The 10 Best Project Management Software for Your Team in 2023

As a marketing manager at ProofHub, a leading project management software provider, I have gained valuable firsthand experience in project management. In this article, we will explore the top 10 tools, that I (with my team) have reviewed and evaluated thoroughly for your project management needs.

10 Best project management software for 2023

1. ProofHub
2. Monday
3. Clickup
4. Wrike
5. Asana
6. Teamwork
7. Jira
8. Basecamp
9. GanttPro
10. Trello

As a manager, you dream big for your projects and team. But in reality, it can be a struggle to keep things on track.

Deadlines are missed, communication breaks down, and team members get frustrated. Ugh, it can be a real headache!🤕

That’s where project management software comes in.

As someone deeply experienced in the field, I’ve witnessed the transformative impact of project management software firsthand. From seamless collaboration and efficient communication to streamlined document sharing and simplified reporting, these tools remove the roadblocks that often hinder project success.

With so many options out there, choosing the right software can be overwhelming. But not to worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve researched and reviewed the top 10 project management software tools for you to consider.

By evaluating these tools based on their features, benefits, user experiences, and more, I’ve made sure to include options for teams of all sizes and industries. 

Let’s take a peek at our list and find the perfect project management software for you. Your team (and your sanity) will thank you!

What is project management software?

Project management software is a powerful tool that enables individuals and teams to manage and organize projects more efficiently. It includes features like task scheduling, resource allocation, team collaboration, budget tracking, and reporting. With project management software, project managers can ensure their teams stay on track, and complete tasks on time, and within budget.

This fosters better communication and collaboration between team members, leading to improved project outcomes. It is widely used across industries, including software development, construction, and marketing, and is essential for organizations of all sizes to manage their projects effectively.

Why do you need project management software?

Project management can be quite a feat, trust me, I know! 

To prevent anything from falling through the cracks, I recommend utilizing project management software. It simplifies the process and offers benefits that address common pain points associated with project management.

Here are the top reasons for using project management software based on common pain points:

👉 Improved Task Management: One of the biggest challenges in project management is ensuring that tasks are completed on time. Project management software offers features such as task scheduling, reminders, and progress tracking, which help to ensure that tasks are completed on schedule.

👉 Enhanced Team Collaboration: Collaboration is essential to the success of any project. Project management software provides a centralized platform for team members to communicate, share files, and collaborate on tasks, making it easier to work together towards a common goal.

👉 Better Resource Allocation: Managing resources, such as people, time, and money, is a critical aspect of project management. Project management software offers features such as resource allocation tracking and forecasting, which helps to ensure that resources are used efficiently.

👉 Better Reporting and Analysis: Project management software provides real-time reporting and analysis, which helps project managers to make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement. It also makes it easier to communicate progress and status updates to stakeholders.

👉 Improved accountability and transparency: Project management software provides visibility into the status of projects and tasks, making it easier to hold team members accountable for their work and to communicate progress to stakeholders.

What are the benefits of using project management software?

As a project manager, I often have to handle several projects simultaneously, and keeping track of each project’s progress can be a daunting task. However, with the Project management tool, I can easily manage and organize my projects, assign tasks to team members, and keep track of each project’s progress.

Having extensive experience with project management software, particularly ProofHub, I can attest to the multitude of benefits it offers.

✔️ Firstly, it helps me keep all of my tasks and deadlines organized in one place. No more sticky notes and paper to-do lists! 

✔️ Secondly, it improves communication between team members by providing a centralized platform for all project-related discussions and updates. This means everyone is on the same page and there are no misunderstandings or missed messages.

✔️ Thirdly, project management software provides real-time visibility into project progress, enabling me to make better-informed decisions and adjust timelines as necessary. 

✔️ Finally, it helps me keep track of my team’s workload and ensure that everyone is working on the right tasks at the right time.

Overall, project management software saves me time, reduces stress, and enables me to deliver projects more efficiently and effectively.

List of the 10 best project management software for 2023

As mentioned above, the project management software included in the list is carefully reviewed and evaluated on various parameters.

From the robust and intuitive ProofHub itself to industry-leading tools like Wrike, Basecamp, Trello, Monday, ClickUp, Teamwork, Jira, GanttPro, and Trello, I’ve witnessed firsthand how project management solutions can transform the way teams work.

But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s dive into the details. Picture a user-friendly interface that makes navigation a breeze. Imagine dynamic Gantt charts that visualize project timelines and dependencies at a glance. Envision seamless collaboration through document sharing, real-time commenting, and task assignments. These tools empower your team to collaborate effortlessly and stay focused on what matters most.

1) ProofHub: Best for all sizes of teams

Surprise!! Of course, ProofHub comes at the top of the list!

As someone who knows the ins and outs of ProofHub, I can confidently say that it is the best option for project management.

As a manager, I know how overwhelming it can be to keep track of every detail, chase up team members, and deal with deadlines. But with ProofHub, the all-in-one project management solution, everything is in one place – from tasks and deadlines to team communication and file sharing. It’s simple to use and solves some of the biggest project management challenges like ineffective communication, missed deadlines, and lack of collaboration.

With ProofHub, you can easily track project progress, assign tasks, and collaborate with team members in real time. It’s a game-changer for any manager looking to streamline project management and deliver results on time, every time.

Instead of taking my word for it, why not see what our customers have to say?

“After researching and trying out an extensive list of project management softwares, we settled on ProofHub for one main reason: flexibility. In ProofHub we found software that combines a calendar view like Basecamp with tasks that have Trello-like depth in their ability to add details, with the option for both Gantt & Kanban views like Teamwork, and that has a team who is responsive and listens and implements user-suggestions. Oh, and it won’t break your bank. I’d highly recommend ProofHub to other creative businesses like Explore Media!”– Jeremy Pinckert (Explore Media)

Let me walk you through some of the unique features that make ProofHub the best project management software for teams:

1. Smart task management 🤹‍♀️

Do you find yourself wasting time organizing sticky notes, searching your email, or writing to-do lists? It’s time to say goodbye to all those struggles and say hello to ProofHub’s tasks management capabilities!

a) Create and organize tasks in a central location

ProofHub eliminates the need for sticky notes, scattered emails, and confusing to-do lists. Our intuitive task lists allow you to quickly add, edit, and assign tasks to multiple team members, ensuring everyone is aware of what needs to be done and when. Plus, with our deadline reminders and recurring task options, you’ll never miss a deadline again!

b) Prioritize tasks and set deadlines

As a manager, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what tasks are a top priority. Otherwise, it’s easy to get bogged down in tasks that are less important and lose sight of the bigger picture. With ProofHub, you can easily organize your tasks, set priorities, and set deadlines, so everyone knows what needs to be done and when.

You can use labels to categorize tasks according to their importance or urgency, such as “high priority,” “low priority,” or “urgent.” It makes it easier to focus on the most important tasks and ensure that your team is working towards your goals.

In addition to task labels, we also offer task filters. With filters, you can sort and view tasks based on specific criteria, such as due date or task status. This helps you identify which tasks are overdue or nearing their deadline, and prioritize your work accordingly.

c) Tracking task progress

One of the things users appreciate most about ProofHub is the multiple project views it offers to accommodate various working styles and make task progress tracking easier and more efficient. They help you get a better overview of your projects, save time, and make collaboration easier.

ProofHub offers multiple project views that help you keep track of your tasks and progress in different ways. Here’s a casual breakdown of each view and its benefits:

➡️ List View: This view gives you a simple list of all your tasks and projects. It’s great when you want to see everything you need to do in one place. You can easily check off completed tasks and see what’s next on your to-do list.

➡️ Board View: If you prefer a more visual approach, the board view is perfect. It shows your tasks in different columns, such as “to do,” “in progress,” and “completed.” Your board acts as the one-stop shop for tracking your project’s status in real time, ensuring that everyone on your team is on the same page.

➡️ Gantt Chart View: The Gantt chart view is great for seeing how tasks relate to each other over time. This helps you stay on top of deadlines and make sure everything is moving forward as planned.

➡️ Calendar View: The calendar view shows your tasks and deadlines on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis. It’s a great way to get a quick overview of what’s coming up and when. You can easily see when tasks are due and make sure you’re on track to meet your deadlines.

View all your personal events, tasks, and milestones in one convenient spot!

ProofHub Perks: ProofHub lets you switch between different views with just a few clicks. You can go from a board view to a Gantt chart view or even a calendar view, depending on what works best for you. It’s like having different lenses to view your project through, giving you more control and flexibility. Plus, it’s super easy to switch back and forth as you need to. 

2. Effective collaboration 🤝

Do you often find yourself struggling to keep track of your team’s progress, stay on top of deadlines, and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal?

Managing a team can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to collaboration. We at ProofHub understand it and that’s why we are so adamant about helping you provide with a variety of tools to streamline communication, stay organized, and keep everyone on the same page.

Here are just a few of the ways ProofHub can help solve your daily collaboration, plus communication struggles as a manager:

• Chat: No need to invest in other tools for team communication? With ProofHub, you can chat with your team members, discuss project updates, and share files in real-time with one-on-one or group chat – all in one place!
• Discussions: Keep your team members informed and engaged with the discussions feature. Post updates, ask questions, and get feedback from your team members all in one place.
• Notes: Need to jot down a quick idea or reminder? The Notes feature makes it easy to keep track of your thoughts and ideas, so you never forget anything important. 
• @Comments: Want to get a team member’s attention on a specific task or project? Use @Comments to tag them directly in a comment, ensuring they see it and can respond promptly.
• Proofing: Collaborate on documents, images, and videos with the online proofing tool. Get feedback from team members, make revisions, and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal.
• Announcements: Are you tired of missing out on important announcements at work? Well, not anymore with Announcements! It connects everyone in your organization by allowing you to share updates, news, and milestones all in one place. Plus, you can use it to recognize and appreciate the hard work of your team.
•  File Sharing: Teams can collaborate on files in real-time, leave comments, and make changes together. It helps eliminate the need for exchanging files through email or other tools and ensures that everyone has access to the latest version of the document.

ProofHub Perks: Do you know about our ‘Stickies’ feature? It lets you jot down quick notes, ideas, or reminders on a virtual sticky note that can be placed on your project dashboard, task lists, or calendar. It helps you stay organized and ensures important details are always at your fingertips.

Eliminates the need for long email threads, reduces confusion, and increases productivity. Give it a Try for Free, and see how it can benefit your team!

3. Reports and analytics📝

Project reporting can be a really tedious job, am I right?

I mean, who wants to spend hours sifting through project data instead of focusing on their own team?

Well, the good news is that ProofHub can help take that load off your shoulders by creating project reports for you. That way, you can spend more time actually managing your team instead of getting bogged down by all that data.

So, what exactly does ProofHub’s reporting feature do?

Well, it allows you to generate custom reports on various aspects of your project, from time tracking to task completion rates. This means you can easily analyze the progress of your project and get a comprehensive overview of how everything is coming along.

a) Stay on top of your project’s progress at a glance

Get a bird’s eye view of your project’s progress, including the status of completed tasks, upcoming deadlines, and any potential roadblocks with the project status report. With the project status report, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re always in control and your project is moving forward as planned.

b) Get a detailed view of individual and team productivity

Get a detailed view of the tasks completed by each team member, so you can see how productive they are.

As a manager, this report helps you to identify any areas where your team members might need some extra help, and take steps to address them. Plus, it also helps you recognize top performers and reward them for their hard work. It’s a great way to keep your team motivated and on track to achieve your project goals!🧿

c) Allocate resources systematically and avoid burnout

ProofHub’s resource utilization report is a great way for managers to get insights into how resources are being used across different projects. Now, you can easily optimize resource allocation, making sure everyone is being utilized efficiently. This report also helps managers identify any resource constraints and plan accordingly, which can lead to better project efficiency overall.

d) Make data-driven decisions about time management

Do you always wonder how your team is utilizing their time?

With ProofHub’s time utilization report, you can gain valuable insights into how your team is spending their time. This report allows you to identify areas where your team can be more efficient, leading to improved productivity and better project outcomes. Additionally, you can use this report to plan resource allocation and budget more effectively, ensuring that your team is working on the right tasks at the right time.

4. Custom Workflows🔃

As someone who’s managed multiple projects before, I know firsthand how important it is to have a workflow that works for your team’s unique needs. That’s where ProofHub’s custom workflow capabilities come in.

With ProofHub, you can create a workflow that perfectly aligns with your team’s requirements. You can easily create custom task lists, assign tasks to team members, and set due dates. The best part is that you can also create custom statuses and labels that help me keep track of tasks and their progress.

One of the biggest benefits of ProofHub’s custom workflow capabilities is the flexibility it provides. You can easily adapt your workflow as your project progresses or your team’s needs change.

This means you won’t have to spend time and energy creating new workflows from scratch every time something changes.

5. Accurate time tracking⏰

Time is a precious resource, and ProofHub helps teams make the most of it with its time-tracking feature.

ProofHub’s time tracking features allow you to keep track of time manually or use the timer to record time spent on each task automatically through creating timesheets, allowing you to stay on top of your project’s progress and identify areas where you need to allocate more resources.

In addition to tracking time, ProofHub’s time-tracking features also allow you to generate reports that show how much time was spent on each task and by whom. This information can be invaluable when it comes to billing clients, paying contractors, or evaluating team performance.

ProofHub pros

• All-in-one solution: With ProofHub, there’s no need to switch between multiple apps. You can plan, collaborate, and manage in one convenient location, making it a one-stop-shop solution. 
• It’s pretty simple to use: ProofHub’s intuitive user interface and simple tools make it easy for users of all levels of experience to quickly start running projects and tasks, even if they are new to the software.
• Managers have the ultimate control: ProofHub empowers managers by providing them with full control to allocate roles, conduct meetings, communicate with the team, and determine who can access certain features in the software.
• Unlimited users: You can add as many users to the tool as you like. Additionally, it can manage numerous projects simultaneously, which makes management simple. 
• Quick communication:  Send and receive quick responses or feedback through our chat and document-sharing features, resulting in faster implementation of project tasks.
• Suitable pricing: Unlike other project management tools on the list. We have a flat pricing policy and no per-user fee, making it a cost-effective solution for all users.🤑

Ref: Software Advice

ProofHub cons

• Not that suitable for individual users
• The notification system can be overwhelming sometimes

Pricing

ProofHub provides a free trial of 14 days that allows users to use all its features. Aside from that, ProofHub has a simple pricing model based on the number of users in a team or company, with two distinct plans to choose from: Essential and Ultimate Control.

• The Essential plan is priced at $45 per month for unlimited users, making it a suitable option for small teams.
• The Ultimate plan is priced at $89 per month for unlimited users, making it a great option for larger teams.

Both pricing models are beneficial for teams as it provides flexibility and scalability, allowing them to choose the plan that best suits their needs and budget. Additionally, ProofHub’s pricing model includes you adding as many team members as you want. This means that you can manage your projects and collaborate efficiently without breaking the bank.

In short, you pay for what you use! So why settle for less when you can have it all with ProofHub?

User Review: “Overall, ProofHub has been a great project management tool. It has helped us to stay organized on projects and collaborate easily. The customer support team is also great and always available to answer our questions.” Capterra.com

2) Monday.com: Best for small teams

Monday.com secured the #2 spot on our list of best project management software because of its highly customizable and user-friendly interface. While it might not have all the advanced features of some of the more complex project management tools, it’s perfect for small teams who want a simple and effective solution.

One of the great things about Monday.com is its flexibility, as it can be customized to fit the specific needs of any team. It also offers a wide range of features such as customizable workflows, task dependencies, time tracking, and file sharing.

Key features:

• Customizable Boards: It provides boards that can be modified to suit a team’s particular workflow and requirements.
• Collaboration Tools: It facilitates team cooperation with tools for file sharing, communication, and teamwork.
• Task Management: Monday.com offers a user-friendly UI for managing Tasks, setting Due Dates, and Monitoring Progress.
• Analytics: It provides a variety of analytics tools, including reporting, visualizations, and dashboards.
• Integrations: The tool makes it simple for teams to collaborate across different platforms by integrating with a number of other tools, such as Google Drive, Slack, and Trello.

