A Review of the 10 Best Project Management Softwares in 2020
Effective project management is the backbone of any successful business operation. Whether you are managing a software development sprint, a complex marketing campaign, or a multi-million dollar fundraising initiative, having the right project management software can make the difference between delivering on time and on budget versus costly delays and scope creep.
We reviewed the 10 best project management tools available to help teams plan, track, collaborate, and deliver results. From agile-focused platforms like Jira to comprehensive enterprise solutions like Clarizen, this guide covers the features, strengths, and use cases for each tool. For insights on how to assess whether your projects are being managed effectively, see our guide on project health checks.
1. Jira
Jira is an agile project management software used by development teams to plan, track, and release software. It is a popular tool designed specifically and used by agile teams. Aside from creating stories, planning sprints, tracking issues, and shipping up-to-date software, users also generate reports that help improve teams, and create their own workflows. As part of Atlassian, it integrates with many tools that enable teams to manage their projects and products from end to end.
Best for: Software development teams using agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
2. Backlog
Backlog is an online project management tool for software development teams. It is a visual application that enables users to turn milestones into manageable tasks. It includes a set of features that automates many essential development functions such as bug tracking, Gantt charts and version control. Collaboration is the underlying framework of the software, which includes mobile apps, real-time comments, centralized file management, and private Git and Subversion repositories, among others.
Best for: Development teams that need integrated version control (Git/SVN) alongside project management.
3. ProWorkflow
ProWorkflow is an affordable, professional, easy to use, web-based solution to manage your business. Manage your projects, tasks, time, contacts, notes and more! Timelines, workload charts and more! Create awesome staff efficiency.
Best for: Small to medium businesses looking for an affordable, all-in-one project management solution.
4. Intervals
Intervals is a web-based project management software with time tracking, task management and comprehensive reporting features. It was built by a web design and development agency originally for their own needs, but has been publicly available since 2006. It has been adopted by many companies around the world. It aims to help teams and businesses track time, organize projects and its details, and remain profitable. It provides a collaborative online workspace that facilitates successful delivery of projects, resulting in client satisfaction and business growth. Last month, it has launched a modernistic UI that is part of a redesign implemented in phases.
Best for: Agencies and service businesses that need strong time tracking and profitability reporting.
5. AceProject
AceProject is a web-based project tracking software that helps manage projects from end to end. It is a complete project management solution for individuals, teams and enterprises that need to take control of their important workflows and leave nothing to chance. AceProject provides the tools for projects to remain on time and on budget with its time and expense tracking features. Entering time is very easy, almost automated, and convenient with a Time Clock. Users can easily stay on top of all their projects with a project Dashboard that gives instant information with color-coded graphs and details. With Gantt charts, they can view the intricacies of a project and its progress to be able to make informed decisions and necessary actions.
Best for: Teams that need detailed time and expense tracking with visual project dashboards.
Pro Tip: The project management tools above are essential for keeping campaigns on track, but the tool is only as good as the process behind it. Our article on project health checks outlines 9 critical questions you should be asking about any programme or project — regardless of which software you use. A PMO (Programme/Project Management Office) combined with the right tooling is the formula for consistently healthy projects.
6. Hive
Hive is an application that is used to increase productivity among team members. Within Hive, almost every action required to push teamwork ahead has been made available. It brings communication, file storage and external tools together in one space, helping everybody stay on the same page. Hive integrates external systems into the Dashboard, helping people concentrate on their work instead of remembering passwords, granting access, sending invitations and switching between tabs. Almost one hundred external tools can be integrated into Hive.
Best for: Teams that rely on many external tools and need a centralized workspace to bring everything together.
7. Wrike
Wrike is an online project and work management platform that has powerful tracking, collaboration, and reporting features. Features such as dynamic request forms, interactive Gantt charts, and customizable dashboards provide users the ability to streamline and automate processes that help their business to be efficient, competitive and productive. There are ready solutions also for specialized teams such as Wrike for Marketers that comes with tailor-made tools fitting for marketing and creative teams. Customizable workflows, fields, and folder structures allow teams to be flexible in the way they do work, and integrations are plenty, including for CRM, messaging, and accounting, to name a few categories. A free plan and several premium plans on a per user per month pricing are offered.
Best for: Marketing and creative teams that need customizable workflows, Gantt charts, and specialized marketing features.
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Mavenlink is a modern software platform that connects people, projects, and profits. It seamlessly provides project and financial data, so that users always have the needed information and complete view of their operation. Real-time data shows project performance at any given minute, so stakeholders can always make decisions regarding time and budget. They can always check on costs of delivery, to make sure margins and ROI are on target. It provides overview and details whether it is a single project or a portfolio of projects. Resource management enables users to allocate resources where it is needed, with advanced features such as role-based estimating and business intelligence. Reports include up-to-date view of performance trends, problem areas, upcoming needs, and more.
Best for: Professional services firms that need to connect project delivery with financial performance and profitability.
9. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a leading work execution platform that has real-time work management features, collaboration and automation tools. Users are presented with a familiar and easy-to-use spreadsheet-like interface. However, it has enterprise-grade capabilities that even Fortune 500 companies like Cisco, Bayer, HP, and PayPal are confident to adopt in their business. Strong project management features enable teams to utilize different views of real-time data, and switch easily from Gantt, card, grid and calendar views. Smartsheet has automatic update requests, and can be used for waterfall and agile projects, product launch, sprint planning, and more. The resource management feature provides users the visibility who is busy, and who is not, in real-time. They can also attach files, share sheets, get notified, view the activity log, export, email, and print.
