10 Easiest Project Management Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
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If you're looking for the easiest project management tools available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to plan and manage your projects in the least complex way possible but need to figure out which tool is best. I've got you! In this post I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of easy PM tools with various teams and projects, with my picks of the easiest project management software.
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Compare Software Specs Side-by-Side
Here is a table where you can compare all the tools we just covered in the overviews.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Packed with features and best for experienced DPMs | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $8/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
2 | Best for DPMs with experience and multiple concurrent projects | Freemium version available | From $10/user/month (min of 2 seats) | Website | |
3 | Best complete project portfolio management software | 14-day free trial + free demo available | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
4 | Robust platform that’s intuitive, easy to navigate, and interactive. | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $7/user/month | Website | |
5 | Best for no-code app development | 30-day free trial + free demo available | From $35/user/month (billed annually, min 20 users) | Website | |
6 | Best for team knowledge sharing and collaboration | Free trial + free plan available | From $5/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
7 | Best for simplifying agency project management | Free trial available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
8 | Best for scalability & flexibility | 10-day free trial + free plan available | From $4/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
9 | Best for visual collaboration & innovation | Free plan available | From $8/user/month | Website | |
10 | Best for a highly flexible and customizable solution | Free plan available | From $15/seat/month (billed annually) | Website |
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monday.com
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Miro
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Jira
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2
Easiest Project Management Software Reviews
Here’s a brief description of each project management tool to tell you my experience using it, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
monday.com is so popular that I had to bring it into this list. If I’m being honest, the platform has so many features and customization options that it was difficult to intuitively build this project. To prevent your suffering, here is my suggestion. First, stay away from the Gantt view.
What you can do: Use the main table view to build out your initial project draft, exchange the date column for the one named ‘timeline’ so you can track a date range, and make sure you click on the checkboxes when selecting dependencies (you’ll know when you see it). If you click anywhere other than the checkbox it will take you to the dependencies of another task.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
monday.com’s integrations include project management apps like Slack, Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, Zoho project, GitHub, Trello, Dropbox, Typeform, and many more, accessible through a paid plan with Zapier.
monday.com is free for up to 2 users and paid plans start at $8/user/month.
Wrike is a work management platform that 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, which makes it better suited for experienced PMs, as building projects can get confusing without prior experience. My recommendation is you start a project using the List view because I found it easier to lay out the tasks and subtasks there than in the Gantt view.
As I was creating my tasks, I also noticed that Wrike places the last item I created on top of the list, which is counterintuitive to how I define tasks in a project. Changing the filters did not help to solve it.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wrike offers 400+ pre-built native integrations, including integrations with the most popular file management software from Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox, along with sales and marketing software from Salesforce and Marketo.
Wrike is free for up to 5 users. Paid plans come with a 14-day free trial.
Celoxis is an all-in-one project portfolio management (PPM) solution, with tools to support your project, resource, and financial management. It has clear, comprehensive Gantt charts to help you build out project plans, and built-in scheduling to help you manage your workforce. Time and expense tracking are included, too, keeping all your project management needs under one roof.
The platform is robust, and its feature set is capable of supporting complex projects. That said, it offers a friendly interface that once you get the hang of is intuitive to navigate. One of the things that qualifies it as an 'easy' project management solution is its broad functionality. You can essentially manage all aspects of your portfolio management in the system, helping to reduce app-switching and keeping information consolidated. Ready-made, customizable workflow apps are also available, helping to streamline your processes.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The software integrates with several other tools, including Google Drive, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, Jira, Slack, Salesforce, Google Calendar, Outlook, Evernote, and QuickBooks Online. You can also access additional integrations with a paid Zapier account.
Paid plans for Celoxis start from $25 per user, per month. A 30-day free trial is also available.
ClickUp
Robust platform that’s intuitive, easy to navigate, and interactive.
ClickUp is covered in many lists throughout the internet. I guess it’s because they claim to be the productivity tool that will replace all the others you have. After trial by fire with my easiest project management software test… they passed.
Drag-and-drop in the Gantt chart, a list view that makes it easy to create tasks, subtasks, assign and set dates are among the features that help to easily learn this tool. As opposed to other top tools, ClickUp did not let the robustness of their platform crowd the simplicity of its use.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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 with limited storage for an unlimited number of users. Paid plans start at $5/user/month and offer a free-trial.
