When the time comes for you to choose a project management software, think about your business, and what will be most important to have. The aim is to make our job easier when on a project not difficult. So, look for features that will help your team work better together to reach project goals.
Some project management tools are built for collaboration with teams and customers, some for teams only. Here are some of the things to look at to pick the best project management tool for your business.
Here are the most important features to look at;
- Task prioritization
- Task scheduler.
- Shared calendar
- Resource management
- Time tracking
- Communication and collaboration features
- Budgeting features
The ability to customize a tool for your business can also come in handy for complicated projects. You want a tool that adapts to your and that your business can easily adapt to.
What is the Best Project Management Software?
Here is the best project management software tools:
- monday.com
- Trello
- Zoho Projects
- DashClicks
- Teamwork
- Smartsheet
- Asana
- Wrike
- Microsoft Project
1. monday.com
monday.com is the ideal project management platform for building custom workflows across teams. This tool is incredibly customizable, allowing users to choose from a variety of task views, custom fields, and collaboration features.
Working with the automation center on monday.com is incredibly easy — users can choose from pre-defined templates and select relevant information from simple dropdown menus. Additionally, you can take advantage of template actions built for integrations like Slack as well as create custom cards from scratch.
Overall, monday.com helps teams create powerful workflows more quickly by eliminating time-consuming manual processes. Users are not confined to a certain structure; instead, they can craft something that fits their specific needs and customize it down to the finest detail.
It’s no wonder why this project management platform won an award for its excellent service — it makes complex jobs easier and provides an elegant solution to workflow problems.
monday.com Key Features
- The software includes features such as resource workload and allocation, which provide information about your team’s activities and level of engagement. Resource allocation allows you to manage your project resources well and ensure there is no misuse among your project team.
- One notable feature is the collaborative documentation that allows multiple users to contribute and connect to other files in the software. The dashboards are customizable so that users can create views that show relevant operational data.
- The integrations offered consist of pre-built connections to a variety of apps such as Slack, Google Drive, DocuSign, Gmail, Google Calendar, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Typeform, and more. It is also possible to link with numerous supplementary applications through Zapier.
monday.con Pricing
monday’s pricing is based on the number of users you have in your team. It can start from $8 per month.
Pros
- This feature provides useful customization options for visuals and color coding.
- Customizing a workflow or board is a simple process.
- There is a comprehensive range of supported integrations.
- There is a significant emphasis on collaboration.
- Best for larger teams with enterprise plan options
Cons
- This product may not be suitable for small teams due to its robustness.
- The Gantt charts are set to the mid-level plan.
- The pricing rubric is intricate.
The Best Project Management Software
Project management software for building custom workflows on projects
Who is monday.com Best for?
monday.com is an ideal project management platform for businesses of all sizes and industries that need a powerful tool to manage their tasks and workflows.
This software is perfect for teams looking to make their job easier by eliminating manual processes, streamlining collaboration, and providing custom views. It’s also great for those who need a customizable tool with options for custom fields, task views, and integrations.
2. Trello
Trello is an excellent platform for teams. It doesn’t matter how big a team you have, or how small. You can start with a free plan and when your team grows you can upgrade to a paid plan.
Trello uses boards, cards, and lists to organize projects and give you a clear visual representation of what is happening in your projects. It can work for anything really, on personal home projects and even business projects.
It’s a great tool for small businesses on a tight budget as it has an excellent free plan. Trello is one of the best free project management apps available, making it an excellent platform for teams of any size. Trello is trusted by millions of people around the world with the likes of Pinterest, Fender, and peloton making the list of users.
Trello Key Features
- Trello utilizes Kanban cards for tracking progress on tasks and projects.
- To simplify tasks, break down cards by including checklists.
- The activity feed displays all recent updates and comments on the project board, including changes to cards.
Trello Pricing
If your team outgrows your free plan, you can upgrade to a paid plan and get more advanced features.
- Standard $5 per user per month
- Business Class: $10 per user per month
- Enterprise: 17.50 per user per month
Pros
- Unlimited personal boards
- Unlimited cards and lists
- 10 MB file attachments (free plan)
- Up to 10 team boards on a free plan
- Basic automation
- And two-factor authentication
Cons
- No Grant Charts
- No Resource Allocation and management
- Kanban cards may not be ideal for larger and complex projects
Kanban project management software
Best for small teams to track progress on their tasks and projects with simple cards.
Who is Trello Best for?
Trello is best suited for teams or individuals who need a simple yet effective project management tool. It can be used in any industry and for any project size, from small home projects to larger business initiatives.
