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Project management often throws up rigorous challenges. One needs to generate creative ideas, manage plenty of documents and mounting tasks, and still keep a focused mind. Being in this situation can make anyone feel trapped in endless work. Luckily, there are a several applications or project management tools that serve as a lifeline.
In this guide, we will highlight the top 5 project management tools, handpicked for different needs. The apps on this list offer peak utility for designers and freelancers trying to beat deadlines and startups that are aiming to scale up rapidly.
This guide will help you know exactly which app fits your workflow and budget. Adopting any of these tools for your project management is guaranteed to help you manage projects with less stress and more confidence.
How to Pick the Right Project Management Tool
Before we start highlighting these tools, we must emphasize strategy. Not every tool works for every team. If you want to make a strategic selection, here are two key things to consider:
1. Your Workflow:
- Designers need visual boards and seamless feedback.
- Freelancers who want to beat deadlines and save time.
- Startups want automation and room to grow.
2. Team Size & Budget:
- Solo users can often get by with free plans.
- Larger teams often require paid subscription packages.
Now, let’s dive into the top 5 project management tools.
1. ClickUp: The All-in-One App for Startups
If you want a single app to help you manage a diversity of projects, ClickUp is your best bet. The app combines tasks, whiteboards, logbook and even chat—all in a single workspace. On Clickup, you can switch between a variety of views, including Kanban, Gantt, Calendar, and Whiteboard view, in a snap.
Why ClickUp Stands Out:
- Storage: ClickUp has an organised storage unit for standard operating procedures (SOPs), project briefs, and wikis, linking them to tasks.
- AI Notetaker: You can join virtual meetings, transcribe everything, and auto generates summaries.
- No-Code Automations. You can set the app to automate repetitive tasks for you.
- Real-Time Workload Tracking: ClickUp allows you to monitor Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), sprint points, and team capacity at a glance.
- Integrations: ClickUp works seamlessly with Slack, GitHub, and Figma.
Pricing:
- ClickUp has a Free plan with limited features.
- Its Unlimited plan at $10/user/month offers more storage and advanced features.
- A Business plan at $19/user/month has higher automation caps and extra security.
- Lastly, it has an Enterprise plan for large teams needing top-tier support.
2. Monday.com – A special app for designers
Monday.com is a special app for made to help designers turn chaos into clarity. It has elegantly coloured and customizable boards where tasks, files, and feedback are organized in a simple UI. You can switch to a variety of views, including List, Kanban, Timeline, or Calendar–each view designed to help you sort and manage your projects without hassles.
Why Designers Love Monday.com:
- Visual Feedback: It has a superb user interface, allowing you to sort and manage your projects seamlessly.
- AI-Powered Automations: Describe a workflow in plain English, and Monday builds it for you.
- Portfolio Tracking: Manage thousands of tasks across projects, workloads, and risks early.
- Monday.com has 200+ templates & integrations to customise your setup for the perfect workflow.
Pricing:
- It has a Free plan with limited features for individuals.
- A Basic plan at $9/user/month with essential features.
- Standard plan at $12/user/month with timeline views & guest access.
- A Pro plan at $19/user/month with advanced automations & time tracking.
- Enterprise plan for large teams with extra security needs.
3. Zoho Projects: The Budget-Friendly Freelancer’s Companion
Zoho Projects for freelancers and startups is a great tool that packs sophisticated features into an affordable package. Some of its advanced features include tracking, invoicing, automation and more.
Why Freelancers Choose Zoho:
- Built-In Time Tracking: You can log hours spent on tasks, then add them into invoices in one click.
- Client Request Management: It has an AI feature to help you turn requests into tasks instantly.
- Workload Visibility: This feature helps you to see if you’re overbooked or have room for new gigs.
- Workflow Automations: A setting to help you automatically move tasks and notify clients.
Pricing:
- Free plan: This plan can accommodate up to 3 users & 2 projects.
- Premium plan at $4/user/month, for unlimited projects.
- Enterprise plan at $9/user/month, with storage & analytics.
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4. Pipedrive:
If your workflow is sales-heavy, Pipedrive’s Projects feature is a game-changer to help ease the process. You can convert deals into full projects—complete with contacts, files, and tasks–the second a deal closes.
Pipedrive’s Best Features:
- Deal-to-Project Sync: You can click and drag a won deal into projects, and the app creates and populates a suitable template.
- Unified Sales & Delivery Timeline – Keep client history, tasks, and activities in one place.
- Reusable Workflows – Build a template once, then use it for similar projects.
Pricing:
- Its least expensive plan starts at $8/user/month or $6.70/user if billed yearly.
- More advanced project management tools are included in Power & Enterprise plans.
5. Keap:
Keap is a perfect tool for freelancers and small service teams. It blends Customer Relationship Management (CRM), project tracking, invoicing, and marketing into one sleek platform.
Keap’s Standout Features:
- Smart Automations: Keap allows you to automate emails, reminders and other range of tasks.
- Built-In Payments: Keap has features that let you send invoices, quotes, and receive payments, all within the app.
- Mobile-Friendly: Other features on Keap let you log notes and book meetings within the app.
Pricing:
- Its most affordable plan starts at $249/month (1 user, 500 contacts).
- You can add extra users at $29–30 each.
- 14-day free trial to test before purchasing a plan.
Which One Should You Pick?
Now that you have been given the facts, here are some tips to help you decide which project management tool is cut out for you.
- Startups should consider ClickUp because of its great flexibility and versatility.
- Designers should go for Monday.com because of its great visual workflow.
- Freelancers should pick Zoho Projects because it is budget-friendly and has time tracking.
- Sales-driven teams should opt for Pipedrive because of its seamless deal-to-project flow.
- Service should opt for Keap because it is integrated with CRM and payment platforms.
Most of these apps have free plans or free trials. So, ensure to properly test-run the app before purchasing a subscription. Don’t hesitate to enhance your project management with one of these tools.