Best Project Management Software (2026)
Quick Take
We scored 20 project management tools across pricing, features, ease of use, integrations, and support. These are the top picks for 2026, ranked by our weighted algorithm — not vendor marketing.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| # | Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ClickUp | Maximizing features per dollar | $0/mo | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | Monday.com | Visual, flexible project management | $0/mo | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Asana | Cross-functional team coordination | $0/mo | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Notion | Combined workspace and PM | $0/mo | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Smartsheet | Spreadsheet-native enterprises | $Custom/mo | 8.5/10 |
1. ClickUp | Maximizing features per dollar
All-in-one productivity platform combining tasks, docs, goals, whiteboards, and chat. Aggressive pricing with a generous free tier and extensive feature set.
Our take: ClickUp packs the most features per dollar of any PM tool we've tested. The learning curve is real, but the value is unmatched.
ClickUp Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Free Forever | $0 | — |
| Unlimited | $10 | $7/mo |
| Business | $19 | $12/mo |
2. Monday.com | Visual, flexible project management
Work OS that lets teams build custom workflows for project management, CRM, software development, and operations. Known for colorful UI and flexible board system.
Our take: Monday.com balances power and usability better than any competitor. The visual interface makes complex projects manageable.
Monday.com Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — |
| Basic | $12 | $9/mo |
| Standard | $14 | $12/mo |
| Pro | $27 | $19/mo |
3. Asana | Cross-functional team coordination
Task and project management platform built for teams that need to coordinate work across departments. Strong workflow automation and reporting capabilities.
Our take: Asana's workflow automation and portfolio management are best-in-class for cross-functional teams. Worth the premium at scale.
Asana Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $0 | — |
| Starter | $13 | $11/mo |
| Advanced | $30 | $25/mo |
4. Notion | Combined workspace and PM
Connected workspace combining notes, databases, wikis, and project management. Flexible block-based editor with powerful database views. Strong for knowledge management.
Our take: Notion replaces your wiki, docs, and PM tool in one workspace. Not the strongest pure PM tool, but unbeatable for combined needs.
Notion Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — |
| Plus | $12 | $10/mo |
| Business | $21 | $18/mo |
5. Smartsheet | Spreadsheet-native enterprises
Enterprise work management platform built on a spreadsheet-like interface. Strong for large organizations needing resource management, governance, and portfolio-level oversight.
Our take: Smartsheet is the enterprise PM tool for organizations that think in spreadsheets. Powerful but not modern.
Smartsheet Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Custom | — |
| Free | $0 | — |
| Pro | $12 | $9/mo |
| Business | $24 | $19/mo |
How We Ranked These Tools
Each tool is scored on a 0-10 scale across five dimensions: features (30%), pricing (25%), ease of use (20%), integrations (15%), and support (10%). Scores come from verified pricing pages, real feature audits, and aggregated G2/Capterra reviews.
Read our full scoring methodology for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best project management software in 2026?
Based on our scoring algorithm, ClickUp ranks #1 for overall value, followed by Monday.com for usability and Asana for enterprise features. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and primary use case.
How much does project management software cost?
Most PM tools range from $5-30/seat/month. Free plans exist (ClickUp, Trello, Notion, Asana) but are limited. Budget $10-15/seat/month for a solid paid plan.
What should I look for in project management software?
Prioritize: views that match your workflow (Kanban, Gantt, list), ease of use for your team's tech level, integrations with your existing tools, and pricing that scales with your team size.