The Kanban board setup makes it easy to visualize progress and tasks while streamlining collaboration within the team. Trello’s free plan offers powerful features that work well for smaller projects and teams, making it a great choice for those on a tight budget.
3. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a comprehensive, low-cost project management app that also offers free project management software options for users. As part of the Zoho suite of products, it has many handy integrations that help streamline teamwork. Through Kanban boards and task views, users can easily create projects, assign dependencies between tasks, and assess progress in real-time.
Users have access to issue tracking and workflow management which makes complicated projects easier to handle. The built-in time-tracking capabilities provide an effective way for managers to keep track of where their teams’ hours are going.
Gantt charts make it simple to visualize resources and goals within a timeline. And finally, powerful integration with other services like Google Drive and Microsoft Office ensures that everyone is on the same page throughout the entire project journey.
Zoho Projects gives users all the capabilities they need for managing projects while keeping costs low. For larger collaborations or businesses looking for robust solutions without breaking the bank, this tool should be at the top of their list.
Key Features
- Team collaboration (Chats, forums, and feeds)
- Hosted file storage
- Task dependencies
- Recurring tasks
- Visual workflow builder
- Time tracking
- Task assignments and prioritization
- Reporting and analytics
- 100+ built-in integrations with business tools (Slack, Dropbox, and more)
Zoho projects offer free and paid plans
- The free plan is offered for up to 3 users, two projects, and 10MB of storage
- Premium is $4/user per month for up to 50 users and unlimited projects
- Enterprise plan is $9/user/month for unlimited projects and users
Pros
- Excellent value for the price
- Easy to set up and use
- Multiple communicate tools in the app
- Great configuration options
- Excellent time-tracking tools
Cons
- No premade templates
- A unique perspective on resource management
Uses Kanban, and Task Views
Comes with easy Zoho tools integrations making it easy to streamline your work.
Who is Zoho Projects Best for?
Zoho Projects is the perfect choice for teams and businesses of all sizes looking for an efficient and cost-effective project management solution. It provides comprehensive features that enable users to create, manage, and track projects with ease.
The app’s intuitive interface and powerful integrations make it easy to collaborate on tasks and view progress in real-time. From small home projects to large business initiatives, Zoho Projects offers users everything they need to successfully manage their projects—without breaking the bank.
4. DashClicks
DashClicks’ Projects is the best project management software crafted for agencies. DashClicks also offers a free project management tool that is ideal for agencies looking to manage their projects without incurring additional costs. It offers the most dynamic and convenient way to effortlessly manage your projects, customers, teams, and more.
The software enables you to upload and manage files for your client’s projects. Additionally, you can also create and manage notebooks for your client’s projects.
The best part about the software, you can view analytics related to your client’s marketing campaign. You can even view form invite submissions completed by your clients.
Key Features
- Auto project creation
- Unlimited projects
- Mirrored analytics with sub-accounts
- Automate onboarding documents
The free plan offers you two team member seats. You can also go for the paid plans such as Pro ($97 per month), Plus ($297 per month), or the Premium plan ($597 per month).
5. Teamwork
Teamwork is a great tool for managing a remote team. It has a remote work module that just makes it easy for teams to work well remotely.
Whether it’s team collaboration, task management, or project updates, teamwork makes life easy for teams.
Teamwork also offers a freemium plan, making it one of the best free project management tools for up to 5 users and two projects.
Advanced features and integrations are only included in paid plans. You can also get add-ons for the help desk, document management, video chat, and a CRM.
Key Features
- Internal chat software
- Centralized workspaces
- Board views
- Custom project templates
- Workload balancing
- Time tracking
- Gantt charts
Team work has a free forever plan for a maximum of 5 users, to upgrade to a paid plan you have 3 options, deliver for $10 per user per month, Grow for $18 per user per month and Scale for a custom price. For scale you need to
6. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a project management system built for enterprises and large teams. Even if this is the case, you can use it can suit projects and businesses of all sizes. You can manage even the most complicated projects because of its excellent project management features.
All plans include on-demand customer support, educational materials, and certification programs. The Smartsheet team also offers consulting services to help with your new project management system.
Smartsheet I an excellent choice for large businesses to help streamline their operations process and projects. About 75% of fortune 500 companies use Smartsheet to manage and complete project stages.
Key Features
- Collaboration
- Task management
- Mobile apps
- App integrations
- Four project views
Smartsheet paid plans include
- Pro: $7.00 per user per month
- Business: $25per user per month (minimum 3users)
7. Asana
Asana allows you to monitor even the smallest details of your project plan, milestones, tasks, and reminders on due dates. It’s a great tool to work with for a project of any size. Asana is considered one of the best free project management options, offering a free forever plan with 15 seats, which is ideal for small teams.
You can use Asana to track your team’s progress with their assigned tasks. Their interface is beautiful and easy to use. On top of this, you can extend functionality with over 100 integrations with your favorite apps. Some integrations include Adobe, Slack, Gmail, Chrome, and google drive.
With Asana you can share files and leave comments to communicate with your team and keep everyone in the loop.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop board views
- Timeline views
- Automated workflows
- Work requests and forms
- Calendar view
- Portfolio overviews
- Workload balance
- Custom fields
- Reusable templates
The free plan offers you 15 seats, but if you outgrow the plan you can upgrade to Premium (10.99/user per month), Business (24.99/user per month), or Enterprise plans (Custom pricing only)
8. Wrike
Wrike can be customized to adapt to your project needs. It has over 20, 000 businesses using it to manage their marketing and sales projects including Google, Airbnb, and Dell. Wrike has some great marketing specific project templates for:
- Campaign management
- Product launching
- Marketing operations
- Content creation
- Event management
You get multiple project views (board, spreadsheet, Gantt, calendar. Additionally, you can customize your project view.
Key Features
- Task management
- Proofing and approvals
- Marketing specific project templates
- End to end project visualization
- Communication tools
- Real-time progress visibility
- 400+ integrations with Salesforce Guide Google drive and more.
Wrike has a free plan for you to get started
- Professional: $9.80 per user per month
- Business: $24.90 per user per month
9. Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project was introduced in 1984 in a very simple project management format. It is a great addition for users who are already in the Microsoft ecosystem to manage their projects. Just like other office apps, it carries the same interface, so you will feel familiar with the product if you use the word, excel, or Access.
You can integrate with leading tools, get great reporting tools and even customize your project workflows. Also, you get access to Microsoft teams which makes for great collaboration with your team. You can even run a video or audio conference for your team.
Key Features
- Integration with Microsoft office
- Supports Microsoft teams
- Excellent reporting features
- Customization
- Business tools integrations
- Team collaboration through conferencing (Video and Audio)
Microsoft Project start from $10 per user per month. If you already have a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, you can add support for Microsoft Project.
10. Basecamp
Basecamp is one of the most feature-rich and simplest project management platforms. It is a great tool for remote working, you can even collaborate with your clients to deliver the best products and walk them through a seamless process.
Basecamp can be customized to suit the user’s needs. Additionally, you can access your dashboards, files, schedule information, and alerts all on one page.
Basecamp is great as you can manage different projects conducted in different environments in one place. You also get mobile apps to work as you move, you have your projects at your fingertips.
Third-party integrations are available to improve the usability of Basecamp.
Key Features
- Automatic check-ins (for remote work)
- Team collaboration with real-time group chat
- Task tracking
- Scheduling and to-do list management
- Documents storage and arrangements
- Customizable project environments.
- Third-party integrations (Required for time tracking)
Basecamp keeps a flat monthly rate of $99/ month, giving you everything you need with unlimited support for projects and users. You can start with a free 30day trial.
11. ClickUp
ClickUp is a comprehensive project management platform that offers a wide range of features to help teams organize and manage their work. It is ideal for teams of all sizes looking for a flexible and customizable project management tool.
Key Features
- Customizable task views (List, Board, Box, Calendar, Gantt, etc.)
- Time tracking and reporting
- Goal setting and tracking
- Integration with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Trello
- Built-in automation for repetitive tasks
Pricing
ClickUp offers a free plan with basic features. The Unlimited plan is $5 per user per month, the Business plan is $12 per user per month, and the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing.
12. Jira
Jira is a project management tool designed primarily for software development teams. It offers powerful features for tracking and managing software projects, making it a popular choice for agile teams.
Key Features
- Agile project management with Scrum and Kanban boards
- Customizable workflows and issue tracking
- Integration with popular development tools like Bitbucket and GitHub
- Real-time reporting and analytics
- Automation for repetitive tasks
Pricing
Jira offers a free plan for small teams. The Standard plan is $7 per user per month, the Premium plan is $14 per user per month, and the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing.
13. Notion
Notion is a versatile project management tool that combines note-taking, task management, and collaboration features. It is ideal for teams looking for a flexible workspace to organize their projects, documents, and databases in one place. Notion is known for its customizable templates and intuitive interface, making it a popular choice for creative teams and startups.
Key Features
- Customizable templates for various use cases
- Integration with popular apps like Slack and Google Drive
- Collaborative workspace with real-time editing
- Database management and organization
- Task and project tracking with Kanban boards
Pricing
Notion offers a free plan with basic features, while the Personal Pro plan is $4 per user per month. The Team plan is priced at $8 per user per month, and the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing.
