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10 Best Project Timeline Management Software In 2023

Best Project Timeline Management Software List

Here’s the list of the best project timeline management software:

  1. 1. Wrike — Best for small teams just getting started
  2. 2. monday.com — Best customizable workflow templates
  3. 3. ClickUp — Best for freelancers
  4. 4. Zoho Projects — Best for setting and tracking task dependencies
  5. 5. Hub Planner — Best for team analytics & dynamic reports
  6. 6. Forecast — Best for specialized services firms
  7. 7. Backlog — Best for software development teams
  8. 8. ProjectManager.com — Best for remote teams
  9. 9. Hive — Best for large and complex projects
  10. 10. GoodDay — Best timeline management for its customizability

How often do you complete your projects on time and within budget? If your team can deliver projects on time and within budget most of the time, congratulations; your project planning or project timeline management software is on point. You deserve a pat on the back because a recent survey concluded that only 29% of organizations said they mostly or always complete projects on time.

Several reasons can be attributed to projects that overrun their allocated timeframes, including poor teamwork or team collaboration, lack of automation, cumbersome approvals and permissions processes, general poor communication regarding due dates, poor resource management, and failure to manage remote teams effectively.

Undoubtedly, balancing all the elements attributed to project success can be challenging, especially for small businesses, when you use legacy project management solutions like excel spreadsheets and old-fashioned written to-do lists. However, the good news is that the market is awash with software geared explicitly at managing project timelines for all types of teams.

But how do I identify the right timeline management tool with the right pricing, templates, drag-and-drop features, notifications, and time tracking, among other essential functionalities? This is the question I set out to answer in this guide, where I list the 10 best project timeline software tools in the market this year.

Overview of the 10 Best Project Timeline Software

Here’s a brief description of each project timeline software to showcase each tool’s best use case and noteworthy features. Feel free to check out how I picked the software on this list anytime.

1

Wrike

Best for small teams just getting started

Wrike is a work management platform that lets you plug into 400+ integrations and customize your workflows, dashboards, and request forms.

Wrike’s easy-to-use interface offers intuitive navigation with distinct Spaces, folders, and tasks, which you can customize however you like and collaborate in real-time while sharing workflows, calendars, and more.

Wrike offers a user-friendly experience with advanced customization capabilities. For example. you can organize, see, and manage project timelines using Kanban boards, drag-and-drop Gantt charts, and detailed dashboards. Additionally, you have access to advanced insights with a suite of analytics, resource management, and performance-reporting features.

Wrike offers native pre-built integrations with more than 400 popular platforms, including Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, along with sales and marketing software from Salesforce and Marketo.

Wrike starts at $9.80/user/month and has a free version for up to five users. There is also a 14-day free trial for paid plans.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.2 2544

Free plan available

From $9.80/user/month

2

monday.com

Best customizable workflow templates

monday.com is a popular enterprise project management tool used by companies across different industries, like Abbott, Costco, Uber, Adobe, and Hulu.

monday.com's timeline view features a visual presentation allowing users to view timelines within single or multiple boards. The tool provides a glimpse of the timeframe allocated to complete a project, providing an opportunity to plan accordingly. The software provides teams with a tool for managing tasks, to-dos, collaboration, time tracking, task automation, task tracking, task planning, and other elements related to project timeline management.

One of the main reasons monday.com is at the top of this list is that the tool brings together collaboration, project and task management, and CRM tools. Another element worth mentioning is that this software allows for a high degree of customization, and its interface is appealing. Add this to the project management app automation, and you will understand why 127,000 customers use Monday.com in more than 200 business verticals.

monday.com integrates with several leading apps like Slack, HubSpot, Airtable, Trello, Asana, Zoom, and Microsoft Project, and others. They have a full list of integrations on their webite.

monday.com costs from $6/user/month with a two-week free trial and offers a free plan with up to two seats.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 8065

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats)

3

ClickUp

Best for freelancers

Click Up has the most features you want in a timeline management software solution, such as flexibility, making it suitable for freelancers working in different industries. The tool is easy to use and intuitive, meaning that you will not be wasting valuable time learning the ropes. The software also has an app for every device, making it suitable for individuals or teams working on different devices at different times.

If there is one thing that makes Click Up beat the competition, it has to be the company's customer service. The company promises that someone will be available 24 hours a day, every day, even during the holidays. Added to this, when you use the tool, you get access to daily webinars and free coaching. This is why the tool is great for freelancers who often need support outside traditional business hours.

Click Up integrates with Slack, GitHub, GitLab, Webhooks, Everhour, Toggl, Harvest, Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, Outlook, Google Calendar, Figma, Vimeo, YouTube, Loom, Zoom, Bitbucket, Chrome, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Google Hangouts Chat, Intercom, Box, Zendesk, Front, Clokify, Timely, PomoDone, TMetric, Timeneye, Promodone, and a host of other apps.

