Oct 17, 2025
The best 15 project planning software to boost productivity in 2025
Hannah
Can’t sleep because project planning feels impossible? You’re not alone.
Many teams struggle to find affordable, effective tools that keep projects organized and stress-free. The right software can turn chaos into clarity, helping you manage everything from simple tasks to complex workflows.
In this guide, you’ll discover powerful free project planning tools with strong features, including options for agile teams and flexible online workspaces. And if you prefer a visual approach, try Xmind—an intuitive mind-mapping tool that makes project planning simple and engaging.
Let’s explore fifteen project planning tools that can transform the way your team works in 2025.
Xmind
Xmind's innovative approach to project planning through mind mapping appeals to visual thinkers. The tool turns complex project information into visual maps that make understanding and execution easier.
Xmind key features
Multiple Structure Views & Visual Modes
Xmind supports a variety of diagram structures: Mind Map, Logic Chart, Bracket Chart, Org Chart, Fishbone (Ishikawa), Timeline (time-axis), Tree Table, Matrix, and more.
You can mix structures within a single map branch (e.g., combine Timeline on one branch, Tree Table on another) to represent different thinking or data types.
There are dedicated presentation modes: “Pitch” (turning a map into slides), “ZEN” mode (full-screen focus), and “Outline” mode to flatten large maps.
Collaboration, Cloud & Real-Time Editing
Xmind offers online/“cloud” maps with real-time editing, comments, inviting collaborators, and view-follow functionality (you can watch someone else’s perspective).
Supports cross-device (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, plus web). One subscription can be used on multiple devices (for example up to 5 Mac/PC + 5 mobile devices for a plan).
Task & Project-Support Features
You can turn map topics into tasks or check-lists (e.g., “Pending”, “In progress”, etc.) and mark items with labels/markers to track status, priority, risk.
In higher tiers (“Premium”/“Team”), Xmind supports Gantt-chart conversion of maps (visual project timeline from the mind map).
You can export attachments, links, web-links, and also integrate with external files/format (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint) for follow-through.
AI-Assisted Creativity & Productivity
Xmind includes AI features (in higher plans) such as “one-click generate mind-map from text/files/links”, “summarise long text/files/links”, “expand topics”, “refine and reorganise map structure”.
Monthly AI credits are included in paid tiers (e.g., 500 credits/month in Premium plan) to use these features.
Exporting, Sharing & Security
Supports exporting to various formats: PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown, Office formats (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) depending on plan.
Offers version history (3 days for free plan, 30 days for Premium) for rollback.
Local storage option for security, plus cloud with AWS security (per the Chinese website).
Xmind pros and cons
Pros:
Clean, intuitive interface with a strong visual-first approach — makes complex ideas easier to grasp and organise.
Cross-platform availability (desktop on Windows/macOS/Linux + mobile iOS/Android + web).
Excellent for visual thinkers: the array of structure types and styles helps represent ideas in flexible, non-linear ways.
Rich export/sharing options enable moving from ideation to presentation/documentation easily.
Cons:
Some advanced collaboration/project-management features (real-time editing, unlimited boards, task assignment) are locked behind higher-tier plans.
Free plan has restrictions: limited number of maps/slides, watermarked exports, and fewer features.
Because of its breadth of features and visual options, there can be a learning curve for users unfamiliar with mind-mapping tools.
Users moving from one-time-buy models to subscription-based SaaS may find the pricing/upgrade path somewhat awkward (as noted by some long-time users).
Xmind pricing
Xmind's Free plan includes simple features. The Pro plan costs 4.92/month (billed annually). Users get 500 AI credits monthly with the Premium plan at 8.25/month. Business plans include 800 credits per seat monthly. Enterprise plans come with custom pricing and advanced security.
Xmind best for
Individuals or teams that need to visualise complex projects or knowledge flows (rather than only linear task lists).
Creative teams (e.g., marketing, design, strategy) who benefit from brainstorming and mapping ideas before formalising them.
Project managers who want an early-stage planning tool to turn scattered thoughts into structured maps, then export/share to their main project platform.
Teams working across devices/platforms (desktop → mobile → web) and needing a consistent experience.
Users who appreciate flexibility in structure (mind map → timeline → tree table) and want to customise how information is displayed.
Organisations that want to bridge ideation + execution: starting with mapping, then converting to tasks, timelines, and delivering actionable plans.
Start planning visually today with Xmind—transform your ideas into structured, actionable projects in minutes.
ProProfs Project
Want a simple way to manage your projects? ProProfs Project is a cloud-based solution built for small teams that need to cooperate naturally. This user-friendly project planning software helps you organize tasks, track progress, and meet deadlines without getting complicated.
ProProfs Project key features
ProProfs Project packs practical tools that make your workflow smoother. The software gives you multiple project views like List, Calendar, Kanban boards, and Gantt charts so your team can visualize projects in the best way. You can create detailed tasks, set dependencies, and break larger projects into smaller subtasks without any limits.
Teams can meet deadlines faster with the shared calendar, and the time tracking lets you monitor both billable and non-billable hours. The platform also makes client billing easier with automated invoicing and creates project status summaries in just a few clicks.
ProProfs Project pros and cons
Pros:
Quick team cooperation with reliable file sharing and commenting features
Task optimization with traffic light indicators that show priorities
Time tracking that works on mobile devices
Quick reports with visual charts that track performance
Users love it with a 4.7/5 overall rating based on reviews
Cons:
Task automation options are limited right now
Users mention fewer integrations than competitors
Basic automation features for routine tasks
ProProfs Project pricing
ProProfs gives you a forever FREE plan for up to 3 users with all premium features. Growing teams can get the Business plan at $39.97 per month with unlimited users, projects, tasks, and storage. Both plans come with round-the-clock support through email, phone, and live chat.
ProProfs Project best for
Creative teams, marketing departments, and IT professionals who need to manage projects together will find ProProfs Project especially useful. Small businesses with remote teams love its simple interface and communication tools. The software also works great for teams that need to track billable hours and create client invoices.
ClickUp
Looking for a powerful project planning tool that does it all? ClickUp brings together task management, documents, and communication tools on a single platform. AI capabilities make this versatile solution perfect to simplify processes in projects of all sizes.
ClickUp key features
The platform organizes work using a unique hierarchy of Spaces, Folders, and Lists that creates clear visual structure. Teams can see their projects from every angle with 15+ views including List, Board, Calendar, Gantt, and Timeline. You can customize the platform with 35+ ClickApps that match your specific task management needs.
The automation features save time by handling routine work through 50+ actions, triggers, and conditions. Teams can edit documents together in ClickUp Docs while Whiteboards let everyone brainstorm ideas on a digital canvas. ClickUp Brain takes care of repetitive tasks and quickly answers questions based on your project context.
ClickUp pros and cons
Pros:
Complete feature set that replaces multiple tools
Workflows adapt to any team's needs
Solid collaboration tools with immediate editing and threaded comments
Free plan includes unlimited tasks and users
Cons:
Takes time to learn because of many features
Larger projects can slow down the system
Teams that prefer simple tools might find it overwhelming
Desktop version works better than mobile app
ClickUp pricing
The Free Forever plan packs great features for personal use. Team plans start at 7 per user monthly with annual billing for the Unlimited version. Business plans cost 12 per user monthly when billed yearly. Enterprise customers need to contact sales for custom pricing. ClickUp AI costs an extra $7 per user monthly with paid plans.
ClickUp best for
ClickUp works well for project management in any industry. Product teams love its sprint management tools. Agencies can handle multiple client portfolios easily. The core team uses it to manage resources and workflows across departments.
Asana
Looking for a project planning tool that grows with your team? Asana offers complete project management features through its accessible Work Graph data model that helps teams cooperate smartly.
Asana key features
Asana stands out with versatile project visualization in five different views: list, board, calendar, timeline (Gantt), and portfolios. Teams can manage tasks easily with clear owners and due dates, while custom fields let you sort and filter information like spreadsheet columns. The platform's AI features help with automation, smart summaries, and smart workflows to speed up decision-making. The strong reporting tools use customizable dashboards that show immediate project progress updates.
