MeisterTask

What is MeisterTask

MeisterTask is a work and task management software designed for teams. Its main purpose is to provide a clear, visual way to manage projects, track tasks, and collaborate. The tool is built around Kanban-style boards, which help teams visualize workflows and see the status of tasks at a glance. It serves as a central hub for projects, documentation, and team communication, aiming to reduce the need for internal emails. MeisterTask was developed by MeisterLabs GmbH, a German company known for its suite of productivity tools, including MindMeister. The company focuses on creating intuitive and user-friendly software with a strong emphasis on data security, being fully GDPR compliant and hosted in Germany.

MeisterTask Features

MeisterTask offers a range of features to support project and task management:

• Kanban Project Boards: The core of the tool. Users can create projects and manage tasks on visual boards. Tasks are represented as cards that can be moved across columns like 'To-Do', 'In Progress', and 'Done' to track progress.
• Task Management: Each task card can contain details such as descriptions, checklists, due dates, attachments, and comments. You can also assign tasks to specific team members.
• Home Screen: A personal dashboard that provides a centralized view of your assigned tasks, notifications, and personal to-dos. This helps you stay focused on your most important work each day.
• Documentation & Knowledge Base: The platform allows teams to create and organize a central knowledge base. This is useful for documenting processes, strategies, and important project information.
• Team Collaboration: Invite team members and external collaborators to projects. You can assign responsibilities, communicate within tasks using comments, and keep everyone aligned.
• Project Templates: Start new projects quickly using pre-built templates. This helps standardize processes and ensures best practices are followed from the beginning.
• MeisterAI: An integrated AI feature that can help find information within your knowledge base or assist with writing content like emails and blog posts.
• Reporting and Progress Tracking: Get an overview of project progress and team productivity with simple reports. This helps measure performance and identify bottlenecks.
• Security: MeisterTask provides enterprise-grade security, with ISO 27001 certification, GDPR compliance, and admin controls for managing user permissions.

MeisterTask Pricing Plans

MeisterTask offers several pricing tiers to suit different needs:

• Basic Plan: A free plan designed for individuals or small teams just starting with task management. It includes core features but has limitations on the number of projects and integrations.
• Pro Plan: Aimed at individual users or small teams who need more powerful features. This plan typically includes unlimited projects, automations, and more integration options.
• Business Plan: Designed for medium to large teams. It includes all Pro features plus advanced capabilities like roles and permissions, custom fields, and timeline views (Gantt charts).
• Enterprise Plan: A custom plan for large organizations with specific security and support needs. It offers features like dedicated account management, single sign-on (SSO), and enhanced security compliance.

MeisterTask Free Plan

Yes, MeisterTask offers a free Basic plan. This plan is a good starting point for personal task management or very small teams. It typically includes up to three projects, unlimited project members, and customizable project boards. However, it has limitations. Features like automations, timeline views, advanced reporting, and multiple integrations are not included in the free version.

How to use MeisterTask

Getting started with MeisterTask is straightforward. Here is a typical workflow:

1. Sign Up: Create a free account using your email address or a Google account.
2. Create Your First Project: Once logged in, create a new project. You can start from a blank slate or use one of the available templates.
3. Customize Your Board: The project board comes with default columns like 'Open', 'In Progress', and 'Done'. You can rename these columns or add new ones to match your team's specific workflow.
4. Invite Team Members: Invite your colleagues to the project by entering their email addresses. You can assign different roles and permissions to them.
5. Add and Assign Tasks: Click the '+' icon in a column to add a new task. Give it a title, add a description, create checklists, set a due date, and assign it to a team member.
6. Track Progress: As work gets done, drag and drop tasks from one column to the next. Use comments to communicate with your team about specific tasks.
7. Use the Home Screen: Check your personal Home screen daily to see all your assigned tasks and notifications in one place.

Pros and Cons of MeisterTask

Pros:

• Intuitive User Interface: The design is clean and easy to navigate, making it simple for new users to get started.
• Visual Workflow: The Kanban board system provides a clear and immediate overview of project status.
• Good Collaboration Features: Commenting, file attachments, and notifications within tasks keep team communication centralized.
• Strong Security: With ISO 27001 certification and GDPR compliance, it is a trusted choice for organizations concerned with data privacy.
• Mobile Apps: Available on both iOS and Android, allowing you to manage tasks on the go.

Cons:

• Limited Free Plan: The free version is quite restrictive, with a limit of only three projects.
• Advanced Features on Higher Tiers: Key features like timelines (Gantt charts) and advanced reporting are only available in the more expensive plans.
• May Be Too Simple for Complex Projects: Teams that require detailed resource management or complex project dependencies might find it lacking compared to more advanced tools.

MeisterTask Integrations

MeisterTask integrates with a variety of popular tools to connect your workflow. Key integrations include:

• Slack: Post updates from MeisterTask projects directly to Slack channels.
• Microsoft Teams: Connect MeisterTask projects to your Teams channels for seamless collaboration.
• Google Workspace: Attach files from Google Drive, and use integrations with Google Calendar and Gmail.
• Zendesk: Create MeisterTask tasks directly from Zendesk tickets.
• GitHub: Link tasks to commits and issues in your GitHub repositories.
• Zapier: Connect MeisterTask to hundreds of other applications to automate repetitive tasks.

MeisterTask Alternatives

• Trello: A very popular alternative that also focuses on Kanban boards. Trello is known for its simplicity and extensive library of 'Power-Ups' (integrations). It is a great choice for teams who want a highly visual and straightforward tool.
• Asana: A more comprehensive project management tool that offers multiple views, including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars. Asana is better suited for managing complex projects with many dependencies.
• Jira: Primarily designed for software development teams, Jira offers powerful features for agile workflows, including scrum and kanban boards, bug tracking, and detailed reporting. It is more technical than MeisterTask.
• ClickUp: An all-in-one productivity platform that aims to replace multiple apps. It offers a wide range of features, including task management, docs, goals, and whiteboards, making it highly customizable but also more complex to learn.

MeisterTask API

Yes, MeisterTask provides a REST API that allows developers to integrate MeisterTask with other applications and build custom solutions. The API enables you to programmatically manage projects, tasks, sections, and users.

To get an API key, you need to create a new connected app in the 'My Account' section of MeisterTask. Go to Settings > Integrations > Connected Apps and create a new personal access token. This token will be used to authenticate your API requests.

Here is a simple example using cURL to fetch all projects for the authenticated user:

curl "https://www.meistertask.com/api/projects" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN"

For full details, you should consult the official MeisterTask API documentation on their developer portal.

MeisterTask Affiliate Program

MeisterTask offers a partnership opportunity through its Meister Expert Partner Program. This program is designed for consultants, resellers, and trainers who want to recommend or sell the Meister Suite of products, including MeisterTask and MindMeister. Partners typically receive commissions on sales, access to marketing materials, and dedicated support. The commission rates and specific benefits depend on the partner level. To join, you need to apply through the partner page on their website. If you are an influencer or content creator, it is best to contact their support or marketing team directly to inquire about potential collaboration or affiliate opportunities.