The best project management software

Task management software helps you manage your workload, breaks complex projects down into manageable chunks, improves cross-team collaboration and tracks project progress so you can stick to deadlines. Some even include advanced features that make use of AI and automation, shrinking your to-do list even faster.

Most project management software offers the same features, with the main differences being in the visual layouts and pricing. Each of the chosen tools below include the same following features:

• Gantt charts
• Deadline and tag setting
• Automation of certain tasks
• Pre-made templates
• App integration with tools such as Slack, Google Mail and Zoom
• Progress tracking
• Timelines and calendars
• Pre-built templates
• File management
• Availability on desktop and mobile
• Cloud-based

Under each one, however, you’ll see what’s different about them, which could include the type of business it's most suited to or extra features.

We’ve also chosen platforms that offer a free plan and most have a free trial, so you’ll be able to test out the features before committing to buy.

Here are our top 5 task management tools.

Monday.com

Best free plan

One of the most visually appealing of our selection, monday.com is so intuitive, you won’t need training. It works on vertical tables rather than horizontal cards, which is favoured by teams who prefer to see a bigger picture.

The 200+ templates make it easy to set up a workflow in minutes for different teams like marketing and HR. And, they’re customisable, so you can choose the visualisation you prefer or match the colours to your branding.

It caters to both teams, through the Kanban boards, and managers through Workload view, so you can see who’s doing what in one go.

What’s different?

• Data visualisation and dashboards
• Phone support
• Customer service 24/7
• Customisable workflow templates
• Time tracking
• More pricing options
• Ability to combine boards

Pricing

• Individual: free
• Basic: £7 per user, per month – £21 a month total – free trial available
• Standard: £9 per user, per month – £27 a month total – free trial available
• Pro: £14 per user, per month – £42 a month total – free trial available
• Enterprise: price available on contact

The difference between the packages is the availability of features. Basic customers have more limitations, while Advanced users have unlimited access to most features. This is the same for all of the chosen tools.

Trello

Best for individuals and small businesses

Trello is another online kanban-style task management app that uses boards, lists and cards to organise tasks, projects and teams. It allows you to manage all aspects of a project or task, regardless of whether it’s team or individually based.

What’s different?

• Set reminders
• Add checklists
• Shared team calendars
• Billing and invoicing

Pricing:

• Free: this is best for individuals and small businesses
• Business class: $10 per user, per month – free trial available
• Enterprise: $12.50 per user, per month – based on 58 users. Becomes cheaper the more users that are added

Asana

Best for teams

Asana helps you manage your team’s tasks, projects and work online through one platform. You can create separate projects for each team or project and kanban boards within them.

Asana has a focus on setting goals, making it easy for you to track yours or your team’s progress against personal development or a project.

For remote teams, it’s important not to set too much. Asana lets you easily see the workload of each team member, so you can adjust accordingly.

What’s different?

• Inbox syncing
• Real-time reporting
• Data visualisation
• Customisable reports

Pricing

• Basic: free
• Premium: £9.49 per user, per month
• Advanced: £20.99 per user, per month

Wrike

Best for mid-size and enterprise businesses

Wrike focuses on both project management and collaboration, allowing teams to gain full visibility and control over all aspects of their work and tasks. The company promises to create a streamlined digital workspace, enabling users to manage tasks, give feedback and publish under one platform.

While self-employed and small businesses can get great use out of Wrike, mid-size and enterprise businesses are more likely to get the most out of the advanced features.

What’s different?

• Time tracking
• Automated workflows
• Custom request forms that auto-assign tasks
• Visual proofing
• Automated approval systems
• Voice commands and smart replies
• AI-powered features
• Asset management system
• More pricing options

Pricing

• Free: for teams that are getting started
• Professional: for fast growing teams, $9.80 per user, per month
• Business: for teams across an organisation, $24.80 per user, per month
• Enterprise: for larger teams, price on contact
• Pinnacle: for teams with more complex needs, price on contact

Zoho Projects

Best value for money

As the name suggests, Zoho Projects focuses on projects. It allows you to track progress of our projects through milestones, which can have tasks and subtasks assigned to them, as well as team members. Depending on which you prefer, you can either view your tasks in list form or via a kanban board. And you can create custom fields for specific task requirements.

What’s different?

• View projects in 3 views: classic, plain and kanban
• Data visualisation
• Instant chat function
• Customisable project homepage
• Custom statuses
• Timesheets
• Invoices and expenses

Pricing

• Free: up to three users
• Premium: £4 per user, per month
• Enterprise: £8 per user, per month

Whichever you pick, a task management tool will make your business life so much easier, streamlining your processes and keeping everything ticking over. And while most offer affordable packages anyway, you can’t put a price on organisation, especially when it comes to the success of your business.

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