The 20 Best Project Planning Tools of 2025

Project planning tools are everywhere. But most of them fall into one of three traps: too simple, too clunky, or too bloated for real work.

We reviewed the top platforms for 2025 to help you cut through the noise. Not just based on feature lists—but how well each tool supports real teams managing deadlines, resources, and collaboration at scale.

Each tool in this list includes:

• A clear summary of who it’s best for
• A breakdown of key features
• Transparent pricing
• Pros and cons to help you weigh the trade-offs

From lean task boards to full-scale portfolio systems, these are the 20 best project planning tools worth considering this year.

1. Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is more than just a project management tool—it’s an all-in-one business platform that combines tasks, communication, CRM, and document management. It’s ideal for teams that want to unify their workflows in one place rather than stitching together multiple tools.

• Task and project management with dependencies and milestones
• Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and workload planning
• Built-in time tracking and task automation
• Document management with version history and collaboration
• Integrated chat, video calls, calendars, and knowledge base
• Full-featured CRM and contact center tools

Free plan available (for up to 5 users); paid plans start at $49/month for the Basic plan (up to 5 users), with higher tiers for larger teams and expanded features.

• Combines project management, communications, and CRM in one platform
• Ideal for businesses that want fewer tools and more structure
• Extensive customization for tasks, workflows, and access controls
• Strong value at every tier, especially for growing teams
• Offers both cloud and self-hosted (on-premise) options

• Interface can feel overwhelming at first due to breadth of features
• Some advanced tools may require setup time to fully configure

Looking for one platform to run your entire business—not just your projects? Bitrix24 is it.

2. ClickUp

ClickUp is a highly customizable project management platform that aims to replace multiple tools by combining tasks, docs, goals, and dashboards in one place. It's popular with fast-moving teams that want flexibility without needing third-party add-ons.

• Multiple task views (list, board, calendar, Gantt)
• Goal and milestone tracking
• Docs and wikis with team collaboration
• Time tracking and workload management
• Automation and third-party integrations

Free plan available; paid plans start at $7/user/month (Unlimited), with Business and Enterprise tiers.

• Broad functionality in a single platform
• High degree of customization across views and workflows
• Good value at lower tiers

• Interface can feel cluttered, especially for new users
• Performance can lag on large or complex projects

3. Asana

Asana is known for its clean interface and reliable task management tools. It’s well-suited to teams who want structured project tracking without a steep learning curve or complex setup.

• Task lists with due dates and assignees
• Timeline and calendar views
• Custom project dashboards
• Automation rules and recurring tasks
• App integrations (e.g., Slack, Google Drive)

Free for up to 15 users; paid plans start at $10.99/user/month.

• Simple and intuitive UI
• Works well out of the box for smaller teams
• Strong adoption across industries

• Limited features in the free plan
• No built-in time tracking or resource management

4. Monday.com

Monday.com offers a visual, modular approach to project planning, with customizable boards that can flex across use cases—from marketing calendars to IT roadmaps. It’s particularly popular with teams that want to build their own workflows without coding.

• Board-based task and project tracking
• Timeline, calendar, Kanban, and Gantt views
• Built-in automation for task triggers and updates
• Customizable templates
• Integration with tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Dropbox

Paid plans start at $9/user/month (Basic); no free tier for teams.

• Highly visual interface with drag-and-drop functionality
• Easy to tailor boards for different departments
• Scales well for growing teams

• Some core features (like time tracking) require higher-tier plans
• Can get expensive as team size or feature needs grow

5. Wrike

Wrike is a project management platform built for teams handling complex workflows. With strong support for cross-departmental collaboration and advanced planning features, it's popular among enterprise and agency teams.

• Task and subtask management
• Gantt charts and project timelines
• Built-in time tracking
• Custom dashboards and workload views
• Real-time collaboration and file sharing

Free plan available; paid plans start at $10/user/month (Team), with Business and Enterprise tiers.

• Strong customization for project views and workflows
• Scales well across departments and large teams
• Robust reporting and resource planning tools

• Steep learning curve for non-technical users
• UI can feel dated or cluttered compared to newer platforms

6. Trello

Trello is a lightweight, visual project management tool that uses a card-and-board system to organize tasks. It’s ideal for individuals and small teams looking for a simple way to track progress.

• Drag-and-drop Kanban boards
• Customizable cards and labels
• Automation via Butler
• Power-Ups for integrations (e.g., Slack, Google Drive)
• Mobile-friendly interface

Free plan available; paid plans start at $5/user/month.

