If you’re managing multiple projects simultaneously, the best project portfolio management software or “PPM” tools will help you navigate this complex and challenging task. These solutions help businesses streamline the management of multiple simultaneous projects, align projects with strategic goals, and make better use of resources across several workstreams. The right PPM software ensures that you can see how your projects interact with one another and track their progress from one centralized hub.
With the rise of AI-driven features, remote work, and hybrid project management, PPM tools have evolved significantly in the last year. I’ve tested a wide range of project portfolio management software, scoring them on functionality, ease of use, integrations, and pricing, to compile this list that should help you choose the best option. I’ve covered tools for different business sizes and budgets as well as free PPM tools.
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The Best Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Tools For Businesses Tested by Our Experts
Monday — Best project portfolio management software for agile teams
Wrike — Best project portfolio management tool for remote teams
Zoho Projects — Best PPM tool for budget-conscious teams managing multiple client projects
ClickUp — Best PPM software for comprehensive free forever plan and scalability
Notion — Best portfolio project management software for creative teams
The Top 8 Project Portfolio Management Tools Ranked
- Monday — Best project portfolio management software for agile teams
- Smartsheet — Best enterprise PPM software
- Wrike — Best project portfolio management tool for remote teams
- Zoho Projects — Best PPM tool for budget-conscious teams managing multiple client projects
- Teamwork — Best PPM software for client-facing businesses
- ClickUp — Best PPM software for comprehensive free forever plan and scalability
- Notion — Best portfolio project management software for creative teams
- Asana — Best PPM tool for simple portfolio management
The Best Project Portfolio Management Software or “PPM Tools” Tested and Reviewed
In this section, I’ll walk you through some of the best PPM tools for managing your project portfolios that I’ve personally tested and reviewed. Whether you’re looking to streamline complex projects or optimize resources across multiple teams, these reviews will give you the insights you need to make an informed decision.
You’ll notice some cross-over between the tools on this page and those on my recently updated, dedicated guide to the best project management software on the market today.
- Pre-Built Templates — These are ready-made project templates that help you get started quickly without having to build everything from scratch. They save time and ensure consistency across projects.
- Resource Tracking and Forecasting — This feature allows you to monitor how resources (like time, personnel, and budget) are being used and predict future needs, helping you avoid bottlenecks and over-allocation.
- Native Integrations — Native integrations refer to the software’s ability to connect with other tools (like Slack or Microsoft Teams) without additional setup. This makes it easier to keep all your mobile apps in sync.
- Overall Integrations — This is the total number of integrations a tool supports, allowing you to connect the software to various systems in your tech stack for seamless workflows and automation.
1. monday.com – Best Project Portfolio Management Software for Agile Teams
Starting Price | $9/seat/month (billed annually) |
---|---|
Free Version | Free forever (up to 2 users, 3 boards) |
Top 3 Features | Customizable dashboards, Automation & integrations, Timeline & Gantt views |
No. pre-built project templates | 200+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 37 |
Overall integrations | 600+ |
Why We Picked It
I chose Monday.com because it offers a high level of workflow customizability as well as agile-focused features such as sprint planing, timeline views, and task prioritzation which make it a top choice for agile project teams.
Its customizable, intuitive, highly visual project dashboards and workspaces make it very easy to keep multiple projects organized and aligned with business goals, all in one place. It’s easy to visualize and report on progress in monday. Plus it makes setting up autmoations straightforward, even for the less tech-savvy among us, thanks to simple, pre-set IF/THEN configuration.
Features
- Customizable Dashboards – Monday.com allows you to create personalized dashboards that offer a clear overview of all ongoing projects. This makes it easy to spot bottlenecks, monitor progress, and keep everything aligned with overall goals and milestones.
- Automation & Integrations – The built-in, pre-set automation options (“…if X is true then Y happens…”) save time by handling repetitive tasks, while integrations with over 250 tools help ensure seamless workflows across different platforms. It’s integrations with developer tools like GitHub and Jira are another reason it’s a great choice for agile teams.
- Timeline, Kanban Gantt Views – These views make it simple to track project timelines and dependencies, giving agile teams a visual representation of tasks to ensure nothing falls through the cracks during fast-paced projects, or than changes to timelines are clear to everyone in real time. It makes it easy for agile teams to visualize tasks, backlogs, and sprints.
