Best project management software for designers in 2026 (features & cost compared)

Here are the top tools that match different design styles and needs:

• GoodDay: Best for designers who need an all-in-one platform with automated approval workflows, time tracking, AI, CRM, and flexible views.
• Monday.com: Best for color-coded, visual phase tracking and clear client collaboration.
• Asana: Great for managing heavy task lists, milestones, and sharing assets via Google Drive or Figma.
• ClickUp: Ideal for advanced teams needing deep customization, native time tracking, and varied dashboard views.
• Studio Designer: Great for interior firms needing integrated product procurement, accounting, and order tracking.
• Mydoma: Excellent for client-facing proposals, mood boards, and tracking item budgets.
• Programa: Built specifically for product schedules, specifications, and visual studio workflows.
• Miro: Best for real-time creative brainstorming, mood boarding, and early-stage layout mapping before moving to formal scheduling.
• Trello: Perfect for solo creators or small teams who want a fast, simple Kanban card setup.

In this article, we explore the best project management software for designers today to help you make the best choice.

If you have questions that are not covered here, you can connect with our team via info@goodday.work 

Comparison of the best project management software for designers

We evaluated leading project management platforms for designers and selected the strongest options based on creative workflow features, pricing, and overall value. Pricing may change as software companies update their plans, billing terms, and features.

Software	Best for	Pricing	Reviews
GoodDay	All-in-one design project management with customizable workflows, time tracking, AI, and CRM.	Free for up to 15 users; Professional costs $4 per user monthly; Business costs $7 per user monthly; Enterprise has custom pricing. Annual small-team packages are also available. Pricing details	Capterra / GetApp / FinancesOnline
Monday.com	Visual, color-coded project tracking for creative teams and client-facing workflows.	Free for up to two users; Basic costs $9, Standard $12, and Pro $19 per seat monthly when billed annually; Enterprise pricing is customized. Pricing details	Capterra / GetApp / G2
Asana	Structured creative production, task dependencies, proofing, approvals, and milestone management.	Personal is free for two users; Starter costs $10.99 annually or $13.49 monthly; Advanced costs $24.99 annually or $30.49 monthly per user; Enterprise and Enterprise+ use custom pricing. Pricing details	Capterra / GetApp / G2
ClickUp	Highly configurable design workflows with proofing, dashboards, time tracking, and multiple views.	Free Forever is available; Unlimited costs $7 per user monthly; Business costs $12 per user monthly when billed annually; Enterprise pricing is customized. Pricing details	Capterra / GetApp / G2
Studio Designer	Interior design firms that need procurement, accounting, billing, and order management.	Essentials costs $69 annually or $79 monthly; Enterprise costs $79 annually or $89 monthly; Premier costs $109 annually or $119 monthly per user. Pricing details	Capterra / SourceForge / DesignFiles
Mydoma	Interior designers managing proposals, mood boards, sourcing, client portals, and payments.	Mydoma costs $64 per user monthly or $58 per user monthly when paid annually. New accounts also have a $300 onboarding fee. Pricing details	Capterra / GetApp / Software Advice
Programa	Interior design and architecture studios managing specifications, products, procurement, and approvals.	The Pro plan costs $71 monthly and includes one seat. Each additional seat costs $31 monthly. A seven-day trial is available. Pricing details	Capterra / Software Advice / G2
Miro	Collaborative brainstorming, mood boards, workshops, diagrams, and early design planning.	Free includes three editable boards; Starter costs $8 and Business costs $20 per member monthly when billed annually; Enterprise has custom pricing for organizations with at least 30 members. Pricing details	Capterra / G2 / Software Advice
Trello	Simple visual task management for individual designers and small creative teams.	Free supports up to ten collaborators; Standard costs $5 annually or $6 monthly; Premium costs $10 annually or $12.50 monthly; Enterprise starts at $17.50 per user monthly with annual billing. Pricing details	Capterra / G2 / Software Advice

In-depth overview of the top project management software for designers

We evaluated each platform based on its project planning, creative collaboration, integrations, approval capabilities, and access through desktop and mobile devices.

GoodDay: best for all-in-one design project management

GoodDay is an all-in-one work management platform used by startups, Fortune 500 companies, and organizations of different sizes. Designers can manage briefs, tasks, schedules, approvals, workloads, communication, and business operations without assembling separate systems. GoodDay is recognized as top tool in multiple Capterra shortlists.

Main features

GoodDay combines customizable workflows with more than 20 project views, unlimited project hierarchy, dashboards, task discussions, files, time tracking, and automation. Design teams can build approval stages, organize projects by client or campaign, monitor deadlines, and control which information internal and external participants can access.

• Unlimited projects, tasks, and project hierarchy
• Custom workflows, statuses, priorities, and task types
• Kanban, list, table, timeline, calendar, and Gantt views
• Dashboards, reports, and advanced analytics
• Built-in time tracking
• Unlimited automations on the Professional plan
• Workload and resource management
• Finance and expense management
• CRM and customer portal
• AI Chat and Agents
• Custom access rules and roles
• Two-factor authentication and private cloud options

Integrations

GoodDay provides native integrations with Gmail, Slack, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Dropbox, Box, GitHub, GitLab, email, and SAML-based SSO, plus Zapier connectivity and an API.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

GoodDay applications are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, giving users access to projects, tasks, files, discussions, and dashboards across devices.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Free for teams with up to 15 users	Advanced reporting requires initial configuration
Combines project planning, approvals, resources, finances, and client work	Complex workflow customization takes time to learn
Supports flexible project hierarchy and more than 20 views	Workload, CRM, finance, and AI functions require the Business plan
Affordable Professional and Business plans	Business subscriptions normally start at 15 users outside small-team packages

Monday.com: best for color-coded visual phase tracking

Monday.com is a configurable work platform centered on visual boards, columns, dashboards, and automations. Designers can create workflows for requests, concepts, production, feedback, approval, and delivery. Color-coded statuses make project phases easy to scan, while guest access helps teams share selected work with clients and contractors.

Main features

Teams can display the same project as a board, timeline, calendar, Gantt chart, or dashboard. Forms collect creative requests, while dependencies and automations coordinate handoffs. The platform also supports files, updates, workload planning, time tracking on qualifying plans, and customizable templates for recurring design processes.

• Customizable boards, columns, and statuses
• Forms for creative requests
• Timeline, calendar, Kanban, Gantt, and workload views
• Dashboards and reporting widgets
• Dependencies and milestones
• Rules and no-code automation
• Guest collaboration
• File attachments and updates
• Time tracking on the Pro plan
• WorkCanvas integration

Integrations

The Monday.com marketplace connects the platform with tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Creative Cloud, Gmail, Outlook, Zoom, and numerous automation services.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Monday.com works in a browser and provides a desktop application for Windows and macOS, alongside mobile applications for iOS and Android.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Highly visual statuses and dashboards	The Free plan supports only two users
Flexible boards for different creative processes	Paid subscriptions start with a three-seat minimum
Strong automation and integration options	Automation and integration limits depend on the plan
Guest access supports client-facing work	Extensive board configuration can become difficult to govern

Asana: best for structured creative production and proofing

Asana organizes projects through tasks, subtasks, milestones, dependencies, and multiple views. Its Advanced plan includes proofing and approval features that let reviewers annotate images and PDFs. This makes Asana suitable for marketing departments, design agencies, and cross-functional teams that need formal creative review processes.

Main features

Asana supports structured project intake, production planning, workload monitoring, and portfolio reporting. Designers can build reusable project templates, add approval fields, collect requests through forms, and automate assignments or status changes. Its proofing system keeps visual comments connected to uploaded assets instead of distributing feedback across email threads.

• Tasks, subtasks, dependencies, and milestones
• List, board, calendar, timeline, and Gantt views
• Forms and Workflow Builder
• Rules and automated actions
• Proofing and approval workflows
• Custom fields and templates
• Project and portfolio dashboards
• Goals and workload planning
• Native time tracking on Advanced
• Guest collaboration

Integrations

Asana integrations include Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, Outlook, Zoom, Jira, and many other business applications.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Asana offers coordinated desktop and mobile applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Native proofing and approval functions	Proofing and approvals require the Advanced plan
Clear dependencies, milestones, and project views	The Personal plan allows only two users
Strong Figma, Adobe, and Google Drive integrations	Built-in time tracking requires Advanced
Suitable for cross-functional creative production	Portfolio and workload functions increase subscription cost

ClickUp: best for advanced customization and proofing

ClickUp combines task management, documents, whiteboards, dashboards, time tracking, and communication in a configurable workspace. Design teams can build custom statuses, fields, forms, and views for different services or clients. Proofing tools let reviewers comment on visual assets, while automation supports repeatable review and production processes.

Main features

ClickUp provides granular task settings, numerous project views, workload information, goals, dashboards, and native time tracking. Designers can connect briefs, documents, whiteboards, and assets to production tasks. The Business plan adds unlimited proofing, advanced dashboard cards, workload management, private whiteboards, and expanded automation allowances.

• Custom tasks, statuses, fields, and task types
• List, board, calendar, timeline, and Gantt views
• Docs, Whiteboards, and Chat
• Forms and reusable templates
• Native time tracking
• Proofing and image annotations
• Dashboards and workload management
• Goals and portfolio management
• Automations and webhooks
• Permission-controlled guests

Integrations

ClickUp integrations include Slack, Microsoft Teams, Figma, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, GitHub, HubSpot, Zoom, and other productivity and development platforms.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

ClickUp provides applications across devices, including desktop software for Windows, macOS, and Linux and mobile applications for iOS and Android.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Extensive customization for different design workflows	Numerous settings can make initial setup demanding
Native time tracking, proofing, Docs, and Whiteboards	Unlimited proofing requires the Business plan
Many project views and dashboard options	The Free plan includes only 60 MB of storage
Free plan permits unlimited members	Some browser-extension integrations do not work in the desktop app

Studio Designer: best for interior design procurement and accounting

Studio Designer is a business management platform developed for interior design firms. It connects product sourcing, procurement, project administration, client approvals, billing, payments, and accounting. Unlike general project software, its item-based structure helps designers follow furnishings and materials from initial selection through ordering, receiving, installation, invoicing, and financial reporting.

Main features

Studio Designer combines creative project administration with detailed financial operations. Users can source products, create proposals, obtain client decisions, issue purchase orders, track vendor activity, record time, and monitor project profitability. Higher plans add broader calendar, inventory, document customization, reporting, and human support capabilities.

• Product catalog and AI rendering
• Item-based project management
• Procurement and vendor management
• Proposals, purchase orders, and invoices
• Client portal and approvals
• Time tracking and billing
• StudioPay online payments
• Full general ledger accounting
• Inventory and product management
• Financial and project reports

Integrations

Studio Designer emphasizes built-in accounting and payments, with StudioPay, Studio Payroll powered by Gusto, and Plaid-supported bank connections rather than a large general-purpose integration marketplace.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Studio Designer is cloud-based for desktop browsers and provides mobile applications for iOS and Android, allowing designers to manage projects and business information while away from the studio.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Combines procurement, project management, and accounting	No free plan is available
Built specifically for professional interior design firms	Prices are higher than general project platforms
Tracks products from sourcing through installation	Its accounting depth can create a substantial learning curve
Includes client approvals, payments, and profitability reporting	Some calendar and inventory functions are unavailable on Essentials

Mydoma: best for client-facing interior design workflows

Mydoma is an interior design business platform focused on client experience and everyday project administration. Designers can build proposals, mood boards, questionnaires, invoices, purchase orders, and branded client portals. It is particularly relevant to small firms that want visual presentation, sourcing, communication, and payment functions in one client-facing environment.

Main features

Mydoma centralizes projects, products, client messages, contracts, documents, and financial records. Design boards help firms present concepts, while portals allow clients to review information, approve selections, and make payments. Reporting and time tracking provide visibility into revenue, productivity, budgets, and project activity.

