This article will discuss certain tools that help project managers plan, control, and organize teamwork. They can be used to prioritize tasks, set deadlines, and monitor how much time different specialists spend on tasks. These tools will help increase the efficiency of the team and implement projects within the specified timeframe.
We will talk about 9 tools and their advantages and disadvantages. We recommend you carefully study their characteristics in order to choose the most suitable option for you, and understanding how to get moust out of task automation.
1. Asana
Asana allows you to make project plans, coordinate tasks, and meet deadlines. It is suitable for marketing and operations departments, management of remote employee groups, and creative production. Asana offers three plans – Basic ($0), Premium ($10.99), and Business ($24.99).
Advantages:
- Modern and concise design;
- Free version;
- Versatility;
- Easy to group tasks and control assignments and deadlines for each team member;
- There is a mobile app.
Disadvantages:
Compared to competitors, the prices are slightly higher.
Features:
- Automation;
- Workflow builder;
- Integrations;
- Reports;
- Timeline;
- Goals;
- Monitoring boards;
- Calendar;
- Synchronization;
- Customizable templates;
- Project copying;
- Admin controls.
2. Monday
Unite your team, optimize your processes and save time with Monday software. You can start using the platform for free, with no limits on the number of boards and users.
There are also other packages you can try for free for a trial period: Basic ($9/month), Standard ($12/month), Pro ($20/month), and Enterprise (negotiable individually). Note that the price is per user.
Advantages:
- Extensive features;
- Customizable platform;
- 14 days of free trial without credit cards;
- Opportunity to test all plans for free.
Disadvantages:
The platform is a bit complicated, so you will have to spend some time and learn it.
Features:
- Gantt chart;
- Project dashboards;
- Workload view;
- Milestones;
- Advanced integrations;
- Project templates;
- Customizable workflows;
- Email notifications;
- Time control;
- Deadline reminders.
3. ClickUp
According to the creators of ClickUp, those teams who work on their platform save more than 50 days each year. All thanks to the tool’s features that automate and optimize workflows.
ClickUp offers 5 packages with prices indicated per member: Free (free), Unlimited ($5/month), Business ($12/month), Business Plus ($19/month), and Enterprise (negotiated separately).
Advantages:
- Free plan;
- Extensive functions;
- 100MB of storage;
- Free training;
- 24/7 support.
Disadvantages:
Additional features require additional charges.
Features:
- Integrations with third-party services;
- Customizable workflows;
- Custom fields;
- Chat;
- Advanced reporting capabilities;
- Calendar;
- Gantt chart;
- Time tracking;
- Mobile app.
4. Smartsheet
This tool claims to be a platform that is suitable for projects of all sizes. It works in spreadsheet format, making it easy for those familiar with Excel.
Offered packages with prices per user: Professional ($7/month), Business ($25/month), Corporate (negotiable). There is also a trial period on a free basis.
Advantages:
- Powerful and simple tool;
- Reliable automation;
- Security;
- Saves time.
Disadvantages:
No time tracking function, and calendar functions are limited.
Features:
- Collaboration;
- Workflow automation;
- Content management;
- Process management and scaling;
- Management and administration;
- Digital asset management;
- Quick creation of simple applications;
- Intelligent processes;
- Gantt chart;
- Premium add-ons;
- Forms and formulas;
- Dashboards;
- Document creation and sharing.
5. Trello
The tool allows you to manage tasks and view projects in several ways – close-up and all in general. The great thing about Trello is that it integrates easily with third-party applications.
There are STANDARD ($5/month), PREMIUM ($10/month), ENTERPRISE ($17.50/month), and free trial plans. Prices are counted per participant.
Advantages:
- The platform is quick to set up;
- The platform design is intuitive;
- There is a desktop and mobile app;
- The free version has an unlimited number of cards/users.
Disadvantages:
A card or a board can only belong to one project, and some functions require add-ons.
Features:
- Viewing projects from different angles;
- Automating tasks and workflows;
- Templates;
- Plugins and integrations that help expand the platform’s features.
6. Fellow
The main difference between this tool and the above is that it helps organize meetings. Thus, managers can not only organize a competent approach to the distribution of tasks but also hold joint meetings for discussion.
Fellow offers 3 collaboration packages, one of which is free. The other two are PRO ($6/month) and Bussiness (price negotiable).
Advantages:
- Free plan for small teams (up to 10 people);
- Great templates with prompts;
- Gathers all information in one place;
- Useful integrations.
Disadvantages:
Focuses on meetings, not project management.
Features:
- Meeting software and templates;
- Team meetings;
- Project review;
- Phone calls;
- Meeting notes;
- Organizing ideas;
- Assigning actions and tasks;
- Tracking actions;
- Off-site meetings;
- Integrations and extensions.
7. Paymo
Here, you can not only manage projects and track deadlines but also bill your customers. The platform is suitable for small and medium-sized companies. Before you buy a subscription, users can test Paymo for free.
Other packages with per-user pricing are Starter ($4.95/month), Small Office ($9.95/month), and Business ($20.79/month).
Advantages:
- Real-time collaboration;
- Bird’s-eye view of tasks;
- Advanced filters and notifications;
- Availability of billing.
Disadvantages:
The free plan has many limitations.
Features:
- Time tracking;
- Task and file management;
- Kanban board;
- Team collaboration;
- Gantt chart;
- Billing and estimates;
- Online payments;
- File check;
- Mobile and desktop app;
- Adding vacation days;
- Analytics and reporting.
8. Teamwork
A free plan is available for individual and small teams. Other users can take advantage of the following plans: Deliver ($10/month), Grow ($18/month), and Scale (to be negotiated separately).
Prices are counted per user, but each plan can be tested for free.
Advantages:
- A wide range of settings;
- Availability of billing.
Disadvantages:
In the free plan, there are few integrations and a complex interface.
Features:
- Resource management;
- Templates;
- Time and expense tracking;
- Kanban boards;
- Budget management;
- Working with unlimited users;
- Task prioritization;
- Bulk updates;
- Dashboards;
- To-do lists;
- Usage reports;
- Hub integrations;
- Document editor;
- Integrated team chat;
- Table view;
- Entry forms.
9. Jira
The platform allows large and flexible development teams to move quickly, simply, and efficiently. It should be noted, though, that human resources and marketing teams also use the Jira tool successfully.
Check out the platform for free (up to 10 users) or choose one of the packages (prices are per user): Standard ($7.50/month), Premium ($14.50/month), or Enterprise (negotiable).
Advantages:
- Dashboards are convenient and easy to set up;
- Easy-to-set-up task lists;
- Powerful Agile tools;
- Excellent reporting.
Disadvantages:
The collaboration tool is limited.
Features:
- Task rating;
- Custom workflows;
- Release forecasting;
- Kanban board;
- Time tracking;
- Team metrics system;
- Progress monitoring and budgeting;
- Bug monitoring;
- Custom reports and feedback;
- Team reports and comments;
- Drag-and-drop automation.
Conclusion
Having studied 9 popular tools, we were able to reveal their main characteristics and identify their advantages and disadvantages. Some of them are suitable for specific professions (like Jira) or designed for companies of a certain size (like Smartsheet or Paemo). We hope you will find what you’re looking for here! If you want doscover more tools, we suggest you to read this article about Task Management Software.
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