Quick Overview
- 1#1: Adobe Workfront - Enterprise work management platform for planning, resourcing, proofing, and delivering marketing and creative projects at scale.
- 2#2: Wrike - Collaborative work management software with proofing, resource management, and automation tailored for creative and marketing teams.
- 3#3: Teamwork - Agency-focused project management tool with client portals, time tracking, invoicing, and resource planning.
- 4#4: monday.com - Customizable work operating system for managing ad campaigns, creative workflows, and team collaboration.
- 5#5: Asana - Flexible work management platform for tracking projects, tasks, and approvals in ad agencies.
- 6#6: ClickUp - All-in-one productivity platform with hierarchical tasks, custom fields, and views for creative project management.
- 7#7: FunctionFox - Creative agency software for project planning, scheduling, time tracking, and job costing.
- 8#8: Scoro - All-in-one business management platform integrating projects, CRM, billing, and reporting for ad agencies.
- 9#9: Kantata - Professional services automation for resource allocation, project profitability, and delivery in agencies.
- 10#10: Hive - Project management platform with AI-powered workflows, forms, and approvals for creative teams.
Tools were selected and ranked by evaluating key factors including feature depth (such as workflow customization and client portal capabilities), usability (intuitive interfaces and learning curves), scalability (support for growing agencies), and value (ROI and integration with existing systems).
Comparison Table
Effective project management is crucial for ad agencies to coordinate teams, meet deadlines, and maintain campaign quality. This comparison table evaluates top tools like Adobe Workfront, Wrike, Teamwork, monday.com, Asana, and more, highlighting key features to help agencies find the right fit for their workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe Workfront Enterprise work management platform for planning, resourcing, proofing, and delivering marketing and creative projects at scale. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Wrike Collaborative work management software with proofing, resource management, and automation tailored for creative and marketing teams. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Teamwork Agency-focused project management tool with client portals, time tracking, invoicing, and resource planning. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | monday.com Customizable work operating system for managing ad campaigns, creative workflows, and team collaboration. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Asana Flexible work management platform for tracking projects, tasks, and approvals in ad agencies. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | ClickUp All-in-one productivity platform with hierarchical tasks, custom fields, and views for creative project management. | other | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | FunctionFox Creative agency software for project planning, scheduling, time tracking, and job costing. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Scoro All-in-one business management platform integrating projects, CRM, billing, and reporting for ad agencies. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Kantata Professional services automation for resource allocation, project profitability, and delivery in agencies. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Hive Project management platform with AI-powered workflows, forms, and approvals for creative teams. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Enterprise work management platform for planning, resourcing, proofing, and delivering marketing and creative projects at scale.
Collaborative work management software with proofing, resource management, and automation tailored for creative and marketing teams.
Agency-focused project management tool with client portals, time tracking, invoicing, and resource planning.
Customizable work operating system for managing ad campaigns, creative workflows, and team collaboration.
Flexible work management platform for tracking projects, tasks, and approvals in ad agencies.
All-in-one productivity platform with hierarchical tasks, custom fields, and views for creative project management.
Creative agency software for project planning, scheduling, time tracking, and job costing.
All-in-one business management platform integrating projects, CRM, billing, and reporting for ad agencies.
Professional services automation for resource allocation, project profitability, and delivery in agencies.
Project management platform with AI-powered workflows, forms, and approvals for creative teams.
Adobe Workfront
enterpriseEnterprise work management platform for planning, resourcing, proofing, and delivering marketing and creative projects at scale.
Native Adobe Creative Cloud integration for direct asset management, version control, and automated proofing within project workflows
Adobe Workfront is an enterprise-grade work management platform tailored for complex project portfolios, particularly in marketing, advertising, and creative agencies. It excels in planning, resource management, task tracking, and collaboration, with robust proofing and approval workflows. As part of Adobe Experience Cloud, it integrates seamlessly with Creative Cloud apps, enabling ad agencies to manage campaigns from ideation to delivery efficiently.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for streamlined creative workflows
- Advanced resource capacity planning and portfolio management for agency-scale operations
- Powerful reporting, dashboards, and automation to track campaign performance
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- High pricing suitable mainly for mid-to-large enterprises, not small agencies
- Interface can feel overwhelming for new users without dedicated training
Best For
Large ad agencies managing complex, multi-client campaigns with heavy creative production and needing enterprise-level resource optimization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing with tiers starting at ~$30/user/month (Team), up to $90+/user/month (Enterprise); annual contracts, minimum users apply.
Wrike
specializedCollaborative work management software with proofing, resource management, and automation tailored for creative and marketing teams.
