Quick Overview
- 1#1: monday.com - Visual work OS for planning, tracking, and managing projects and portfolios with customizable workflows.
- 2#2: Asana - Work management platform to organize tasks, projects, and portfolios for team collaboration.
- 3#3: Smartsheet - Spreadsheet-inspired platform for dynamic project and portfolio management with automation.
- 4#4: ClickUp - All-in-one productivity app for hierarchical project planning and portfolio oversight.
- 5#5: Wrike - Collaborative platform for resource allocation, project tracking, and portfolio reporting.
- 6#6: Jira - Agile project management tool with advanced portfolio planning and roadmapping features.
- 7#7: Microsoft Project - Robust desktop and cloud-based solution for detailed project scheduling and portfolio management.
- 8#8: Adobe Workfront - Enterprise work management for proofing, planning, and portfolio optimization in creative workflows.
- 9#9: Planview - Strategic portfolio management suite for enterprise resource optimization and project governance.
- 10#10: ServiceNow - ITBM platform integrating project, portfolio, and demand management for service operations.
These tools were chosen based on rigorous evaluation of features, usability, quality, and value, ensuring they cater to varied team sizes and operational needs while delivering measurable results.
Comparison Table
Explore the landscape of project and portfolio management software with our comparison table, highlighting tools like monday.com, Asana, Smartsheet, ClickUp, Wrike, and more. Learn about key features, usability, and suitability for diverse teams to identify the optimal fit for your organization’s unique workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | monday.com Visual work OS for planning, tracking, and managing projects and portfolios with customizable workflows. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Asana Work management platform to organize tasks, projects, and portfolios for team collaboration. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Smartsheet Spreadsheet-inspired platform for dynamic project and portfolio management with automation. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | ClickUp All-in-one productivity app for hierarchical project planning and portfolio oversight. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Wrike Collaborative platform for resource allocation, project tracking, and portfolio reporting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | Jira Agile project management tool with advanced portfolio planning and roadmapping features. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Microsoft Project Robust desktop and cloud-based solution for detailed project scheduling and portfolio management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Adobe Workfront Enterprise work management for proofing, planning, and portfolio optimization in creative workflows. | creative_suite | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Planview Strategic portfolio management suite for enterprise resource optimization and project governance. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | ServiceNow ITBM platform integrating project, portfolio, and demand management for service operations. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
Visual work OS for planning, tracking, and managing projects and portfolios with customizable workflows.
Work management platform to organize tasks, projects, and portfolios for team collaboration.
Spreadsheet-inspired platform for dynamic project and portfolio management with automation.
All-in-one productivity app for hierarchical project planning and portfolio oversight.
Collaborative platform for resource allocation, project tracking, and portfolio reporting.
Agile project management tool with advanced portfolio planning and roadmapping features.
Robust desktop and cloud-based solution for detailed project scheduling and portfolio management.
Enterprise work management for proofing, planning, and portfolio optimization in creative workflows.
Strategic portfolio management suite for enterprise resource optimization and project governance.
ITBM platform integrating project, portfolio, and demand management for service operations.
monday.com
enterpriseVisual work OS for planning, tracking, and managing projects and portfolios with customizable workflows.
Portfolio dashboards that aggregate real-time data from multiple boards for high-level strategic insights and cross-project visibility
monday.com is a highly customizable work operating system that excels in project and portfolio management by enabling teams to build visual boards, timelines, and dashboards for tracking tasks, resources, and progress across multiple projects. It supports hierarchical structures with subitems, automations for workflow efficiency, and portfolio-level overviews for strategic oversight. With extensive integrations and no-code customization, it adapts to various PPM needs from simple task tracking to complex enterprise portfolios.
Pros
- Exceptional customization with no-code boards, columns, and automations tailored for PPM workflows
- Powerful portfolio dashboards and Gantt/timeline views for multi-project oversight
- Seamless integrations with 200+ apps and robust resource management tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Advanced customizations can have a learning curve despite intuitive interface
- Native reporting lacks depth compared to specialized BI tools
Best For
Mid-to-large teams and enterprises needing a flexible, visual platform for managing complex portfolios across departments.
Pricing
Starts at $9/user/month (Basic, annual billing) up to $19/user/month (Pro); Enterprise custom pricing with advanced PPM features.
Asana
specializedWork management platform to organize tasks, projects, and portfolios for team collaboration.
Portfolio views that provide customizable, high-level dashboards for tracking progress, risks, and resources across multiple projects simultaneously
Asana is a powerful work management platform that helps teams plan, track, and manage projects and portfolios with visual tools like timelines, boards, and lists. It enables high-level portfolio oversight through dedicated Portfolio views, goal alignment, and workload management to monitor progress across multiple projects. With robust automation rules, custom fields, and extensive integrations, Asana streamlines workflows for collaborative teams while providing real-time insights into resource allocation and bottlenecks.