QuickBase offers a simple platform for managing complex projects and workflows. It provides a code-free builder you can use to set up applications, integrations, automations, and design workflows for your team. This helps you alleviate manual workloads and ensure compliance, plus keep track of how work is getting done.
The software is flexible enough to suit the needs of different types and sizes of teams in various industries. You can get applications up and running quickly without needing to know how to code. Users can also access tons of self-serve documentation, including learning resources, training, and certification programs, to help them get the most out of the product.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Integrations include Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, Trello, Asana, Jira, Zendesk, and Docusign, among others.
Paid plans start from $35 per user, per month, and a 30-day free trial is available.
Confluence, developed by Atlassian, is a team workspace tool designed for knowledge management and project collaboration. It allows users to create, capture, and collaborate on projects and ideas through dynamic pages and spaces, which help in structuring and sharing work.
Why I picked Confluence: Confluence offers a centralized workspace where users can create, share, and manage project documents, such as meeting notes, product requirements, and research reports. The platform includes a user-friendly text editor, document approval workflows, and version control, which helps in tracking changes and maintaining audit trails.
Confluence also provides a variety of pre-built templates to simplify content creation and organization. Its knowledge management module allows for the centralization of project resources, making it easier to access and search relevant content. Additionally, Confluence integrates with other tools and systems, enhancing its functionality and making it a versatile option for project management.
Confluence Features & Integrations
Features include whiteboards, real-time editing, commenting, notifications, an AI editor, structured data management, and advanced search capabilities.
Integrations include Jira, Trello, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Microsoft Office 365, Optics, Aura, Pulse, and Balsamiq Wireframes.
Bonsai is a comprehensive project management tool designed for creative and digital agencies, consultancies, and professional service providers. Its easy-to-use platform offers a centralized approach with essential features for client, project, and financial management in one place. This approach makes it ideal for businesses looking for a solution that consolidates their project and business functions.
The software offers a wide range of features such as project time tracking, timesheet management, online time tracking, calendar management, task management, resource management, billable and non-billable hours tracking, customizable reports, appointment management, billing portal, collaboration tools, contact database, online invoicing, expense tracking, and more.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Xero, Google Sheets, Gmail, Google Calendar, Calendly, Zapier, Slack, ClickUp, Trello, Google Drive, HubSpot, and more.
Paid plans start from $10/user/month, with a free trial available.
Projects is Zoho’s cloud-based project management software. It is designed to help project managers create and implement project plans, keep track of workflows, and collaborate with their team. It is a key component of Zoho One, a fully integrated suite that encompasses all the products offered by Zoho.
One of Zoho Projects’ main features is task management. With Zoho’s task management solution, users can easily manage projects at any scale or complexity. The tool works by allowing users to break down projects into simple tasks, subtasks, task lists, and milestones. They can visualize their project plans and keep track of their progress more efficiently through Kanban boards and Gantt charts. This makes setting up dependencies between related tasks much easier for everyone involved, especially when trying to make sure that everyone remains on schedule.
Zoho Projects is endlessly scalable and flexible using its marketplace of tool connectors and app add-ons. Pick between hundreds of integrations, free and paid options, for customer relationship management, asset management, marketing, design, and more. You can sort add-ons by pricing, user rating, and/or functionality. Certain add-ons are limited to paid Zoho Projects plans but many are open to freemium users, like Hubspot, DocuSign, and SugarCRM.
Features include roadmapping, project management, task scheduling/tracking, customer management, prioritization, and notifications.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Integrations include Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Zendesk, and ServiceNow. Integrations via Zapier and Zoho Flow are also supported. Being part of the Zoho ecosystem allows you to connect to several of Zoho’s own services for Sales, Marketing, CRM, customer service, and others.
Zoho Projects is completely free for up to three users, while the Premium option starts at $5/user/month and offers a 10-day free trial.
Miro is a visual workspace tool that facilitates collaboration and innovation, offering features such as visual project management, diagramming, process mapping, and content visualization.
I chose Miro because it provides a visual workspace that simplifies collaboration and innovation for teams. Its standout features include support for visual project management, diagramming, process mapping, and content visualization, which cater to a diverse range of teams such as product management, engineering, IT, UX & design.
