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Our Top 14 Best Cloud Project Management Software: Free & Paid

Our Top 14 Best Cloud Project Management Software: Free & Paid

By Anna Benzaquen & Luc Powell

Updated: July 15, 2024, first publication: May 25, 2023

Project management software has revolutionized the way teams collaborate and execute projects. Leveraging the right tools can mean the difference between success and failure.

With numerous options available, selecting the best cloud project management software tailored to your specific needs can be overwhelming. That’s why we aim to provide you with a comprehensive overview of our top 14 cloud project management tools, both free and paid, to help you make an informed decision! 💪

14 Cloud Project Management Software to Compare at a Glance

Wrike

Zoho Projects

monday.com

Forecast.app

Asana

Jira

Basecamp

ClickUp

Notion

Teamwork

Trello

Celoxis

Fiix

Smartsheet

For companies with more than 50 employeesFor all companiesFor all companiesFor companies with more than 50 employeesFor companies with more than 1 employeesFor companies with more than 1 employeesFor all companiesFor all companiesFor all companiesFor companies with more than 1 employeesFor all companiesFor companies with more than 1 employeesFor all companiesFor all companies
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Learn more about Wrike Learn more about Zoho Projects Learn more about monday.com Learn more about Forecast.app Learn more about Asana Learn more about Jira Learn more about Basecamp Learn more about ClickUp Learn more about Notion Learn more about Teamwork Learn more about Trello Learn more about Celoxis Learn more about Fiix Learn more about Smartsheet

Our Top 9 Free Software Recommendations for Cloud Project Management

Asana

Asana is a robust project management tool designed to help teams organize their work and streamline their workflows. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set make it an ideal choice for teams of all sizes and across various industries. Asana is particularly effective in enhancing team collaboration and improving productivity.

Why We Picked this Software

Asana stands out for its intuitive design and ability to facilitate seamless project management. It allows teams to manage tasks efficiently, track project progress, and stay organized. The flexibility of Asana to adapt to different workflows and project types makes it a preferred choice for diverse teams.

Features and Integrations

Asana offers a wide range of features, including:

  • task assignments,
  • due dates,
  • project timelines,
  • and customizable dashboards,
  • custom workflows,
  • timeline view which helps visualize project schedules.

In terms of integrations, Asana supports numerous third-party applications such as:

  • Slack,
  • Google Drive,
  • Microsoft Teams.

Pricing

Asana’s pricing structure is designed to accommodate various business needs:

  • Free Tier: Basic task management and collaboration features, ideal for small teams or individual use.
  • Premium Plan: $10.99 per user per month, includes advanced features like timeline view, reporting, and enhanced integrations.
  • Business Plan: $24.99 per user per month, offers additional workflow management and security features.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for enterprises requiring tailored solutions.

Jira

Jira is a highly customizable project management tool developed by Atlassian, specifically designed for software development teams. It is known for its powerful capabilities in managing complex projects and its seamless integration with other Atlassian products.

Why We Picked this Software

Jira is renowned for its ability to handle complex software development projects with ease. Its customizable workflows, detailed reporting, and advanced search capabilities make it an indispensable tool for software developers. The integration with other Atlassian products further enhances its functionality, creating a cohesive ecosystem for development teams.

Features and Integrations

Jira’s standout features include:

  • customizable workflows,
  • Kanban and Scrum boards,
  • detailed reporting,
  • and advanced search capabilities with JQL (Jira Query Language).

Jira integrates seamlessly with a host of other tools including:

  • Bitbucket,
  • Confluence,
  • Bamboo,
  • Slack,
  • GitHub,
  • and Microsoft Teams.

Pricing

Jira offers a flexible pricing model that caters to various team sizes and needs:

  • Free Tier: Supports up to 10 users and provides essential project management features.
  • Standard Plan: $7.50 per user per month, includes advanced permissions and support.
  • Premium Plan: $14.50 per user per month, offers additional features such as advanced roadmaps and increased storage.
  • Enterprise Plan: Customized pricing based on specific requirements.

Wrike

Wrike is a versatile project management tool that excels in providing a structured environment for teams to collaborate on projects. Its emphasis on project planning and visibility makes it a great choice for teams that require detailed tracking and reporting capabilities.

Why We Picked this Software

Wrike stands out for its structured approach to project management, offering robust features that enhance project planning and visibility. Its adaptability across different industries makes it a versatile choice for various teams. Wrike’s real-time collaboration features and comprehensive reporting capabilities further enhance its appeal.