Pros
- Intuitive, visually appealing interface with quick team adoption
- Advanced portfolio dashboards and workload views for multi-project oversight
- Extensive automation rules and 200+ integrations for seamless workflows
Cons
- Advanced features like custom rules and portfolios locked behind higher plans
- No native time tracking or invoicing (requires integrations)
- Reporting lacks depth for complex enterprise analytics without add-ons
Best For
Mid-to-large teams and departments seeking flexible, collaborative project and portfolio management with strong visual planning and automation.
Pricing
Free basic plan; paid tiers start at $10.99/user/month (Personal, annual billing), up to Advanced at $24.99/user/month and custom Enterprise.
Smartsheet
enterpriseSpreadsheet-inspired platform for dynamic project and portfolio management with automation.
Sheet-based architecture with cell-level formulas, automation, and dependencies for spreadsheet-powered project control
Smartsheet is a versatile work management platform that transforms spreadsheets into dynamic tools for project planning, tracking, and collaboration. It offers features like Gantt charts, resource management, automated workflows, dashboards, and portfolio reporting to handle both individual projects and broader portfolios effectively. With extensive templates and integrations, it bridges the gap between simple task lists and enterprise-level oversight.
Pros
- Intuitive spreadsheet-like interface familiar to Excel users
- Robust automation and workflow capabilities
- Excellent real-time collaboration and mobile accessibility
Cons
- Limited advanced portfolio optimization tools compared to dedicated PPM software
- Resource management lacks depth for complex enterprises
- Higher-tier plans required for full feature access
Best For
Mid-sized teams and spreadsheet-savvy users seeking flexible project and portfolio management without a steep learning curve.
Pricing
Starts at $7/user/month (Pro), $25/user/month (Business), with Enterprise custom pricing; free trial available.
ClickUp
otherAll-in-one productivity app for hierarchical project planning and portfolio oversight.
Hierarchical workspace structure with 15+ native views and modular ClickApps for unparalleled customization in PPM
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform excelling in project and portfolio management with hierarchical structures (Spaces, Folders, Lists, Tasks), multiple views like Gantt, Board, and Timeline, and tools for roadmaps, resource allocation, and capacity planning. It supports agile workflows, sprints, dependencies, custom fields, automations, and AI-powered insights for overseeing multiple projects and portfolios. Designed for scalability, it replaces multiple tools, serving teams from startups to enterprises.
Pros
- Highly customizable with unlimited hierarchies, views (15+ including Gantt, Roadmap, Workload), and ClickApps for tailored PPM workflows
- Robust portfolio tools like Dashboards, Goals, and Resource Management for enterprise-scale oversight
- Generous free plan and extensive integrations (1,000+ apps)
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature density and complex customization options
- Performance can lag in large workspaces with heavy data loads
- Higher-tier pricing required for advanced PPM features like unlimited automations and AI
Best For
Mid-to-large teams or enterprises seeking a single, infinitely customizable platform for managing complex projects and portfolios across departments.
Pricing
Free Forever (unlimited tasks); Unlimited $7/user/mo; Business $12/user/mo; Enterprise custom (billed annually).
Wrike
enterpriseCollaborative platform for resource allocation, project tracking, and portfolio reporting.
AI-powered Work Intelligence for predictive insights and risk analysis across portfolios
Wrike is a versatile project and portfolio management platform designed to help teams plan, track, and optimize multiple projects and portfolios in real-time. It offers powerful features like Gantt charts, resource management, customizable dashboards, and AI-driven analytics for enterprise-scale oversight. With seamless integrations and dynamic request forms, Wrike streamlines workflows across marketing, IT, and professional services teams.
Pros
- Extensive portfolio analytics and resource capacity planning
- Highly customizable workflows and dashboards
- Over 400 integrations for enhanced connectivity
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups
- Pricing escalates significantly for advanced tiers
- Interface can feel cluttered with extensive options
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises and cross-functional teams managing complex portfolios with a need for detailed reporting and scalability.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid tiers start at $9.80/user/month (Team), $24.80/user/month (Business), up to custom Enterprise pricing (billed annually).
Jira
enterpriseAgile project management tool with advanced portfolio planning and roadmapping features.
Advanced Roadmaps for real-time portfolio visualization, scenario planning, and cross-team dependency management
Jira, from Atlassian, is a powerful project and portfolio management tool primarily designed for agile software development teams, offering robust issue tracking, customizable workflows, and sprint planning. It extends into portfolio management via Advanced Roadmaps (included in Premium plans), enabling cross-team visibility, capacity planning, and strategic alignment. While highly scalable for enterprises, it shines in IT and dev ops but requires configuration for general PPM use.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and boards for agile methodologies
- Advanced Roadmaps for portfolio-level planning and dependency tracking
- Extensive ecosystem of integrations and apps for scalability
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Cluttered interface that overwhelms non-technical users
- Pricing escalates quickly for larger teams without proportional PPM simplicity
Best For
Agile software development teams and IT organizations managing complex, multi-team portfolios.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Standard at $7.75/user/month (annual billing); Premium at $15.25/user/month with Advanced Roadmaps; Enterprise custom.
Microsoft Project
enterpriseRobust desktop and cloud-based solution for detailed project scheduling and portfolio management.
Sophisticated critical path method (CPM) scheduling and portfolio optimization
Microsoft Project is a robust project and portfolio management software that excels in detailed planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and tracking using Gantt charts, critical path analysis, and reporting dashboards. It supports both individual projects and enterprise-level portfolios, with options for cloud-based (Project for the web) and desktop deployments. Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Teams, and Power BI enhances collaboration and data visualization for complex workflows.
Pros
- Advanced scheduling with critical path and baseline tracking
- Deep integration with Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- Scalable portfolio management for enterprises
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High pricing for full PPM capabilities
- Less intuitive for agile or lightweight workflows
Best For
Large enterprises and teams in the Microsoft ecosystem needing precise scheduling and portfolio oversight.
Pricing
Cloud plans start at $10/user/month (Plan 1), $30/user/month (Plan 3), $55/user/month (Plan 5); desktop perpetual licenses from $620 one-time.
Adobe Workfront
creative_suiteEnterprise work management for proofing, planning, and portfolio optimization in creative workflows.
Scenario Planner for what-if portfolio simulations and optimization
Adobe Workfront is an enterprise-grade work management platform that excels in project and portfolio management, enabling teams to plan, execute, and track complex initiatives across departments. It provides robust tools for resource allocation, capacity planning, custom workflows, and real-time analytics, with seamless integrations into Adobe Creative Cloud and other enterprise apps. Ideal for scaling operations, it supports proofing, approvals, and AI-driven insights to optimize portfolios.
Pros
- Comprehensive resource and capacity management with AI forecasting
- Powerful custom reporting, dashboards, and scenario planning
- Deep integrations with Adobe tools and 100+ third-party apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High cost unsuitable for small teams or startups
- Customization can lead to over-engineering for simple needs
Best For
Large enterprises and marketing/creative agencies managing complex, cross-functional portfolios at scale.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $40-$60 per user/month for enterprise plans with minimum commitments.
Planview
enterpriseStrategic portfolio management suite for enterprise resource optimization and project governance.
AI-powered portfolio optimization and capacity planning with dynamic heatmaps and what-if scenario modeling
Planview is an enterprise-grade Project Portfolio Management (PPM) platform designed to align projects, programs, and portfolios with business strategy. It offers comprehensive tools for demand management, resource capacity planning, financial forecasting, risk analysis, and agile roadmapping across waterfall, agile, and hybrid methodologies. The suite, including Planview Enterprise One and AdaptiveWork, enables organizations to optimize portfolios, track performance, and drive strategic execution at scale.
Pros
- Comprehensive PPM capabilities with strong portfolio optimization and resource management
- Advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, and scenario planning tools
- Scalable for large enterprises with robust integrations (e.g., Jira, Salesforce)
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High implementation time and costs
- Pricing is premium and quote-based, less ideal for SMBs
Best For
Large enterprises and PMOs managing complex, multi-project portfolios with strategic alignment needs.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically quote-based starting at $50-100/user/month or higher depending on modules and scale.
ServiceNow
enterpriseITBM platform integrating project, portfolio, and demand management for service operations.
Integrated Demand Management that intelligently prioritizes business requests with AI scoring before converting them to projects
ServiceNow's IT Business Management (ITBM) suite provides comprehensive project and portfolio management capabilities, enabling organizations to handle demand intake, project planning, resource allocation, financial tracking, and performance analytics within a single platform. It integrates seamlessly with ServiceNow's ITSM, CMDB, and other modules for end-to-end visibility from strategy to execution. Designed primarily for IT-driven portfolios, it supports agile, waterfall, and hybrid methodologies with AI-powered insights and automation.
Pros
- Deep integration with ITSM and enterprise tools for unified portfolio oversight
- Advanced AI-driven analytics, predictive planning, and resource optimization
- Scalable for complex, large-scale portfolios with robust financial and risk management
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring skilled administrators
- High implementation costs and long deployment times
- Overkill and expensive for small teams or non-IT focused PPM needs
Best For
Large enterprises with IT-heavy portfolios needing integrated strategic planning and execution across ITSM and PPM.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; PPM modules typically start at $100-$150 per user/month, with minimum commitments and additional fees for implementation.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools demonstrate a spectrum of exceptional capabilities, with monday.com leading as the top choice for its highly customizable visual workflows that simplify both project and portfolio management. Asana follows strongly, excelling in team collaboration and task organization, while Smartsheet stands out with its spreadsheet-inspired flexibility and automation—each offering distinct advantages to suit varied operational needs. Together, the top three highlight the best in the field, proving there is a robust solution for nearly every workflow.
Explore monday.com to experience its intuitive, flexible approach to project and portfolio management, or dive into Asana or Smartsheet for tailored solutions that align with your unique priorities.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison