10 Best Project Management Software For Startups Shortlist
Here’s the list of project management software tools for startups that I’ll review:
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Project management software for startups is the easiest way to manage projects, collaborate with your team, and drive growth in your business. It can help you manage timelines, resources, stakeholders, and budgets so you can deliver successful projects of any complexity.
Here are my picks for the best project management tools for startups, based on my experience managing projects as a startup founder myself. I've independently tested and reviewed each of these to help you find the right fit for your team and business.
Why Trust Our Project Management Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing project management software since 2012. As project managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different project management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our project management review methodology.
Compare Specs Side-By-Side
Compare the details about each tool with this handy table.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best for collaborative creative teams | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
2 | Best for scalability | 10-day free trial + free plan available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
3 | Best for collaborative whiteboards and visualizations | Free plan available | From $8/user/month | Website | |
4 | Best for a flexible, customizable solution | Free plan available | From $15/seat/month (billed annually) | Website | |
5 | Best for brainstorming, ideation, and task management in one | Free trial available | From $8.25/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website | |
6 | Best mobile app | 14-day free trial | From $1.49/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website | |
7 | Best for Kanban boards | 14-day free trial | From $5/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website | |
8 | Best for product management teams | 30-day free trial | From $10.99/user/month (min 3 users, billed annually) | Website | |
9 | Best free project management for startups | 14-day free trial | From $4.99/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
10 | Best for PowerPoint timeline creation | Free plan available | From $21/year (billed annually) | Website |
-
Smartsheet
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.4 -
Wrike
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
monday.com
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6
Overviews Of The Best Project Management Software For Startups
Here’s a brief description of each of my picks for the best project management tools for startup companies.
monday.com may seem like the most popular project management software that players in the big leagues use today. Though that is mostly true, monday.com is also one of the most helpful tools startup teams should consider implementing early on so that they can eventually join the bigger players. As a bonus, monday.com is easy to set up and we know how important it is to stay on track on all of your projects as you grow.
monday.com knows how important collaboration is for creative teams so it lets you connect in a variety of different ways without ever leaving the platform: commenting, file attachment, @-tagging, “liking” posts, and assigning tasks with point-and-click ease. You can also build team-specific dashboards and project boards so that everyone can easily see what is being worked on.
monday.com integrates with the tools you already know and love, making the transition for your startup team hassle free. 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.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good collaboration features
- Versatile templates for different projects
- Can be customized to fit any workflow
Cons:
- Each plan limits the number of automations
- Mobile app experience may be less intuitive
Zoho Projects is an online project management tool that lets teams plan, track, and collaborate on project work. The tool is scalable for startups and small businesses.
Zoho Projects allows users to set up project plans, as well as create and assign ad-hoc tasks across the team. The tool also includes features like flexible work hours, baselines, and critical paths in Gantt charts, team based work allocation, and task reminders. Time tracking and resource utilization features help managers ensure that employees are not over or under worked.
Users can automate task transitions and workflows, track activities and progress by using the advanced reports, and manage budgets with expense management features. Collaboration features include team-wide and individual discussion management, a meeting tab to facilitate virtual meetings, a social feed to interact with and keep track of all your project activities, a forum to discuss ideas and solutions, and a central document management module to manage all information. Mobile applications are also available.
Zoho Projects has several integrations with Zoho apps like Zoho CRM, Zoho Cliq, Zoho Meeting, as well as with other third party apps like Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Zapier, Zendesk, and ServiceNow.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive project tracking tools
- Seamless integration with other Zoho apps
- Easy workflow automations
Cons:
- Does not integrate with Quickbooks
- Lacks some reporting features
Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard platform widely used by startups for project management. It provides a range of templates like mind maps and Kanban boards and allows the import and further development of existing charts from tools like Visio.
Teams can express ideas using various formats, including numerical data, images, and videos. Miro's integration with project management tools such as Jira and Asana enables a visual complement to task tracking. By embedding Miro boards within tasks, team members can view project progress and dependencies visually, supporting a clearer understanding of project dynamics. This functionality makes Miro a practical choice for startups seeking a visual and interactive project management solution.
Other notable features include built-in video conferencing, Agile workflows, brainstorming templates, and wireframing tools.
Miro has integrations with a whole suite of tools, including Confluence, monday.com, Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Google Drive, Box, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Built-in communication features for streamlined collaboration
- Intuitive and easy setup
- Free forever plan available
Cons:
- Zooming can be jumpy on larger projects
- Visitor/guest accounts locked to paid plans only
FigJam is a collaborative whiteboard that has project management features built in. It can be used for a number of things, like virtual brainstorming, workflow design, strategy and planning, and team collaboration. Unlike a more traditional project management tools, this software offers a flexible visual platform that you can customize to meet your needs.
