GetApp offers objective, independent research and verified user reviews. We may earn a referral fee when you visit a vendor through our links. 

Project Management

7 Project Planning Mobile Apps Users Love

Jun 11, 2024

Check out seven project planning apps that users rate the highest for managing projects on the go.

AvatarImg
Shephalii KapoorWriter
7 Project Planning Mobile Apps Users Love

What we'll cover

Keeping track of project timelines and managing existing tasks while planning for future projects can be overwhelming, especially while handling complex projects with numerous dependencies. This issue is compounded for project managers on the go, as they often lack immediate access to tools and updates while away from their desks. Mobile project planning apps can provide a solution to this by enabling project managers to access project timelines, task lists, and updates from anywhere, enabling efficient project planning and execution.

However, it's important to evaluate the functionalities of each app to ensure it aligns with your business’s specific needs and requirements. To help you pick the right mobile project planning application, we looked at 2M+ unique user reviews to see what users had to say and highlighted the top seven mobile project planning apps based on sentiment analysis of reviews, arranged in order of percentage of positive reviews. Read how we selected these at the bottom of the page.

We have grouped these mobile apps into two categories—project management software and work management tools with project planning capabilities. Common features across all these products include project tracking, communication, and task management.

1. Trello

Trello is a project management tool for project managers to build a custom Kanban board with lists and cards to visualize tasks and projects. The software features a mobile app for users to view and edit boards even without an internet connection. Users can attach files, images, and documents to Trello cards that represent individual project tasks and ideas. They can also explore different board views, such as calendar, timeline, and table views for a comprehensive project overview. With Trello’s mobile app, users can share the board with the team, the organization, or the public to facilitate team collaboration. 

  • Customer support: Phone and help center

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $5 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Trello mobile app?

Project managers who manage remote teams can leverage Trello’s mobile app to access project details, monitor progress, update tasks, and collaborate with team members from anywhere. Additionally, they can benefit from different board views in the app that provide them with various perspectives on the project, including project workflow, deadlines, and potential scheduling conflicts. These board views foster a better understanding of the project and allow project planners to identify potential issues early on. 

Review excerpt from a user of Trello’s mobile app:

"The app would bring to the user-end practical features that scale up users' work to the most effective possible level."

Read all Trello reviews here.

2. Jira

Jira is an agile project management tool with a mobile app for project managers to review and update tasks, receive instant updates through push notifications, assign tasks, and comment on issues—all from their smartphones. The Jira mobile interface provides users with quick access to project issues, including project tasks, subtasks, and bugs. Additionally, it offers real-time push notifications to update project planners about the status of critical projects. Users can comment on notifications and even snooze or schedule notifications on the basis of their working hours.

  • Customer support: Phone, knowledge base, and online community

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $8.15 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Monthly

Who should consider Jira mobile app?

Project managers with heavy workloads can benefit from push notifications in the Jira mobile app. These notifications offer real-time alerts about critical deadlines, assigned tasks, and mentions requiring immediate attention, which allows project managers to prioritize tasks and focus on the most urgent issues first. Users can configure these notifications to suit their own preferences within the mobile app. For instance, they can leverage the app’s unwatch and do not disturb modes that restrict or block unwanted notifications. While the do not disturb feature allows users to specify the date and time when they do not want to be disturbed, the unwatch feature allows them to restrict notifications about issues that they no longer need to be updated on. 

Review excerpt from a user of Jira’s mobile app:

"It was such a great experience I did enjoy it and it was useful to me a lot I did like how it's so simple and easy to use and anyone can use it gives a lot of options to help with managing and tracking your projects and tasks Nothing it is a great app I recommend it to anyone who wants to begin his project it will help you and you wouldn't find any problem with using it it's so simple and effective."

Read all Jira reviews here.

Pro tip

Select a mobile application that can adapt to the changing needs of your organization, accommodate growth, and remain cost-effective over time. The app should be able to handle increasing data volume, team size, and projects without compromising performance or functionality.

