Featured Partners
1
monday.com
Yes
From $8 monthly per user
Zoom, LinkedIn, Adobe, Salesforce and more
2
ClickUp
Yes, for unlimited members
$7 per month
Slack, Microsoft Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Timely, Google Drive and more
3
Wrike
Yes
$10 per user per month
Salesforce, Adobe, Miro, Netsuite, QuickBooks, SAP
Compare the Best Project Management Software of 2025
Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Superlative | Starting Monthly Price | Pros | Cons | Expert Take | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.6 | Best for all methodologies and frameworks | Free, $10.00 per user | Robust task and project management tools, powerful collaboration features, top free plan | Some advanced tools have a steep learning curve, AI is an add-on | ClickUp is the best option for most SMBs, as it offers multiple tools, it’s easy to use and offers excellent value for money | On ClickUp’s Website | |
4.3 | Best for new teams | Free, $12.00 per user (three-user minimum) | Beautiful user interface, user-friendly tools | Limited free plan, Basic plan offers poor value for money | Hands down, the best platform for new teams due to its well-designed interface and intuitive tools | On monday.com’s Website | |
4.3 | Best for automations | Free, $13.99 per user (three-user minimum) | User-friendly interface, powerful automation builder | Incredibly expensive paid plans | Teamwork.com is every bit as easy to use as monday.com and offers powerful tools, it’s a shame it costs so much | Read Forbes’ Review | |
4.1 | Best for collaboration | Free, $12 per doc maker | Collaborative workspaces, only pay for doc makers | Limited free plan, has a steep learning curve | Coda’s mix of collaborative tools, task management views and unique pay structure will appeal to many SMBs | Read Forbes’ Review | |
4.0 | Best for complex datasets | Free, $12 per user | Powerful spreadsheets, linkable cells, AI | Steep learning curve, many pricey add-ons | The ideal platform for teams who are familiar with spreadsheets and formulas | Read Forbes' Review | |
4.0 | Best for Scrum teams | Free, $8.60 per user (based on up to 100 users) | Scrum and Kanban boards, thousands of integrations | Limited in scope, complex terminology used throughout | Jira is perfect for SMBs who use Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, due to its robust boards, sprint support and backlogs | Read Forbes' Review | |
4.0 | Best for integrations | Free, $13.49 per user (two-user minimum) | Easy to configure integrations, generous free plan | Expensive paid plans, stuttering Android application | Asana offers over 100 free integrations, making it ideal for SMBs using multiple software platforms to conduct business | Read Forbes’ Review | |
3.9 | Best for customization | Free, $24 per user | Many customization options, relational databases | Steep learning curve, costly paid plans | Airtable can be customized extensively, making it easy to create workspaces that let teams visualize and act on data quickly | Read Forbes’ Review | |
3.9 | Best for SMBs on a budget | Free, $5 per user | Affordable paid plans, extensive feature set | Not the most visually pleasing interface, few third-party integrations | SMBs on a budget need look no further than Zoho Projects, as its numerous task and project management tools are ideal for simple and complex projects | Read Forbes' Review | |
3.8 | Best for creative teams | Free, $12 per user | Powerful collaborative documents, affordable paid plans, many task management tools | Very limited free plan, AI costs $10 per person per month | Notion offers the best collaborative documents in the industry alongside task management tools that will suit those working in creative industries | Read Forbes’ Review |
Best for All Methodologies and Frameworks
ClickUp
Monthly Starting Price
$10 per user
Free Plan
Yes, supports unlimited users and tasks, numerous tools
Key Features
Multiple views, live chat, collaborative workspaces
$10 per user
Yes, supports unlimited users and tasks, numerous tools
Multiple views, live chat, collaborative workspaces
I have been using and reviewing project management software for many years, and I can honestly say that ClickUp is the best platform for most SMBs due to its versatility. No matter whether you use traditional project management methodologies, such as Critical Path, or Agile frameworks, such as Scrum and Kanban, ClickUp offers all the tools you need. You’ll find customizable Kanban boards, calendars, Gantt charts and lists to plan and track project tasks. There’s also a good mix of reports and time, budgeting and resource management tools.
ClickUp’s Kanban boards are easy to use and customize.
ClickUp is ideal for distributed teams, as it offers a robust suite of collaborative tools that include real-time documents, mind maps, whiteboards and an instant messenger. You can also integrate many third-party applications and configure automations to save time. ClickUp offers a free plan that supports unlimited users and multiple tools, and its paid plans are affordable. Plans cost between $10 and $19 per user per month (billed monthly). For large teams, there’s an Enterprise plan with many advanced features, though you must call for a quote.
Learn more: Read our full ClickUp review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#6Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 6 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 81% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
81%13%6%Ranked 6 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 81% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
-
#11Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 11 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 68% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
68%21%11%Ranked 11 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 68% of people had positive sentiments
- 21% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
-
#6Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 6 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 34% of people had negative sentiments
66%6%34%Ranked 6 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 34% of people had negative sentiments
-
#13Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 13 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 46% of people had negative sentiments
36%18%46%Ranked 13 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 46% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 9 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 5% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
84%5%11%Ranked 9 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 5% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
ClickUp is generally well-regarded for its flexibility and wide range of features, with many users appreciating its customizability and robust project management capabilities. However, it is also noted for having a steep learning curve and some users have reported concerns about the user interface being cluttered or buggy. While the platform offers significant functionality in its free tier, users have expressed mixed feelings about its performance and reliability.
