5 Best Project Management Tools for 2025
Project management software is no longer a luxury; it is the backbone of how organizations deliver work. With deadlines tighter, resources stretched, and teams spread across time zones, the right tool keeps everything aligned, on track, and under control.
2025 is a pivotal year for project managers and businesses. Older software versions, such as Project 2016 and 2019, will reach the end of support in October 2025, leaving organizations vulnerable to security risks and compatibility issues. At the same time, subscription costs for cloud-based platforms continue to rise.
If you are looking for long-term stability, enterprise-grade features, and a one-time purchase, Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional is the most dependable solution.
Here is how it compares against the top five project management tools available this year.
Comparison Table of the Top 5 Project Management Tools
Project Management Tool | Best For | Pricing Model | Key Features |
---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional | Enterprises, Project Managers, Teams | One-time purchase | Gantt charts, resource planning, offline access |
Monday.com | Small businesses, freelancers | Subscription | Custom workflows, intuitive UI |
Asana | Team collaboration | Subscription | Task assignments, automation, timelines |
ClickUp | All-in-one productivity | Freemium + Plans | Docs, goals, time tracking, integrations |
Jira | Agile development teams | Subscription | Scrum boards, sprint planning, DevOps features |
What to Look For in the Best Project Management Software
Before choosing your project management tool, ask yourself:
- Do I want a subscription model or a one-time license?
- Will my data be cloud-based or local?
- Do I need offline access?
- Can this tool scale with my team?
Subscription-based tools offer flexibility, but costs add up quickly, especially across larger teams. A one-time purchase like Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional eliminates recurring fees, reduces surprises, and gives you complete control over your data.
Best Project Management Software in 2025: Top 5 Picks
1. Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional
⭐ Brytesoft Recommends
Best for Project Managers, Teams & Enterprises
Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 is designed for professionals who need a reliable, feature-rich, and offline-capable solution. The Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release prioritizes stability over constant updates, making it ideal for environments where consistency is crucial.
Why it stands out:
- One-time purchase with no subscription fees
- Local installation with no dependency on the cloud
- Advanced scheduling and resource management tools
- Built for secure, enterprise-grade environments
👉 Get Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional from Brytesoft and secure a future-proof solution for your projects.
📅 If you are still using Project 2016 or 2019, please note that support will end on October 14, 2025. No more updates. No more security patches. It is the right time to plan your upgrade. Read our Project 2016 & 2019 End of Support blog for details.
2. Monday.com
Best for Small Businesses & Custom Workflows
Monday.com is a flexible, visual tool that is perfect for startups and small businesses. Its drag-and-drop interface and workflow customization make it beginner-friendly.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop boards
- Automation tools
- Reporting dashboards
- Integrations with Slack, Google Workspace, and more
⚠️ Limitations: Costs proliferate as you scale since it is subscription-based and charged per user.
📅 Explore our comparison blog, which compares Microsoft Project and Monday.com to help you determine which project management software is the better choice.
3. Asana
Best for Team Collaboration
Asana excels at task management and keeping teams aligned. It is especially useful in marketing, operations, and design teams where visibility is crucial.
Standout features:
- Task dependencies and due dates
- Team and project dashboards
- Workflow automation
- Free version for small teams
⚠️ Limitations: Reporting features are less robust than enterprise-grade tools like Microsoft Project, and the subscription model can get expensive for large teams.
4. ClickUp
Best All-in-One Productivity Platform
ClickUp markets itself as “the one app to replace them all”, and for many teams, that is true. It combines project management with docs, goals, and time tracking in one platform.
Features we like:
- Hierarchical task structure (Spaces → Folders → Lists)
- Built-in docs and wikis
- Time tracking and goal setting
- Integrations with GitHub, Zoom, and more
⚠️ Limitations: Steeper learning curve than Asana or Monday, and the most potent features require paid plans.
5. Jira
Best for Agile Development Teams
Jira remains the industry leader for software teams following agile methodologies. It integrates deeply with developer tools and offers powerful sprint and backlog features.
Agile-friendly features:
- Scrum and Kanban boards
- Backlog grooming
- Sprint velocity reports
- Integrations with Confluence, Bitbucket, and other Atlassian tools
⚠️ Limitations: Jira is highly technical and can overwhelm non-developers. Best for dev-focused organizations.
Which Project Management Software is Right for You?
The right software depends on your team size, workflows, and long-term needs:
- Startups and small businesses → Monday.com or Asana for simple, collaborative workflows
- Agile development teams → Jira for its deep sprint and backlog management features
- Teams that want an all-in-one platform → ClickUp for flexibility and broad feature coverage
- Enterprises and long-term planners → Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional for offline reliability, one-time licensing, and enterprise-level project control
Final Thoughts
The best project management software in 2025 delivers flexibility, collaboration, and reliability. From cloud-based solutions like Asana and Monday.com to developer-focused platforms like Jira, there is something for every type of team.
However, for organizations that require long-term stability, offline capabilities, and cost control, Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 Professional is the clear winner.
🔒 Upgrade to Project LTSC 2024 Professional today and future-proof your projects before older versions lose support in October 2025.
❗ General Compatibility Note: Mixing Project LTSC and Non-LTSC editions is not possible.
For example:
- Project 2024 Professional (Non-LTSC) → Compatible solely with Office 2024 (Non-LTSC)
- Project 2024 LTSC Professional → Compatible exclusively with Office 2024 LTSC
Project 2024 Version
Project 2024 Version | Office 2024 (Non-LTSC) | Office 2024 LTSC |
---|---|---|
Project 2024 Professional (Non-LTSC) | ✅ Compatible | ❌ Incompatible |
Project 2024 LTSC Professional | ❌ Incompatible | ✅ Compatible |
It is crucial to ensure that your Office edition corresponds with the same Project edition.
📖 Learn more about their compatibility in our Project 2016/2019 End of Support blog here.
👉 Still deciding between LTSC and Non-LTSC? Don’t miss our full comparison guide: Project 2024 Professional LTSC vs. Non-LTSC.
FAQ About Top 5 Best Project Management Tools for 2025
Can I upgrade from Project 2016 or 2019 to Project 2024 LTSC?
Yes, and you should, especially before support ends in October 2025.
Is Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 cloud-based?
No, it is a local installation, perfect for secure or air-gapped environments.
Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use Project LTSC 2024?
No. LTSC is a standalone product with a perpetual license.
Does Microsoft Project work for small teams?
Absolutely. While it scales across enterprises, it is equally powerful for small and medium-sized teams that need structured project control.
What is the difference between Microsoft Project LTSC 2024 and the Microsoft 365 subscription version?
LTSC 2024 is a one-time purchase with stability in mind. The 365 version is subscription-based with frequent updates. LTSC is ideal if you want predictability and lower long-term costs.