Dynamic Request Forms for streamlined client brief intake and automated project creation
Wrike is a versatile work management platform that excels in handling complex projects for ad agencies, offering tools like Gantt charts, kanban boards, time tracking, and resource management. It supports creative workflows with built-in proofing, approvals, and client collaboration features, enabling seamless campaign planning and execution. Extensive integrations with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Workspace, and Slack make it a powerhouse for agency teams managing multiple clients and deadlines.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and dashboards tailored for agency campaigns
- Powerful proofing and approval tools for creative assets
- Robust integrations with creative and collaboration software
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing tiers required for full agency capabilities
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-to-large ad agencies managing complex, client-facing campaigns that need scalable customization and collaboration.
Pricing
Free plan (limited); Team at $9.80/user/mo; Business at $24.80/user/mo; Enterprise custom (billed annually).
Teamwork
specializedAgency-focused project management tool with client portals, time tracking, invoicing, and resource planning.
Client billing portals that allow invoicing directly from tracked time and task budgets, streamlining agency finances
Teamwork is a robust project management platform designed for agencies, offering task management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and client billing in one place. It supports ad agencies in handling complex campaigns with milestones, dependencies, custom fields, and proofing tools for creative reviews. The software excels in client collaboration through dedicated portals where clients can view progress, provide feedback, and approve assets without full system access.
Pros
- Comprehensive client portals and billing integration for seamless agency-client workflows
- Advanced resource workload planning and time tracking tailored for billable projects
- Customizable templates, milestones, and reporting for campaign management
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features like retainer billing and dependencies
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams without unlimited users
- Limited automation compared to some competitors like Monday.com
Best For
Mid-sized ad agencies managing multiple client campaigns with a need for integrated time tracking, invoicing, and client approvals.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 5 users (limited features); paid plans start at $10.99/user/month (billed annually) for Deliver, $20.99 for Grow, and custom enterprise pricing.
monday.com
specializedCustomizable work operating system for managing ad campaigns, creative workflows, and team collaboration.
Work OS platform for no-code customization of boards, apps, and automations tailored to agency workflows
monday.com is a highly visual work operating system that enables teams to create customizable boards, timelines, and dashboards for managing projects and workflows. For ad agencies, it supports campaign planning, creative asset tracking, client approval processes, and team collaboration through automations and integrations. Its flexibility allows tailoring to agency-specific needs like briefings, revisions, and delivery deadlines.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and visual boards ideal for creative pipelines
- Powerful automations and 200+ integrations for streamlined agency operations
- Real-time collaboration tools with timelines and dependency tracking
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Steep learning curve for full customization and complex setups
- Lacks native creative review tools like built-in proofing or asset libraries
Best For
Mid-sized ad agencies seeking a flexible, visual platform to customize project management for campaigns and client deliverables.
Pricing
Free for up to 2 users; paid plans start at $9/user/month (Basic, annual billing), up to $19/user/month (Pro), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Asana
specializedFlexible work management platform for tracking projects, tasks, and approvals in ad agencies.
Workload view for balancing team capacity and preventing creative burnout during peak campaign seasons
Asana is a flexible work management platform designed to help teams organize tasks, projects, and workflows through customizable lists, boards, timelines, calendars, and workload views. For ad agencies, it excels in managing campaign planning, task assignments, deadlines, and cross-team collaboration on creative deliverables. With automation rules, custom fields, and integrations like Slack, Google Workspace, and Adobe apps, it supports efficient agency operations without being overly specialized.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface that's quick to learn for creative teams
- Robust automation and rules to streamline repetitive agency workflows like approvals
- Strong integrations with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Drive for seamless collaboration
Cons
- Limited built-in creative asset proofing and version control compared to agency-specific tools
- Advanced reporting and custom dashboards require the pricier Advanced plan
- Can feel overwhelming for very large agencies without dedicated portfolio management add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized ad agencies needing flexible, visual task management for campaign coordination and client feedback loops.
Pricing
Free Personal plan; Starter at $10.99/user/month; Advanced at $24.99/user/month (billed annually).
ClickUp
otherAll-in-one productivity platform with hierarchical tasks, custom fields, and views for creative project management.
Hierarchical structure (Spaces > Folders > Lists > Tasks > Subtasks) enabling unparalleled customization for organizing ad agency projects from high-level strategies to granular tasks
ClickUp is a versatile all-in-one productivity platform designed for project management, offering customizable hierarchies, multiple views like lists, boards, Gantt charts, and calendars to handle ad agency workflows from campaign planning to execution. It includes time tracking, resource allocation, collaborative docs, whiteboards for brainstorming creatives, and automations to streamline approvals and asset management. With AI-powered features and extensive integrations with tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, and Google Workspace, it's built to replace multiple apps for agencies managing client projects.
Pros
- Highly customizable with unlimited hierarchies, views, and dashboards for complex ad campaigns
- Robust automations, AI tools, and 1000+ integrations tailored for creative workflows
- Generous free plan and scalable templates for agency-specific use cases like client briefs and asset tracking
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to overwhelming feature depth, challenging for new users
- Performance can lag with very large workspaces or heavy custom fields
- Advanced features like AI and unlimited storage locked behind higher pricing tiers
Best For
Mid-sized ad agencies needing a highly customizable, all-in-one platform to manage multifaceted campaigns, client collaborations, and creative pipelines without switching tools.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid tiers start at $7/user/month (Unlimited), $12/user/month (Business), and custom Enterprise pricing.
