Project management software helps teams plan work, assign tasks, track deadlines, and see progress in one place. This guide compares five widely used platforms on the same headings — what each one does, who it fits, its published pricing, its free trial or demo, and its specifications — so the differences are easy to see.
What project management software does
At its core, this software turns a list of work into a shared plan: tasks with owners and due dates, a view of what is in progress, and a record of what is done. Most platforms add boards, timelines or Gantt charts, automations that move work along, and dashboards that roll many projects up into one view. The right choice depends less on the number of features and more on how your team actually plans — visual boards, a spreadsheet-like grid, or a strict timeline with dependencies.
How to choose
- Views: check the views your team will live in — board, table, timeline, Gantt, or calendar — and whether dependencies and a critical path are included.
- Automations: look at how many automation actions each plan allows and whether the rules you need are in the plan you would buy.
- Integrations: confirm the tools you already use (email, chat, file storage, developer tools) connect without a paid add-on.
- Pricing model: some platforms charge per seat and some charge a flat fee per organisation — compare the total for your team size, not just the headline rate.
- Trial: use the free plan or trial to test a real project, not a demo workspace, before committing.
The five products in this guide
| Product | Starting price | Free plan or trial | Best for |
| monday.com | $9 per seat/month (billed annually) | Free plan (up to 2 seats, up to 3 boards); free trial offered, length not published | teams that want a visual way to organise tasks, projects, and day-to-day work |
| Smartsheet | $9 per member, per month (billed yearly) | No free plan stated; 30-day free trial, no credit card required | project and programme managers and teams coordinating several projects at once |
| Wrike | $10 per user per month (billed annually) | Free plan ($0 per user per month); free two-week trial, no credit card required | teams that manage many related projects at once |
| Zoho Projects | US$4 per user per month (yearly billing) | Free plan (up to 5 users, 3 projects, 5 GB); 15-day trial, no credit card required | small and mid-sized teams that run several projects at once |
| Bitrix24 | $49 per organisation per month (billed annually) | Free plan (5 GB, 1 to 2 users on plan card, unlimited users in FAQ); 15-day trial of paid plans | small and mid-sized teams that want sales, project work, and internal communication in one place |
monday.com Software
A visual work platform built around customisable boards, with many views of the same work and no-code automations. It also sells separate CRM, development, and service products with their own pricing — this guide covers its work management product.
Smartsheet Software
A spreadsheet-style platform for tracking work in grids, with Gantt charts, card views, dashboards, and workflow automation. Its entry plan is built for small teams that already think in rows and columns.
Wrike Software
A work management platform with tasks, interactive Gantt charts, proofing and approvals, and resource planning on higher plans. It offers a free plan with a cap on active tasks.
Zoho Projects Software
A project tool inside the wider Zoho suite, with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, time tracking, and workflow automation. It offers a free plan and per-user pricing on paid plans.
Bitrix24 Software
An all-in-one workspace that combines tasks and projects with CRM, chat, HR tools, and marketing in one account. Unlike the others here, it charges a flat fee per organisation rather than per user.
Frequently asked questions
What is project management software?
Software that plans, assigns, and tracks work across a team, with shared views of tasks, deadlines, and progress.
How much does project management software cost?
It varies widely. Some platforms charge per user per month and some charge a flat monthly fee. Each product page in this guide shows the vendor’s published pricing with the date it was checked.
Can I try it free first?
It depends on the product. Some offer a free plan and most offer a free trial. Each product page states exactly what is free and for how long, as published by the vendor.
Which one is best for a small team?
There is no single best choice. A small team that wants visual boards, one that wants a spreadsheet view, and one that wants everything in one suite will choose differently — the product pages compare the same headings so you can judge.
Last checked: November 3, 2026. Prices and features change — confirm the current details on the vendor’s own website before buying.