• Best overall Mac project management software: ClickUp
  • Best for users who prefer spreadsheets: Smartsheet
  • Best for startups and small businesses: monday.com
  • Best for scalability: Asana
  • Best for team collaboration: Wrike
  • Best for development teams: Jira Software
  • Best free project management software: Trello
  • Best for client-facing users: Teamwork
  • Best for project management analytics: Hive
  • Best for remote teams: Basecamp
  • Best for cost-effectiveness: Zoho Projects
  • Best for complex project planning: Merlin Project

Many professionals prefer using Mac computers for their work, including project management, which means they need dedicated software that works on macOS. Here, we have highlighted some of the best project management software for Mac users and their pros, cons, pricing and standout features.

We’ve also shared our methodology for evaluating the software as well as tips on choosing the best project management software for Mac.

Top PM software for Mac users comparison

Here is how the top project management software for Mac users compare in terms of core features.

SoftwareGantt chartsMobile appFree versionOur star rating (out of 5)Starting price (per month)
ClickUpYesiPad (iPadOS 12+), iPhone (iOS 12+), Apple Watch (watchOS 7.5+)Yes5$7 per user
SmartsheetYesiPad (iPadOS 15+), iPhone (iOS 15+)Yes3.8$7 per user
monday.comYesiPad (iPadOS 15+), iPhone (iOS 15+)Yes5$12 per user
AsanaYesiPad, iPhone (iOS 16+)Yes3.9$10.99 per user
WrikeYesiPad (iPadOS 16+), iPhone (iOS 16+)Yes4.6$9.80 per user
JiraNoiPad (iPadOS 16+), iPhone (iOS 16+)Yes4.68.15 per user
TrelloAvailable through add-oniPad (iPadOS 16+), iPhone (iOS 16+)Yes4.5$5 per user
TeamworkYesiPad (iPadOS 15+), iPhone (iOS 15+)Yes3.7$5.99 per user
HiveYesiPad (iPadOS 12.4+), iPhone (iOS 12.4+), Apple Watch (watchOS 4+)Yes3.9$12 per user
BasecampNoiPad (iPadOS 14.5+), iPhone (iOS 14.5+)Only for teachers and students3.1$15 per user
Zoho ProjectsYesiPad (iPadOS 12+), iPhone (iOS 12+)Yes4.2$4 per user
Merlin ProjectYesiPad (iPadOS 15+), iPhone (iOS 15+)No_$16.99 per month

ClickUp: Best overall Mac project management software

TechRepublic Rating: 5/5

ClickUp logo.
Image: ClickUp

ClickUp is our pick for the best Mac project management software as it delivers all-in-one project management, striking the right balance between user-friendliness and functionality. It offers file sharing, status alerts, task management and several other tools, from project initiation to completion. It is also highly customizable and offers several automation tools for repetitive tasks.

In terms of mobile, ClickUp’s app is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and even Apple Watch and iPod touch, making project management accessible across Apple devices. It’s also more compatible than most other tools on this list as it needs iPadOS 12.0 for the iPad and iOS 12.0 for the iPhone and iPod touch, and watchOS 7.5 or later for the Apple Watch.

Pricing

  • Free plan: No cost.
  • Unlimited: $7 per person per month, billed annually, or $10 per person per month, billed monthly.
  • Business: $12 per person per month, billed annually, or $19 per person per month, billed monthly.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing.

Standout features

  • Native time tracking: Users can track time, add notes, set estimates, view reports and filter timesheets using the native time tracking tools.
  • Dashboards: ClickUp offers multiple views, including customized dashboards, charts and a selection of over 50 widgets.
Some of ClickUp’s multiple views listed.
Figure A: Some of ClickUp’s multiple views listed.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
24/7 live support.Prone to bugs and glitches.
Multiple views.Clunky interface.
Highly customizable.Features can overwhelm.

Top integrations

  • Gmail.
  • Zoom.
  • Harvest.
  • Zendesk.

Why I picked ClickUp

With its affordable pricing, multiple project views and comprehensive set of features, ClickUp was an easy pick for me. Most of its project views — including Gantt — are available on its free plan, although some are limited. Nonetheless, since some of these views are typically available only in premium pricing tiers for some tools, it reiterates why ClickUp was worth my consideration.

When to use something else

If you prefer a more focused and less feature-dense environment, you may want to consider alternatives such as Basecamp. ClickUp has lots of features and customization options that are undeniably powerful but can sometimes introduce a steep learning curve or potentially overwhelm teams that just need a simple project management tool.

For more information, read the full ClickUp review.

Smartsheet: Best for users who prefer spreadsheets

TechRepublic Rating: 3.8/5

Smartsheet logo.
Image: Smartsheet

Smartsheet provides Mac users with a clean and organized spreadsheet-based interface. Users already familiar with spreadsheets will find it easy to transition to Smartsheet. The top features of the tool include extensive customization options, project visualization tools like Gantt software capabilities, resource management and workflow automation. As for mobile, Smartsheet is available for iPhone and iPad but it needs iOS 15.0 or later and iPadOS 15.0 or later.

Pricing

  • Free: No cost for up to one user and two editors.
  • Pro: $7 per user per month, billed annually, or $9 per user per month, billed monthly. A free trial is available.
  • Business: $25 per user per month, billed annually, or $32 per user per month, billed monthly. A free trial is available.
  • Enterprise: Quotes are available upon request.

Standout features

  • Spreadsheet interface: Smartsheet delivers a flexible and simple feature set presented with the familiarity of a spreadsheet interface.
  • Automated workflows: Mac users can create no-code automated workflows within projects and eliminate tedious manual work.
Spreadsheet-like interface in Smartsheet.
Figure B: Spreadsheet-like interface in Smartsheet.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Familiar spreadsheet interface.Several important tools are only available through add-ons.
Variety of project tracking tools.Dependence on spreadsheets.
Highly customizable dashboards.Limited mobile app.

Top integrations

  • Miro.
  • DocuSign.
  • MS Teams.
  • Google Chat.

Why I picked Smartsheet

Since I’m quite familiar with spreadsheets, I chose Smartsheet since its spreadsheet interface is great for working with large volumes of tabular data. With Smartsheet, you also get a high level of dashboard customization, so you can tailor the layout according to your needs.

When to use something else

A spreadsheet-like interface may not be your style. If you’re looking for a project management tool with a more traditional, non-spreadsheet interface or deeper integration with macOS-specific features, a different platform might better suit your needs.

For more information, read the full Smartsheet review.

monday.com: Best for startups and small businesses

TechRepublic Rating: 5/5

monday.com logo.
Image: monday.com

monday.com offers incredible functionality, as it can be used for everything, including project management and software development. The project management tools offered by monday.com cover all phases of project management, from project planning to closing. Users can choose to view a high-level project overview or dig into more granular details of each task. In addition, monday.com has a clean and intuitive dashboard, making it easy to learn for beginners.

The monday.com app supports iOS 15.0 or later on iPhone, with version 5.8 being the last one to support monday on iOS 15. It requires iPadOS 15.0 or later for iPad use.

Pricing

  • Free: Free plan for up to two seats.
  • Basic: $9 per seat per month, billed annually, or $12 per seat, billed monthly.
  • Standard: $12 per seat per month, billed annually, or $14 per seat, billed monthly.
  • Pro: $19 per seat per month, billed annually, or $24 per seat, billed monthly.
  • Enterprise: Customized pricing.

Standout features

  • Data visualization: monday.com offers a variety of ways to view and analyze data that can be customized by adding a dashboard or widgets according to user preference.
  • Automation: Recurring or common tasks can be automated on monday.com. This includes setting up triggers, conditions and actions, which make it easy to automate specific tasks. For some tasks, users can even build custom automations from scratch.
Screenshot of monday’s automation center.
Figure C: Screenshot of monday’s automation center.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Ease of setup and use.Limited reporting features.
Data visualization tools, including timeline view with dependencies.Lack of advanced features in lower tiers.
Free trial that includes advanced features.Steep learning curve for advanced features.

Top integrations

  • Slack.
  • Gmail.
  • Zendesk.
  • Hubspot.

Why I picked monday

monday work management is featured on this list because of its versatility and customization capabilities, making it suitable for users of all technical levels, including startups and small businesses.

When to use something else

For Mac users who require specialized project management features, such as native budget tracking or advanced risk analysis tools integrated within the platform, you’re likely to be better off exploring alternatives that focus on these areas.

For more information, read the full monday.com review.

Asana: Best for scalability

TechRepublic Rating: 3.9/5

Asana logo.
Image: Asana

Asana is the top project management software that offers a native desktop app for Mac users. With its feature-rich plans and impressive scalability, Asana is suitable for all types of businesses. Mac users can use it to create tasks, track project progress, collaborate with team members and clients and automate workflows.

Unlike the previous tools that required at least iOS 15.0, Asana’s mobile app for iPhone is compatible with iOS 16 or later, offering functionality across various features for both iPhone and iPad users.

Pricing

  • Basic: $0 per user per month.
  • Premium: $10.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $13.49 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Business: $24.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $30.49 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Enterprise: Custom quote.

Standout features

  • Asana Portfolios: Using this feature, you can visualize the project schedule and progress of multiple projects using a timeline view that uses Gantt charts.
  • Multi-device sync: With Asana, you can synchronize project data across multiple devices, including Windows and Mac computers.
A collection of portfolios in Asana.
Figure D: A collection of portfolios in Asana.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Highly scalable.Unintuitive UI.
Generous list of features.Occasional lag when moving between data extensive pages.
Powerful reporting and analytics.Can be expensive for small businesses.

Top integrations

  • OneDrive.
  • Slack.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Zapier.

Why I picked Asana

Asana made it to my list because of how scalable it is. Its interface, features and pricing make it a convenient choice for businesses of all sizes. I was also impressed with Asana’s reporting and analytics tools.

When to use something else

If you have projects that deal with lots of images and other graphics, Asana might not be the ideal choice, as its capabilities for handling visual content and markup tools are rather limited.

For more information, read the full Asana review.

Wrike: Best for team collaboration

TechRepublic Rating: 4.6/5

Wrike logo.
Image: Wrike

Wrike is a versatile project management solution available as a desktop app for Mac and Windows. It is a cloud-based application, so it can be used on any device that has internet access. One of the top features of Wrike is its visualization tools, including Gantt charts, waterfall schematics and kanban boards. New users might take some time to get familiar with its user interface. Wrike is available for both iPad and iPhone but needs iPadOS 16.0 and iOS 16.0 or later.

Pricing

  • Free plan: No cost for unlimited users.
  • Team: $9.80 per user per month.
  • Business: $24.80 per user per month.
  • Enterprise: Custom quote.
  • Pinnacle: Custom quote.

Standout features

  • Wrike Sync: You can use Wrike two-way sync with applications such as GitHub and Jira Software to automatically sync all important information about a project.
  • AI Project Risk Prediction: Wrike has in-built artificial intelligence tools that can alert users of any hurdles or issues that can delay a project.
22 options available in Wrike sync.
Figure E: 22 options available in Wrike sync.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Free plan with unlimited users.The mobile app needs improvement.
Excellent project visibility tools.Steep learning curve.
Offline mode.Offers many tools as add-on features.

Top integrations

  • Slack.
  • Dropbox.
  • Tableau.
  • GitHub.

Why I picked Wrike

I shortlisted Wrike as one of the top PM software for Mac users because of its outstanding team collaboration tools, quick data syncing capabilities and variety of project views. Additionally, I found Wrike to be a competent tool for complex projects due to its vast capabilities and lots of customization options.

When to use something else

If you value a minimalist and straightforward interface for quick task management, without having to extensively customize it, consider an alternative like Asana. Wrike’s extensive feature set and customization options can especially overwhelm users seeking simplicity in a project management tool.

For more information, read our full Wrike review.

Jira Software: Best for development teams

TechRepublic Rating: 4.6/5

Jira Software logo.
Image: Jira

Jira Software is known for its project management capabilities for development teams, but it offers much more than that. It provides extensive support for Agile project management and has an extensive range of integrations available, including deep integration within the Atlassian ecosystem. You also get impressive workflow customization to match your specific project requirements.

