Best Project Management Software for 2024

In remote and hybrid work environments, businesses need seamless communication and collaboration frameworks across different countries and time zones. For many of these businesses, project management (PM) software is critical to a successful project management team. 

This software, which helps professionals visualize, plan, collaborate, and track a project's different tasks, can save time and money by creating a digital hub that a team accesses and utilizes. Learn more about the best PM software available, how it benefits businesses across different industries, and how to choose one that can meet your business needs.

Read more: 12 Project Management Methodologies: Your Guide

What is project management software?

Project management software programs are platforms project managers and IT project management teams use to plan projects. Some available functions include scheduling deadlines, designating tasks and responsibilities, and tracking metrics—such as budgets or timelines. Teams use project management software to communicate and collaborate on tasks, whether they are working on remote or in-person teams.

Project management, in general, helps ensure a professional team can complete a project by a set deadline, focusing on completing specific tasks along the way. Project managers oversee a project from conception to launch and ensure everyone knows their responsibilities and how much time they have to complete them. They also help adjust and adapt timelines based on employees’ progress and any issues that may arise.

Best project management software for beginners

Many consider GanttPRO the best project management software program for beginners. The interface is straightforward, seamless, intuitive, and competitively priced for smaller businesses or teams. GanttPRO is great for beginners because it is easy to set up and uses charts to visualize timelines, tasks, and projects. The project baseline feature allows you to compare the progress to the initial timeline to see where delays or issues might arise. 

GanttPRO offers four pricing levels, with the basic package starting at $7.99 per user per month [1]. It also offers a 14-day free trial, so your team can try its features before committing to a subscription.

Best project management software overall

Project management software has different features to meet your needs. Consider some of these recommended project management software options to find the best one for your organization.

Monday.com

Monday.com is a cloud-based project management application that you can use to build and manage projects from start to finish. It centralizes nearly every aspect of project management and can integrate with other apps for a customized experience. User-friendly and intuitive, Monday.com provides a hub where documents, data, and communication are accessible to everyone on a team. 

It offers a free version for teams of up to two people and a free trial for other pricing levels. The basic paid version starts at $9 monthly per user [2].

Teamwork

Tailored for businesses specializing in client work, Teamwork includes invoicing and billing features and makes tracking billable hours per project easy. Teamwork offers a client portal for easy involvement, and its template library makes setting up new and different projects quick and simple. 

It offers a free plan for teams of up to five users and a free trial for its other pricing levels, starting at $10.99 for a three-user minimum [3].

Wrike

Wrike offers different project management view setups, including Kanban, Gantt charts, calendars, and tables. This diversity makes it easy to tailor the experience of using Wrike to your team’s preferences. Wrike also has robust analytics to track performance and workflow integrations to streamline your team's work process. 

Plus, it has a limited free version or a free trial for all other pricing levels, which start at $9.80 per user per month [4].

Hive

Hive is a platform designed with user experience in mind, making it pleasant to look at and engage with. It offers various features and integrations to help tailor the platform to your team’s specific needs. Project managers can also create custom forms to receive feedback about user experience to improve it over time. 

The free plan is available for teams of up to 10 members or $5 for a starter plan per user (up to 10 workspace users). A free trial is available for the Teams plan with unlimited members, which starts at $12 per user per month [5].

Asana

Asana is popular because it offers different views, including a list, calendar, timeline, and Gantt chart. Its tracking feature helps project managers track who is working on what so that everything stays on deadline. Clients, contractors, and other guests can also have limited access, making collaborating on projects easier. 

The basic package is free for up to 10 users, and a free trial for the premium package is available. When billed annually, the premium package starts at $10.99 per user [6].

Benefits of project management software

Project management software makes it easier for a team to collaborate, communicate, and stay on deadline. It keeps important documents, resources, and notes in a centralized database that team members can access. Plus, it improves scheduling by allowing project managers to adjust timelines based on team members’ real-time progress. 

Additionally, project management software can help enhance productivity, allow flexibility with a remote team, and mitigate project risk by communicating frequently and tracking progress more effectively.

How to choose project management software

Choosing the right project management software for your business depends on your needs and budgets. That said, it is important to consider general factors to ensure the software you use makes the workday easier, not harder. Some of these factors include:

• Scalability: Is the software capable of handling an increasing team size?

• Communication: What communication functions and channels does the software offer?

• Access: Does the software allow access for external workers?

• Monitoring and reporting: Does the software allow tracking and reporting task time?

• Price: Does the software fit your budget?

By identifying the needs of your project management team, you can have a clearer idea of what kind of project management software your businesses would benefit from. To help you choose which software is right, you can test and review different tools and form a team to evaluate which works best for your team’s needs and goals.

What features should I look for?

When looking for the best project management software, it is essential to find software that fits your business’s specific needs. You will likely find that some options might be more effective for your team than others. 

For example, think about your organizational goals and what you want to achieve. How big is your team, and how do you need to work together? Do you only have a specific amount in your budget to spend on more expensive software? These are all features and factors to consider when determining which product suits your team’s needs.

Choosing project management software that offers a free trial is also helpful. That way, your team members can try different software options to find the one they like best.

How to learn project management software

Project managers often learn about project management software through their jobs or as part of an educational course. Some options include:

Certifications and certificates

Organizations like the Project Management Institute offer certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, that provide foundational knowledge and demonstrate expertise in the project management field. 

To earn the certification, you must meet specific requirements—such as acquiring a set amount of hours of experience—and complete an exam. Certification can validate your skills and distinguish you as a project manager. Plus, gaining a PMP certification can typically lead to you earning a higher salary in the workforce.

Universities, organizations, and learning platforms, such as Coursera, also often offer project management Professional Certificates. These shorter courses provide foundational knowledge for a project management career. You can complete Professional Certificates online and on your schedule. 

Read more: Do I Need a Project Management Degree?

Boot camps

Boot camps are short, intensive courses covering essential skills and knowledge. Project management boot camps are great ways to learn how to succeed in a project management role, including exposure to project management software, risk management, and leadership development. With various running lengths (from one-day to multi-month courses), Boot camps are often flexible, allowing you to complete your work independently. 

Build your project management skills on Coursera.

Project management software and courses are key to enhancing organizational efficiency and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. Sharpen your project management skills with courses and Professional Certificates offered on Coursera. For example, the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate can allow you to develop your project management skills and gain usable experience to succeed in your role.