Quick Overview
- 1#1: ClickUp - All-in-one productivity platform combining project management, tasks, docs, goals, and customer support ticketing.
- 2#2: monday.com - Visual work operating system for customizable project boards, workflows, CRM, and service desk management.
- 3#3: Jira Service Management - Integrated tool for IT service desk ticketing, incident management, and agile project tracking.
- 4#4: Zendesk - AI-powered customer service platform with omnichannel ticketing, automation, and collaboration features.
- 5#5: Teamwork - Project management software with task tracking, time logging, client billing, and built-in ticketing.
- 6#6: Asana - Work management platform for organizing tasks, projects, portfolios, and request intake forms.
- 7#7: Wrike - Enterprise work management tool with request forms, Gantt charts, resource management, and reporting.
- 8#8: Freshservice - IT service management platform for incident tickets, asset tracking, change management, and projects.
- 9#9: Zoho Desk - Omnichannel help desk software with automation, analytics, and seamless integration to Zoho Projects.
- 10#10: ServiceNow - Cloud-based platform for IT service management, workflows, incident response, and project portfolio management.
We rigorously evaluated tools based on feature richness, operational reliability, user-friendliness, and overall value, prioritizing solutions that cater to varied needs, from small teams to large enterprises.
Comparison Table
Help desk and project management software balance distinct needs—resolving user issues and streamlining workflows—while often overlapping in functionality. This comparison table explores tools like ClickUp, monday.com, Jira Service Management, Zendesk, and Teamwork, highlighting differences in ticketing, task tracking, collaboration, and scalability. Readers will learn to identify the best fit for their organization’s specific demands.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ClickUp All-in-one productivity platform combining project management, tasks, docs, goals, and customer support ticketing. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | monday.com Visual work operating system for customizable project boards, workflows, CRM, and service desk management. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Jira Service Management Integrated tool for IT service desk ticketing, incident management, and agile project tracking. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Zendesk AI-powered customer service platform with omnichannel ticketing, automation, and collaboration features. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 5 | Teamwork Project management software with task tracking, time logging, client billing, and built-in ticketing. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Asana Work management platform for organizing tasks, projects, portfolios, and request intake forms. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Wrike Enterprise work management tool with request forms, Gantt charts, resource management, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Freshservice IT service management platform for incident tickets, asset tracking, change management, and projects. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 9 | Zoho Desk Omnichannel help desk software with automation, analytics, and seamless integration to Zoho Projects. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 10 | ServiceNow Cloud-based platform for IT service management, workflows, incident response, and project portfolio management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 |
All-in-one productivity platform combining project management, tasks, docs, goals, and customer support ticketing.
Visual work operating system for customizable project boards, workflows, CRM, and service desk management.
Integrated tool for IT service desk ticketing, incident management, and agile project tracking.
AI-powered customer service platform with omnichannel ticketing, automation, and collaboration features.
Project management software with task tracking, time logging, client billing, and built-in ticketing.
Work management platform for organizing tasks, projects, portfolios, and request intake forms.
Enterprise work management tool with request forms, Gantt charts, resource management, and reporting.
IT service management platform for incident tickets, asset tracking, change management, and projects.
Omnichannel help desk software with automation, analytics, and seamless integration to Zoho Projects.
Cloud-based platform for IT service management, workflows, incident response, and project portfolio management.
ClickUp
enterpriseAll-in-one productivity platform combining project management, tasks, docs, goals, and customer support ticketing.
Hierarchical structure (Spaces > Folders > Lists > Tasks > Subtasks) with infinite customization for seamless help desk ticketing and project workflows
ClickUp is a versatile all-in-one productivity platform that combines robust project management with adaptable help desk capabilities through customizable workflows, forms for ticket intake, and automation rules. It supports hierarchical organization from Spaces to subtasks, offering multiple views like List, Board, Gantt, Calendar, and Workload for comprehensive task tracking and team collaboration. Ideal for replacing multiple tools, it includes AI-powered features, time tracking, goals, and dashboards for real-time insights into projects and support tickets.
Pros
- Unparalleled customization with ClickApps, custom fields, and views tailored for both PM and help desk
- Powerful automations, AI assistance, and integrations reducing tool sprawl
- Generous free plan with unlimited tasks and scalable pricing for growth
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and options
- Interface can feel overwhelming for simple use cases
- Performance may lag in very large workspaces with heavy data
Best For
Growing teams and businesses needing a single, highly customizable platform for project management and help desk ticketing.
Pricing
Free plan forever; Unlimited at $7/user/mo (annual), Business at $12/user/mo (annual), Enterprise custom.
monday.com
enterpriseVisual work operating system for customizable project boards, workflows, CRM, and service desk management.
Fully customizable 'monday boards' that transform into tailored project trackers, Kanban views, or service desks with drag-and-drop ease.
monday.com is a highly customizable work OS that serves as an excellent platform for project management and adaptable help desk solutions through its visual boards, automations, and integrations. It enables teams to create workflows for task tracking, ticket management, collaboration, and reporting in a single interface. While primarily known for project management, it supports help desk functions like customer ticketing, SLAs, and service boards with AI enhancements for efficiency.