- Excellent free plan and affordable paid plans
- Robust suite of project and task management tools
- Many collaborative features for remote teams
- Advanced tools have a steep learning curve
- ClickUp Brain (AI) is a paid add-on
- Mobile applications omit a few views
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Integrations
|
Over 50 native integrations
|
Automations
|
100 to 250,000 monthly automation runs
|
File Storage
|
100MB to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Custom Fields
|
60 to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Mobile and Desktop Applications
|
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
|
ClickUp’s Gantt charts are clean and easy to configure.
While ClickUp isn’t as pretty as monday.com and Teamwork.com, it is incredibly functional. Navigation is straightforward thanks to a side menu, and jumping between tools is a piece of cake, as they’re listed at the top of the workspace. Most tools use a simple drag-and-drop mechanism, making them easy to use; however, some advanced tools, such as mind maps, have a learning curve. Overall, I don’t think teams will have issues with ClickUp. Still, if you find yourself in a pickle, ClickUp’s excellent knowledge base and university can help you.
Best for New Teams
monday.com
Monthly Starting Price
$12 per user
(three-user minimum)
Free Plan
Yes, supports two users and limited tools
Key Features
Over 200 templates, many views, automations
$12 per user
(three-user minimum)
Yes, supports two users and limited tools
Over 200 templates, many views, automations
Without a doubt, monday.com is the most user-friendly project management software you can get. The beautifully designed software and its many tools offer a hassle-free user experience. Aside from the usual gamut of features that include multiple views for task planning and management, resource management and collaborative docs, you’ll find expertly crafted templates for numerous industries that can get projects up and running quickly. The templates alone make monday.com ideal for teams who are new to project management software.
The customizable project templates on monday.com can help teams configure projects in minutes.
You’ll find plenty of other tools that can make your work life easier, too such as automations, support for integrations, artificial intelligence and beautiful dashboards that show key performance indicators. Regarding pricing, monday.com offers a free plan, but it is very limited, and the $12 per user per month (billed monthly) Basic plan offers poor value for money. However, the Standard and Pro plans, which cost $14 and $24 (billed monthly), respectively, offer some of the best value in the project management space.
Learn more: Read our full monday.com review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#14Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 14 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 69% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 21% of people had negative sentiments
69%10%21%Ranked 14 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 69% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 21% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 2 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 79% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
79%10%11%Ranked 2 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 79% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
-
#14Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 14 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 28% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 62% of people had negative sentiments
28%10%62%Ranked 14 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 28% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 62% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 3 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 93% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
93%3%4%Ranked 3 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 93% of people had positive sentiments
- 3% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 3 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 89% of people had positive sentiments
- 7% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
89%7%4%Ranked 3 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 89% of people had positive sentiments
- 7% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
Monday.com is commonly viewed as a flexible and customizable project management tool with a visually appealing interface and a wide range of integrations. Users appreciate its functionality for managing tasks and projects, although some find the platform to be expensive and limited in handling certain complex workflows. While it is commended for ease of use and collaboration features, it faces criticism for its complicated automations and perceived high cost for advanced features.
- Beautiful user interface and project templates
- Large arsenal of project and task management tools
- Standard and Pro plans offer excellent value for money
- Limited free plan
- Basic plan offers poor value for money
- AI is only available in top-tier plans
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Automations
|
250 to 250,000 monthly runs (plan dependent)
|
File Storage
|
500MB to 1TB (plan dependent)
|
Integrations
|
Over 200 integrations (not all native)
|
Mobile and Desktop Applications
|
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
|
Number of Column Types
|
20 columns for board customization
|
You can create dashboards with multiple widgets on monday.com.
Within minutes of loading monday.com, I was able to find all the tools I needed and could navigate to any area of my workspace within a click or two. The bright, bold colors and well-designed menus make monday.com a joy to use. Creating integrations and configuring automations is straightforward, as is creating entire projects. There’s a reason why it made our roundup of the best Gantt chart software. I do wish monday.com’s lower-tier plans offered more user permissions and security tools, but overall, I think teams will hit the ground running with this solution.
Best for Automations
Teamwork.com
Monthly Starting Price
$13.99 per user
(three-user minimum)
Free Plan
Yes, supports five users, multiple tools
Key Features
Automations, time and expense tracking, task management
$13.99 per user
(three-user minimum)
Yes, supports five users, multiple tools
Automations, time and expense tracking, task management
Dozens of automation templates and a graphical automation builder that uses if-this-then-that statements make creating recurring tasks and automated cross-platform workflows in Teamwork.com easy. You choose time or event-based triggers and an action and you’re done. On top of automations, Teamwork.com offers an interface that rivals the beauty of monday.com. Collaborative documents, integrations, a messenger, reports, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, lists, custom fields and tags are also present.
Teamwork.com offers users numerous pre-made automation templates.
Teamwork.com also offers numerous budgeting and expense management tools, including invoices and billable time tracking. I believe its resource management and workload planners are superior to those found in monday.com and ClickUp. However, the cost of entry will scare off many SMBs. You’ll find a free plan that supports five users and multiple tools, and paid plans that range in price from $13.99 to $69.99 per user per month (when billed monthly). If you can stomach the cost compared to its competitors, you’ll appreciate what Teamwork.com offers.
