11 Best Project Management Software

After months of research, we’ve decided that monday.com is the best project management platform on the market. It’s highly usable, very affordable, and full of features that would make most project processes a breeze.

However, monday.com isn’t perfect. It falls short in a couple of areas that some users may consider to be absolutely crucial, like customer support. And since there is no shortage of other project management platforms on the market, you may want to assess your options and come away with something else.

If you’re looking for a project management platform, but haven’t made up your mind yet, this is the page for you. Here we’ll go over the pros, cons, features (including template offerings like Gantt charts), and verdict for eleven project management providers. Without further ado, here is our list.

Best Project Management Software: Comparison Table

Here’s a topline comparison of our top eleven providers around pricing, features, and free plans before we get into the details about why each could be an option for you.

1. monday.com: Best overall platform

What are monday.com’s key features?

monday.com’s key features are:

• Gantt, timeline, Kanban and calendar views for projects and tasks
• 200+ templates, low-code automations and AI assistants for routine work
• Sub-tasks, milestones, dependencies, time tracking and workload views
• Native iOS and Android apps with robust offline support
• Excel/CSV import, open API, and enterprise-grade security (ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA)

How does monday.com compare to other project management software?

monday.com is our top pick for UK businesses that want an all-round project management platform that’s easy to roll out across different teams.

Against ClickUp (closest all-round rival)

In our testing, monday.com usually emerges as the most rounded option overall, combining high user satisfaction with one of the broadest feature sets in this guide. ClickUp typically undercuts monday.com on price and offers more granular configuration and power-user options, but has a steeper learning curve for non-technical teams.

monday.com’s cleaner interface, opinionated templates and simpler automation builder make it easier to roll out quickly across mixed-skill teams, while ClickUp suits teams prepared to invest more time in set-up and customisation.

Against Asana and Smartsheet (integrations and “spreadsheet” fans)

Compared with Asana, monday.com is generally more flexible in how you model work, with stronger board customisation and more visual dashboarding, while Asana leans into structured task hierarchies and goal tracking.

For teams moving from Excel, Smartsheet still offers the closest “spreadsheet-style” experience and deeper grid functions, but tends to feel more rigid and less approachable than monday.com’s colourful boards and AI-assisted workflows. So, we’d say monday.com is the better fit when you want strong integrations and automation without living full-time in a grid.

Versus cheaper tools like Zoho Projects and Trello (value vs depth)

Zoho Projects and Trello remain cheaper choices for small teams that mainly need basic task tracking and a Kanban board, and they both offer capable mobile apps. However, monday.com goes further with built-in automations, multi-view reporting, strong security certifications, and more structured portfolio management.

For UK businesses planning to scale or needing robust governance and auditability, monday.com generally justifies its higher price; budget-constrained micro-teams that don’t need this depth may find Zoho Projects or Trello sufficient.

2. ClickUp: Best runner-up

What are ClickUp’s key features?

• Rich task management with List, Board, Gantt and Calendar views on core plans
• Powerful no-code automations and native AI tools for updates, summaries and content
• Subtasks, dependencies, custom fields, time tracking and goals for advanced workflows
• iOS and Android apps with offline mode for basic task work across mobile and desktop
• Excel/CSV and other file imports plus bulk export; SOC 2, GDPR and HIPAA-aligned security

How does ClickUp compare to other project management software?

ClickUp sits very close to monday.com at the top of our list, but it fills a slightly different niche. We see it as the “power user” choice: more knobs and dials than most tools, at a price that’s still accessible for UK SMBs.

ClickUp vs monday.com

Compared with monday.com, ClickUp is usually cheaper at like-for-like tiers and offers more granular configuration (nested spaces, lists, custom fields everywhere, very flexible automations).

We think monday.com is easier for non-technical teams to learn, with a simpler board structure and more opinionated templates; ClickUp asks for more set-up time but rewards that effort with greater control over how work is modelled. If you want maximum configurability and are happy to invest in onboarding, ClickUp edges ahead; if you want “plug in and go” simplicity, monday.com still has the advantage.

ClickUp vs Asana and Jira Software

Against Asana, ClickUp offers broader functionality in one place (docs, whiteboards, mind maps, chat) plus deeper automations and AI, while Asana leans into structured task hierarchies and a very polished, streamlined UX.

For software teams weighing ClickUp against Jira Software, we think Jira remains the best fit for heavyweight Agile at scale, but ClickUp is more approachable for cross-functional organisations that want development work, ops and marketing in the same tool rather than split across multiple platforms.

ClickUp vs cheaper or simpler tools (Zoho Projects and Trello)

Zoho Projects and Trello both undercut ClickUp on price and are easier to grasp for very small teams that mainly need simple task lists and Kanban boards. However, they don’t match ClickUp’s combination of automations, AI, security certifications, offline-capable apps and rich import/export options.

If you’re a micro-business on a tight budget, Zoho Projects or Trello may still be enough; if you expect to scale, or want one platform to handle projects, documentation and more advanced reporting, we think ClickUp is the stronger long-term choice.

3. Smartsheet: Best for spreadsheets

What are Smartsheet’s key features?

• Spreadsheet-style sheets with Gantt charts, dependencies, milestones and critical path visualisation.
• Grid, card (Kanban), Gantt and calendar views, plus forms and dashboards for reporting and intake.
• Excel/CSV, Microsoft Project, Google Sheets and Trello imports, with flexible export options for reporting.
• iOS and Android apps, including offline mobile forms for data capture, and enterprise security/compliance (GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA support).

How does Smartsheet compare to other project management software?

We see Smartsheet as the best choice for teams that want full project management capability but don’t want to give up the power and familiarity of spreadsheets. It sits closer to traditional project tools than monday.com or Trello, and that brings both benefits and extra complexity.

Smartsheet vs monday.com

Compared with monday.com, Smartsheet feels more like a “supercharged spreadsheet”: you work primarily in a grid, then switch into Gantt, card or calendar views when needed. monday.com leans into visual boards and templates that non-technical teams usually pick up faster, whereas Smartsheet rewards people who already think in rows, columns and formulas.

We think Smartsheet is the better fit for project offices and operations teams that want tight control over dependencies, critical paths and structured reporting; monday.com is easier to roll out widely to mixed business users.

Smartsheet vs ClickUp and Asana

Against ClickUp, Smartsheet is less of an “everything in one app” platform (ClickUp bundles docs, whiteboards and chat) and more of a specialised execution tool. We think Smartsheet offers a clearer, grid-first environment for scheduling and resource planning, while ClickUp is better if you want to mix projects, documents and ad hoc collaboration under one roof.

Compared with Asana, Smartsheet is more powerful for detailed project schedules and portfolio-style reporting; Asana is simpler for task-centric work and campaign management but has less depth in spreadsheet-style modelling.

Smartsheet vs cheaper or simpler tools (Zoho Projects and Trello)

Zoho Projects and Trello are both cheaper and easier to learn if you mainly need lists and Kanban boards. They work well for small teams and straightforward workflows, but they don’t match Smartsheet’s blend of grid-based planning, enterprise integrations and compliance frameworks.

We think Smartsheet makes more sense once you’re managing larger portfolios, working with regulated data, or need robust audit trails and structured reporting; Zoho Projects or Trello are better if price and simplicity matter more than enterprise features.

4. Asana: Best for integrations

What are Asana’s key features?

• List, board (Kanban), timeline (Gantt-style) and calendar views for projects and tasks.
• Rules-based automation, custom fields, dependencies and forms for structured intake and workflow control.
• Large integrations marketplace connecting Asana to Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Salesforce and more.
• iOS, Android and desktop apps with offline support for key actions like viewing, updating and completing tasks.
• CSV import from spreadsheets and other tools, plus CSV export for reporting; SOC 2, ISO 2700x and GDPR-aligned security.

How does Asana compare to other project management software?

We see Asana as a flexible, integration-first option that sits between simple task tools and heavier project portfolio platforms. It’s particularly appealing when you want a clean interface, strong app connections and clear ownership of tasks across multiple teams.

Asana vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com, Asana is a little more traditional: you work mainly in lists and boards, with a strong emphasis on tasks, owners and due dates, while monday.com leans more into visual boards and highly customisable dashboards. We think Asana is slightly easier to drop into existing workflows if you live in email, Slack or Teams, because its integrations are so central to the product.

ClickUp, by contrast, packs more features into one platform (docs, whiteboards, mind maps and very deep configuration), but it’s also busier and demands more admin time; Asana is the safer pick when you want clarity and strong integrations without turning the tool into a full-time job.

Asana vs Smartsheet and Jira Software

Against Smartsheet, Asana is less “spreadsheet-like” but more approachable for non-project managers: you still get timelines, dependencies and dashboards, but you’re not forced to work in a grid if you don’t want to. Smartsheet remains stronger for detailed, grid-based planning and hybrid waterfall projects, while Asana is better for campaign-style work and cross-team coordination.

Compared with Jira Software, Jira is still the better choice for deep Agile software delivery with epics, sprints and release workflows, whereas we think Asana is more suitable for cross-functional business teams who want a lighter structure that marketing, product, ops and leadership can all understand.

Asana vs cheaper or simpler tools (Zoho Projects and Trello)

Zoho Projects and Trello usually win on price and simplicity, and they’re perfectly adequate for small teams that just need task lists and basic boards. We think Asana earns its higher price when you need deeper workflow control, native forms, richer integrations, proper security certifications and more structured governance across multiple teams.

If keeping costs down is your only priority, Zoho Projects or Trello are fine; if you expect to grow, work with external clients or rely heavily on tools like Slack, Google Workspace and Salesforce, Asana is the more future-proof choice.

5. Wrike: Best for user satisfaction

What are Wrike’s key features?

• Interactive Gantt charts, Scrum/Kanban boards, dashboards, and built-in time tracking.
• Custom workflows, request forms, and powerful no-code automation with AI “Work Intelligence”.
• Excel/CSV import and export for migrating or reporting project data.
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27k series, GDPR, HIPAA-ready controls).
• Full-featured iOS and Android apps with offline access to tasks, dashboards, and approvals.

How does Wrike compare to other project management software?

We see Wrike as a heavyweight option for complex work: it’s more powerful than many rivals on automation, reporting, and security, but also more expensive and harder to learn than tools aimed at smaller teams.

Wrike vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com, we think Wrike is better suited to enterprises that need rigorous governance, resource planning, and layered reporting.

Wrike offers deeper resource and workload views, more advanced reporting, and stronger formal security certifications, whereas monday.com focuses on a friendlier interface, simpler configuration, and better value for small-to-mid-sized teams.

Meanwhile, ClickUp and Wrike overlap on all-in-one work management, but they feel different in practice. ClickUp is cheaper on most tiers and packs in a huge number of views and features for the price, which can make workspaces quite busy. Wrike tends to be more structured and selective, with more mature resource management, request-intake forms, and enterprise reporting, so we think it fits organisations that prioritise process control and auditability over experimentation and low cost.

If price is a key driver, Wrike will usually cost more per seat than monday.com, ClickUp, or Zoho Projects once you’re on the Business or Enterprise tiers. In exchange, you’re getting enterprise-ready security, advanced automation, and stronger governance features. For many small UK businesses, that premium won’t be necessary; for regulated teams or agencies juggling large client portfolios, Wrike’s depth and compliance stance can justify the higher ongoing spend.

6. Teamwork: Best for collaboration

What are Teamwork’s key features?

• Client-work focus with built-in time tracking, billable rates, budgeting, and profitability dashboards.
• Multiple views – list, board, table, Gantt chart, and calendar – for planning and tracking work.
• Collaboration tools include message boards, task comments, file sharing, and optional free client users.
• Excel and Microsoft Project imports, plus CSV/Excel export for reporting or migration.
• Native iOS and Android apps, secured by SOC 2 and ISO 27001 controls and GDPR-aligned processes.