14. Airtable
Airtable is a cloud-based project management platform that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database. It is perfect for teams that need a flexible and collaborative tool to manage their projects, tasks, and data. Airtable’s unique approach allows users to create custom workflows and automate repetitive tasks.
Key Features
- Customizable views (grid, calendar, Kanban, gallery)
- Integration with popular apps like Slack, Google Calendar, and Zapier
- Automation of repetitive tasks with Airtable Automations
- Collaborative workspace with real-time editing
- Extensive template library for various use cases
Pricing
Airtable offers a free plan with limited features. The Plus plan is $10 per user per month, the Pro plan is $20 per user per month, and the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing.
15. ProofHub
ProofHub is an all-in-one project management and team collaboration software that helps teams plan, collaborate, and deliver projects on time. It is designed for businesses of all sizes and offers a range of features to streamline project management processes.
Key Features
- Task management with Kanban boards and Gantt charts
- Time tracking and reporting
- File sharing and proofing
- Custom roles and access levels
- Integration with popular apps like Google Drive and Dropbox
Pricing
ProofHub offers a flat pricing model, with the Essential plan at $45 per month (billed annually) and the Ultimate Control plan at $89 per month (billed annually).
16. Scoro
Scoro is a comprehensive business management software that combines project management, CRM, billing, and reporting tools in one platform. It is ideal for professional service businesses looking to streamline their operations and improve productivity.
Key Features
- Project management with task tracking and project tracking. It offers comprehensive tools to monitor every aspect of a project, ensuring that all tasks are progressing according to plan.
- With features like Gantt charts, milestone tracking, and real-time dashboards, teams can easily visualize the project timeline and make informed decisions to keep everything on track.
What is Project Management Software?
Project management software is a tool that aids in managing projects. It is a useful tool for project managers, team members, and stakeholders to plan, execute, and track a project’s progress.
When reviewing project management software, it is essential to consider factors such as features, ease of use, and scalability to ensure it meets your team’s needs.
A project management tool has the ability to make your life as a project manager simpler. When you’re able to track progress and update tasks in real-time, communication is much more efficient. You can complete projects faster and without mistakes, which means profitability for your company.
Definition and Purpose
Project management software is a type of online collaboration tool designed to help teams manage projects and tasks efficiently. Its primary purpose is to provide a clear overview of project progress, including the work breakdown structure and task deadlines, while also tracking finances and providing insights into project budgets and resource allocation. By utilizing a project management tool, teams can streamline their work, optimize resource usage, and make data-driven decisions to ensure successful project delivery. This management software is essential for project managers who need to keep track of multiple projects and ensure that all tasks are completed on time and within budget.
Benefits of Using a Project Management Tool
The benefits of using a project management tool are numerous. Some of the most significant advantages include:
- Improved collaboration and communication: Project management tools facilitate better communication among team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page and can easily share updates and feedback.
- Enhanced productivity and efficiency: By automating routine tasks and providing a clear overview of project progress, these tools help teams work more efficiently and stay focused on their goals.
- Better resource allocation and utilization: Project management software allows for effective resource management, ensuring that team members and other resources are used optimally.
- Increased transparency and visibility: With real-time updates and progress tracking, project management tools provide greater transparency, allowing stakeholders to stay informed about the project’s status.
- Improved project delivery and success rates: By streamlining processes and providing valuable insights, these tools help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, leading to higher success rates.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction and experience: Efficient project management leads to better project outcomes, which in turn results in happier clients and improved customer satisfaction.
By leveraging a project management tool, businesses can effectively coordinate their resources, keep track of project progress, and ensure that their projects are completed within the stipulated time and budget.
How to Choose the Best Project Management Software
Choosing the best project management software for your organization can be a daunting task, given the numerous options available in the market. To make an informed decision, consider the following factors:
- Core project management features: Ensure the software offers essential features such as task management, time tracking, resource allocation, project planning, and collaboration tools.
- Ease of use and user experience: Opt for software with an intuitive interface that is easy to use and navigate, even for team members with limited technical expertise.
- Reporting and analytics: Select software that provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities to help you track project progress, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions.
- Scalability and flexibility: Choose software that can adapt to your organization’s growing needs and can be easily integrated with other tools and services.
- Customer support and training: Ensure the software vendor offers reliable customer support, training, and resources to help your team get started and resolve any issues that may arise.
By considering these factors, you can select the best project management software that meets your organization’s unique needs and requirements.
Essential Features to Consider
When evaluating project management software, consider the following essential features:
- Task management: The ability to create, assign, and track tasks and subtasks is crucial for keeping projects organized and ensuring that all team members know their responsibilities.