FunctionFox
specializedCreative agency software for project planning, scheduling, time tracking, and job costing.
Visual Timeline for drag-and-drop project scheduling with real-time profitability insights
FunctionFox is a web-based project management software designed specifically for creative agencies, ad firms, and design studios. It offers visual timelines for scheduling, time tracking, resource management, job costing, invoicing, and basic CRM to help teams manage projects from concept to completion. The platform emphasizes profitability tracking and reporting, making it suitable for agencies focused on billable hours and deadlines.
Pros
- Tailored for creative workflows with strong job costing and profitability tools
- Comprehensive time tracking integrated with scheduling and invoicing
- Detailed reporting and forecasting for resource allocation
Cons
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
- Limited integrations with popular tools beyond QuickBooks
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Small to mid-sized ad agencies needing integrated time tracking, costing, and client management for creative projects.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for solo users or $5/user/month (billed annually) for teams; scales to enterprise plans with custom pricing.
Scoro
enterpriseAll-in-one business management platform integrating projects, CRM, billing, and reporting for ad agencies.
Seamless quotes-to-cash workflow that tracks profitability in real-time by linking time entries, expenses, and revenue across projects
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform that combines project management, CRM, time tracking, quoting, invoicing, and reporting tailored for service-based teams like ad agencies. It enables agencies to manage campaigns from ideation to delivery, track resources, bill clients accurately, and analyze profitability across projects. With customizable workflows, Gantt charts, and real-time dashboards, it centralizes operations to reduce silos.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform eliminates need for multiple tools
- Strong resource planning and profitability forecasting
- Robust reporting with real-time dashboards and custom analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Less specialized for creative/ad-specific workflows like asset approvals
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced agency needs
Best For
Mid-sized ad agencies needing an integrated solution for project management, client relations, and financials without juggling disparate apps.
Pricing
Starts at $26/user/month (Basic), $37/user/month (Professional), $49/user/month (Ultimate); billed annually with a 14-day free trial.
Kantata
enterpriseProfessional services automation for resource allocation, project profitability, and delivery in agencies.
Skills-based resource planning that automatically matches team members' expertise to project needs for better utilization.
Kantata is a professional services automation (PSA) platform designed for agencies and consultancies, offering end-to-end project management, resource planning, and financial tracking. It enables ad agencies to allocate creative teams to campaigns, track time and expenses, forecast capacity, and monitor project profitability. Formerly known as Mavenlink, it scales well for complex workflows involving multiple clients and deliverables.
Pros
- Advanced resource management with skills-based matching and capacity forecasting
- Integrated financial tools for budgeting, invoicing, and profitability analysis
- Customizable dashboards and reporting for agency-specific metrics
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and setup complexity
- Higher pricing that may not suit small agencies
- Limited native creative collaboration tools like proofing or asset management
Best For
Mid-to-large ad agencies managing complex campaigns with a focus on resource optimization and financial visibility.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; entry-level plans start around $39/user/month, with higher tiers for advanced features.
Hive
specializedProject management platform with AI-powered workflows, forms, and approvals for creative teams.
Flexible multi-view interface (Kanban, Gantt, Table, Calendar) that adapts to dynamic agency project phases
Hive is a versatile project management platform designed for teams to plan, track, and collaborate on projects using customizable workspaces and multiple views like Kanban, Gantt, and calendars. It excels in automation, forms for project intake, and analytics to monitor performance, making it suitable for ad agencies managing campaigns, creative briefs, and client deliverables. While not exclusively built for advertising, its integrations with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and Adobe Creative Cloud support agency workflows effectively.
Pros
- Highly customizable views and dashboards for campaign tracking
- Powerful automation and workflow tools to streamline approvals
- Strong integrations with creative and collaboration apps like Adobe and Slack
Cons
- Lacks native creative asset management and review tools
- Advanced features have a learning curve for new users
- Reporting and analytics require setup for agency-specific insights
Best For
Mid-sized ad agencies needing flexible project tracking and team collaboration without specialized creative workflows.
Pricing
Free plan for small teams; Teams plan at $12/user/month, Business at $24/user/month (billed annually); enterprise custom.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Adobe Workfront takes the top spot, standing out for its enterprise-grade capabilities in scaling marketing and creative projects with planning, proofing, and delivery features. Wrike follows closely with strong collaboration and automation tailored to creative teams, while Teamwork excels with agency-specific tools like client portals and integrated invoicing, meeting varied operational needs. Together, these platforms showcase the best in project management for ad agencies, with Workfront leading as the ultimate choice.
Don’t miss the opportunity to streamline your agency’s workflow—try Adobe Workfront today to harness its comprehensive tools and elevate your project delivery efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison