Modern Workflows
When you want to organize and handle projects from beginning to end, there’s no tool quite
like specialized project management software. It helps people in various ways, like checking
their tasks, sharing important documents, and having meaningful conversations about the
project. It also makes managing tasks more accessible and gives managers a good overview of
project progress. In this post, we’ll talk about why project management software is super
important, the main types of this software, and the top 7 options out there.
How Vital Is Project Management Software?
Project management is crucial because it allows people to remember the tasks they need to do.
You can better manage your time by knowing the items on your daily or weekly to-do list.
Teams can use it as a portal to track the progress of a project at all times. Additionally, teams
can work together more successfully on a given project.
What Main Categories Of Project Management Software Exist?
The primary forms of project management software that can simplify various project
procedures are as follows. These comprise:
- Individual
- Collaboration
- Integrated
- Cloud-based
- Agile/Scrum Tools
- Enterprise Project Management (EPM)
- Open Source
Top 7 Finest Project Management Software
We compared various options to find the finest project management options for small to
medium businesses. For 2023, the top project management solutions are:
- Range Software
- Zoho Projects
- PlanRadar
- ClickUp
- Monday.com
- Jira
- Notion
Continue reading to learn more about these project management options.
Range Software
Range Software is a comprehensive digital team management software for effective
collaboration and business project management. It offers a range of features such as file
sharing, task management, project tracking, meeting tools, and reporting. Utilizing advanced technology, Range helps create agendas, track goals, and manage meeting notes efficiently. It
also provides pre-formatted questions for various team check-ins, virtual stand-ups, and
performance tracking.
Key Features
Goal Tracking
Range’s project management system provides a goal-tracking feature that enables users to
visualize and measure project progress, ensuring that remote or hybrid teams align their work
with project objectives.
Team Management
The software offers a suite of team management tools, including options for check-in cadences
and automated reminders.
Check-In
The Range’s check-in feature helps managers and team members stay aligned on project
activities. Managers can conduct regular check-ins for valuable feedback and informed
decision-making.
What We Like Best
- Robust team management features
- User-friendly interface and ease of use
Where It Fails
- Integrations with GitHub, JIRA, and Google Calendar occasionally provide questionable
suggestions.
- Goal setting can be challenging for users.
- The pricing structure may not suit all budgets.
Pricing
Range offers a subscription-based model with a free version for up to 12 users and a paid plan
starting at $8 per team member.
Zoho Projects
For small organizations and individuals, Zoho Projects is an effective project management
solution. It has connectors with other programs, Gantt charts, and chat tools. The use of Zoho
Meeting also allows for team meetings.
Key Features
Universal Add
Zoho Projects allows users to quickly add various work items, such as tasks, milestones,
timesheets, new projects, and forums.
Web Tab
Users can embed web URLs into Zoho Projects for easy access to related sites and applications,
with options to customize names and permissions for specific web tabs. Planned Vs. Actual Hours
This feature enables users to compare the time scheduled for each task with the actual
completion time, facilitating better estimates for clients and stakeholders.
What We Like Best
- Seamless integration within the Zoho ecosystem.
- Accessible communication through the app on any device.
- Strong time tracking capabilities.
Where It Fails
- Zoho Projects has a relatively steep learning curve.
- Managing client contact information within projects can be challenging.
Pricing
The premium and enterprise plans at Zoho Projects start at $5 and $10 per person, respectively,
and include a 10-day trial offer. The free plan for three users is also available.
PlanRadar
PlanRadar is a cloud-based project management software tailored for the real estate and
construction industries. It emphasizes ease of collaboration and precise monitoring for accurate
documentation and communication.
Key Features
Digital Plan Management
PlanRadar supports 2D plans and BIM models, allowing users to upload, view, and collaborate
on plans effectively.
Document And Plan Management
The platform offers robust user permission settings for secure access and quick retrieval.
Project Scheduling
PlanRadar features a Gantt view and importing options for high-quality project schedules,
minimizing miscommunication and delays.
What We Like Best
- Extensive feature set for project management and planning.
- Accurate recording and monitoring of changes.
- Robust data security measures.
Where It Fails
- Occasional crashes when handling complex tasks.
- Laborious 3D model exporting.