Pricing
monday.com offers a free plan with limited features for individuals, and then three premium plans that are priced competitively compared to other providers, offering good value for businesses of different sizes. For larger organizations, custom enterprise pricing is available to match specific needs.
Plan | Free | Basic | Standard | Pro | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $0 | $12/seat/month | $14/seat/month | $24/seat/month | Custom pricing |
Yearly | $0 | $9/seat/month | $12/seat/month | $19/seat/month | Custom pricing |
- Free – Perfect for individuals or freelancers who need simple tools for managing a small number of projects with basic tracking features.
- Basic – Suited for small teams overseeing straightforward project portfolios, providing essential tools for task management and team collaboration.
- Standard – Great for mid-sized teams needing more sophisticated portfolio views like Gantt charts and automation to manage project timelines and resources efficiently.
- Pro – Ideal for larger teams managing complex project portfolios with advanced tracking, resource allocation, and reporting capabilities.
- Enterprise – Designed for large organizations managing extensive project portfolios, offering advanced security, detailed data analytics, and custom integrations for strategic project oversight.
Who It’s Best For
Monday.com is perfect for agile teams that need a flexible, customizable platform to manage complex project portfolios with ease. However, if you’re handling highly specialized projects requiring niche integrations, another tool like Wrike might suit you better.
Pros
- Highly customizable dashboards for a clear portfolio overview
- Strong and easy-to-configure automations to streamline repetitive project tasks
- Excellent integration options with 250+ apps
Cons
- Can become pricey for larger teams as features scale
- Private boards, time tracking, and more require Pro plan
2. Smartsheet — Best Enterprises PPM Software
Starting Price | $9/member/month |
---|---|
Free Version | 30-day free trial |
Top 3 Features | Strategic planning, Resource & capacity planning, Portfolio reporting |
No. pre-built project templates | 98+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 10+ |
Overall integrations | 200+ |
Why We Picked It
I chose Smartsheet because its robust features for strategic planning and portfolio management make it ideal for large enterprises. Its ability to handle complex portfolios with ease and provide real-time analytics sets it apart from other tools.
Features
- Strategic Planning – Smartsheet helps large enterprises align their project portfolios with overarching business goals. Its planning features make it simple to prioritize high-impact projects and keep teams focused on strategic objectives.
- Resource & Capacity Planning – With Smartsheet, you can track resources across multiple projects and departments, ensuring balanced workloads and avoiding resource over-allocation, which is essential for large-scale projects.
- Portfolio Reporting – The customizable dashboards and real-time reports give you a clear view of project performance. This feature is particularly useful for presenting portfolio updates to stakeholders and ensuring projects are aligned with key performance metrics.
Pricing
Smartsheet offers pricing plans that scale well with the needs of both small teams and large enterprises. Compared to other PPM tools, its pricing is mid-range, so not the cheapest, but it offers great value for enterprise-level project portfolio management.
Plan | Pro | Business | Enterprise | Advanced Work Management |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $12/member/month | $24/member/month | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
Yearly | $9/member/month | $19/member/month | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
- Pro – Great for teams managing multiple projects with flexible views and automations, ideal for basic project tracking.
- Business – Ideal for businesses that need advanced team management, with extra automation and storage for handling larger portfolios.
- Enterprise – Tailored for large organizations with advanced security, integrations, and AI-powered tools to manage complex portfolios.
- Advanced Work Management – Best for large-scale enterprises requiring robust portfolio management with powerful integrations and premium support.
Who It’s Best For
Smartsheet is perfect for large enterprises that need to manage complex project portfolios with advanced reporting and resource planning tools. However, it may not be ideal for smaller teams looking for a more affordable, simple solution — tools like monday.com might suit them better.
Pros
- Powerful AI-powered tools for advanced project forecasting and resource allocation
- Highly flexible automations tailored for complex enterprise workflows
- Comprehensive integration with enterprise systems like Salesforce and Jira
Cons
- Requires significant setup time to fully utilize its advanced features
- Custom pricing for higher-tier plans can become costly for budget-conscious teams
3. Wrike — Best Project Portfolio Management Tool for Remote Teams
Starting Price | $10/user/month |
---|---|
Free Version | Free forever (basic version) |
Top 3 Features | Real-time collaboration, AI-powered risk management, customizable workflows |
No. pre-built project templates | 80+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 400+ |
Overall integrations | 750+ |
Why We Picked It
I picked Wrike because its real-time collaboration tools and advanced risk management features are perfect for remote teams or dispersed hybrid teams. Its flexibility with customizable workflows and strong integrations make it a top choice for managing projects across distributed teams, too.