Teams can create and edit issues and requests as well as manage project boards and backlogs straight from their iPads and iPhones, provided they’re running on iPadOS 16.0 and iOS 16.0 or later.

Pricing

  • Free: $0 for up to 10 users.
  • Standard: $8.15 per user per month, billed monthly, or $850 annually for 1–10 users.
  • Premium: $16 per user per month, billed monthly, or $1,600 annually for 1–10 users.
  • Enterprise: Available for teams with more than 800 users and only billed annually. Contact Jira Software’s sales team for pricing information.

Standout features

  • Agile boards: Has both Scrum and kanban boards to visualize project progress in real-time.
  • Jira automation: Automation templates enable users to use drag-and-drop features to automate their tasks.
An agile board in Jira Software.
Figure F: An agile board in Jira Software.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Outstanding issue-tracking capabilities.Steep learning curve, especially for advanced tools.
Fast and responsive.UI is not as intuitive as other competitors.
Deep integration with other Atlassian products.Can be overkill for small, simple projects.

Top integrations

  • Jira Software.
  • Google Drive and Gmail.
  • Figma.
  • GitHub.

Why I picked Jira Software

Jira Software impressed me with its powerful issue-tracking capabilities, which software development teams and iterative project management teams are sure to appreciate. I also liked Jira Software’s Agile project management capabilities and integration ecosystem with Atlassian products.

When to use something else

If you’re not involved in software development or prefer not to work within an agile framework, Jira Software may be overkill for you. Take into consideration tools that are more accessible and take a visually straightforward approach to task and project management, minus the complexity of agile methodologies.

For more information, read the full Jira Software review.

Trello: Best free project management software

TechRepublic Rating: 4.5/5

Trello logo.
Image: Atlassian

Trello uses management boards, templates, roadmap features and other tools to simplify project management. The kanban-style design of the main dashboard is visually appealing and easy to use. Users can quickly and simply cross-collaborate, assign tasks, view workflow and share files.

Additionally, the mobile app and desktop interface offer extra flexibility. This kanban interface extends to mobile as it’s available on iPad and iPhone, though it’s compatible with iPadOS 16.0 and iOS 16.0 or later respectively.

Pricing

  • Free: No cost.
  • Standard: $5 per user per month, billed annually, or $6 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Premium: $10 per user per month, billed annually, or $12.50 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Enterprise: Starts at $17.50 per user per month and gets cheaper with more users.

Standout features

  • Automation: The Butler is an automation tool offered by Trello that allows users to create rules, commands and buttons to reduce repetitive work.
  • Trello boards: The kanban-style interface is the signature feature of Trello. The board system allows users to oversee the progress of multiple tasks.
Board system in action in Trello.
Figure G: Board system in action in Trello.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Plenty of functionality in the free version.Reliance on kanban boards.
Drag-and-drop style interface.No native time-tracking tool.
Unrivaled kanban boards.The free plan allows the upload of files of 10 MB or less.

Top integrations

  • Jira Software.
  • TeamGantt.
  • GitHub.
  • Slack.

Why I picked Trello

The reason I chose Trello? Its kanban boards. It has some of the best kanban boards, which any team that loves visual project management will relish. This kanban software approach makes Trello really easy to use. It also offers an outstanding and feature-rich free plan.

When to use something else

With its impressive kanban boards, Trello can feel like a bit of a one-trick pony. It doesn’t offer advanced project management features, such as time tracking, detailed reporting or advanced resource management. For such, consider using alternatives like Wrike that offer a broader set of tools for complex project planning and execution.

For more information, read our full Trello review.

Teamwork: Best for client-facing users

TechRepublic Rating: 3.7/5

Teamwork logo.
Image: Teamwork

Teamwork is often featured on the list of top project management software for Mac users as it offers a full range of project management tools. Some of the best features of Teamwork include workload management and time tracking, which help businesses streamline their project management processes.

Available in both desktop and mobile app versions, Teamwork can be used for collaboration, customer relationship management, knowledge sharing and more. Its mobile versions need iOS 15.0 and iPadOS 15.0 or later.

Pricing

  • Free Forever: No cost.
  • Starter: $5.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $8.99 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Delivery: $9.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $13.99 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Grow: $19.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $25.99 per user per month, billed monthly.

Standout features

  • Budget tracking: Using Teamwork, users can manage the budget of each task or project or view historical budgets. This feature is available on the Grow and Premium versions, with a maximum of 30 active budgets.
  • Client-facing features: Teamwork offers various client-facing features, including team chat tools, client-access controls, collaborative document editors and more.
A budget dashboard in Teamwork.
Figure H: A budget dashboard in Teamwork.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Dedicated tools for workload management and time tracking.Advanced features require extra training.
Variety of visualization tools for project data.Interface feels a bit outdated.
Built-in apps and third-party tools.Modifications take time to become visible.

Top integrations

  • MS Teams.
  • Dropbox.
  • Google Sheets.
  • Slack.

Why I picked Teamwork

I picked Teamwork not only because of its comprehensive suite of features, including excellent workload management and time tracking, but also because of how tailored it is for team communication and client-facing interactions.

When to use something else

If your Mac-based project management relies heavily on Kanban methodologies with a need for sophisticated automation within those workflows, it’s unfortunate that Teamwork’s functionality in this area is limited. With such a restriction, you may want to find an alternative that’s better suited.

For more information, read our full Teamwork review.

Hive: Best for project management analytics

TechRepublic Rating: 3.9/5

Hive logo.
Image: Hive

Hive, launched in 2016, is a relatively newer entry to the project management software market. However, it offers competitive pricing and features, including data visualization tools, portfolio views, Gantt charts, kanban boards and to-do lists. It also offers a native messaging app for team collaboration and a compact and simple interface.

With mobile, we’re looking at very compatible apps as Hive for iPhone needs iOS 12.4 or later, iPad requires iPadOS 12.4 or later, iPod touch needs iOS 12.4 or later and Apple Watch requires watchOS 4.0 or later.

Pricing

  • Free: No cost.
  • Teams: $12 per user per month if billed annually or $18 per user per month if billed monthly.
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing.

Standout features

  • Automation: Hive project management software offers in-built templates and automation options to maximize user productivity. For example, users can set up buttons to automatically trigger specific actions or workflows to manage recurring or repetitive tasks.
  • Hive Analytics: Hive’s powerful analytics tools allow businesses to gather valuable insights about a project. These include workload control, employee monitoring, forecasting reports and performance assessment.
  • Flexible project views: Hive offers multiple views for managing projects, including kanban, Gantt and calendar views, which serve different project management styles and preferences.
Hive dashboard in Kanban view.
Figure I: Hive dashboard in Kanban view.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Well-designed layout.The mobile app version has significantly reduced functionality.
Plenty of add-ons and integrations.Privacy controls need improvement.
Powerful analytics tools.It has no low-tier plans.

Top integrations

  • Google Workspace.
  • Zoom.
  • MS Teams.
  • Slack.

Why I picked Hive

I picked Hive for its in-depth analytics and reporting, as well as its ability to process large volumes of data. It’s also a powerful tool that manages to present a well-designed layout.

When to use something else

Should you need to create and manage dependent tasks within your projects, Hive’s rather limited in this area, and it might be a dealbreaker for you. In such cases, you may find an alternative like Asana, with its robust task dependency features and more straightforward task management capabilities, to be more suitable.

For more information, read the full Hive review.

Basecamp: Best for remote teams

TechRepublic Rating: 3.1/5

Basecamp logo.
Image: Basecamp

Basecamp is a widely used project management solution that works on Windows and Mac. With Basecamp, you get a plethora of team communication and collaboration tools, making it ideal for remote teams. These include features such as message boards, pings, automatic check-ins and group chatting. You also get a variety of project views and client access controls.

The mobile app is available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, with a requirement of iOS 14.5 or later for the iPad and iOS 14.5 or later for the latter two.

Pricing

  • Free: Only available to teachers and students.
  • Standard: $15 per user per month.
  • Pro Unlimited: $299 per month, billed annually, or $349 per month, billed monthly.

Standout features

  • Campfire: This is the built-in chat feature in Basecamp for one-to-one or group messaging.
  • To-do lists: Basecamp gives users a space to track their tasks,deadlines, progress, notes and responsibilities through lists.
A to-do list template in Basecamp.
Figure J: A to-do list template in Basecamp.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
All-in-one platform for project management, team communication and productivity.The free account is only available for students and teachers.
Clean and intuitive interface.An inclusive plan may not be suitable for small teams or freelancers.
The Pro Unlimited plan offers all features in one plan.Not as extensive as some alternatives.

Top integrations

  • Zoho Flow.
  • ZapUp.
  • Unito.io.
  • Project Buddy.

Why I picked Basecamp

With its extensive team communication and collaboration features, Basecamp is a top choice for Mac users working remotely. I particularly liked Basecamp’s unique UI, as I found it to really simplify project management. Plus, it has two straightforward paid pricing plans, which makes pricing very specific and ensures that each plan offers value as there are no negligible feature increments spread across multiple pricing plans that may force you to begrudgingly upgrade your subscription.

When to use something else

If your project management needs on Mac include detailed time tracking or advanced project analytics, Basecamp’s lack of these features might prompt you to look elsewhere. Jira, known for its comprehensive time tracking and detailed reporting capabilities, could offer the functionality you need for more complex project requirements.

For more information, read the full Basecamp review.

Zoho Projects: Best for cost-effectiveness

TechRepublic Rating: 4.2/5

Zoho Projects logo.
Image: Zoho

Zoho Projects is an excellent option for small to mid-sized businesses, with features for task, time, resource and issue tracking enhancing collaboration and raising productivity at an affordable price. It offers multiple views for projects like list, Gantt, Kanban and more. It also offers extensive integrations with other apps and tools in the Zoho ecosystem. Zoho Projects provides a mobile app for both iPhone and iPad, supporting iOS and iPadOS 12 or later.

Pricing

  • Free: $0 for up to 3 users.
  • Premium: $4 per user per month, billed annually, or $5 per user per month, billed monthly.
  • Enterprise: $9 per user per month, billed annually, or $10 per user per month, billed monthly.

Standout features

  • Task automation: Zoho Projects offers end-to-end project automation, cutting across multiple teams and multiple tasks and workflows.
  • Time tracking: It offers project teams time tracking that helps teams plan better, maintain accountability and support productivity.
Time tracking in Zoho Projects.
Figure K: Time tracking in Zoho Projects. Image: Zoho

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Cost-effective for small teams.Some advanced features require higher-tier plans.
Comprehensive project management features.Initial setup may require time to customize.
Compatible with older mobile operating systems.It’s less advanced than many alternatives.

Top integrations

  • Zoho CRM.
  • Zoho People.
  • Zoho Desk.
  • Zoho Analytics.

Why I picked Zoho Projects

For its price, Zoho Projects offered me the best bang for my buck. With its relatively low-cost, it gives you channels for team collaboration and communication and unlimited projects. Plus, it’s also simple and straightforward to set up and use.

When to use something else

If you need more advanced features like in-depth resource management or enterprise-grade security, consider more specialized tools.

For more information, read the full Zoho Projects review.

Merlin Project: Best for complex project planning

Merlin Project logo.
Image: ProjectWizards

Merlin Project is a project management application specifically crafted for Mac users who manage complex, large-scale projects. It’s highly functional with a user-friendly design that makes Mac users feel right at home with a comprehensive toolset that covers every aspect of project management, from planning to completion. Merlin Project’s mobile app is available for both iPad and iPhone, requiring iPadOS 15.0 or later and iOS 15.0 or later.

Pricing

  • Merlin Project for iPad: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for the mobile project manager.
  • Merlin Project for Mac: $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year for individuals and teams.

Standout features

  • Flexible project views: Merlin Project offers project views like Gantt charts, kanban boards, Structure view, mind maps, resource pools and custom views, among others.
A Gantt chart in action in Merlin Project.
Figure L: A Gantt chart in action in Merlin Project. Image: Merlin Project
  • Project planning: Merlin Project integrates extensive planning features such as time- and effort-based planning, milestones, cost and budget tracking, dependencies, resource leveling and advanced planning parameters, all supported by a suite of analysis and customization tools.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
High-level project planning tools.Complexity may be overwhelming for new users.
Extensive customization capabilities.Higher price point compared to some alternatives.
Exclusive to Mac, iOS and iPadOS.Multiple licenses required for Mac and mobile.

Top integrations

  • Apple Calendar.
  • Microsoft Project.
  • Trello.
  • iCloud Drive.

Why I picked Merlin Project

I chose Merlin Project not only because it can manage detailed and complex project structures but also because it’s the only tool on this list that’s truly built for Mac, iPadOS and iOS. Its integration with workflows on this system feels much more intuitive.

When to use something else

If you prefer a tool that’s simpler, has a lower learning curve or better suited for smaller projects, consider alternatives like Basecamp or Trello. Also, if you seek a tool with easier, more cost-effective licensing, consider any other tool on this list, as this tool offers separate subscriptions for the Mac and iPad versions. There are also robust open-source project management tools worth considering, should you prefer not to invest financially in a project management tool.

How we evaluated Mac project management software

We evaluated project management software for Mac through a combination of expert reviews, user ratings and TechRepublic’s in-depth software reviews. Some of the major factors we considered in evaluating the project management software included the software’s pricing structure, functionality and user interface. In addition, the tools were assessed for their core project management tools, such as Gantt charts, time tracking and Kanban boards.

FAQs

How do I choose Mac project management software?

To ensure you get all of the benefits from the software, you need to choose software that is the ideal fit for your business. There are some project management software solutions that won’t work on Mac computers, so you have a smaller pool to choose from. Here are a few tips for choosing the right project management software for Mac.

Identify your challenges

Each project management tool has its pros and cons. However, before you dig deeper into the details of the software, you need to identify the challenges or problems you want the software to solve. For example, if you are working on multiple projects and are struggling to manage them, it could result from a lack of team collaboration, scheduling conflicts, going over budget or other types of problems.

Create a list of top priorities

Once you have identified the challenges and criteria, the next step is to prioritize what is important for your needs. For example, data visualization could be more important to you than integration with other software.

Similarly, Mac users would want project management software that is fully compatible with the Apple ecosystem. After you have a list of priorities, you can create a list of the top software options. This will be a short list of the best project management software based on your needs.

Test run

To make an informed decision on which project management software is best, you need to do a test run of the software. Sign up for a free trial to get a feel for the software. Ideally, you want to test as many features as possible, so software with a full-feature free trial will have an advantage. In the test run, look at the software in-depth, checking everything from the basic features to the extra options.

Gather feedback

If you are investing in new project management software, it is worth the extra effort required to gather feedback from your team. After all, you want the software to facilitate your team, not bog them down. So, it is vital to get their feedback on the test run.

People who use Mac computers are often used to simple, smooth and streamlined user interfaces, so any software that feels slow or clunky may not be ideal for Mac users.

Does Microsoft Project work on a Mac?

Microsoft Project is designed and optimized for the Windows operating system, so it cannot be used on macOS. There are a few indirect methods to use Microsoft Project on a Mac, but they require downloading certain files and programs, such as a parallel or virtual desktop application. This might be too technical for some users, so check out these Microsoft Project alternatives.

Can project management software be used simultaneously on Mac and Windows?

Most of the top project management software allow you to simultaneously use the software on Mac and Windows. This is mostly achieved through the web portal feature, which just needs an internet connection. Even with the Mac desktop app, all the project information should be automatically synced, so you can access and work on a project from a different device that uses the Windows desktop app.

What are the types of project management software for Mac?

There is a wide range of project management software available for Mac. These include software for task management, Agile project management, Gantt chart software, design project management, issue tracking and more. There are several project management software for Mac that offer options for cloud-based or on-premises implementation.

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Subscribe to Project Management Insider for best practices, reviews and resources. From project scheduling software to project planning apps, stay up to date with the latest in project management tools. Delivered Wednesdays