Click Up costs from $5/user/month and offers a free forever plan for personal use.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 4135

Freemium plan available

From $9/user/month

4

Zoho Projects

Best for setting and tracking task dependencies

Zoho Projects is a cloud-based project management software that helps businesses and teams of all sizes manage their projects, tasks, and timelines in an efficient and organized manner. Its powerful features enable project managers to plan, track, and collaborate on projects easily, allowing them to stay on top of deadlines and deliverables.

One of Zoho Projects' essential features is its ability to create and manage project timelines. With this feature, project managers can create timelines for each project and assign tasks to team members, complete with start and end dates. This allows team members to clearly understand what needs to be done, when, and by whom. Project managers can also set dependencies between tasks, ensuring each job is completed before the next one begins. This helps to prevent delays and ensures that the project stays on track.

Zoho Projects has a mobile app that allows team members to access the platform and manage tasks on the go. This can be particularly useful for remote teams or for team members who are frequently on the move. Zoho Projects also comes with a Gantt chart view, which provides a graphical representation of the project timeline. This helps users visualize project progress and identify potential delays or issues. Moreover, this view allows project managers to easily adjust the timeline, such as shifting tasks or changing dependencies.

Team members can collaborate on tasks, share files and documents, and communicate with each other through a centralized platform. Zoho Projects comes with time tracking and billing features, allowing users to track the time spent on each task and project, which can be helpful for billing clients or internal cost tracking. The software enables companies to set hourly rates for team members, ensuring the project stays within budget.

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.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.2 286

10-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $5/user/month

5

Hub Planner

Best for team analytics & dynamic reports

Hub Planner is a comprehensive project timeline management software that helps project managers and teams to easily manage timelines for their projects. This software is specifically designed to help its users plan, collaborate, and maximize their resources in order to meet deadlines. With Hub Planner, users can quickly create a timeline from start to finish by assigning tasks and due dates while also allowing the team members to communicate on one platform.

One of the greatest features of Hub Planner is the resource management capabilities; users can assign tasks to specific team members based on availability or skill set needed. The platform also displays real time updates so that everyone involved in the project is always informed as things change. Furthermore, with Hub Planner's reporting tools, it's easy for project managers to get snapshot views of progress or see which sections need more attention or resources allocated.

Features include analytics, budgeting, dashboard, data visualization, expense tracking, notifications, project management, task scheduling/tracking, resource management, API, batch permissions & access, calendar management, data export, email integration, external integrations, multi-currency, scheduling, workflow management, billing/invoicing, contact management, data import, forecasting, multi-user, third-party plugins/add-ons, and time management.

Integrations are possible using their API. Or, for less technical folk, you can connect to other apps through Zapier, though this may require a separate paid plan.

Hub Planner cots from $7/resource/month (billed annually) and offers a 30-day free trial.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.2 16

30-day free trial

From $7/user/month (billed annually)

6

Forecast

Best for specialized services firms

Forecast is a project timeline management tool based on artificial intelligence (AI). The tool's AI makes it an excellent solution for specialized services firms because it reduces the time taken by non-billable work such as project planning, allocation of resources, and filling out timesheets so that teams can focus on more critical aspects of the project.

One of the excellent features that make Forecast better than many of its competitors is that it’s designed to show red bars when an employee is overbooked. This helps you to reallocate tasks within a project in an equitable way. The tool’s integration with the Harvest app allows users to see which projects are overrunning their time and budget.

Forecast integrates with Asana, Azure Active Directory, Azure DevOps, BambooHR, GitHub, GitLab, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Forecast for Android, GoSimplo, Harvest, HubSpot, iCloud Calendar, Forecaster for iOs, Jira MS Excel, MS Teams, Okta, Onelogin, Outlook, Pipedrive, Quickbooks, Reeport, Salesforce, Slack, Timelog, Trello, Unit4, Xero, and Zapier.

Forecast costs from $29/user/month and offers a free trial, but the tool's website doesn't indicate how long the trial is intended to last.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 246

14-day free trial

From $29/user/month

7

Backlog

Best for software development teams

Backlog is designed to ensure that all the different segments of a project easily connect with each other. The tool's Wikis make projects available to all team members and allow for easy editing, making it a great tool for software development teams. The Kanban boards make it easy to visualize different phases. Interactive Gantt charts permit users to visualize the timeline of an entire project.

Other features that put Backlog in this top ten list include giving users the ability to create parent and child tasks to enhance order and create custom fields relevant to a specific project. Its file-sharing feature makes it possible to keep all files in one workplace. The tool's drag and drop functionality allows for easy editing of timelines and durations or changing a task's status.