Asana pros and cons
Pros:
Outstanding shared features with task assignments and commenting options
Clean interface with smart design and easy navigation
Complete integration choices with 200+ apps including Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams
Strong visualization tools for project planning and tracking
Cons:
Time tracking needs third-party tools
Tasks can only have one assigned person at a time
New users need time to learn despite the simple design
Simple tasks can feel complex with too many features
Asana pricing
Teams up to 10 people can use Asana's free forever plan with unlimited tasks and projects. The Starter plan runs 10.99 per user monthly (billed annually) or 13.49 monthly (billed monthly) and includes timeline views and workflow builders. Companies managing work across departments can choose the Advanced plan at 24.99 per user monthly (annually) or 30.49 (monthly) with goals and portfolios features. Enterprise and Enterprise+ plans come with custom pricing and extra security and compliance features.
Asana best for
Marketing teams love Asana's content calendars and campaign management tools. IT teams get great value from project intake and product launch features. Operations teams benefit from cross-functional workflows and resource management tools. Creative teams enjoy the shared features and visual project planning options.
Trello
Looking for a visual way to organize your team's work? Trello provides a user-friendly Kanban-style project planning software that shows workflows through boards, lists, and cards.
Trello key features
Trello shines with its simple drag-and-drop interface that makes project organization visual and available. The platform employs boards (projects), lists (workflow stages), and cards (tasks) to create a complete system that tracks work progress. Each card can have due dates, file attachments, checklists, and comments to give full task context.
Butler, Trello's built-in automation tool, removes repetitive tasks with no-code commands and rules. The platform combines smoothly with over 200 third-party apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams to add more features. Premium plans give you access to Calendar, Timeline, Dashboard, and Map views to boost project visualization.
Trello pros and cons
Pros:
User-friendly interface that's quick to learn
Visual Kanban system that makes workflows easy to see
Free plan with unlimited cards and 10 boards per workspace
Many integration options through Power-Ups
Easy automation with the Butler tool
Cons:
Complex projects suffer from limited hierarchy
Team communication lacks built-in chat features
Free version has simple checklists with limited depth
No built-in budgeting tools or advanced coverage features
Trello pricing
Trello's Free Forever plan comes with unlimited cards, 10 boards per workspace, and simple automation. The Standard plan costs 5.00 per user monthly (billed annually) and gives you unlimited boards and advanced checklists. Teams that need more visualization options can get the **Premium** plan at 10.00 per user monthly (annually) with Timeline and Dashboard views. Enterprise starts at $17.50 per user monthly (annually) for organizations that need extra security.
Trello best for
Small businesses, startups, and creative teams get the most value from Trello's visual task management. Marketing agencies, product development teams, and remote workgroups love its collaborative features. The platform works best with teams that manage straightforward workflows without complex dependencies or detailed reporting needs.
monday.com
Teams looking for a versatile project planning solution will find monday.com's collaborative Work OS adapts to management styles of all types.
monday.com key features
Monday.com stands out with customizable templates that keep project development structured and consistent. Teams can build tailored workflows that support their planning processes using no-code building blocks. Live tracking features spot emerging trends and let teams adjust their strategies. The platform's AI capabilities automatically track indicators, analyze trends, and alert teams about most important changes.
monday.com pros and cons
Pros:
Flexible customization options that adapt to team-specific needs
Visual timeline and Gantt charts for deadline management
200+ templates for various industries
Mobile apps for iOS and Android to stay connected on-the-go
Live dashboards that provide immediate visibility into metrics
Cons:
Limited "My Task" view functionality
Tasks cannot exist simultaneously on two boards without manual updates
Many security features restricted to Enterprise customers
Free plan limited to only 2 users and 3 project boards
monday.com pricing
Free: 0 for up to 2 users with simple features and 3 boards maximum. **Basic:** 9.00 per seat monthly with unlimited boards. Standard: 12.00 per seat monthly, adding timeline views and limited automations. **Pro:** 19.00 per seat monthly with time tracking and advanced features. Enterprise: Custom pricing with premium security and support. Annual payments provide an 18% discount.
monday.com best for
Monday.com works well for teams that need extensive collaboration and integration capabilities. Marketing teams can boost their productivity with its centralized workspace and dashboards. Project management offices benefit from customizable workflows and live tracking features. The platform serves industries of all types by providing a single source of truth for organization-wide planning.
Wrike
Teams looking for expandable project planning software should think over Wrike. This award-winning platform serves over 20,000 companies in more than 140 countries.
Wrike key features
Wrike stands out with flexible visualization options including Kanban boards and Gantt charts that adapt to different work styles. The platform's resource planning capabilities help you understand team capacity, prioritize tasks, and optimize performance. Wrike's AI-powered risk prediction identifies potential bottlenecks before they derail progress. The platform combines smoothly with over 400 workplace apps to streamline your tech ecosystem.
Wrike pros and cons
Pros:
Fast, easy onboarding with a gentle learning curve
Advanced AI and automation capabilities
Flexible interface that grows with your business
Enterprise-grade security features
Cons:
Full capabilities require some training
Gantt charts available only on paid plans
Learning curve increases with more complex features
Interface complexity might challenge teams that prefer simplicity
Wrike pricing
Wrike offers a Free plan with simple features. The Team plan costs 10.00 per user monthly (billed annually) for 2-15 users. The **Business** plan runs 25.00 per user monthly (annually) for 5-200 users. Enterprise and Pinnacle plans provide custom pricing with advanced features for large teams.
Wrike best for
Wrike serves creative fields, education, construction, healthcare, and software development teams. The platform works best for organizations that manage multiple projects simultaneously with cross-functional dependencies. Siemens Smart Infrastructure experienced a 10% productivity improvement across 14,000 users after implementing Wrike.
Zoho Projects
Teams watching their budget who need feature-rich project planning software will find great value in Zoho Projects.
Zoho Projects key features
Zoho Projects stands out in task management. Teams can create task hierarchies, set dependencies, and automate workflows. The platform gives users multiple ways to view their work through Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and task lists that help everyone line up their priorities. The time tracking feature lets teams log hours accurately for client billing and efficiency analysis. Teams can collaborate through built-in chat rooms, shared calendars, and document management with storage up to 120GB.
Zoho Projects pros and cons
Pros:
Exceptionally affordable pricing compared to competitors
Easy-to-use interface with minimal learning curve
Strong budgeting tools for tracking planned vs. actual costs
Extensive integration with other Zoho applications
Cons:
Limited storage space on lower-tier plans
Fewer third-party integrations than some alternatives
No phone support (email and forum support only)
Some customization features restricted to Enterprise plan
Zoho Projects pricing
Zoho's Free plan supports up to 3 users with 2-3 projects and 5GB storage. The Premium plan costs 4.00 per user monthly (billed annually) and includes unlimited projects, 20 templates, and 100GB storage. The **Enterprise** plan ended up at 9.00 per user monthly (annually) with advanced features like custom fields, custom roles, and single sign-on.
Zoho Projects best for
Small to medium-sized businesses managing multiple projects simultaneously get the most from Zoho Projects. Marketing agencies love its client communication features. Development teams value the well-laid-out workflow that speeds up testing and launching. Manufacturing organizations benefit from better billing cycles and project management in offices of all sizes.
Nifty
Are you tired of switching between different project management tools? Nifty brings roadmaps, tasks, docs, and chat together in one workspace.
Nifty key features
Nifty distinguishes itself with complete visual timeline tools that track progress automatically when tasks are done. The platform gives you multiple task views like Kanban, List, Timeline, Calendar, and Swimlane that match your workflow style. Nifty works with Google Docs for document creation and provides built-in forms to collect data. The platform's Orbit AI helps optimize workflows by guiding you through planning, prioritizing, and executing tasks smoothly.
Nifty pros and cons
Pros:
One workspace that unites multiple tools
User-friendly, visually appealing interface that's easy to learn
Up-to-the-minute collaboration with chat and video calls
Custom options that adapt to different team needs
Native forms that simplify data collection
Cons:
Limited template options for industry-specific workflows
Basic sub-task features compared to other tools
Stability problems after feature updates sometimes
Time needed to master advanced features
Nifty pricing
Nifty's Free Forever plan comes with 2 projects and 100MB storage. The Personal plan costs 7.00 monthly per member with 40 projects and 100GB storage. The **Pro** plan at 10.00 monthly per member adds workflow automation and file proofing. The Business plan costs $16.00 monthly per member and has unlimited storage, projects, and custom roles. Enterprise plans offer custom pricing with dedicated support.
Nifty best for
Small engineering teams can modernize their workflows with Nifty's up-to-the-minute progress tracking. Marketing teams can speed up creative approvals and content scheduling. Product teams value the milestone-based roadmaps for feature development. Client-facing businesses appreciate its communication tools to boost client satisfaction.
Plaky
Small teams looking for a flexible project planning solution will love Plaky's simple approach.
Plaky key features
Plaky shines with its user-friendly task management system that uses boards, items, and customizable fields. The platform lets you track tasks through Table, Kanban, and Gantt chart views. A standout feature is conditional coloring that highlights important information and summary rows that show project progress clearly. Team members can share files, add comments, and use @mentions within task cards.
Plaky pros and cons
Pros:
Forever free plan with unlimited users, boards, and items
User-friendly interface that needs minimal training
Customizable templates for various industries
24/7 customer support even on free plan
Cons:
Limited storage (10MB per file on free plan)
Restricted activity log (7 days on free plan)
Few third-party integrations (primarily Clockify)
Simple reporting capabilities
Plaky pricing
The Free Forever plan comes with unlimited users and projects. A Pro plan at 3.99 per seat monthly (billed annually) adds Gantt views and automations. The **Enterprise** plan costs 8.99 per seat monthly (annually) and includes advanced security features.
Plaky best for
Startups, small businesses, and creative teams that need simple project tracking will find Plaky a perfect fit.
Hive
Project teams looking for AI-powered productivity tools will find Hive's detailed approach valuable.
Hive key features
Hive has multiple visualization options like Kanban, Gantt, Timeline, and Table views that adapt to different work styles. The built-in Buzz AI Assistant creates projects, shares workspace insights, and simplifies processes quickly. Hive's resilient collaboration tools come with native messaging, project chats, and shared notes. The platform has flexible time tracking, resource management, and automated workflows that remove repetitive tasks.
Hive pros and cons
Pros:
User-friendly interface that's easy to learn
Detailed AI capabilities without extra costs
Native in-app chat and collaboration features
Multiple project visualization options
Cons:
Only 14 native app integrations available
Several key features need $5/user add-ons
Simple reporting tools on lower tiers
Users report occasional minor bugs
Hive pricing
Hive has a Free plan with limited features. The Starter plan costs 5.00/user monthly (annually) and comes with unlimited storage and 10 projects. The **Teams** plan costs 12.00/user monthly (annually) with unlimited workspace members. Enterprise plans offer custom pricing with improved security features.
Hive best for
Marketing teams, product development groups, and cross-functional teams that need detailed collaboration tools will find Hive useful.
Bitrix24
Bitrix24 combines project management, team communication, and CRM in a single platform. This makes it an excellent all-in-one workspace for your project planning needs.
Bitrix24 key features
The platform offers multiple ways to visualize tasks through Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and calendars that track project progress. Teams stay connected through built-in communication tools with chat, video calls, and activity feeds that provide up-to-the-minute updates. The document management system lets you share files securely with version control and role-based access. Bitrix24 also helps you automate repetitive tasks, create custom workflows, and make approvals efficient.
