Top Project Management Solutions for 2025: The 17 Must-Have Tools

Monday.com is a popular project management platform known for its user-friendly design. It’s an upgraded version of the former Dapulse, with a broader set of features.

The interface is clean and intuitive, with color-coded options that make it easy to navigate. This makes Monday.com a great choice for project managers working with teams of any size. It also offers a mobile app that is simple to use on the go.

The platform’s interface is visually rich and easy to navigate, providing a very intuitive experience. It’s clear how to access and use all features, making it suitable whether you aim to track key performance indicators or adopt a more agile methodology. Monday.com equips teams with the tools to manage complex projects effectively.

Monday.com offers four pricing plans. The Basic, Standard, and Pro options are designed for teams of up to 3 users and cost $24, $30, and $48 per month, respectively. An Enterprise plan is also available, with pricing tailored to specific organizational needs.

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The ultimate no-code app to streamline all your project needs

ClickUp is an ideal solution for tackling multiple business challenges. Known as “the one app to replace them all,” it offers tools for task management, document collaboration, chat, timelines, reminders, and more.

More than 100,000 teams rely on ClickUp, including well-known companies like Google, Airbnb, Nike, Netflix, Uber, and Ubisoft. It’s highly customizable, allowing users to create personalized views and task boards that show team members, ongoing projects, reviews, and completed work.

If you’re switching from another platform, ClickUp makes migration simple with automatic imports that transfer all your files and data within minutes. The platform provides comprehensive features for time management, task organization, team collaboration across departments, and integrates with a wide range of tools.

Additionally, ClickUp offers a freemium plan, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.

Key features include extensive task and project management capabilities, real-time collaboration, flexible views, automation options, and integrations with popular apps and services.

Whether your project prefers visual tools like Gantt charts or straightforward task lists, ClickUp offers versatile options suited for all needs. The interface is user-friendly and incredibly intuitive, making navigation straightforward. All your project spaces are conveniently listed on the left menu, simplifying task and project management.

In addition to the free-tier plan, ClickUp offers three paid subscriptions. The ‘Unlimited’ plan is priced at $5 per user each month, the ‘Business’ plan is $19 per user monthly, and larger organizations can opt for a customized ‘Enterprise’ package designed to meet extensive business requirements.

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If you’re curious about how ClickUp stacks up against Monday.com, check out my detailed comparison post on ClickUp vs Monday.

Teamwork is a versatile tool designed to help you make the most of your available resources for completing tasks or projects. It supports scaling for large initiatives and dividing work to improve efficiency, offering features like chat, customer relationship management, and advanced project management tools. If you need full visibility into your work processes and want to optimize team workflows, Teamwork is a platform worth exploring.

Teamwork’s interface caters to list lovers, offering a familiar listview layout. The menu on the left provides quick access to your projects, enabling easy drag-and-drop of tasks into your preferred order. Multiple dashboards give a comprehensive view of your progress at a glance.

There are four billing plans for Teamwork:

Start with a free account or request a demo to discover how Teamwork can streamline your project management.

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Top Project Management Tool for Large Teams

Wrike is a cloud-based collaboration and project management platform designed to facilitate teamwork. It features a multi-pane interface and aims to aid teams in organizing and managing their projects more effectively.

They are distinguished by their extensive array of project management features, which include facilitating team communication, monitoring employee availability, and identifying projects that are at risk. Customizable dashboards for team sprints allow members to see all their ongoing, new, and completed projects in one consolidated view. Additionally, teams can plan and share interactive reports that help accelerate decision-making processes.

Wrike is accessible in several languages and works smoothly on both iOS and Android devices.

Wrike features an intuitive layout that is straightforward and familiar for anyone experienced with project management tools. The main menu on the left provides quick access to essential features such as workspaces, shared resources, and the recycling bin. Users can organize their projects and folders in ways that best suit their workflow.

Wrike offers five different plans tailored for marketers, large enterprises, and small businesses. A sample pricing overview includes:

– The ‘Professional’ plan supports up to 15 users at $9.80 per user each month.
– The ‘Business’ plan covers between 5 and 200 users, costing $24.80 per user per month with options for volume discounts.
– The ‘Marketers,’ ‘Professional Services,’ and ‘Enterprise’ packages offer unlimited user access with customizable options.

