Introduction: Why “Best” Means More Than a Feature List
Picking the best project management software in 2025 isn’t just about checking boxes for Gantt charts or Kanban boards. Modern teams—marketing, product, IT, and beyond—need a digital command center that:
- Centralizes tasks, files, and conversations in one place
- Automates busywork so people can focus on strategy
- Integrates seamlessly with the rest of the tech stack
- Scales from two‑person startups to global enterprises without a pricing‑tier nightmare
After evaluating 40+ platforms, analyzing feature matrices, and interviewing power users, we’ve narrowed the field to 15 standout tools. (Spoiler: Hive tops the list for its mix of flexibility, built‑in AI, and marketing‑grade proofing.)
If you’re looking to upgrade—or ditch spreadsheets once and for all—this guide will help you compare options side‑by‑side and land on the right fit.
Table of Contents
- Evaluation Methodology
- Quick Verdict: Best Project Management Software at a Glance
- In‑Depth Reviews of the Top 15 Tools
- Feature‑by‑Feature Showdown
- Why Hive Ranks #1 for 2025
- How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Team
- FAQs About Project Management Software
- Next Steps & Free Trials
Evaluation Methodology
To decide which platforms deserved a place on our best project management software list, we scored each tool across six weighted criteria:
| Criterion | Weight | What We Looked For |
|---|---|---|
| Core Task & Project Features | 30 % | Task hierarchy, views (Gantt, Kanban, Calendar, List), sub‑tasks, dependencies |
| Collaboration & Proofing | 15 % | In‑line comments, file approvals, chat, @mentions |
| Automation & AI | 15 % | Built‑in workflow automations, AI assistants, no‑code triggers |
| Integrations & Extensibility | 15 % | Native integrations, API access, Zapier/Make support |
| Pricing & Scalability | 15 % | Transparent tiers, cost per user, feature limits |
| Reporting & Analytics | 10 % | Custom dashboards, resource utilization, export options |
Scores came from hands‑on testing, public documentation, and interviews with at least two customers for each platform.
Quick Verdict: Best Project Management Software at a Glance
| Rank | Tool | Best For | Free Plan? | Starting Paid Price* |
| 1 | Hive | All‑in‑one work hub with AI & proofing | ✅ | $12/user/mo |
| 2 | Asana | Cross‑functional work tracking | ✅ | $13.49/user/mo |
| 3 | Monday.com | Customizable workflows | ✅ | $12/seat/mo |
| 4 | ClickUp | Feature‑rich on a budget | ✅ | $10/member/mo |
| 5 | Wrike | Enterprise & professional services | ✅ | $9.80/user/mo |
| 6 | Smartsheet | Spreadsheet‑style PM | ✅ | $9/user/mo |
| 7 | Notion | Docs + lightweight PM | ✅ | $10/member/mo |
| 8 | Teamwork | Client services & agencies | ✅ | $12.50/user/mo |
| 9 | Jira Software | Agile software teams | ✅ | $10.75/user/mo |
| 10 | Basecamp | Simple, flat‑fee collaboration | ❌ | $15/user/mo or $349/company/mo |
| 11 | Airtable | Database‑style work management | ✅ | $20/seat/mo |
| 12 | Microsoft Project | Traditional project planning | ❌ | $10/user/mo |
| 13 | Zoho Projects | Budget‑friendly small teams | ✅ | $4/user/mo |
| 14 | ProofHub | Fixed‑price PM with proofing | ❌ | $50/month flat |
| 15 | Trello | Kanban purists & small squads | ✅ | $5/user/mo |
*Pricing reflects annual billing discounts available April 2025 and may change.
In‑Depth Reviews of the Top 15 Tools
1. Hive – Overall Best Project Management Software
Standout features
- Multiple interchangeable views: Gantt, Kanban, Portfolio, Table, Calendar, Agile sprint board.
- Built‑in AI agent Buzz: auto‑generates task plans, summarizes meetings, predicts bottlenecks.
- Native proofing for images & video—ideal for marketing and creative teams.
- Unlimited automations even on the Teams plan.
- 1,000+ integrations including Slack, Outlook, Salesforce & Adobe Creative Cloud.
Why it’s #1
Hive strikes the sweet spot between power and usability. Non‑technical teams can launch projects in minutes, while power users appreciate advanced reporting and resource heat maps. Its all‑in‑one approach removes the need for separate proofing, chat, and time‑tracking tools—saving both money and tab fatigue.
Where it could improve
- Mobile app is solid but lacks some automation editing features (road‑mapped for Q4 2025).
- Requires a short learning curve for administrators to unlock its deepest customization.
2. Asana – Best for Cross‑Team Alignment
Asana shines for organizations that need work broken down into goals → portfolios → projects → tasks. Its clean UI, Timeline view, and universal My Tasks dashboard keep individuals focused while leadership monitors OKRs from 30,000 ft.
Key differentiators
- Robust custom fields & rules engine.
- Goals module links strategic objectives to daily tasks.
- Excellent integrations with Slack, Google Drive, and Power BI.
Trade‑offs
- No native proofing (requires add‑ons).
- Automations capped on lower tiers.
3. Monday.com – Best for Custom Workflows
Monday operates more like a no‑code platform than traditional PM software. You build boards with columns that can store anything: dates, people, formulas, numbers, or status pills.
Pros
- Highly visual dashboards.
- 200+ templates for marketing, sales, dev, and ops.
- Marketplace of “apps” extends functionality.
Cons
- Advanced Gantt & time‑tracking locked behind Pro plan.
- Automation actions limited per month unless you pay more.
4. ClickUp – Feature‑Rich on a Budget
ClickUp’s promise: replace all your work apps. Its Free Forever plan includes Docs, Chat, Goals, Whiteboards, and up to five automations—all at zero cost.
Watch outs
- Feature bloat can overwhelm new users.
- Proofing is add‑on; resource management still feels beta.
5. Wrike – Best for Enterprise Service Delivery
Wrike caters to large, matrixed organizations and professional‑services teams that juggle hundreds of client deliverables at once. Its Wrike Spaces let departments create separate, permission‑controlled hubs while still rolling up to executive dashboards. The built‑in Wrike Proof module rivals Hive’s for asset markup, complete with version comparison and approval gates. Advanced request forms auto‑generate projects from client briefs, and Work Intelligence—Wrike’s AI layer—flags at‑risk tasks in real time.
Where it excels • Scalable folder hierarchy • Robust time & budget tracking • SOC 2 Type II compliance for enterprise security.
Trade‑offs • Steeper learning curve than Monday or ClickUp • Automation actions limited on lower tiers.
6. Smartsheet – Best Spreadsheet‑Style PM
If your team lives in Excel but needs real project horsepower, Smartsheet is a logical step up. Rows behave like tasks, but you can still use formulas, cross‑sheet references, and conditional formatting. Card, Gantt, Calendar, and Grid views keep both spreadsheet die‑hards and visual planners happy. You’ll also find powerful Control Center governance (enterprise plan) and Dynamic View for secure stakeholder portals.
Pros • Familiar grid interface • Rich automation rules • Resource management add‑on.
Cons • Native proofing lags behind Hive & Wrike • Interface feels dated on mobile.
7. Notion – Best Docs‑Plus‑Tasks Workspace
Notion blends documents, wikis, and lightweight databases in one minimalist canvas. Teams can spin up relational tables for tasks, then link them to creative briefs, SOPs, or meeting notes—perfect for knowledge‑centric orgs. The new Notion Projects templates add sprint boards and timeline views, while Notion AI helps summarize pages and generate checklists.
Strengths • All‑in‑one knowledge base • Unlimited doc nesting • Highly customizable.
Limitations • No advanced dependencies (yet) • Proofing and resource planning require integrations.
8. Teamwork – Best for Client Services & Agencies
Time tracking, billable rates, and client portals are baked directly into Teamwork—making it a favorite among digital agencies and consultancies. Invoices can be generated from tracked time, and Task Lists break down work into reusable packages. The integrated Teamwork Desk (ticketing) and Chat modules further consolidate operations.
Upsides • Agency‑specific features (retainers, billing) • Dependable Gantt & portfolio views • Fixed‑price client users.
Downsides • Interface is functional but less slick than Asana • Limited native AI capabilities.
9. Jira Software – Best for Agile Dev Teams
Part of Atlassian’s suite, Jira dominates the software engineering world. Scrum boards, sprint planning, and backlog grooming are first‑class citizens. Robust workflow schemes let admins model virtually any process, and JQL (Jira Query Language) unlocks granular reporting.
Why devs love it • Deep GitHub, Bitbucket, and CI/CD integrations • Velocity and burndown charts • Marketplace with 1,000+ apps.
Why others don’t • Overkill for non‑technical teams • Setup can feel labyrinthine.
10. Basecamp – Best Flat‑Fee Collaboration Suite
Basecamp takes a “less is more” stance: message boards, to‑dos, schedules, docs, and group chat in each project. The $15/user plan (or $349/month flat for unlimited users) includes everything—no per‑feature upsells. The Hill Chartprovides a unique visual of project progress without Gantt complexity.
Highlights • Simplicity reduces onboarding time • Fixed pricing can save large teams • Automatic check‑ins replace daily stand‑ups.
Drawbacks • No dependencies or workload views • Lacks native time tracking and proofing.
11. Airtable – Best Database‑Driven Work Management
Think of Airtable as a spreadsheet with superpowers: each row is a rich record storing attachments, long text, checkboxes, or even barcodes. Interface Designer lets you build mini‑apps on top of your bases, and new Airtable AI fields can auto‑classify or summarize data. For PM, templates like Product Roadmap and Marketing Campaign Tracker get you started fast.