Bitrix24 pros and cons
Pros:
Complete all-in-one solution that replaces multiple services
Unique built-in CRM system not found in most project management platforms
Rich automation features that reduce manual work
Free plan supports unlimited users
Cons:
New users might find the interface cluttered and overwhelming
Advanced features come with a steep learning curve
Desktop version has more features than the mobile app
Users report occasional bugs and glitches
Bitrix24 pricing
The Free plan includes unlimited users and 5GB storage. Teams can choose the Standard plan at 99 per organization monthly (billed annually) with 50 users and 100GB storage. The **Professional** plan costs 199 per organization monthly (annually) and includes 100 users plus 1024GB storage. Larger organizations can opt for Enterprise plans starting at $399 monthly (annually) with 250+ users and 3TB storage.
Bitrix24 best for
Remote teams that need an all-in-one platform for project management, communication, and CRM will find Bitrix24 valuable. The platform works great for teams that need extensive automation and document management features.
Jira Software
Teams looking for agile project planning software will find Jira Software by Atlassian a great way to get started.
Jira Software key features
Jira's boards, timelines, and dashboards adapt to your team's workflow and offer flexible project visualization. The platform shines with customizable workflows that support agile methodologies. The software was built for development teams and provides strong issue tracking capabilities to manage tasks, bugs, and customer requests. On top of that, it has a powerful automation engine that optimizes manual processes.
Jira Software pros and cons
Pros:
Workflows you can customize based on your project needs
Strong issue tracking system with detailed features
Smooth integration with over 200 third-party tools
Evidence-based reporting and analytics for better decisions
Cons:
New users face a steep learning curve
Smaller organizations might worry about costs
Too much customization can make things complex
Large implementations need significant resources
Jira Software pricing
Jira's Free Forever plan supports up to 10 users with 2GB storage. The Standard plan costs 7.91 per user monthly with improved features. The **Premium** plan costs 14.54 per user monthly and adds cross-team planning. Enterprise plans come with custom pricing and advanced security.
Jira Software best for
Development teams that need sprint management will find Jira exceptionally useful. Cross-functional teams benefit from its dependency management features.
Basecamp
Basecamp stands out with its simple approach to project planning software, backed by 21 years of success.
Basecamp key features
Message boards replace email as Basecamp's central hub for project communication. Teams can track accountability through to-do lists and have quick discussions in Campfire group chats. The platform has scheduling tools that sync seamlessly with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook. Basecamp's automatic check-ins are unique - they replace traditional status meetings by getting scheduled updates from team members.
Basecamp pros and cons
Pros:
Centralized organization eliminates the need for multiple apps
Clear accountability with assignable to-dos and deadlines
Emphasis on asynchronous work reduces meeting overload
Client-friendly collaboration options
Cons:
Limited project views compared to alternatives
No built-in time tracking (except in Pro Unlimited plan)
No subtasks or dependencies for complex projects
Simplified approach may not suit complex workflows
Basecamp pricing
The Free plan gives you one project. The Plus plan costs 15 per user monthly. The **Pro Unlimited** plan lets you have unlimited users at 299 monthly (billed annually) or $349 monthly (billed monthly).
Basecamp best for
Small, close-knit teams get more value from Basecamp than large enterprises. Marketing agencies, creative teams, and client-facing businesses thrive with its communication-focused design.
Notion
Looking for project planning software that adapts to your workflow? Notion gives you a flexible all-in-one workspace to build exactly what your team needs.
Notion key features
Notion stands out with its block-based system that lets you create unlimited pages with customized layouts and content. The platform shows your projects through Kanban boards, calendars, tables, and timelines. Teams can track project details in databases that prevent information silos and make shared work easier. Notion's AI capabilities help generate first drafts of project plans and automate repetitive tasks with customizable AI Autofill. The platform also includes live collaboration features with permissions based on page roles.
Notion pros and cons
Pros:
Highly flexible with extensive customization options
All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, databases, and collaboration
Economical pricing with a reliable free version
User-friendly interface once you get past the learning curve
Cons:
New users might feel overwhelmed
Lacks built-in goal tracking for large projects
Limited reporting tools
Basic communication features compared to dedicated tools
Notion pricing
Notion has a Free plan with simple features. The Plus plan costs 8.00 per user monthly. The **Business** plan costs 15.00 per user monthly with advanced security. Enterprise plans come with custom pricing and premium features. Students and educators get the Plus Plan free with valid school email.