Learn more: Read our full Teamwork.com review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#6Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 6 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 92% of people had positive sentiments
- 2% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
92%2%6%Ranked 6 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 92% of people had positive sentiments
- 2% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 5 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 55% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
55%18%27%Ranked 5 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 55% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 9 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 17% of people had negative sentiments
66%17%17%Ranked 9 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 17% of people had neutral sentiments
- 17% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 5 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 86% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
86%8%6%Ranked 5 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 86% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 1 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 100% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
100%Ranked 1 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 100% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
Teamwork.com is generally well-regarded as a robust and flexible project management tool with a wide array of features suitable for various business needs, especially agencies. Users praise its strong support and continuous updates, though some express concerns about its complexity and pricing model.
- Excellent automation builder
- Large selection of project management tools
- User-friendly interface
- Free plan only supports five users
- Paid plans are expensive
- Paid plans have minimum user requirements
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Integrations
|
Many native integrations and Zapier support
|
Mobile and Desktop Applications
|
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
|
Project Templates
|
Two to 20 templates (plan dependent)
|
File Storage
|
100MB to 500GB (plan dependent)
|
Document and Image Proofs
|
20 to unlimited per month (plan dependent)
|
Teamwork.com looks very similar to monday.com.
Teamwork.com is up there with monday.com regarding ease of use. The tools aren’t complicated and the design is great, but Teamwork.com’s AI isn’t as useful as AI tools found in ClickUp, Notion and Coda. If you need robust project budgeting and resource management tools and don’t mind the cost, Teamwork.com is a solid option. However, for less money, you can opt for ClickUp or monday.com and will only have to make slight compromises regarding those tools. If not for the cost, Teamwork.com would likely be nipping at ClickUp’s heels.
Best for Collaboration
Coda
Monthly Starting Price
$12 per doc maker
Free Plan
Yes, supports one doc maker, unlimited editors
Key Features
Collaborative workspaces, integrations
$12 per doc maker
Yes, supports one doc maker, unlimited editors
Collaborative workspaces, integrations
Coda is a unique project management software solution. Rather than silo each tool, it places all of them into one collaborative workspace. In practice, this means you have a single project document that houses your reports, forms, collaborative notes and workflow management tools. It’s easy to keep team members on track because they all work on the same page. Coda also offers automations and plenty of integrations, though I am not a fan of how Coda segregates integrations by plan. Version histories, comments and file uploads are also supported.
You can place any tool anywhere you want it in Coda.
Coda’s pricing is just as unique as its workspaces. Rather than charge for every use, Coda only charges for document makers. Every other user or editor is free. This is great for small teams or SMBs with a tight budget. However, Coda can get expensive if you need multiple doc makers. The free plan supports one doc maker and unlimited editors, however, there are tool limitations. Doc makers range in cost from $12 to $36 per month (billed monthly), depending on the plan you choose. There’s also a scalable Enterprise plan for large organizations.
Learn more: Read our full Coda review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#4Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 4 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 86% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 5% of people had negative sentiments
86%9%5%Ranked 4 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 86% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 5% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 2 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 77% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 17% of people had negative sentiments
77%6%17%Ranked 2 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 77% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 17% of people had negative sentiments
-
#3Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 3 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
84%16%Ranked 3 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
-
#11Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 11 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 49% of people had positive sentiments
- 32% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
49%32%19%Ranked 11 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 49% of people had positive sentiments
- 32% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 8 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 82% of people had positive sentiments
- 14% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
82%14%4%Ranked 8 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 82% of people had positive sentiments
- 14% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
Coda is a versatile and powerful tool that many users find beneficial for project management, document creation and data-driven tasks. While it offers significant customization and integrations, some users have reported challenges with its learning curve and performance issues on mobile platforms. The pricing is often considered advantageous, especially for teams, but the limitations of the free tier have been a concern for some users.
- Customizable collaborative workspaces
- Intuitive, user-friendly tools
- Only pay for doc makers
- Advanced security is only for top-tier plans
- Limited tools on the free plan
- Has a steep learning curve
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Attachments
|
1GB to unlimited storage (plan dependent)
|
Mobile Applications
|
Android and iOS
|
Forms
|
Unlimited forms on all plans
|
Version Histories
|
Seven days to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Packs (Integrations)
|
26 to 73 integrations (plan dependent)
|
Coda’s collaborative documents can be customized to your liking.
I won’t lie, when I first used Coda, I could not for the life of me figure out what was going on. The interface is alien compared to other platforms in this list because you’re greeted with a blank page. However, this is the beauty of Coda. While it can take a little while to learn how to add tools to your document, soon you’ll have a custom workspace that suits your team and project down to the ground. Take the time to learn how to use Coda and you will understand how valuable customizable workspaces can be.
Best for Complex Datasets
Smartsheet
Monthly Starting Price
$12 per user
Free Plan
Yes, supports two editors and two sheets
Key Features
Multiple views, AI, support for formulas
$12 per user
Yes, supports two editors and two sheets
Multiple views, AI, support for formulas
If your SMB handles complex datasets and is still using old-school spreadsheets, you may want to look at Smartsheet. You can track tasks and projects on sheets, Kanban boards and Gantt charts, use formulas to complete calculations and link data across sheets. AI can create formulas, translate text and create drafts, and users can configure automations to handle repetitive tasks. Smartsheet also integrates with many software platforms, including but not limited to Slack, Power BI and the Adobe Creative Cloud.
