Agile project management software boosts your team’s productivity and helps keep all stakeholders connected to a project and its related tasks. Fitted with collaboration and communication tools, Agile software is an essential part of developing or building a new product and can make it easier to track and organize countless tasks in one unified space.
That said, finding the right Agile project management solution for your team or organization can take time. With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming to know which one is the best fit, and trialing multiple software can be confusing and cumbersome.
In this blog post, we’ve gathered the top Agile project management tools you should consider along with some tips and insights on what features to look out for and how to select the right solution for your needs.
Try monday devWhat is Agile project management software?
![monday dev sprint management](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/Dev-Sprint-management.png)
Agile project management software is a set of digital tools and applications that allows organizations to follow Agile principles. As an iterative approach to project management, Agile’s focus is on flexibility, collaboration, and implementing customer feedback quickly, which is why it’s often used by software development teams.
Agile project management software offers teams visibility into their work processes, making it simpler to work together on complex projects. Additionally, this type of software makes it easier to implement Agile methodologies, such as Scrum, to help cross-functional teams and the delivery of small increments of software as it’s developed.
Check out our list of the top 11 Agile project management software below, which we’ll go deeper into later in the article.
Software name | Best for | Pricing |
---|---|---|
monday dev | Agile teams of any size | Free trial available, plans start from $10/user/month |
Jira | Saas and app product development | Free plan available, paid plans starts at $7.16/user/month |
Asana | Simplifying Agile processes | Free plan available, paid plans starts at $10.99/user/month |
ClickUp | Flexible and customizable features | Fee plan available, paid plans start at $7/user/month |
Zoho sprints | Teams on a budget | Fee plan available, paid plans start at $1/user/month |
ProofHub | Seamless collaboration | Flat-fee pricing starting at $79/ 10 users/ month |
Smartsheet | Using templates | Free plan available, paid plans start at $9/user/ month |
Nifty | All-in-one solution with diverse features | Free plan available, paid plans start at $39/10 users/ month |
Wrike | Managing multiple projects | Free plan available, paid plans start at $9.80/user/month |
Taiga | Easy-to-use software | Fee plan available, paid plans start at $10/ user/ month |
Trello | Kanban-style project management | Free plan available, paid plans start at $5/ user/ month |
Types of Agile methodologies
There are many different types of Agile methodologies or specific approaches that implement the principles of Agile. The most useful Agile project management software has features that cater to the various methodologies, allowing users to succeed in whichever Agile approach they choose. Some of these methodologies include:
1. Scrum
Scrum is the most popular Agile framework and works to organize projects by breaking them down into iterative sprints — tracking each aspect of a project in a fixed length of time. Project’s following this methodology have a scrum master overseeing the process, and daily standup meetings take place to consistently assess progress.
Agile project management software often has features to ease sprint planning and management, such as pre-built sprint boards that allow you to visually track and assign users to sprints.
2. Kanban
Kanban is another popular Agile framework that focuses on visually managing workflows through the use of Kanban boards or a series of cards and columns representing individual tasks and their stages.
Agile project management software often includes visual Kanban boards, allowing users to view and visualize tasks and stories, and move them across columns to represent changes in progress.
3. Extreme Programing (XP)
Extreme Programming is another agile framework similar to Scrum and is used to quickly produce features and changes that respond to customer requirements through test-driven development and continuous integration. Agile project management software is flexible in its nature allowing users to collaborate and make quick changes if using this framework.
4. Lean
Lean focusing improving efficiency by eliminating waste and optimizing processes. Agile project management software allows users to track their resources and time spent on specific tasks, allowing teams to optimize processes for maximum efficiency.
6 benefits of using software for Agile project management
While the Agile methodology comes with its own set of benefits, there are also many advantages to using software specific to Agile projects. According to the 2023 State of Agile Report, 71% of respondents use Agile in their software development lifecycle, demonstrating how using software can contribute to the overall successful implementation of Agile methodologies. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Better collaboration and communication
Agile project management solutions offer a place for teams to centralize their communication, making collaboration and data sharing easier and ensuring all team members are on the same page.
2. Organized sprint planning
With an Agile project management tool, teams can clearly define sprint goals, assign tasks, and monitor real-time progress, streamlining the sprint planning process and keeping teams on track.
3. Efficient backlog management
Project management software for Agile projects allows teams to organize and manage their backlog of tasks, making it simpler to prioritize work items and plan and execute sprints.
4. More adaptability
Change is essential to Agile methodologies, and with a project management solution, teams can quickly and painlessly reorganize tasks as needed, implement customizable workflows, make adjustments to their backlog, or modify plans as requirements evolve.
5. Analytics and insights gathering
Solutions for Agile projects offer opportunities to gather reports and insights on project status, making it easier for stakeholders and project managers to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
6. Flexibility and scalability
A good Agile project management software will be adaptable to your team’s requirements and can be scaled as your business and project needs grow.
Top 11 Agile project management software
Shopping around for Agile project management software can be time-consuming, so we’ve taken the headache out of it for you. Below, we’ve compared the top 11 Agile project management software on the market so you can find the best solution for your team’s unique needs.
monday dev
![Get started quickly with a complete package of templates, views, widgets, and dashboards like sprint management.](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/monday-dev-sprint-management.jpg)
![Customize your own real-time agile reports, including a velocity chart and burnup or burndown charts.](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/monday-dev-burndown-chart.jpg)
![Utilize workdocs to write, share, and collaborate on coding requirements and share any board with team members or freelancers in one synchronized platform.](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/monday-dev-collaboration.jpg)
monday dev is a flexible platform to manage all aspects of Agile projects in one space — seamlessly connecting tech teams, leadership, and client-facing. Empower your teams to plan and manage roadmaps, sprints, bugs, and more with a platform that’s intuitive and simple to use.
Best for Agile teams of any size
Top features:
- Sprint management to effortlessly manage sprint ceremonies, track story points, and progress in one unified place.
- Git Integration to directly connect to your Git repository and track progress within monday through your Git dashboard.
- Multiple view types such as Kanban and Gantt to visualize your work and progress in a flexible way that works for you
Pricing: A Free trial is available and plans start from $10/user/month. See all monday.com pricing plans here.
G2 rating: 4.7/5 stars based on 12,263 reviews
Jira
Jira is an Agile project management tool, well-known in the software development world. It has advanced bug-tracking ability and is ideal for tech-savvy teams.
Best for: Saas and app product development
Top features:
- Agile project plan templates that adhere to agile methodologies and often include a visual board, Gantt chart timeline, calendar, and the ability to generate stakeholder reports.
- Jira’s Query Language (JQL) to build advanced queries for customizable search and reporting.
- Integrations are offered with over 3,000 apps in the Atlassian marketplace.
Pricing: A free plan is available for up to 10 users and the standard plan starts at $7.16 per user/month. Learn more about Jira pricing here.
G2 rating: 4.3 / 5 stars for 5,936 reviews
Pros: Plenty of customization options to create any kind of agile workflow
Cons: Non-technical users may find it complicated to use with a steep learning curve
Asana
Asana is a work and project management tool that works well for planning, organizing, and managing Agile projects
Best for simplifying Agile processes
Top features:
- Kanban boards to visualize workflow including sprint planning, launch dates, and feedback loops
- Proofing to respond to customer feedback in a centralized, collaborative location
- Agile sprint plans to track progress with sprint milestones, and launch dates
Pricing: A simple free plan is available for teams of up to 10 users. The Starter Plan starts at $10.99 per user/month. Learn more about Asana’s pricing and features here.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 10,252 reviews
Pros: Intuitive interface and many template options to get started
Cons: Product pricing tiers are expensive for larger teams compared to other software
ClickUp
Best for flexible and customizable features
ClickUp is a project management software focused on increasing productivity and has many features to help Agile teams build products more efficiently.
Top features:
- ClickUp AI to Generate product roadmaps, create test plans, and write technical specifications
- Customizable Gantt charts to structure sprints and manage milestones
- Virtual whiteboards to create tasks, lists, team brainstorms, or planning sessions
Pricing: A free plan is available for personal use, and the Unlimited plan starts at $7 a month. Learn more about ClickUp pricing here.
G2 rating: 4.7/5 stars based off of 9,748 reviews
Pros: Has a clean user interface and comprehensive features for efficiently managing all types of projects
Cons: Some users report a steep learning curve and find the abundant amount of features overwhelming
Zoho sprints
Best for teams on a budget
Zoho Sprints is an easy-to-use Agile project management tool that helps teams plan, track, iterate, and deliver fast-paced projects.
Top features:
- Automatically generated Agile reports to track sprints and predict progress with velocity charts, burnup charts, burndown charts, and cumulative flow diagrams
- Release module to launch product increments as short releases
- Collaboration features such as Meetings for standups and Feed for a place to share ideation and feedback.
Pricing: There’s a free plan and the starter plan starts at $1/user/month. Learn more about their pricing here.
G2 rating: 4.2 / 5 stars out of 156 reviews
Pros: Affordable option with a robust set of features, and many integration options
Cons: Users report slow customer support
ProofHub
Prooub is a relatively simple project management and team collaboration software with flat-fee pricing. It’s popular for small – midsized teams.
Best for seamless collaboration
Top features:
- Real-time chat where teams can post announcements and comments in a collaborative place
- Kanban view and Gantt charts to visualize Agile workflows and divide tasks effectively
- Proofing where users can comment or share opinions on files, documents, and designs
Pricing: ProofHub offers flat-fee pricing for small, large, and extra-large teams. The small team fee is $79 per month and includes 10 users, 40 projects, and 10 GB of storage. Learn more about their pricing plans here.
G2 review: 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 90 reviews
Pros: The flat-fee pricing makes it cost-effective for growing teams and is an all-in-one tool for task management, collaboration, time tracking, reporting, and more
Cons: Users report too many notifications can be distracting and there are limited integration abilities
Smartsheet
Best for: Using templates
Smartsheet is a cloud-based work management platform deriving from basic spreadsheets. It enables teams to manage projects, automate processes & scale programs.
Top features:
- Agile Backlog and Sprint Planning templates to track sprints and development backlogs
- Automated workflows and reports that are easy to set up
- Integrated dashboards for a widget-based display that combines live data from multiple sources.
Pricing: A very basic free plan is available, and the pro plan, which is the most basic, starts at $9 per user/ month. Learn more about Smartsheet pricing and features in our review here.
G2 reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 5,675 reviews
Pros: Templates make setup easy and the interface is interactive
Cons: The free plan is quite limited and pricing plans can get costly for smaller businesses
Nifty
Nifty is an all-in-one Agile workflow solution, marketing itself as the top option for modern engineering.
Best for: An all-in-one solution with diverse features
Top features:
- Agile developmental flows that break down product features into individual tasks with substacks to lay out detailed user stories
- Milestones to automate sprint progress tracking
- Real-time reporting to track sprint progress and release dates
Pricing: A free plan is available for unlimited users and the Starter Plan starts at $39 a month for 10 users. Learn more about their pricing plans here.
G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 432 ratings
Pros: All-in-one project management tool with great real-time collaboration features
Cons: Some users find the interface to be not as intuitive as other Agile tools and there are complaints about limited support options
Wrike
Wrike is a popular project management and collaboration software with a ton of diverse features, suitable for teams of any size.
Best for managing multiple projects
Top features:
- Agile teamwork template to kickstart sprint planning processes.
- Customizable workflows that support Agile philosophies with view options including List, Board, Table, and Gantt Chart.
- Communication features including mentions, comments, and live editing ability.
Pricing: A basic, free plan is available and after that, the cheapest pricing tier known as the Team plan starts at $9.80 per user a month. Learn more about Wrike and its pricing options in our blog post here.
