5 Best Project Management Software for Small Businesses

Whether you're juggling multiple client projects, coordinating with remote teams, or trying to keep tight deadlines, the right software can transform chaos into clarity.

But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best one for your needs?

In this article, we'll explore the ten best project management software for small businesses. Each is chosen for the unique advantages it offers to small teams striving to achieve big goals.

Looking to streamline your processes and supercharge your productivity? You’ll find your perfect fit right here.

1. Bitrix24: Comprehensive management suite

Bitrix24 provides a suite of project management tools for small businesses that enhance efficiency and deliver cost savings by consolidating multiple solutions into one package.

Key features

• Integrated customer relationship management (CRM): Bitrix24 includes a powerful CRM system that helps manage customer relationships right alongside your projects. This integration ensures all customer interactions and project tasks are aligned and accessible in one place.
• Task and project management: The platform allows you to plan projects, assign tasks, track progress, and manage deadlines effectively. Features like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, shared calendars and time-tracking tools provide detailed oversight of all project aspects.
• AI Copilot for project planning: Bitrix24’s built-in AI assistant helps you quickly generate clear task descriptions, convert prompts into checklists, summarize long comment threads, and even reply to comments.
• Communication tools: Bitrix24 supports internal communications with features like video conferencing, chat, and social networking. These tools help keep your team connected and informed, no matter where they are.
• Automation capabilities: Bitrix24 enhances efficiency with powerful automation tools that streamline complex business processes. These tools include tasks, workflows, and CRM automation.
• Data-driven analytics: Detailed productivity insights that identify bottlenecks and suggest improvements to maximize team efficiency.

Is your CRM ready? Check the guide

Enter your email to download a guide that will help you get started with any CRM system.

You acknowledge that you have read and understood Bitrix24 Privacy Policy

Benefits for small businesses

Bitrix24 is particularly beneficial for small businesses due to an extensive feature set that supports not just project management but also sales, marketing, and customer support.

• Enhanced collaboration: The suite’s ability to integrate various aspects of business operations—from task management to real-time communication—fosters a collaborative environment that can significantly boost productivity.
• Scalability: As your business grows, Bitrix24 scales with you. You can add more users, extend the CRM capabilities, and increase your use of project management features without needing to switch to another platform.

Getting started with Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is user-friendly, with a generous free version that offers a substantial range of features, making it an affordable project management solution for small businesses just starting out. Our paid plans provide additional tools and greater capacity for managing larger teams and increasingly complex projects.

For small businesses seeking a do-it-all platform that manages projects, customer relations, and internal communications, Bitrix24 stands out as a comprehensive solution. It’s designed to streamline business processes, enhance team productivity, and improve overall project outcomes.

Combining Gantt charts, Kanban boards, time tracking, CRM, and much more, all on one system, Bitrix24 eliminates the need for multiple tools. Whether you're onboarding a new team member or building out automated workflows, this platform is ready to support your business every step of the way.

2. Asana: Streamlining tasks and workflows

Asana’s project management system is known for its capabilities in managing tasks and workflows. The platform offers features like task management, collaboration tools, and various integrations, helping streamline business processes.

Key features

• Task management: Asana allows you to create tasks, assign them to team members, set deadlines, and update statuses. It lets you organize tasks into projects and sections, so you can see the big picture or dive into the details.
• Collaboration tools: You can add comments on tasks, share files, and tag team members. This means fewer meetings and emails, and more direct, efficient collaboration.
• Integrations: Asana integrates with over 200 popular applications like Google Drive, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. These integrations help streamline your workflows and eliminate the need to constantly switch between different tools.

Benefits for small businesses

Small businesses particularly benefit from Asana's scalability and flexibility, while it can accommodate more complex projects and larger teams without losing its simplicity.

• Clear objectives and timelines: Asana helps you set clear objectives and maintain timelines, crucial for small businesses where resources are often tight, and deadlines are strict.
• Visual project tracking: The platform's visual project tracking features, such as boards and timelines, provide an overview of project progress at a glance. This visual approach is user-friendly and makes it easier to identify potential bottlenecks early.