3. monday.com

monday.com is a project management software that helps users organize projects into boards, assign tasks, track progress, manage resources, and visualize workflows. The software offers a mobile app that can be used to build boards to track everything—from everyday tasks to month and year-long projects. It offers templates to help users create boards from scratch. monday.com’s mobile interface lets project managers access and view planning dashboards with different widgets, such as charts and numbers that represent key project metrics. 

  • Customer support: Phone, email, and chat

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $9 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider monday.com mobile app? 

monday.com’s mobile application can benefit project planners who are looking for a consolidated project data view. With a dashboard in place, the mobile app eliminates the need to switch between multiple boards and offers project managers a comprehensive view of project health across teams and departments. The dashboard comes with live-updating widgets that offer instant access to crucial project information, enabling professionals to stay informed about progress, deadlines, and roadblocks even on the go. 

Review excerpt from a user of monday.com’s mobile app:

"The app is superb compared to other project management software I've used.", "I love that I get email and app notifications when I've been tagged in a task.", 'Not only is the desktop site easy to use, but the app is superb.”

Read all monday.com reviews here.

4. Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a work management platform used by project planners for assigning tasks, tracking project progress and managing work. Smartsheet’s mobile app offers an offline forms capability that allows project management professionals to collect data—from basic information, such as names and addresses to specific dates, deadlines, and budget estimates even without an internet connection. It allows project planners to leave comments on specific tasks within a project sheet, reply to discussions, and mention team members in comments or task updates. 

  • Customer support: Phone, chat, and online help center

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $7 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Smartsheet mobile app? 

Project managers looking for uninterrupted data collection even in situations with limited or no internet connection can opt for Smartsheet’s mobile app. The app, with an offline forms feature in place, allows users to capture and review data, regardless of internet connectivity. The feature ensures data collection during site visits, meetings, and even in remote locations, reducing the likelihood of errors by capturing information on the spot and eliminating data loss. Project planners can leverage this to review collected data and make timely and informed decisions.

Review excerpt from a user of Smartsheet’s mobile app:

“From a management standpoint, we leverage the App and dashboard features that allow us to set up a row-level security structure and regulate the flow of information cascading to different types of end users.”

Read all Smartsheet reviews here.

Pro tip

Shortlist an app that offers different communication and collaboration options—such as real-time messaging, file sharing, and in-app discussions—to help project planners share important updates, brainstorm ideas, and keep everyone informed.

5. Asana

Asana is a project management tool with a mobile application to help users organize, track, and manage tasks, even on the go. The app supports an online proofing feature that allows managers to provide actionable feedback on PDF, JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP files. Users can highlight specific areas and leave comments on these files so that their teams know what needs to be done to complete their work. Additionally, they can create subtasks from annotations and track next steps in subtasks to move work forward. Users can also leverage the app to assign tasks to their teams and manage approval requests from their mobile devices. 

  • Customer support: Phone, online request form, and help center

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $10.99 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Asana mobile app?

Project planners looking to reduce back-and-forth communication while providing feedback and simplify the process can go for Asana’s mobile app. The app, with mobile proofing allows for real-time feedback and approvals. Project planners can review the work on the go, provide feedback quickly, and keep projects moving without additional delays caused by waiting for desktop access. They can also use annotation tools to highlight specific areas on images or PDFs and leave clear comments, ensuring everyone understands the feedback clearly.

Review excerpt from a user of Asana’s mobile app:

“The mobile accessibility ensures that our team stays connected and productive on the go, contributing to a more agile and responsive workflow.”

Read all Asana reviews here.

6. ClickUp

ClickUp is a project management and collaboration tool with a mobile app that allows users to create and assign tasks, track the time spent on tasks, and set priorities to organize workload. Project planners can also leverage the app to create reminders, including tasks, meetings, and deadline reminders. Users can customize notification options for reminders, create reminders from a comment on a task, and set recurring reminders to repeat at regular intervals. ClickUp’s mobile app also offers a breadcrumbs feature that offers a visual hierarchy of a task within the project structure, allowing users to locate tasks by understanding the details of spaces, such as folders and lists where the task could possibly reside.

