10 Best Project Management Software for 2025

Best overall: monday.com Best for teams on a budget: ClickUp Best for project document management: Confluence Best for spreadsheet lovers: Smartsheet Best for freelance teams: Notion Best for development teams: Jira Best for unique AI features: Wrike Best for multiple project visualizations: Zoho Projects Best for flexibility: Asana Best for collaboration on large projects: Microsoft Project Companies of all sizes can benefit from the support that project management software provides, including streamlined workflows, enhanced collaboration, and a boost to overall productivity. Implementing the right project management software can also help your team optimize resource allocation to complete projects on time and within budget.

Below, you’ll find my picks for the top project management software, based on my own hands-on testing and research. Top project management software comparison Here are some of the most important features to look for in project management software . The table below illustrates which of the top 10 project management tools include which key features.



Standout features Visualize project data through multiple tables, kanban, Gantt charts and dashboard views. Personalize colorful interfaces that bring project data to life. Customize and share surveys for data collection via the WorkForms tool.

Access integrations for developers, marketing, CRM and project management. Utilize pre-built automation and a long list of options for creating automation rules. Top integrations monday.

com integrates seamlessly with many popular tools to improve workflows and raise productivity. It connects with Jira Service Management for tracking issues and project tasks, GitHub for managing code repositories, Slack for team communication, Dropbox for file storage and Google Drive for document management. Pros and cons Standout features Visualize project data through the List, Board, Gantt, Calendar, Workload and Map views.

Create and modify tasks or bulk edit tasks from a list of potential operations. Manage granular configurations of platform features and security. Track and visualize project data through the Dashboards view.

Import data from monday.com, Asana, Trello, Jira, Wrike, Basecamp, and Todoist. Top integrations ClickUp integrates with a wide range of essential tools.

Five of the tools it connects with are: Slack for seamless team communication. GitHub for efficient version control and code management. Google Drive for comprehensive document management.

Outlook for integrated email management. Dropbox for reliable file storage. Pros and cons Standout features Extensive template library includes customizable templates and blueprints for a variety of use cases.

Version control and history feature to track changes to files over time. Atlassian Analytics tools to gain valuable insights. Bulk archive feature to archive multiple outdated or obsolete pages in one go.

Top integrations Confluence integrates with several tools to improve project management and collaboration. It works seamlessly with Jira for comprehensive project tracking, Trello for flexible task management, Salesforce for robust customer relationship management and Zendesk for efficient customer support among others. Pros and cons Standout features Create, import and manage project data on a central cloud-based platform.

Visualize project data through the Grid, Gantt, Card and Calendar views. Flexible options for setting and adjusting project field data. Access to WorkApps, the platform’s no-code tool for building web and mobile apps.

Activity logs for tracking change management with filters to identify actions. Top integrations Smartsheet integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Microsoft Teams for improved team communication, Slack for real-time messaging, Salesforce for customer relationship management, Zapier for automation across various apps and Google Workspace for document and file management. Pros and cons Standout features Multiple work views, including list, table and kanban.

Team workspaces in all plans. Notion AI add-on for improving writing. Create documents for notes, knowledge wikis or projects with a template gallery available.

Export workspace in multiple formats. Security capabilities like HIPAA compliance, SSO and domain management. Top integrations Notion offers an open API for building your own connections with your tech stack.

Common connections include Zapier for automating workflows and linking with numerous other apps, Slack for seamless team communication, Nightfall AI for data security and compliance, Canva for creative design projects, Google Drive for comprehensive document management and OneDrive for additional file storage. Pros and cons Standout features Visualize project data through list, board, timeline and calendar views. Import existing work to create project issues and collect data through forms.

Access a summary page embedded with key performance indicators for progress, priorities and workloads. Integrate with Jira Service Management and other Atlassian tools. Starts with 20 pre-built templates for finance, marketing, human resources and legal teams.

Top integrations Jira effectively integrates with numerous tools to fine-tune project management and improve workflows. These connections include GitHub for version control, Lucidchart for creating diagrams, Confluence for documentation, Microsoft Teams for collaboration and Slack for team communication. Pros and cons Standout features Visualize project data through Gantt charts, kanban boards, and the table, list, board, timelog, and analytics views.

Add and edit task duration, approvals, time entries, subtasks, files, and dependencies. Access project templates for agile, creative, IT operations, and project management office teams. Utilize customer-managed encryption keys and external encryption key storage via Amazon Web Services.

Access to over 400 app integrations and two-way sync with almost 30 other apps. Top integrations Among the multiple integrations in Wrike, some standouts include Power BI for advanced data analytics, Salesforce for managing customer relationships, Zoom for virtual meetings, Google Drive for file storage and Microsoft Teams for team collaboration. Pros and cons Standout features Visualize project data through the classic spreadsheet, plain list and kanban views.

Create project baselines to compare expected versus real progress on tasks. Track time for tasks to inform workload and resource management. Integrate with critical apps such as Google, Microsoft, code repositories and more.

Access Zoho Apps, such as Mail, Docs, CRM, Desk, Analytics and Forms. Top integrations Zoho Projects’ integrations include Zoho CRM for customer relationship management, Slack for improved team communication, Google Workspace for document management, Zapier for automation and Microsoft Teams for collaboration. Pros and cons Standout features Visualize project data through the list, board, timeline, calendar, and workload views.

Manage and create project data with custom fields, rules, and forms. Enable the built-in time-tracking tool to visualize time spent on tasks. Import data from Airtable, Google Sheets, monday.

com, Trello, Smartsheet, and Wrike. Assign tasks and track project progress. Add integrations for communications, files, finance, IT, reporting, sales, and security.