• Project and task management
• Branded client portals
• Design and mood boards
• Product sourcing and curation
• Questionnaires and contracts
• Proposals and invoices
• Purchase orders
• Time tracking
• Reporting
• MydomaPay

Integrations

Mydoma connects with QuickBooks for accounting and supports its own MydomaPay service for integrated client payments.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Mydoma is accessible through desktop browsers, while its mobile application supports activities such as product sourcing and time entry outside the office.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Strong client portals and visual presentations	No permanent free plan is available
Interior design-specific sourcing and purchasing tools	Mandatory onboarding costs $300
Combines proposals, approvals, orders, and payments	Built-in accounting is not included
Suitable for small and client-focused design studios	Broader project portfolio features are more limited than general platforms

Programa: best for interior design specifications and schedules

Programa is studio management software for interior designers and architects. It brings product specifications, live schedules, sourcing, mood boards, project tasks, procurement, invoices, and client approvals into one environment. Its workflow is designed around the products, selections, and delivery stages that interior studios manage throughout each engagement.

Main features

Programa connects creative concepts with project execution. Designers can capture supplier data, maintain a product library, create presentations, assign work, collect approvals, track deliveries, and bill clients. Board, list, timeline, and studio views help teams review individual assignments or the complete workload.

• Live specifications and schedules
• Central product library
• Web Clipper and automated specifications
• Mood boards and presentations
• Client dashboard and approvals
• Tasks, subtasks, files, and due dates
• Board, list, timeline, and studio views
• Time tracking
• Procurement and shipment tracking
• Invoicing and payments

Integrations

Programa supports accounting connections with Xero and QuickBooks, while its Web Clipper imports product information and images from supplier websites.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Programa is cloud-based and makes schedules, mood boards, approvals, and project information accessible through desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Purpose-built for interior design specifications	Only one public paid plan is listed
Connects products, tasks, approvals, and procurement	Each additional user increases the monthly price
Provides visual and operational project views	The free trial lasts seven days
Supports invoicing, payments, and accounting connections	Integration options are narrower than those of general work platforms

Miro: best for brainstorming and early-stage design planning

Miro is a collaborative visual workspace used for brainstorming, workshops, diagrams, mood boards, journey maps, and prototypes. Its flexible canvas helps designers and stakeholders explore ideas before formal production begins. Miro can also support lightweight project planning through Kanban, timeline, table, document, and structured workspace formats.

Main features

Miro combines an infinite collaborative canvas with templates, diagramming, documents, tables, slides, and workshop controls. Designers can collect references, map user experiences, sketch interfaces, vote on concepts, and build interactive prototypes. Blueprints and AI workflows help teams standardize repeated discovery and planning activities.

• Infinite collaborative canvas
• Mood boards and visual references
• Sticky notes and diagrams
• Docs, tables, slides, timelines, and Kanban
• Voting, timers, and private mode
• Interactive prototypes
• AI generation and synthesis
• Templates and Blueprints
• Guest and visitor collaboration
• High-resolution exports

Integrations

Miro provides more than 250 integrations involving Microsoft, Google, Slack, Adobe, Jira, Asana, Linear, ClickUp, Azure, and other workplace systems.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Miro applications are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with additional support for tablets and interactive displays.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Strong real-time visual collaboration	It is not a complete replacement for dedicated project management
Useful for brainstorming, workshops, and prototypes	The Free plan keeps only three boards editable
Large template and integration catalog	Business costs $20 per member monthly with annual billing
Supports visitors and external contributors	Some mobile integration functions are limited

Trello: best for simple Kanban workflows

Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to represent work visually. Designers can create columns for requests, concepts, reviews, revisions, approvals, and completed assets. Its drag-and-drop interface requires little setup, making it practical for freelancers and small teams with straightforward projects and limited reporting requirements.

Main features

Trello cards can contain owners, due dates, attachments, comments, checklists, labels, and custom fields. Butler automation moves cards or triggers actions based on defined rules. Paid plans add unlimited boards, larger files, AI capabilities, additional views, stronger administration, and higher automation allowances.

