Updated 2026-01-28
Best Project Management Tools for Remote Teams
Async updates, clear owners, fewer meetings.
Small teams usually don’t fail because of lack of effort. Problems start when ownership is unclear, priorities shift, and tasks get lost between conversations. This page compares tools that small teams use once they outgrow simple to‑do lists.
Note: we focus on practical trade-offs. If you already know the category, jump straight to the comparison table.
Quick picks
| Tool | Why it’s a good fit | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Trello Best overall | Perfect for lightweight workflows and simple boards; minimal onboarding. | Can feel limiting once you need reporting, dependencies, or complex permissions. |
| monday.com Best value | Good for visual tracking and dashboards across departments; easy to understand quickly. | Pricing can scale up fast as you add seats and views. |
| Wrike Best for teams | Strong for teams juggling multiple projects who need ownership, timelines, and reporting. | Initial setup takes time; may be overkill for very small projects. |
| Linear Best for beginners | Fast issue tracking for product/dev teams that value speed and clean workflows. | Less suitable for non-technical teams needing broader project templates. |
| Smartsheet Best for power users | Good for teams who think in spreadsheets but need collaboration and tracking. | Can feel spreadsheet-heavy compared to modern PM tools. |
How to choose
- Start with the job to be done: what problem are you solving weekly?
- Setup vs simplicity: powerful tools often require configuration.
- Pricing reality: check seat limits, usage caps, and add-ons.
- Adoption: the best tool is the one your team actually uses.
Next steps
Once you’ve shortlisted 2–3 tools, test them with one real workflow (not a demo project). That usually reveals the right pick quickly.