Top integrations Some of the most popular integrations Asana allows are OneDrive for file storage, Slack for team communication, Jira for issue tracking, Harvest for time tracking and Microsoft Teams for collaboration. Pros and cons Standout features Comes in cloud and on-premise versions. Multiple work views, including grid, Gantt charts, board and home dashboard.

Communication and collaboration on projects, tasks and schedules. Reporting templates to manage projects and resources. Timesheets for payroll, invoicing and tasks.

Enterprise resource planning for big teams. Top integrations Integrates with most Microsoft products but must be set up manually. Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Teams. Outlook. Pros and cons Benefits of project management software After understanding which project management methodology works best for your organization and its business goals, project management software can provide a range of benefits.

Here’s just a few: Organization: Team members can stay organized with digital planners, task management, and more. Resource management: See exactly where resources are being allocated with the flexibility to make adjustments. Budgeting: Manage ongoing budgets with transparency around forecasted overall costs.

Overall productivity: Increased efficiency with clear objectives and project timelines. Essential project management software features Here are some essential features to consider when choosing a project management software: Time tracking: Automatically track the time users work on projects. Internal and external communication: Tag team members in updates for full transparency.

Reporting and analytics: Access real-time data and monitor progress and performance. Automation: Build workflows that are automatically triggered to send emails, update statuses, and more while minimizing human error. Generative AI: Create emails, copy, and content in just a few clicks with an AI assistant that is versed in your company’s language.

Project management software costs Project management software cost is typically broken down into a flat monthly fee that is priced per user. Businesses can choose to purchase monthly or annual subscriptions to the software, with the annual subscription generally offered at a discount. Not all providers follow this pricing structure, so I recommend first opting for a free trial or demo, or communicating directly with the provider’s sales team to learn more about options.

How do I choose the best project management software for my business? There are several key factors to consider when determining which project management software is best for your business. User-friendliness Select the project management software that gives you an intuitive interface and straightforward navigation. Look for tools that allow your team to perform tasks most effectively with minimal training based on their technical skills, like tools with drag-and-drop functionalities and clear visual layouts.

User-friendly software reduces the learning curve, which can increase software adoption and overall productivity within your team​. Customization Customizable dashboards, task boards, and automation rules can help you align the software with your processes. If your team has a lot of specific processes, look for a software solution that lets you modify features, views, and integrations to fit your team’s requirements and enhance efficiency​.

Communication Effective communication features are a must-have in project management. Your list of features to consider should include built-in chat, comment sections, and real-time notifications for a full suite of options to keep your team connected. It’s expected that most tools on the market integrate with popular communication platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams, which can further streamline information sharing and keep all team members on the same page​​.

Resource management Efficient time and resource management capabilities have an impact on productivity. Based on your use case, look for software that offers resource allocation, time tracking, workload management and other resource management features that may be relevant to you. Security and reliability Security is a top priority when handling sensitive project data.

Choose a platform that offers the security features and measures that are the best fit for your team, with the basics being data encryption, two-factor authentication and access controls. Cost-effectiveness Choose a solution that balances features and functionality with cost to make sure you get value for money. Compare the pricing plans of different tools and consider whether the features offered justify the cost.

Look for software that provides a good mix of essential features within your budget, and check for any hidden costs, such as charges for additional users or premium support. Analyzing customer reviews and case studies can also help you determine the overall cost-effectiveness of the software​. Methodology To compile this list of the best project management software, I took into account a range of factors, from features and cost to user experience.

I conducted testing to better understand each platform’s unique features and gain firsthand understanding of user experience, functionality, and strengths and weaknesses of each. Through this I was able to identify ideal use cases for each software on the list. I also kept an eye on the top integrations available for each tool.

In cases where I couldn’t get direct access to a tool without subscribing, I used demos to understand how the tool in consideration works. Then I compared my findings with the reviews of verified users to determine whether my experience was common or whether I was an outlier. FAQs Do you need project management software? Project management software can be used by companies of any size, industry, or team structure.

If your business manages multiple projects and wants to create more streamlined workflows and increase productivity and collaboration between team members, investing in project management software is the right move. If only need to plan or track single projects, there are other options available such as digital planners . What is the best project management software for small business? I’ve found some of the top project management software for small businesses are Asana, Zoho Projects, Trello, monday.

com, Wrike, and ClickUp. These all offer a limited free plan, and a mix of time tracking, integrations, and reporting and analytics. All of these features are important for a small business to get core project management functionality at an affordable price.

What is the best task management software? I suggest Asana, Trello, monday.com, MeisterTask, and Todoist as some of the top task management software . These offer a mix of features, including a free plan, calendar views, mobile apps, and time tracking.

What is the best app to use for project management? I recommend Asana, monday.com, Trello, and Smartsheet if you’re after project management software with an intuitive mobile app . If team members travel often or are away from a desktop and still need to access and update project progress, this should be a priority consideration as a feature.

Are there free project management tools? There are several free project management tools that can help businesses boost productivity and track project progress. Some of the top free options I’ve found are ClickUp, Wrike, monday.com, and Notion.

These options are best for solopreneurs or small teams wanting budget-friendly software before committing to a paid subscription. What is project tracking software? Project tracking software and project management software are the same. They both monitor project progress with features that can track time, resource allocation, and offer collaboration tools for team members to access and update data in real time.

Allyssa Haygood-Taylor updated this article..