All plans include a trial period for up to five users.

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Named after a yoga pose, Asana is a widely used SaaS-based project management platform. It supports Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS. It also offers multiple language options, including French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Key Features:
– Over 100 integrations, including Gmail, Outlook, Google Drive, Zapier, and OneLogin
– A RESTful API for easy data access and updates
– Multiple viewing modes such as list, board, and calendar views
– More than 50 customizable templates
– Custom fields to track important metrics
– Dependency management capabilities
– Features like ‘My task’ list and Focus mode
– Automatic email notifications
– CSV import functionality for data uploads

User Experience:
With a focus on usability, Asana provides a clean and intuitive interface that makes task management straightforward and efficient.Subtasks and Asana’s interface resemble that of other project management tools. You can effortlessly add descriptions and tag team members when creating a task. The platform boasts a clean, user-friendly layout that allows you to organize your work by dividing it into various projects for better management.

Pricing options include four plans. The first is a free basic plan suitable for individuals or new businesses. The ‘Premium’ plan costs $10.99 per user each month if billed annually. The ‘Business’ plan is priced at $24.99 per user monthly, also billed annually. The ‘Enterprise’ plan is custom-priced based on your specific needs.

What I like about Asana includes its ease of sharing information, flexible project management features, and a free plan with limited capabilities. It allows users to prioritize tasks easily, visualize workflows, and receive real-time updates, including file sharing. Its intuitive interface supports simple task lists throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, Asana offers email support, ticketing, and training options, along with high customizability, including third-party API integrations. However, assigning tasks can sometimes be tricky, and the platform lacks live chat or phone support.

Recent updates feature the ability to add multiple forms per project, enabling comprehensive data collection, and request status updates from team members to monitor progress effectively. You can get started with Asana through their website.

Hive is another cloud-based project management and collaboration platform that allows teams to manage tasks, automate workflows, and track progress seamlessly. It provides various ways to view and organize projects, including Gantt, Kanban, Calendar, and Table views, which can be customized to suit your workflow. Hive also offers a wide selection of pre-designed templates for recurring tasks, workflows, and project roadmaps. Inside your dashboard, the ‘My Actions’ section displays all your assigned tasks, enabling you to break down projects into manageable parts after assignments are made.Actions such as ‘current,’ ‘future,’ ‘completed,’ ‘assigned by me,’ and similar descriptors help organize and track tasks efficiently.

Hive Analytics provides insights into your team’s progress and project advancement. You can monitor key metrics such as project completion status, individual work contributions, your most productive days of the week, overdue actions, and more. Furthermore, workflows can be automated to streamline operations—actions like moving cards, assigning labels, or updating team members can be performed with just a click.

The Hive Chatbox feature lets you share files, flag potential issues, and attach necessary documents. It also facilitates team communication through drag-and-drop chat or alerting teammates instantly. Integration with Gmail or Outlook means your emails appear directly within Hive Mail, allowing you to attach correspondence to tasks seamlessly.

In addition, Hive connects with over 1,000 marketing and communication applications to maintain workflow continuity without switching platforms. Popular integrations include Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Slack, GitHub, Salesforce, and Okta.

The Hive mobile app enables project management on the go—access information, attach files, send messages, and add tasks anytime, anywhere, supporting all major platforms including Windows, Android, and iOS. Key features include giving feedback or approving projects via mobile, commenting on task cards for better team communication, tracking time spent on various activities, inviting external clients or collaborators (up to five per account), and enabling chat functionality or Slack integration for enhanced communication. It also notifies team members when tasks are reassigned, ensuring everyone stays updated.

Pros of Hive include a 14-day free trial and a free demo to help users familiarize themselves. Its mobile app supports all operating systems, and security features encompass single sign-on, SAML, compliance exports, Active Directory integration, and audit logging. Non-profit organizations benefit from special discounts, and data can be imported from other tools like Asana or Trello.

Pricing plans are straightforward: the Base Package costs $12 per user per month, offering essential features such as project layouts, summaries, chat, Hive Mail, and more. Additional features can be added for extra cost. The Enterprise Package is customization-based, including all basic and advanced capabilities without additional charges for add-ons. Interested users can start with a free 14-day trial of Hive through a dedicated link.

TimeCamp is a straightforward, powerful time-tracking software suitable for teams and freelancers alike. It is among the most popular free project management apps that simplifies daily work processes by tracking time and activities in the background, allowing users to focus on their core tasks. Currently, TimeCamp is free for unlimited users, including unlimited projects and tasks.

Key features include a project hierarchy with tags that improve client management and multi-dimensional project handling. It tracks computer activities automatically, filling timesheets with daily activity data. Users can invite clients to monitor work and evaluate team performance. The attendance module manages leaves, holidays, and vacations, and by linking it with billing rates, it can serve as a payroll system. Custom roles allow you to define user permissions, and timesheet approval ensures accurate tracking and validation.

Pros encompass automatic time tracking and customizable reports, along with invoicing capabilities, monitoring away time, and maintaining project transparency. It provides performance data for daily improvements and integrates with numerous tools used in project management, sales, marketing, HR, and accounting, ensuring a seamless workflow.The tool is accessible both as a web-based timer and through desktop and mobile apps.

Pros:

– User-friendly, straightforward interface, though some may consider it somewhat outdated.

Plan.io is a comprehensive project management platform allowing you to oversee and coordinate your projects efficiently. It is built on Redmine, an open-source project management system developed with Ruby on Rails. In addition to task tracking, it supports version control and file synchronization, streamlining collaboration.

From initial development to final delivery, Plan.io helps you plan and control every phase. You can update project statuses, categories, priorities, assign team members, and set start and due dates. The platform also provides metrics such as work progress, time spent, subtasks, and more, giving you insights into your project’s health. It facilitates issue, task, and bug tracking, as well as creating workflows and roadmaps to better manage your projects.

One of its strengths is role-based permissions, meaning you can assign detailed access rights to team members—such as task editing, subtask management, or project assignment—tailoring responsibilities as needed. All these features are accessible on the go via mobile devices, enabling remote management.

Plan.io simplifies sprint planning with a drag-and-drop interface that allows easy addition or removal of tasks from the backlog into sprints. Moving tasks to the “completed” column is quick and intuitive. It also generates visual charts automatically, helping monitor progress through metrics like issues burndown and burnup, velocity, and lead time.

In terms of collaboration, Plan.io supports repository management with role-based access, so your team can clone, commit, push, or pull code without redundancy. Team members can communicate via forums and chat, share files, and collaborate effectively.

Main features include:

– Managing tasks directly via email or mobile, including status updates and priority changes.

– Auto-generated Gantt charts providing clear project timelines.

– Built-in activity time tracking.

– Team discussion forums.

– Mobile app access for flexible work from anywhere.

Pros:

– Customer support through help desk and live chat options.

– Free 30-day trial period.

– SSL encryption for secure data handling.

– Capacity to handle over 100 projects simultaneously.

– Daily automatic backups.

– No installation required, as it’s a cloud-based service.

Pricing options:

– Silver: €19/month for up to 3 active projects.

– Gold: €39/month for up to 7 active projects.

– Diamond: €75/month for up to 15 active projects.

– Platinum: €149/month for up to 40 active projects.

– Enterprise: €299/month for over 100 active projects.

All plans provide comprehensive project management features suitable for teams of various sizes.The subscription plans include a free trial period of one month. If you need a customized plan tailored to specific features, you can contact their support team for personalized pricing. All subscription options come with built-in SSL encryption, regular updates, backups, maintenance, free data imports from existing systems, and support via email and phone.

GanttPRO is an online project management platform that emphasizes simplicity and visual clarity through Gantt charts. These charts give users a straightforward view of tasks, team assignments, deadlines, and priorities. Additionally, GanttPRO offers multiple viewing options such as grid, board, and portfolio views. The platform is highly effective for team collaboration, featuring real-time synchronization, notifications, file sharing, comments, and user mentions, ensuring all team members stay informed about project progress.

Key features include project tracking and management boards, built-in calendars, change histories, customizable user roles and permissions, time tracking with detailed reports, project duration estimates, ready-made and custom templates, and different budget tracking options. GanttPRO is praised for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for new users to navigate without extensive training. It simplifies client communication through fast sharing features and promotes transparency with a single source of truth for each project. Security is prioritized with SSL, private VPN connections, and Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure, while customer support is available 24/7 via email, with live chat support during weekday business hours.

Pricing starts at $15 per month per user with discounts for larger teams. For example, a plan for five users costs approximately $8.90 per user monthly, totaling around $44.50 monthly; a 40-user plan is about $6.50 per user or $260 monthly; and a 100-user plan drops to about $4.50 per user, totaling roughly $450 per month. Overall, GanttPRO is an excellent choice for those seeking an intuitive, Gantt chart-centric project management tool that requires minimal training.

ProofHub offers an all-in-one platform equipped with comprehensive project management tools to streamline team coordination and project delivery. It ensures timely completion of tasks and holds teams accountable, all within a single cloud-based environment. Users can customize the interface with branding, utilize Gantt charts to visualize progress, switch views, and export data, and benefit from robust security measures. The platform supports multiple languages and includes Kanban boards for visual task management. It integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Outlook, Dropbox, and Google Drive, and provides a variety of project templates. A notable feature is the built-in proofing tool, enabling users to share files, gather feedback, and review revisions collaboratively. The platform also facilitates communication through individual or group chats, and users can review multiple files simultaneously for increased efficiency.

ProofHub’s extensive tutorials and resources help new users get started quickly and maximize the platform’s capabilities.

Plans start from $89 per month with annual billing and go up to $45 per month annually. A free 30-day trial is also available, allowing you to test the platform before committing.

Backlog combines project management with version control and bug tracking, making it a comprehensive tool for development teams. It allows team members to collaborate seamlessly using Kanban boards for task organization, Gantt charts for timeline tracking, and custom Wikis for documenting shared knowledge. The platform also provides push notifications, comment threads, and drag-and-drop file management, keeping all project information centralized and easy to access.

Backlog offers four cost-effective plans, including a free option:

ProProfs is an easy-to-use project management tool designed to keep teams aligned, whether working from the office or remotely. It helps ensure that no important deadlines or events are missed by providing a centralized platform for collaboration. Team members can share feedback, track milestones, and stay updated on the latest project developments effortlessly. This promotes seamless communication and keeps everyone in sync throughout the project lifecycle.

The platform offers a freemium plan that covers core features. The paid plans start at $19 per month and go up to $199 per month, with a 15-day free trial available for all paid options.

Workzone is a cloud-based project management application that emphasizes customizable branding options for businesses, allowing them to personalize their interface with logos or signatures. It prioritizes collaboration across different departments and teams within an organization, making project coordination more cohesive. Its features include a dedicated project dashboard, multiple templates, detailed document management, budget and expense tracking, comprehensive portfolio oversight, real-time to-do lists, and seamless integration with popular software like Dropbox, Tableau, and Google. This makes it a versatile choice for companies seeking robust project management solutions with brand personalization and collaborative capabilities.

Workzone does not publicly list its prices on the website. Interested clients must contact the Workzone team directly to schedule a demo and receive a personalized quote.

Trello is a cloud-based task management tool following a Kanban-style visual approach. Many users regard it as a very adaptable app that facilitates effective project collaboration. Notably, it offers a basic plan at no cost for beginners.

Trello offers three different subscription plans.

Podio is a comprehensive, web-based project management tool that combines ease of use with powerful features. It uniquely offers a free basic plan with limited capabilities, making it accessible for small teams or individual users.

Podio includes filtering and reporting functions that assist in automating sales pipelines and tracking project budgets. It supports workflow automation based on if-this-then-that logic, facilitating complex task sequences. The platform provides robust task management options, integrated calendars—including personal and team views—and supports numerous third-party integrations like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Communication tools include chat, instant messaging, and video conferencing, ensuring seamless online interactions. All data is securely stored with AES 256-bit encryption, and the platform is SSL certified for added security.