• Boards, lists, and cards
• Inbox and Planner
• Assignees and due dates
• Checklists and custom fields
• File attachments
• Calendar, timeline, table, dashboard, and map views
• Built-in Butler automation
• AI features on paid plans
• Templates
• Power-Ups

Integrations

Trello offers more than 200 integrations and Power-Ups, including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Miro, Gmail, Google Drive, Dropbox, Figma, OneDrive, and Zapier.

Desktop and mobile capabilities

Trello provides desktop applications for Windows and macOS and mobile applications for iOS and Android, although the desktop applications require an internet connection.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Simple visual workflow with minimal setup	Complex projects can produce crowded boards
Useful Free plan for freelancers and small teams	Native Gantt charts and time tracking are not included
More than 200 integrations and Power-Ups	Advanced project views require Premium
Built-in automation on every plan	Detailed workload and portfolio reporting are limited

Essential features of project management software for designers

A discussion among designers shows that the right choice depends on the type of design work, review process, client involvement, asset storage requirements, and operational complexity.

Feature	Description
Flexible visual views	Boards, timelines, calendars, Gantt charts, and workload views help designers understand creative stages, deadlines, and team capacity.
Proofing and approvals	Contextual comments, approval statuses, and decision records reduce scattered feedback and unclear sign-offs.
Custom workflows and automation	Custom stages and automated handoffs let teams model intake, creation, internal review, client review, revision, and delivery.
Time and resource planning	Time tracking, workload views, estimates, and dependencies help managers schedule work without overloading designers.
Client access and file connections	Controlled guest access and integrations with design or storage platforms keep clients informed without exposing unrelated projects.

How to select the best project management software for designers

Designers usually compare how well each product fits their existing creative process, not simply how many functions it offers. A Graphic Design Forum discussion highlights recurring questions about customization, templates, client involvement, and information overload. Test a realistic project before committing to a platform.

Match the platform to your design work

Graphic design, product design, interior design, architecture, and creative marketing involve different deliverables. General platforms suit teams coordinating tasks across departments. Specialized interior design systems are more appropriate when product specifications, procurement, vendor orders, invoices, and installations form a significant part of every project.

Evaluate proofing and approval requirements

Map who reviews each asset, how many rounds are typical, and what constitutes final approval. Teams handling many images or PDFs may need contextual proofing. Others can use custom approval statuses and linked Figma or Adobe files. Confirm that decisions remain visible and that permissions protect confidential work.

Check timelines, time tracking, and capacity planning

Look beyond due dates if designers work across several clients. Dependencies, Gantt charts, estimates, workload views, and time records help managers identify conflicts before deadlines slip. Compare these features at the plan you can afford because many vendors reserve resource management or native time tracking for higher subscriptions.

Decide how clients should participate

Some teams need clients to comment, approve, upload files, or check progress directly. Others prefer controlled reports and scheduled updates. Review guest permissions carefully so clients can see relevant deliverables without accessing internal discussions, budgets, unfinished concepts, or information belonging to another account.

Compare total cost and scalability

Calculate the cost for your actual seat count, required plan, guests, onboarding, storage, automation, and specialist modules. Check minimum seat requirements and annual commitments. A low starting price may not cover proofing, workload management, advanced reporting, or approvals. Make sure the system remains manageable as projects and users increase.

How to manage design projects: step-by-step workflow

Designers often manage multiple clients, deliverables, revisions, and internal contributors. Project management software such as GoodDay can organize the full lifecycle from the initial request to final delivery. Start with this free task list template or explore other project management templates.

Step 1: Collect the project request

Create one task for the incoming request and record the client, objectives, audience, required formats, dimensions, brand rules, deadline, budget, and approvers. Attach the original brief and reference materials. Add custom fields for priority and project type so new work can be evaluated consistently before production begins.

Step 2: Define deliverables and responsibilities

Break the request into deliverable-based tasks such as research, concepts, copy, design, internal review, client review, revisions, production, and release. Assign one accountable owner to each task. Add collaborators only where their input is needed, and describe acceptance criteria so everyone understands what completion means.

Step 3: Build the timeline

Set start dates, due dates, dependencies, milestones, and approval deadlines. Use a Gantt or timeline view for complex projects and a board for daily production. Include enough time for internal checks and client responses. This prevents an optimistic production schedule from ignoring the time required for feedback and revisions.

Step 4: Allocate people and time

Estimate the hours needed for each task and review current workloads before assigning designers. Reserve specialist capacity for illustration, motion, development, copy, or production where required. Time tracking can later show whether estimates were realistic and whether additional revision rounds changed the original project scope.

Step 5: Create and organize design files

Connect each task to its working file in Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, or another approved repository. Use consistent filenames and version rules. Keep the current asset easy to identify, but preserve earlier versions so the team can recover previous decisions without searching across messages and attachments.

Step 6: Manage feedback and approvals

Route work through internal review before presenting it to the client. Record comments beside the relevant task or asset, consolidate contradictory feedback, and assign each revision. Move the task forward only after the designated approver confirms the decision. This creates an accountable history of review rounds and scope changes.

Step 7: Deliver and review the project

Confirm final dimensions, formats, accessibility, copy, links, and technical specifications before delivery. Record approval, attach the final files, close remaining tasks, and archive supporting materials. Compare estimated and actual hours, document recurring issues, and update the template so the next project benefits from what the team learned.

GoodDay: project management software designers can rely on

GoodDay is used worldwide for its broad functionality, customizable workflows, flexible project hierarchy, CRM, AI, and controlled access. 

You can try GoodDay for free to see how it supports your design workflow.

If you have questions, contact our team via info@goodday.work 

FAQs

Which tool is better for managing creative projects: dedicated creative tools or general work platforms?

Choose a general project management tool when design teams coordinate creative projects with developers, budgets, schedules, and client communication. Use a tool designed specifically for interior firms when procurement and specifications dominate. GoodDay is the stronger first tool for most companies because one platform combines flexible planning, workflow automation, and controlled access without separating work.

What are the best tools for managing creative projects?

For most creative agencies, GoodDay offers the strongest mix of visual boards, Gantt charts, time tracking, templates, AI features, and task management. Miro supports ideas and inspiration, while specialized interior-design products organize sourcing. To find the best tool, compare features, integrations, cost, and scalability through free trials, then match the platform to how your creatives work while protecting creativity.

What’s the best project management solution for tracking design projects with approval workflows?

GoodDay is the best option to manage design projects with custom statuses, automated handoffs, approvals, due dates, and dashboards. Store files with each task, use linked cloud storage or Figma for asset version control, and keep decision notes beside the work. This workflow reduces confusion during feedback rounds and gives clients limited access where appropriate.

What tools can help optimize team collaboration on design projects?

Centralize tasks, images, briefs, timelines, and comments so every team member can track what changed and why. GoodDay supports collaboration, chat, role-based visibility, and automation; Figma or Adobe can hold production assets. Clear communication and transparency give users smoother ways to collaborate while preserving a single record of feedback and decisions.

What are the best creative operations tools that fully manage creative projects with approval and project status?

GoodDay is the best overall platform for organizing requests, assigning work, tracking hours, routing approvals, and reporting project status. Its boards and custom views help creatives move from intake through delivery, while integrations connect production apps. Importantly, use consistent naming, ownership, and version rules so dozens of active jobs remain understandable at scale.

Which is better for team task management: simple task apps or comprehensive work platforms?

Simple apps work when a small team only needs cards and checklists. Comprehensive platforms are better when the rest of the business needs workload planning, dependencies, permissions, reporting, or data. Platforms like GoodDay, Trello and Asana stay intuitive for basic use but can scale, helping companies save time instead of adding a separate tool for every process without becoming overwhelming.

How can I collaborate with my team on graphic design projects effectively?

Start by creating a shared brief, roles, milestones, and approval criteria. Keep design files and website references attached to tasks, capture feedback in context, and confirm approvals before publishing each post. GoodDay can coordinate the overall workflow; designers may prefer Figma for active artwork, while Notion can hold longer notes and inspiration.