Courses
Cloudwards Video Courses New

Cloudwards.net may earn a small commission from some purchases made through our site. However, any earnings do not affect how we review services. Learn more about our editorial integrity and research process.

15 Best Project Management Software for 2025: Top Free & Paid Tools

Finding the best project management software is not an easy task. After years of testing the leading tools available, we have a solid idea of platforms that can help project managers work effectively. We’re sharing 15 excellent options.

Dan GinnValentina BravoSimona Ivanovski

Written by Dan Ginn (Writer, Script Editor)

Reviewed by Valentina Bravo (Editor)

Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker)

Last Updated: 2025-01-08T16:05:23+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: This Is the Best Project Management Software for 2025
  1. monday.com — The best option for most users. The Standard plan offers excellent value, with a 14-day free trial available. 
  2. ClickUp — An all-in-one solution for a range of industries. Try the Business plan for the best value. 
  3. Asana — An excellent choice for productivity and communication. Jump on the Standard plan to start managing your tasks.
  4. Zoho Projects — A project management tool that integrates well with other Zoho tools. The Premium plan offers the best bang for your buck.
  5. Notion — A note-taking and productivity suite with useful features for task management. Jump on the Plus plan for the most cost-effective experience.
  6. Wrike — An excellent workspace that lets you manage every area of your business. The best value is with the Team plan, which you can test out for 14 days.
  7. nTask — A cheap and cheerful project and task management platform. Sign up for the Business plan to enjoy one of the most affordable solutions. 
  8. Airtable — An excellent tool for building a range of databases. It’s not cheap, so make the most of the 14-day free trial before you commit.
  9. Hive — A project management tool with a modern design. Subscribe to the Teams plan to get the most out of the platform. 
  10. Trello — Quite simply the kanban king, with a superb free plan. Enjoy excellent value for your money with the Premium plan. 
  11. Jira — Built specifically for software development teams. You’ll find the best value with the Premium plan, which you can test for free for seven days.
  12. Basecamp — The perfect option for those needing industry-leading communication tools. Test drive the Unlimited Pro plan for 30 days.
  13. ProofHub — A modern project management tool. The Ultimate Control plan gives you everything your team needs; you can try it free for seven days.
  14. TeamGantt — Gantt chart-focused project management software. Sign up for the Pro plan and test it for free for 14 days.
  15. Leantime — An open-source project management solution. Sign up for the Premium plan and enjoy the best balance between features and cost.

Facts & Expert Analysis About Top Project Management Apps:

  • Build automations: All the services below let you tailor automated workflows. Make the most of them, as they can reduce the time it takes to complete menial tasks. 
  • Use templates: Project templates are the best way to get your project up and running as quickly as possible. Search for industry-specific templates, as most solutions have options for a range of fields. 
  • Consider integrations: The best tools play well with other leading third-party apps. Whether for communication, productivity or cloud storage, take a look to find software that integrates with other work apps you use.
Best Project Managment App

Managing teams, tasks and multiple projects can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why project managers need tools to help make day-to-day management easier and more fluid. We’ve tried and tested plenty of tools to support that. In this article, we’re sharing the best project management software available.

There is a plethora of software options available in the project management space. From the best free project management software to tools for Agile, all of them claim to be the best option for project managers. Choosing the right product can feel like a project in itself, and you can spend more time selecting tools than actually getting work done.

There’s also the caveat that a tool may be right for one project but not ideal for another. With that in mind, our selection aims to provide project management tools for every type of user, plus every type of budget. We’ll share our overall favorite, but you can be confident that every option we recommend is a high-quality project management app. 

  • 04/25/2023

    Our best project management software roundup has been rewritten with new information and a new format.

  • 09/25/2023

    Removed reference to discontinued ClickUp Business Plus plan.

  • 12/27/2023

    Our best project management software guide has been rewritten with new information and an easy-to-read format.

  • 05/25/2024

    Updated the article to reflect changes in Leantime’s pricing fees and structure. 

  • 06/05/2024

    Added new video ranking of the best project management software.

  • 06/06/2024

    Updated the article to reflect monday.com’s latest pricing information.

  • 12/13/2024 Facts checked

    We have rewritten this best project management software guide to include new services and features relevant to project management.

Cloudwards’ Choice: monday.com

Dan is a technical writer with extensive project management experience.

The best project management platform is monday.com. Its tools can support users with basic task management and more complex projects. In my testing, I found it to be the easiest platform to use thanks to its well-designed interface and strong knowledgebase. It also offers the best value for the money compared to other project management software. 

Best Project Managment App

How to Choose the Best Software for Project Management

Cloudwards follows strict criteria when deciding whether a project management solution is worth recommending. Aside from having the tools project managers need, we also analyze how well a software solution works, how much it costs and the extra features available. Below is an overview of our checklist.

Avoid Costly Project Management Mistakes – Get Free Tips Today!

  • Discover 10 fundamentals of project management
  • Understand step-by-step plans for PM execution
  • Learn tips to avoid 5 common mistakes by beginners
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

The 15 Best Project Management Tools Compared

App:Free PlanPriceFeature 1Feature 2Feature 3
(3 boards only)$12/monthCRM templatesProjects dashboardTimeline view
(5 spaces only)$12/monthDigital whiteboardDocument creatorKanban view
(No Gantt chart)$10.99/monthPortfolio managementInboxKanban view
(3 projects only)$4/monthMessaging toolDocument creatorGantt chart
(5MB file uploads)$10/monthWiki creatorDigital asset management systemTo-do list
(No portfolio management)$10/monthTime managementResource managementDynamic Gantt chart
(Tasks only)$8/monthTime trackerIssue trackingCalendar view
(5 editors only)$20/monthDedicated inboxAutomationsTable view
(10 users limit)$12/monthForm builderVideo call integrationKanban view
(10 boards limit)$5/monthPower-ups
(native integrations)
AutomationsKanban view
(2GB of space)$7.53/monthProduct backlogBug trackingScrum board
$15/monthMessage boardPrivate chatTo-do list
$89/monthDocument management systemIP restrictionsTimeline
(1 active project)$49/monthMilestone trackingWorkload managementGantt chart
(150 active tasks)$8/monthDigital whiteboardNotes appSpreadsheet view

1. monday.com — Best Project Management Tool Overall

monday crm template
monday.com offers a CRM template that helps you manage
clients and tasks in a single space.

