Independent guide · Updated 1970

Best Project Management Software (1970)

We ranked 10 project management tools by ease of use, flexibility, collaboration features, integrations, and value — including fit scores, pricing, pros, and cons. No sponsored placements.

At-a-glance ranking

#ToolCategoryFit scoreStarts at
1AsanaAll-rounder project management96$10.99 / user / mo
2Monday.comVisual work OS94$9 / user / mo
3ClickUpAll-in-one productivity92$7 / user / mo
4NotionWiki + project database90$8 / user / mo
5JiraAgile + software development89$7.75 / user / mo
6TrelloSimple kanban boards85$5 / user / mo
7WrikeEnterprise project management84$9.80 / user / mo
8SmartsheetSpreadsheet-style project management82$7 / user / mo
9TeamworkAgency + client project management80$5.99 / user / mo
10BasecampSimple project + team communication78$15 / user / mo

Detailed reviews

Asana

All-rounder project management

Fit score 96

Best for: Teams that want a flexible, visual project hub with strong task ownership and timeline views

Why it stands out: The best balance of power and ease — timelines, portfolios, automation, and 200+ integrations

Pros

  • Clean UI with list, board, calendar, and timeline views
  • Strong project portfolio and workload management
  • Robust automation and third-party integrations

Cons

  • Advanced features require a paid plan
  • Can feel overwhelming for very simple use cases

Pricing starts at $10.99 / user / mo.

Monday.com

Visual work OS

Fit score 94

Best for: Teams that want colorful, spreadsheet-like boards and a wide range of use-case templates

Why it stands out: A highly visual work OS — customizable boards, dashboards, and built-in apps for every department

Pros

  • Extremely visual and intuitive board interface
  • Large template library for marketing, sales, HR, and IT
  • Strong dashboards and reporting widgets

Cons

  • Pricing can jump quickly with add-ons and users
  • Steeper learning curve for advanced automations

Pricing starts at $9 / user / mo.

ClickUp

All-in-one productivity

Fit score 92

Best for: Teams that want tasks, docs, chat, goals, and whiteboards in one highly configurable workspace

Why it stands out: Feature-packed all-in-one workspace — tasks, docs, goals, chat, and whiteboards

Pros

  • One of the most comprehensive feature sets
  • Highly customizable views and statuses
  • Competitive free plan for small teams

Cons

  • Density of features can slow onboarding
  • Mobile app experience lags behind desktop

Pricing starts at $7 / user / mo.

Notion

Wiki + project database

Fit score 90

Best for: Knowledge-heavy teams that want documentation, wikis, and lightweight project tracking together

Why it stands out: A connected workspace — notes, wikis, and databases that double as project trackers

Pros

  • Best-in-class documentation and wiki features
  • Flexible databases with multiple views
  • Great for single source of truth across teams

Cons

  • Not a dedicated project manager for complex dependencies
  • Requires setup effort to match dedicated PM tools

Pricing starts at $8 / user / mo.

Jira

Agile + software development

Fit score 89

Best for: Agile software teams that need issue tracking, sprint planning, and deep dev-tool integrations

Why it stands out: The standard for agile dev teams — scrum, kanban, roadmaps, and 3,000+ integrations

Pros

  • Deep agile and issue-tracking capabilities
  • Huge ecosystem of developer integrations
  • Advanced roadmaps and release planning

Cons

  • Overkill for non-technical or simple project workflows
  • Complex configuration and setup for new users

Pricing starts at $7.75 / user / mo.

Trello

Simple kanban boards

Fit score 85

Best for: Small teams and personal projects that want a simple, card-based kanban experience

Why it stands out: The simplest kanban tool — drag-and-drop cards, lists, and built-in power-ups

Pros

  • Easiest onboarding of any major PM tool
  • Free plan covers most small-team needs
  • Power-ups add useful features without complexity

Cons

  • Limited reporting and workload management
  • Hard to scale beyond small, simple workflows

Pricing starts at $5 / user / mo.

Wrike

Enterprise project management

Fit score 84

Best for: Mid-size to enterprise teams that need advanced project scheduling, proofing, and resource management

Why it stands out: A mature enterprise PM suite — Gantt charts, resource management, proofing, and custom workflows

Pros

  • Advanced resource and workload management
  • Built-in proofing and approval workflows
  • Strong enterprise security and admin controls

Cons

  • Interface can feel dated compared to newer tools
  • Higher price point and setup complexity

Pricing starts at $9.80 / user / mo.

Smartsheet

Spreadsheet-style project management

Fit score 82

Best for: Spreadsheet-native teams that want project tracking with formulas, Gantt, and enterprise governance

Why it stands out: Excel-like power with PM muscle — grids, Gantt, dashboards, and enterprise governance

Pros

  • Familiar spreadsheet interface with PM features
  • Strong formulas, reporting, and automation
  • Enterprise-grade compliance and admin controls

Cons

  • Less visual and modern than board-based tools
  • Steeper learning curve for non-spreadsheet users

Pricing starts at $7 / user / mo.

Teamwork

Agency + client project management

Fit score 80

Best for: Agencies and consultancies that need project tracking, time tracking, and client billing in one place

Why it stands out: Built for agencies — projects, time tracking, billing, and client collaboration

Pros

  • Strong time tracking and billing features
  • Client collaboration and permission controls
  • Project templates tailored to agency work

Cons

  • Smaller ecosystem than Asana or Monday
  • UI is less polished than category leaders

Pricing starts at $5.99 / user / mo.

Basecamp

Simple project + team communication

Fit score 78

Best for: Small teams that value simplicity and want a flat project space with built-in messaging and file sharing

Why it stands out: A calm, simple project workspace — message boards, to-dos, files, and schedules

Pros

  • Predictable flat pricing with unlimited users
  • Simple structure with no complex hierarchy
  • Built-in messaging and file sharing reduce app switching

Cons

  • Very limited reporting and advanced PM features
  • Not suitable for complex project portfolios

Pricing starts at $15 / user / mo.

How to choose

Best for general teams
Asana for the most balanced experience, or Monday.com if you prefer a visual, board-first interface.
Best for software development
Jira for agile issue tracking and sprints. ClickUp or Asana if engineering works closely with other departments.
Best for simplicity
Trello for pure kanban simplicity, or Basecamp for a flat, calm workspace with built-in messaging.

Frequently asked questions

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