Features include real-time collaboration tools, such as sticky notes and comments, an infinite canvas, custom frames and shapes, presentation mode, TalkTrack to record process explanation videos, Miro Assist AI, document and image embedding, voting and polling features, mind mapping tools, screen sharing, timeline and roadmap planning, access control and permissions management.
Integrations include Zoom, Figma, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Slack, Monday.com, Confluence, Google Drive, Box, Airtable, Notion, Azure, and Webex. Some integrations are limited to paid plans only.
FigJam is an online whiteboard tool that's highly flexible and can be used for all types of collaborative work. Your team can use it for brainstorming, designing workflows, and planning and tracking their projects. It's essentially a blank canvas you can set up however you like using stickers, comments, shapes, lines, arrows, images, and more to map out concepts, ideas, and plans.
But its flexibility doesn't mean you'll always have to start from scratch. The software provides plenty of pre-built templates you can use to get yourself started. Templates include project kickoff brainstorm structures, project roadmaps, timelines, and flowcharts. There's also lots of support documentation available, both from Figma and from the Figma community.
Intuitive score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Documentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Native integrations are available for Figma, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Jira, Mixpanel, and Github.
A freemium plan is available for up to 3 boards, and paid plans start from $3 per user, per month.
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Other Easy Project Management Software
Here’s a few more that didn’t make the top list but are worth your consideration.
- MeisterTask
For collaborative brainstorming & ideation
- Trello
For projects with little to no dependencies
- Teamwork.com
Easy once you understand the capabilities of each view.
- ProjectManager
Functional dashboard for portfolio management
- ActiveCollab
For small projects with time tracking needs
- Basecamp
Easiest for its message boards that centralize conversations
- Office Timeline
For simple PowerPoint timelines
- Ravetree
For integrated project operations across departments
- Plaky
For cost-effective project management
- xebrio
For its fully featured free trial
Selection Criteria for Easiest Project Management Software
When selecting the best easiest project management software to include on this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like the need for straightforward navigation and minimal setup time. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion on this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Managing tasks and deadlines
- Tracking project progress
- Supporting team collaboration
- Providing reporting and analytics
- Enabling file sharing
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
- Real-time team availability tracking
- Native integrations with key tools
- Customizable project templates
- Drag-and-drop interface
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- An intuitive layout
- Responsive navigation
- Clear visual indicators
- Minimal clicks to perform key actions
- Mobile app functionality
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Interactive product tours
- A library of templates
- On-demand training videos
- In-app chatbots for guidance
- Live webinars for new users
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 live chat support
- A detailed knowledge base
- Guaranteed quick response times
- Multilingual support options
- A dedicated account manager
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- A free trial or freemium option
- Flexible pricing tiers
- No hidden fees or add-ons
- Discounts for annual billing
- Clear ROI potential
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Highlighted ease of use and simplicity
- Mentions of support responsiveness
- Positive onboarding experiences
- Value for money feedback
- Satisfaction with core features
How to Choose the Easiest Project Management Software
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 | Ensure the software grows with your team, offering features like expanded storage or user seats without a steep learning curve for new functionality. |
Integrations | Check that it connects with tools you already use, like Slack, Google Workspace, or CRM software, to streamline workflows for your team. |
Customizability | Look for options to tailor workflows, dashboards, and task labels to match your team’s specific needs without requiring advanced tech knowledge. |
Ease of Use | Prioritize software with an intuitive interface that’s simple for all team members to navigate, even without prior training. |
Budget | Choose a tool with transparent pricing that fits your budget. Look for affordable plans without hidden costs, especially for growing teams. |
Security Safeguards | Ensure data protection with features like encryption, role-based access, and compliance with standards like GDPR or ISO 27001. |
Support Options | Evaluate the availability of customer support, including live chat, email, and a knowledge base to help resolve issues quickly. |
Mobile Accessibility | Confirm the software has a robust mobile app so your team can manage tasks and collaborate while on the go. |
Despite these factors, consider that sometimes the easiest PM software is the one that adapts to your industry the best. If this is your case, project management software for education, engineering, business, and others might be the first step in finding the best fit for your organization.
Trends in Project Management Software for 2025
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different easy project management software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-Powered Simplification: Tools are using AI to simplify project setup, like automatically creating task lists based on brief project descriptions. This saves time and reduces the learning curve for new users.