Pros

• Allows multiple people to edit a list at the same time, so everyone can work together.
• Great tracking with visual boards and color-coded alerts. 
• Offers alternative views including timeline, kanban board, and calendar. 
• Powerful communication tool for inviting guests and centralizing communication.
• Additional features automate notifications, reducing admin work and allowing teams to focus on meaningful tasks.

Cons

• Monday’s per-user pricing includes extra costs for full collaboration permission, and pricier plans offer more valuable features, which may not be suitable for some SMBs.
• Tracking time and expenses can be challenging for users, and there is no Gantt chart available on Monday. 
• Some users find the interface cluttered and confusing, and kanban boards need improvement, forcing users to spend extra time navigating the platform. 
• The mobile app, especially the iPhone native app, does not update well and lacks an equivalent view to dashboards.

Pricing

Monday.com offers five plans. Besides the free version (which has space for just two users), the options include the Basic, Standard, Pro, and Enterprise plans.

It costs $10 per user for the Basic plan, $12 per user for the Standard plan, and $20 per user for the Pro plan. 

As the name suggests, its enterprise pricing model is tailored to the needs of large organizations. To learn more about the pricing, you can contact their support team directly.

User review: “My experience is excellent, the ability to assign tasks, track and monitor peoples work and see where bottle necks or delays are occurring is one of the best features I have found so far.” Capterra.com

3) ClickUp.com: Best for freelancers

If you’re a freelancer or a start-up looking for a powerful project management tool, you might want to check out ClickUp. It’s an all-in-one platform that allows you to manage your projects, tasks, and team collaboration from one place. One of the standout features of ClickUp is its flexibility, which means you can customize it to fit your specific needs. For freelancers, this means you can use it to manage your own tasks, deadlines, and time, while also keeping track of client communication and project files. But, keep in mind that it comes with a very steep learning curve.

Key features

1. Customizable dashboards: ClickUp allows users to create custom dashboards that can be tailored to their individual preferences and needs. 
2. Multiple views: ClickUp offers several different views that allow you to visualize your tasks and projects in different ways. 
3. Time tracking: ClickUp has built-in time tracking capabilities, which allow you to track how much time you spend on each task.
4. Automation: ClickUp offers a powerful automation feature that allows you to automate repetitive tasks and workflows. 
5. Real-time reporting- ClickUp enables users to easily generate, retrieve, and examine reports in real-time.

Pros

1. ClickUp allows users to easily create and assign or break down complex tasks into smaller subtasks to keep the project moving forward.
2. The platform’s user-friendly interface is easy to navigate and understand. 
3. With ClickUp’s board view, project managers can create the perfect Agile workflow for their team.
4. ClickUp allows teams to customize their workflows to meet their specific needs with custom statuses and templates.
5. Project managers can integrate ClickUp with over 1,000 outside tools for free.

Cons

• The users have complained about its complexity, leaving them confused about its features.
• Generating and accessing reports takes longer than expected, making the process frustrating.
• Dashboard views are not user-friendly, and users struggle to find the information they need.
• ClickUp is not suitable for file storage and lacks the necessary features for it.

Pricing

ClickUp offers five different plans. While the ClickUp Free Forever plan is a great option for those who are just getting started, the additional features and benefits of the other plans: ClickUp Unlimited ($5 per user per month), ClickUp Business ($12 per user per month), ClickUp Business Plus ($19 per user per month), and ClickUp Enterprise (custom pricing), can be a bit costly. Nonetheless, ClickUp offers a wide range of features that are well worth the investment for those who need them.

User Review: “It’s ONE tool that can do almost everything, and integrates with what it can’t do, providing a platform that streamlines work management.” – G2.com

4) Wrike.com: Best for creative agencies

Looking for project management software that’s perfect for creative collaboration? Look no further than Wrike!

It is an excellent choice for agencies that want to streamline their project management processes and improve collaboration among team members. With its user-friendly interface, intuitive design, and robust features, Wrike makes it easy for creative teams to stay organized, track progress, and communicate effectively. Whether you’re working on a marketing campaign, a design project, or any other creative endeavor, Wrike has everything you need to get the job done right.

Key features:

1. User-Friendly Dashboard: Wrike’s dashboard is unique compared to other project management solutions. It contains three panes with a consolidated view of your entire workflow.
2. Real-Time Analytics: Regardless of the types of analytics you want to see, Wrike automatically updates charts, some reports, infographics, and analytic dashboards every 15 minutes.
3. Department-Specific Solutions: From operations, product development, and research to content creation, HR, and sales, it’s adaptable enough to meet the needs of your entire business. 
4. Automated Workflows: It integrates with more than 400 third-party tools, so you can easily build automation that spans multiple business tools with Wrike’s workflow builder.
5. Team collaboration: You can invite your clients, contractors, and vendors to track project status and collaborate with your team at no extra cost. It keeps communication centralized and organized in one place.

Pros

• The application has a powerful search engine, which is helpful given how difficult it is to navigate.
• Wrike’s dashboard offers a thorough overview of work and project progress throughout the project lifecycle.
• Although not all of them are available in the free and business plans, Wrike claims numerous integrations with third-party applications like Google Drive, Gmail, Dropbox, Box, and Salesforce.
• You can interact quickly and effectively with automated response suggestions.
• Using comments, documents, and other sources, its Work Intelligence suite applies artificial intelligence to create projects and subtasks automatically.

Cons

• Wrike can be difficult to navigate and work out for beginners. 
• Managing tasks from the app can be difficult, and you may find yourself unable to move or modify a task completely. 
• When compared to other project management tools, Wrike is unquestionably more expensive.
• Wrike lacks a chat option, so users have to rely on third-party integrations like Slack to facilitate smoother communication.

Pricing 

Wrike’s pricing structure can be overwhelming for users who are trying to select the right plan for their team. With five different options to choose from, including a free plan and four paid plans, the pricing can quickly add up. The Wrike Team plan costs $9.80 per user per month, while the Wrike Business plan is priced at $24.80 per user per month. However, the most expensive plans, Wrike Enterprise and Wrike Pinnacle plans are only available at custom pricing, which means you will have to contact their sales team to get a quote.

User review: “Wrike is a great program. Not only has it helped our various departments manage their projects better, but has given us cross-team visibility we have never had before. That was a huge benefit that we weren’t expecting.” – Capterra.com

5) Asana: Best for task management

Asana has grabbed the 5th spot on our list of the top 11 project management software. Asana is an excellent tool that has become quite popular among businesses and teams for keeping track of daily tasks and projects. While it can also be used for project management, its strength lies in task management, where it really shines. Asana is great at breaking down complex projects into smaller, more manageable tasks, allowing teams to collaborate and stay organized. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in real-time.

Key features

1. Multiple views: Asana offers multiple project views to manage tasks in various ways, such as Kanban boards, lists, calendars, portfolios, workloads, and timelines.
2. Free plan: Asana’s free plan is feature-rich and stands out as the best among all the project management software we evaluated.
3. Advanced automation: Asana simplifies process management by automating repetitive tasks, workflows, and processes that span across various business tools. 
4. Agile support: Asana is flexible enough to support the Agile and Scrum project management philosophy.
5. Powerful Integrations: Asana offers integrations with more than 100 popular third-party apps, including Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, Zapier, Tableau, Zoom, and Salesforce.

Pros

• With Asana, it’s easy to create new projects and add external clients through various views such as list, board, calendar, or timeline. 
• Say goodbye to tedious manual tasks with Asana’s automation features that simplify workflows, reduce errors, and save time. 
• Customize your work with Asana’s custom fields to keep important information visible to everyone. 
• Stay informed about project changes with regular updates from Asana. 
• Now, you can track your team’s work and progress in real time with the Forrester Wave reports offered by Asana.

Cons

• It can be difficult for new users to learn and use the Asana software, especially if they are not accustomed to using project management tools.
• Small teams or businesses with tight budgets might find Asana’s pricing expensive, particularly if they need to buy multiple seats.
• According to Capterra, some users have complained that Asana can become slow when used with big teams and a lot of projects.
• One reason why people look for Asana alternatives is that it doesn’t allow assigning more than one individual to the same task.

Pricing

The free plan gives teams of up to 15 members access to basic project management tools; this version is ideal for individuals and small teams who are just getting started with project management. Paid options, on the other hand, vary from $10.99 to $24.99 per user per month and include additional features such as a timeline view, workload management, and advanced reporting.

User review: “I like the alternating views of tasks in Asana. I also like how you can implement rules to filter out which tasks are due today, this week, in general, etc. I really appreciate the little unicorn graphic that appears when you complete a task.” G2.com

6) Teamwork: Best for client work

Teamwork, also known as Teamwork Projects, is a powerful project management software that is ideal for handling client work. With features like time tracking, invoicing, and task management, it’s easy to keep track of project progress and keep clients informed every step of the way. One of the things that set Teamwork apart is its client portal, which allows clients to log in and view project progress, add comments, and approve work, all in one convenient location. It makes it easy to keep clients in the loop and ensures that everyone is on the same page. 

Key features

1. Track time easily:  Track time, allocate resources better, and identify areas for improvement with ease. 
2. Intuitive dashboard reporting: Get insights into project progress, resource allocation, and important metrics with intuitive dashboard reporting. 
3. Progress tracking: View project progress through Gantt charts and Kanban boards for easy monitoring. 
4. Seamless portfolio management: Manage multiple projects seamlessly, grouping them by client or department.
5. Integrated team chat: Communicate easily with integrated team chat to avoid delays and keep everyone on the same page.

Pros

• Efficiently manage resources and tasks with just a few clicks.
• Real-time project progress updates keep you informed on the project’s health status.
• Customizable dashboard tailored to each project’s unique team needs
• Automatic alerts prevent charges from being overlooked, a highly valued feature by managers.
• Communication and collaboration tools, such as messages, comments, and notes, are included in Teamwork.

Cons

• Time logging can be a challenge and may require a learning curve.
• The mobile application is not user-friendly.
• Project visualization features are limited.
• The user interface is clunky and could be cleaner.

Pricing

Teamwork comprises four tiers in total: the Free Forever tier (free), the Deliver tier ($9.99 per user per month), the Grow tier ($17.99 per user per month), and the Enterprise tier (price varies based on features).

Teamwork’s free tier is awesome, with lots of features at no cost. Though there are limits on projects and users, it’s perfect for small businesses and teams to start with.

User review: “The best thing I like about teamwork is the ability to assign responsibilities and track progress in real-time. Another feature I love about teamwork is its chat and commenting feature that helps me collaborate with my team members on tasks efficiently without having to leave the platform.” G2.com

7) Jira: Best for agile and Scrum project management

Jira is a project management software that has been making waves in the industry, and for good reason. It’s a versatile and flexible tool that can be used for a wide range of projects, from software development to marketing campaigns. One of the areas where Jira really shines is in its support for agile and Scrum project management methodologies. Teams can use Jira to create backlogs, sprints, and boards, and the tool provides real-time visibility into team progress through dashboards and agile reports. Jira also supports collaboration and communication, with features like comments, notifications, and @mentions, which help teams stay connected and informed.

Key features

• Prominent customization: This also goes into the Jira workflows, which users can customize according to their teams’ specific needs.
• Improved progress tracking: Jira offers detailed and individual reports for projects, allowing teams to assess the status of each project and analyze critical insights. These reports are crucial as they help detect potential issues, overburdened team members, and project task timelines.
• Automotive workflow: Jira’s automation engine allows teams to detect repetitive tasks and save time and manual effort. 
• Software development: Jira’s capabilities undoubtedly cater to software developers. Its roadmap and planning tools empower teams to manage feature requirements, budgets, and stakeholders from the first day. 
• Bug tracking: Teams can also use Jira for bug tracking with customizable workflows, issue backlogs, bug linking, email notifications, project rules, and project-level configuration.

Pros

• Jira’s advanced roadmap feature helps teams and organizations stay aligned.
• Ready-to-use dashboards and reports provide up-to-date work information for timely insights.
• Jira can be easily extended with thousands of apps and integrations available.
• Jira provides the foundation for developers to build software with automation and process integration.
• Atlassian continuously innovates to provide new features to make Jira more capable and user-friendly.

Cons

• Jira doesn’t offer Gantt charts or timeline views
• Geared toward tech users, non-technical users may struggle with the interface
• Limited team collaboration capabilities as team collaboration isn’t a top priority
• Integration with other systems is complicated, migration from Microsoft Team Foundation Server to Jira is time-consuming

Pricing 

Like other tools on the list, Jira comes with a Free plan. But if you need more than 10 users or a lot of storage, you might want to consider the paid plans. The Standard plan starts at $7.75 per user per month, and the premium plan is $15.25 per user per month. They have an enterprise plan as well, but for that, you would have to contact their sales team.

User review: “Easily track my teams work. Lots of reports to help gain insights on how the development teams are doing. It can auto connect to a number of other platforms. It’s flexible by team and board. Overall, easy to use and implement.” G2.com

8) Basecamp: Best for remote team collaboration

If you’re looking for an easy way to collaborate with others on your work, Basecamp is a great option. It’s an online app that helps you manage tasks, deadlines, files, discussions, and announcements all in one place. While some people call it a project management tool, we think of it more as a collaboration app because of its flexibility, absence of Gantt charts, and other features that we will elaborate on. Basecamp is more like a virtual hub for teams and organizations to work together seamlessly. This app works great for collaboration among team members who are working on projects that don’t involve budget planning, invoicing, or time tracking. 

Key features

1. To-Do Lists: Easily create tasks within the project and assign due dates and specific team members to each one.
2. Hold Discussions: you can create discussion topics, add attachments, and send them to specific individuals within the project.
3. Create Documents: Collaborate on documents within Basecamp and allow other users with permission to edit them as well.
4. Manage Project Calendar: Keep track of important project dates and deadlines in one comprehensive calendar view.
5. Communication: Stay in touch with your team using the comment section and messaging platform within each task.

Pros

• ‘Everyone’ tab for a quick team overview
• Autosave and retrieve deleted items within 30 days
• Open API for 3rd party integrations
• Strong security system with firewalls, daily backups, data encryption, and surveillance
• Lets users create client-focused projects, all under one account.

Cons

• No Gantt charts or task interdependencies
• No time tracking or budgeting tools
• Users have raised concerns over customization settings
• Great messaging, but chat management can be difficult.

Pricing

A Basecamp account costs $99 per month or $999 per year for unlimited team members and unlimited projects. There’s also a free version of Basecamp called Basecamp Personal, which lets you manage three projects with up to 20 people, but the account doesn’t include all features. You also get a 30-day free trial, with no credit card required.

The flat monthly price for each feature may seem reasonable, especially if you have a team of 10 or more. But, you also need to be aware that Basecamp doesn’t have time-tracking, invoicing, or reporting tools. Which can lead you to spend more money on additional apps that you can integrate.

User review: “A wonderful and very special experience. I loved this application since I used it. Because there are different functions in it, and it cannot perform several roles in one application” Capterra.com

9) GanttPRO: Best for online project planning

If you’re a project manager handling several projects simultaneously, GanttPRO can simplify your work by eliminating confusion and disorder and providing you with an online tool to assist you in planning and managing your projects anytime, anywhere. This web-based software enables you to carry out various tasks such as task assignments, group creation and division, schedule organization, and more.

Collaborating with multiple teams is also effortless with GanttPRO. The software’s automated scheduling system and drag-and-drop functionality expedite processes, reducing your workload and minimizing repetitive tasks.

Key features

1. Responsive Gantt charts: Offers powerful project planning scheduling, progress tracking, and task management.
2. Solid resource management: Allow users to assess their capacity and avoid overloading themselves with too many projects
3. Real-time data synchronization: Enable users to work with up-to-date project information and track any changes in real-time without losing previous data.
4. Individual workspaces: Users can establish separate workspaces for each team and project with the ability to allocate specific permissions for team members.
5. Time tracking: Team members can start the built-in clock when they begin a task, and stop it once the task is complete.