Pros
- Infinite customization with boards, widgets, and templates for PM and help desk
- Robust no-code automations and 200+ integrations
- Real-time collaboration and visual dashboards
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for advanced features and larger teams
- Steep learning curve for complex customizations
- Lacks some native help desk specifics like advanced SLA automation compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Teams needing a flexible, visual platform to combine project management with customizable help desk ticketing and workflows.
Pricing
Free for 2 users; Basic at $9/user/month, Standard $12, Pro $19 (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
Jira Service Management
enterpriseIntegrated tool for IT service desk ticketing, incident management, and agile project tracking.
Native Insight CMDB for integrated asset and configuration management tied directly to service workflows
Jira Service Management is a robust IT service management (ITSM) platform designed for help desk operations, incident management, and service requests, built on Atlassian's Jira foundation. It seamlessly integrates ticketing with project management capabilities, enabling teams to handle support issues alongside agile workflows, change management, and asset tracking. Key strengths include customizable queues, SLAs, automation rules, and a customer-facing portal for self-service.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and automation for complex ITSM processes
- Seamless integration with Jira Software for unified help desk and project management
- Advanced features like SLAs, CMDB, and reporting for enterprise-scale operations
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Interface can feel overwhelming for beginners or small teams
- Premium features required for full ITSM capabilities, increasing costs
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with IT teams needing integrated help desk ticketing and agile project management in a scalable Atlassian ecosystem.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 agents; Standard at $7.75/user/month (10-user min, annual); Premium at $15.25/user/month (annual billing).
Zendesk
enterpriseAI-powered customer service platform with omnichannel ticketing, automation, and collaboration features.
Zendesk AI Copilot, which provides intelligent ticket summarization, response suggestions, and predictive routing to streamline both help desk and task workflows.
Zendesk is a comprehensive customer service platform primarily designed for help desk operations, offering robust ticketing systems, omnichannel support, AI-driven automation, and self-service portals. It incorporates project management elements through task assignment, workflow customization, collaboration tools, and reporting, making it suitable for support teams handling internal projects alongside customer queries. While excelling in help desk functionalities, its project management features are more workflow-oriented rather than full-fledged PM with Gantt charts or advanced roadmapping.
Pros
- Exceptional omnichannel ticketing and AI-powered automation for efficient help desk management
- Customizable workflows and task collaboration suitable for support team projects
- Vast integrations via the Marketplace for enhanced functionality
Cons
- Project management tools are basic and lack advanced features like Gantt charts or resource planning
- Pricing scales quickly and can be expensive for smaller teams
- Advanced customizations require technical expertise or developer support
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise support teams needing integrated help desk ticketing with light project management for customer service workflows.
Pricing
Starts at $55/agent/month for Suite Professional (billed annually), with Enterprise plans custom-priced; free trial available.
Teamwork
enterpriseProject management software with task tracking, time logging, client billing, and built-in ticketing.
Seamless merging of project tasks and support tickets into unified workflows
Teamwork (teamwork.com) is a versatile platform combining robust project management with help desk capabilities, ideal for agencies and service teams. It supports task tracking, Gantt charts, time logging, resource allocation, and ticketing workflows with automation rules and SLAs. Users can manage internal projects alongside client support in a unified interface, complete with reporting dashboards and client portals.
Pros
- Powerful task dependencies, milestones, and workload planning
- Integrated help desk with ticket automation and client portals
- Strong time tracking and invoicing for billable projects
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or full features
- Help desk requires separate licensing from core PM
- Advanced customizations can have a learning curve
Best For
Agencies and service-based teams managing both client projects and support tickets.
Pricing
Project Management: Free plan; paid from $9.99/user/mo (annual); Help Desk: from $49/month for 3 staff, up to $189/month for 25 staff (flat rate).
Asana
enterpriseWork management platform for organizing tasks, projects, portfolios, and request intake forms.
Forms for universal task intake that automatically create actionable items in projects
Asana is a powerful work management platform primarily designed for project management, enabling teams to organize tasks, projects, and workflows using lists, boards, timelines, and calendars. It supports real-time collaboration, custom fields, automations, and integrations to streamline team productivity. While excellent for project tracking, it can be adapted for help desk use via forms for ticket intake and task assignments, but lacks native ticketing, SLA management, or customer portals found in dedicated help desk tools.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop boards and timelines for easy project visualization
- Robust automation rules and custom fields for workflow customization
- Strong integration library including Slack, Google Workspace, and Zendesk for enhanced functionality
Cons
- Lacks dedicated help desk features like customer portals, email-to-ticket, or SLA tracking
- Reporting and analytics are basic for support metrics without advanced dashboards
- Higher-tier plans required for premium features like portfolios and advanced security
Best For
Teams handling internal projects and support tickets who prioritize flexible task management over specialized help desk ticketing.