If you like spreadsheets, you’ll be impressed with Smartsheet and all it can do.
Additionally, you’ll find detailed reports and tools for resource management and workload tracking. As you can see, Smartsheet isn’t your grandpa’s spreadsheet. My biggest caveat is that Smartsheet has too many premium add-ons for tools that should be included in most plans such as the calendar, custom workflow Bridge tool and its digital asset manager. Smartsheet offers a limited free plan for two users. Paid plans range from $12 to $24 per person when billed monthly. Customizable Enterprise and Advanced Work Management plans are also available.
Learn more: Read our full Smartsheet review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#10Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 10 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 64% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 23% of people had negative sentiments
64%13%23%Ranked 10 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 64% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 23% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 9 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 76% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 5% of people had negative sentiments
76%19%5%Ranked 9 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 76% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 5% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 4 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 89% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 2% of people had negative sentiments
89%9%2%Ranked 4 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 89% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 2% of people had negative sentiments
-
#12Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 12 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 42% of people had negative sentiments
36%22%42%Ranked 12 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 36% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 42% of people had negative sentiments
-
#10Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 10 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 72% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
72%15%13%Ranked 10 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 72% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
Smartsheet is praised for its flexibility and powerful project management features, with many users finding its spreadsheet-like interface intuitive and easy to adopt. However, there are concerns about its cost, with some users finding it expensive due to additional subscription needs, and concerns about a lack of advanced features like robust reporting tools. Despite its strengths in automation and collaboration, the user experience is mixed, with criticisms aimed at the interface and certain functionalities.
- Good mix of project and task management tools
- Customizable workflows
- Plenty of automations and integrations
- Many tools are for top-tier plan members only
- Many pricey add-ons
- Steep learning curve
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Mobile and Desktop Applications
|
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
|
File Storage
|
20GB to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Attachment Sizes
|
30MB to 250MB (plan dependent)
|
Automation Triggers
|
250 to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Integrations
|
140 native integrations available
|
The Kanban boards in Smartsheet are basic, but they get the job done.
During my time with Smartsheet, I found it quite easy to navigate between its various tools and spaces, thanks to well-placed menus and icons. Its sheets, which I think most users will gravitate towards, are incredibly powerful. However, if you don’t know how to get the most out of them with formulas, you’ll be better off picking an alternative platform, such as ClickUp, simply because Smartsheet’s Kanban boards and Gantt charts leave a lot to be desired. It’s not that they’re hard to use; they just feel primitive compared to those found in competing platforms.
Best for Scrum Teams
Jira
Monthly Starting Price
$8.60 per user
(based on a team of 100)
Free Plan
Yes, supports 10 users and unlimited goals, projects and tasks
Key Features
Scrum and Kanban boards, backlogs, templates
$8.60 per user
(based on a team of 100)
Yes, supports 10 users and unlimited goals, projects and tasks
Scrum and Kanban boards, backlogs, templates
Jira is a firm favorite of mine and many Scrum teams due to its exceptional Scrum boards, Kanban boards, timelines, backlogs, integrations and automation capabilities. Being a member of the Atlassian family, Jira seamlessly integrates with Confluence. Within Confluence, teams can collaborate on Definition of Ready (DOR) and Definition of Done (DOD) checklists and other documents that can then be added directly to user stories (tasks). Jira offers robust reports, supports story points for Agile estimation and offers easy-to-use issue and bug tracking tools.
Jira’s Scrum boards are customizable and easy to use.
While predominantly used by software developers, Jira’s many templates open its doors to numerous industries, including design, human resources, engineering and marketing. Regarding pricing, Jira offers a free plan that supports 10 users and unlimited projects, tasks, goals and forms. Its paid plans are affordable and work on a sliding scale (the more users, the cheaper it gets). Plans range from $8.60 to $17 per person (billed monthly) for teams up to 100 members strong. An Enterprise plan for teams with over 800 members is also available.
Learn more: Read our full Jira review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#7Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 7 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 47% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 30% of people had negative sentiments
47%23%30%Ranked 7 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 47% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 30% of people had negative sentiments
-
#14Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 14 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 24% of people had neutral sentiments
- 10% of people had negative sentiments
66%24%10%Ranked 14 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 24% of people had neutral sentiments
- 10% of people had negative sentiments
-
#14Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 14 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 29% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 48% of people had negative sentiments
29%23%48%Ranked 14 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 29% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 48% of people had negative sentiments
-
#11Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 11 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 74% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 8% of people had negative sentiments
74%18%8%Ranked 11 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 74% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 8% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 8 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 76% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 9% of people had negative sentiments
76%15%9%Ranked 8 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 76% of people had positive sentiments
- 15% of people had neutral sentiments
- 9% of people had negative sentiments
Jira is seen as a complex and powerful project management tool with extensive configurability, which can render it overwhelming and difficult to set up for many users. It is commonly used in the tech industry due to its robust integration capabilities and market presence, although the user experience can suffer from a steep learning curve and occasional usability issues.
- Robust boards and tools for Agile frameworks
- Over 3,000 integrations
- Generous free plan and affordable paid plans
- Complex terminology used throughout the software
- Focus on Agile frameworks limits its scope
- Poor customer service options
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Integrations
|
Over 3,000
|
File Storage
|
2GB to unlimited storage (plan dependent)
|
Automations
|
100 to unlimited monthly runs (plan dependent)
|
Mobile Applications
|
Android and iOS
|
Number of Users
|
10 to 50,000 (plan dependent)
|
Jira’s backlogs allow product owners and developers to see which user stories need to be worked on during the next sprint.
SMB teams unfamiliar with Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, will be in for a rude awakening, as Jira has been designed with software developers in mind. Terminology catered to Scrum teams is littered throughout the platform, which will confuse those not in the Scrum loop. However, spend time with Jira, and I promise you will find it to be a capable platform that can help you collaborate with your team efficiently. If you’re just looking for Kanban boards, I would steer you towards Trello (Jira’s sibling), which made it into our roundup of the best Kanban software.
Best for Integrations
Asana
Monthly Starting Price
$13.49 per user
(two-user minimum)
Free Plan
Yes, supports 10 users, unlimited projects, tasks, storage and comments
Key Features
Multiple views, collaborative notes, proofing tools
$13.49 per user
(two-user minimum)
Yes, supports 10 users, unlimited projects, tasks, storage and comments
Multiple views, collaborative notes, proofing tools
I have always seen Asana as the more refined brother to the louder and more colorful monday.com. Both are easy to use, but due to Asana’s subtle color palette, it looks a little more professional. Like monday.com, Asana offers multiple views, including Kanban, Gantt, timelines, lists and calendars. Collaborative notes, proofing, resource management tools and automations are also here. Where Asana pulls away from monday.com and others is with integrations. Asana offers over 100 native integrations that can be configured with a few clicks.
Asana simplifies integrating third-party software platforms.
The usual suspects of AI, messaging, user storage, user permissions, and mobile and desktop applications are also present in Asana. My biggest issue with Asana is the cost. I will say that Asana offers one of the best free plans, which is why it made our roundup of the best free project management software. However, the paid plans, which cost between $13.49 and $30.49 per person per month (billed monthly), make it an expensive option. Asana also offers Enterprise and Enterprise+ plans for those needing advanced security and premium support.
Learn more: Read our full Asana review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#11Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 11 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 77% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 10% of people had negative sentiments
77%13%10%Ranked 11 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 77% of people had positive sentiments
- 13% of people had neutral sentiments
- 10% of people had negative sentiments
-
#6Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 6 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 80% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
80%16%4%Ranked 6 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 80% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
-
#11Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 11 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 45% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 45% of people had negative sentiments
45%10%45%Ranked 11 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 45% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 45% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 8 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 15% of people had negative sentiments
66%19%15%Ranked 8 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 19% of people had neutral sentiments
- 15% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 7 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
84%10%6%Ranked 7 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 84% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
Users have a mixed view of Asana, praising its user-friendly interface, robust task management features and flexibility for managing projects and tasks. However, they also note limitations in customization and some frustrations with its complexity for more advanced needs or larger projects, along with issues in customer service and time tracking capabilities.
- Refined user interface
- Easy to implement integrations
- Numerous task and project management features
- Expensive paid plans
- Many security options on top-tier plans
- Android application performance could be better
Specification | Details |
---|---|
File Storage
|
Unlimited (100MB file size limit)
|
Desktop and Mobile Applications
|
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
|
Asana AI
|
150 to unlimited monthly actions (plan dependent)
|
Automation Rules
|
250 to unlimited monthly runs (plan dependent)
|
User Limit
|
10 to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Calendars are just one way you can track tasks and appointments in Asana.
For a platform that offers as many features as Asana does, I found it very easy to learn the lay of the land. Tools are easily accessible, advanced settings are simple to find and the tools on the desktop and web versions of Asana work flawlessly. There’s nothing complex about Asana, which makes it very accessible. A complaint I do have involves the Android application. Unfortunately, performance can be quite erratic. On slightly older devices, Asana is a stuttering mess, which leads to a frustrating experience. I hope Asana optimizes the app in the future.
Best for Customization
Airtable
Monthly Starting Price
$24 per user
Free Plan
Yes, supports one workspace and five editors
Key Features
Interface designer, numerous views, record linking
$24 per user
Yes, supports one workspace and five editors
Interface designer, numerous views, record linking
Airtable will appeal to those who like using spreadsheets. However, unlike Smartsheet’s basic Kanban boards and Gantt charts, Airtable’s are robust, as are the lists, timelines, calendars, grid and gallery views. Airtable is capable of organizing structured data across relational databases, which can then be shared with team members across multiple departments. Airtable offers reports, automations, AI, a robust interface designer, a handful of integrations and a page designer that lets you create everything from feature sheets to business cards.
The number of workspace customization options in Airtable is impressive.
The no-code interface designer allows users to create custom interfaces by dragging and dropping elements. You can configure spaces that allow you to visualize and take action on data effortlessly. Airtable is just as capable as other software listed here and offers just as many features; it’s just expensive. There is a limited free plan that supports one workspace and five users. The paid plans cost between $24 and $54 per user per month (billed monthly). The Enterprise plan costs $70 per user per month.
