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When I first stepped into program management, I was overwhelmed. I remember staring at endless spreadsheets, juggling emails, and hopping between apps but still feeling like I was losing control. Deadlines slipped, my team was stretched too thin, and I was exhausted from trying to keep everything afloat.
But that all changed when I started using the right program management software. These tools didn’t just help me stay organized; they gave me a clear picture of everything happening across my programs and made it easier to keep my team aligned and on track.
In this post, I’m sharing the 10 program management software tools that made the biggest difference for me. These tools can help you work smarter, minimize burnout, and actually enjoy managing your programs.
What is a program management software?
Program management software is a tool that helps manage multiple related projects as part of a larger program. It shows how the projects connect, helps track progress, and keeps everyone working toward the same goal. Instead of managing each project in isolation, I can see the full picture and make better decisions based on real-time data.
How is program management software different from project management software?
Project management software handles one project. Program management software connects and manages many projects at the same time.
What do program managers do?
Program managers guide multiple projects to stay on track and support each other. They plan how projects should fit together, check on progress, solve problems, and make sure everyone has the resources and support they need.
Quick glance: 10 best program management software tools
Tool
1. Teamwork.com
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What I love about Teamwork.com is how much time it saves me. Before I started using it, I was constantly switching between spreadsheets, emails, and different tools just to keep up with everything. It felt like I was spending more time chasing updates than I was moving projects forward.
With Teamwork.com, I can see all my projects, teams, timelines, and progress in one clear view. I know exactly what’s happening, where things stand, and who’s doing what. It’s made my program management process faster, clearer, and less stressful. I spend less time checking in and more time actually leading the work.
Best features
Views: Teamwork.com gives me a high-level view of all my active projects in one place. I can quickly see which projects are on track, which ones need attention, and how everything fits into the overall program. What I really like is that I can choose the view that works best for me, whether it’s a Kanban board for visual task management, a Gantt chart for timelines, or Tables for progress tracking. This makes it easier to manage complex programs without getting lost in the details.
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Workload Planner: Offers a detailed look at team members' capacities, showing their assigned tasks vs available working hours. This feature helps spread out work fairly, so no one is overworked. Workload planner makes sure people are working on the right tasks and their time is used well across all projects. By visualizing workloads, program managers can make informed decisions to optimize team performance.
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Time tracking & budgeting: Teamwork.com has built-in time tracking, so teams can log hours directly on tasks and projects. Time reports give an overview on your target billable/non-billable ratio and how it affects costs. For program management, this is really helpful because it shows how time and money are being used across all projects.
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Proofs: Teamwork.com makes it easy for everyone to stay in touch and work together. You can send messages, leave comments on tasks, and share files all in the Proofs hub. This means no more digging through emails or switching between apps to find updates. When managing a big program with lots of teams and projects, these features help teams stay connected, informed, and moving in the same direction.
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Templates: Teamwork.com lets you create project templates that you can use again and again. This saves time because you don’t have to start from scratch every time you set up a new project. It’s really helpful when you’re managing similar projects as part of a bigger program.
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Limitations
Teamwork.com has a lot of features, which can feel overwhelming at first. It may take some time to learn how to use everything well, especially if you’re new to program management software. Teamwork.com Academy offers plenty of training videos to help you get up and running quickly.
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Pricing
Deliver: $10.99/month
Grow: $19.99/month
Scale: $54.99/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing (contact for a demo)
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.4/5
A G2 user, Michele, shared, “We honestly couldn't live without Teamwork. We have a team of four leads, each with between 5 and 15 projects going at once and at various stages of completion. These are year-long projects with so many moving pieces that without our project manager and Teamwork, we would not be able to do as much as we do. Not only do we get everything accomplished, but we do also it on time and on budget!
Teamwork is always adding great new features that make our job easier. We are even integrating it into other teams because we know the value of it and how much it will help them. We get a daily email with a list of upcoming deadlines for tasks and milestones so it is easy to stay on top of what you must focus on for that day. We have had to reach out to customer support a few times asking about a feature we would like to see implemented and they either tell us it is something they are working on or offer a different solution.”
Check out real user reviews of Teamwork.com here.
2. Productive
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Productive helped me see every project’s schedule, budget, and tasks in one place. I can switch between projects and still keep the overall program on track. It feels like having a single program dashboard. I instantly see the ripple effects across the whole program.
Best features
Productive lets you build custom dashboards with widgets for departments, teams, projects and more. I set up dashboards to show progress on each project and overall program metrics.
Shows expected vs actual costs and sends early warnings of overruns.
The scenario builder tool is a lifesaver for trying out different plans. I can simulate “what-if” scenarios by changing who does certain tasks or when work starts, and compare the outcomes side by side
Limitations
Productive was built for agencies and consultants. It includes things like CRM, invoicing, and time tracking that not every program manager needs. If your program only needs basic project tracking, some parts of Productive might feel like extra clutter.
Pricing
Essential: $9/month for 10 users
Professional: $24/month for 10 users
Ultimate: $32/month for 10 users
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.7/5
A G2 user, Harald, shared, “I like that Productive suits my personal preferences on how I want to register my hours and set up my home screen. I know my colleagues prefer to use it differently than me, so the amount of customizability is enjoyable. Also, the UI looks nice and modern! It's the daily driver at my company, and it's always the first app I open during my day. And, I feel their support is way above average, as they feel responsive and personal.”
3. Quickbase
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Quickbase gave me the flexibility I was looking for. I could build custom tools and dashboards without writing any code, which made it easy to shape the platform to fit my program’s needs. The only downside for me was needing a separate tool to handle detailed budgeting and cost tracking.
Best features
Quickbase connects data from many systems into one centralized platform, giving teams a single source of truth with real-time insight into all programs.
It lets teams build tailored dashboards and reports that display key program metrics and progress.
Quickbase can automate routine program tasks and approval workflows, reducing manual errors.
Limitations
Quickbase doesn’t have strong budgeting or money management tools built in, so if your program needs detailed cost tracking, you need to find an additional tool.
Pricing
Free
Team: $35/month
Business: $55/month
Enterprise: Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.4/5
A G2 user, Michael, shared, “QuickBase has helped our company mature from manual pen-and-paper processes. By expediting many of our locations' processes through QuickBase, we have increased efficiency across the board. Our home office team has also benefited from QuickBase, as we have built various applications to help with functions such as invoicing, auditing, planning, and more. Integrating with QuickBase is seamless and intuitive, and that alone has been key for us in the technological side of things. The Customer Support team has also been tremendous for us when we have experienced issues with our SSO integration for users.”
4. Wrike
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When I started using Wrike, the interactive Gantt charts quickly became my favorite way to see all project timelines and deadlines at a glance. The dashboards and real-time reports helped me keep track of how every project was doing across the program, which saved me a lot of guesswork. I didn’t like that the time tracking and scheduling features were only available when I upgraded to a pricier plan, though. If you have a small team, this could be a problem, so it’s good to look at other options.
Best features
Wrike’s interactive Gantt charts give a clear overview of project timelines and milestones with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Dashboards and built-in reporting provide real-time program insights, helping program managers track progress and performance across all projects.
Wrike’s Work Intelligence is an AI feature that makes recommendations and reduces mundane tasks.
Limitations
Wrike’s time tracking and scheduling tools are basic and only come with the more expensive plans, which can make it harder to plan and manage programs well.
Pricing
Free
Team: $10/month
Business: $25/month
Enterprise: Contact sales
Pinnacle: Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.2/5
A G2 user, John, shared, “We had no tools at Cigna to handle all of the details involved with our virtual new hire call classes and were looking for a solution. When we evaluated Wrike, we found that it provided not only tracking capabilities but also much of the reporting we needed to capture capacity and support for the onboarding team. Since adopting Wrike, it has helped streamline our rosters, issue trackers, day-one readiness, and many other details involved in the complexities of onboarding new advocates, along with providing helpful reporting. It is very easy to use and has been even easier to implement. If you are looking for a tool for collaboration and organization with the flexibility to make changes easily, then Wrike is the right tool for you. In addition the support provided by Wrike has been amazing.”
5. ClickUp
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When I started using ClickUp, what really stood out was how every task links directly to program objectives. The dashboards made it easy to see how all projects were doing at once, and I loved being able to choose different views to organize work my way. Just be aware that time tracking is pretty basic, so for bigger programs, I had to find other ways to track billable and non-billable hours.
Best features
ClickUp Goals link every task to program deliverables, keeping all team members focused on the program’s key objectives.
Dashboards give a clear and customizable view of the whole program, you can use charts and widgets to show how all projects are doing.
Flexible task views let you visualize and organize programs in a way that suits you best.
Limitations
ClickUp’s time tracking is basic and not very strong, so it might not be enough for big programs that need detailed time reports.
Pricing
Free
Unlimited: $7/month
Business: $12/month
Enterprise: Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.7/5
A G2 user, David, shared, “ClickUp offers unmatched flexibility with customizable views (List, Board, Gantt, Calendar), powerful automations, and built-in docs, goals, and time tracking—all in a single workspace. It centralizes team collaboration and project management, allowing us to replace multiple tools like Trello, Asana, and Notion with one cohesive system.”
6. Kytes
When I used Kytes, it helped me handle every part of a program, from planning to tracking and finishing it. Seeing all projects in one place made my work easier and clearer. The features for watching budgets and progress kept me on track. The only problem was the mobile app, which was slow and didn’t have many features when I needed to work on the go.
Best features
Kytes helps with every step of managing a program, from planning, tracking, program control, and closure.
It shows a clear view of all projects and programs in one place.
Kytes’s built-in financial forecasting and real-time analytics dashboards help track budgets and how well programs are doing.
Limitations
The mobile app is slow and doesn’t have many features, making it hard to manage programs when working on the go.
Pricing
Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.4/5
A G2 user, Jeremy, shared, “Our entire team is highly dependent on Kytes as to manage resources across India and the US as now we know how much time a resource is spending on each task.”
7. Asana
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With Asana I can see all my projects in one view, which makes it easy to track progress and fix problems early. The workload tool shows who’s busy and who has time, so I can share tasks better across the team. Just keep in mind: some helpful integrations like Tableau or Salesforce only come with the more expensive plans, and the free version is best for small teams.
Best features
The Workload feature shows how much each team member has on their plate, helping balance work across the program.
You can set up milestones, which keeps everyone focused on the big picture of a specific program.
Asana’s Portfolios feature gives a clear, real-time view of all projects in a program, so you can track progress and spot issues early.
Limitations
The free plan is limited to 15 users.
Integrations such as Tableau, Salesforce, and Power BI are only available on high-tier plans.
Pricing
Free
Starter: $10.99/month
Advanced: $24.99/month
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.4/5
A G2 user, Jonathan, shared, “I like best about seeing what tasks have been assigned to me, and how I can come alongside and support those teams with requests. Given the nature of my job as a production director, we support all the ministries in my church with AV and production services. Asana is great for not forgetting the things you absolutely need to provide and provide with quality. On the flipside, being able to receive attachments such as photos from the communications department is awesome instead of emailing them, asking for a graphic when needed, etc. It's all right there and downloadable onto any device that is necessary to download to. So, it's got great features for just those two things alone.”
8. Jira
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Jira makes it easy for me to keep track of everything that’s happening across my program. I can see who’s working on what, follow our goals, and check deadlines all in one place. The features help me stay organized and keep projects moving forward. I didn’t like that the reporting was only available on paid plans as it limits what I can achieve when running a program.
Best features
Project boards track the status of everyone’s tasks at each stage of the workflow.
Goal tracking maps out your program’s goals in the summary view.