Pricing
Free Basic plan; Premium at $10.99/user/month; Business at $24.99/user/month; Enterprise custom (billed annually).
Wrike
enterpriseEnterprise work management tool with request forms, Gantt charts, resource management, and reporting.
Dynamic Request Forms that instantly convert customer submissions into customizable tasks with automations and approvals
Wrike is a powerful work management platform primarily focused on project management, offering tools like Gantt charts, task dependencies, custom workflows, and real-time collaboration for teams. It supports help desk functions through request forms, task assignments, and automations that convert submissions into trackable tickets. While versatile for PM-heavy environments, it requires customization to fully serve dedicated help desk needs like SLAs or customer self-service portals.
Pros
- Robust project management with Gantt charts, timelines, and resource allocation
- Highly customizable workflows and request forms for ticketing
- Extensive integrations with tools like Jira, Slack, and Salesforce
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to feature depth
- Lacks native help desk specifics like SLA tracking or knowledge bases
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger teams or advanced features
Best For
Mid-sized teams in marketing, IT, or creative agencies needing strong project management with adaptable help desk ticketing.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Pro at $9.80/user/mo, Business at $24.80/user/mo, Enterprise custom (annual billing).
Freshservice
enterpriseIT service management platform for incident tickets, asset tracking, change management, and projects.
Freddy AI-powered copilot for automated ticket resolution, insights, and proactive IT operations
Freshservice is a cloud-based IT service management (ITSM) platform designed primarily for help desk operations, offering robust ticketing, automation, self-service portals, and asset management. It also includes project management tools such as Kanban boards, timelines, task assignments, and Gantt charts to support IT projects and workflows. Overall, it provides an all-in-one solution for IT teams to manage incidents, changes, and projects efficiently.
Pros
- Intuitive modern interface with mobile app support
- Powerful automation, orchestration, and Freddy AI for insights
- Strong integrations with 500+ apps including Slack and Jira
Cons
- Project management features are solid but less advanced than dedicated PM tools
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger teams or advanced modules
- Some customization requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-sized IT service desks and teams needing integrated help desk ticketing with basic project management and asset tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $19/agent/month (Blossom plan, billed annually); higher tiers like Estate ($49), Forest ($79), and custom Enterprise.
Zoho Desk
specializedOmnichannel help desk software with automation, analytics, and seamless integration to Zoho Projects.
Zia AI assistant for intelligent ticket routing, sentiment analysis, and predictive insights
Zoho Desk is a cloud-based help desk software designed to manage customer support tickets across multiple channels including email, chat, social media, phone, and web portals. It features automation tools, AI-driven insights via Zia, self-service portals, and workflow blueprints to streamline support operations. While it includes task assignment and basic collaboration for light project management, it integrates seamlessly with Zoho Projects for more robust PM needs, making it a versatile but help desk-focused solution.
Pros
- Omnichannel ticket management unifies customer interactions
- AI-powered Zia for automation and analytics
- Affordable pricing with strong Zoho ecosystem integrations
Cons
- Limited native project management tools like Gantt charts or roadmaps
- Advanced customizations require technical expertise
- Reporting lacks depth for complex PM workflows
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking cost-effective help desk software with basic task management and scalability.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 agents; Standard $14/user/mo, Professional $23/user/mo, Enterprise $40/user/mo (billed annually).
ServiceNow
enterpriseCloud-based platform for IT service management, workflows, incident response, and project portfolio management.
The unified Now Platform with generative AI (e.g., Now Assist) for intelligent automation across help desk tickets and project workflows
ServiceNow is a comprehensive cloud-based platform specializing in IT Service Management (ITSM), offering robust help desk features like incident ticketing, problem management, and service catalogs. It extends into project management through its Project Portfolio Management (PPM) module, enabling resource allocation, task tracking, and portfolio oversight. Designed for enterprise-scale operations, it leverages automation, AI, and a centralized Configuration Management Database (CMDB) to unify IT and business processes.
Pros
- Extremely powerful ITSM and PPM features with deep customization and workflow automation
- Excellent integration capabilities with thousands of third-party apps
- AI-driven insights and predictive analytics for proactive issue resolution
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring skilled administrators
- High implementation and licensing costs unsuitable for small teams
- Overkill for basic help desk or simple project needs
Best For
Large enterprises seeking an integrated, scalable platform for IT help desk and enterprise project portfolio management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; ITSM starts around $100/user/month, PPM adds $50-100/user/month, with minimum commitments often $50K+ annually.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools highlight varied strengths, but the top three lead with exceptional functionality. ClickUp, the top choice, stands out as an all-in-one platform merging project management, customer support, and more—perfect for unified workflows. monday.com impresses with its visual, customizable boards, while Jira Service Management excels in integrated IT ticketing and agile tracking, offering strong alternatives for specific needs.
Don’t miss out on ClickUp’s versatile features; testing it could be the key to streamlining your work processes effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison