10 Best Kanban Software To Reduce Lead Times In 2024

ClickUp's flexible project management app offers over 100 proprietary features to choose from, letting power users highlight what they want and hide what they do not use. Choose simple task lists or more advanced workflows (called 'Statuses') to track updates and progress remotely. Their Kanban boards benefit from this vast feature set, allowing users to customize their boards and workflows according to the unique needs of each project, task, and subtask.

ClickUp has a unique approach to a 'free plan' whereby they allow unlimited users and tasks. Where they hold back, then, is that you only get 100 uses of certain features like custom fields and mind maps. Still, this could work really well for larger teams looking for a free Kanban solution but who don't intend to be on the platform indefinitely.

ClickUp offers native integrations with Slack, G Suite, Dropbox, and many more tools, as well as over 1,000+ integrations through Zapier.

ClickUp is free to use for unlimited users with a 100MB storage maximum. Their paid plan starts at $5/user/month and offers a free trial.

monday.com is a scalable, flexible, and secure web-based project management tool that sports some of the most user-friendly and engaging interface graphics around. The bright colors, gamification of task completion, and easy drag-and-drop mechanisms can encourage software adoption by even the least techy team members. PMs can easily establish Agile sprints using Kanban-style cards for every step in the task completion process.

monday is easy to use and boasts a modern, colorful interface. You can access kanban templates to get projects started quickly and then customize each item from there. On their higher level plans, they also offer things like task-based time tracking, workflow automations, and project progress tracking reports and dashboards.

monday.com’s integrations include project management apps like Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, Jira, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Typeform and many more, accessible through a paid plan with Zapier.

monday.com costs from $6/user/month and comes with a free 14-day trial. They offer a free plan for up to 2 users.

Shortcut is a project management platform built to help software development teams collaborate and track their work efficiently. With a focus on agile processes, it gives you the tools to manage sprints, track issues, and oversee the progress of your projects. 

When it comes to using Shortcut for Kanban, it offers a range of features that help your team move tasks through workflows. The visual boards let you see the status of each task at a glance, showing who’s responsible and what’s next in line. You can break down work into stories and tie them to specific milestones, which keeps everything aligned with your project’s overall goals. The customizable workflows mean you can tailor the Kanban board to match how your team actually works, whether that’s a simple to-do list or a more complex multi-step process.

Another useful feature is the ability to automate workflows with triggers. You can set up rules for tasks to automatically move between columns based on certain criteria, like when code is committed or when an issue is closed. 

Integrations include Slack, GitHub, GitLab, Figma, Codestream, Bitbucket, Notion, Loom, Dailybot, Plecto, LinearB, Lambda Test, Testlodge, Google Calendar, Sentry, FireHydrant, and Vanta.

QuickBase is a cloud-based application development platform that enables businesses to create custom solutions for their unique operational challenges. Known for its versatility and ease of use, QuickBase allows users with little to no coding experience to develop custom applications that streamline processes, manage data, and improve collaboration.

As a Kanban software, QuickBase excels in offering a highly customizable and flexible platform for workflow and project management. Its strength lies in enabling users to create tailored Kanban boards that align perfectly with their specific project needs and processes. QuickBase allows for easy visualization of tasks and workflows, facilitating efficient tracking of progress and bottlenecks in real-time. The platform supports a dynamic approach to project management, where tasks can be quickly and intuitively moved across different stages of the workflow, promoting agility and responsiveness.

Integrations include Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Calendar, Tableau, QuickBase Pipelines, Slack and Zapier.

Pricing for QuickBase starts from $35/user/month (billed annually). A 30-day free trial is also available.

Zoho Sprints is an agile project management software designed to support dynamic teams in planning, tracking, and collaborating on projects. It stands out for its comprehensive suite of features tailored for agile methodologies, particularly for frameworks like Scrum and Kanban.

Teams can manage their sprints, conduct daily stand-ups, set sprint goals, and engage in retrospective meetings using the platform. The software also supports collaboration through features like feeds, comments, and notifications, allowing team members to stay updated and communicate effectively.

As a Kanban software, Zoho Sprints offers intuitive visual Kanban boards, support for crucial features like work-in-progress (WIP) limits, and customizable workflows that cater to specific team processes. Its real-time collaboration features and comprehensive analytics enhance team productivity and decision-making, while its integration capabilities ensure seamless operation within diverse tech ecosystems. 

Zoho Sprints integrates with Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Zendesk, Jenkins, GitHub, BitBucket, AWS Code Commit, Zapier, and more. It also integrates with a host of Zoho apps.

Bonsai is a well-rounded business management platform that's designed to meet the needs of agencies, consultancies, and professional service providers. The software offers end-to-end project management features including the ability to assign tasks, projects, and clients to different team members and external collaborators. Users can also set deadlines and track progress, ensuring projects stay on schedule.

Kanban boards are one of the project views available in the platform, and helps users keep track of where tasks stand in the production pipeline. The software also has tools for client management such as proposal drafting, contract management, and payment processing functionalities. Having all of these capabilities in a single solution makes for more streamlined operations and helps reduce errors.

Users can select from multiple currency and tax settings in Bonsai, which supports agencies working with international clients. The software also has a built-in automated invoice generator, helping to speed up the billing process. It also offers time tracking and financial reporting features, helping agencies manage team member time and workloads effectively and keep an eye on profitability.

The software integrates with other tools including Gmail, Google Calendar, Zapier, Slack, QuickBooks Online, Calendly, ClickUp, Trello, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Xero, HubSpot, and more.

Zoho Projects is a web-based project management software that offers various features for project planning, execution, monitoring, and collaboration, making it a well-rounded tool for managing projects effectively. Kanban is a project management methodology that emphasizes visualizing work, limiting work-in-progress, and optimizing the workflow. Zoho Projects allow teams to track their work visually, providing a clear overview of the status of each task and the progress of the project as a whole.

Zoho Projects’ Kanban boards are fully customizable, enabling teams to create them based on their workflow and preferences. Teams can create multiple boards for different projects or stages of the same project. Each panel consists of columns representing different stages of the workflow, such as 'To Do,' 'In Progress,' and 'Done.' Teams can also create custom columns to represent specific stages of their workflow.

Using Zoho Projects you can add tasks, assign them to team members, set due dates, and add descriptions and attachments. Each task on the board is represented by a card containing all the relevant job information. Teams can also add labels to tasks to classify them based on their priority, status, or any other category pertinent to their workflow.

You can move tasks between columns by simply dragging and dropping them. This feature enables users to update the status of jobs and track their progress quickly. You can use the filter and search functionality to find specific tasks, making it easy to focus on what matters most.

Zoho Projects provides several features to help teams collaborate effectively. Teams can add comments to tasks, mention other team members, and discuss specific tasks. They can also use the @mention feature to tag team members and notify them of updates or changes to the task.

Zoho Projects integrates with other Zoho apps, commonly used apps by Google (Google Calendar, Drive, Spreadsheets, etc.), and Microsoft (Calendar, Excel, Office 365, OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint), and other third-party apps such as Basecamp, Jira, Slack, Zendesk, and Zapier.

Zoho Projects costs from $5/user/month for tracking unlimited projects. A freemium plan with limited features, as well as a 10-day free trial, are also available.

Teamhood is a versatile project management tool designed for teams of all sizes across various industries. It provides a comprehensive Kanban board that helps visualize and manage tasks, facilitating better workflow and improved collaboration. It's ideal for teams looking to adopt Kanban methodologies.

The software includes customizable Kanban boards with swimlanes and sub-status tracking, enabling precise task categorization and monitoring. Flow metrics provide valuable insights into workflow efficiency, helping teams identify and resolve bottlenecks. Furthermore, Teamhood's user-friendly interface ensures easy adoption and navigation for users of all experience levels.

In addition to its core Kanban functionalities, Teamhood offers a range of standout features that enhance project management. Time tracking capabilities allow teams to monitor task durations, while integrated Gantt charts facilitate detailed project planning and scheduling. Workload management tools also help teams balance resource allocation.

Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Jira, Azure DevOps, GitHub, GitLab, Trello, Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp, Google Calendar, Outlook, Zapier, and more.

Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard with over 1,000 templates including mind maps, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, product wireframes, research boards, and flowcharts. Miro is widely adopted by leading companies and is recognized for fostering team communication and supporting hybrid work environments effectively.

The platform supports a wide range of creative and organizational tasks with features like an intuitive Kanban template, real-time editing, and video calling. Miro also accommodates various forms of idea expression, including images and videos, and provides tools for quick diagramming and an infinite canvas to meet the expansive needs of project management.

Miro additionally includes collaboration tools such as voting and sticky notes, allowing teams to integrate feedback efficiently. Furthermore, Miro offers seamless integrations with essential project documentation tools like Notion and Asana, facilitating smoother workflows.

Miro has integrations with a whole suite of tools, including Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Google Drive, Box, Confluence, Monday.com, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.

Miro is free to use for unlimited members with up to 3 editable boards. Paid plans start at $8/user/month (billed annually).

MeisterTask stands out in the realm of Kanban software by offering a highly visual and intuitive platform for managing tasks and workflows using the Kanban methodology. It allows users to create customizable Kanban boards where tasks are represented as cards that can be moved across different columns or stages, reflecting their current status in the workflow. This visual approach not only makes it easier for teams to understand the progress of individual tasks and projects at a glance but also facilitates smoother transitions between different phases of work.

Beyond its core Kanban functionality, MeisterTask enriches the project management experience with a suite of features designed to boost productivity and collaboration. It integrates seamlessly with MindMeister, an online mind mapping tool, allowing for a unique and efficient flow from brainstorming and ideation directly into actionable tasks. This integration bridges the gap between initial planning and task execution, a feature particularly appealing to teams that value creativity and innovation in their workflows. Additionally, MeisterTask supports task automation, due date reminders, time tracking, and comprehensive collaboration tools, including file attachments and comments.

Integrations include Slack, Dropbox, Github, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Trello, Asana, MindMeister, and hundreds more through a paid plan with Zapier. 

MeisterTask costs from $14.50/month (billed annually) and offers a fre trial.