Effective project management is a cornerstone of business success. The right project management tool can significantly improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance collaboration among team members. With a plethora of options available, it can be challenging to find the best project management app that fits your organization’s unique needs. In this article, we will explore what a project management app is, key features to look for, and why Lark emerges as a leading choice for businesses in 2025.
What is a project management app?
A project management app is a type of project management software designed to assist teams in planning, executing, and monitoring project tasks. These applications help facilitate communication, resource allocation, and timeline management, ensuring that project goals are met efficiently. For project managers, these tools are indispensable for managing projects of all sizes, making it the best app for project management from simple task lists to complex, multi-stage initiatives. By providing a centralized platform for project-related activities, these apps allow teams to collaborate seamlessly, minimize miscommunication, and track progress in real-time.
In essence, project management apps serve as the digital backbone of modern project management, empowering teams to stay organized and focused on delivering successful outcomes.
What to look for in the best project management app
Choosing the best project management software for your team can make all the difference in maximizing productivity. A comprehensive and best project and task management app should not only manage tasks but also support the broader needs of project managers and their teams. Here are some essential factors to consider:
User-friendly interface: The best project management apps will have a clean, intuitive interface that makes navigating the platform easy for all team members, regardless of their technical expertise. This reduces onboarding time and encourages wider adoption within the company.
Collaboration features: Look for apps that facilitate real-time collaboration, enabling team members to communicate and work together effectively. Features like shared calendars, document collaboration, task comments, and instant messaging are crucial for any top-tier best project management app for teams.
Task and project tracking: An efficient project management tool should allow users to create tasks, assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and track progress. Advanced features like task dependencies and milestone tracking are vital for managing complex projects. This ensures that all team members are aware of their roles and can monitor their contributions.
Integrations: The ability to integrate with other tools your team uses is vital. Whether you need the best project management app for Slack or the best project management app for Microsoft Teams, a good project management software should act as a central hub, not another silo.
Mobile access: With an increasingly mobile workforce, having a project management app that works well on smartphones and tablets is essential. This enables team members to stay connected and manage their tasks on the go. Having the best project management app for Android or the best iPad project management app is crucial for flexible teams.
Reporting and analytics: The best project management apps provide insightful analytics to help teams understand their performance and identify areas for improvement. Look for customizable dashboards that offer a clear view of project health, resource allocation, and budget tracking.
A powerful project management tool like Lark excels by combining these critical features into one seamless platform. Its integrated approach, which includes robust resource planning and customizable dashboards, helps project managers maintain a holistic view of project health without juggling multiple tools, making it a top choice for the best team project management app.
10 best project management apps for businesses in 2025
Choosing the right project management software is crucial for businesses looking to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. To help you find the perfect fit, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best project management apps for 2025. Each management tool on this list offers unique strengths, from all-in-one collaboration suites to specialized platforms for specific industries, whether you're looking for the best online project management app or a dedicated construction project management app for iPad.
Lark
Overview: Lark is more than just a project management app; it's an all-in-one digital workspace designed to eliminate context switching and unify team collaboration. It seamlessly integrates chat, video conferencing, cloud documents, calendar, and a powerful no-code database (Lark Base) into a single, cohesive ecosystem. This integrated approach simplifies complex project workflows by keeping all communication, documentation, and task management in one place. Whether you're a startup or a large enterprise, Lark provides a scalable and cost-effective project management tool that streamlines every aspect of your work, making it a strong contender for the best project management app for small businesses and beyond.
Key features:
Integrated project and task management: Lark Base serves as a flexible project management tool, allowing teams to build custom workflows, track tasks with multiple views (including Grid, Kanban, and Gantt charts), and automate repetitive processes, solidifying its place as the best project task management app for integrated teams.
Seamless real-time collaboration: Create and assign tasks directly from a chat message or a comment in a Lark document. Integrated messaging and video conferencing ensure communication is always in context with the project at hand.
Centralized knowledge base: Use Lark Docs and Wiki to build a centralized repository for project plans, meeting notes, and documentation, all linkable and fully searchable.
AI-powered assistant: Leverage Lark's AI features to summarize meetings, generate action items, polish writing, and even build automated workflows, significantly boosting team productivity.
Cloud storage: Share and collaborate on documents directly within the app.
👉Why Lark Base stands out for project management：
Lark Base is the engine that powers Lark's project management capabilities, transforming it from a standard tool into a dynamic and intelligent platform. Here’s how it makes a difference:
Unmatched flexibility with no-code: Unlike rigid project management software, Lark Base empowers any team member—not just developers—to build their own custom management tool. You can start from scratch or with a template, and even import existing data from Excel with a single click. This means you can create tailored workflows for anything from simple task lists to complex, multi-stage projects, making it a candidate for the best project management web app.