Pricing
With personalized quotations, PlanRadar offers four pricing tiers: Standard, Starter, Pro, and
Enterprise. Pricing for users begins at $35 per month. ClickUp
ClickUp is a versatile project management platform with detailed views, exportable data, and
ample storage for free users. It includes features like project templates, schedule management,
team chat, and time tracking, supporting over 50 integrations.
Key Features
Box View
The box view displays workspaces and unassigned tasks, making it easy to reassign tasks and
organize work efficiently.
QuickSwitch Hotkey
QuickSwitch provides a command center view for easy navigation through views, spaces,
folders, and lists, allowing quick search of documents, tasks, and chats.
Clip Screen Recording
ClickUp offers an in-app screen recording feature for capturing presentations or
demonstrations, with shareable links for effective project management.
What We Like Best
- 24/7 customer support, even with the free plan.
- Kanban boards are available at every plan tier.
- Extensive integration with over 50 third-party applications.
Where It Fails
- The free plan offers limited storage (100MB).
- Chat functionality could be improved.
Pricing
ClickUp offers various pricing plans, including free, unlimited, business, and enterprise plans,
with custom pricing for the Enterprise tier.
Monday.com
A well-known project management tool called Monday.com is praised for its user-friendly
interface and customizable dashboard. It has strong security choices for compliance and
features like task management, time tracking, and form integration.
Key Features
Task Management
Monday.com utilizes a spreadsheet-like interface to track tasks and data points and visualize
project details in various formats, such as timelines, Kanban boards, calendars, and maps.
Time Tracking
Users can record and pause time spent on tasks as needed, facilitating accurate time
management.
Forms
Monday.com integrates web forms, allowing users to initiate new projects from order forms or
support ticket submissions. What We Like Best
- 24/7 client support and live webinars.
- Extensive integration with over 50 software programs.
- Strong security measures, including IP whitelisting and DDoS defense.
Where It Fails
- Premium plans require a minimum of three users.
- Task dependencies are only available in the top two plan tiers.
Pricing
Monday.com offers various pricing plans, including free, basic, standard, pro, and enterprise
plans, with pricing starting at $10 per user.
Jira
Jira is a project management tool designed for tech teams, particularly for tracking software
bugs. It features Agile project management support, ticketing functionality, and automation
rules.
Key Features
Agile Development
Jira focuses on Agile and Scrum management, offering tools like Kanban boards, project
roadmaps, and backlogs for efficient project management.
Ticketing Functionality
Jira allows users to create bug and issue-tracking tickets, catering to technical and non-technical
team members.
Automation Rules
Users can create workflow automation processes with triggers, conditions, and actions to
perform tasks automatically.
What We Like Best
- The free plan includes 2GB of file storage.
- Efficient ticket creation for technical tasks.
Where It Fails
- Complex interfaces can be challenging for non-tech-savvy users.
- Primarily designed for software development teams.
Pricing
Jira offers free, standard, premium, and enterprise pricing plans, with custom pricing for
enterprise-scale features.
Notion
Notion is a collaborative task management solution with a block-based interface for
customizable project structures. It offers a variety of block types, including text, images, tables,
and more. Key Features
Wiki
Notion’s block-based interface makes it easy to create wikis for projects, enabling team
members to access meeting notes, best practices, and tutorial videos.
Advanced Note Management
Users can add notes to Notion projects using blocks and organize them in different views, such
as list view.
Templates
Notion provides a wide range of starter templates for various project types, streamlining
project setup.
What We Like Best
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface with over 50 themes.
- Ability to create wikis for projects.
Where It Fails
- Setup can be time-consuming due to extensive possibilities.
- Security features, such as two-factor authentication, could be improved.
Pricing
Notion offers paid subscriptions starting at $8 per user per month, with commercial and
enterprise solutions available at higher price points. Free features with restrictions are also
available.
Choosing The Right Features
What software features should you look for when choosing a project management tool?
The features you’ll search for in project management software will change depending on your
company’s requirements. As a result, the following tools are the most frequently employed:
- Gantt charts
- Work breakdown structure
- Communication management plans
- Team building activities
- Project Baseline
- Bottom Line
Final Verdict
Project management gives managers comprehensive and in-depth insights into important
projects while assisting teams in staying on schedule. The finest project management software
for small businesses must be able to handle all the unique chores your company takes to serve
your team’s demands efficiently. Additionally, it must be simple to use and something that your
team members can readily incorporate into their everyday routines.
