Echolocity’s Top Project Management Software Picks

Echolocity
Oct 30
6 min read

What is project management software?

Work management or project management software help teams plan, organize, and manage projects and tasks in one place so you can work more efficiently. Tools for scheduling, task assignments, and collaboration, ensure your team stays aligned to achieves goals and deliver projects on time.

The software centralizes project information in one location which improves communication, accountability, enhances visibility, and provides reports to identify bottlenecks and track performance.

There is a wide variety of project management software – from simple personal to-do lists to robust all-in-one solutions that support businesses of all types and sizes while offering customizable features like agile boards or Gantt charts.

Read how to select the right work management software.

What to look for in a project management tool?

One benefit of great project management software is that it can serve as an all-in-one tool. Some considerations when selecting work management software:

Ease of use
Collaboration
Integrations
Customization
Scalability
Reporting
Pricing

The ideal project management software should include features that foster effective communication and collaboration among team members, such as document sharing, real-time interactions (comments, notes, files), and activity feeds.

Choosing the right project management software often involves exploring various options. Many providers offer free trials, giving you the chance to evaluate their features before making a decision.

Echolocity can guide your team toward a successful work management platform selection and rollout.

Get started

How to choose project management software?

Your project management software selection should align with your team’s needs and workflows.

Finding the right fit may require trying out different project management software options. Many providers offer free trials, allowing you to test-drive their features before committing.

Ultimately, the best solution is one that your team embraces and that enhances your project management processes. Take the time to explore and compare to find the tool that will drive your team’s success.

Read how to select the right work management software.

Project Management Software Snapshot

Here’s a snapshot of the project management tools, based on capabilities, reporting features, support, security, and value for money:

Software	Best for	Best feature	Price starting from
Smartsheet	Managing processes at scale	Process automation	$9 per user/month
Microsoft Planner	Project management and scheduling	Detailed Gantt charts and timeline views	$10 per user/month
Monday.com	Managing multiple projects	Many project views	$9 per user/month
Airtable	Upgrading from spreadsheets	Automations	$20 per user/month
ClickUp	Managing multiple tasks	Automatic progress-tracking	$7 per user/month
Asana	Tracking project progress	Multiple project views	$10.99 per user/month
Miro	Team Collaboration	Mind mapping	$8 per user/month

Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a work management platform that enables teams to collaborate, track projects, automate workflows, and integrate tools for efficiency and visibility across industries and workflows.

Pros:

Real-time collaboration: Smartsheet’s features allow team members to work together in real-time, which improves productivity and communication.
Versatile: Smartsheet can be used for a wide range of projects and for businesses of all industries and sizes.

Cons:

Add-ons: It requires add-ons for time tracking and resource management.
Learning Curve: New users may find Smartsheet complex to navigate initially due to its advanced features and functionality.

Integrations: Smartsheet integrates with a wide range of business tools, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and much more.

Smartsheet pricing: $9/user/month with annual plan. Free plans are available.

Monday.com

Monday.com is a flexible work management tool that helps teams manage projects, streamline workflows, track progress, and collaborate effectively with customizable boards, automation, and integrations across various industries.

Pros:

Customizable: Offers a variety of templates and workflows that can be tailored to different project management needs.
User-friendly: Its visual layout makes it easy for teams to track progress, assign tasks, and collaborate efficiently.

Cons:

Pricing can be expensive: The cost increases as you add more users and features, which might not be ideal for smaller teams.
Can be overwhelming: With so many customization options, new users may find the interface a bit overwhelming initially.

Integrations: Monday.com work management offers integrations including Slack, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Salesforce.

Monday.com pricing: $9/month/user with annual billing. Free plans are available.

Microsoft Planner

Microsoft Planner is a simple, visual project management tool integrated within the Microsoft 365 suite. It allows teams to create plans, assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate efficiently in a shared workspace.

Pros:

Seamless Microsoft 365 Integration: Integrates directly with Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 apps, ensuring smooth collaboration and workflow.
User-Friendly: Intuitive and easy to use, with a visual task board that helps teams organize and track their work quickly.

Two Cons:

Limited Features for Complex Projects: Lacks advanced features like Gantt charts and detailed reporting, making it less suitable for larger, more complex projects.
Less Customization: Offers fewer customization options compared to other project management tools, limiting flexibility for diverse team needs.

Integrations: Microsoft Project integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, Power BI, Excel, and third-party tools like Jira and Trello.

Microsoft Project Pricing: Starts at $10/user/month for cloud-based. On-premises versions are also available.

Airtable

Airtable is flexible, user-friendly platform that combines the features of a database and spreadsheet, enabling teams to organize projects, workflows, and collaborate in real-time.

Pros:

Flexible Interface: Combines the power of a database with the simplicity of a spreadsheet, making it easy to organize and track projects.
Integrations: Airtable connects with many popular apps, allowing for automation and streamlined workflows across various tools.

Cons:

Limited Advanced Features: Lacks some key project management capabilities, such as Gantt charts, which may be necessary for larger projects.
Expensive for Larger Teams: As your team grows or needs more advanced features, the cost can become prohibitive.

Integrations: Airtable offers a wide range of integrations including Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, Dropbox, Box, Gmail, and various automation and project tools.

Airtable Pricing: $20/user/month with annual plan. Free plans are available.

ClickUp

ClickUp is a customizable project management tool for teams to manage tasks, goals, docs, and more, offering integrations, time tracking, and reporting features for streamlined workflows.

Pros:

Customizable: Offers a vast range of features, from tasks to docs, that can be tailored to fit any team’s needs.
Integrated Time Tracking and Reporting: Includes built-in time tracking and customizable reporting features to help monitor team progress and productivity.

Cons:

Overwhelming for New Users: The abundance of features and customization options can be intimidating and take time to master.
Can Be Slow or Glitchy: The platform may experience slowdowns or technical glitches, particularly when managing large projects or extensive data.

Integrations: Popular integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, GitHub, and Zapier.

Pricing: $7 per user/month. Free version is available for personal usage with limited features.

Asana

Asana is a project management tool that helps teams organize work, track progress, and collaborate seamlessly, with task lists, timelines, and integrations to boost productivity and efficiency.

Pros:

Easy to Use: Known for its user-friendly interface, Asana simplifies task management and team collaboration with minimal setup.
Collaboration Tools: Provides features like comments, attachments, and various project views (lists, boards, timelines) to enhance team communication.

Cons:

Limited Advanced Reporting: Reporting features are minimal in the basic plan and require a premium subscription for more detailed insights.
Lacks Built-In Time Tracking: While it offers task management, time tracking is not included without external integrations.
.

Integrations: Asana integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Dropbox, Zoom, GitHub, and Zapier. It also offers a flexible API for custom integrations.

Asana pricing: $10.99/user/month with annual plan. Free plans are available.

Miro

Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard platform designed for brainstorming, planning, and organizing ideas, enhancing teamwork and creativity through visual collaboration tools.

Pros:

Ideal for Collaboration and Brainstorming: Miro’s virtual whiteboard fosters real-time collaboration, making it perfect for creative sessions and idea mapping.
Unlimited Users: It supports an unlimited number of collaborators on boards, allowing for seamless teamwork across large teams or departments.

Cons:

Limited Project Management Features: Miro is better suited for brainstorming and planning rather than detailed project tracking and execution.
Can Become Disorganized: With multiple contributors and no defined structure, boards can become chaotic and difficult to manage in large projects.

Integrations: Miro offers integrations with over 100 tools including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Jira, Asana, Trello, Zoom, Dropbox, and more.

Miro Pricing: $8/user/month with annual plan. Free plans are available.