Learn more: Read our full Airtable review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#8Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 8 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 76% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
76%20%4%Ranked 8 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 76% of people had positive sentiments
- 20% of people had neutral sentiments
- 4% of people had negative sentiments
-
#4Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 4 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 85% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
85%9%6%Ranked 4 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 85% of people had positive sentiments
- 9% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
-
#8Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 8 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 47% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 35% of people had negative sentiments
47%18%35%Ranked 8 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 47% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 35% of people had negative sentiments
-
#2Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 2 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 94% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
94%6%Ranked 2 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 94% of people had positive sentiments
- 6% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
-
#7Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 7 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 75% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
75%11%13%Ranked 7 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 75% of people had positive sentiments
- 11% of people had neutral sentiments
- 13% of people had negative sentiments
Airtable is generally well-regarded for its versatility, allowing users to effectively manage data and automate workflows. Many appreciate its user-friendly design, customizable features and capabilities for project management, which are powered by integrations and automations. However, some users express concerns over lack of offline access and the complexity of its advanced features, which might require a learning curve.
- Many customization options
- Views for multiple methodologies and frameworks
- Relational databases
- Limited free plan
- Costly paid plans
- Steep learning curve
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Integrations
|
24 |
Desktop and Mobile Applications
|
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
|
Records per Base
|
1,000 to 500,000 (plan dependent)
|
File Storage per Base
|
1GB to 1TB (plan dependent)
|
Revision History
|
Two weeks to over three years (plan dependent)
|
Airtable’s many views make it suitable for teams using predictive methodologies and Agile frameworks.
I’ll be honest and say that if you don’t have time to learn how to use Airtable, you may want to look at another platform on this list. However, if you do have the time to learn, Airtable will rock your world. The Kanban boards, automation builder and other task management tools are child’s play. It’s the page designer, interface designer and relational databases that will eat your lunch. Still, when you learn how to use them and figure out how to link data across bases, there will be no stopping you and your team from achieving greatness.
Best for SMBs on a Budget
Zoho Projects
Monthly Starting Price
$5 per user
Free Plan
Yes, supports five users, three projects
Key Features
Task management, templates, sprint and critical path support
$5 per user
Yes, supports five users, three projects
Task management, templates, sprint and critical path support
If you have been reading this list and rolling your eyes at the prices of some platforms, I promise, Zoho Projects will make you grin from ear to ear. With paid plans ranging from $5 to $10 per person max, every SMB can afford it. Zoho Projects isn’t missing any features, which makes the price surprising. It supports dependencies and offers AI, templates, reports, automations, lists, calendars, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, resource management tools and the list goes on. You certainly won’t be left wanting more.
Zoho Projects Kanban boards are clean and intuitive.
So what’s the reason for the small price? Zoho is betting on you getting sucked into its software ecosystem, which includes Zoho CRM, Zoho Meeting, Zoho Books and Invoice, Zoho Analytics and Zoho Desk. This isn’t a bad thing, as all of these platforms are just as robust and offer affordable pricing, too. If you’re counting pennies but need software that’s more than capable of managing simple and complex projects, Zoho Projects is for you.
Learn more: Read our full Zoho Projects review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#13Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 13 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 28% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
66%28%6%Ranked 13 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 66% of people had positive sentiments
- 28% of people had neutral sentiments
- 6% of people had negative sentiments
-
#5Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 5 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 81% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
81%19%Ranked 5 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 81% of people had positive sentiments
- 0% of people had neutral sentiments
- 19% of people had negative sentiments
-
#12Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 12 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 60% of people had positive sentiments
- 40% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
60%40%Ranked 12 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 60% of people had positive sentiments
- 40% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
-
#1Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 1 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 77% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
77%23%Ranked 1 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 77% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 0% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 9 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 71% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
71%18%11%Ranked 9 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 71% of people had positive sentiments
- 18% of people had neutral sentiments
- 11% of people had negative sentiments
Zoho Projects is generally perceived as a cost-effective and feature-rich project management solution, particularly suited for small to medium businesses. Users appreciate its comprehensive functionality and user-friendly interface, but some feel it lacks flexibility and could benefit from further integration with other tools. There are mixed feelings toward its effectiveness, with some users finding it satisfactory for managing tasks and projects, while others critique its execution of various features.
- Very affordable paid plans
- Extensive list of features
- Easy-to-navigate software
- Few third-party integrations
- Interface looks a little dated
- AI tools only for paying members
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Storage Space
|
5GB to 120GB (plan dependent)
|
Project Templates
|
20 to 30 (plan dependent)
|
Third-Party Integrations
|
25 |
First-Party Integrations
|
16 |
Task Custom Fields
|
255 (Enterprise plan only)
|
Zoho Projects doesn’t look as nice as competing platforms but is functional.
Zoho Projects is not going to win design awards, but I can tell you the software is functional. A navigation panel makes zipping between workspaces straightforward, and easy-to-find drop-down menus house task views. Is Zoho Projects as user-friendly as monday.com and Teamwork.com? No, but it is not so complex that teams will become frustrated. Overall, Zoho Projects deserves its place on this list and our roundup of the best task management software.
Best for Creative Teams
Notion
Monthly Starting Price
$12 per user
Free Plan
Yes, supports individuals and basic tools
Key Features
Collaborative docs, website page designer, task management
$12 per user
Yes, supports individuals and basic tools
Collaborative docs, website page designer, task management
Many project management solutions offer collaborative documents, but no one does them better than Notion, and that makes it the best solution for SMBs in marketing, design, engineering and content creation fields. Team members can collaborate on documents and wikis from the web and Notion’s desktop and mobile applications. Notion can also be used to design and publish websites. While Notion, in my opinion, isn’t as strong in task management as ClickUp, monday.com and others, it does offer lists, tables, timelines, Kanban boards and calendars.
Notion has perfected collaborative documents.