• Incredibly easy to set up and use
• Highly visual and flexible for simple workflows
• Great for freelancers or early-stage teams

• Limited functionality for complex or large-scale projects
• Requires add-ons or integrations for advanced use cases

7. Jira

Jira is Atlassian’s flagship project tracking tool, built for agile software teams. It’s highly configurable and excels in sprint planning, bug tracking, and release management.

• Scrum and Kanban boards
• Issue and backlog management
• Agile reporting and burndown charts
• Advanced workflow customization
• Deep integrations with developer tools (e.g., Bitbucket, GitHub)

Free for up to 10 users; Standard plan starts at $7.53/user/month, Premium at $13.53/user/month, Enterprise pricing available.

• Tailored for agile methodologies and dev teams
• Exceptionally detailed tracking and reporting tools
• Strong plugin ecosystem via Atlassian Marketplace

• Not beginner-friendly; setup can be complex
• Overkill for non-software teams or simple projects

8. Zoho Projects Plus

Zoho Projects Plus is a cost-effective tool for teams already using Zoho's ecosystem. It offers solid planning and tracking features in a clean interface, particularly for small to mid-sized businesses.

• Task management with dependencies
• Gantt charts and timeline views
• Built-in time tracking and invoicing
• Automation rules and task workflows
• Integration with Zoho apps and third-party tools

Free plan for up to 3 users; paid plans start at $5/user/month.

• Strong value for smaller teams
• Integrates well with Zoho CRM and other apps
• Clean, simple interface with useful automation

• Some features feel basic compared to enterprise tools
• UI can be slow or inconsistent under load

9. Smartsheet

Smartsheet blends traditional spreadsheet functionality with project management features, making it a good fit for teams that want structure without giving up flexibility.

• Grid, Gantt, calendar, and Kanban views
• Workflow automation
• Resource and budget tracking
• File sharing and discussions
• App integrations including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack

Pro plan starts at $9/user/month; Business at $19/user/month; Enterprise pricing available.

• Familiar spreadsheet interface for fast adoption
• Solid automation and reporting tools
• Scales well for complex project portfolios

• Less intuitive for non-spreadsheet users
• Features like time tracking require workarounds or integrations

10. Basecamp

Basecamp focuses on team communication and basic task coordination. It’s ideal for teams that prioritize simplicity and centralized discussions over complex workflows.

• To-do lists and task tracking
• Message boards and team chat
• File storage and schedule views
• Client access controls
• Hill charts for progress tracking

Basecamp Free lets you run one project; Basecamp Pro is $15/user/month; while Pro Unlimited is $299/month (paid annually).

• Easy to use with minimal setup
• Centralizes communication and files in one place
• Predictable pricing for larger teams

• Lacks granular project planning features
• Not built for technical or complex workflows

11. Teamwork

Teamwork is built for client-facing teams, especially in agencies and professional services. It combines standard project management features with billing, time tracking, and client collaboration tools.

• Task and milestone management
• Time tracking and billable hours
• Project templates and recurring tasks
• Client-facing portals
• Integrated chat and document sharing

Free plan available; paid plans start at $10.99/user/month.

• Strong time tracking and invoicing tools
• Designed for service-based workflows
• Supports multiple clients and projects in parallel

• Interface can feel dated or busy
• Key features like budgeting are locked behind higher tiers

12. Airtable

Airtable is a flexible, low-code platform that combines database power with spreadsheet simplicity. It’s well-suited for teams building custom project tracking systems.

• Customizable fields and table structures
• Kanban, calendar, gallery, and timeline views
• Automation and scripting options
• Real-time collaboration
• Integrations with apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Salesforce

Free plan available; Team at $20/user/month, Business at $45/user/month, Enterprise custom.

• Highly customizable for niche workflows
• Clean UI with multiple ways to view data
• Ideal for teams who want structure without rigidity

• Limited built-in reporting
• May require technical setup for advanced use
• Costs rise quickly with scale or complexity

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13. Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is a legacy enterprise solution built for professional project managers. It excels at managing large, resource-heavy projects with complex timelines and dependencies.

• Gantt charts and critical path scheduling
• Resource management and allocation
• Project portfolio management (PPM)
• Built-in time tracking
• Reporting with Microsoft Power BI integration

Project Plan 1 at $10/user/month; Project Plan 3 at $30/user/month. No free plan.

• Extensive functionality for enterprise-scale projects
• Integrates well with Microsoft 365 and Teams
• Strong reporting and timeline tools

• Steep learning curve, especially for non-PMs
• High price point compared to newer competitors

14. TeamGantt

TeamGantt is a user-friendly tool built around—you guessed it—Gantt charts. It's ideal for teams that want visual project timelines without the bulk of traditional PM software.