Features
- Real-Time Collaboration – Wrike’s real-time collaboration tools allow remote teams to work together seamlessly, keeping communication flowing and ensuring everyone stays on the same page, no matter where they are.
- AI-Powered Risk Management – Wrike uses AI to identify potential project risks early, giving you the insights needed to prevent delays and stay on track, especially when managing multiple projects remotely.
- Customizable Workflows – When testing, I found that Wrike let me tailor workflows to match specific processes, whether I was simulating an agile, waterfall, or a hybrid approach. This flexibility will make it easy to manage complex projects across distributed teams and various project frameworks.
Pricing
Wrike offers a range of plans designed to accommodate remote teams of various sizes, with pricing that scales based on the features and complexity needed. While its entry-level plans are affordable, its advanced plans cater to larger enterprises with extensive PPM needs and are therefore prices on a custom basis.
Plan | Free | Team | Business | Enterprise | Pinnacle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $0 | $10/user/month | $24.80/user/month | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
- Free – Ideal for small teams starting with basic project management, offering essential features like task and board views.
- Team – Great for growing teams that need unlimited projects, custom workflows, and automation capabilities for smoother collaboration.
- Business – Perfect for organizations that require advanced AI-driven insights, resource tracking, and custom item types to manage multiple complex projects.
- Enterprise – Designed for larger teams with enhanced security needs, offering SSO, detailed audit reports, and advanced automations.
- Pinnacle – Tailored for enterprises with complex portfolios, providing advanced analytics, project budgeting, and enhanced automation for efficient portfolio management.
Who It’s Best For
Wrike is perfect for remote teams that need real-time collaboration tools and advanced project tracking features to stay connected and efficient across multiple locations. However, it may not be the best fit for smaller teams with limited automation needs — Asana might be a better, simpler choice for them.
Pros
- AI-powered risk prediction gives early insights to avoid project bottlenecks
- Advanced Gantt chart and task dependencies, ideal for complex, multi-team projects
- Over 400 integrations make it easy to connect with tools like Salesforce and Adobe Creative Cloud
Cons
- Resource management tools can feel overwhelming for smaller teams
- Advanced automation features are only available in higher-cost plans
4. Zoho Projects — Best PPM Tool for Budget-Conscious Teams Managing Multiple Client Projects
Starting Price | $4/user/month |
---|---|
Free Version | ✅ Free forever plan |
Top 3 Features | Client portal and collaboration, Task automation with blueprints, Time tracking and billing |
No. pre-built project templates | 100+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 5+ |
Overall integrations | 950+ |
Why We Picked It
I picked Zoho because it stands out as the ideal option for budget-conscious teams that need to manage multiple client projects efficiently. Its affordable pricing, paired with features designed to handle project portfolios and customer collaboration, makes it a great fit for teams looking to do more without overspending.
Features
- Client Portal and Collaboration – I love how Zoho offers a dedicated client portal, which makes it easy for you and your team to collaborate directly with clients. It’s a huge help when managing multiple client projects, ensuring you stay on the same page and maintain transparency.
- Task Automation with Blueprints – Zoho’s task automation through Blueprints (ready-built templates) lets you standardize and automate repetitive tasks, saving you loads of time and reducing manual effort — perfect for managing high volumes of client work efficiently.
- Comprehensive Time Tracking and Billing – One of my favorite features is Zoho’s time tracking and invoicing tools. They allow you to track billable hours and generate client invoices directly, which makes managing project finances across multiple clients so much smoother. If you’re already using Zoho accounting and invoicing software, you can connect these seamlessly with Zoho Projects to take care of billing pretty effortlessly.
Pricing
Zoho Projects offers one of the most budget-friendly pricing models compared to its competitors, making it an attractive option for teams managing multiple client projects without breaking the bank.
Plan | Free | Premium | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $0 | $5/user/month | $10/user/month |
Yearly | $0 | $4/user/month | $9/user/month |
- Free – Best for teams just starting out, offering up to 3 users, 2 projects, and 5GB of storage space.
- Premium – Ideal for growing teams, includes unlimited projects, time tracking, templates, and Blueprints, all at a very affordable rate.
- Enterprise – Great for larger teams, this plan adds advanced features like custom roles, read-only users, and enhanced security options.
Who It’s Best For
Zoho Projects is perfect for budget-conscious teams juggling multiple client projects and needing solid collaboration, task automation, and time tracking features. However, it may not be ideal for large enterprises seeking advanced reporting and portfolio management tools, where solutions like Smartsheet might be better suited.
Pros
- The mobile app provides comprehensive project management tools
- In-depth reports and dashboards, giving a clear, data-driven view of project progress and bottlenecks
- One of the most affordable options for managing multiple client projects
Cons
- Lacks advanced portfolio reporting tools for larger enterprises
- Many native integrations are available only in higher-tier plans
5. Teamwork — Best PPM Software for Client-Facing Businesses
Starting Price | $10.99/user/month |
---|---|
Free Version | ✅ Free forever plan |
Top 3 Features | Client collaboration, Time tracking, Workload management |
No. pre-built project templates | 26 |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 20+ |
Overall integrations | 50+ |
Why We Picked It
I chose Teamwork because of its strong focus on client collaboration and detailed project tracking. It’s an ideal option for agencies or teams that juggle multiple client projects and need clear, structured tools to manage both communication and resource allocation efficiently.
Features
- Client Collaboration – I like how Teamwork allows you to invite clients into the platform without extra costs. It makes communication smoother, cuts down on approval delays, and helps keep everyone in sync without juggling different tools.
- Time Tracking – I find Teamwork’s time tracking feature super helpful for logging billable hours and keeping invoicing accurate. It’s been great for managing client projects efficiently and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
- Workload Management – With Teamwork’s workload management, you should be able to easily see who’s overloaded or underutilized. It’s perfect for balancing tasks and making sure projects run smoothly without burning out the team.
Pricing
Teamwork offers four key pricing plans, starting with a relatively affordable base plan that’s well-priced compared to other providers. The pricing structure scales significantly for more advanced features and enterprise-level services.
Plan | Deliver | Grow | Scale | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $13.99/user/month | $25.99/user/month | $69.99/user/month | Custom pricing |
Yearly | $10.99/user/month | $19.99/user/month | $54.99/user/month | Custom pricing |
- Deliver – This is the basic plan designed for small teams needing robust project management, offering tools like automations, forms, and project status reports.
- Grow – Tailored for more complex client projects, Grow includes advanced budgeting, workload and capacity management, and deeper reporting features.
- Scale – Aimed at larger businesses, this plan provides unlimited retainer management, advanced reporting, and resource scheduling, all for more complex and profitable client work.
- Enterprise – Designed for large organizations, the Enterprise plan includes premium consulting services, advanced security, and dedicated infrastructure for maximum customization and support.
Who It’s Best For
Teamwork is ideal for client-focused businesses that need strong project management tools to streamline workflows and track billable hours efficiently. However, if you’re a small team seeking simpler task management without complex features, a more lightweight option like Zoho might be a better fit.
Pros
- Client users can access projects for free
- Workload and capacity management ensures no team member is overburdened
- Retainer management allows seamless tracking of ongoing client services
Cons
- Slower run time once more work gets added
- Most features only unlocked with the Deliver plan or above
6. ClickUp — Best PPM Software for a Comprehensive Free-Forever Plan and Scalability
Starting Price | $7/user/month |
---|---|
Free Version | ✅Free forever plan |
Top 3 Features | Portfolio monitoring and mission control, Marketing campaign managing, Company objective alignment |
No. pre-built project templates | 1,000+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 46 |
Overall integrations | 1,000+ |
Why We Picked It
I picked ClickUp because it offers an unbeatable combination of flexibility, customization, and scalability. It offers one of the best free-forever plans available on the market, paired with features like advanced task management, automation, and portfolio oversight, making it ideal for businesses needing detailed control. Its paid pricing plans are highly affordable and increase gently in cost as you move up the tiers, making it a good choice if you’re looking to scale up your project work over time.
Features
- Portfolio Monitoring and Mission Control – Wrike offers a central hub for tracking every initiative across your business, from digital strategy through to execution. This feature allows you to oversee all projects and ensure they are aligned with company objectives, making it perfect for managing large portfolios at scale.
- Marketing Campaign Management – With ClickUp, I can monitor every aspect of marketing campaigns in one place. It tracks spend, effort, and real-time analytics, helping marketing teams execute complex campaigns while staying on budget and schedule.
- Company Objective Alignment – ClickUp has the capability to build portfolios linking company-wide initiatives, meaning you’ll always know where each project stands in relation to overall business goals. This feature is essential for teams managing large-scale, strategic projects and needing to align resources across departments.
Pricing
ClickUp is one of the best free project management software for portfolios and ideal for individuals or small teams thanks to affordable paid plans that support the scaling up of activity.
Plan | Free | Unlimted | Businesss | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $0 | $10/user/month | $19/user/month | Custom pricing |
Yearly | $0 | $7/user/month | $12/user/month | Custom pricing |
- Free – Best for personal use with unlimited tasks and free plan members. Key features include 100MB of storage, real-time chat, Kanban boards, and collaborative docs.
- Unlimited – Ideal for small teams, offering unlimited storage, digital dashboards, integrations, and Gantt charts. Also includes time tracking and resource management.
- Business – Tailored for mid-sized teams, featuring advanced automations, workload management, granular time tracking, and custom exporting for enhanced project tracking.
- Enterprise – Designed for large organizations, providing enterprise-grade features like white labeling, advanced permissions, custom roles, and dedicated customer success support.
Who It’s Best For
ClickUp is a perfect fit for freelancers or small teams looking for a feature-packed free plan, as well as growing businesses needing a scalable solution that evolves with them. However, if your focus is solely on resource-heavy projects, options like Wrike may offer more tailored features for advanced resource tracking.
Pros
- Offers one of the most comprehensive free plans available
- Custom dashboards and over 50 widgets offers unparalleled flexibility
- Scalable plans that grow with your business
Cons
- Advanced automations and granular permissions require higher-tier plans
- The mobile app lacks some functionality compared to the desktop version
7. Notion — Best Portfolio Project Management Software for Creative Teams
Starting Price | $8/user/month |
---|---|
Free Version | ✅Free forever plan |
Top 3 Features | Custom workspaces, Collaborative databases, Creative templates |
No. pre-built project templates | 20,000+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 22 |
Overall integrations | 100+ |
Why We Picked It
I chose Notion because it offers a hugely versatile set of creative templates and ability to create unique workspaces which makes it stand out for creative teams.
Features
- Custom Workspaces – I love how Notion lets me create completely customized workspaces that fit exactly how you like to work. Whether it’s organizing creative projects or tracking tasks, you can design each space to perfectly match a workflow.
- Collaborative Databases – Notion’s collaborative databases will be helpful for creative teams. You can build detailed project databases that everyone on the team can update in real time, keeping you all in sync and helping ideas flow more smoothly.
- Creative Templates – With over 10,000 templates, you’ll never have to start from scratch. Whether your setting up a new project or brainstorming ideas, these templates will save time and give you a creative head start.
Pricing
Notion offers a variety of plans, ranging from a free option for individuals to premium plans for businesses, with prices that remain competitive compared to other project management tools.
Plan | Free | Plus | Business | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $0 | $12/seat/month | $18/seat/month | Custom pricing |
Yearly | $0 | $10/seat/month | $15/seat/month | Custom pricing |
- Free Plan – Perfect for individuals or freelancers in creative fields who want to organize ideas, projects, or personal goals with Notion’s collaborative workspace, basic page analytics, and 10 guest invites.
- Plus Plan – Ideal for creative professionals or small teams, this plan offers unlimited blocks and file uploads, synced databases, and custom automations, making it easier to manage creative workflows.
- Business Plan – For growing creative teams, this plan provides advanced features like private team spaces, bulk PDF export, and 90-day page history, empowering teams to streamline their creative collaboration while scaling.
- Enterprise Plan – Tailored for large, creative agencies or organizations, this plan offers robust security features, audit logs, and a dedicated customer success manager, making it perfect for teams needing both creativity and security at scale.
Who It’s Best For
Notion is perfect for creative teams and individuals who thrive on flexibility and want to customize their workflows, collaborate on projects, and build visually dynamic workspaces. However, it may not be ideal for teams that need advanced reporting or structured project management — Smartsheet might be a better fit for those requirements.
Pros
- Perfect for creative teams needing visual, block-based project management
- Allows for building company Wikis and collaborative docs easily
- Seamless integration with creative apps like Slack, GitHub, and more
Cons
- Free plan has limited file size for uploads (5MB)
- AI features require separate add-on, increasing overall cost
8. Asana — Best PPM Tool for Simple Portfolio Management
Starting Price | $10.99/user/month |
---|---|
Free Version | ✅Free forever plan |
Top 3 Features | AI-driven status updates, Task dependencies, Goals tracking |
No. pre-built project templates | 80+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ |
Native integrations | 40 |
Overall integrations | 200+ |
Why We Picked It
I picked Asana because it simplifies portfolio management without overwhelming you with too many complex features. Its clean, intuitive interface and helpful artificial intelligence tools make it ideal for anyone who needs to track multiple projects but doesn’t want a steep learning curve.
Features
- AI-Driven Status Updates – I love how Asana’s AI tools can quickly generate insightful project summaries and even create status updates straight from those summaries. I see how this could save so much time when it comes to keeping stakeholders in the loop.
- Task Dependencies – With Asana, you can easily set up task dependencies to ensure everything moves smoothly. It’ll help teams avoid bottlenecks and ensure projects stay on track.
- Goals Tracking – What really stands out to me is Asana’s ability to link company-wide goals directly to projects. It keeps everyone focused on the bigger picture, making sure your efforts align with your main objectives.
Pricing
Asana offers a free-forever plan for individuals and smaller teams, alongside three premium plans that scale to meet the needs of growing businesses and enterprises. Compared to other providers, Asana’s pricing is competitive, with the higher-tier plans offering advanced features for portfolio and workflow management.
Plan | Personal | Start | Advanced | Enterprise/+ |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monthly | $0 | $13.49/user/month | $30.49/user/month | Custom pricing |
Yearly | $0 | $10.99/user/month | $24.99/user/month | Custom pricing |
- Personal – Best for individuals or small teams, this free plan offers unlimited tasks and projects with basic views, making it perfect for managing personal to-dos or simple team collaboration.
- Starter – A great option for growing teams that need more advanced views (like Gantt charts) and automations to track progress across multiple projects. It’s competitively priced for mid-level project management.
- Advanced – Ideal for businesses managing a larger portfolio of work. You get 100 portfolios, custom goals tracking, and 25,000 automations, giving teams the ability to streamline workflows efficiently.
- Enterprise – Tailored for large organizations needing maximum control, this plan includes advanced features like resource management, integration with top-tier platforms like Salesforce, and enhanced security protocols.
Who It’s Best For
Asana is perfect for teams that need a simple, intuitive way to manage portfolios and track projects across departments. However, if you require more robust resource management features, it may be worth looking at the best Asana alternatives, such as Teamwork or monday, to find a better fit for your needs.
Pros
- 80+ templates for creating simple portfolios to manage
- Offers over 1,000 integrations
- Abundance of security features, even on the free plan
Cons
- Scaling becomes costlier than with most other providers
- No built-in time tracking – requires integrations for tracking work hours
A PPM Software Tools Comparison for 2024
This table offers a quick, at-a-glance comparison of the top PPM tools for 2024. It helps users see how each software stacks up in terms of pricing, templates, integrations, and more. It’s perfect for a clear, cross-provider comparison without digging through each individual review.
Provider | monday.com | Smartsheet | Wrike | Zoho Projects | Teamwork | ClickUp | Notion | Asana |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting Price | $9/seat/month | $9/member/month | $10/user/month | $4/user/month | $10.99/user/month | $7/user/month | $8/user/month | $10.99/user/month |
Free Version | Free forever (2 users) | 30-day free trial | Free forever | Free forever | Free forever | Free forever | Free forever | Free forever |
No. pre-built project templates | 200+ | 98+ | 80+ | 100+ | 26 | 1000+ | 20,000+ | 80+ |
Resource tracking and forecasting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Native integrations | 37 | 10+ | 400+ | 5+ | 20+ | 46 | 22 | 40 |
Overall integrations | 600+ | 200+ | 750+ | 950+ | 50+ | 1000+ | 100+ | 200+ |
How We Review And Test Project Management Software
We base our recommendations on first-hand testing. All the project management software products we feature, have been tested based on the following criteria.
For more detailed information, feel free to visit our dedicated page on how we review project management software.
