8 to 10 client projects with 20+ tasks each. Creates 100 to 150 new tasks per month. Completes about 80 per month.
Time to 200: 2 to 3 months
Will likely need to upgrade within one quarter.
Development team (5 people)
Running sprints with 30+ tasks per sprint plus a growing backlog. Creates 80 to 120 tasks per month. Backlog grows continuously.
Time to 200: 1 to 2 months
Dev teams almost always need a paid plan quickly.
7 Strategies to Maximize Your Free Usage
1. Complete tasks weekly
Set a weekly routine to review all open tasks and mark completed ones as done. Completed tasks no longer count toward the 200 limit. A 15-minute Friday review can keep your task count in check for months.
2. Use subtasks instead of separate tasks
Instead of creating 5 separate tasks for a multi-step process, create 1 parent task with 5 subtasks. Subtasks in Wrike do count toward the 200-task limit, so this strategy only helps if you can consolidate steps into fewer tracked items. Use task descriptions and checklists within a single task for simple multi-step work.
3. Use labels instead of custom fields
Custom fields require the Business plan. As a workaround, use task labels (tags) to categorize tasks by priority, type, or department. Labels are free to create and apply. You will not get dropdown menus or numeric fields, but for basic categorization, labels handle 80% of what most teams use custom fields for.
4. Archive completed projects
When a project is finished, mark all its tasks as completed and consider deleting the project folder if you do not need it for reference. Keeping old projects with completed tasks does not count against your limit, but removing clutter makes it easier to manage your workspace.
5. Use Wrike for active work only
Keep your backlog in a separate tool (a simple spreadsheet works) and only move items into Wrike when they are ready to be worked on. This prevents backlog growth from consuming your 200-task limit. Move items from the spreadsheet to Wrike as capacity opens up.
6. Leverage Google Drive and OneDrive
The 2 GB storage limit on Free is tight. Instead of uploading files directly to Wrike, link them from Google Drive or OneDrive. Both integrations are included on Free. This preserves your storage while keeping file access within task context.
7. Monitor your task count monthly
Wrike does not prominently display your current active task count. Check it periodically by using the search function to find all active tasks. If you are approaching 180 to 190, it is time for a cleanup session or to evaluate upgrading to the Team plan at $10/user/month.
When to Upgrade: The Three Triggers
You need a 6th user
The moment you need a 6th team member in Wrike, you must upgrade to Team ($10/user/month). There is no way around this limit. The Team plan supports up to 50 users, so this upgrade gives you significant room to grow.
Upgrade to: Team ($10/user/mo)
You hit the 200 task ceiling
If your task hygiene strategies are not enough and you consistently hit the 200-task limit, you need the Team plan for unlimited tasks. This is the most common trigger for small teams that accumulate tasks faster than they close them.
Upgrade to: Team ($10/user/mo)
You need custom fields
Custom fields are the feature most teams need but cannot get on Free or Team. If you need to track budgets, priorities, effort, or any structured data on tasks, you jump straight to Business at $25/user/month. This is often the most expensive upgrade trigger.
Upgrade to: Business ($25/user/mo)
How Wrike Free Compares to Other Free Plans
Every major PM tool offers a free tier. Here is how they stack up on limits and features.
| Tool | Users | Tasks | Gantt | Storage | Notable Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrike Free | 5 | 200 active | Yes | 2 GB total | No custom fields or workflows |
| Asana Free | 10 | Unlimited | No | 100 MB/file | No Timeline, no custom fields |
| Monday.com Free | 2 | 1,000 items | No | 500 MB | Only 2 users, very limited views |
| ClickUp Free | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | 100 MB | 100 MB total storage is very tight |
| Trello Free | Unlimited | Unlimited | No | 10 MB/file | 10 boards per workspace, no timeline |
| Notion Free | 1 (10 guests) | No | 5 MB/upload | Single user only for full access |
ClickUp Free offers the most generous limits (unlimited users and tasks) but has severe storage constraints. Wrike Free is the only option with Gantt charts and a usable 5-user limit for small teams.