Notion best for
Notion works well if you have personal projects to organize. Teams that need collaborative workspaces for project management will benefit from its flexibility. Project managers value its all-in-one approach that reduces app switching. Marketing teams like the centralized workspace with customizable dashboards.
Comparison Table
Tool | Starting Price | Key Features | Best For | Notable Pros | Notable Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ProProfs Project | Free (3 users), $39.97/mo Business | List, Calendar, Kanban, Gantt views, Time tracking, Automated invoicing | Creative teams, Marketing, IT professionals | 4.7/5 user rating, Simplified collaboration, Visual charts | Limited automations, Few integrations |
ClickUp | Free, $7/user/mo | 15+ views, 35+ ClickApps, AI capabilities, Live docs | Product teams, Agencies | Detailed features, Custom workflows | Takes time to learn, Performance issues |
Asana | Free (10 users), $10.99/user/mo | 5 project views, Custom fields, AI capabilities, 200+ integrations | Marketing teams, IT teams | Great collaboration tools, User-friendly | No built-in time tracking, Single task assignment |
Trello | Free, $5/user/mo | Kanban boards, Butler automation, Power-Ups, Card attachments | Small businesses, Creative teams | User-friendly, Visual workflow | Limited hierarchy, Simple reporting |
monday.com | Free (2 users), $9/user/mo | Custom templates, No-code building, Live tracking, AI capabilities | Marketing teams, Project management offices | 200+ templates, Visual timeline | Limited free plan, Basic security features |
Wrike | Free, $10/user/mo | Kanban boards, Gantt charts, Resource planning, AI risk prediction | Enterprise teams, Cross-functional teams | Quick setup, 400+ integrations | Complex features, Needs training |
Zoho Projects | Free (3 users), $4/user/mo | Task hierarchies, Multiple views, Time tracking, Built-in chat | Small-medium businesses, Marketing agencies | Budget-friendly, User-friendly | Limited storage, Few integrations |
Nifty | Free (2 projects), $7/member/mo | Timeline tools, Multiple views, Document creation, Orbit AI | Engineering teams, Marketing teams | Complete workspace, Live collaboration | Limited templates, Simple subtasks |
Plaky | Free, $3.99/seat/mo | Multiple views, Conditional coloring, File sharing | Startups, Small businesses | Unlimited free users, 24/7 support | Limited storage, Few integrations |
Hive | Free, $5/user/mo | Multiple views, Buzz AI Assistant, Native messaging | Marketing teams, Product teams | User-friendly, Built-in chat | Limited integrations, Extra costs |
Bitrix24 | Free, $99/org/mo | Multiple views, Built-in CRM, Communication tools | Remote teams, Automation-focused teams | Complete solution, Advanced automation | Busy interface, Takes time to learn |
Jira | Free (10 users), $7.91/user/mo | Boards, Timelines, Issue tracking, Automation | Development teams, Agile teams | Custom workflows, 200+ integrations | Complex setup, Heavy on resources |
Basecamp | Free (1 project), $15/user/mo | Message boards, To-do lists, Campfire chat | Small teams, Marketing agencies | Clear ownership, Focus on async work | Limited views, No subtasks |
Xmind | Free, $4.92/mo | Mind mapping, Multiple structures, AI capabilities | Project managers, Visual planners | User-friendly, Cross-platform | Limited team features, Basic free version |
Notion | Free, $8/user/mo | Block-based system, Multiple views, AI capabilities | Individual users, Marketing teams | Highly flexible, Complete workspace | Learning curve, Basic reporting |
Conclusion
Choosing the right project planning software is easier than it seems. The key is finding a tool that fits how your team works—one that simplifies collaboration, supports your workflow, and grows with you.
If your team struggles to visualize complex projects, try Xmind. This powerful mind-mapping tool helps you turn scattered ideas into structured plans, making it easy to see connections and organize priorities before moving into execution.
Great project planning isn’t just about managing tasks—it’s about creating clarity and helping teams work better together. With the right tools, your planning process can become smoother, more visual, and far more effective.