- Features: We ensure the provider offers the basic functionality we’d expect, like task management and scheduling, resource management, built-in communication and collaboration capabilities, and reporting.
- Integrations: We check what platforms the software supports for integration, looking for common business tools like CRM software, email marketing platforms, and document management tools.
- Collaboration Capabilities: We assess and test the extent of collaboration on offer, including built-in chat, comment threads, mind mapping, and whiteboard capabilities.
- Pricing and Scalability: We evaluate the value for money on offer based on the functionality, and we factor in the ease and price of scaling.
- Customization: We check whether the platform offers things like custom fields, customizable dashboards, reports, and templates to check how easily the platform can be tailored to different businesses.
- Security: During testing, we note what security measures are in place, including authentication protocols, access controls, data encryption, data backups, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.
- Ease of Use: We assess how easy the platform is to navigate (across mobile and desktop), and we look for things like easy drag-and-drop functionality.
- Reputation: To add to our own analysis of the tools we review, we also factor in feedback from other users to ensure we offer our readers a complete overview.
- Support and Training: Some of the best project management tools do have learning curves. As such, we assess the level and quality of support on offer, including any online documentation.
How I Tested the Best Project Portfolio Management Software (PPM Tools) for This List
I evaluated these PPM software based on the seven following key areas of investigation:
- Core functionality
- Standout features
- Usability
- Onboarding
- Customer support
- Value for money
- Customer reviews
When evaluating the best project portfolio management software, I focused on criteria that directly impact usability, efficiency, and overall value.
First, I looked at core functionality — does the tool allow you to manage multiple projects, resources, and budgets while staying aligned with your business goals? Real-time tracking, reporting, and collaboration features were essential.
I also considered standout features like AI-driven insights or innovative tools that make managing complex portfolios easier. Usability played a key role — how intuitive is the interface? Could teams onboard quickly without a steep learning curve?
Customer support, value for money, and user reviews were also critical in my scoring, ensuring the tools I recommend provide both immediate and long-term benefits.
What Is Project Portfolio Management?
Project portfolio management (PPM) is the process of overseeing multiple projects within an organization to ensure they align with business objectives. The main benefit of PPM is that it allows businesses to prioritize, allocate resources effectively, and track the overall performance of various projects, optimizing outcomes and minimizing risk.
What is PPM Software?
PPM, or project portfolio management, software helps businesses manage project portfolios by offering tools for planning, tracking, resource allocation, and performance analysis. It provides real-time insights into project statuses, helping teams stay aligned with strategic goals.
How are PPM Tools Different from Project Management Software?
Typically, while project management software are designed to focus on individual projects, PPM tools are designed to manage a collection of projects, allowing businesses to oversee multiple initiatives at once. PPM software ensures alignment with broader business strategies, optimizing resources across the entire portfolio.
Project Portfolio Management Software Pricing: How Much does it Cost?
The cost of project portfolio management (PPM) software can vary greatly based on the features offered and the overall complexity of the software. Pricing typically ranges from affordable plans for small businesses to custom pricing for large enterprises. Below is an overview of typical pricing tiers and what each includes to help you understand which plan might be best for your business.
Plan Type | Average Price | Key Features |
---|---|---|
Free Tier | $0 | Basic project and task management for a limited number of users, minimal reporting, and restricted functionality. |
Individual | $10 – $25/user/month | Suitable for solo users or freelancers. Basic project management, limited reporting tools, and simple dashboards. |
Team | $30 – $60/user/month | Great for small to medium teams. Offers collaboration tools, resource planning, multi-user support, and detailed dashboards. |
Professional | $60 – $120/user/month | Ideal for larger teams. Includes advanced portfolio management, risk tracking, in-depth analytics, and integration with other tools. |
Enterprise | Custom Pricing | Tailored for large organizations. Fully customizable features, enhanced security, priority support, and scalability for complex portfolios. |
So, when should you consider upgrading your PPM plan?
- Increasing Project Complexity — As your project portfolio expands, you may require advanced features like portfolio-level analytics and better resource management, prompting an upgrade.
- Growing Team — A larger team means you’ll need more user licenses and enhanced collaboration tools, making the team or professional plans more suitable.
- Advanced Reporting and Insights — If your business needs deeper insights into performance, a higher-tier plan offering detailed analytics and reporting will be a better fit.
