Cloud-based project management software is a type of software application that allows individuals and teams to plan, execute, and manage projects using online tools and resources. Unlike traditional PM software that is installed on local servers or individual computers, cloud-based PM software is hosted on remote servers and can easily be accessed via the Internet.

A cloud-based PM software solution allows teams to organize their workflows and communicate more effectively with direct access to a centralized digital hub. This hub can conveniently be used for assigning tasks, sharing various files and documents, and tracking the progress of any project across teams in real-time.

Top cloud-based project management software

Here’s our list of the top cloud-based project management software in 2023: 

  • Smartsheet: Best for spreadsheet-focused project management
  • Wrike: Best for customization and preconfigured multi-purpose templates
  • Asana: Best for well-balanced project management
  • Zoho Projects: Best value for businesses on a budget 
  • Jira Service Management: Best for collaborative software development teams

Not seeing the right solution for your business? Check out our more broad Project Management Software Buyer’s Guide.

Smartsheet: Best for spreadsheet-focused project management


Pros

  • Access to a variety of templates
  • Strong reporting capabilities
  • Ease of use for spreadsheet users

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Lack of integration options for the basic plan

Grid View: Smartsheet’s primary view resembles a spreadsheet, making it easy for users to create, organize, and manage data in a tabular format.

Gantt Chart View: Smartsheet includes Gantt chart functionality, allowing users to create and visualize project timelines, dependencies, and critical paths.

Card View: This view provides a more visual way to manage tasks and projects, with cards that can be customized and moved around on a board.

Calendar View: Users can view their tasks and project timelines on a calendar to get a better understanding of upcoming deadlines and scheduling.

Starting price is $9 per user, per month, billed annually, or $12 per user billed monthly. A free option is also available.

We chose Smartsheet because it enables real-time collaboration among team members, where users can share sheets, assign tasks, and leave comments, fostering communication and better teamwork. Users can also attach files directly to sheets, rows, or cells, ensuring that all relevant documents and assets are easily accessible.

Smartsheet is a cloud-based PM and collaboration tool designed to help teams and organizations manage tasks, projects, and workflows. It provides a flexible platform that allows users to organize and track work, automate repetitive processes, and collaborate with team members.

Wrike: Best for customization and preconfigured multi-purpose templates


Pros

  • Customizable workflows
  • Integration capabilities
  • Real-time updates and notifications

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited reporting capabilities
  • Costly

Customizable Workflows: Wrike enables you to create custom workflows to automate repetitive processes. You can define stages, assign responsibilities, and set up rules for task transitions. This feature helps streamline project management and improve efficiency.

Collaboration: Wrike emphasizes collaboration among team members. It provides features like real-time activity streams, task comments, and @mentions for easy communication and discussion. Users can share files, receive notifications, and collaborate directly within the platform.

Project Planning: With Wrike, you can plan and schedule projects using Gantt charts. It enables you to define project milestones, set dependencies, allocate resources, and estimate project timelines. This feature helps with project scheduling and resource management.

Wrike has a free plan in place, and paid plans start at $9.80 per user, per month, with a minimum of two users.

We chose Wrike because it provides a comprehensive suite of project management tools, including task and project tracking, Gantt charts, time tracking, and resource allocation. This can be especially valuable for teams and organizations that need a full-featured PM solution.

Wrike is highly customizable and allows users to adapt the software to meet their specific needs. Teams can create custom task statuses, workflows, and dashboards that align with their way of working. This flexibility helps them tailor the software to meet the requirements set by their project managers. Wrike promotes effective collaboration and communication within teams by providing a centralized platform where team members can share files, comment on tasks, and have discussions. Real-time updates and notifications keep everyone informed and ensure seamless collaboration.

Also read: Best Small Business Project Management Software

Asana: Best for well-balanced project management


Pros

  • Easy-to-use user interface
  • Offers a wide range of project management features and tools
  • Third-party tool integration
  • Automation

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Costly

Task Management: Asana allows you to create and organize tasks easily. You can assign tasks to team members, set due dates, add descriptions, attach files, and create subtasks. Tasks can be viewed in various formats like lists, boards, or calendar views.

Project Organization: You can create projects in Asana to group related tasks together. Projects help in organizing work and provide a higher-level view of the tasks involved. You can assign project owners, set priorities, and track progress at the project level.

Collaboration and Communication: Asana offers features for team collaboration and communication. You can leave comments on tasks, start discussions, and mention team members to notify them. This allows for real-time communication, feedback, and collaboration within the context of tasks and projects.

Automation: Asana offers automation features to eliminate repetitive manual tasks and streamline workflows. With Asana’s Automation feature, you can create rules that trigger actions based on predefined conditions. For example, you can automatically assign tasks, send notifications, or update fields based on certain events.

