Project Management by Team · Researched comparison

Best Project Tracking Software for Teams

TaskReports may earn a fee from some links on this page, and some placements are paid and labelled. Neither one decides the order. See our disclosure.

The short answer

monday.com is the top pick for most teams because its dashboards combine status, dates, owners, and workload in one view that managers can read at a glance. ClickUp and Asana follow closely for teams that need deeper task detail and wider automation. The best choice depends on team size, budget, and how much structure your projects need.

On this page

Key takeaways

  • monday.com leads for visual tracking dashboards that show status, dates, and workload together.
  • ClickUp and Asana suit teams that need detailed task lists, subtasks, and flexible views.
  • Jira fits software teams that track work in sprints, while Trello fits small teams that want simple boards.
  • Most tools in this guide offer a free plan, so a small team can start tracking work without a monthly charge.

Comparison

How these compare
ToolBest forPrice rangeFree plan
monday.comVisual dashboards and status tracking$9 per seat/month (billed annually)Yes
ClickUpAll in one task and project tracking$9 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
AsanaStructured work and team timelines$10.99 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
WrikeCross team project tracking$9.80 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
SmartsheetSpreadsheet style project tracking$9 per member/month (billed annually)Free trial (30 days)
TeamworkClient work and project delivery$9.99 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
JiraSoftware teams and sprint tracking$9.70 per user/month (Standard, billed monthly for 1-100 users)Yes
AirtableFlexible records and linked work$20 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
NotionDocs and task tracking in one place$10 per member/month (billed annually)Yes
TrelloSimple boards for small teams$5 per user/month (billed annually)Yes

How we choose

We reviewed the vendor pricing pages, product docs, and feature lists for each tool, and we compared how each one handles task lists, dates, owners, views, and reports. We looked at the starting price, the free plan, and limits that affect a team of 5 to 200 people, such as seat minimums and record caps. We did not claim hands on testing, and we did not use scores or ratings.

Our full method

The shortlist

★ Best overall

monday.com

Best for Visual dashboards and status tracking

  • Clear boards with status columns and timelines
  • Dashboards that combine several projects in one view
Price$9 per seat/month (billed annually)
See monday.com pricing

monday.com gives teams a board based view of work, with columns for status, owner, date, and priority. Managers can move items between groups, filter by person or date, and see which tasks are on track and which are at risk. The layout is easy to read, so a weekly review can focus on decisions rather than searching for updates across messages and sheets.

The dashboard tools pull data from several boards into charts, tables, and workload views. A team lead can check capacity before adding new work, and a project owner can share a live view with clients. Automations can change a status when a date passes or notify an owner when a task moves. The entry plan starts at 9 dollars per seat per month when billed annually, with a free plan open for up to two seats.

Price: $9 per seat/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: monday.com

Watch out for

  • 3-seat minimum on plans
  • free plan limited to 2 seats
2

ClickUp

Best for All in one task and project tracking
$9 per user/month (billed annually)

ClickUp brings tasks, docs, chat, and time tracking into one workspace, so a team can plan a project, assign work, and record progress without moving between tools. Tasks support subtasks, checklists, custom fields, and priorities, which helps teams that track complex work with many steps. Views can switch between list, board, calendar, and timeline, so each person can work in the view that suits their role.

The platform also includes goals, dashboards, and automations that reduce manual updates. A manager can set a goal, link tasks to it, and watch progress change as work is marked complete. The free plan covers basic tracking, while the entry billed plan starts at 9 dollars per user per month when billed annually. Teams that want goals and workload views should compare the Business plan.

Price: $9 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: clickup.com

What we like

  • Many views including list, board, calendar, and Gantt
  • Docs, goals, and time tracking in the same workspace

Watch out for

  • advanced features such as goals and workload need the Business plan
  • Learning curve can be steep for new users
3

Asana

Best for Structured work and team timelines
$10.99 per user/month (billed annually)

Asana is built around tasks, projects, and portfolios, with a clear structure for who owns each item and when it is due. Teams can view work as a list, board, calendar, or timeline, and set dependencies so the next task starts only when the first one is complete. Templates cover marketing, product, operations, and other common workflows, which helps a new team start with a proven shape rather than a blank page.

The timeline view is useful for planning a launch or a client project, because it shows dates, owners, and overlaps in one place. The free plan supports basic tracking, and the entry billed plan starts at 10.99 dollars per user per month when billed annually. Larger teams that need portfolios and workload should review the Advanced plan.

Price: $10.99 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: asana.com

What we like

  • Clean task lists with timelines and dependencies
  • Strong templates for common team workflows

Watch out for

  • portfolios and workload need the Advanced plan
  • Reporting options are limited on lower plans
4

Wrike

Best for Cross team project tracking
$9.80 per user/month (billed annually)

Wrike suits organisations where several teams share projects and need one record of progress. Workspaces, folders, and projects keep work separate by team or client, while dashboards and reports show status across the whole portfolio. Gantt charts show dates and dependencies, and request forms turn new work into a tracked task with an owner and a due date.

The tool also supports approvals, proofing, and comments on files, which helps teams that review creative or document based work. A free plan is open for basic tracking, and the entry billed plan starts at 9.80 dollars per user per month when billed annually. Teams that need time tracking and resource management should note that those features are not in the Team plan.

Price: $9.80 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: wrike.com

What we like

  • Gantt charts and shared workspaces for several teams
  • Request forms that turn intake into tracked tasks

Watch out for

  • Team plan lacks time tracking and resource management
  • Interface can feel dense for small teams
5

Smartsheet

Best for Spreadsheet style project tracking
$9 per member/month (billed annually)

Smartsheet uses a grid that feels familiar to anyone who has worked in a spreadsheet, with rows for tasks and columns for status, owner, date, and cost. Formulas, conditional formatting, and reports help teams track progress without building a new system from scratch. The same data can be viewed as a grid, card board, Gantt chart, or calendar, so managers and contributors can each use the view they prefer.

Automations can send reminders, request updates, and move rows when a status changes. Dashboards combine sheets and reports into a summary for leaders and clients. There is no free plan, but a 30 day free trial is open. The entry billed plan starts at 9 dollars per member per month when billed annually, and the Pro plan caps at 10 editors.

Price: $9 per member/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Free trial (30 days)

Website: smartsheet.com

What we like

  • Familiar grid view with formulas and reports
  • Card, Gantt, and calendar views from the same data

Watch out for

  • no free plan
  • Pro plan caps at 10 editors
6

Teamwork

Best for Client work and project delivery
$9.99 per user/month (billed annually)

Teamwork is designed for agencies and service teams that track client projects from brief to delivery. Projects include task lists, milestones, files, messages, and time entries, so the full history of a client engagement sits in one place. Managers can see workload across the team, check which projects are on schedule, and spot where a deadline may slip before it becomes a problem.

Time tracking links to tasks and projects, which helps teams record billable hours and review how long each phase took. The free plan covers up to five projects and five users. The entry billed plan starts at 9.99 dollars per user per month when billed annually. Teams that need wider reporting should compare the higher plans.

Price: $9.99 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: teamwork.com

What we like

  • Built for client projects with time and billing links
  • Clear task lists with milestones and workload views

Watch out for

  • free plan caps at 5 projects and 5 users
  • Advanced reporting needs a higher plan
7

Jira

Best for Software teams and sprint tracking
$9.70 per user/month (Standard, billed monthly for 1-100 users)

Jira is the standard choice for many software teams that plan work in sprints and track issues through a clear workflow. Backlogs hold future work, sprint boards show current work, and reports show velocity, burndown, and release progress. Issues can link to code, docs, and other tasks, which helps developers and product managers keep the full context in one place.

The workflow can be customised with statuses, fields, and rules, so a team can match its own process. Dashboards and filters help managers track progress across several projects and releases. A free plan is open for up to 10 users, and the Standard plan starts at 9.70 dollars per user per month when billed monthly for 1 to 100 users. Teams that need advanced roadmaps should review the Premium plan.

Price: $9.70 per user/month (Standard, billed monthly for 1-100 users)

Free plan: Yes

Website: atlassian.com

What we like

  • Strong sprint boards, backlogs, and issue tracking
  • Deep links with Confluence and other Atlassian tools

Watch out for

  • advanced roadmaps need the Premium plan
  • Setup can take time for teams outside software
8

Airtable

Best for Flexible records and linked work
$20 per user/month (billed annually)

Airtable combines a database with the familiar look of a spreadsheet, so teams can track projects as linked records rather than flat rows. A task can link to a project, a client, and an owner, and changes in one place update the related views. Teams can switch between grid, Kanban, calendar, timeline, and gallery views, and build interfaces that show each role only the fields it needs.

Automations and integrations can move data between Airtable and other tools, which helps teams that already use a CRM, a form tool, or a chat app. The free plan supports basic bases, and the entry billed plan starts at 20 dollars per user per month when billed annually. Teams should check the record limits per base and the automation limits on the Team plan.

Price: $20 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: airtable.com

What we like

  • Linked records that connect tasks, projects, and people
  • Grid, calendar, Kanban, and gallery views

Watch out for

  • Team plan caps records per base and limits automations
  • Cost rises fast as more users join
9

Notion

Best for Docs and task tracking in one place
$10 per member/month (billed annually)

Notion lets a team keep notes, docs, and task databases in the same workspace, so a project plan, a meeting note, and a task list can link to each other. Databases support table, board, timeline, calendar, and gallery views, with filters and properties for status, owner, and date. Templates cover roadmaps, sprints, content calendars, and other common tracking needs, which helps a team start quickly.