The software's whiteboards are infinite, meaning you can zoom in or out as far as you need. This is helpful for crafting complete product roadmaps and breaking things down into higher- and lower-level views. You can use audio and live chat, stamp and emoji reacts, and even bitmoji avatars to collaborate virtually with your team members. You can also invite external collaborators to work on your boards.
When it comes to project management, the platform's pre-built templates are really helpful. Whiteboard layouts for project kickoff brainstorms, roadmaps, timelines, flowcharts, and workflows are all available. Templates for other things like weekly and daily status meetings are included, too. The software also has calendar and timeline widgets to support your project planning and execution.
Integrations include Figma, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Jira, Mixpanel, and Github.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Collaborative features like sticky notes and emojis
- Offers community templates for various uses
- Great for quick sketches and diagrams
Cons:
- Not ideal for non-visual project management
- Limited sharing access for non-Figma users
Best for brainstorming, ideation, and task management in one
MeisterTask is a versatile project management tool designed to cater to the needs of teams looking for an efficient way to organize their tasks and workflows. It stands out with its visually appealing, user-friendly interface that utilizes Kanban boards for task management, allowing users to easily visualize their projects' progress at a glance. The platform is highly customizable, enabling teams to tailor their project boards to fit their specific workflow requirements. This flexibility, combined with features like task automation, due date reminders, and time tracking, makes MeisterTask an effective solution for managing a wide range of projects.
One of the unique aspects of MeisterTask is its seamless integration with MindMeister, an online mind mapping tool. This integration allows users to brainstorm, plan projects, and then directly convert these ideas into actionable tasks within MeisterTask, facilitating a smooth transition from ideation to execution. Additionally, the platform supports collaboration through features such as file attachments, comments, and task assignments, ensuring that team members can easily share information and stay aligned on their objectives. With its emphasis on simplicity, collaboration, and integration, MeisterTask provides a comprehensive project management solution that helps teams boost their productivity and achieve their goals more efficiently.
Integrations include Slack, Dropbox, Github, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Trello, Asana, MindMeister, and hundreds more through a paid plan with Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Includes time tracking and reporting features
- Customizable project boards
- Provides a mobile app for on-the-go access
Cons:
- Not ideal for large, complex projects
- Limited options for setting reminders
Freedcamp is a project management software that comes with something that most startups today consider as the industry standard: a robust mobile app that’s available on iOS and Android. This means that startups without an office or with limited available computers can access project management data on their personal smartphone device or tablet.
Freedcamp lets users save passwords, create invoices, back up and edit files—all this on top of the project templates, CRM features, and white labeling capabilities you would expect from a solid project management tool. Freedcamp also has calendars, discussion boards, milestones, a team/process wiki builder, issue tracking, and a time tracker too.
Freedcamp integrates with thousands of solutions through Zapier (which requires a separate paid plan of its own).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable user permissions
- Supports multiple project views
- Offers a robust free plan
Cons:
- Lacks advanced reporting tools
- Limited native third-party integrations
Trello is a project management solution that is most known for its Kanban boards. It offers startup teams a comprehensive tool that can be quickly set up and understood with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface for customizing boards and a no-code workflow automation builder. Their free plan lets you run 250 automated command runs per month, which is noteworthy because many PM tools limit automations to paid subscription plans. Startups take note!
Trello is great for startup teams thanks to a feature-packed free plan that Kanban board cheerleaders in particular will appreciate. You get unlimited cards, unlimited members, up to 10 boards per workspace, a list of free integrations with other PM tools (Google Drive, Slack, etc.), unlimited activity logs, mobile app access, and 2-factor authentication for log-ins.
Trello integrates with Confluence, Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, and other third-party apps you typically find in a modern tech stack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to set up and onboard team members
- Wide range of integrations
- Simple and intuitive Kanban-style boards
Cons:
- Not ideal for complex projects
- Can become cluttered with many cards
Teamwork is a project management software that lets users manage multiple products across their lifecycle without it being complicated to use. But that doesn’t mean it’s a simple tool. It comes with advanced features built to scale with your organization as you grow.
Teamwork offers a variety of ways for users to view their data, collaborate on it, and iterate. Take advantage of project and task management features like templates, time tracking & invoicing, custom fields, custom workflows, workload resource management, as well as utilization reports.