From data to decisions with powerful analytics: Base excels at turning raw project data into actionable insights. You can create customizable dashboards that visualize key metrics like task completion rates, budget tracking, and resource allocation in real-time. With various views (Gantt, Kanban, Grid, Calendar) and the ability to sync data across different bases, project managers can gain a holistic overview of multiple projects and make informed decisions with confidence.
Intelligent automation to reduce grunt work: Lark Base’s automation capabilities handle repetitive tasks, freeing up your team to focus on strategic work. You can set up automated workflows to send notifications when a task’s status changes, assign follow-up actions when a form is submitted, or even schedule automated progress reports to be sent to stakeholder chat groups. Coupled with AI, it can even help generate content at scale.
Deeply integrated for a seamless experience: Base isn't a standalone feature; it’s woven into the fabric of Lark. You can embed an interactive project tracker directly into a Lark document, convert a table into a shareable form to collect requests, and link tasks to specific chat conversations. This deep integration ensures that all project-related activities are connected, contextual, and effortlessly accessible.
Pricing: Lark offers a generous free plan for teams of up to 20 users, with paid plans starting at $12 per user per month. 👉 See Lark pricing
Best for: Teams needing a highly integrated and customizable best online project management app that prioritizes communication and eliminates the need to pay for multiple, separate tools.
Wrike
Image source: wrike.com
Overview: Wrike is a robust project management tool known for its powerful visualization and reporting capabilities. It excels at providing clarity on complex projects through custom dashboards, shareable reports, and workload views that help project managers with resource planning. Its versatility makes it suitable for marketing, creative, and professional services teams that need detailed oversight and are looking for the best task and project management app for Salesforce integration.
Key features:
Gantt charts, workload views, and customizable dashboards.
Task dependencies and time tracking for efficient workflow management.
Extensive third-party integrations for seamless connectivity, including being a popular best salesforce project management app.
Pricing:
Free: For teams getting started
Team: Starts from $10/user/month
Business: Starts from $25/user/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Pinnacle: Custom pricing; for teams with complex work needs
Best for: Organizations that require strong project visualization features and advanced reporting to manage multiple projects.
Asana
Image source: asana.com
Overview: Asana provides a user-friendly interface that supports multiple project views and robust task management features. It is designed to help teams orchestrate their work, from daily tasks to strategic initiatives. With a strong focus on clarity and accountability, Asana makes it easy to see who is doing what by when, making it one of the best project management app for teams emphasizing Agile methodologies.
Key features:
Portfolio management to oversee multiple projects.
Workflow automation and task dependencies for streamlined processes.
Pricing:
Free: Up to 10 teammates
Starter: Starts from $10.99/user/month
Advanced: Starts from $24.99/user/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Best for: Agile teams and organizations needing a flexible management tool for their workflows.
Monday.com
Image source: Monday.com
Overview: Known for its highly visual and colorful interface, Monday.com allows teams to build and customize workflows to fit their exact needs. It functions as a Work OS (Work Operating System), offering building blocks like boards, views, and dashboards that can be arranged to manage anything from projects to CRM, making it a highly adaptable project management software and a top choice for the best team project management app.
Key features:
Multiple project views including timelines and Kanban boards.
Automation features for notifications and task creation.
Pricing:
Free: Up to 3 boards
Basic: Starts from $9/seat/month
Standard: Starts from $12/seat/month
Pro: Starts from $19/seat/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Best for: Teams that value visual project management and deep customization in their project management software.
ClickUp
Image source: clickup.com
Overview: ClickUp is an all-in-one platform that aims to replace multiple productivity apps by consolidating various project management functions. It is designed for teams looking for extreme flexibility and a vast array of features, including docs, goals, whiteboards, and more. This makes it a powerful, though potentially complex, best project and task management app for any team.
Key features:
Customizable dashboards and over 15 task views.
Time tracking and goal-setting features for enhanced productivity.
Pricing:
Free: Best for personal use
Unlimited: Starts from $7/user/month
Business: Starts from $12/user/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Best for: Power users desiring a feature-rich project management software that can be tailored to almost any workflow.
Zoho Projects
Image source: zoho.com
Overview: Part of the larger Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Projects is an affordable and feature-rich project management software perfect for small to mid-sized businesses. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for project planning, execution, and collaboration, including issue tracking and time management, making it a strong all-around choice for those seeking the best project management app for small business.