- Visual Workflow Mapping: There’s a focus on making workflows more visual, with drag-and-drop boards, timeline views, and color-coded tasks. These features help users quickly grasp project progress without needing detailed reports.
- User-Guided Onboarding: More software includes step-by-step guidance, like interactive tutorials and onboarding wizards. This ensures teams can get started without external help or long training sessions.
- Instant Feedback Tools: Built-in feedback features, like task commenting and real-time status updates, let teams communicate directly in the platform. This cuts down on emails and keeps all project discussions in one place.
- Lightweight Data Sharing: Tools are offering quick ways to share summaries or snapshots of project progress with stakeholders. Simple one-click exports or shareable links make it easier for non-users to stay informed.
What is Easy Project Management Software?
Easy project management software are tools that simplify managing projects. They offer basic functionalities like task creation, scheduling, and tracking, with a focus on user-friendly interfaces. These software solutions are tailored for individuals or teams needing straightforward project management capabilities without complex features.
The benefits of easy project management software include ease of use, requiring minimal training, and quick setup, making it ideal for small-scale projects or users new to project management. These tools streamline task management, enhance team collaboration with basic communication features, and save time by focusing on core project management needs. They are accessible on various devices, providing flexibility and convenience in managing projects efficiently.
Features of Easy Project Management Software
Here are some of the top project management features I look for in the easiest tools I selected for my list:
- Task management: Ability to handle a project’s task list. Assign tasks, set recurring tasks, create, move, and delete.
- Resource management: Feature that allows you to handle who is working or will be working on the project. This may cover internal team members, freelancers, and other contributors.
- Project views: Different views to display project information and track project progress. Gantt chart, Kanban boards, list views, timeline views, calendar views, and table views are some examples.
- Team collaboration: Spaces within the software that let the team interact with the project manager and other team members. This can also be shared to-do lists, file sharing, or specific user permissions.
- Mobile app: Apps for Android and iOS make it way easier to manage projects on the go. Also great for teams that don’t work in office.
- Agile tools: Sprint planning and other agile methodology-based features are especially helpful for app and software development teams.
- Reporting and analytics: User-friendly dashboards that show project progress, time per task, and other team productivity metrics. Even better if it’s real-time data!
Benefits of Easy Project Management Software
Implementing easy project management software can provide several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Faster onboarding: Simple interfaces and user-friendly designs make it easy for new team members to start using the software without long training sessions.
- Improved task visibility: Clear dashboards and visual task boards help everyone see who’s working on what and what’s coming up next.
- Better time management: Automated reminders and deadlines keep tasks on track and help your team avoid delays.
- Enhanced collaboration: Built-in commenting and file-sharing features let teams communicate directly within tasks, reducing email back-and-forth.
- Simplified reporting: Basic reporting tools let you quickly create and share updates with stakeholders without needing extra tools or expertise.
- Reduced stress: Straightforward layouts and workflows minimize confusion, helping teams focus on their work without being overwhelmed by the software.
- Increased productivity: Easy-to-use tools save time on setup and navigation, giving teams more time to focus on completing their projects.
Costs & Pricing for Easy Project Management Software
Selecting easy project management software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in easy project management software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Easy Project Management Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0/user/month | Basic task management, limited storage, and collaboration for small teams. |
Personal Plan | $5–$15/user/month | Task tracking, file sharing, calendar integration, and limited reporting tools. |
Business Plan | $20–$50/user/month | Advanced reporting, team collaboration tools, workflow customization, and increased storage capacity. |
Enterprise Plan | $60–$100/user/month | Enterprise-grade security, priority support, unlimited users, and customizable onboarding options. |
Easy Project Management Software Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to common questions about the easiest project management software:
Is Microsoft Project easy to use?
Which is the easiest project management software?
How do I know if a project management tool is easy to use?
Can I switch to an easier project management tool without losing data?
What’s the best way to train my team on a new tool?
Are there easy project management tools for remote teams?
How do pricing plans affect ease of use?
Can I try an easy project management tool before buying it?
What's Next?
Keep learning about project management! We have guides tips and tricks that will help make a lot of your responsibilities easier. Learn how to make a Gantt chart in 12 steps and the top KPIs you should have to monitor project health.
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