Teamwork integrates with Slack, Xero, Hubspot, Google Drive, Dropbox, QuickBooks, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong time tracking and billing capabilities
- Supports client collaboration with privacy controls
- Customizable dashboards and reports
Cons:
- Minimum user requirement for paid plans
- Robust feature set may be overwhelming for smaller teams
Hubstaff Tasks is a project management software for startups with multiple task tracking and collaboration features. Its interface is based on the Kanban methodology; it lets you organize tasks in different project stages, which are represented by columns. Each task can be categorized using color-coded labels. One of its notable features is custom workflows. These let you automate assigning tasks to team members at different project stages and moving them forward with one click.
You can create checklists within each task and track them from the project view using progress bars. Files can also be attached to task cards, but the free plan only allows up to 100 MB of storage per user. Switching to the sprints view displays all your assigned tasks, organized by sprint. You can move tasks to current or future sprints or to the backlog with a drag-and-drop mechanism similar to Kanban.
Hubstaff Tasks integrates with Active Collab, Asana, Breeze, ClickUp, GitHub, GitLab, Insightly, JIRA, LiquidPlanner, Mavenlink, Paymo, PivotalTracker, Podio, Redbooth, Redmine, Teamwork Projects, Trello, Unfuddle, Wrike, Zoho Projects, Slack, Zendesk, Salesforce, QuickBooks, and other apps. You can boost your integration options with a paid plan through Zapier, unlocking hundreds of other possible connections.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy drag-and-drop timelines
- Agile project management features
- Integrated time tracking
Cons:
- Lacks advanced project management features
- Not ideal for non-agile teams
Office Timeline is a project management tool designed to help professionals create timelines and Gantt charts within PowerPoint. It stands out as the best tool for PowerPoint timeline creation due to its dedicated PowerPoint add-in for Windows and a web-based timeline generator that simplifies the process of producing visually appealing project visuals.
I selected Office Timeline due to its ability to create project visuals such as timelines and Gantt charts with ease directly within PowerPoint. It distinguishes itself with a blend of simplicity and powerful collaborative features, which are crucial for startups looking to save time and foster teamwork.
Standout Features include a timeline maker, a Gantt chart maker, swimline diagrams, a variety of pre-designed templates that users can select and customize to create their timelines quickly, and online collaboration tools that enable multiple users to view and edit timelines in real-time.
Integrations include Jira, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Wrike, and Smartsheet.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Ideal for client presentations and reporting
- Offers a variety of templates
- Excellent for creating visual timelines
Cons:
- Not suitable for real-time project tracking
- Collaboration features are minimal
Other Options
Here are a few more that didn’t make my top list, but which are worth your consideration.
- Plaky
For versatile workflow templates
- ESPMI
Project management software for startups that belong to a portfolio
- Height
For its free plan with unlimited members, guests, and tasks
- ClickUp
For teams who need a full-featured tool at a low cost
- Celoxis
For managing a project portfolio
- Scoro
For comprehensive project oversight
- Bonsai Agency Software
For integrated project, client, and financial management
- Shortcut
For aligning product and engineering teams
- Wrike
For external collaborators
- Kissflow
For customizable form building
- PathPro
For linking customer feedback to product development and task management
- Basecamp
For project stand-ups
- Asana
For easy user adoption
- Forecast
For managing your projects, resources, and finances in one
- TeamGantt
For Gantt charts
- Notion
Project management organization with over 30 types of content to build your best workflow and store critical knowledge in team wikis
Project Management Software for Startups Selection Criteria
When selecting the best project management software for startups to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like balancing affordability with essential features and allowing for scalability with future growth. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Task and project tracking
- Team collaboration and communication
- Deadline and milestone management
- File sharing and document management
- Reporting and progress tracking
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-powered task automation
- Built-in time tracking and invoicing
- No-code workflow customization
- Native integration with startup-friendly tools
- Investor and stakeholder reporting dashboards
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered whether the tool has the following:
- An intuitive and modern user interface
- A Minimal learning curve for new users
- Mobile app usability and responsiveness
- Customization options for different workflows
- Performance speed and reliability
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the availability of the following:
- Interactive product tours
- Training videos and documentation
- Pre-built templates for common use cases
- Quality chatbots or AI-assisted guidance
- Dedicated onboarding support for new users
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I looked for the following:
- Availability of live chat and phone support
- Responsive email or ticketing system
- Quality self-service knowledge base
- Presence of a community forum for peer support
- Access to dedicated account managers for scaling teams
Value for Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I used the following checklist:
- Availability of a free or startup-friendly pricing plan
- Cost-effectiveness compared to feature set
- Flexibility of pricing tiers for scaling businesses
