Managing a project involves creating a complex system within limited time and resources. In order to achieve this, project management techniques such as planning, monitoring performance, and implementing modern management methods are necessary. Best project management software is a great investment for businesses, offering task management, work delegation, resource management and allocation, and time-tracking features.
According to the Project Management Institute, 12% of organizations waste their resources due to inadequate project management tools. This wastage can be avoided by using a project management app, which simplifies work and improves team performance by addressing common problems such as change management, risk planning, strategy changes, and poor communication.
Small and medium-sized businesses require a cost-effective project management software to stay competitive. By 2023, affordable softwares will prioritize essential features such as task scheduling, collaboration, and progress tracking. Cloud-based options will become more popular due to their lower pricing structures.
Choosing affordable and cheap project management software that aligns with the business needs, is user-friendly, and can scale up if required is crucial. Researching different options before making a decision is important. However, the initial cost of these tools may be a concern for some. To help alleviate these concerns, we've compiled a list of the five best project management software that will not break the bank. For additional options, refer to our list of free project management tools.
Top Five Inexpensive Project Management Software
It is important to note here that project management software features do not limit the software to businesses only. Project management softwares, like Microsoft Project, can be used by other groups and industries no matter what the scale of the project is, for example, educational institutions and personal projects for hobbyists and enthusiasts. For such a wide range of uses, project management softwares offers many options, making them easy to be budget-friendly and offering customization that can cut costs as well. Moreover, there are free options available with both basic and advanced features.
1. monday.com
monday.com software is an excellent project management solution tool that can be customized to meet the requirements of multiple teams. It enables project managers to manage project budgets, reschedule activities, create tasks, and identify potential bottlenecks and risks. Its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop features make task management, reporting, and collaboration effortless.
monday.com is a reasonably priced tool that caters to all industries, making it one of the best project management tools available. The recent updates have significantly enhanced the free version, making it more than just a basic version. However, the downside is that the Standard plan can be a bit expensive. If you are looking for the best free project management software around, then monday.com should be your preferred choice.
2. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a project management software used by big companies like Intel, Jaguar, and Timex. It helps you plan and track your projects by dividing them into smaller units. The project management platform provides features such as time tracking, project timelines, bug tracking, document management, and custom reporting.
The software is free for up to five members and two projects. You can choose from four paid plans for larger groups and more complex projects - Standard, Express, Premium, and Enterprise. It can be integrated with other performance-related applications such as Google Apps. Users can break projects into tasks, create baselines to compare progress, manage project budgets, and collaborate with team members and client.
3. Asana
Asana software is an affordable and comprehensive cloud-based project management software that offers various features such as task management, resource allocation, team collaboration, timeline visualization, advanced reporting, and more. It is designed to connect all the functions across teams and has demonstrated impressive results in increasing employee satisfaction, finishing projects on time, and reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
Asana's basic plan is free, while the premium plan costs $10.99 per user per month, offering additional features such as an unlimited dashboard, timeline view, workflow builder, advanced search, and custom fields. It is an excellent choice for small businesses or startups looking for a powerful or free project management tool that can help increase efficiency and productivity.
4. Trello
Trello software is a project management software that was created in 2010 by Fog Creek Software Company and rebranded as Trello, Inc. in 2014. It offers flexible project management apps and intuitive Kanban board views, making project planning, management, and information organization easier. Trello allows users to collaborate with their team and receive notifications when board changes are made.
It offers unlimited power-ups that allow users to have multiple projects and integrate a project tool of their choice into a single interface. Trello has a user-friendly interface, offers custom fields, and provides templates for quick board creation. It is a cost-effective solution that offers a free plan for up to 10 users and paid plans for larger teams.
Trello can be integrated with other applications such as Slack software, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams to streamline workflow. Its simplicity and straightforward design based on cards make it popular among professionals.
5. Wrike
Wrike software is a project management software that has been serving over 20,000 organizations in 140 countries for 16 years. It is designed to help professionals improve the efficiency and productivity of their operations, making it an excellent tool for teams managing projects that handle a lot of work from clients, especially in creative fields.
Users have reported increased productivity by 50% using Wrike, which offers a range of features, including task prioritization, workload management, and data protection tools. It also has customization options, can be accessed on mobile devices, and is integrated with file storage software such as Google Docs and Dropbox to simplify document management.
Wrike offers a tracking feature and integration with Zapier, a web application automation solution, as well as a real-time newsfeed for general management and collaboration purposes.
Final Takeaway
Selecting the right affordable project management software can significantly impact any organization. The correct software can help manage projects, simplify workflows, enhance communication, and ensure that projects are completed within the given time frame and budget. It's not just about incorporating new technology but rather transforming the entire process to increase efficiency and productivity.
If you're still uncertain as to which project management software would be suitable for your business, we suggest taking advantage of the trial versions offered by many top project management software providers or checking out demos on Software Finder. This will offer you hands-on experience with the software's interface and features, which can provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.