Key features:
Gantt charts and task automation for efficient project planning.
Integration with other Zoho tools for a seamless workflow.
Pricing:
Free: Up to 5 users
Premium: Starts from $4/user/month
Enterprise: Starts from $9/usermonth
Projects plus: Custom pricing
Best for: Small businesses looking for an economical project management tool that integrates into a wider business suite.
Smartsheet
Image source: smartsheet.com
Overview: Smartsheet combines the familiarity of traditional spreadsheet functionalities with advanced project management features. This unique approach appeals to users who are comfortable with Excel but need more powerful capabilities for collaboration, automation, and reporting. It allows teams to manage tasks, track project progress, and automate workflows within a grid-based interface, often considered a great alternative to a Google app for project management.
Key features:
Robust reporting and automation tools.
Gantt charts and flexible project templates.
Pricing:
No free plan; offers a free trial
Pro: Starts from $9/member/month
Business: Starts from $19/member/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Advanced work management: Custom pricing
Best for: Teams that prefer a spreadsheet-based approach to project management and need to handle complex projects.
Jira
Image source: atlassian.com
Overview: Jira is a specialized project management tool tailored for software development teams using Agile methodologies. It excels in issue tracking, bug tracking, and managing sprints, backlogs, and roadmaps. Its powerful workflow engine allows technical teams to design and implement processes that fit their specific development lifecycle, making it the best app for team project management in a software context.
Key features:
Agile boards (Scrum and Kanban) and detailed reporting capabilities.
Extensive customization options through plugins.
Pricing:
Free: Up to 10 users
Standard: Starts from $8/user/month
Premium: Starts from $14/user/month
Best for: IT and software teams requiring a detailed task management tool for agile development, often cited on Reddit as the best project management app for engineers.
Microsoft Project
Image source: microsoft.com
Overview: A longstanding management tool for project management, Microsoft Project offers powerful scheduling and resource management capabilities ideal for complex projects. It is designed for certified project managers who require granular control over project planning, resource allocation, and financial management. Its integration with Microsoft 365 enhances collaboration, with many users asking which Microsoft app is best for project management and finding Project to be the answer.
Key features:
Detailed Gantt charts and resource management tools.
Integration with Microsoft Teams and Office 365, making it the Microsoft Teams best project management app for deeply integrated enterprises.
Pricing:
No free plan; offers a free trial for one month
Microsoft planner: Included in Microsoft 365
Planner plan 1: Starts from $10/user/month
Planner and project plan 3: Starts from $30/user/month
Planner and project plan 5: Starts from $55/user/month
Best for: Organizations invested in Microsoft products requiring the best Microsoft app for project management with advanced project control.
Adobe Workfront
Image source: adobe.com
Overview: Adobe Workfront is designed for large organizations needing enterprise-level project management features, especially in creative and marketing fields. It connects work to strategy, helps manage the entire work lifecycle, and provides visibility into all ongoing projects. For creative teams using Adobe products, it is arguably the best project management app available.
Key features:
Resource and portfolio management.
Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for enhanced usability.
Pricing:
No free plan
Select: Custom pricing; offers the essential features to collaborate, execute, and accelerate work
Prime: Custom pricing; includes all the Select package features plus advanced work management and security capabilities
Ultimate: Custom pricing; offers all Prime features plus enhanced automation and data management
Best for: Large organizations in creative industries requiring a collaborative and detailed project management tool for oversight.
Benefits of using best project management apps
Utilizing the best project management software can fundamentally transform how teams operate and drive significant improvements in efficiency and output. Here are some key benefits to consider:
Improved organization and centralization: A core benefit is the creation of a single source of truth. Instead of scattering information across emails, spreadsheets, and chat threads, a project management tool centralizes all tasks, documents, deadlines, and conversations. This alignment ensures project managers and team members work from the same playbook, reducing errors and saving time searching for information.
Enhanced collaboration: Modern project management apps are built for teamwork. Integrated communication tools facilitate real-time updates, discussions, and file sharing directly within a task's context. This breaks down communication silos, especially for remote or distributed teams, fostering a more cohesive and collaborative environment, which is a hallmark of the best app for team project management.
Increased accountability and transparency: With clear task assignments, deadlines, and visible progress tracking, accountability becomes inherent. Every team member knows exactly what they are responsible for and how their work contributes to the larger project. Project managers can easily see who is on track and who might need support, creating a culture of transparency.
Better time and resource management: Effective resource planning is critical for success. Tools with features like Gantt charts and workload views allow project managers to visualize schedules, identify potential bottlenecks, and allocate resources effectively. This prevents team burnout from overallocation and ensures that deadlines are met more consistently.
Data-driven decision making: The best project management software provides powerful reporting and analytics. Customizable dashboards offer real-time insights into project health, budget adherence, and team performance. This data empowers project managers to move beyond guesswork and make informed, strategic decisions to keep projects on track.
Lark amplifies these benefits by consolidating task management, communication, and resource planning. This unified approach eliminates friction, providing a truly seamless environment and making it a candidate for the best android project management app due to its excellent mobile functionality.
Common challenges faced by teams with project management apps
Despite their benefits, teams often face challenges when adopting new project management software. Understanding these hurdles is the first step to overcoming them. Here are a few common issues:
Steep learning curve and low adoption: Many powerful project management tools are complex and not intuitive. If the software is difficult to navigate, team members may resist using it, leading to low adoption rates. This defeats the purpose of the investment and can cause teams to revert to old, inefficient methods.
Feature overload and unnecessary complexity: Some platforms come packed with an overwhelming number of features that can complicate rather than simplify workflows. Teams may struggle with this "analysis paralysis," spending more time managing the tool than managing projects. It's crucial to select a platform that is powerful yet focused on relevant functionalities.
High costs and hidden fees: Budget constraints are a major concern, especially for small businesses. The cost of some project management software, particularly when billed annually for many users, can be prohibitive. Hidden costs for add-ons, integrations, or premium support can also strain finances and make it difficult to justify the ROI.
Poor integration with other tools: Most teams rely on a variety of apps for communication, file storage, and other tasks. Finding the best free project management app for Microsoft Teams, for example, can be difficult if native integration is lacking. If a project management tool doesn’t integrate well with these existing systems, it creates data silos and forces users to constantly switch between applications, which hinders productivity and creates friction.
Lark addresses these challenges head-on by offering an intuitive, all-in-one platform. Its integrated design minimizes the learning curve and eliminates the need for costly third-party integrations, making it a powerful yet accessible solution, often considered the best teams project management app for its unified experience.
Frequently asked questions about best project management apps
What is the best project management app for small teams?
The best project management app for small teams typically combines ease of use with essential features at an affordable price point. Tools like Trello, Asana, and Lark’s free plan excel in providing intuitive interfaces and robust functionality for managing tasks without overwhelming complexity. They allow small teams to get organized quickly and scale as they grow.
How do I choose the right project management app?
When selecting a project management app, start by identifying your team's specific pain points and goals. Look for features that facilitate collaboration, task management, and scalability. Also, assess ease of use and ensure the project management software integrates well with the tools your team already uses. For specialized industries, you might even consider options like the best app for construction project management or the best project management app for construction.
Are there free project management apps available?
Yes, several project management apps offer powerful free versions, such as Lark, Trello, and ClickUp. These free plans typically include essential features for small teams, allowing users to manage projects and evaluate the platform before committing to a paid subscription. Many also offer the best free project management app for iPhone and the best free project management app android, ensuring mobile access.
Can I use project management apps on mobile?
Most leading project management apps, like Lark and Asana, offer full-featured mobile apps, ensuring teams can manage tasks and collaborate seamlessly on-the-go. Mobile accessibility is crucial for remote teams, whether they need the best project management app for iPad Pro or a simple phone app. This makes these tools indispensable in a modern work environment.
What features should I look for in a project management app?
Look for features such as detailed task assignment, timeline visualization (like Gantt charts), integration capabilities with other project management software, collaboration tools, and mobile access. Resource management and customizable reporting dashboards are also key features for more complex projects. These functionalities make up the best task and project management app.
Conclusion
Selecting the right project management tool is no longer a luxury but a necessity for achieving peak performance. The best project management software acts as the central nervous system for your team, fostering seamless collaboration, ensuring clear accountability, and providing the visibility needed to navigate complex projects. When making your choice, consider not only your current needs but also your future growth. A scalable, intuitive, and integrated solution—often considered the best project management app for small business—will empower your team to overcome challenges and consistently deliver successful outcomes.
Among the vast array of available options, all-in-one platforms like Lark stand out by offering a uniquely integrated and cost-effective solution. By unifying communication, task management, and documentation into a single workspace, Lark eliminates the friction of switching between multiple applications and streamlines workflows from start to finish. It addresses common challenges like high costs and low adoption with a generous free plan and a user-friendly design. To truly transform your team’s productivity and unlock your project's full potential, exploring a solution like Lark is a highly recommended next step.
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