- Integration Needs — As your business adopts more tools, you may require better integration options with other platforms—something typically offered at higher tiers.
- Enhanced Security — For organizations that need more stringent security measures or compliance with industry regulations, enterprise-level plans provide advanced security features.
Upgrading your plan at the right time ensures your software can keep pace with your evolving business needs and improve project efficiency across the board.
PPM Software Trends Businesses Should be Aware of
As businesses continue to seek efficiency and strategic alignment, project portfolio management (PPM) tools are evolving rapidly. Here are three key trends to watch:
- AI-Driven Analytics — PPM software is increasingly incorporating AI to provide predictive insights into project success, resource allocation, and risk management. This trend allows businesses to make data-driven decisions with greater accuracy and foresight, improving project outcomes.
- Enhanced Integration with Business Tools — PPM tools now offer seamless integration with CRM, ERP, and collaboration platforms. This streamlines workflows by reducing manual data entry and ensuring that all business systems are synchronized, which boosts efficiency across teams.
- Focus on Strategic Alignment — More PPM tools are offering features that help businesses align projects with broader strategic goals. These include outcome-based planning, alignment scorecards, and goal-setting frameworks, helping organizations track how projects contribute to long-term objectives.
Key Features of Project Portfolio Management Software
When choosing the best project portfolio management software, it’s important to focus on features that will make managing your projects smoother and more strategic. Here are the key features to look out for:
- Strategic Alignment — This ensures that every project you manage supports your company’s broader goals, helping you prioritize high-impact initiatives.
- Resource Management — PPM tools help allocate and optimize resources across multiple projects, so you can avoid overallocation and ensure timelines stay on track.
- Real-Time Dashboards — Instant access to key metrics keeps you informed on project health, helping you make timely, informed decisions to keep projects moving smoothly.
- Risk Management — Identifying and mitigating risks early is crucial. A good PPM tool will help you stay ahead of potential issues and keep projects on course.
- Collaboration Tools — Effective communication between team members and stakeholders ensures that everyone stays aligned and up to date, reducing misunderstandings and delays.
Benefits of Project Portfolio Management Tools; Why Use PPM Software?
Project portfolio management (PPM) tools offer numerous benefits that can significantly improve how businesses handle multiple projects. Here’s why PPM software is essential:
- Strategic Alignment — PPM tools ensure that all projects contribute to your organization’s strategic goals, helping you focus on initiatives with the highest impact.
- Optimized Resource Allocation — With a clear overview of resources, PPM software helps allocate personnel, budget, and time efficiently, reducing waste and maximizing productivity.
- Increased Visibility — Real-time dashboards provide a comprehensive view of project performance, timelines, and risks, enabling informed decisions that keep projects on track.
- Proactive Risk Management — PPM tools help identify and mitigate risks before they become major issues, ensuring smoother project execution.
- Enhanced Collaboration — By improving communication among team members and stakeholders, PPM software fosters collaboration, ensuring everyone stays aligned on project goals.
These benefits make PPM tools indispensable for organizations looking to optimize project execution and align with long-term business objectives.
How to Choose the Best PPM Software Tool
Choosing the right project portfolio management (PPM) software depends on your business’s specific needs and the complexity of your project portfolio. While every business is different, there are several universal factors to remember to ensure you select a tool that aligns with your goals, improves efficiency, and supports long-term growth.
Here are five key factors to consider:
- Strategic Alignment: Ensure the software allows you to prioritize and align projects with your company’s long-term goals, making it easier to invest in the most impactful initiatives.
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface is crucial. Your team should be able to adopt the tool quickly without extensive training or a steep learning curve.
- Scalability: Consider whether the software can scale with your business as you grow. The tool should be able to handle increasing project volume and complexity.
- Integration Capabilities: Look for software that integrates well with other tools your organization relies on, such as CRM, ERP, or HR systems, to streamline workflows.
- Cost and Value: Evaluate the pricing structure and ensure that the features provided at each pricing tier offer good value for your business’s current and future needs.
FAQs
What is project portfolio management software?
Do I need PPM software?
Can you use Microsoft Project for portfolio management?
Can Jira do portfolio management?
What’s the difference between project management software and PPM tools?
Should I use project management software or portfolio project management software?
References
- What is Data Analytics? (Amazon Web Services)
- What is Risk Management? (IBM)
- Artificial Intelligence (U.S. Department of State)