Additionally, you can find file storage and one of the best artificial intelligence tools. Notion AI, which costs $10 per user per month (billed monthly), is based on ChatGPT and can be used to draft content, summarize messages and tasks and generate insightful project data. Notion also offers integrations and automations so users can create cross-platform workflows. Notion’s free plan only supports individuals, but its paid plans are within reach of most. Plans cost between $12 and $18 per user per month (billed monthly). An Enterprise plan is also available.
Learn more: Read our full Notion review.
We gather and analyze consumer sentiment from a range of sources to create the Consumer Sentiment Index to determine customer satisfaction levels for each feature outlined below. This data is designed to give you an idea of real consumer experience of the services and product we review. This data is currently separate from our overall rating out of 5
-
#10Task Management and Workflow CustomizationRanked 10 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization
- 73% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 5% of people had negative sentiments
73%22%5%Ranked 10 out of 14For Task Management and Workflow Customization- 73% of people had positive sentiments
- 22% of people had neutral sentiments
- 5% of people had negative sentiments
-
#13Collaboration and Communication FeaturesRanked 13 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features
- 75% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 15% of people had negative sentiments
75%10%15%Ranked 13 out of 14For Collaboration and Communication Features- 75% of people had positive sentiments
- 10% of people had neutral sentiments
- 15% of people had negative sentiments
-
#12Ease of Use and InterfaceRanked 12 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface
- 50% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
50%23%27%Ranked 12 out of 14For Ease of Use and Interface- 50% of people had positive sentiments
- 23% of people had neutral sentiments
- 27% of people had negative sentiments
-
#12Integrations with Other ToolsRanked 12 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools
- 71% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 21% of people had negative sentiments
71%8%21%Ranked 12 out of 14For Integrations with Other Tools- 71% of people had positive sentiments
- 8% of people had neutral sentiments
- 21% of people had negative sentiments
-
#9Pricing and ScalabilityRanked 9 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability
- 45% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 39% of people had negative sentiments
45%16%39%Ranked 9 out of 14For Pricing and Scalability- 45% of people had positive sentiments
- 16% of people had neutral sentiments
- 39% of people had negative sentiments
Notion is a versatile and highly customizable tool that excels in organizing and managing information, making it a popular choice for a wide range of applications from team collaboration to personal productivity. However, while many users appreciate its extensive features and flexibility, there are criticisms regarding its complexity, lack of offline access and performance issues. It is favored for its clean interface and multifunctional capabilities, but there are concerns about its ease of use and speed, especially for new users who may find the learning curve steep.
- The best collaborative docs around
- Numerous integrations and automations
- Paid plans offer good value for money
- Limited free plan
- AI is a spendy add-on
- Software design is too clinical
Specification | Details |
---|---|
File Storage
|
5MB to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Page History
|
Seven days to unlimited (plan dependent)
|
Guest Invites
|
10 to over 250 (plan dependent)
|
Notion Site Domains
|
One to five (plan dependent)
|
Synced Database Rows
|
100 to 20,000 (plan dependent)
|
Notion’s interface is very clinical; you’ll either love it or hate it.
I find Notion easy enough to use. Navigation is very similar to that of ClickUp and monday.com, thanks to a navigation panel. While the task management tools aren’t as customizable or as feature-packed as those found in the previously mentioned platforms, they are more than serviceable. They’re fluid when in use and perform well across all of Notion’s apps. It’s the collaborative documents that will make you stick with Notion, though. They’re the reason why it made our roundup of the best marketing project management software.
Methodology
Software testing is a serious business. So, to give software platforms a fair trial, I use our proprietary rubric to rank multiple features. For the best project management software, 26 platforms were chosen, and 61 features across nine categories were analyzed. I then tested the top 10 platforms before awarding a final score to each provider.
Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
---|---|---|
Consumer Sentiment | 30% | We evaluate real-world user provider reviews on websites such as G2, Trustpilot and Capterra to see how customers feel about the software, the pricing and the provider's customer service. |
Project Management Features | 13% | When testing each platform, I use every project management feature such as time tracking tools, views, dashboards and budgeting tools to see how user-friendly they are and if they work as intended. |
Task Management Features | 11% | I thoroughly test automation builders, custom fields and advanced search functions. I also take a closer look at user permissions and platform security options such as SSO and 2FA policies. |
Collaboration Features | 10.5% | I evaluate the platform's integration capabilities and test whiteboards, collaborative documents and proofing tools. |
Organizing Features | 10.5% | During testing, I check if the platforms support subtasks, milestone tracking and resource management. I also evaluate recurring tasks, task IDs and messaging tools. |
Expert Score | 10% | I thoroughly tested all of the platforms to see how the software and its tools functioned. |
Value | 10% | I look at every provider's plans (free and paid) to see if they offer value for money. |
Service and Support | 4% | I used all available methods (email, phone and live chat) to contact each provider's customer service team to see how knowledgeable, friendly and responsive they are. |
App Review | 1% | App reviews on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store were considered. |
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to providing unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
Learn More: How We Evaluate Project Management Software
- 26 Companies Evaluated
- 61 Decision Factors Considered
- Four Levels of Fact-Checking
- Hands-On Testing
How to Choose the Best Project Management Software
Choosing new project management software can be stressful. There are so many things you must consider before picking your first platform or switching to new software. In the coming sections, we’ll examine the features you need to be on the lookout for. We’ll also discuss value and how important ease of use is. Follow the guide below, and you’ll be able to implement new project management software without having to hire a change management professional.