How does Teamwork compare to other project management software?

We think Teamwork is strongest for agencies, consultancies, and other client-service teams that need deep time and budget tracking as well as everyday task management.

Teamwork vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com and ClickUp, Teamwork goes further on billable time, rate cards, invoicing, and profitability reporting that are designed around client work, along with dedicated client-user roles. monday.com and ClickUp offer broader template libraries, highly visual dashboards, and heavier use of automations, so they can be quicker to roll out for purely internal projects, but they usually need extra configuration or third-party tools to match Teamwork’s client billing and profit reporting.

Teamwork vs Smartsheet and Asana

Smartsheet and Asana are better fits if your priority is spreadsheet-style project planning or marketing and campaign workflows, backed by very large template and integration ecosystems. We think Teamwork beats both once you need detailed time tracking tied to budgets, retainers, and invoices for multiple clients, because its reporting and cost-management tools are built specifically for client work rather than internal projects.

On ease of use, Teamwork’s interface is a little busier than Asana’s but less intimidating than Smartsheet’s spreadsheet grid, which can help non-technical stakeholders participate in updates without getting lost.

Teamwork vs Zoho Projects and Trello

If cost is the main concern, Zoho Projects and Trello are usually cheaper at smaller team sizes and still cover basic task tracking and collaboration. However, Trello relies heavily on Power-Ups for timelines, reporting, and time tracking, and still lacks native billable-hours tooling, while Zoho’s time tracking and resource management are less tightly coupled to profitability reporting than Teamwork’s agency-focused suite.

For UK agencies that need auditable time logs, clearer profit data, strong collaboration features, and recognised security certifications, we think Teamwork justifies its higher price, but lean in-house teams running lighter projects may find Zoho or Trello sufficient.

7. Favro: Best for customer service

What are Favro’s key features?

• Agile boards, backlogs, sheets, roadmaps, docs, and dashboards in one workspace, with cards mirrored across multiple boards for cross-team planning.
• Built-in kanban, Scrum and Scrumban support with relations between cards and boards, so the same work item can be tracked by multiple teams and managers.
• Import boards and tasks from Trello, Basecamp or CSV, plus spreadsheet-style views and export options via dashboards and reports.
• Strong security posture: ISO/IEC 27001 and 27701 certified, GDPR and UK GDPR compliant, and PCI DSS (SAQ A) compliant for payments.
• Native iOS app plus desktop apps for Windows and macOS; Android users can access the full desktop interface in a mobile browser via a home-screen shortcut.

How does Favro compare to other project management software?

Favro sits in an interesting middle ground: it’s more powerful and Agile-oriented than simple board tools, but easier to live with than heavyweight dev-focused platforms. Here’s how we think it stacks up against key alternatives.

Favro vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com and ClickUp, Favro leans harder into Agile planning. It’s designed so the same card can appear on multiple team boards and planning views at once, which is particularly useful for SaaS or games studios coordinating product, live-ops, and marketing on the same backlog.

monday.com and ClickUp are stronger if you want a more visual, template-driven experience for non-technical teams, extensive CRM/ops use cases, or deeper native automation. Favro is better suited to teams that already think in kanban, sprints, and roadmaps, and are willing to invest a bit of setup time to get highly tailored workflows.

Favro vs Jira Software and Wrike

Jira and Wrike still offer more depth for traditional software development workflows – Jira, in particular, has a richer ecosystem around issue tracking, release management, and dev-tool integrations.

We think Favro’s advantage is usability and cross-team planning: leaders can see roadmaps, OKRs, team boards and docs in one place, without forcing non-engineering teams into a developer-centric interface. If your organisation needs strict, ticket-driven processes and very granular reporting, Jira or Wrike may go further; if you want something Agile-first that marketing, product and leadership can all actually enjoy using, Favro is often easier to roll out.

Favro vs simpler or lower-cost tools (e.g. Trello, Zoho Projects)

Trello and Zoho Projects can work well for basic task tracking or simple projects, and they tend to be cheaper at a smaller scale. The trade-off is that you quickly hit limits when you try to coordinate multiple teams or maintain proper roadmaps and OKRs – you end up juggling separate boards, spreadsheets and docs.

Favro costs more, but you gain serious planning structure: shared backlogs, relationships between cards, multi-board views, and enterprise-grade security and compliance. For small teams doing light project work, Trello or Zoho may be enough; for scaling tech or games companies that care about both agility and governance, Favro is the more future-proof choice.

8. Jira Software: Best for software development

What are Jira’s key features?

• Configurable Scrum and Kanban boards, backlogs, roadmaps and reports for Agile teams.
• Custom workflows, fields and permissions, with Advanced Roadmaps for multi-team planning on higher tiers.
• CSV import and export to move data in and out of Excel and other trackers.
• Native iOS and Android apps for updating issues, boards and backlogs away from the desk.
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance via Atlassian Cloud (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR-aligned controls and data residency options).

How does Jira Software compare to other project management software?

We see Jira Software as the default choice for teams that live and breathe Agile development. It’s more opinionated and technical than generalist tools, which is a strength for engineering-led organisations but can be overkill for simple business projects.

Jira Software vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com and ClickUp, Jira Software goes deeper on Agile concepts out of the box: backlogs, epics, sprints, release tracking and development-focused reports all feel native rather than bolted on. monday.com and ClickUp are stronger when you want a more visual, business-friendly workspace that marketing, operations and sales teams can adopt quickly; they also bundle broader work management features like docs and whiteboards.

We think Jira Software is the better fit when software delivery is central to your business and you want your PM tool to match established Agile practices, while monday.com or ClickUp work better as all-purpose work hubs for mixed teams.

Jira Software vs Asana and Wrike

Against Asana, Jira Software is more specialised and technical. Asana offers a cleaner, less intimidating interface for cross-functional work and campaign management, whereas Jira expects users to be comfortable with issues, epics, story points and detailed configuration.

Wrike sits closer to Jira in ambition – both support complex, multi-team projects – but Wrike aims to cover a wider range of business use cases (including marketing and operations), while Jira stays tightly focused on product and engineering teams. If you need one tool for development and non-technical departments, Wrike or Asana may land more softly; if you want a tool that matches how engineers already work, Jira Software usually wins.

Jira Software vs simpler or lower-cost tools (Trello and Zoho Projects)

Trello and Zoho Projects are easier to learn and cheaper for small teams that mainly need boards and task lists. Trello in particular offers a very lightweight Kanban experience with minimal setup, and Zoho Projects bundles in broader business apps across the Zoho suite.

The trade-off is that neither tool matches Jira Software’s depth for Agile planning, release management, permissions or compliance. We think Trello or Zoho Projects are fine for straightforward projects or early-stage teams; once you’re scaling software delivery across multiple squads, or need stronger governance and audit trails, Jira Software becomes the more appropriate choice despite the steeper learning curve.

9. Zoho Projects: Best for affordability

What are Zoho Project’s key features?

• Gantt charts, task lists, Kanban and calendar views with subtasks, milestones and four types of task dependency.
• Built-in time tracking and weekly timesheets, with approvals and detailed reports for billing and utilisation.
• Team collaboration and issue tracking: project feeds, comments, forums, document sharing and an integrated bug tracker.
• Data import from MS Project, Basecamp and XLS/CSV/JSON/MPP files, plus export of reports to XLS/PDF for stakeholders.
• Native iOS and Android apps (including offline time-log support) with enterprise-grade security: ISO and SOC certified, HIPAA compliant and GDPR-ready.

How does Zoho Projects compare to other project management software?

We see Zoho Projects as the value option in this guide: it delivers serious project controls and integrations at a lower price point than most competitors, but with a slightly steeper learning curve and less polished interface.

Zoho Projects vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com and ClickUp, Zoho Projects usually works out cheaper per user on like-for-like paid plans, especially once you factor in built-in time tracking and issue tracking rather than add-ons.

monday.com and ClickUp, however, offer a more modern, highly visual interface with hundreds of templates and stronger no-code automation, which many non-technical teams find easier to adopt. We think Zoho Projects is better suited to teams that care more about low cost and classic PM features (Gantt, dependencies, timesheets) than about colourful dashboards or advanced workflow automation.

Zoho Projects vs Asana and Smartsheet

Asana and Smartsheet are often preferred where usability and familiarity are the priority: Asana for campaign and work management across mixed teams, and Smartsheet for organisations that live in spreadsheets but need proper project controls.

Zoho Projects competes by bundling time tracking, issue tracking and resource views into one relatively low-cost package and by integrating tightly with the wider Zoho suite (CRM, finance, HR and more). The trade-off is that Zoho’s interface can feel busier and less intuitive than Asana’s or Smartsheet’s, so you should expect a bit more training and configuration up front.

Zoho Projects vs simpler or more advanced tools (Trello, Wrike, Jira)

Trello is easier to learn and ideal for lightweight board-based task tracking, but it lacks Zoho Projects’ native time tracking, dependencies and structured reporting, so it can struggle on larger or billable projects.

At the other end, Wrike and Jira go further for complex, multi-team programmes and software delivery, with deeper portfolio management, Agile reports and extensive integrations – but they’re more expensive and can be harder for non-specialists to navigate.

We think Zoho Projects sits comfortably in the middle: a sensible choice for small and mid-sized UK businesses that want more structure than Trello without committing to the cost and complexity of Wrike or Jira.

10. Trello: Best for automation

What are Trello’s key features?

• Simple kanban-style boards with lists, cards, checklists, due dates, labels and file attachments.
• Butler automation to move cards, set fields, and trigger notifications based on rules.
• CSV/Excel import and export via native CSV export (Premium) and Power-Ups such as Blue Cat and Excelefy.
• Native iOS and Android apps with offline support for selected boards.
• SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO/IEC 27001/27018, GDPR and PCI-DSS backed security controls, including SSO and 2FA on higher plans.

How does Trello compare to other project management software?

We see Trello as the lightest-weight tool in this guide: brilliant for simple, visual workflows and automation, but less suited to complex, multi-team projects that need deep reporting, dependencies and resource management.

Trello vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com and ClickUp, Trello is stripped back: you mainly work in boards and cards, with extra features added through Power-Ups. monday.com and ClickUp ship with more built-in views (Gantt, workload, dashboards), stronger native reporting and richer templates, so they scale better for teams that want a single hub for projects, workloads and documents.

We think Trello wins when you want to get a small team organised quickly with minimal set-up; monday.com or ClickUp make more sense once you’re coordinating larger projects or multiple teams.

Trello vs Asana and Smartsheet

Against Asana and Smartsheet, Trello feels more casual and flexible but also less structured. Asana gives you clearer task hierarchies, forms and timeline views suited to campaigns and cross-team work, while Smartsheet offers spreadsheet-style planning, dependencies and portfolio reporting for formal project environments.

We think Trello is a good fit when checklists, simple boards and quick automations are all you need; Asana or Smartsheet are better choices if you require detailed schedules, resource views or formal governance.

Trello vs Jira Software and Wrike

Jira Software and Wrike are both more advanced than Trello, with richer support for Agile delivery, complex workflows and portfolio-level reporting. They bring heavier configuration and higher pricing, but are more suitable when you’re coordinating software development or large programmes with strict reporting and compliance needs.

We think Trello sits below them as an easy-entry option: ideal for small teams, personal task tracking and lightweight projects, but not a long-term answer if you know you’ll need detailed timelines, dependencies, resource management and formal audit trails.

11. Celoxis: Best for user-friendliness

What are Celoxis’ key features?

• Interactive Gantt charts with dependencies, critical path, baselines and export options for detailed schedule control.
• Portfolio-level views, resource management, capacity planning and financial tracking (costs, billing, profit) in one tool.
• Customisable dashboards and reports with KPIs so stakeholders can track status, risk and performance across projects.
• Extensive CSV/Excel import and export for tasks, app items, clients, users and time entries, simplifying migration from spreadsheets.
• Optimised mobile web interface plus enterprise security: ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II audits, EU/UK GDPR compliance and HIPAA-ready controls.

How does Celoxis compare to other project management software?

We see Celoxis as a heavyweight portfolio tool: more powerful than most general project apps on governance, resourcing and financials, but also more than a small team will realistically need.

Celoxis vs monday.com and ClickUp

Compared with monday.com and ClickUp, Celoxis is less about colourful boards and templates and more about portfolio-level control. monday.com and ClickUp tend to be easier for small, mixed teams to adopt quickly, and they cover a wider range of everyday work management use cases.

Celoxis, by contrast, focuses on giving programme managers a single place to plan complex dependencies, allocate people, track budgets and report on performance across dozens of projects, with stronger built-in audit, compliance and deployment options.

We think Celoxis is the better fit when governance, financial tracking and regulatory obligations are non-negotiable; monday.com or ClickUp are usually better for lighter, fast-moving internal projects.

Celoxis vs Wrike and Smartsheet

Wrike and Smartsheet both target similar territory, such as multi-team projects and programmes with a need for detailed planning and reporting. Wrike leans into automation and marketing/ops workflows, while Smartsheet feels like a supercharged spreadsheet for teams that already live in Excel.

Celoxis is more opinionated around project and portfolio management: you get deep Gantt, resource and financial features in one environment, backed by strong security certifications and documented GDPR handling specifically for UK and European customers. We think Wrike or Smartsheet work well when you’re evolving from existing tools; Celoxis makes more sense if you want to standardise on a dedicated project management platform.

Celoxis vs simpler or lower-cost tools (Trello, Zoho Projects)

Trello and Zoho Projects are far lighter. They’re cheaper, quicker to roll out, and perfectly adequate for basic projects, but they don’t offer Celoxis’s depth in portfolio views, financials, audit trails or compliance.

If your main aim is to get a small team off spreadsheets and into simple boards, Trello or Zoho Projects are usually enough. If you’re managing dozens of concurrent projects, answering to PMOs or regulators, or need hard numbers on utilisation and profitability, we think Celoxis justifies its higher cost and heavier feature set.

What’s the Best Project Management Software for Your Business?

Best project management software for small businesses

While no project management software is going to break the bank, it’s a good idea to opt for a provider with a free plan, especially if your business is doing all it can to stay in the black. Our favourite platforms that offer free plans include monday.com and ClickUp.

If you do feel inclined to pay for a platform, however, Zoho Projects is the cheapest platform that we’ve encountered. That doesn’t mean it skimps out on features, however, as it still has everything you’d want from a baseline project management platform.

If you’d like in-depth looks at all the project management free plans on the market, here’s our list of the 7 Best Free Project Management Software.

Best project management software for medium-sized businesses

A medium-sized business likely doesn’t need to worry about pricing, but also wouldn’t have a reason to push for the top-of-the-line features. In this case, a fairly-priced and easy-to-use platform is going to be the priority.

Jira comes to mind, as it offers the most comprehensive selection of task management features for a fair price. However, Jira leans toward software development, so some more wide-reaching analogs would be Wrike or Teamwork, both of which offer great task management tools.

Best project management software for large businesses

The main thing a larger business is going to need from a project management platform is collaboration features. A team of three or four will have no problem communicating as the project goes on, but a team of 15 to 20 will need some structure to keep everything on track.

As far as collaboration features go, the best platforms are Teamwork (as the name would suggest), and ClickUp, both offer a calendar, resource management, task comments, and document editing. ClickUp also offers an instant messenger, while Teamwork offers a project message board.

How Did We Find the Best Project Management Software?