Features and Integrations

Wrike’s feature set includes:

  • Gantt charts,
  • task management,
  • real-time collaboration,
  • and advanced reporting,
  • custom dashboards,
  • time tracking,
  • and resource management tools.

In terms of integrations, Wrike supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Salesforce,
  • Google Drive,
  • Microsoft Office.

Pricing

Wrike’s pricing model is designed to cater to a variety of team sizes and needs:

  • Free Plan: Basic task management and collaboration features for small teams.
  • Professional Plan: $10 per user per month, includes advanced features such as Gantt charts and shareable dashboards.
  • Business Plan: $24.80 per user per month, offers comprehensive project planning and reporting capabilities.
  • Enterprise and Pinnacle Plans: Custom pricing based on specific requirements.

Basecamp

Basecamp is a straightforward and efficient project management and team collaboration tool designed to help teams stay organized and communicate effectively. Its user-friendly interface and all-in-one project management features make it an ideal choice for teams of all sizes.

Why We Picked this Software

Basecamp was chosen for its simplicity and effectiveness in organizing team projects and communication. The tool combines various project management functionalities into a single platform, ensuring teams can collaborate seamlessly without switching between multiple applications. Its focus on ease of use and clear communication makes it an excellent option for teams looking to streamline their project management processes.

Features and Integrations

Basecamp offers a variety of features designed to facilitate project management and team collaboration. Key features include:

  • To-do lists,
  • Message boards,
  • Schedules,
  • Document and file storage,
  • Real-time group chat (Campfires),
  • Automatic check-ins.

In terms of integration, Basecamp supports a range of applications including:

  • Zapier,
  • Slack,
  • Trello,
  • Google Drive,
  • Dropbox,
  • Evernote.

Pricing

Basecamp offers straightforward pricing plans suitable for various team sizes:

  • Basecamp Personal: Free, includes up to 3 projects, 20 users, and 1 GB storage.
  • Basecamp Business: $99 per month, includes unlimited projects and users, 500 GB storage, advanced client access, and priority support.

ClickUp

ClickUp is an all-in-one project management tool known for its extensive feature set and flexibility. It aims to replace multiple tools with a single platform, making it a popular choice for teams looking for a comprehensive solution to manage their projects.

Why We Picked this Software

ClickUp is selected for its all-in-one approach to project management, offering a wide array of features that cater to different aspects of project management. Its flexibility and customization options make it a popular choice for teams looking for a versatile and comprehensive tool. ClickUp’s ability to replace multiple tools with a single platform adds to its appeal.

Features and Integrations

ClickUp’s extensive feature set includes:

  • task management,
  • time tracking,
  • goal setting,
  • document management,
  • task view in multiple formats such as lists, boards, calendars, and timelines,
  • and powerful automation capabilities.

ClickUp integrates with numerous third-party applications such as:

  • Slack,
  • Google Drive,
  • Trello.

Pricing

ClickUp offers a competitive pricing structure designed to meet the needs of various teams:

  • Free Plan: Provides essential task management features and unlimited users, ideal for small teams or individual users.
  • Unlimited Plan: $5 per user per month, includes advanced features such as integrations and reporting.
  • Business Plan: $12 per user per month, offers advanced automation and goal tracking.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large organizations requiring tailored solutions.

Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, task management, database management, and project collaboration. Its flexible and customizable interface allows users to tailor the tool to fit their specific workflow needs, making it a powerful solution for both individuals and teams.

Why We Picked this Software

Notion was chosen for its unparalleled versatility and ability to consolidate various work processes into a single platform. Its highly customizable nature makes it suitable for a wide range of use cases, from simple note-taking to complex project management. The ability to create databases, integrate with other tools, and customize every aspect of the workspace ensures that Notion can adapt to the needs of any user.

Features and Integrations

Notion offers a comprehensive set of features and supports a wide range of integrations to enhance productivity and collaboration. Key features include:

  • Task and project management,
  • Customizable databases and views (table, board, list, calendar),
  • Notes and document creation,
  • Templates for various use cases,
  • Collaboration tools and real-time editing,
  • Web clipper for saving content from the web.

In terms of integration, Notion supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Google Drive,
  • Slack,
  • Trello,
  • Zapier,
  • GitHub,
  • Figma.

Pricing

Notion offers several pricing plans to meet the needs of different users:

  • Personal Plan: Free, includes unlimited pages and blocks, and basic integrations.
  • Personal Pro Plan: $4 per month, includes unlimited file uploads and guests, and version history.
  • Team Plan: $8 per user per month, includes collaborative workspace, admin tools, and advanced permissions.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing, includes advanced security features, admin tools, and dedicated support.

Teamwork

Teamwork is a project management tool with a strong focus on client work management, making it an excellent tool for agencies and client-facing businesses. It offers comprehensive features and robust reporting capabilities, ideal for managing multiple projects and clients simultaneously.

Why We Picked this Software

Teamwork is chosen for its strong focus on client work management, making it an excellent tool for agencies and client-facing businesses. Its comprehensive feature set and robust reporting capabilities make it ideal for teams that need to manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously. Teamwork’s ability to facilitate seamless collaboration and communication further enhances its appeal.

Features and Integrations

Teamwork offers a variety of features designed to manage projects, tasks, and teams effectively. Key features include:

  • time tracking,
  • task dependencies,
  • Gantt charts,
  • resource management,
  • advanced reporting capabilities.

In terms of integrations, Teamwork supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Slack,
  • Google Drive,
  • Microsoft Office.

Pricing

Teamwork’s pricing model is designed to cater to various team sizes and needs:

  • Free Plan: Essential project management features for small teams.
  • Pro Plan: $10 per user per month, includes advanced features such as time tracking and Gantt charts.
  • Premium Plan: $18 per user per month, offers advanced reporting and resource management.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large organizations requiring tailored solutions.

Trello

Trello is a simple and intuitive project management tool that uses the Kanban method to help teams organize their tasks. Its visually appealing and user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for teams needing a straightforward solution.

Why We Picked this Software

Trello is selected for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an excellent tool for teams that need a straightforward project management solution. Its visually appealing and intuitive interface, based on the Kanban method, makes it easy for teams to organize and manage their tasks. Trello’s flexibility and customization options further enhance its appeal.

Features and Integrations

Trello’s feature set includes:

  • customizable boards,
  • lists, and cards,
  • power-ups, which are add-ons that enhance the functionality of the platform.

Trello also supports collaboration through:

  • comments,
  • file attachments,
  • and notifications.

In terms of integrations, Trello supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Slack,
  • Google Drive,
  • Microsoft Teams.

Pricing

Trello offers a straightforward pricing structure designed to meet the needs of different users:

  • Free Plan: Basic project management features and unlimited boards, ideal for small teams or individual users.
  • Standard Plan: $5 per user per month, includes advanced checklists, custom fields, and unlimited power-ups.
  • Premium Plan: $10 per user per month, offers features like dashboard views, workspace-level templates, and priority support.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing and advanced security features for larger organizations.

Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects is a comprehensive project management tool known for its affordability and rich feature set. It caters to various industries, offering tools to streamline project workflows and facilitate team collaboration.

Why We Picked this Software

Zoho Projects is selected for its comprehensive feature set and affordability, making it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. It offers a rich array of project management tools that cater to various industries, from IT and software development to marketing and consulting. Zoho Projects' ability to streamline project workflows and facilitate team collaboration makes it a valuable tool for enhancing productivity and project delivery.

Features and Integrations

Zoho Projects offers a wide range of features designed to manage projects, tasks, and teams effectively. Key features include:

  • task management,
  • Gantt charts,
  • issue tracking,
  • advanced reporting and analytics.
  • comprehensive time tracking and billing capabilities,
  • resource allocation and management.

Zoho Projects integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications, such as:

  • Zoho CRM,
  • Zoho Books,
  • Zoho Desk,
  • Google Drive,
  • Microsoft Office,
  • and Slack.

Pricing

Zoho Projects offers an affordable and flexible pricing model to accommodate different business needs:

  • Free Plan: Basic project management features for up to 3 users and 2 projects, ideal for small teams or individual users.
  • Premium Plan: $5 per user per month, includes advanced features such as Gantt charts, task automation, and custom fields.
  • Enterprise Plan: $10 per user per month, offers additional capabilities like advanced reporting, resource utilization, and custom roles.
  • 10-day Free Trial: Allows users to explore features and determine the best fit for their needs.

Our Top 5 Paid Software Recommendations

monday.com

monday.com is a visually appealing project management tool that simplifies project management for teams. Its emphasis on customization and flexibility makes it an ideal choice for businesses across various industries.

Why We Picked this Software

monday.com is selected for its visually appealing and intuitive interface, which simplifies project management for teams. Its emphasis on customization and flexibility makes it an ideal choice for businesses across various industries. monday.com’s ability to centralize work processes and improve team collaboration adds to its attractiveness.