Essential Project Management Software Features
Before picking new project management software, it’s essential to ensure it offers core features to help you and your team get projects across the finish line. Below, I have listed what I consider to be the most important features to look for when shopping for project management software.
- Multiple views. Make sure the software you choose offers the views and workflow tools you need to get work done. The best project management software should offer a good mix of lists, sheets, calendars, Kanban boards and Gantt charts.
- Collaboration tools. Whether your team is distributed or in-office, you should make sure that project management software offers features that will enhance collaboration. Look for collaborative documents, mind maps, whiteboards, instant messengers, and document and image proofing tools.
- Resource management features. If you can’t keep on top of your available resources, your project will likely crash and burn. Ensure that the platform you’re eyeing offers resource management tools that let you allocate resources as well as estimate and forecast for personnel, materials and equipment.
- Time management tools. As a project manager, it’s essential to know how and where time is being spent. Ensure the software you choose allows team members to track time spent on individual tasks. Time management tools will help you pinpoint problem areas and alleviate bottlenecks.
- Project budgeting. The last thing you want to do is battle with scope creep. So, double- and triple-check your chosen provider’s features and ensure the software offers budgeting tools and planners that can help you manage finances.
- Integrations. Every SMB uses multiple pieces of software to ensure daily operations run as smoothly as possible. When picking new project management software, ensure that it plays nicely with the software you already employ. Most providers list available integrations on their websites.
- Automations. The best project management software must offer automations and be able to handle cross-platform workflows and recurring tasks without breaking a sweat. This is one tool that you should not compromise on, as it can drastically increase efficiency, reduce errors and save you money.
- Risk management tools: If you don’t plan for issues and risks, you’ll be up a creek without a paddle when things don’t go to plan. Dig around provider websites or use free trials to see if the platform offers any risk management features. They can be in the form of pre-made documents or templates that work on boards and lists, it doesn’t matter. Just ensure they’re available.
- Online storage: Projects generate plenty of documents and images, and you’ll need somewhere to store them. Look to see if your chosen provider offers a document management system (DMS) or lets you upload supporting documents to task cards. Also, make sure the plan you choose offers enough storage space for your needs.
Value
Before deciding on project management software, every SMB must consider how much value a platform or a particular plan offers. While it’s easy for me to recommend software, only you know what tools you need and how much you can afford to spend. Before taking the plunge with any software, analyze the plans offered from numerous providers to see which one offers everything you need at a price you can afford.
If you need to, take advantage of free plans until you have enough capital to move into a paid plan. Platforms such as ClickUp, Jira and Asana offer excellent free options. As a general rule, plan to spend from $6 to $12 per person per month on entry-level plans, $13 to $25 per person per month on mid-tier options and $25 to $70 per person per month on feature-dense top-tier plans. It’s vital that you determine your budget before making a commitment.
Ease of Use
We have spent a lot of time talking about the myriad features and tools project management software platforms provide, and while this is important, it would be remiss of me not to discuss ease of use. You can pick the most feature-packed project management software available, but if the software isn’t easy to learn and use, it’s worthless.
My advice is to use free trials to test each provider and its tools. Doing this will help you get a feel for the software and you can ensure that the tools on offer work how you need them to. I recommend creating fictitious projects so you can interact with lists, calendars, Kanban boards and Gantt charts. Play with automation builders, configure integrations and use collaborative tools to see if the mobile applications are stable. Taking the time to do this will help you make a solid decision that everyone will benefit from.
Featured Partners
1
monday.com
Yes
From $8 monthly per user
Zoom, LinkedIn, Adobe, Salesforce and more
2
ClickUp
Yes, for unlimited members
$7 per month
Slack, Microsoft Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Timely, Google Drive and more
3
Wrike
Yes
$10 per user per month
Salesforce, Adobe, Miro, Netsuite, QuickBooks, SAP
Which Project Management Software Is Best for Your Business?
Only you know what you need from project management software. My roundup can steer you in the right direction, but you must make the final decision. If you still don’t know which way to turn, consider the following:
- If you have a limited software budget, ClickUp, Zoho Projects and Coda are the platforms I suggest looking at closely.
- If you need robust collaboration tools, I suggest looking at ClickUp, monday.com, Teamwork.com, Asana, Coda and Notion. They all offer excellent real-time documents.
- If you only use Agile frameworks, such as Scrum, divert your attention to Jira.
- If you have a large team, I recommend ClickUp, Coda and Zoho Projects, as they offer very affordable paid plans.
- If you prefer using spreadsheets, Airtable and Smartsheet are calling your name.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is project management software?
Project management software is used to plan, organize and manage tasks, resources and documents. It can also be used by all types of teams, whether using predictive methodologies or Agile frameworks, to collaborate, reduce waste and increase productivity.
Does project management software offer strong security and privacy?
Yes, project management software offers excellent security and privacy features. The majority of project management software providers use servers that are SOC 2 Type II compliant. Most also use AES-256-bit encryption and TLS 1.2 security protocols. Many providers are also HIPAA and GDPR compliant. As always, do your own research to ensure providers meet your specific security and privacy needs.
Can any SMB use project management software?
Yes, any SMB can use project management software. Whether you need to create simple to-do lists to help you and a team get through the day or need to plan and organize large-scale projects that involve multiple stakeholders and clients, project management software can help.