Great for • Complex relational data • Citizen developers • API‑heavy workflows.
Not for • Classic project Gantt charts (requires extensions) • Built‑in resource leveling.
12. Microsoft Project – Best for Formal Project Planning
A stalwart of project management since the ’80s, MS Project offers critical path analysis, baseline variance tracking, and granular resource calendars. The cloud‑based Project for the Web simplifies the UI, while on‑prem versions remain for regulated industries.
Advantages • Deep scheduling algorithms • Tight Office 365 and Power BI ties • Portfolio analysis tools.
Challenges • Steep learning curve • Higher cost per seat • No embedded proofing.
13. Zoho Projects – Best Budget Option for Growing Teams
Part of the expansive Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Projects punches above its $4/user price. You get Gantt charts, task timers, and issue tracking, plus seamless hand‑offs to Zoho CRM, Books, and Analytics.
Why consider it • Great value • Custom functions via Deluge scripting • Strong time sheets.
Watch‑outs • UI feels dated • Limited third‑party integrations outside Zoho.
14. ProofHub – Best Fixed‑Price PM With Proofing
ProofHub bundles tasks, discussions, Gantt, and proofing into a single flat‑fee plan ($50/month, unlimited users). The markup tools support PDFs, images, and web pages, making it a solid fit for in‑house creative teams who hate per‑seat pricing.
Perks • Unlimited users & projects • Custom roles & white labeling • Daily progress reports.
Limitations • No automations or AI • Integrations list is short.
15. Trello – Best for Kanban Purists & Side Projects
Trello popularized the drag‑and‑drop board and remains a go‑to for simple task tracking. Power‑Ups add calendar, timeline, or custom fields, and the Butler automation engine handles repetitive card moves. Its generous free tier supports unlimited cards and up to 10 boards per workspace.
Ideal when • You want ultra‑quick setup • Visual Kanban is enough • You love integrations (200+).
Falls short • Scaling beyond 50 users gets messy • No native resource management or proofing.
Feature‑by‑Feature Showdown
| Capability | Hive | Asana | Monday | ClickUp | Wrike |
| Gantt & Dependencies | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Built‑in AI Assistant | Buzz – marketing‑aware | ✅ (universal) | ➖ | ✅ | ➖ |
| Native Proofing | ✅ | ➖ | 🚫 | ➖ | ✅ (Wrike Proof) |
| Unlimited Automations in Base Plan | ✅ | 🚫 | 🚫 | ➖ | ➖ |
| Resource Management Heat Maps | ✅ | 🚫 | ➖ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Guest Permissions | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced Portfolio Dashboards | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Price Per User (base tier) | $12 | $13.49 | $12 | $10 | $9.80 |
Why Hive Ranks #1 for 2025
- Single‑source workspace — consolidate chat, approvals, time logs, AND PM in one tab.
- Marketing‑grade proofing — annotate PDFs, images, even MP4s without third‑party plugins.
- Agentic AI (Buzz) — turns briefs into action plans and predicts slippage.
- Generous automation limits — no hidden fees that punish growth.
- Competitive pricing — replaces three to five other subscriptions; ROI realized in months.
For teams that juggle campaigns, assets, and client deliverables, Hive removes friction at every stage—from ideation to invoice.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Team
- Map your workflows. Is your work linear (waterfall) or iterative (agile)? Do you need proofing, time logs, or resource scheduling?
- Identify integration must‑haves. If Salesforce or GitHub is critical, shortlist tools with native connectors.
- Budget both money and admin time. A cheaper license means little if setup takes six months.
- Run a pilot. Most “best project management software” winners offer 14‑ to 30‑day trials—load a live project and test real‑world friction.
- Analyze reporting. Stakeholders hate manual slide decks. Make sure dashboards answer executive questions without export gymnastics.
FAQs About Project Management Software
Q: What is the easiest project management software for beginners?
A: Trello or Basecamp are popular entry points thanks to simple Kanban boards and flat learning curves.
Q: Which project management tool is best for agile development?
A: Jira Software leads for Scrum and Kanban dev teams, though Hive and ClickUp also support agile sprints.
Q: How much does project management software cost?
A: Expect $5–$30 per user, per month on annual plans. Flat‑fee options like ProofHub or Basecamp can be cheaper for large teams.
Q: What is the best free project management software?
A: Hive’s free plan covers up to two users with unlimited projects and 200 automations—great for freelancers and small startups.
Next Steps & Free Trials
- Try Hive free for 14 days → Start a free trial.
- Compare Hive vs. Asana head‑to‑head → Hive vs. Asana.
- Need a template? → Download Hive’s free Gantt chart template.
Ready to reclaim your workday? Sign up for Hive and experience why thousands of teams call it the best project management software of 2025.