- Time tracking: The ability to track time spent on tasks and projects helps in monitoring productivity and ensuring that deadlines are met.
- Resource allocation: Effective resource management is essential for ensuring that team members and other resources are used optimally.
- Project planning: The ability to create and manage project plans, including setting goals, objectives, and deadlines, is vital for successful project execution.
- Collaboration tools: Features such as messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing facilitate communication and collaboration among team members, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
Ease of Use and User Experience
A user-friendly interface is crucial for ensuring that your team can quickly adapt to the software and use it effectively. Look for software with the following characteristics:
- Intuitive interface: The software should have an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, even for team members with limited technical expertise.
- Customizable workflows: The software should allow you to customize workflows to fit your organization’s specific needs and processes.
- Mobile accessibility: The software should be accessible on mobile devices, allowing team members to stay connected and productive on-the-go.
Reporting and Analytics
Robust reporting and analytics capabilities are essential for tracking project progress, identifying bottlenecks, and making data-driven decisions. Look for software that offers the following features:
- Real-time reporting: The software should provide real-time reporting capabilities, allowing you to track project progress and identify issues as they arise.
- Customizable dashboards: The software should allow you to create customizable dashboards that provide a clear overview of project progress and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Data analytics: The software should provide data analytics capabilities, allowing you to analyze project data and identify trends and patterns.
By incorporating these features, project management software can help you manage projects more effectively, ensuring successful project delivery and improved business outcomes.
Types of Project Management Software
The project management software is designed for different fields such as construction, engineering, and IT services. The software, therefore, should be chosen after considering the nature of the business, which is going to use it. Different types of software are available in the market and one can choose from any of these based on their preference and budget. In addition to the types mentioned, there are other project management software options available that cater to specific industries and project needs.
There are numerous benefits associated with using this software. Some of them are listed below:
Different types of project management software
1. Planning Software
Planning is one of the most important aspects that should be considered by business organizations while developing a project plan.
This type of software will help you to create a basic plan for your projects and this will help you to manage all your projects in a better manner. It also helps to reduce the risk involved in a particular project and this makes it easier for you to deliver your projects on time and within budget.
2. Scheduling Software
This is another useful type of software that can help you manage your projects effectively. Using this type of software, one can easily schedule a meeting with other members, assign tasks and more importantly, one can keep track of the progress made in each task. Once it is done, it becomes easier for you to make changes as per the requirement.
In summary: Project Management Tools
When deciding on the best project management software for your business, one of the keys is to consider how you plan on using the software. Will you be relying mostly on shared resources and collaboration to communicate? In that case, you will want a platform that allows a certain amount of flexibility in how you organize your activity logs and other projects.
Where you should be strict about the organization is where security is concerned. You want to protect your company’s information from as many external factors as possible (including other users).
The features that encourage security are also likely to help streamline your project in general, making it easier to share updates across the board and stay on target with any other specific goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most commonly used project management software?
The most commonly used project management software varies depending on the industry and specific needs of the organization. However, popular choices include monday.com, Trello, Asana, and Microsoft Project due to their robust features and ease of use.
Is Microsoft Project management free?
Microsoft Project is not free. It is a paid software with subscription plans starting from $10 per user per month. However, if you have a Microsoft Office 365 subscription, you can add support for Microsoft Project at an additional cost.
Is Excel a project management tool?
Excel is not specifically designed as a project management tool, but it can be used for basic project management tasks such as creating schedules, tracking progress, and managing budgets. However, it lacks the advanced features and collaboration capabilities of dedicated project management software.
What are the 4 types of project management?
The four main types of project management are Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, and Kanban. Each type offers different methodologies and approaches to managing projects, allowing teams to choose the one that best fits their needs and goals.
How do project management tools facilitate team collaboration?
Project management tools facilitate team collaboration by providing features such as messaging, file sharing, task assignments, and real-time updates. These tools help team members stay connected, share information, and work together more efficiently, regardless of their physical location.
Can project management software support hybrid work models?
Yes, project management software can support hybrid work models by providing remote access, mobile apps, and collaboration features that enable team members to work effectively from different locations. This flexibility allows businesses to adapt to changing work environments and maintain productivity.
What project management app is the easiest to use?
The easiest project management app to use depends on your team’s specific needs and preferences. Trello is often praised for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for teams new to project management software. However, other options like Asana and monday.com also offer intuitive designs and customizable workflows.
By addressing these frequently asked questions, businesses can better understand the capabilities and benefits of project management software, helping them make informed decisions when choosing the right tool for their needs.