Sign up for the Standard plan and enjoy great project management tools at an excellent price.

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Beautiful design
  • Diverse feature set
  • Broad range of templates

Cons:

  • Poor free plan
  • Limited security on lower plans

Who is it for: Small and large teams across several industries looking to simplify their workload with an easy-to-use product.

monday.com ticks all the boxes of our criteria. It offers a simple list view for basic task management and an excellent timeline view for those doing long-term project planning. We especially like the dashboard, as it gives us a broad view of our active work. You can create private workspaces too, but they’re only available on higher paid plans.

Outside of managing projects, monday.com is one of the best solutions for managing a customer database. Its intelligently built CRM template can help users store contact details, highlight potential leads and manage potential probability. It’s the reason why we consider it the best all-in-one solution for a range of customer-focused businesses. 

monday.com Key Features for Sales Teams:

monday.com’s Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

monday.com Hands-On Testing

monday.com’s strength lies in its simplicity. For us, it offers the best design in the space, which makes using it on a daily basis an absolute joy. Looking at the layout, each feature and tab is placed in a logical position, and we can navigate the platform without using too much brain power.

monday dashboard
You can see everything on a single page thanks to
monday.com’s dashboard widgets.

Creating and assigning tasks takes no time at all. Jumping through the multiple views is quick and easy too, helping to create a smooth workflow. During our testing, we found the activity log very useful. It’s a simple way to track project progress and identify any delays in task completion. The app itself works well across desktop, web and mobile. 

Recommendation for Sales Teams

monday.com has done an excellent job of streamlining its app to make it easier for sales teams to manage projects and budgets. It’s also built for communication. Users can craft and send sales emails within the platform and link all communication to specific tasks and potential leads. You can read our monday.com review to find out more.

monday.com Pricing & Value

monday.com’s free plan is for very basic use. For that reason, it doesn’t quite top our list of the best free project management software. Its Standard plan offers the best value, as it unlocks all the core project management features and adds more integrations and customizations. You can get a 14-day free trial of the paid plans to see if it’s for you. 

Free
  • Maximum users: 2
Basic
  • Minimum users: 3; All prices per user
Standard
  • Minimum users: 3; All prices per user
More plans
Pro
  • Minimum users: 3; All prices per user
Enterprise
  • Enterprise-level features.

monday.com Security & Privacy Features

monday.com’s security measures come from Amazon Web Services. It uses industry-standard TLS and AES 256-bit encryption to secure your data in transit and at rest. monday.com does collect a decent amount of your personal data, but the good news is it does not sell it to any third-party companies. 

2. ClickUp —  Best Project Management Tool for Software Development

clickup navigation
We really like the boards ClickUp offers for Scrum management. 

Sign up for the Business plan and gain access to advanced productivity and project management features.

Pros:

  • Affordable plans
  • Excellent free plan
  • Solid document creator 
  • Plenty of task management tools

Cons:

  • Clunky mobile app
  • Broken functionality
  • Not the easiest to use

Who is it for: ClickUp is an excellent tool for software developers who require Agile tools.

ClickUp has all the tools we look for in project management software solutions. We use its kanban board on a daily basis, as its task cards allow us to add plenty of useful information. We can create custom fields and label them in a way that suits our in-house workflow. We can upload files to tasks too, and all paid plans come with unlimited storage space.

clickup kanban
The large kanban view makes it much easier to handle your project management tasks. 

The platform also excels as a productivity suite. Its native document creator has enough features for us to create business documents without needing to lean on a third-party app. There’s also an interactive white board that allows users to add images, videos and drawings, providing a more visually pleasing approach to project planning. 

ClickUp Key Features for Software Development:

ClickUp Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

ClickUp Hands-On Testing

For the most part, ClickUp works extremely well. We sometimes run into issues with tasks not moving into columns when using the drag-and-drop functionality, but it usually resolves on the second attempt. The interface is clean and the fonts are more than readable. However, there’s a lot of data on the screen, which some users may find overwhelming.

Switching through project views is fine. The different view options sit towards the top of the screen, and a simple click of each tab will smoothly switch you over to your preferred view. Spend a little time with the excellent knowledgebase and you’ll soon learn how ClickUp is meant to function, so using it on a day-to-day basis will become easier.

Recommendation for Software Development

Those needing project management software for project development should consider ClickUp due to the sprints ClickApp. It allows you to create sprints, add estimations, monitor sprint progress and create sprint-related automations. Users can also create interactive sprint dashboards. You can learn more in our ClickUp review.

ClickUp Pricing & Value

ClickUp’s free plan is one of the best around. It’s certainly not conservative with features, and single users and small teams may find it suffices for their workflow. The paid plans are inexpensive, with the Business plan being one of the more affordable options on the market. Make the most of the 14-day free trial to try it out for yourself.

Free Forever
  • Basic functionality with some limitations

ClickUp Security & Privacy Features

ClickUp uses Amazon Web Services to store your data in the cloud. Its in-house security measures include 2FA, single sign-on, and Google and Microsoft authentications. Sadly, most of these are only available on higher paid plans.

Like monday.com, ClickUp will collect your name, email and basic details about your business, but none of it is sold to third parties. With data residencies in both the EU and Canada, ClickUp fully complies with GDPR and CCPA policies, giving the user full control over how the company handles their data.

3. Asana — Best Project Management Tool for Editorial Teams

asana dashboard
Users can manage each stage of the editorial process in Asana’s board view.
asana.com
$10.99 / month
(save 18%) (All Plans)
Visit AsanaReview

Pros:

  • User-friendly 
  • Superb free plan
  • Excellent kanban board

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • Tracks project data
  • Limited views on free plan

Who is it for: Asana is useful for editorial teams that want to track progress throughout the full editorial cycle.

The first word that springs to mind when using Asana is “unlimited.” You can add unlimited tasks, create unlimited projects and make use of unlimited storage space across all plans. You can also add unlimited comments to tasks and use the inbox to talk with your team, making Asana one of the best tools for communication.