Users appreciate its intuitive, user-friendly interface and high degree of customization. Customer support is highly rated, and the free plan accommodates up to five users with unlimited storage. Its affordability and instructional videos make onboarding straightforward. Additionally, Podio offers ready-to-use templates that enhance productivity.

However, the platform has some limitations, including restricted tracking capabilities and the absence of features like archiving and markup tools. Customer support does not include phone or email options, which could be inconvenient for urgent issues.

The free plan supports up to five users. The ‘Basic’ plan costs $7.20 per month, while the ‘Plus’ plan, priced at $11.20 monthly, includes automation features. The ‘Premium’ option is $19.20 per user monthly and provides a comprehensive set of advanced functionalities.

Key Features:
– Visual Kanban-style boards facilitate clear task tracking.
– Fully compatible with mobile devices on Android and iOS.
– Supports multiple checklists for breaking down extensive lists into manageable segments.
– Includes an integrated time tracking tool.
– Simplifies management of multiple projects simultaneously.
– Offers extensive integrations with apps like Gmail, Dropbox, Zendesk, GitHub, and others.
– Implements robust security measures to protect your data.
– Allows importing data directly from popular apps such as Trello, Asana, and Wunderlist.
– Provides a unique URL for easy access to your tasks, schedules, and updates.

Pros:
– Intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
– Features predefined workflows that enhance team collaboration.
– Powerful automation capabilities with section actions.
– Supports recurring task setups.
– Provides a comprehensive library of tutorial videos to help users get started.
– Highly customizable to suit specific workflow needs.

Cons:
– Subtasks are not immediately visible, which might cause some initial confusion.
– Lacks a native reminder feature.
– Not compatible with Linux operating systems.
– Phone support is limited and only available for the Business plan.

Pricing Plans:
The platform offers a free plan suitable for basic needs. Paid options start at $8.25 per user monthly and go up to $20.75 per user monthly. There is also an enterprise plan that can be customized based on requirements.

Other Notable Tool: BaseCamp
BaseCamp is a cloud-based online project management solution that consolidates your project organization into a single platform, removing the need for multiple software tools. It helps break projects into smaller, focused parts, enhancing productivity.

Key Features:
– Message boards for team announcements and idea sharing.
– To-do lists to track individual tasks.
– Efficient scheduling and deadlines management.
– Document sharing, including files and spreadsheets.
– Robust chat options for groups and individual conversations.
– Project-specific calendar system.
– Variety of ready-to-use project templates.
– Client or third-party access portals.
– Notification setup and scheduling.
– Built-in file management for each project.
– Extensive integrations, such as Zapier and TaskClone, to connect with other tools and workflows.

The paid subscription costs $99 monthly, but there’s also a free plan with basic features. However, premium customer support is only available with the paid option. Additional tools not listed here include Zoho Projects, Microsoft Projects, LiquidPlanner, and Mavenlink.

Project management involves organizing and deploying a company’s resources to complete specific projects or objectives. It can be a one-time task or an ongoing effort. Project management software, whether installed locally or accessed via SaaS, helps teams coordinate tasks, share deliverables, and drive projects toward completion.

Essentially, these tools are called project management software (or PM software), and they are designed to help organizations work more efficiently. Whether developing software, managing a document, or overseeing a construction project, this software accelerates collaboration and reduces costs.

Recently developed PMS, starting with the harmonogram in 1896, have evolved significantly. Today, many types of project management apps are available, including desktop and web-based options, mobile applications, single-user setups, collaborative platforms, and visual tools. Industries such as science, engineering, IT, military, and construction widely adopt project management practices. The primary advantage of these tools is automation and increased resourcefulness over traditional manual methods.

A project management software can assist in tasks such as planning, scheduling and time management, resource distribution, team communication, and documentation.

Simply signing up for a project management platform isn’t enough in today’s competitive business environment. To truly benefit, you need to understand how to use the tools effectively. Proper utilization can give you a competitive edge, as many competitors are likely using similar platforms. To maximize results, consider these steps:

Begin by pinpointing the aspects of your project that need support and clarifying your goals. Consider key questions such as whether the project is internal or external, if collaboration with clients or third parties is necessary, remote work feasibility, required remote tools, and your budget. Skipping a detailed analysis may cause you to miss out on features that could significantly enhance your project management.

