In the fast-paced world of business, project management tools are a necessity for day-to-day workflows. In 2025, project managers and teams are on the lookout for tools that not only streamline their workflows but also foster collaboration in an increasingly remote and hybrid workplace. But which tools are worth your time and budget? Our team has spent the first few days of 2025 doing a deep dive into the top contenders, and their standout features, and looking at how they stack up against each other.
Top Project Management Tools for 2025
1. Asana
“You can do anything, but not everything.” — David Allen, productivity consultant
After a quick search it is easy to see that Asana has consistently ranked among the best project management tools and, as a team, we agree. It offers an intuitive interface that works for teams of all sizes, from startups to enterprises. It is easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. We think this is good for teams looking for a visually intuitive platform that scales with their needs. Improvements for 2025 include Asana’s AI-powered “Smart Work” suggestions which now predict task prioritisation.
Key features we like:
- The customisable workflows enable you to build workflows that match your team’s unique processes.
- Task Dependencies work well to enable you to visualise how tasks connect and identify bottlenecks.
- It is an integration powerhouse so you can seamlessly integrate with other key platforms like Slack, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Teams.
Rating: This is a Jack-of-all-Trades platform, and our team rates this 8/10.
2. Monday.com
Monday.com is known for its visual approach to project management. It’s like having a digital whiteboard that your entire team can update in real-time. If your team thrives on visual data, then they are likely to love Monday.com. It offers flexibility to design your workflows and looks great at the same time. Monday.com’s new “AI Board Assistant” makes setup even easier by analysing team goals and suggesting optimised board structures.
Key features we like:
- We love the dashboards, and this has the ability to create tailored dashboards that track metrics, timelines, and progress.
- Being about to set up “if-then” rules to automate repetitive tasks. Automation is a powerful tool and its features should not be underestimated (in our opinion!).
- Built-in chat features for real-time communication make this feel really collaborative.
Rating: Customise to your heart’s content – our team rates this 8/10.
3. Trello
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci
If you’re a fan of Kanban boards, Trello could be your go-to. Its drag-and-drop simplicity makes it perfect for small teams and straightforward projects. If you like to keep it simple, then Trello does just that. We think small teams or individuals managing simpler projects or personal workflows will love this. Trello’s latest integration with OpenAI also allows users to generate task descriptions and summaries with minimal input.
Key features we like:
- With the cards, lists, and boards, you can organise tasks into manageable chunks.
- Automate recurring tasks with ease.
- It is very mobile-friendly to enable you to work on the go and not have to drag the laptop out.
Rating: Keeping it simple, our team rated this 8/10.
4. ClickUp
ClickUp aims to replace all your apps with a single platform. It delivers an impressive array of features for teams that need it all and we feel this is good for teams juggling complex projects and lots of moving parts. ClickUp’s “Mind Map Mode” also helps teams brainstorm and convert ideas into actionable tasks instantly.
Key Features:
- Everything is in one place – tasks, docs, goals, and chat in a unified interface.
- Good time tracking to monitor how long tasks take directly within the platform.
- Switch between list, board, calendar, and Gantt chart views.
Rating: An all-in-one solution for complex projects, our team rated this 8/10. We all wanted more time to play with this one as we think it is probably more of a 9 but needs to be fully explored!
5. Notion
Notion is a real mix between project management and knowledge management. It’s more like a digital workspace. We love the clean feel of this platform and love how things are shared. It feels better than other similar file-sharing and note-taking platforms and it seems to integrate with a range of other platforms we use. We think this would suit teams that love flexibility and want more than just PM tools. This really is a knowledge base as well as a PM tool. And Notion’s enhanced AI now offers predictive templates, reducing the time spent setting up new projects.
Key Features:
- Easy to create content and embed videos, images, and code directly into your tasks.
- Able to create relational databases to track projects, deliverables, and more.
- Many ready-made templates for everything from content calendars to CRM systems.
Rating: We loved the potential of this. 8/10 rating and lots more to try out!
6. Smartsheet: The Spreadsheet Lover’s Dream
“Numbers have an important story to tell. They rely on you to give them a clear and convincing voice.” — Stephen Few, data visualization expert
Smartsheet enables PMs to move from traditional spreadsheets to more modern project management tools. It’s a favourite for data-driven teams that need a data-centric approach, and want the structure of spreadsheets with added collaboration features. The AI part now identifies potential risks in project timelines and suggests mitigations – we think this is a great idea, especially for people managing a lot of timelines and complexities.
Key Features:
- We have all used spreadsheets so this is similar and easy to use for Excel veterans and beginners alike.
- Seems to be pretty scalable and suitable for everything from small projects to enterprise-level initiatives.
- Great reporting functionality giving real-time insights into project performance.
Rating: We love the factual side of this – 8/10.
7. Teamwork
Teamwork is designed with client-facing teams in mind. It’s packed with features that simplify agency workflows, where agencies are managing multiple client projects simultaneously. There are also plenty of integrations available to streamline the sales and project aspects.
Key Features:
- Share updates with clients without giving them full access through client permission management.
- Track billable hours and generate invoices easily.
- Visualise project timelines with their Gantt charts.
Rating: As we are moving to an agency model, we really liked the potential of this platform – 8/10, and likely to be used more in the future.
We ran out of time to try everything and we have a list of more software platforms to try out, and we will be doing this over the next few weeks. Here is our next hit list but let us know if you have any more for us to test:
Basecamp
Wrike
Airtable
Choosing the right project management tool for 2025 depends on so many factors – team size, complexity of projects, and preferred workflow style. It may even be client-led so choice may be limited but, in our view, personal taste is definitely a key factor for project team effectiveness.
Project management tools are essential to managing workflows efficiently, they help teams organize, track, and complete projects efficiently
Summary
We have looked at the top tools of 2025 and understand the stand-out features and see how they measure up. Using the right tools for your project can make or break your projects.
Are you ready to simplify your workflows and get the right results? Partner up with our project managers and we will bring the latest tools and strategies, with the best solutions to tailor your business needs. Let’s work as a team and any challenges you have we can change them into opportunities.
About Us
At Mantralis, we will deliver tailored project management solutions that drive successful outcomes for your business. Our project management consultancy is committed to innovation and excellence and will always champion challenges and streamline processes to achieve goals efficiently. Our team combines expertise and understanding of the methodologies and the latest tools with projects delivered on time and within budget to the highest standards.
We are your go-to trusted partners for seamless project execution, we can turn your vision into a reality.
Mantralis is the home for project management and is here to support you—reach out to us today and let us simplify your project management challenges.