The tool works well for teams that want one place for planning and writing, rather than separate apps for docs and tasks. Collaboration is live, with comments and mentions that keep discussion tied to the work. A free plan is open for small teams, and the entry billed plan starts at 10 dollars per member per month when billed annually. Teams that need advanced permissions and SAML SSO should review the Business plan.

Price: $10 per member/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: notion.com

What we like

  • Pages, docs, and databases in one workspace
  • Flexible views for tasks, timelines, and calendars

Watch out for

  • Plus plan lacks advanced permissions and SAML SSO
  • Large workspaces need care to stay organised
10

Trello

Best for Simple boards for small teams
$5 per user/month (billed annually)

Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to show work in a simple visual flow. A card can hold a description, checklist, due date, labels, attachments, and comments, and it moves across lists as work progresses from idea to done. The design is easy to learn, so a new team can start tracking work in minutes without training or a long setup process.

Power Ups add calendar views, integrations, and extra fields, while Butler automations can move cards, set dates, and send reminders. The free plan covers basic boards, and the entry billed plan starts at 5 dollars per user per month when billed annually. Teams that need a timeline view should review the Premium plan.

Price: $5 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: trello.com

What we like

  • Simple boards that are quick to learn
  • Cards support checklists, dates, labels, and attachments

Watch out for

  • timeline view needs the Premium plan
  • Reporting is limited without add ons

What to check before you buy

Start by listing the work you track each week, the number of people who need a seat, and the views your team will use most. Check the seat minimum, the free plan limits, and whether the features you need, such as workload or time tracking, sit in a higher plan. Ask for a trial with a real project, and test how long it takes to add tasks, set dates, and build a report. Confirm how data can be exported and how guests are handled.

ToolSetup timeAdmin effort
monday.comUnder 1 dayLow, templates and boards are ready to use
ClickUp1 to 3 daysMedium, many views and settings to configure
AsanaUnder 1 dayLow, templates cover common workflows
Wrike2 to 4 daysMedium, workspaces need planning across teams
Smartsheet1 to 2 daysLow to medium, grid setup is familiar
Teamwork1 to 2 daysLow, client project templates are clear
Jira3 to 7 daysHigh, workflows and schemes need setup
Airtable1 to 3 daysMedium, linked records need design
Notion1 to 3 daysMedium, databases need structure to stay clear
TrelloUnder 1 hourLow, boards need almost no setup

Use the table above to match setup effort to your timeline. A small team that needs to start this week will do better with Trello, Asana, or monday.com, while a software team with time to configure workflows can invest in Jira. If your team tracks client work, check Teamwork and Wrike first, and if your work lives in docs, test Notion with a real project before you commit to a wider rollout.

FAQ

What is the best project tracking software for a small team?

Trello and Asana are strong choices for a small team because both offer a free plan and a simple way to start. Trello suits teams that want boards and cards with almost no setup, while Asana suits teams that want task lists, timelines, and templates. Test both with a real project for two weeks before you choose.

How much does project tracking software cost per month?

Entry prices in this guide range from 5 dollars to 20 dollars per user per month when billed annually, with Jira Standard at 9.70 dollars per user per month when billed monthly for 1 to 100 users. Most tools offer a free plan, so a small team can start without a monthly charge. Check seat minimums and plan gates before you set a budget.

Do I need time tracking inside my project tracking tool?

Time tracking helps when you bill clients by the hour or need to review how long each phase took. ClickUp, Teamwork, and Wrike include time features, while other tools link to a separate time app. If your team only needs dates and status, a simpler tool without time tracking may be enough.

Can I track several projects in one dashboard?

Yes, most tools in this guide offer dashboards that combine several projects into one view. monday.com, ClickUp, Asana, and Wrike let managers see status, dates, and workload across projects. Check whether the dashboard and reporting features you need are in your chosen plan, since some views need a higher tier.

Which tool is best for software teams that use sprints?

Jira is the best fit for software teams that plan work in sprints, because it offers backlogs, sprint boards, and reports for velocity and release progress. ClickUp and Asana can also support sprints with custom views and fields. Choose Jira when your team needs issue tracking linked to code and releases.

How do I move from spreadsheets to a tracking tool?

Start by importing one live project, not your full history, and map your spreadsheet columns to fields for status, owner, and date. Train the team on one view first, then add dashboards and automations once the basic flow works. Keep the old sheet as a backup for a few weeks until the new tool holds the full record.

Sources we checked

How we score

Need the method behind these picks?

We publish the criteria and the weights, so you can disagree with them.

monday.com#1 PICK
Visit site