Pros

• Gantt charts are great for project planning, scheduling, progress tracking, and task management
• GanttPRO helps with resource management by assessing capacity and preventing overloading with projects
• Real-time data synchronization enables users to work with updated project information and track changes without losing previous data
• Workspaces can be established for each team and project with specific permissions for team members
• The built-in clock allows for time tracking with task completion

Cons

• GanttPRO lacks a free plan for users
• No customizable reporting tools or dashboards are available
• Inefficient reporting and communication features
• Users express dissatisfaction with GanttPRO’s customer service and support team

Pricing

GanttPro provides four different service levels to its users, namely Basic, PRO, Business, and Enterprise. The Basic plan costs $9.99 per person per month, while the PRO plan costs $15.99 per person per month. The Business plan costs $24.99 per person per month, while the Enterprise plan has custom pricing based on individual needs. Unfortunately, GanttPro does not offer a free account option.

User review: “It was very easy to get my team connected and planning together. Everyone was able to sign in through Google and get collaborating! This is better than other solutions we found, where collaboration was not instant or as robust — especially in the realm of email reminders to our team.” G2.com

10) Trello: Best for Kanban-based task management

Trello has been around for quite some time and is known for its simple and flexible approach to project management. The tool is built around the kanban method, which is a visual approach to managing tasks and projects that involves moving cards across different columns to represent their progress.

Trello offers helpful features like calendar views, checklists, and integrations with Slack and Google Drive. However, it may not be the best choice for complex projects, some users have reported that it can be difficult to navigate when dealing with a large number of cards or boards.

Key features:

1. Kanban Board: Allows you to visualize your workflow using a drag-and-drop interface. 
2. Card Details: Each card in Trello can contain a wealth of information, including a description, due date, checklist, comments, and attachments. 
3. Collaboration: You can invite team members to boards and cards, and then use @mentions and notifications to keep everyone in the loop.
4. Integrations: Trello has a wide range of integrations with other tools and services, including Google Drive, Slack, and Jira. 
5. Checklists: Trello allows you to create checklists within cards, which can be used to break down larger tasks into smaller steps.

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface for users of all skill levels.
• Customizable boards, lists, and cards to fit any workflow or project.
• Collaboration features for teams of all sizes to assign tasks and track progress.
• High flexibility to suit a wide range of projects and workflows.
• Range of pricing options including a free plan with key features.

Cons

• Trello doesn’t offer robust features for managing task dependencies
• No in-depth analytics or reporting 
• Limited customization options
• Free Trello plan limits the number of boards, cards, and attachments

Pricing

Trello Standard is the provider’s most popular paid pricing tier, offering great value at an entry-level rate of $5 per user per month. This tier is suitable for teams of all sizes and is a bargain for those who require its features. If you have 10, 20, or 30+ team members, upgrading to this package is highly recommended.

User review: “Overall, Trello is an excellent task management tool that I highly recommend. It is very user-friendly and versatile, allowing you to easily organize and assign tasks, and access them from anywhere.” Capterra.com

My criteria to pick the best project management software

Choosing a project management software is like choosing a restaurant to have a good meal with friends. You want to make sure the food is good, it is easy to find and park, and doesn’t break the bank. If not, you’ll end up with unhappy friends, an empty wallet, and a half-eaten meal.

It’s crucial to take into account a number of factors when choosing project management software to make sure it meets your requirements. The first thing you should check is that the software’s features match the specifications of your project. Since nobody has time to master complicated software, you should also make sure that the user interface is simple to use and navigate. Finally, you should make sure the software is affordable because, as the saying goes, “You can’t manage what you can’t afford!”

When evaluating the top 10 project management tools, we considered several criteria to ensure we chose the best fit for our team. Here’s a checklist of points we checked to select these tools:

👉 Features: We evaluated the range of features offered by each tool, including task management, collaboration, time tracking, reporting, and customization options.

👉 Accessibility: We checked whether the tool was accessible on multiple devices and platforms, including desktop, mobile, and web browsers.

👉 Pricing: We compared the pricing plans of each tool, assessing whether they offered value for money and a range of options suitable for our budget and team size.

👉 Reviews: We read reviews and testimonials from other users to gauge their experience with each tool, looking for feedback on ease of use, customer support, and overall satisfaction.

👉 Integrations: We checked whether each tool could integrate with other software applications we use, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Slack.

👉 Scalability: We considered whether each tool could accommodate our growing team and the potential for increased workload and complexity.

👉 Pain points: A good project management software should address your pain points and help you solve the challenges you face in managing your projects. And we kept this in mind while filtering and selecting the best that align with your business goals and objectives.

Through careful consideration of these factors, we were able to choose a group of top-performing project management tools that can meet your requirements and offer the functionality and usability needed to manage your projects successfully.

What are the different types of project management software?

Project management software is an umbrella term for various applications that are designed to help users be more efficient, organized, and productive in their day-to-day work.

The type of project management software you need depends on your work processes and unique project management and team collaboration requirements.

Let’s take a look at the different types of project management software available today.

1. Project management and Team collaboration software
2. Workflow management software 
3. Agile project management tools
4. Kanban tools
5. Lean Six Sigma project management software 
6. Construction scheduling and management software
7. Desktop vs. Online project management software 
8. Integrated project management software 
9. Cloud-based project management software
10. Individual project management software

The PM software listed above is ten of the most widely used software by businesses and teams from various industries. 

Your buying guide to project management software 

What is the best project management software for managers?