• Drag-and-drop Gantt chart builder
• Task scheduling with dependencies
• Time tracking
• Built-in collaboration and file sharing
• Calendar and list views

$49/month per manager (20 projects).

• Excellent for visualizing timelines and task dependencies
• Simple interface that’s easy to pick up
• Good fit for marketing, content, and creative teams

• Lacks advanced features like automation or budgeting
• Higher cost compared to similarly simple tools

15. Portfolio Manager (formerly LiquidPlanner)

Portfolio Manager is a predictive project management platform that uses smart scheduling to dynamically adapt to changing priorities, resource availability, and uncertainty.

• Priority-based automated scheduling
• Scenario planning and forecasting
• Time tracking and utilization reporting
• Integrated workload management
• Real-time dashboards and alerts

Essentials plan starts at $15/user/month; Ultimate plan at $42/user/month.

• Unique predictive scheduling engine
• Excellent for teams juggling shifting deadlines
• Strong analytics for risk-aware planning

• Takes time to set up and understand
• Pricey for small or simple teams

16. Notion

Notion is a highly flexible workspace that combines wikis, docs, task boards, and databases. It’s best for teams that want to design their own workflows from the ground up.

• Kanban, list, calendar, and table views
• Relational databases and page nesting
• Templates for projects, sprints, and knowledge bases
• Real-time collaboration and mentions
• Lightweight automations

Free plan available; Plus plan at $10/user/month; Business is $15/user/month. Enterprise pricing available.

• Combines docs, tasks, and knowledge sharing in one tool
• Highly customizable with low setup cost
• Great for internal documentation and lightweight planning

• Can get messy without structure or guidelines
• Lacks native time tracking and reporting tools

17. Celoxis

Celoxis is a comprehensive project portfolio management tool aimed at teams that need strong reporting, financial tracking, and resource planning in one platform.

• Gantt charts with real-time scheduling
• Budgeting and cost forecasting
• Custom workflow automation
• Resource capacity and utilization tools
• Time and expense tracking

Cloud version starts at $25/user/month; on-premise available.

• Solid budgeting and financial controls
• Custom workflows for complex organizations
• Scales well for large portfolios

• UI is less modern than some newer tools
• Not priced competitively for small teams

18. Redbooth

Redbooth is a straightforward project management tool built for visual task tracking and simple team collaboration, with the bonus of built-in video calls.

• Kanban and timeline views
• Native HD video conferencing
• Task assignment and progress tracking
• Time tracking and activity reports
• Integrations with Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox

Plans start at $9/user/month with Enterprise pricing available on request.

• Fast setup with minimal learning curve
• Video meetings without extra tools
• Good fit for small, distributed teams

• Limited customization and automation
• Not suitable for complex or large-scale projects

19. Workzone

Workzone bridges the gap between simple task managers and enterprise platforms. It’s well-suited for marketing and operations teams that need templates, approvals, and reliable project tracking.

• Task dependencies and Gantt charts
• Project health dashboards
• Custom approval workflows
• Time tracking and workload views
• Centralized document sharing

Starts at $22/user/month (Team plan); higher tiers offer more controls.

• Designed for structured, repeatable work
• Clear dashboards and approval flows
• Built-in tools for collaboration and client access

• Limited integrations compared to modern platforms
• Higher entry-level pricing

20. Taiga

Taiga is an open-source project management platform built for agile teams. It supports Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid workflows with a clean interface and developer-friendly features.

• Kanban and Scrum boards
• Backlog and sprint management
• GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket integrations
• Multi-language support
• Video conferencing add-ons

Free and open-source; premium cloud plans available.

• Great fit for agile dev teams and open-source projects
• Customizable and extensible
• Free tier covers most use cases

• Requires setup and technical know-how
• Lacks enterprise-level reporting and integrations

All-in on project planning—and then some

Every tool on this list brings something valuable to the table. Some keep things simple. Others go deep on features like time tracking, automation, or agile workflows. A few are great if you already live inside their ecosystem.

But here’s the thing: most of them do one job well.

Bitrix24 does them all.

It combines the structure of tools like Asana and Wrike, the team chat and docs you'd find in Notion or Basecamp, and the CRM power that others don’t even attempt. You get project management, collaboration, communication, and client management—on a single, fully integrated platform.

That means fewer tools. Fewer tabs. Fewer headaches.

If you're ready to stop stitching software together and start managing everything in one place, Bitrix24 is where your projects (and your business) should live.