Jira’s calendar helps you visualize your workflow over time so your team can hit their deadlines.
Limitations
Advanced roadmaps, which help with tracking multiple projects, are not available in the free plan.
Free plan is limited to 10 users.
Pricing
Free
Standard: $7.53/month
Premium: $13.53/month
Enterprise: Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.3/5
A G2 user, Kevin, shared, “As a Senior Production Engineer, I’ve been using Jira for over 6 years to manage Agile projects, and it’s been a consistently reliable tool for tracking tasks, planning sprints, and keeping the team aligned. It’s especially helpful in fast-paced environments where visibility and collaboration are key.
Once you get used to the interface, it’s pretty intuitive. I like how flexible it is you can customise boards, issue types, and workflows to fit your team’s process. Features like backlog management, sprint tracking, and built-in reports help us stay on top of deliverables. The integration with Confluence and Bitbucket also makes it easier to keep documentation and development connected in one workflow.”
9. Nifty
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Nifty has helped me stay on top of every part of my program without feeling overwhelmed. I love how I can see all my projects in one place and switch between views like Kanban or Timeline, depending on what I need. But if you want to connect it with other apps, some integrations need Zapier, which can cost extra.
Best features
You can organize multiple projects into portfolios, providing a clear view of all program activities in one place.
Nifty offers various views like Kanban, List, Timeline, and Calendar, allowing teams to manage tasks in the way that suits them best.
You can use milestones to group tasks which makes it easier to track progress toward program goals.
Limitations
Nifty supports over 2,000 integrations, many requiring third-party services like Zapier, which can add extra costs.
Pricing
Free
Personal: $7/month
Pro: $10/month
Business: $16/month
Enterprise: Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.7/5
A G2 user, Jessica, shared, “Nifty is simple to use, but at the same time has a lot of features. It's intuitive, so no need to get a whole training to be able to use it. In the company, we use it mainly for project management, task assignment, docs organization, and client communication. Even the less tech-savvy client is able to use it with no major issues.”
10. Accelo
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When I tested out Accelo, I liked how it pulled all my projects into one place. It gave me a clear view of everything going on in the program. I could easily check team schedules and see who was available, which made planning smoother. The automatic time tracking was also really useful for keeping things on budget. That said, I found the customization options a bit limited, and the mobile app didn’t give me all the features I needed when working on the go.
Best features
You can monitor team schedules and workloads across projects to help optimize resource allocation.
Accelo automatically tracks time spent on tasks, ensuring accurate billing and better time management.
Accelo allows you to manage multiple projects in one place, giving a clear view of all program activities.
Limitations
Accelo lacks flexibility in customizing workflows and reports to fit specific needs.
The mobile app has limited features.
Pricing
Professional: Contact sales
Business: Contact sales
Advances: Contact sales
Ratings & reviews
G2 rating: 4.4/5
A G2 user, Chelsea, shared, “Accelo really shines with its automated workflows, real-time collaboration, and smooth integration with other tools, making everything run much smoother. What’s awesome is how easy it is to use, how you can tweak it to fit your needs, and how it pulls all your client and project info into one place, giving you a clearer view of the big picture.”
Managing your multiple projects with Teamwork.com
Managing your team’s workload can get tricky, especially when projects change or new tasks come in. After trying each of the tools above, I found that Teamwork.com made everything easier than the rest, by giving me clear views of team availability with its workload planner, where I can see who’s busy and who has room to take on more. The time tracking feature helps me monitor how long tasks are actually taking, so I can adjust plans based on real data. These features help me keep work balanced for the team, so we can avoid last-minute surprises.
And with Teamwork.com, updating your capacity plan is simple thanks to task management and project timelines. If a project shifts or someone takes time off, you can quickly reassign work and adjust deadlines. Plus, project dashboards and reporting give you up-to-date insights, so you can make smart decisions on the fly. Using these features under one umbrella saves you time and helps you manage your team’s capacity with confidence.
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