Getting started with Asana

Asana offers a basic free version, often sufficient for very small teams just beginning to organize their projects. For more advanced features, their premium plans are reasonably priced, making them accessible without a significant upfront investment.

Asana is great for task management and collaboration, focusing mainly on organizing tasks. It is known for having a clean interface, and the user experience is simple and intuitive, with preset templates, progress tracking, and due dates.

However, Asana is rather limited to organizations looking for an all-encompassing project management software for small businesses. If you need integrated customer relationship management (CRM) or other functionalities alongside project management, Bitrix24 offers a more comprehensive solution.

3. Trello: Visual project management

Trello utilizes a card-based system for project management, which is beneficial for teams that prefer a visual approach. The platform's simple, user-friendly design can be useful for managing small-scale projects and straightforward workflows.

Key features

• Boards, lists, and cards: Trello organizes projects into boards, which are divided into lists. Each list contains cards that can represent tasks, ideas, or milestones. You can drag and drop cards across lists to show progress, categorize tasks, or adjust priorities on the fly.
• Customization options: Each card can be customized with labels, checklists, due dates, attachments, and more. This allows you to tailor the tool to your specific project needs and workflow preferences.
• Automation with Butler: Trello’s built-in automation tool, Butler, helps automate common tasks like moving cards, sending reminders, or creating recurring tasks. This reduces the manual effort required to manage repetitive processes.

Benefits for small businesses

Trello is popular due to its flexibility and user-friendly interface. Its simple setup and minimal learning curve make it easy for teams to get started and stay productive.

• Enhanced visual collaboration: The layout of Trello is useful for creative projects where concepts and ideas are better understood visually.
• Scalability: Whether you're managing a single project or multiple complex workflows, Trello scales with your business. You can start with a basic setup and add more boards and features as your project management needs grow.

Getting started with Trello

Trello is accessible to businesses of all sizes with a free version offering unlimited cards and up to 10 boards per team. For additional features like larger file uploads, extra boards, and advanced automation, there are various paid plans available.

Trello's strength lies in its simple and visual approach to project management, making it ideal for smaller projects or teams. Its card-based system is intuitive and flexible, allowing teams to quickly map out workflows and adjust them in real time. That visual style supports a variety of use cases, from editorial calendars to marketing campaigns and sprint planning.

However, businesses requiring more comprehensive project management features or advanced reporting might find the platform somewhat limited. Bitrix24 could be a suitable alternative, offering a broader range of PM tools and detailed analytics.

4. Monday.com: Customizable project boards

Monday.com offers project management software for small businesses on a platform that is adaptable to a variety of business workflows, potentially benefiting those who need customizable solutions. It features automation, templates, and scalability options that can support business growth and process management.

Key Features

• Customizable workflows: Monday.com provides templates that can be adjusted to better fit various business operations, offering a degree of flexibility.
• Automation: Monday.com helps reduce the manual effort involved in project management. You can set up automation for tasks like status updates, notifications, and moving tasks between stages of a project, allowing you to focus more on strategic activities.
• Dashboards: Comprehensive dashboards provide a high-level view of your projects. You can track progress, budgets, and timelines, all from a single screen.

Benefits for small businesses

Monday.com’s adaptability makes it particularly project management software for small businesses that might change processes frequently as they grow and evolve.

• Efficiency in project management: by automating routine tasks and centralizing project information, Monday.com enhances efficiency, saving time and reducing errors.
• Scalability: As your projects become more complex, Monday.com’s features can be expanded to include detailed tracking and reporting.

Getting started with Monday.com

Getting started with Monday.com is straightforward. They offer a free trial that allows you to explore the features before committing to a paid plan. The pricing is structured to grow with you, starting from basic features suitable for small teams to more advanced options ideal for larger projects.

Monday.com offers extensive customization and automation options, making it a strong candidate for managing complex workflows. Its adaptable boards are ideal for tailoring the user interface to specific projects, departments, or industries. With advanced dashboards, automation recipes, and time tracking, this is flexible project management software for small businesses across various work styles.

As projects grow in complexity, Monday.com’s modular structure lets teams adapt without overhauling their entire process. However, for businesses requiring built-in CRM features alongside PM capabilities, platforms like Bitrix24 offer a more powerful, comprehensive solution.

5. ClickUp: All-in-one project management

ClickUp serves as an all-in-one project management tool that consolidates tasks, documents, and communications.

Key Features

• Unified workspace: ClickUp allows you to manage tasks, docs, chat, and goals all within one platform. This integration reduces the need to switch between different applications, saving time and reducing confusion.
• Custom views: You can view your projects in many formats, such as lists, boards, calendars, and Gantt charts.
• Advanced task management: Tasks in ClickUp can be highly detailed with custom statuses, priorities, and dependencies.

Benefits for small businesses

Used as project management software for small businesses, ClickUp offers a comprehensive suite of features that can adapt to various industries and project types, making it a scalable choice as your business grows.

• Enhanced productivity: With features like task assignments, reminders, and progress tracking, ClickUp helps ensure that everyone knows what they need to do and by when.
• Collaborative features: ClickUp’s collaborative tools, such as document sharing, real-time editing, and integrated chat, enhance teamwork by ensuring that communication is seamless and efficient.

Getting started with ClickUp

ClickUp offers a free plan that includes unlimited tasks and users. For more sophisticated features, their paid plans are competitively priced, with additional capabilities like unlimited storage, advanced reporting, and robust automation.

ClickUp is a versatile platform that consolidates various project management functions. Its ability to house tasks, documents, chat, goals, and dashboards in a single space helps reduce context switching. With customizable task statuses, multiple project views, and built-in automation, ClickUp’s project management software for small businesses supports both day-to-day task execution and strategic planning.

It’s particularly well-suited for teams that value flexibility and detail. That said, its wide feature set can present a steep learning curve, especially for teams that need fast adoption and minimal setup.

While it offers a comprehensive suite of tools, the array of features might be overwhelming for smaller teams or those with simpler PM needs. For those looking for a platform that also emphasizes ease of use alongside powerful features, including CRM and communication tools, Bitrix24 might offer a more balanced solution.

6. Wrike: Project management for scaling teams

Wrike’s project management tools for small businesses are designed to support growing teams and large projects with a robust ecosystem of integrated features.

Key features

• AI-driven Work Intelligence: Automate repetitive tasks, generate summaries, and predict risks using built-in AI features available on all plans.
• Blueprints and proofing tools: Save entire project templates for reuse and streamline approvals with visual markup tools.
• Custom dashboards and views: Track progress through Gantt charts, calendars, workload views, or Kanban boards tailored to how your team works.

Benefits for small businesses

• Ready to scale: Wrike grows with your needs. The flexible structure makes onboarding new projects and team members easier without switching systems.
• Stronger stakeholder alignment: Share dashboards, updates, and timelines with internal and external collaborators, even if they don’t have a Wrike account, ensuring transparency without compromising control.

Getting started with Wrike

Wrike offers freemium project management software for those looking to test the waters, with mid-market paid plans and customized enterprise deals. At that level, you can personalize your setup with native integrations and enjoy 24/7 global support.

If you're managing complex projects with layered teams or clients, Wrike brings clarity, structure, and momentum to your workflow. It’s a powerful project management solution for growing teams and complex workflows. Its AI capabilities, adaptive visualizations, and stakeholder collaboration features make it ideal for scaling businesses. Wrike’s flexible structure allows departments to tailor workspaces to their unique processes while maintaining cross-team visibility.

The steep learning curve and additional integration costs may be a hurdle for smaller teams. For a more intuitive experience with built-in CRM, communication, and automation tools, platforms like Bitrix24 provide a unified and cost-effective alternative.

7. Smartsheet: Spreadsheet project management software for small businesses

Smartsheet layers modern project management tools onto familiar spreadsheets, making it suitable for teams that prefer data-first workflows without sacrificing advanced features like automation and dashboards.

Key features

• Multiple project views: Teams can toggle between grids, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, calendars, and cards based on their preferred style of working.
• Workflow automation: Set up logic-based rules to automate approvals, updates, and notifications—streamlining operations and reducing errors.
• Real-time dashboards: Visualize key metrics and track progress with customizable dashboards designed for informed decision-making.

Benefits for small businesses

• Smooth transition for spreadsheet users: If your team is used to Excel or Google Sheets, Smartsheet doesn’t require a long learning curve but still gives you relatively powerful project controls.
• Improved visibility and accountability: Built-in collaboration tools like document sharing, commenting, and notifications make it easier to keep everyone in sync.

Getting started with Smartsheet

Smartsheet offers a 30-day free trial for their project management software for small businesses, and the Pro plan starts slightly below the market rate per user. While AI tools and more advanced reporting are available only on the Enterprise plan, the platform still provides strong value for small teams who want a scalable solution without straying far from their spreadsheet roots.

Smartsheet is aimed at teams who live in spreadsheets but want to step up their project management game. Its hybrid approach merges traditional spreadsheet functionality with modern project views and collaboration tools. Smartsheet supports automation, file sharing, and different project visualizations, making it suitable for operations-heavy teams or those managing complex data.

The lack of built-in time tracking makes Smartsheet less data-driven than alternatives, and it can be overwhelming for simpler use cases. Additionally, some teams may find themselves adding multiple integrations to cover communication, CRM, or workflow gaps, which could increase complexity over time.

Getting started with tasks & projects

Enter your email to download a guide that will get you started with any project management software.

You acknowledge that you have read and understood Bitrix24 Privacy Policy

8. Jira: Agile project management built for engineering teams

Jira provides project management software for small businesses, especially those in software development or technical fields. It comes with detailed planning, backlog management, and integration with developer tools. Its agile approach makes it a top choice for teams working in iterative, sprint-based frameworks.

Key features

• Scrum and Kanban boards: Track sprints, backlogs, and progress with fully customizable boards tailored for iterative planning and agile workflows.
• Query-based search filters: Jira’s advanced search uses JQL (Jira Query Language) to help you quickly find and filter tasks, projects, and priorities.
• Custom request forms: Streamline work intake by designing forms that match how your team operates, reducing delays and repeated clarification requests.

Benefits for small businesses

• Tailored for development teams: Jira integrates well with developer tools like GitHub, GitLab, and Jenkins, making it easier to visualize dev workflows and manage issues in real time.
• Built for agile at scale: Whether you're planning sprint reviews, managing a product backlog, or building a roadmap, Jira’s structure supports agile methodology end-to-end with templates and dashboards for every phase.

Getting started with Jira

Jira offers a free plan for up to 10 users, including unlimited projects and both Scrum and Kanban boards, making it accessible for small dev teams or startups managing iterative workflows. The Standard plan starts at the lower end of the pricing scale and adds more advanced features such as 250 GB of file storage, user permission controls, and access to audit logs.

As your needs grow, the Premium and Enterprise tiers provide features like advanced roadmaps, sandbox environments, and 24/7 support. With over 1,000 integrations, including GitHub, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other Atlassian tools, Jira fits well into existing tech stacks and is widely adopted by engineering teams looking for scalable, agile-ready project tracking.

Jira is purpose-built for technical teams needing precise issue management and agile planning. It excels in environments where project work is structured, iterative, and closely tied to software releases or engineering milestones.

While its feature set is powerful, teams outside of software development, or those requiring broader collaboration tools like visual proofing, resource allocation, or non-technical project oversight, may find it less intuitive or versatile. Its strength lies in depth, automation potential, and alignment with agile methodology, but it requires a certain level of technical fluency to unlock its full value.

9. TeamWork: Purpose-built for time tracking and performance reporting

TeamWork is a client-centric project management platform that helps businesses stay on top of timelines, budgets, and deliverables with advanced tracking and reporting features.

Key features

• Customizable dashboards: Build detailed reports on finances, timelines, workloads, and team capacity to monitor project health in real time.
• Time tracking and invoicing: Track billable hours directly within the platform and generate client-ready invoices to streamline project billing.
• Advanced task management: Organize work using custom fields, tags, and templates, while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders through comments and proofing tools.

Benefits for small businesses

• Client-friendly reporting: TeamWork makes it easy to share real-time updates and polished reports with stakeholders, keeping expectations clear and communication consistent.
• Resource clarity: With features for time tracking and workload management, you can allocate resources more efficiently and avoid overcommitment.

Getting started with TeamWork

TeamWork offers a free plan, but many of its core tools, including time tracking and advanced reporting, are unlocked in the paid tiers. It’s ideal for service-based businesses and agencies that need visibility into project performance and profitability.

TeamWork is especially strong in time tracking and performance reporting, making it a solid choice for client-driven teams. Its billing, budgeting, and workload planning features help agencies and service providers stay on top of both project delivery and profitability. The ability to track billable hours, manage permissions across client accounts, and create custom dashboards supports detailed oversight of ongoing work. On the downside, real-time chat and certain advanced features are not available on the free plan of this project management software for small businesses, which might limit accessibility for startups or early-stage teams.

10. Zoho Projects: Built for teams using the Zoho ecosystem

Zoho Projects is a scalable project management tool that integrates deeply with the Zoho Suite, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses already invested in Zoho’s ecosystem.

Key features

• Detailed Gantt charts: Break down large projects into tasks, manage milestones, and allocate resources with real-time visibility into workloads.
• Workflow automation: Set recurring tasks, email reminders, and SLAs to streamline project execution and monitor deadlines.
• Integrated time tracking: Log hours spent on tasks manually or via timers and convert them into client-ready invoices in just a few clicks.

Benefits for small businesses

• Affordable, scalable setup: The Zoho ecosystem is known for offering software that sits toward the more entry-level full-featured entry point for growing teams.
• Unified experience: Seamlessly integrates with Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, and other Zoho apps, reducing the need to jump between platforms.

Getting started with Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects offers a 10-day free trial and a free plan for their project management software for small businesses, making it easy to try before you commit. It’s especially well-suited for teams already using Zoho tools and looking for native integration. Third-party apps like Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and Slack are also supported via the Zoho Marketplace or Zapier.

Zoho Projects is a smart choice for budget-conscious businesses within the Zoho ecosystem. It covers the core pillars of project planning, execution, and monitoring with useful features like Gantt charts, task dependencies, and time tracking. Integration with other Zoho apps allows for seamless data flow across functions such as invoicing, CRM, and documentation.

That said, while it's feature-rich for its price point, the platform’s interface and navigation can feel unintuitive, and its limited reporting options may not meet the needs of teams who rely heavily on analytics and dashboards.

Best project management tools 2025 — Key takeaways

Each of these tools offers solutions that justify their position as the ten best project management software for small businesses. But if we zoom out and look at the big picture, where businesses thrive on integration and seamless communication—Bitrix24 emerges as the most compelling option.

Choosing Bitrix24 is a strategic move towards an interconnected ecosystem, weaving efficiency into the very fabric of business operations and empowering your team to perform at their best.

Why juggle tools and software, when everything you need is in one powerful, cost-effective package?

• Task and project management: Plan, delegate, and monitor tasks using Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and time tracking all in one space so your team doesn’t waste time switching between apps.
• Integrated CRM: Manage your customer pipeline directly within your project workspace, improving sales coordination and follow-up without requiring an external CRM tool.
• Real-time communication tools: Use built-in chat, video calls, and social intranet features to connect your team and reduce the need for scattered communication platforms.
• Automation for routine workflows: Automate repetitive tasks in your CRM, project management, and HR processes to save time and eliminate manual errors.
• AI Copilot for project planning: Use Bitrix24’s built-in AI assistant to instantly generate task descriptions, convert ideas into checklists, and summarize project conversations, all without leaving your workspace.
• Scalability for growing teams: Whether you’re five people or 500, Bitrix24 adapts to your growth with flexible user management and data storage options.

In a world that’s constantly adapting, Bitrix24 is designed not just to keep up, but to lead.

But, don’t just take our word for it! Join the 15 million users the world over who trust us to power their growth- start for free today.

Sign up for Bitrix24 now!

FAQs