Pros: Users praise the customer service efficiency and real-time communication features
Cons: Some users report a steep learning curve and pricing plans can be expensive for smaller teams
G2 rating: 4.2 / 5 stars based on 3,716 reviews
Taiga
Taiga is an open-source project management tool for cross-functional Agile teams, known for its easy-to-use interface.
Best for an easy-to-use software
Top features:
- Sprint task board with swim lanes per user story
- Flexible bug-tracking capabilities with extensive filter options & search functions
- Custom fields for many entities including languages, team roles/ permissions, and tags
Pricing: A free plan is available and their automated hosting plan starts at $10 a month while Taiga Cloud with premium support is $70 per month. Learn more about their pricing here.
G2 review: 4.4/ 5 stars based on 72 reviews
Pros: The intuitive, easy-to-use interface makes it accessible for many types of teams
Cons: Lacks some features for more advanced projects
Trello
Trello is a highly visual Kanban-style project management tool that’s easy to use for all types of teams.
Best for Kanban-style project management
Top features:
- Customizable boards, lists, and cards
- no-code automation features that can create rules, buttons, and specific commands
- hundreds of Power-Ups/integrations to elevate workflows
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 13,587 reviews
Pricing: Trello offers a free plan and its most basic pricing starts at $5 per user per month. For more read our Trello pricing and review here.
Pros: Intuitive, easy-to-use interface with many integration possibilities
Cons: Less advanced features than some of its competitors
Features to look for in Agile project management software
Not every team will need all the features offered in an Agile project management solution. Some software comes with a vast array of features while others are more streamlined, so considering what your team needs is essential to deciding on the best software for your project. Still, some features are essential to Agile software, so make sure the options you’re considering have the following.
Project visualization
![An image on a Gantt roadmap in monday dev.](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2020/09/Dev-Gantt.png)
Visual representation of project progress makes it simpler to gauge delivery times and see where each team member stands. Agile project management software should offer various progress and work views, such as Kanban, but also others like Gantt, timeline views, calendar, or even workload. Multiple project visualization options will ensure that your team can remain flexible as your project’s needs evolve.
Automations
Automation features are an essential component of Agile software. Manual tasks like reminders or messages can be automated to streamline project workflows and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Automations can also ensure consistency across your project and provide regular updates on progress without the need to manually check on each employee individually.
Issue tracking
Tracking issues is an essential part of development, so look for an Agile solution that offers robust issue-tracking features. Look for a tool that allows your team to report issues they find, track progress as they’re actioned, and enable QA processes to check they’ve been resolved. When paired with automations, this process is a lot smoother and moves along quickly, ensuring resources are used efficiently.
Integrations
![monday dev integration apps](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/Dev-Integration-Center.png)
Teams working on complex projects likely use a lot of additional Agile tools and software. A good Agile project management solution will be able to bring all your tools together in one place so that data is centralized. Not all software will allow you to connect with any platform, so compiling a list of your essential work tools and comparing them against an Agile software’s integration options will help make your decision easier.
Collaboration tools
Any good project management platform will offer robust collaboration tools, but what those are depends on what your project requires. For example, you might want to look for software that allows you to create databases or wikis, collaborate in real-time on live documents, or facilitate instant communication through chats, comments, and notifications.
Reporting
Reporting and analytics tools are critical to track your project’s progress. As tasks get completed or stalled, it’s important to track key performance indicators (KPIs) throughout a sprint to make adjustments going forward. Reporting tools will help keep your project on time and on budget by providing data-driven insights into progress so that you can make informed decisions to improve your project and future sprints.
Try monday devWho is Agile project management software for?