Features and Integrations

monday.com offers a wide range of features including:

  • customizable workflows,
  • time tracking,
  • project timelines,
  • automation,
  • custom dashboards.

monday.com also supports collaboration through:

  • file sharing,
  • comments,
  • and notifications.

The platform integrates with numerous third-party applications such as:

  • Slack,
  • Google Drive,
  • Trello.

Pricing

monday.com’s pricing model is designed to accommodate different team sizes and needs:

  • Basic Plan: $8 per user per month, includes additional features such as integrations and dashboards.
  • Standard Plan: $10 per user per month, offers advanced automation and time tracking capabilities.
  • Pro Plan: $16 per user per month, includes more robust features such as advanced reporting and premium support.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing based on specific requirements.

Celoxis

Celoxis is a comprehensive project management tool designed to cater to the needs of medium to large enterprises. It offers a robust set of features that help teams plan, track, and collaborate on projects effectively.

Why We Picked this Software

Celoxis was selected for its powerful project management capabilities and scalability. It is particularly suited for complex projects and large teams that require detailed tracking and reporting. The software's ability to handle diverse project types and integrate seamlessly with various business applications makes it a valuable asset for organizations looking to enhance their project management processes.

Features and Integrations

Celoxis provides a rich array of features and supports numerous integrations to streamline project management. Here are some key features that make Celoxis a robust tool:

  • Interactive Gantt charts,
  • Advanced resource management,
  • Time and expense tracking,
  • Customizable dashboards and reports,
  • Project planning and scheduling,
  • Risk management.

In terms of integrations, Celoxis supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Microsoft Project,
  • Google Drive,
  • Excel,
  • Salesforce,
  • QuickBooks,
  • Zapier.

Pricing

Celoxis offers a flexible pricing structure to meet the needs of various organizations:

  • Cloud Plan: $22.50 per user per month, billed annually, includes all features and 2 GB of storage per user.
  • On-Premise Plan: One-time payment of $450 per user, with a minimum purchase of 5 users, includes all features and additional setup fees.

Fiix

Fiix is a leading maintenance management software designed to help businesses manage their maintenance operations more effectively. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline maintenance tasks and improve operational efficiency.

Why We Picked this Software

Fiix was selected for its specialized focus on maintenance management and its ability to integrate seamlessly with other business systems. The software provides robust features for scheduling, tracking, and reporting maintenance activities, making it an excellent choice for organizations seeking to optimize their maintenance processes.

Features and Integrations

Fiix offers a wide range of features and supports numerous integrations to enhance maintenance management. Here are some key features:

  • Work order management,
  • Preventive maintenance scheduling,
  • Asset management,
  • Inventory management,
  • Mobile access,
  • Customizable reports and dashboards.

In terms of integration, Fiix supports a wide range of applications including:

  • ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle),
  • IoT devices,
  • Microsoft Dynamics,
  • Google Drive,
  • Dropbox,
  • Zapier.

Pricing

Fiix provides a flexible pricing model designed to meet the needs of various businesses:

  • Basic Plan: $40 per user per month, includes essential maintenance management features.
  • Professional Plan: $60 per user per month, offers advanced features such as multi-site support and advanced reporting.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large organizations with specific needs, includes additional features like custom integrations and premium support.

Forecast.app

Forecast.app is an advanced project management software that leverages artificial intelligence to provide insightful project planning and resource management solutions. It is designed to help teams predict project outcomes, allocate resources efficiently, and streamline their workflows.

Why We Picked this Software

Forecast.app was selected for its innovative use of artificial intelligence to enhance project management. The software's ability to predict project timelines and resource needs with high accuracy makes it an invaluable tool for teams looking to improve efficiency and deliver projects on time. Forecast's intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set also contribute to its appeal.

Features and Integrations

Forecast.app offers a variety of features and supports numerous integrations that enhance its project management capabilities. Here are some key features:

  • AI-driven project planning,
  • Resource allocation and management,
  • Time tracking and timesheets,
  • Budget management,
  • Task management and collaboration,
  • Customizable dashboards and reports.

In terms of integration, Forecast.app supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Jira,
  • Trello,
  • Slack,
  • Google Drive,
  • Microsoft Teams,
  • Zapier.

Pricing

Forecast.app provides a flexible pricing model to accommodate different business needs:

  • Lite Plan: $29 per user per month, includes essential project management features and AI-driven insights.
  • Pro Plan: $49 per user per month, offers advanced features such as enhanced reporting, resource management, and integrations.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large organizations requiring tailored solutions, includes premium support and custom integrations.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a versatile project management and work collaboration tool designed to manage and automate collaborative work. Its spreadsheet-like interface makes it easy for users to adapt while offering powerful project management capabilities.