The manager’s role is very broad; they do everything from setting appropriate goals, assigning tasks, recruiting staff, balancing workloads, and leading employees to build better relationships with them. With such a heavy workload, they require all-in-one project management software that allows them to plan, organize, manage, and visualize tasks while maintaining good communication with employees. 

ProofHub is an all-in-one project management and team collaboration software that provides managers with a centralized location to manage workload, track progress and time, collaborate with teams, manage resources, and visualize all work in real-time.

Best project management software for teams of all sizes?

When it comes to project management software for teams of all sizes, there are many options to choose from. One popular choice is ProofHub, which offers a variety of features such as task management, collaboration tools, time tracking, and project templates at very competitive pricing.

Other great project management tools include Asana, Trello, and Monday.com. These tools are designed to help teams stay organized, communicate effectively, and meet their deadlines. Ultimately, the best project management software for your team will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What is the best project management software for small businesses?

Small businesses may appear to have less chaos, fewer teams, and less work to manage, but the reality is quite different. In small businesses, time and resources are valuable; both are limited but must be managed efficiently in order to complete work on time.

The team may appear small, but in small organizations, one team member may handle multiple roles at the same time. ProofHub, Monday.com, and Basecamp are among the best project management software for small businesses to effectively plan resources, time, and budget to prioritize and complete projects.

What is the best project management software for large organizations?

Working on multiple projects at the same time, keeping track of all projects, checking who is working on them, communicating the right message, and planning the right strategy to complete work on time and within the project, the scope is a difficult task in large organizations.

Using a project management tool like ProofHub, large organizations can handle huge teams and complex projects with ease. With ProofHub, you can maintain greater cross-functional collaboration regardless of the size of your business. You can easily view project progress and dependencies in real-time using boards and Gantt charts. Also, you can customize the workflow to suit your demands and effectively manage the projects, divide the work into smaller tasks, give priority to what is most important, and allot resources accordingly.

Best project management software for remote teams?

It is difficult for hybrid or remote teams to track project progress in real-time, track how much time they spend on work, check how their work depends on others, and collaborate with team members. Further, long-winded emails and various forms of communication can lead to misunderstandings and delays in operations.

ProofHub allows you to manage all of your project work and collaborate with your team in one place. Visualize project progress in real-time, track time spent on tasks, and instantly communicate with your employees via chat and discussions. Regardless of where you work, you can easily maintain transparency, build trust, check dependencies, send files, share ideas, and even receive feedback, all from a single location for increased productivity.

What is the best project management software for individuals?

If you are a one-man army dealing with all of their work and chaos, you should invest in project management software that can assist you in working more strategically. ClickUp can help you with instant communication with your clients, real-time project tracking, and resource management.

ClickUp’s free plan is ideal for individuals who work alone. You can use boards to track work progress, chat with clients, organize work using the calendar, and do agile work with the help of sprint management.

What is the best suitable management software for students?

Many educational institutions now allow students to study remotely. Many challenges arise with remote education, including proper student communication, collaboration on group projects, and instant communication with each other or teachers to resolve issues.

In this case, project management software such as Slack would be helpful. Slack enables real-time messaging, putting all team communication in one place, and making it very easy for students to access and search through chats.

The app also integrates with a variety of external services, allowing students to share files with whomever they want. The tool includes advanced search, filters, and sorting to make it easier to find the right files. Students can easily collaborate with one another and study more effectively when they work together.

Which project management software has special features?

There are many project management software, each with its own unique features. It depends on what your needs are, and you can choose the tool accordingly.

1. ProofHub: ProofHub is a project management software that offers a unique feature called “Proofing”. Proofing allows team members to review and approve files directly within ProofHub, making it easy to collaborate on creative projects.
2. Asana: Asana is a popular project management software that offers a unique feature called “Portfolios”. Portfolios allow you to see the progress of multiple projects in one place and make it easy to track progress at a higher level.
3. Trello: Trello is known for its kanban-style boards and offers a unique feature called “Power-Ups”. Power-Ups are integrations that allow you to add additional functionality to your Trello boards, such as time tracking or custom fields.
4. Wrike: Wrike offers a unique feature called “Dynamic Request Forms”. This feature allows you to create custom request forms that can be used to streamline the process of requesting new tasks or projects.
5. Monday.com: Monday.com offers a unique feature called “Automation”. Automations allow you to automate repetitive tasks and workflows, saving you time and improving efficiency.

What is multi-user project management software?

A project management software that allows multiple users to collaborate on managing projects, deadlines, and resources in a coordinated manner is known as multi-user project management software. There are numerous examples of multi-user project management software on the market, some of which are as follows: Asana, ProofHub, Monday.com, ClickUp, and Basecamp.

What is the best team collaboration app?

A best team collaboration app allows you to instantly communicate with your team members, discuss project ideas, share files, and even get someone’s attention in a group discussion. ProofHub is an all-in-one project management and team collaboration tool that does it all.

ProofHub also allows you to communicate with your team members on tasks via comments in order to resolve task-related issues. You can also have one-on-one conversations with your team members to get quick answers.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced world, teams need a platform that is flexible, intuitive, and powerful enough to handle complex projects of any size. With ProofHub, you can easily manage your tasks, collaborate with your team members, and keep track of your progress from a single platform. Plus, our pricing is straightforward and the most suitable, and we offer excellent customer support to ensure that your team’s needs are always met.

If you’re looking for project management software that can help your team achieve its goals efficiently, I encourage you to give ProofHub a try. Sign up for a free trial today and experience the benefits for yourself.

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