Asana has a free plan in place, and paid plans start at $10.99 per user, per month, billed annually.

We chose Asana for its user-friendliness and its comprehensive set of features that cover the entire PM lifecycle. From task creation and assignment, to progress tracking, communication, and reporting, Asana provides the tools small businesses need to effectively manage projects and tasks.

Asana is a robust PM tool that offers numerous benefits for teams and individuals seeking to streamline their work processes. Asana takes a balanced approach to project management and offers unique features that include custom automation tools, pre-built templates, and multiple project views. Asana’s many tools and features make it an approachable PM software solution that’s fit for companies large and small.

Zoho Projects: Best value for businesses on a budget


Pros

  • Affordability
  • Robust features
  • User-friendly interface

Cons

  • Limited reporting
  • Steep learning curve

Task Management: Zoho Projects allows you to create and manage tasks, set priorities, assign tasks to team members, and track task progress. You can also create subtasks and dependencies to better organize your project.

Project Planning: You can create project plans, set milestones, define task lists, and allocate resources to ensure your projects are well-structured and on track.

Collaboration: The software offers collaboration features such as discussion forums, chat, and document sharing. Team members can communicate, share ideas, and collaborate on project-related documents within the platform.

Document Management: You can store project-related documents in a centralized repository, making it easy for team members to access and collaborate on files. Integration with Zoho Docs allows for real-time document editing and version control.

The starting standard plan costs $7.75 per user billed monthly, or $790 per year. A free plan is also available.

We chose Zoho Projects because it is a versatile PM tool with several advantages, such as affordability, customization, and collaboration features. However, it may not be the ideal choice for all organizations, particularly those with extremely complex projects or specific reporting requirements.

Zoho Projects is a cloud-based PM and collaboration software developed by Zoho Corporation, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company known for providing a wide range of business and productivity tools. Zoho Projects is designed to help teams and organizations plan, execute, and manage projects of all sizes and complexities.

Jira: Best for collaborative software development teams


Pros

  • Customizability
  • Strong management features and tracking 

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Costly

Customizable Workflows: Users can customize workflows to align with their unique processes and requirements, making it flexible for different types of service management needs.

Reporting and Analytics: It provides reporting and analytics tools to track service desk performance, measure key metrics, and identify areas for improvement.

Customization and Extensibility: Organizations can customize the platform with apps and integrations from the Atlassian Marketplace to extend its functionality.

Mobile Accessibility: Jira Service Management is accessible via mobile apps, allowing IT teams and users to interact with service requests and incidents on the go.

Pricing starts at $7.75 per user billed monthly, or $790 per year. A free version is also available.

We chose Jira because it is a versatile and comprehensive IT service management solution that can be tailored to the specific needs of various organizations. It is widely used by IT departments, customer support teams, and other service-oriented departments to improve their service delivery and operational efficiency.

Jira is a popular IT service management (ITSM) solution developed by Atlassian. It is designed to help organizations streamline their service desk operations, manage incidents, requests, and other IT-related processes efficiently. 

How does cloud-based project management software work?

Cloud-based PM software works by simplifying project planning, collaboration, and monitoring by offering a centralized, accessible, and scalable platform that streamlines project-related tasks and communications. It has become a popular choice for teams and organizations looking to improve their PM processes and increase their overall efficiency.

Common features found in cloud database project management software

Cloud database PM software is designed to help teams and organizations efficiently manage their database-related projects in a cloud environment. Some common features of this PM software include collaboration tools, database monitoring, migration tools, customization, and multi-cloud support.

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Who is cloud database project management software meant for?

Cloud database PM software is typically meant for various stakeholders involved in managing and utilizing a database within an organization. Cloud database PM software serves a wide range of roles within an organization, helping them collaborate, plan, and execute tasks related to the management, development, and utilization of cloud-based databases. Some users that benefit from cloud database PM software include database administrators, developers, project managers, and IT teams.

Benefits of using cloud database software for project management 

Using cloud database software for project management offers several benefits that can help streamline processes, improve collaboration, and enhance overall project efficiency. Using cloud database software for project management offers flexibility, cost-efficiency, security, and collaboration benefits that can greatly enhance the success of your projects while reducing the administrative burden on your team.

How do I choose the right cloud database software?

Choosing the right cloud database software for your business is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your operations, scalability, and overall success. Start by understanding your business needs, and asking yourself what type of data you’ll be storing and managing. How much data do you expect to handle? And what are your performance, scalability, and availability requirements? 

Remember that the choice of a cloud database is not static. As your business evolves, your database needs may change, so it’s essential to be flexible and adapt your database solutions accordingly. Looking for the latest in Project Management solutions? Check out our Project Management Software Guide.