Why We Picked this Software

Smartsheet was chosen for its unique combination of a familiar spreadsheet interface with robust project management features. This makes it an excellent choice for teams that need a flexible tool to manage various types of projects. Its ability to automate workflows and integrate with a wide range of business applications further enhances its functionality.

Features and Integrations

Smartsheet offers a comprehensive set of features and supports a wide range of integrations to enhance its project management and collaboration capabilities. Key features include:

  • Project and task management,
  • Gantt charts and calendar view,
  • Automation and workflow management,
  • File sharing and collaboration,
  • Customizable dashboards and reports,
  • Resource management.

In terms of integration, Smartsheet supports a wide range of applications including:

  • Microsoft Office 365,
  • Google Workspace,
  • Slack,
  • Salesforce,
  • Jira,
  • Zapier.

Pricing

Smartsheet offers several pricing plans to meet the needs of different teams and organizations:

  • Individual Plan: $14 per user per month, includes basic project management features and limited integrations.
  • Business Plan: $25 per user per month, offers advanced features such as automation, dashboards, and enhanced collaboration tools.
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for larger organizations with specific requirements, includes additional features like advanced security, premium support, and enterprise-grade integrations.

Cloud Project Management Software: Our FAQ

What is Cloud-Based Project Management Software?

Cloud-based project management software is a digital tool hosted on remote servers and accessible via the internet, designed to facilitate the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects.

Unlike traditional project management software that requires installation on local devices, cloud-based solutions offer the flexibility of accessing project data and collaboration tools from anywhere with an internet connection.

What Are the Benefits of a Cloud Project Management Software?

Cloud project management software offers a myriad of benefits that can significantly enhance team productivity and project efficiency. Some of the primary advantages are:

  • accessibility: teams can access project information from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. This is particularly beneficial for remote teams or businesses with multiple locations.
  • real-time collaboration: cloud-based tools enable team members to work on tasks simultaneously, providing updates and feedback in real-time. This reduces the lag time in communication and ensures that everyone is on the same page. Additionally, these tools often come with advanced security features to protect sensitive project data, reducing the risk of data breaches.
  • Cost efficiency: cloud-based solutions typically operate on a subscription model, eliminating the need for substantial upfront investments in hardware and software. This allows businesses to scale their project management needs according to their budget and project requirements.

What Should You Look for in a Cloud Project Management Software?

💡Selecting the right cloud project management software involves considering several key factors to ensure it meets your team's specific needs. Here are some essential aspects you must look for:

Ease of Use

🔎The software should have an intuitive interface that is easy for all team members to navigate, regardless of their technical proficiency. A steep learning curve can hinder adoption and productivity.

Features

Depending on your project requirements, look for features such as:

  • task management,
  • time tracking,
  • resource allocation,
  • Gantt charts,
  • and real-time collaboration.

Advanced features like AI-driven insights and automation can also provide significant value.

Integration Capabilities

The ability to integrate with other tools your team uses daily, such as communication apps, file storage, and CRM systems, is crucial. This ensures seamless workflows and reduces the need for manual data entry.

Scalability

👉Choose a solution that can grow with your business. It should accommodate increasing project complexity and team size without a significant increase in cost or a decrease in performance.

How Do Cloud Project Management Software Improve Team productivity?

Cloud project management software enhance team productivity by centralizing all project-related information and tools in one accessible location, enabling real-time collaboration and communication.

By streamlining:

  • task assignments,
  • deadlines,
  • and progress tracking,

it reduces the likelihood of miscommunication and delays.

Integrations with other business tools further simplify workflows, automating routine tasks and allowing team members to focus on high-value activities.

Additionally, features like:

  • file sharing,
  • version control,
  • and customizable dashboards,

ensure that everyone is on the same page, promoting transparency and accountability.

Keep this in Mind when Selecting Your Cloud Project Management System

Cloud project management software is a great tool for any organization looking to streamline their business processes. With the right cloud-based project management software, you can increase productivity and collaboration while reducing costs. From task-tracking solutions to advanced analytics tools, there's something out there that will meet your needs.

We've taken an in-depth look at 14 of the best cloud project management tools available today so you can make an informed decision about which one works best for your business. Whether it’s planning complex projects or managing daily tasks, these cloud-based platforms provide everything you need to get work done faster and smarter than ever before!