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Discounts or credits for early-stage startups
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered whether the following was included in customer reviews:
- Notes about the frequency of updates and new feature releases
- Positive feedback on ease of use
- Common complaints about feature limitations
- Praise for customer support responsiveness
- Reported issues with system reliability
How to Choose Project Management Software for Startups
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
Factor | What to Consider |
---|---|
Scalability | Make sure the software can grow with your startup. Look for flexible pricing, user limits, and advanced features that won’t require switching platforms as your team expands. |
Integrations | Choose a tool that connects seamlessly with your existing apps—Slack, Google Drive, CRMs, or development tools—to avoid workflow disruptions and data silos (you might also consider project management software with CRM capabilities) |
Customizability | Your startup’s processes are unique. Opt for software that lets you tailor workflows, dashboards, and permissions to match how your team works. |
Ease of Use | A steep learning curve slows productivity. Pick a solution with an intuitive interface, simple navigation, and minimal training requirements. |
Budget | Startups need cost-effective solutions. Compare free plans, trial periods, and per-user pricing to make sure you're getting an affordable option without sacrificing essential features. |
Security Safeguards | Protect sensitive business data. Look for features like role-based access, encryption, and compliance with standards like SOC 2 or GDPR. |
Collaboration Tools | Startups move fast, so real-time communication, task comments, file sharing, and team dashboards should be built in. |
Mobile Accessibility | Your team needs access on the go. Make sure the software has a well-designed mobile app with full functionality. |
What is Project Management Software for Startups?
Project management software tools for startups are tailored solutions that help you organize tasks, timelines, and resources for your startup's projects. They also improve your workflows, help you deliver projects on time, and make sure the team is collaborating effectively.
Features often include task and milestone tracking, collaboration tools, document sharing, and resource management. The primary purpose of this software is to organize projects in a way that boosts productivity and allows your company to scale as the complexity of projects and the number of team members involved increase.
Features of Project Management Software for Startups
Here are some of the features I look for when evaluating project management systems for small teams, startups, and small businesses.
- Streamlined work management: Most startups don’t have a lot of resources to dedicate to training and onboarding, so the tool must offer simplified “get-up-and-go” project planning with a manageable learning curve.
- File-sharing: Communication and distribution of limited (but expanding) assets are critical to getting any startup off its feet.
- Real-time updates: Things are moving fast and changing often so it’s imperative that different team members are getting the most current information as soon as possible.
- Roadmapping: Not only will your startup squad need a crystal clear roadmap for where they are going but you will want some way to ping team leaders if a project or task requires follow up or course correction.
- Collaboration across projects: Startups are juggling many projects at once, from social media upkeep to product development to hiring; you’ll need an app that unifies collaboration for all branches in a central location.
- Scrum boards for backlog visibility: This helps busy teams visualize what needs to be done for each sprint and put a pin in items that are lower priorities. It also helps you keep track of great ideas for the product roadmap and future vision.
- Reporting: Get insights into project progress, team performance, and deadlines with real-time dashboards and customizable reports.
- Automation: Reduce manual work by automating task assignments, status updates, and notifications to keep projects moving efficiently.
- Document management: Store, organize, and share files in a centralized location to make sure your team has easy access to the latest project documents.
- Resource management: Allocate team members, budgets, and tools effectively to prevent overallocation and keep projects on track.
If your small business is better described as a nonprofit, try this list of project management software for nonprofits; if you're a team of one, try this list of project management software for individuals.
Frequently Asked Question About Project Management Software for Startups
How do you implement project management in a startup?
You’ll quickly realize the need for a project manager within your roster. However, you will also realize that there might not be a budget for it. Then, your first task is to select which is the best position within your current team to handle these responsibilities.
After you’ve chosen a person, look for free project management tools that you can test with. After you test, you’ll have to select the best tool for your situation and then the fun starts.
Tool adoption takes time, and you’ll have to invest in one-on-one meetings to explain to different people how to use the tool for their role within the projects. This will be time-consuming but also the best path to guarantee a smoother transition from your current system to this tool.
Finally, repetition will be your best ally. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Iterate on your process and provide feedback to the team on their use of the tool so they keep moving in the direction you want them to.

What's Next?
Want to connect with other digital project managers to share resources and best practices? Join our membership community and get access to 100+ templates, samples, and examples and connect with 100s of other digital project managers in Slack.