Backlog integrates with Typetalk, Cacoo, Nulab Pass, Slack, Redmine, Jira Importer, iOS App, LombdaTest, and Android App.

Backlog costs from $35/30users/month and offers a forever free plan for up to 10 users and a 30-day free trial on paid plans.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 162

30-day free trial

From $30/month

8

ProjectManager.com

Best for remote teams

Since the pronouncement that Covid-19 had become a pandemic, the workplace has changed. Many organizations have realized that a hybrid team can be as effective as co-located teams. ProjectManager is a software program designed for these hybrid teams.

A central feature that makes ProjectManager one of the best tools is that while it provides team members with a common goal created in, say, Gantt charts, it also allows individual teams to use different methods to execute the project such as Kanban boards or spreadsheet views.

ProjectManager integrates with Slack, Trello, Atlassian Jira, and Microsoft Teams.

ProjectManager costs from $14/user/month and offers a free 30-day trial and a free forever plan for up to three users.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4 81

30-day free trial

From $16/user/month

9

Hive

Best for large and complex projects

Initially, when the designers of Hive say that their software package delivers 15 tracking tools to manage your workday, it's difficult to fathom what they are talking about. However, you will understand what they mean when you dig deeper into Hive and discover that it is ideal for mailing, approving project updates, gathering data and providing feedback, managing to-do lists, time estimates, time tracking, and team communication among others. This makes the tool suitable for large projects.

One feature that makes Hive better than its competitors is that it lets assignees turn subtasks into their own projects. Even though the tool's mobile app has significantly reduced functionality when compared to the desktop, it still allows users to use the tool on the go. Hive also allows you to add an external user without paying for an extra seat, making it easy to give clients access to your boards.

Hive integrates with Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Salesforce, Olta, Gmail, Outlook, Jira, Github, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Box, Hubspot, Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar, FreshBooks, Zendesk, Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign, iCal, Quickbooks, Zoom, Intercom, Harvest, and Marketo.

Hive costs from $12/user/month, offers a 14-day free trial and a forever free plan with limited functionality for up to two users.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 417

14-day free trial

From $16/user/month

10

GoodDay

Best timeline management for its customizability

GoodDay is a work management platform for building timelines to plan projects, allocate resources, and manage tasks, subprojects, events, and dependencies.

Why I picked GoodDay: It’s an affordable all-in-one tool for project management, tasks collaboration, planning, reporting, and productivity with an easy-to-use interface.

GoodDay lets you customize Gantt chart views, columns, the user interface, fields, task types, project templates, and priorities. Additional functionalities include auto-zoom, export to PDF, and filtering.

GoodDay Standout Features & Integrations

Features include 20+ views, templates, resource planning and workload, unlimited projects hierarchy, portfolios, agile project support, and request forms.

Integrations include hundreds of apps such as Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Slack, GitHub, Gitlab, Excel, Jira, Trello, and many others, accessible via native integration. More integrations are available through Zapier and GoodDay Api.

GoodDay Plans & Pricing

Pricing starts at $6/user/month and offers a free-forever version for up to 15 users.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3 43

Free version available

From $6/user/month

Need expert help selecting the right Project Scheduling Software?

We’ve joined up with Crozdesk.com to give all our readers (yes, you!) access to Crozdesk’s software advisors. Just use the form below to share your needs, and they will contact you at no cost or commitment. You will then be matched and connected to a shortlist of vendors that best fit your company, and you can access exclusive software discounts!

The 10 Best Project Timeline Software Comparison Chart

Here is a convenient table that you can use to compare all the tools we just covered. If you want to expand your research, keep scrolling!

Tool Free Option Price
1
Wrike

Best for small teams just getting started

Free plan available

From $9.80/user/month Visit Website
2
monday.com

Best customizable workflow templates

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats) Visit Website
3
ClickUp

Best for freelancers

Freemium plan available

From $9/user/month Visit Website
4
Zoho Projects

Best for setting and tracking task dependencies

10-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $5/user/month Visit Website
5
Hub Planner

Best for team analytics & dynamic reports

30-day free trial

From $7/user/month (billed annually) Visit Website
6
Forecast

Best for specialized services firms

14-day free trial

From $29/user/month Visit Website
7
Backlog

Best for software development teams

30-day free trial

From $30/month Visit Website
8
ProjectManager.com

Best for remote teams

30-day free trial

From $16/user/month Visit Website
9
Hive

Best for large and complex projects

14-day free trial

From $16/user/month Visit Website
10
GoodDay

Best timeline management for its customizability

Free version available

From $6/user/month Visit Website

Other Options

Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list, but definitely worth looking at to expand your research.