Best for: Enterprise teams that want spreadsheet familiarity with powerful project management capabilities.
10. Clarizen
Clarizen is an online project management software that combines social collaboration and work management to help teams and organizations deliver high performance and operational excellence. Many companies of today work in such a way that conversations, work content and business processes are disconnected from each other. Worse, each separate activity is managed by different, sometimes multiple, and often outdated tools and systems such as spreadsheets, emails, and time-consuming meetings. However, what is really needed is just one centralized but flexible system that is capable of collaboration and work management in a highly accessible and secure environment.
Best for: Large organizations that need to unify collaboration, work content, and business processes in one enterprise platform.
Pro Tip: Choosing the right project management software is important, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. The most successful teams combine great tools with great processes. For fundraising campaigns specifically, the right project management approach can mean the difference between hitting your raise target and falling short. Learn how structured account management and consulting methodologies complement your project management tooling.
Project Management Software Comparison
| Software | Best For | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Jira | Agile development teams | Sprint planning, issue tracking, Atlassian ecosystem |
| Backlog | Dev teams needing version control | Integrated Git/SVN, bug tracking, Gantt charts |
| ProWorkflow | Small-medium businesses | Affordable, all-in-one, easy to use |
| Intervals | Agencies and service businesses | Time tracking, profitability reporting (since 2006) |
| AceProject | Teams needing expense tracking | Time Clock, color-coded dashboards, Gantt charts |
| Hive | Teams with many external tools | ~100 integrations, centralized workspace |
| Wrike | Marketing and creative teams | Wrike for Marketers, customizable workflows |
| Mavenlink | Professional services firms | Financial data + project data, ROI tracking |
| Smartsheet | Enterprise teams | Spreadsheet UI, Fortune 500 adoption (Cisco, HP, PayPal) |
| Clarizen | Large organizations | Social collaboration + work management unified |
Pro Tip: When evaluating project management software for your fundraising or marketing operations, prioritize tools that offer real-time dashboards, budget tracking, and stakeholder reporting. These features directly map to the 9 project health check questions that separate well-managed campaigns from failing ones. For fundraising campaigns, also consider tools like our burn rate calculator and runway calculator to complement your project management software with financial planning.
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Schedule a Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best project management software for small teams?
For small teams, ProWorkflow and Hive offer the best balance of affordability and functionality. ProWorkflow provides an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution for managing projects, tasks, and time, while Hive brings communication, file storage, and nearly 100 external tool integrations together in one centralized workspace.
Which project management tool is best for agile development?
Jira is the industry standard for agile software development teams. Built specifically for agile methodologies, it excels at sprint planning, issue tracking, story creation, and release management. As part of the Atlassian ecosystem, it integrates seamlessly with tools like Confluence, Bitbucket, and Trello for end-to-end product management.
What project management software do Fortune 500 companies use?
Smartsheet is used by Fortune 500 companies including Cisco, Bayer, HP, and PayPal. Its familiar spreadsheet-like interface combined with enterprise-grade capabilities makes it accessible for teams while meeting the security and scalability requirements of large organizations. Clarizen and Wrike are also popular enterprise choices.
How do I choose the right project management software?
Consider these factors: team size (small teams need different tools than enterprises), methodology (agile vs. waterfall vs. hybrid), key features needed (time tracking, Gantt charts, budget management, integrations), industry (marketing teams benefit from Wrike, dev teams from Jira, service firms from Mavenlink), and budget (many tools offer free tiers or trials). The best tool is one your team will actually use consistently.
What is the best project management tool for marketing teams?
Wrike stands out for marketing and creative teams with its dedicated Wrike for Marketers solution, featuring tailor-made tools for campaign management, creative workflows, and content production. Its customizable dashboards, dynamic request forms, and interactive Gantt charts help marketing teams streamline their processes and deliver campaigns efficiently.
Do I need project management software for a fundraising campaign?
Absolutely. A Reg CF equity crowdfunding campaign or Kickstarter/Indiegogo campaign involves coordinating marketing, investor communications, regulatory compliance, content creation, and financial tracking — all on strict timelines. Project management software helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks and your campaign stays healthy.
What is the difference between project management and work management software?
Project management software focuses on planning, executing, and closing specific projects with defined start and end dates. Work management software (like Hive and Clarizen) takes a broader approach, managing ongoing work, collaboration, and business processes beyond individual projects. Many modern tools, including Wrike and Smartsheet, blur this line by offering both capabilities.
Which project management tools offer the best integrations?
Hive leads with almost 100 external tool integrations. Jira benefits from the entire Atlassian marketplace with thousands of add-ons. Wrike offers extensive integrations including CRM, messaging, and accounting tools. Smartsheet connects with major enterprise systems. When choosing a tool, ensure it integrates with your existing tech stack to avoid creating information silos.
What features should I prioritize in project management software?
The essential features depend on your needs, but universally important capabilities include: task management and assignment, timeline/Gantt chart views, real-time collaboration, reporting and dashboards, time tracking, and file management. For financial oversight, look for budget tracking and expense management (like AceProject and Mavenlink offer). For team visibility, resource management features (like those in Smartsheet) are invaluable.
How does project management software improve team productivity?
Project management software improves productivity by centralizing information (eliminating scattered emails and spreadsheets), automating workflows (reducing manual coordination), providing visibility (everyone knows what's happening and what's next), enabling accountability (clear task ownership and deadlines), and facilitating collaboration (real-time comments, file sharing, and notifications). As our guide on project health explains, these capabilities directly address the core factors that determine whether a project succeeds or fails.