Agile project management software is for any team using the Agile methodology in their project planning. This type of software can benefit any type of organization, from small teams and startups to large enterprises. Anyone involved in the development process of a new project should be working with Agile project management software, but it’s particularly suited to these primary users:
- Development teams: While it can fit a range of use cases, Agile project management software is intended for development teams such as software developers, testers, and designers, as it helps organize and manage complex projects into incremental tasks
- Product owners: Agile tools allow product owners to manage the backlog and track progress while keeping lines of communication open
- Project managers: Agile project management software enables project managers to gain insights into progress, assess and identify risk, and gain important insights for data-driven decisions
- Quality assurance (QA) teams: QA teams can access testing information and see the status of bugs in Agile software, making collaboration easier between development and QA teams
- Scrum masters: Scrum masters ensure a team follows Agile principles, and software helps in planning sprints, ceremonies, and monitoring whether the team is sticking to Agile practices
How to choose the best Agile project management software for your business
Aside from considering features and pricing, there are other factors to take into account to ensure your team is picking the best possible software for their needs. Here are some tips that will guide you towards making an informed decision.
1. Define your goals
Sit with your team, and carefully understand what their goals are for implementing a new Agile project management tool. Are your priorities ease-of-use? Customization options? A simple onboarding process? Before picking a tool, it’s important to coordinate on what your needs are and specifically outline what you’re hoping to gain from it.
2. Make sure the software aligns with your Agile framework
There are multiple frameworks to choose from including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, and more. You want to make sure that whatever software you pick has specific features that support your Agile approach.
3. Take a look at integration capabilities
If you already rely on external tools, you have to make sure the software you’re picking has the specific integrations you need so you can work within one platform without disorganizing your processes with multiple tabs.
4. Assess your team’s technical ability
Some Agile project management software is meant for tech-savvy developers, and won’t be particularly accessible to a team that’s just starting out with Agile processes. Be realistic about what your team can and can’t understand, and find a software that everyone will be able to use with ease.
5. Consider your team’s size
Different software is better suited to big teams, while some are better for growing teams. If you’re expecting your team to grow in the future, it’s important to pick a software that can scale with you as you grow and may need more capacity, and advanced resources later on.
Once you’ve figured out more logistical details, it’ll be easier for you to narrow down your options and determine which software is the best match. Additionally, read product reviews online to see what users are saying and whether their experiences match what you’re looking for in Agile software.
Customizable Agile project management with monday dev
![monday dev kanban board](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/Dev-sprint-Kanban-1-1.png)
monday dev is a platform built for development teams to work on R&D projects and product launches. Featuring tons of customization options, monday dev is designed to fit Agile workflows while being flexible and tailored to each team’s individual needs.
Equipped with functionalities for sprint management, bug tracking, sprint retrospectives, product roadmaps, and more, monday dev makes it simple to collaborate on work and track project progress on an individual level and throughout your whole team. Additionally, monday dev can connect with over 200 apps and integrations, like Figma, GitHub, Slack, and more, meaning your existing workflow isn’t disrupted, but enhanced.
![dev burndown chart in monday dev](https://res.cloudinary.com/monday-blogs/fl_lossy,f_auto,q_auto/wp-blog/2024/01/Dev-Burndown.png)
With Agile-specific templates making it easy to get started quickly and boards that can be customized to your liking, you can tailor the software to your unique product strategy and your development team’s preferences. Automations further help you keep track of time-sensitive information, task assignments, and workflow notifications.
Don’t just take our word for it. On the popular review site, G2, monday dev has an overall rating of 4.7/5, with users commenting on how it’s “easy to use,” “intuitive,” and customizable to a range of needs.
Try monday devSo, what’s the best Agile project management software?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, since the best software is the one that’s going to fit your team’s unique workflows and preferences. That said, opting for a flexible and customizable solution like monday dev that’s equipped with the most essential Agile project management features is a good way to guarantee the software you choose will fit your project and team.
FAQs
What is the best tool for Agile project management?
The best tool for Agile project management is the one that best fits your team’s needs and your project’s requirements. One of the most popular solutions on the market include monday dev, which allows teams to collaborate on projects, track bugs, and automate workflows.
Is Agile software free?
To make the most of Agile software, it often requires a paid plan to access all the features and functionalities. That said, there are free trials and sometimes free plans available for some solutions.
What is an example of Agile project management?
An example of Agile project management could be launching a new app. Within the project of creating an app from start to finish, you would have multiple sprints to continuously build and refine app features and implement feedback.