# Best Project Management Software: 11 Tools Compared > Best project management software guide comparing 11 tools—Asana, Jira, Trello, monday.com, and more—with features, integrations, and scaling tips for teams. Source: https://asana.com/resources/best-project-management-software ## Best Project Management Software: 11 Tools Compared #### Summary Project management software connects teams, enabling everyone in the organization to prioritize the work that matters most. At a glance, many tools share similar features. Use this guide to narrow down your choices and find the best fit for your company.If you manage work, you're a project manager. For years, only specialized project managers used legacy tools that required extensive training. Now, almost everyone manages their own projects, and modern software has adapted to meet the needs of a more collaborative workforce. Whether you're a new business owner or operating a multi-national company, there's a project management software that's right for you. #### Master AI-Powered Workflow Optimization Ready to revolutionize your team's productivity with AI you can trust? Join industry leaders from Asana and Anthropic to learn proven strategies for implementing AI across your workflow stages and unlock the full potential of Asana's AI Studio. - [Watch the webinar](https://resources.asana.com/how-to-transform-your-workflows) ## What is project management software? Project management software is a digital tool that helps teams organize, track, and complete work in one centralized platform. It replaces scattered spreadsheets and emails with a shared workspace where teams can collaborate, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress in real time. Project management software typically includes features like: - **Task management:** Create, assign, and track individual tasks - **Project timelines:** Visualize schedules with Gantt charts or calendars - **Team collaboration:** Share files, comments, and updates in one place - **Reporting dashboards:** Monitor progress and identify blockers - **Workflow automation:** Reduce manual work with [automated processes](/resources/business-process-automation) The type of project management software you choose will depend on your organization's size, needs, and goals. ## Why use project management software? Project management software replaces manual spreadsheets with [real-time collaboration](/resources/collaboration-in-the-workplace) tools that keep teams aligned. While spreadsheets are great for organizing data, they don't show live updates and can impede cross-functional collaboration. That's why project management software is crucial to today's working environment. It serves as the connector for work, teams, stakeholders, and goals, all in one place. ### The benefits of project management software - **Focus your work.** You'll get more done, but more importantly, you'll get the _right_ work done. With project management software, you're less likely to duplicate work or waste time searching for materials. - **Reduce busywork.** Connect every task to goals that support the company's vision. When employees understand how their work affects the company, they're more motivated to produce their best work. - **Connect your tech stack.** With flexible project management software, you can connect all your tools across one platform (think Slack communications, Dropbox files, and [Google Drive](/google-workspace) attachments all in one place). - **Create a system of record.** Project management software stores all your project information while making it easy for stakeholders and teams to access. - **Increase**[cross-functional collaboration](/resources/cross-functional-collaboration). By bringing together work, goals, and people across teams and departments, project management software helps you build an interconnected organization. - **Store work safely.** Ever delete a cell by accident in your spreadsheet? Keeping everything cloud-based helps you stay organized and reduces the chance of losing work. Learn more about managing your [to-do list](/resources/make-better-to-do-lists). ## How to choose the right project management software Finding the right software starts with understanding what your team needs to succeed. Focus on how the tool will fit into your team's current and future workflows. ### Consider your team's size and needs Think about the scale of your work. A small team might need a simple way to track tasks, while a large organization requires features for coordinating work across departments. Look for a tool that supports your specific workflows. ### Look for ease of use A tool is only effective if your team uses it. Choose software with an intuitive design that's easy to learn and adopt. The right platform should feel helpful, not complicated. ### Check for key integrations The best project management software combines with the apps your team already uses. This creates a central source of truth and reduces the time spent switching between apps. ### Find a tool that can scale Select a platform that can grow with your team and company. Choosing a scalable tool prevents the disruption of switching systems down the road. ## Features to look for in your project management tool Each project management system has different features, but prioritize a platform with these capabilities at a minimum: - [Collaboration features](/uses/team-collaboration) that enable work between team members, departments, and across the company, including file sharing, project tracking, and resource management. - A platform that provides [portfolio management capabilities](/features/goals-reporting/portfolios) and the ability to connect goals to actionable tasks. - A [mobile app](/download) so you can send off approvals, receive notifications, and manage projects on the go. - [Project and reporting dashboards](/features/goals-reporting/reporting-dashboards) that are easy to access and view. - Varying project view styles, including [Gantt charts](/features/project-management/project-views), Kanban boards, Lists, and Calendars. - Enhanced project scheduling to set due dates, create milestones, and [track time](/resources/time-management-tips). - Project management [app integrations](/apps) that fit your business needs. - [Automations](/features/workflow-automation) and dependencies that update you and stakeholders in realtime. ## 11 best project management software & tools There's a wide range of project management software available today. We compiled this list of the best products and the types of businesses they're most likely to help. Software Best for Key strength Asana Enterprise companies Connects work to company-wide goals Trello Simple project management Easy Kanban board interface Smartsheet Spreadsheet lovers Familiar spreadsheet format with added features Jira Agile-specific project management Built for software development teams Monday Small businesses Quick setup and broad app selection ClickUp Small teams or startups Intuitive, colorful interface Notion Notetakers Flexible documents and knowledge management Airtable Custom builders No-code database for bespoke systems Wrike Client management Secure external collaboration Workfront Marketing-only teams Deep marketing workflow features Microsoft Personal tools Familiar Office integration ### 1. Asana: Best for enterprise companies Asana goes beyond traditional project management software to provide a full [work management solution](/resources/what-is-work-management-ebook) for [enterprise companies](/resources/enterprise-project-management). Asana doesn't _just_ help you manage tasks, it connects all your work to your [highest-level goals](/resources/strategic-goals-objectives) and business strategy. With Asana, you get: - [Integrations](/apps) to all your favorite tools and systems, so you can keep your work organized in one platform. - [Goals](/features/goals-reporting/goals) that connect to everyone and every task across your company. - [Ready-made project templates](/templates) so you can get to work right away. - [Reporting dashboards](/features/goals-reporting/reporting-dashboards) that automatically update stakeholders. - [Security, privacy, and compliance](/trust) features that keep your data safe. Discover even more of what Asana can do. - [See Asana in action](/demo/main) ### 2. Trello: Best for simple project management Trello is a [Kanban-board style project management software](/resources/best-kanban-boards-software) owned by Atlassian. You nest tasks under boards labeled "Not started," "In Progress," and "Complete." This setup makes it easy to track project progress for small projects. - [Comparison: See how Trello compares to this alternative.](/compare/asana-vs-trello) ### 3. Smartsheet: Best for spreadsheet lovers Think of Smartsheet as an advanced spreadsheet with more capabilities. This system is intuitive for companies who traditionally used spreadsheets for project management and time tracking. - [Comparison: See how Smartsheet compares to this alternative.](/compare/asana-vs-smartsheet) ### 4. Jira: Best for Agile-specific project management Designed for software development, Jira is ready to launch for teams using the [Agile methodology](/uses/agile-management). Owned by Atlassian, Jira is often used for bug tracking and projects using the [Scrum process](/resources/what-is-scrum). - [Comparison: See how Jira compares to this alternative.](https://asana.com/compare/asana-vs-jira) ### 5. Monday: Best for small businesses Monday offers a broad spectrum of apps that make it easy to implement and get started. This works for small businesses new to project management software. However, you might hit a threshold as you scale. - [Comparison: See how Monday compares to this alternative](/compare/asana-vs-monday-com) ### 6. ClickUp: Best for small teams or startups ClickUp's intuitive and colorful interface makes it easy to understand and adopt. It's a popular choice for startups with limited resources and smaller teams. - [Comparison: See how Clickup compares to this alternative](/compare/asana-vs-clickup) ### 7. Notion: Best for notetakers Notion is an advanced system for creating and storing flexible documents, sheets, and notes. This works best for individuals who need an organized space for thoughts and ideas, though collaboration can feel limited. - [Integrate: See the power of Asana + Notion](/apps/notion) ### 8. Airtable: Best for those who want to build it themselves Airtable provides a flexible no- and low-code database to build your own project management system. It's ideal for those who prefer to oversee backend development. - [Comparison: See how Airtable compares to this alternative](/compare/asana-vs-airtable) ### 9. Wrike: Best for client management Wrike offers stackable storage and security so both clients and internal teams can safely access information. This is helpful when working with external partners. - [Comparison: See how Wrike compares to this alternative](/compare/asana-vs-wrike) ### 10. Workfront: Best for marketing-only teams Workfront (owned by Adobe) was initially developed for marketers. While they've expanded, users may struggle to coordinate with teams outside marketing. - [Comparison: See how Workfront compares to this alternative](/compare/asana-vs-workfront) ### 11. Microsoft: Best for personal tools Microsoft Office products are often the first tools managers turn to for project management. However, Excel and docs weren't built for collaboration, so they work best alongside dedicated project management software. ## The best project management software is the one that grows with you A lot of project management software claims similar features, and at a basic level, many of them are the same. But when you choose a solution, it should be a full-fledged platform that enables your team to get their best work done with less effort. This means you need a platform that grows with your company. Asana is built for enterprise teams, supporting your work from a one-person team with an idea all the way through Fortune 100 growth. In fact, more than 80% of Fortune 100 companies use Asana*. With Asana, it's not just about putting out more work. It's about connecting your company's work, goals, and resources to produce the _right_ work. Ready to see how Asana can help your team work better together? [Get started](/create-account) today. ## Frequently asked questions about project management software #### Which software is best for project management? The best project management software is the one with the features your team needs. [Asana](/uses/project-management) is a top choice because it connects goals to daily work, integrates with 300+ apps, and automates busywork. #### What is the most popular project management software? The most popular options include Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Jira, and Microsoft Project. Asana is trusted by 85% of Fortune 100 companies, making it a leader for teams that need to connect daily work to company-wide goals. #### What type of software is project management software? Project management software is a category of tools used to plan, schedule, track, and report on projects. The best options, like Asana, also coordinate work across portfolios, teams, and departments. #### What's the difference between project management software and task management software? [Task management software](https://asana.com/resources/best-task-management-software) focuses on tracking individual to-dos, while project management software handles broader planning, coordination, and goal-setting. Good project management software includes task management features, but the reverse isn't always true. #### How does project management software work? Project management software centralizes task creation, scheduling, and team coordination in one platform. 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