  • ProofHub – Time tracking, task management, file storage, and messaging software for project management teams
  • Zoho Projects – Online-based project timeline management software for efficient tracking
  • Celoxis – Project timeline management software for project request tracking, planning, resource management, accounting, and team and client collaboration in complex projects
  • Paymo – Project management software for tracking work time and client billing
  • ClickUp - Best for freelancers.
  • Smartsheet - Best for working with formulas.
  • LiquidPlanner – Project management for predictive scheduling in agile teams
  • Basecamp – Project timeline software for tracking progress for scattered teams
  • TogglPlan – Project timeline management tool for ensuring equitable work distribution in small teams
  • nTask – Free project management software for managing deadlines through managing task statuses and priorities and setting planned and actual due dates
  • Teamwork Projects – Project timeline management tool for ensuring accurate billable time and real-time collaboration between team members and clients

How I Picked The Best Project Timeline Management Software

First, I researched and selected all the popular timeline management software according to user reviews and ratings. Then, I narrowed down the list by weighing factors that make software a good option for building and maintaining timelines. Finally, using my experience in project management, I came up with criteria I would use for my evaluation, such as:

User Interface (UI)

I look for a project timeline management tool that’s simple to use, clear to understand, and attractive. It should respond with speed and be consistent whether I’m using a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.

Usability

I pay attention to how the software allows me to solve my challenges, such as managing task lists, setting task dependencies, using calendar views, and file sharing. To satisfy this criterion, the software needs to be intuitive and allow me to complete critical tasks adequately and efficiently while also leaving me with a good feeling about my experience.

Integrations

I look for a software tool that creates a seamless experience with different software tools that I use to accomplish other tasks like project scheduling, customer relations management (CRM), connecting with different stakeholders, checking project status, invoicing, and project templates.

That is why I research all the ways in which the tool can expand its capabilities. These include pre-built integrations, custom integrations using an API, and connections through third-party software, like Zapier.

Compatibility

I am looking for a software solution compatible with my existing systems. This implies that apart from looking at the operating system that the software can work on, I should also determine whether it supports mobile applications for iOS or Android.

Pricing

I look for the optimal combination of quality and cost. This means I look for the best outcome at the lowest price possible. However, through a cost-benefit analysis, I consider both the financial and non-financial costs, meaning that I will not always go with the cheapest available tool.

Project Timeline Management Software FAQs

What is a project timeline?

A project timeline is a visual representation of the work you need to do in a project. You can find it in the best project management software as a special view and it contains task information, and details on milestones, dependencies, and task progress.

How do you create a timeline?

Creating a timeline is usually the easy part. After you have laid out all the tasks that need to be done, you can go to the timeline view. Then, you use the drag-and-drop functionality to start building your chart. Finally, once you finish you can connect bars to signal dependencies between tasks.

If you want detailed information, you can check out our guide to building Gantt charts.

What are the key features of project timeline management software?

  1. Task management and scheduling. This feature ensures smooth workflows because it connects project tasks and subtasks to make it easy to collaborate. This helps in avoiding silos, repetition of tasks, and confusion. A software package with Gantt charts or Kanban boards makes dependencies and relationships clear.
  2. Real-time reporting. It’s much easier to deal with problems at an early stage before they escalate into insurmountable challenges. One way of keeping your fingers on the pulse of a project timeline is to know which milestones are being completed on schedule and which ones are behind. Real-time reports provide an idea of project progress at any specific moment.
  3. Team collaboration tools. Successful timeline management depends on effective collaboration. Therefore, I am looking for a system that allows for document management and sharing, updating statuses and timelines, making it easy to communicate with an entire team as efficiently as possible.
  4. Data Analytics. Having data is important, but knowing what the data is saying is more crucial. This is the reason I am looking for a timeline and task management software tool that can track project timelines and provide me with insights on which projects are lagging and which ones are ahead of schedule.
  5. Security. Projects involve a lot of personal and confidential information. Apart from that, it’s easy to lose important and irretrievable information if security is not taken seriously during software development.
project timeline management software logos list

What's Next?

Now that we've covered the basics of timelines and tools you can use, you can check out more content on this topic. We have a guide that tells you how to create a project plan in 10 easy steps. Also, a little more in-depth knowledge on project milestones and how they are important to your timeline.

Related tool lists:

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By Galen Low

I am a digital project management nerd, a cultivator of highly collaborative teams, and an impulsive sharer of knowledge. For the past decade, I've been shaping and delivering human-centered digital transformation initiatives in government, healthcare, transit, and retail. I'm also the co-founder of The Digital Project Manager and host of The DPM Podcast.

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