Once you’ve chosen your project management software, pick a plan tailored to your organization’s needs. Factors like the number of users, your budget, and specific requirements should guide your choice. Most platforms offer multiple pricing options, including customizable quotes for enterprise needs.

Getting comfortable with the platform’s navigation panel is crucial, as it houses essential tools you’ll rely on. Typical components include your inbox, dashboard, activity streams, folders/projects/tasks (including sub-tasks), and calendars to track daily activities. Familiarity with this interface ensures smoother workflow and better management of your tasks.

Begin by setting up a folder to organize your project details and ensure clear communication with your team members. Creating a folder is straightforward within any project management system and can typically be done directly from the navigation panel. This folder serves as the central hub for all information related to a specific project, housing documents, tasks, and team activity.

Once your folder is ready, you can start a brand-new project or add an existing one to this folder. The process usually involves naming your project, setting both a start date and an end date, and selecting your preferred project view. These steps help in organizing timelines and visualizing project progress effectively.

The next step involves inviting team members to the project. The process is simple and allows everyone involved to stay updated on their specific tasks and overall project advancement. Including the right people ensures smooth collaboration and clear communication throughout the project lifecycle.

After setting up your team, you can begin adding specific tasks and assigning them to team members. For example, platforms like Trello allow you to create detailed task lists, assign responsibilities, and track progress over time. Giving each task a clear name helps avoid confusion and makes it easier to locate specific work items when needed.

Once tasks are created, the next step is to add detailed information to each — such as sub-tasks, responsible team members, and deadlines. This level of detail is crucial for smooth project execution. Sub-tasks are important components that break down larger tasks into manageable parts, each needing its own details like key information, assigned personnel, and due dates. Regular updates to these details help keep the project on track and ensure clarity among team members

The greatest advantage of most project management software tools is that the entire team can see all tasks and sub-tasks—even if they’re not currently in the loop. This transparency keeps everyone aligned and adaptable, leading to smoother workflows.

Here’s an excellent example:

Set Priorities to Keep Your Tasks on Track

A key feature of effective project management tools is the ability to assign priority levels.

Typically, these priorities fall into three categories:
– High importance
– Moderate importance
– Low importance

While some tools make this a mandatory step, others leave it optional. Assigning priority levels helps you identify urgent tasks and ensures that you complete important projects within deadlines.

Reports and Dashboards for Progress Tracking

Once you start using your project management system, you’ll quickly get familiar with its reporting and analytics features. These dashboards allow you to monitor the progress of team members, visualize your project flow, and stay organized.

Dashboards often include filters and widgets that display tasks and sub-tasks within specific folders, giving everyone quick access to relevant updates and progress status.

Visualize and Collaborate for Better Teamwork

Make full use of your platform’s visualization options, especially Gantt charts, which are popular for their clarity in displaying project timelines. These tools facilitate easier task management and promote team collaboration by providing visual overviews of project stages.

Source: Proofhub.com

In summary, project management tools are designed to streamline the core phases of work:
– Initiation
– Planning
– Execution
– Monitoring & Control
– Closure

Creating a smooth workflow through these steps enhances overall productivity.

Choosing the Right Project Management Software

When selecting a platform, remember there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best choice depends on your business needs, the metrics that matter most, your budget, and other factors.

Ask yourself:
– Do your team members work remotely?
– Do you need a customizable plan?
– Is cost based on team size, or is it flat-rate?
– Would a Gantt chart improve your organization?
– Do you require external stakeholder or client portals?
– What third-party integrations are essential for your workflow?

Answering these questions will help you find a project management tool that fits perfectly with your business.

Further Resources on StepThroughThePortal.com

Marketing project management tools specialize in assisting marketing teams with campaign planning, automation, budgeting, and more.

If you’re managing a marketing team, you might find these tools helpful: Top marketing project management software for 2025.

Looking for more business guides? Check out our reviews of the best OKR software, the best BPM software, and the top ERP systems of 2025.