11 project tracking software tools for improving your workflow

Juggling multiple projects at once can seem overwhelming, but with the help of project tracking software, it becomes much more manageable. 

With the abundance of project tracking apps available on the market today, it can be challenging to choose the right one. However, with this curated list of the best project tracking software, you can quickly find the right fit for your specific use case scenario.

Table of Contents

What is project tracking?

Simply put, project tracking involves utilizing tools and techniques that aid managers and teams in overseeing the implementation of their tasks.

By using project tracking tools, you can arrange your tasks, monitor your progress, establish deadlines, and collaborate with your team members more effectively.

Here’s why tracking projects is important:

• Project tracking improves your organizational abilities, which can lead to the successful delivery of projects on time. Statistics suggest that only 29% of projects are finished within the expected timeline
• Effective project tracking is a key strategic skill that facilitates the completion of complex tasks and workflows. Organizations that fail to view project management as a strategic skill to drive change are reported to experience a 67% increase in project failures
• Incorporating project tracking is a critical component of maintaining an effective resource utilization. Research suggests that poor project performance results in an average of 11.4% of business investment being wasted
• Project tracking is an essential element of a comprehensive project management strategy. Only 35% of organizations express satisfaction with their project management maturity level. The implementation of project tracking software could help improve this dismal figure

Overall, the data indicates that some teams are still neglecting project tracking software, thereby missing out on the substantial benefits it can provide. 

However, there’s no need to be left out. Whether you are a freelancer handling small personal projects or a manager heading a sizable team, the list below encompasses a variety of tools that can cater to your specific demands and objectives, enhancing your overall workflow efficiency and productivity.

Top 11 project tracking software to make your workflow smoother

If you’re tired of managing projects with scattered notes and emails, it’s time to switch to project tracking software. Below are 11 tools that can help you streamline your workflow and boost efficiency for you and your team.

1. Microsoft Project

At a glance: 
Microsoft Project is a suite of well-designed tools that belongs to the Microsoft 365 family. It’s a great project tracking software for both small and large businesses due to its extensive range of features. Microsoft Project supports recurring events, dependencies, custom fields, and baselines, which allow for tracking actual progress against planned progress.  

Useful features:

• The familiar tabbed ribbon interface found in other Microsoft Office applications
• Seamless integration with other Microsoft 365 tools such as Teams and Planner
• Rich task customization options

Great for: Those who are already acquainted with the Microsoft ecosystem

Price: 

• Basic version – $10 (monthly charge per user)
• Advanced version – $30
• Expert version – $55

2. Asana

At a glance:
Asana is widely considered one of the top project tracking tools due to its versatility and extensive features. It’s great at meticulously tracking even the tiniest details, making it an ideal tool for enabling managers to gain insight into the responsibilities of each team member. Users can establish due dates and receive automatic notifications when a particular project section is finished, and streamline other aspects of everyday workflow.

Useful features:

• A wide range of project views, including Kanban-style cards, a calendar view, and a workload overview
• Supports various automatic processes and integrations that can enhance team efficiency
• Can create intuitive relationships and dependencies between tasks
• Has the capability to integrate with other business applications, such as DeskTime

Great for: Asana is often suggested as the best project tracking tool for marketing teams

Price: 

• Basic version – free
• Premium version – $10.99 (monthly charge per user)
• Business version – $24.99 

3. Adobe Workfront

At a glance: 
Workfront is a project tracking tool tailored for large enterprises. The online platform allows employees to oversee task tracking, project progress, balance resources, manage budgets, and review and approve work. With this software, project leads can easily deal with the most complex workload and work delegation issues.

Useful features:

• Special reporting capabilities for overseeing particularly large teams
• A proofing system that improves the process of uploading, reviewing, and approving documents and media files
• Online reviewing system – stakeholders can provide feedback, request revisions, and approve projects while maintaining a transparent record of all changes made

Great for: Large organizations

Price: 

• Depends on the setup and installation of each organization, starts at $30 (monthly charge per user)

4. Wrike

At a glance: 
Wrike provides collaboration and project progress tracking capabilities through tailored versions, which are designed for specific teams, like marketers and service teams. It’s a comprehensive solution for managing both projects and recurring work, offering a vast array of features. What sets Wrike apart from its competitors is its ability to handle not only project management but also work management, providing added value for users who require both functionalities.

Useful features:

• Project Risk Prediction – machine learning feature notifies the appropriate individuals if  a project might miss its deadlines
• Automation of work intake – all requests from both internal and external customers can be directed to a centralized location

Great for: Those seeking a customized version of project tracking software that meets their industry-specific requirements

Price: 

• Basic version – free
• Team version – $9.80 (monthly charge per user)
• Business version – $24.80

5. Basecamp

At a glance: 
Basecamp project tracking software functions as a virtual hub for teams and organizations. It’s highly proficient in its designated tasks and is particularly cost-effective for large teams. Its features are centered around tracking tasks and deadlines, facilitating communication, sharing files, and collaborating on work-related projects. Basecamp could be an ideal starting point if you’re looking for a platform for your team to collaborate on, particularly if you don’t already have an established working system.

Useful features:

• Seamlessly integrates with other business applications, including DeskTime
• Card Table tool – a unique variation of Kanban, explicitly tailored for managing reactive work
• Each project on the platform provides unlimited space to organize, share, and store documents, files, and images

Great for: Those who mainly need to facilitate communication

Price: 

• Basic version – $15 (monthly charge per user)
• Pro version – $299 (monthly charge, unlimited users)

6. Celoxis

At a glance: 
Celoxis’ cost-effective pricing and high-value features make it a top contender among other online project trackers. It offers various tools and comprehensive reports to provide especially great value to decision-makers and business owners. Celoxis is particularly suitable for medium and large organizations that require project management tools not only for team collaboration but also for gaining insights into their business operations.

Useful features:

• Provides insight on operations, such as determining when to take on new projects and assessing the overall health of a business
• Users can determine project completion dates based on their current schedule and accurately predict revenue generation

Great for: Medium and large organizations

Price: $22.50 (monthly charge per user)

7. Teamwork

At a glance: 
Teamwork is a project tracking service that offers an array of advanced features and an intuitive interface. It’s particularly well-suited for teams that handle client work, as it also includes billing and invoicing functionality. With its user-friendly interface, this online platform simplifies project management and task tracking, making it easier for team members to collaborate effectively.

Useful features: 

• Offers dedicated intake forms for new projects – particularly useful for clients with whom you work regularly
• Interactive Gantt charts
• “Workload” – a built-in resource management tool

Great for: Teams responsible for client work

Price: 

• Basic – free
• Starter – $5.99 (monthly charge per user)
• Advanced – $9.99
• Expert – $17.99 

8. DeskTime

At a glance:
DeskTime offers a range of features for teams to optimize their workflow and improve productivity. Users can track how much time they spend on individual projects and tasks, which is useful for both freelancers and teams that work on multiple projects simultaneously. Tracking the time spent on each project allows you to bill your clients more accurately, as well as helps you better estimate time needed for similar projects in the future.

Useful features:

• Teams can set realistic deadlines and organize their workflow more effectively
• Project feature enables teams to estimate the potential costs of a new project
• Capability to generate detailed project reports within seconds

Great for: Teams that require precise time tracking for accurate billing purposes

Price:

• Pro – $7 (monthly charge per user)
• Premium – $10
• Enterprise – $20

9. Jira

At a glance: 
Jira is a user-friendly project tracking software that facilitates seamless coordination and customization throughout the entire project journey. Its built-in Scrum and Kanban boards serve as effective tools for tracking and organizing tasks and managing agile teams. Managers can easily monitor the progress of tasks and identify any potential delays. Plus, customizable workflows enable teams to create visually intuitive representations of their processes.

Useful features: 

• More than a dozen reporting options straight out of the box
• Built-in Scrum and Kanban boards
• Offers integration with other essential business applications, such as DeskTime

Great for: Jira is widely popular among IT teams

Price: 

• Basic version – free
• Standard version – $7.75 (monthly charge per user)
• Premium version – $15.25

10. Trello

At a glance: 
Trello is one of the most user-friendly Kanban applications available. It’s a proficient tool for tracking tasks and workflows within both internal teams and external partners, making it an excellent collaboration tool and an alternative to more complex project management apps. Compared to other apps on our list, Trello is lightweight – it has a simple interface and focuses on the core functionalities of task management.

Useful features:

• Can be integrated with other business applications (like DeskTime)
• Offers comprehensive customization of boards
• The Butler tool allows users to create command runs (process automation tasks)

Great for: Teams seeking a lightweight and highly customizable tool

Price: 

• Basic version – free
• Standard version – $5 per user/month
• Premium version – $10
• Enterprise version – $17.50

11. GanttPro

At a glance: 
GanttPro is a project tracking app best suited for small teams. The app features a user-friendly interface and an abundance of features. The software effectively utilizes the famous Gantt charts, providing project managers or team leaders with a comprehensive view of tasks, timelines, and resources in one place, allowing for efficient resource management. GanttPRO also offers various practical features for project planning, such as broad filtering options and project milestones.

Useful features:

• Integrates with other applications such as Slack, Google Drive, and Jira Cloud
• The ability to establish task dependencies and connections
• One of the most effective applications of the renowned Gantt charts in the industry

Great for: Small teams

Price: 

• A version restricted to personal use projects only – free
• Lite version – $19 per manager/month
• Pro version – $49 per manager/month
• Enterprise version – $99 per manager/month

Master workflow efficiency with project tracking software

In today’s fast-paced work environment, it’s essential to have reliable solutions to manage workflow and track tasks efficiently. This comprehensive list of software showcases tools designed to meet the demands of modern work practices. 

Whether you manage a small team or a large enterprise, these project tracking tools offer a range of features that cater to your specific needs. By using these apps, you can handle multiple tasks concurrently and meet your objectives on time, all while receiving valuable data feedback.