At Website Planet, we’re committed to providing independent, research-driven reviews to help you choose software that offers the best value and features for your needs. We put every platform evaluated on this list through rigorous testing and analysis, focusing on the following criteria.
Features
When evaluating the top project management (PM) software, we considered the features each platform offered and which type of business would benefit from its features. Our goal was to provide you with all the information you needed to make an informed decision, one that would meet your specific needs and deliver good value.
We identified a set of core features and researched each tool to determine if it met our benchmarks. Each PM tool had to streamline project planning, task assignment, team collaboration, progress monitoring, and data-driven report generation. Repetitive and tedious tasks can take up hours of time, so our top picks like monday.com and Teamwork also have time-saving features such as workflow automations and embedded AI support.
If you’re a small business, solopreneur, or consultant trying to decide which project management tool is the best fit your budget and needs, you might want to put Google Workspace on your list. Its impressive communication, collaboration, and productivity tools can streamline workflows and keep tasks on track and within budget.
Larger firms also benefit from integrating Google Workspace with their PM software. Tools like Chat, Meet, and Drive can enhance real-time collaboration. Some PM tools offer direct integration with Workspace. For those that don’t, there are two options: you can integrate individual Workspace apps with your project management software or sign up for a Workspace plan and add a project management app from the Google Workspace marketplace.
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Other priorities were integration with popular business tools and resource management and capacity planning capabilities. Recognizing that some businesses have industry-specific PM requirements, we tested CRMs for sales and marketing teams and specialized tools for IT businesses.
Ease of Use
If project management software is overly complicated or difficult to use, it defeats its purpose. That meant our top recommendations had to be intuitive and easy to navigate, so both beginners and those with more skill could quickly adopt the software.
We looked for tools that were visually appealing and had helpful features for new users, like step-by-step user guides and built-in support options, including live chat, pop-up tutorials, and AI assistance. But we didn’t stop there. We put every tool through its paces, building projects, adding integrations, testing features, and generating reports to get a first-hand feel for the user experience.
Our goal was to present you with exceptional options for simple, beginner-friendly PM tools. At the same time, we also have a selection of intuitive tools that are more suited to operational teams and businesses with more complex needs like Jira and Smartsheet.
Collaboration
If you’re investing in project management software, you need to be sure it’s going to facilitate communication between team members, clients, and across departments so everyone is always up to date and aligned on common goals.
Our first step was to confirm each tool we tested had essentials like real-time commenting, @messaging, file sharing, team dashboards, and automatic notifications for project updates and task assignments. We also verified integrations with popular business tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Dropbox.
We awarded bonus points to project management software that offered live chat, video conferencing, and interactive whiteboards for brainstorming. In this regard, Teamwork and ClickUp excelled. For those that lacked these built-in features, we confirmed it was easy to integrate communication tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.
Support
Even veteran project managers may run into technical issues or need help setting up and optimizing new software. High-quality support is even more essential for those with less experience.
When evaluating support, our first step was to determine the available channels. We gave extra points to tools with the fastest way to get help when you need it – live chat, phone, or in-app support options. Then we checked availability and responsiveness. Were support reps working on the weekend or during business hours only? If phone and chat were not available, how long would it take to get an answer to a ticket or email?
To give you an accurate assessment, we tested each platform’s support by calling, submitting tickets, emailing, and chatting online or in-app via help links. We noted how quickly we got a response and how helpful it was.
Pricing
It’s hard to decide if project management software is right for your business if you can’t test its features before you commit. That meant we only considered PM platforms that offer free trials. We gave extra credit to platforms like monday.com that were happy to extend the free trial period if you needed more time to decide.
To determine which tools provided the best value for the cost, we researched and evaluated plan features and fees. Was pricing competitive, transparent, and easy to understand? Did entry level plans include core features or were some locked behind expensive paywalls?
For small businesses, startups, and individuals we also sought to identify free or budget-friendly project management software that didn’t skimp on essentials. Because every business needs software that will adapt to changing needs, we only recommended software that was flexible enough to scale with you as your business grows.
The Results Are In: The Full Project Management Software Comparison
Here’s a breakdown of our top project management software to help you compare features and learn about the tools that seem best suited to your business.
FAQ
What is the best project management software?
This depends on your unique requirements. In our opinion, monday.com is the best project management software for most businesses. It’s versatile, easy to use, and offers impressive collaboration and automation features.
Which project management software is easiest to use?
All our recommended PM tools are easy to use, but Teamwork is one of the most beginner-friendly tools on the market. It has a simple interface and AI tools to help you get started. But, while it simplifies task and project management, it does lack some advanced features. If you need more comprehensive yet easy-to-use project management software, we recommend trying out monday.com.
Which project management software is best for a small business?
Our tests showed that Zoho Projects is a great fit for SMBs because of its affordable pricing and scalable plans. Features like customizable workflows, time tracking, and budget management can help your team plan and track projects efficiently. Small- to mid-sized Agile teams can’t go wrong with Jira. Its generous free plan provides you with tools to plan sprints, manage backlogs, and track issues.
What is the best free project management software?
We recommend Teamwork’s free plan for small teams of up to 5 users. It includes multiple project views, time tracking, integrations, built-in messaging, and unlimited collaborators. The downside is that it provides only 100 MB of storage. Still, you can use the 30-day free trial to test Teamwork’s entry-level paid plan, which comes with 100 GB of storage.
What project management software is best for individuals?
Bonsai is a PM software designed for freelancers. Workflow automations, pre-built contracts, expense monitoring, and automated invoicing help you keep track of deliverables and ensure timely payment. There’s also a client collaboration portal to simplify communications.