Asana lacks the productivity power of other options. Most notably, it does not offer a document creator. However, it makes up for these limitations by providing some best-in-class project views, such as the kanban board, which functions much more smoothly than on other services.

Asana Key Features for Editorial Teams:

Asana Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Asana Hands-On Testing

Asana is perhaps easier to use than all other project management tools. Its learning curve is flat, and understanding how everything functions is straightforward enough, even for the most inexperienced user. We spent very little time figuring out where each feature lives, as the layout is easily one of the most intuitive around.

asana list view

When using Asana, you can access different views and features in a click or two. We especially like how simple it was to create different team views within an organization and that we could quickly access them via the left-hand menu. Transferring projects between teams should be easier, though.

Recommendation for Editorial Teams

Asana’s superb kanban board makes it perfect for editorial teams. We feel that seeing a bird’s-eye view of the full editorial process makes it easier to check that everything is on track. You can add custom fields to task cards, and you can even create columns for editorial or video ideas. Read our Asana review to learn more about its functionality.

Asana Pricing & Value

Asana tops our list of the best free project management tools. There’s little you can’t do on the free plan, though you don’t have access to Gantt charts, advanced reporting or other key features. The paid plans aren’t cheap, though — it’s an area in which Asana loses some points. We recommend using the 30-day free trial to see if you enjoy using the platform.

Personal
  • Up to 10 users
Starter
  • Price is per user. unlimited users, expanded features
Advanced
  • Price is per user. unlimited users, even more features
Enterprise
  • Custom pricing, advanced security features

Asana Security & Privacy Features

Asana uses 256-bit encryption to protect your data at rest and in transit. It also lets you use single sign-on, create private boards and set view-only permissions on all of its paid plans. Like other services, Asana has obtained SOC 2 Type 2 certification from an independent auditor. This means its security measures are in line with industry standards.

There aren’t any real red flags within the privacy policy. The company won’t sell any of your data to third parties. However, be aware that Asana can access your project data, including details in tasks, portfolios and any video or audio recordings you share on the platform.

4. Zoho Projects — Best Project Management Tool for the Zoho Ecosystem

zoho projects gantt charts
Zoho Projects has one of the best-functioning Gantt charts we’ve tested.

Pros:

  • Very affordable
  • Customizable UI
  • An abundance of features

Cons:

  • Bland interface
  • Weak free plan
  • Lacks external integrations

Who is it for: Zoho’s workspace apps make it the perfect solution for businesses looking to build an online, centralized workspace. 

Zoho Projects is for the project manager who requires an affordable and feature-dense solution. Part of the Zoho ecosystem, Projects has everything from basic task management features to short- and long-term project-planning tools. You can manage tasks through a simple list view, or lean into its Gantt chart and “milestones” views if you prefer.

The platform integrates with other Zoho apps. Software development teams can sync it with Zoho Sprints and sales teams can add on Zoho CRM to manage their client base. Projects is decent for productivity too, offering a simple but useful document creator. Third-party integrations are also available, but there aren’t as many options as with other alternatives.

Zoho Projects Key Features for the Zoho Ecosystem:

Zoho Projects Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Zoho Projects Hands-On Testing

Using Zoho Projects was pleasant enough, but the design of the UI is a little bland straight out of the box. Thankfully, we were able to customize it, changing up colors and fonts to suit our desired look and feel. It’s one of the easiest task management software solutions to use, and getting our project up and running took no time at all. 

zoho projects dashboard
The dashboards are basic, but they’re fine for a quick glance at project data.

We have to praise Zoho’s commitment to educating its users. It has some of the best tutorials available to get to grips with the platform. As far as performance goes, not once did we experience a crash or broken functionality when using Zoho Projects, making it one of the best-built tools for managing projects.

Recommendation for Fans of the Zoho Ecosystem

If you’re already using Zoho apps, it makes perfect sense to incorporate Projects into your workspace. The design and functionality are consistent throughout all of Zoho’s apps, so the learning curve will be flat. It’s also perfect for businesses looking to manage budgets and improve productivity. Read our Zoho Projects review to learn more.

Zoho Projects Pricing & Value

Zoho Projects’ free plan is only for light users. You can work on multiple projects, but you’re limited to three at any one time. The paid plans are some of the cheapest around and offer a plethora of advanced features for task, resource and financial management. You can test out all paid plans through a 10-day free trial

Zoho Projects Security & Privacy Features

Zoho’s transparency around its approach to security and privacy is second to none. On top of TLS encryption in transit and 256-bit encryption at rest, Zoho uses perfect forward secrecy. This ensures that if your data is compromised, cyberattackers won’t be able to decrypt any previous communication or data on the platform.

Zoho doesn’t track which websites you’ve previously visited, nor does it pass on data to other companies. It adheres to all the privacy rules within the EU, in Canada and around the world. We found nothing concerning when analyzing its privacy policy. 

5. Notion — Best Project Management Tool for Creative Agencies

notion timeline
The simplicity of Notion’s design makes it easy to grasp the health of
your project over longer periods of time.

Pros:

  • Modern design
  • Very customizable 
  • Plenty of templates

Cons:

  • Navigation could be better
  • Feature thin out of the box
  • Some may find the design bland

Who is it for: Notion is a good project management software for creative agencies that enjoy a modern design and need to manage an asset library. 

Notion began predominantly as a note-taking app, with only a few basic tools to create tasks. Since then, it has added plenty of functionality that supports project and workload management. Its task management tools are simple on first use, but you can expand them by integrating Gantt charts and tables into Notion’s native templates. 

Notion was one of the first project management services to implement AI into its platform. This makes sense, because at its core Notion is a space to build Wikis and create documents. Through prompts, you can ask the AI to brainstorm ideas, fix poor copy and change the tone of your writing. 

Notion Key Features for Creative Agencies:

Notion Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Notion Hands-On Testing

Notion’s design feels like a digital whiteboard. We like this, as we feel the minimalist look, the emphasis on emojis and the range of fonts puts it more in line with current trends. The navigation could certainly be improved, though. We found that switching between views and finding different features was not as smooth as with services higher up on our list.

notion templates
Once you remove all the stock data, Notion’s templates
can help with all types of business needs.

Once you get the hang of Notion, you begin to see its strengths. It’s extremely customizable, and being able to add images to tasks and folders makes it one of the most visually pleasing platforms. However, we do have a critique about its templates. Though they’re very useful, there’s too much stock data to delete, which is time-consuming. 

Recommendation for Creative Agencies

Creative agencies working in design and marketing will get the most out of Notion. The range of templates and block-building spaces is great for managing your digital assets. Its approach to managing a client and stakeholder database will also be useful if you want quick access to contacts. Find out whether it’s for you in our Notion review.

Notion Pricing & Value

Notion’s free plan is mainly built for micro teams, as you can only add two other members. The paid plans are for larger teams — they let you add unlimited users and up 250 guests. Notion is pricier than many other services, and if you don’t favor design and creativity, there are better, more affordable options. Try out the seven-day free trial to decide if it’s for you.

Free
  • 1 user only, Up to five guests, 5MB file upload limit
Plus
  • 1 user only, Unlimited guests, Unlimited file uploads, Version history
Business
  • Unlimited users, Unlocks workspace, User permission settings
Enterprise
  • Advanced security features

Notion Security & Privacy Features

Notion uses TLS encryption to protect your data, and the company has received SOC 2 Type 2 certification. On higher paid plans, users can create private spaces, and Enterprise users get access to internal audit logs, which review how well you have secured your project data. 

The privacy policy is extremely long and not the easiest to read, which is always a red flag for us. On closer inspection, we learned that Notion passes details to its business partners and third-party affiliates. The company says it’s only to market Notion-related products, but we consider it unnecessary. 

6. Wrike — Best Project Management Tool for Sensitive Data

wrike interface
Wrike’s views are clean enough, if not the most inspiring.

Pros:

  • Excellent security
  • Flat learning curve
  • Features for all types of projects

Cons:

  • Bland user interface
  • Odd pricing structure 
  • Weak training resources

Who is it for: Wrike is for companies that handle sensitive information. It has some of the most robust security features compared to other project management apps.

Wrike has a long-standing reputation of delivering effective and simple project management software. It ranks high on the list of best Agile tools thanks to its superb Agile template. The template can support users in managing bugs, features, sprints, epics and all other processes related to Agile project management.

wrike reports
Wrike offers a range of project data to help you track progress.

Wrike isn’t a productivity suite like other options, but it makes up for it as a comprehensive work management solution. It offers project management features such as boards to manage your resources. Plus, it has different task views and project-tracking tools such as reporting dashboards.

Wrike Key Features for Sensitive Data:

Wrike Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Wrike Hands-On Testing

Wrike has an easy-to-use interface, but it’s one of the most miserable when it comes to design. Alas, this is not a beauty contest, and we must commend Wrike for building a platform that puts everything in a logical place and doesn’t require much training — which is good, because Wrike’s training tools are slightly underwhelming. 

Lightspeed is Wrike’s main selling point when it comes to usability. It offers a more modern user interface and makes the platform much snappier compared to older iterations. We saw some improvements in performance when testing the new UI, but Wrike is largely overselling it — it’s not any better than other leading platforms. 

Recommendation for Companies Handling Sensitive Data

In our Wrike review, we commended the company for having industry-leading security. This makes it perfect for companies that handle data like financial information or sensitive client details. You can add IP addresses to an allowlist to ensure only people on authorized IPs can access your projects. You can also create locked spaces and audit security measures. 

Wrike Pricing & Value

Wrike’s free plan is good for teams, as it offers basic task management tools and lets you add unlimited users. The entry-level plan is about the same as many mid-tier plans on other platforms. Our largest complaint is the pricing structure. There are two core paid plans, and the price difference is more than double. A 14-day trial is available

Free
  • Unlimited users. Basic features.
Team
  • Price is per user. Plans for 5, 10 and 15 users.
Business
  • Price is per user. No monthly option. Plans for 5 to 200 users.
More plans
Enterprise
  • For large teams; Enterprise-grade security and scalability; Plans for 5 to an unlimited number of users.
Pinnacle
  • For teams with complex work needs; Advanced tools and analytics for complex work; 5 to unlimited users

Wrike Security & Privacy Features

On top of industry-standard encryption, Wrike offers several ad hoc security features. You can create an access hierarchy for different users, ensuring team members can access only what they need to. You can also control the strength of user passwords to make sure they’re not easy to guess. Single sign-on and Google authentication are available.

The privacy policy is sadly one of the weakest we have seen in project management. Wrike collects a lot of data, including name, email address and even social media details. It shares this information with third-party advertisers, which is a shame — it’s enough to send potential users elsewhere.

7. nTask — Best Project Management Tool for Small Teams

ntask collaboration feature
Through its various collaboration tools, nTask can help bring your team together.

Pros:

  • Super affordable
  • Solid Gantt chart
  • Easy-to-use tools

Cons:

  • Few integrations 
  • Limited knowledgebase 
  • Basic automations only

Who is it for: nTask is for teams that have a small budget but still want access to a wide range of project and resource management features. 

nTask’s strength is its affordability. However, despite being cheap, it has plenty of tools for managing your business. You can create unlimited projects and workspaces on most plans, build a document management system and accurately track time. Our only gripe is that the kanban board isn’t available on the free plan, but you do still have a standard list view.

It’s not the best collaborative tool we’ve ever seen, but some tools are available. The real-time chat feature lets you discuss tasks. You can also assign specific tasks to multiple people if they’re working together. We really like the meeting management tool, which lets you book meetings and integrate them with Zoom and Google Meet. 

nTask Key Features for Small Teams:

nTask Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

nTask Hands-On Testing

We would describe nTask as beginner-friendly. It doesn’t overwhelm you with in-house jargon, and it presents its most basic features at the top of each menu. There isn’t an abundance of drop-down menus either, which makes accessing different tools quick and easy.

ntask risk matrix
The risk matrix is a simple but effective way to manage risks in your projects.

That said, there is room for improvement. Though jumping through list, calendar and board views was simple, finding the Gantt chart wasn’t. We had to go through the knowledgebase to get started. This shouldn’t be so difficult — spending time doing research on a simple feature was a disruption to our workflow. 

Recommendation for Small Teams

Small teams with even smaller budgets should gravitate towards nTask. It won’t break the bank, and its features can be as basic or advanced as you need. It’s useful for all industries, but companies working in risk management in particular should consider nTask. Check out our nTask review for more details.

nTask Pricing & Value

nTask offers a Basic plan for free, but it lacks basic features such as a kanban board. You can create tasks, but you can’t create projects. Thankfully, the paid plans are amongst the cheapest around. It’s impossible for us to criticize nTask for its paid plans — if you’re on a super tight budget, it’s the best option. Try out the seven-day trial to see how it works.

Free
  • Maximum 5 team members.
Premium
  • No minimum or maximum team members.
Business
  • No minimum or maximum team members.
Enterprise
  • Self-hosted option. 50 team members minimum.

nTask Security & Privacy Features

Nothing stands out as overly good or bad in the security and privacy department. AES 256-bit encryption protects your files in transit and at rest. Single sign-on, user permissions and 2FA are also available. nTask won’t sell your data, and you can request that it remove any identifying data from its systems.

8. Airtable — Best Project Management Tool for Data Analysts

airtable data management features
Airtable has several views, but its strength lies in its table view.

Pros:

  • Excellent free plan
  • Highly customizable 

Cons:

  • Expensive 
  • Weak mobile apps
  • Basic collaboration tools

Who is it for: Airtable is suitable for data analyst teams that are familiar with working in spreadsheets. 

At the heart of Airtable is its table view. It allows you to run and create databases for anything you need, including task management. You can also link data entries across multiple tables, allowing you to create your own in-house ecosystem of information. 

That’s not all Airtable has to offer. It has added more project views over the years, including one of the best kanban boards around. It’s thin on productivity tools, but it does have a host of third-party apps it can integrate with. There’s a native form builder to help you gather key data relating to your projects, which some may find useful.

Airtable Key Features for Data Analysts:

Airtable Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Airtable Hands-On Testing

Airtable has done a very good job of building a vibrant, customizable space that makes data analysis visually pleasing. You can color-code your categories and change the font size. We would like to see more font options, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Creating a table is straightforward, as is creating formulas for your data. 

project and workflow features
Airtable’s layout makes it one of the best for diving deep into project details.

Databases are known to crash, especially those with lots of data. We put Airtable through a range of different databases, and performance remained smooth throughout — it did not stall or crash. This could make it a good alternative for anyone using Excel or Google Sheets. 

Recommendation for Data Analysts

Managing tasks in a database isn’t for everyone, but we should note that other views are available. However, for data analysts looking for an engaging piece of software that functions well, Airtable is the top project management platform. You can run any type of data through it, and its reporting features are great too. Learn more in our Airtable review.

Airtable Pricing & Value

Airtable has a very good free plan. You can add up to five users and create as many databases as you need. The paid plans aren’t cheap, though, and the entry-level option is more than double the cost of other services. Try the 14-day free trial first, but if databases aren’t your thing, you’ll find much better value elsewhere.

Free
  • Up to five users. Unlimited bases. 1,000 records, 1GB of storage per base. Revision and snapshot history for two weeks. Views: grid, calendar, form, Kanban board, gallery and list. 100 automations per month.
Team
  • Everything in free, plus unlimited users, 50,000 records and 20GB of storage space per base. Adds Gantt charts and timeline views. 25,000 automations per month.
Business
  • Everything in Team, plus 125,000 records, 100GB of storage per base, 100,000 automation per month. Admin controls, single sign-on (SSO) and premium integrations with third-party services.
Enterprise
  • Everything in Business, plus 500,000 records, 1TB of storage per base, and 500,000 automation monthly.

Airtable Security & Privacy Features

Airtable uses AWS to host your data. TLS encrypts data in transit and AES 256-bit encryption kicks in when it’s at rest. There’s not much available beyond that on the free and Team plans. Business users get single sign-on and data loss prevention. Enterprise users can manage their encryption keys and access other privacy tools.

9. Hive — Best Project Management Tool for Marketing and Advertising

hive gantt
The modern design and excellent functionality are why Hive is one of our favorites.

Pros:

  • Modern design 
  • Useful learning tools
  • Great communication tools

Cons:

  • Poor privacy
  • Paid add-ons

Who is it for: Hive is an excellent option for marketing and design teams managing a range of digital assets. 

Less than a decade old, Hive is already a leading project management software solution. It leans heavily on task management and communication, offering a range of project tools alongside text and video functionality. It also has a variety of native add-ons, so you can build a workspace that meets your needs without relying on third-party applications.

The downside is that many of the add-ons, including timesheets, resource management tools and reports, come at an extra cost. There are free options, though, and you can run Agile sprints, build forms and accurately track time with Hive’s native extensions. 

Hive Key Features for Marketing and Advertising

Hive Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Hive Hands-On Testing

We really enjoyed building a project with Hive. Its range of add-ons allowed us to design a workspace that was suitable for how we operate. We’re big fans of the design of the user interface, noting that its aesthetic has a contemporary art feel. Eye candy aside, Hive was very easy to use, and importing projects from other platforms helped us get set up quickly. 

hive customer support
Hive’s support tools make learning the software fun and engaging.

The platform also offers what it calls Hive University. It’s essentially a step-by-step course that helps users learn the ins and the outs of the platform. Hive is one of the best project management software solutions for helping users learn how to utilize project management tools. This makes it the ideal service for users of all experience levels.

Recommendation for Marketing and Advertising

The intuitive notes app makes Hive the perfect place to develop creative ideas and share them with your team. Having the ability to embed Zoom also makes it easier to jump on client calls and host creative meetings. You can track your campaigns and ensure you’re adhering to deadlines thanks to Hive’s excellent Gantt chart. Learn more in our Hive review.

Hive Pricing & Value

Hive is generous with its free plan and offers all the project views you need. It also offers generative AI tools for free, which is rare. At base value, Hive is very affordable. The downside is that many add-ons cost $5 a pop, so your overall monthly fee can quickly increase. Make the most of the 14-day free trial before making a commitment. 

Free
  • Max 2 users; 200MB storage; Up to 10 users; Unlimited tasks; Unlimited collaborative notes; Gantt, Kanban, calendar & table views​; Email in Hive​; Desktop, iOS and Android apps​; Native chat messaging​; Custom emojis​
Starter
  • Everything in Free plus: Unlimited storage Upload files on a task or project. Up to 10 workspace members Add up to 10 full access users into your Hive workspace Up to 10 projects Create up to 10 projects Gantt view View your projects by task timeline and dependency. Cloud storage integrations In-app calendar Zoom and Slack from Hive AI Assistant
Teams
  • Price per user; Everything in “Free”; Unlimited files & storage; Unlimited workspace members; Workspace add-ons; External guest access; Shareable forms; Time tracking; In-app calendar; Cloud storage integrations; Zoom and Slack from Hive
Enterprise
  • Everything in Teams; Flexible add-ons included; Enhanced security and permission controls; Custom analytics and reporting; Unlimited onboarding; Dedicated Customer Success Manager; Enterprise API; Access to Professional Services

Hive Security & Privacy Features

Security is solid on Hive, even with the free plan. Free users can use Google and Microsoft Authentication, and it supports HIPAA compliance. You seldom see such features for free. Hive isn’t the best for privacy, though — it shares your data with third parties, with the intention of sending targeted ads your way.

10. Trello — Best Project Management Tool for Editorial Teams

trello kanban
Trello remains the king of kanban boards, largely due to its simplicity.

Pros:

  • Very affordable
  • Excellent free plan
  • Best-in-class kanban board

Cons:

  • Dated design
  • Limited communication tools 

Who is it for: Trello is suitable for editorial teams thanks to its kanban board.

Trello is the right project management tool for fans of the kanban framework — Trello’s kanban board is the best. It functions well and helps project managers simplify complex workloads. 

We like the simplicity of the task cards. You can assign tasks, add documents and set deadlines in just a few clicks. Trello lacks advanced communication tools like video conferences and group chats. However, it’s not a total brick wall, as you can tag other users in comments on each of your task cards.

Trello Key Features for Editorial Teams:

Trello Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Trello Hands-On Testing

Trello’s user interface design is a little drab in comparison to others. That aside, we had no issues using the platform. All its features are clearly identifiable, and nothing is hidden away in submenus. Building a new kanban board is as simple as hitting a couple of “+” symbols — we don’t imagine anyone getting stuck while using this feature.

trello communication
You can pack a lot of useful data into Trello’s task cards.

Dragging and dropping task cards is very smooth. All the task data is mapped out within the task card, and the tabs make it obvious which details you can add to tasks. Other than the design needing a slight facelift, we have no complaints with Trello when it comes to usability.

Recommendation for Editorial Teams

Editorial teams can benefit from using Trello. You can map out each of your columns for every stage of your editorial process. You can also attach documents and embed links into task cards. The latter is especially useful if you’re using Google Docs or Microsoft Word to create and collaborate on articles. See what else is possible in our Trello review.

Trello Pricing & Value

Trello’s free plan is up there with the best of them, as you get plenty of unlimited functionality. The paid plans are among the cheapest too, making it a good option for small teams needing a budget-friendly solution. We have no complaints with Trello’s pricing model. There’s a 14-day free trial, which you should make the most of before committing. 

Free
  • Unlimited users, 10 boards, Unlimited power-ups, Unlimited storage
Standard
  • Price is per user, Unlimited boards, Custom fields, Invite guests
Premium
  • Price is per user, Several new views
Enterprise
  • Price is per user, Advanced admin & security settings

Trello Security & Privacy Features

Trello has 128-bit encryption for data in transit and 256-bit encryption for data at rest. It has certification from several governing bodies, including FedRAMP and PCI-DSS. You can add single sign-on if you pay a little extra each month. Sadly, Trello does share your data with third parties for marketing purposes, so improvements can be made in that department.

11. Jira — Best Project Management Tool for Software Development Teams

jira backlog
Jira software development tools are ready right out of the box.

Pros:

  • Good free plan
  • Coding functionality 
  • Suitable for all skill levels

Cons:

  • Poor privacy
  • Limited reporting
  • Confusing product structure

Who is it for: Jira is made specifically for software development teams.

Jira was made by the same parent company that owns Trello. The main difference is that Jira specifically targets software development teams. You get access to a scrum board, a space for your product backlog and a timeline view for long-term planning. There’s a notes app too, so you can log useful information related to the software you’re building.

Some useful bells and whistles include file storage and coding capabilities. The former lets you upload useful files and resources, and you can easily share them with your team. You can write code within the Jira platform, and developers can work on a piece of code simultaneously. It’s an excellent way to collaborate in real time and useful for remote teams.

Jira Key Features for Software Development Teams:

Jira Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Jira Hands-On Testing

Jira is one of the few tools not to offer apps for Windows and macOS, but the web app works well enough. It comes with all the terminology developers look for, including epics, bugs and story points. Those new to Agile project management can dip into the learning materials and quickly get up to speed with Jira’s terminology. 

jira navigation
Jira’s timeline view keeps things simple — we spent most
of our time here for task management.

Our main criticism of Jira is the number of products it offers, including Jira Core, Align, Software and more. It takes too long to figure out what is right for you. Other all-in-one platforms make it much easier to understand exactly what you need. That aside, Jira has built a solid platform, and you can start managing your projects in no time.

Recommendation for Software Development Teams

Jira is purely for software development. If you’re outside of that field, you’re better off finding an alternative option. Its integrations let you build code, and its tools are built with terminology related to software development. It’s useful for both inexperienced and experienced scrum masters and product owners. Find more details in our Jira review.

Jira Pricing & Value

Jira has a good free plan that lets you add unlimited projects, tasks and goals. The paid plans are considerably cheaper than others targeting the software development niche. The best value comes with the Standard plan. You can test drive it for free for 14 days before paying for a subscription. 

Free
  • Max. 10 users. unlimited boards, reports and insights; backlog; basic roadmaps; 2GB of storage; community support
Standard
  • Monthly pricing starts from 11 users, pricing changes based on the number of users. Monthly pricing changes with teams over 100. Annual pricing is for 1-10 users
Premium
  • Monthly pricing starts from 11 users, pricing changes based on the number of users. Monthly pricing changes with teams over 100. Annual pricing is for 1-10 users
Enterprise
  • Enterprise plan pricing is available when you enter 801 or more users above; User tier: 801 – 1,000

Jira Security & Privacy Features

Jira’s security and privacy protocols are the exact same as Trello’s. That means you get 128-bit encryption for data in transit and 256-bit encryption for data at rest. Sadly, it also means you fall victim to the same privacy policy, meaning the company will share your data with third parties.

12. Basecamp — Best Project Management Tool for Remote Teams

basecamp dashboard
Basecamp is the king of communication but is light on task management tools. 

Pros:

  • Can be very cheap
  • Simple task management
  • Plenty of communication tools

Cons:

  • No free plan
  • Limited project views
  • Poor user interface

Who is it for: Basecamp is for teams that lean heavily on communication but require simple task management tools. 

With a chat app, a live messaging board and a document management system, Basecamp is for communication and collaboration. The live chat app lets you discuss work with individuals and teams. The messaging board lets you make company-wide updates so everyone stays in the loop. 

Task management is basic, coming in the form of a list, a kanban board and a calendar. There’s no option to add Gantt charts or table views. The available tools are all simple in design, which makes ticking off your tasks straightforward. You can also add timesheets and discover how on track you are with a basic but informative reporting dashboard. 

Basecamp Key Features for Remote Teams:

Basecamp Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Basecamp Hands-On Testing

One thing is clear: Basecamp puts communication before all else. Its chat tools are front and center on the user interface. Unfortunately, task tools are hidden away, and it’s not immediately clear how to access them. During our testing, we spent a good chunk of time in the knowledgebase figuring out where many features live.

basecamp schedule

Once you get the hang of the layout, you can quickly jump around all of Basecamp’s features. We really like the kanban board, as it runs smoothly and has a sleek design. The chat tools work as you would expect. We could have short- and long-form conversations with the team, and sharing files took no brain power at all.

Recommendation for Remote Teams

Thanks to its emphasis on communication, Basecamp is the ideal tool for remote teams. Its range of chat tools and file management can help bring your team together, even when working in different locations. Read our Basecamp review to see what else it can do.

Basecamp Pricing & Value

Basecamp doesn’t offer a free plan, which is disappointing. The Basecamp Pro Unlimited plan can be expensive or really cheap. You pay a flat fee for unlimited users, so the larger your team, the lower the cost per user. Basecamp does offer a very generous 30-day free trial.

Basecamp
  • Per user. Unlimited projects, Unlimited users, All features. 500GB storage.
Basecamp Pro Unlimited
  • Unlimited users. 5TB storage. Priority support.

Basecamp Security & Privacy Features

Basecamp doesn’t actively advertise its encryption standards, but we reached out and they told us that the service uses TLS and AES encryption for your data. It’s also PCI compliant, so any payments made to Basecamp are fully secure. Basecamp also does an excellent job of offering a private platform. It collects minimal information and never sells it to third parties.

13. ProofHub — Best Project Management Tool for Event Planners

Proofhub gantt chart
Managing tasks is much easier since ProofHub made improvements to its design.

Pros:

  • Beautiful design
  • Excellent mobile apps
  • Strong communication tools

Cons:

  • No free plan
  • No desktop apps

Who is it for: ProofHub is for businesses in need of an all-in-one workspace.

ProofHub recently underwent a complete redesign. Its brand-new interface brings it up to modern standards, and we really enjoyed testing it out in our recent review. The Gantt chart is mapped out well, and we found it useful for linking task dependencies. There’s a calendar and a board view as well.

The notes app serves as a barebones document creator. We mainly used it to brainstorm ideas and to ensure we didn’t forget key points in our meetings. You can copy and paste images into a document, but it is a clunky process compared to embedding them. There’s some collaboration functionality, such as the ability to leave comments on your notes.

ProofHub Key Features for Event Planners:

ProofHub Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

ProofHub Hands-On Testing

We’re fans of ProofHub’s homepage. After logging in, you’re presented with your project dashboard. You’ll see your projects and agenda, and updates related to your company. It’s a quick way to grasp what’s going on at work. Behind that dashboard are your task views, which you can navigate effortlessly. 

proofhub mobile app
There’s little you can’t do in ProofHub’s extensive mobile app.

ProofHub doesn’t have desktop apps, but it makes up for it by offering some of the best mobile apps we have tested. You can create projects and tasks, and send messages to your team. Other than the lack of desktop apps, there’s nothing to mark down when it comes to usability.

Recommendation for Event Planners

Thanks to its excellent Gantt chart, we recommend ProofHub to event planners. It’s the best way to get a longer view of your projects, and you can link everything together through task dependencies. It’s also very easy to use, which makes it ideal for all experience levels. For a better understanding of all its tools and features, check out our ProofHub review.

ProofHub Pricing & Value

There’s no free plan, but you can make the most of a 14-day free trial. Similar to Basecamp, ProofHub’s value depends on your team. Large teams can make the most of unlimited users on the Unlimited Control plan. If you have more than 10 team members, it’s a very cheap project management software solution.

Essential
  • 40 projects, Unlimited users, 15GB storage
Ultimate Control
  • Unlimited projects, Unlimited Users, 100GB storage, Advanced features

ProofHub Security & Privacy Features

For files in transit, 128-bit SSL encryption is in place, and 256-bit encryption secures files at rest. ProofHub won’t sell your data. However, there’s no zero-knowledge encryption, which means your messages aren’t totally private. In theory, ProofHub could view them, but this is also true for other platforms with messaging capabilities. 

14. TeamGantt — Best Project Management Tool for Construction Companies

teamgantt slider 2
TeamGantt boasts the most intuitive Gantt chart in the project management space.

Pros:

  • Good customization 
  • Best-in-class Gantt chart
  • Excellent customer support

Cons:

  • Limited feature set

Who is it for: TeamGantt is for any business looking to do most of their task management within a Gantt chart.

By concentrating most of its attention in one key area, TeamGantt has built the best Gantt chart on the market. You can view in full screen and collapse any side menus so you can zone in on the data that matters. We like that you can drag and drop task dependencies and move your timeline around if your project schedule changes. 

It’s not exactly a one-trick pony, though. You can add and track milestones, share files and create notes. However, it’s thin on collaboration features and lacks the power and versatility of other all-in-one workspaces. 

TeamGantt Key Features for Construction Companies:

TeamGantt Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Team Gantt Hands-On Testing

TeamGantt has done a very good job of simplifying its Gantt chart. The spacing is perfect, which makes it easy to view your task data. You can color-code your tasks or change the view between day, week and month. It functions very well, and adapting it to your needs is a nice and smooth process.

teamgantt list
Other views are available if you feel the need to take
a break from your Gantt chart.

The mobile app is very basic, and you’ll see your tasks in list form. It doesn’t have that much functionality — it’s better for a quick glance at tasks. You can access the Gantt chart on mobile, but it’s not really built for viewing on such a small screen. We recommend leaving your Gantt chart usage to the desktop and web apps. 

Recommendation for Construction

Construction companies managing different portfolios should consider TeamGantt. It’s the best way to see a long-term schedule, and thanks to its project dependencies, you can link everything together in one Gantt chart. Read our TeamGantt review for further details.

TeamGantt Pricing & Value

TeamGantt offers a Gantt chart on the free plan. This is often seen as an advanced feature and tends to be available on paid plans only. The paid plans are pretty average in terms of cost — none of them are likely to break the bank. Sign up for a seven-day free trial to see if you like the platform.

TeamGantt Security & Privacy Features

TeamGantt uses AWS to host your data. We have no concerns in this department, as SSL and AES encryption are in place. The company may send you in-house marketing spam, but you can opt out if you wish. It will never sell your data to third parties. 

15. Leantime — Best Project Management Tool for Start-Ups

leantime list
Leantime allows for plenty of customizations with its different views.

Pros:

  • User-friendly 
  • Open-source
  • Plenty of tools

Cons:

  • Minimal integrations
  • Lacks customization 
  • Security could be better

Who is it for: Users who prefer open-source software and value transparency. 

Our only open-source offering is Leantime. Like Basecamp, it mainly focuses on communication tools. It has an idea board that you can use to share and discuss ideas with your team. There’s also a retrospective board that’s designed for you to reflect on and discuss what worked well in your project and where you can improve. 

For tasks, you can use a kanban board, which is built to support sprint planning for Agile teams. Users can also change to the to-do list if they prefer. You can add assignments and due dates to all tasks. 

Leantime Key Features for Start-Ups:

Leantime Integrations & Collaboration Capabilities:

Leantime Hands-On Testing

Leantime’s user interface is basic in design but excellent in functionality. It doesn’t lag when creating tasks or uploading files. Performance is snappy with all its features, and we had no issues with navigation. 

leantime reports
Leantime’s reporting data is basic and won’t overwhelm you.

Leantime is yet another tool that does not offer desktop apps. Mobile apps are available, but during our testing the app failed to connect to our account. We gave up in the end and stuck with the web app, which was fine for us and our workflow. 

Recommendation for Start-Ups

Leantime is a cost-effective solution that is ideal for start-ups. Its communication tools allow you to discuss every part of your projects, and they are a great way to document risks and improvements. Thanks to its self-hosting options, it’s especially useful for start-ups handling ultra-sensitive data. See how it can work for you in our Leantime review.

Leantime Pricing & Value

The free plan allows you to add unlimited users, which is ideal for anyone with a team budget. Pricing on paid plans is excellent — you won’t pay more than $8 per user per month. However, we’d like to see more features on the entry-level plan, such as the option to have multiple projects and the use of AI. A 14-day free trial is available on all plans. 

Free
  • Unlimited users Multiple Task Views Timelines / Milestones Strategy Boards Goal Management Idea Management Time Tracking & Management
Essentials
  • Price per user Whiteboards Strategic Vision & Descriptions Strategic Anchors (Focus Areas) Automated Goal Management Strategy Docs Strategy Level Files API Access
Premium
  • Price per user Program Kanban Program Timelines Adv. Goal Management Program Idea Boards Program Strategy Boards Program Retrospectives Program Level Files
More plans
Ultimate
  • Price per user AI Status Reports AI Status Updates AI Story Time Priority Support

Leantime Security & Privacy Features

You can choose to self-host. Doing so gives you full control over security. Otherwise, Leantime provides SSL encryption, which is outdated compared to TLS but still really robust. Privacywise, Leantime is fine — it doesn’t peek at your data or share it with others.

Our Methodology: How We Tested the Top Project Management Tools

Our testing methods are simple. We sign up for all the software we recommend and spend time using the features as a standard customer would with everyday use. Below, we’ll give you an outline of our process so you can get a better understanding of how we rate products.

Which Certification Is the Best for Project Management?

Several courses and organizations can get you started with the basics of project management and teach you more advanced frameworks, such as Agile and Waterfall. The Project Management Institute is the gold standard of training, but other options are available. Our Best Project Management Training & Certification article has more details.

Blockchain for More Security

Blockchain is a relatively new technology that allows users to exchange sensitive information without the need for a middle person. In project management, you could use blockchain to create smart contracts. These contracts automatically transfer finances to a client when a task is complete and are hard for unauthorized parties to intercept.

AI for More Efficiency

Artificial intelligence is popular in project management software. It can quickly draft project plans, create a long-form strategy through a simple prompt and improve communication throughout your organization. Some AI tools can even predict task patterns and quickly create goals and milestones for your project. All of this leads to a more efficient workflow.

Change Management & Strategy: How to Implement Project Management Software

Thanks to today’s modern tools, implementing project management software takes little effort. The first step is to find a tool that is right for you. It’s then worth utilizing the training tools so you and your team are familiar with how it works. From there, it’s up to you to discuss which tasks you need to add and set deadlines in order to complete the project.

Final Thoughts

That brings our selection of the best project management software to a close. We recommend using monday.com for the best experience. It’s the easiest to use and offers the best bang for your buck. Before committing to any of the options above, consider what you want from project management software and whether it’s suitable for your industry.

It’s also a good idea to try a free plan or free trial first. It’s the best way to test drive any platform without making a financial commitment. Additionally, if you want to level up your project management knowledge, check out our project management guide.

Which project management platform will you choose? What do you look for in a good service? Is there another solution you would like us to test and review? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.

FAQ: Best Project Management Software

↑ Top