  • Customer support: Email, chat, and knowledge base

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $7 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider ClickUp mobile app? 

Project managers handling big teams and looking to stay on top of every deadline can consider ClickUp’s mobile app because of its reminders feature. The app allows users to create reminders either for themselves or assign them to team members, ensuring timely completion of critical tasks and milestones. ClickUp offers different reminder options, including basic, recurring, and snooze functionalities, allowing project planners to tailor reminders to specific needs and task urgency. Moreover, it facilitates creating tasks and reminders even while offline, which helps project planners meet deadlines at all times. 

Review excerpt from a user of ClickUp’s mobile app:

“It allows me to create and share calendars, schedule meetings, and even start video calls directly from the app.”

Read all ClickUp reviews here.

7. Wrike

Wrike is another project management platform that offers a mobile app with task management, communication, and progress tracking capabilities. Wrike’s mobile app features a progress bar that allows project managers to view the progress of their projects, using specific metrics directly within the app. Users can select different metrics, including the number of completed tasks, duration of completed tasks, and an average of tasks and their durations to measure progress. The software automatically calculates project progress based on selected metrics and updates it in real time. The mobile app is available in different languages, including English, German, and Spanish.

  • Customer support: Phone, online help center, and knowledge base

  • Mobile app price: Available with free and paid plans, paid plans start at $9.80 per user, per month

  • Billing cycle: Annual

Who should consider Wrike mobile app?

Wrike’s mobile app can be a good choice for project managers looking after multiple projects. With a progress bar functionality, the app offers a quick overview of how each project is faring in real time. This enables project managers to identify lagging projects and plan corrective actions accordingly. The app, with multiple language options, can also benefit project planners leading teams with members from diverse backgrounds or collaborating with global clients. Everyone can access the app in their preferred language, reducing confusion while communicating project details, updates, and future course of actions.

Review excerpt from a user of Wrike’s mobile app:

"I don't think I have any negative experiences with Wrike, as the feature set has met our needs, the mobile version is very good and speeds up productivity when not in the office, the product is affordable and offers many features different from similar software."

Read all Wrike reviews here.

Pro tip

Consider an app with a simple user interface that is easy to navigate and does not require extensive training. Simultaneously, make sure that the app functions well on various mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, and is adaptable to different screen sizes.

Features of interest*

Here are some common features that you can expect in mobile solutions for project planning.

FeatureDescription
Progress trackingMonitor the progress of tasks and milestones in real-time. This feature enables project managers and their teams to update task progress, visualize progress through charts or dashboards, and compare actual progress against planned schedules.
Collaboration toolsCollaborate with team members and clients using a wide range of tools offered by the software. These may include file sharing, real-time messaging, document collaboration, and shared task lists among others.
Kanban boardManage and optimize workflows by displaying tasks on a Kanban board. This feature provides a clear, real-time overview of the project’s status, making it easy for managers to identify bottlenecks, prioritize tasks, and ensure a smooth flow of work.
Task managementCreate and manage tasks throughout the project’s lifecycle. The feature allows project managers to set deadlines, add task descriptions and subtasks, prioritize tasks, and assign them to team members. It also includes reminders and notifications to ensure timely completion of tasks.
Resource managementAllocate and oversee various project resources, including equipment and personnel resources. This feature helps in planning and scheduling resource usage, tracking resource availability, and forecasting resource needs.

What are the benefits of a mobile project planning app over a desktop version?

Mobile apps have become increasingly popular because they offer several advantages over the desktop version. Here is why you should consider a mobile app for project planning.

BenefitDescription
AccessibilityMobile apps allow project planners to access projects and information from anywhere, anytime. Unlike desktop versions of the software, mobile apps are accessible round the clock, allowing project management professionals to assess project health, assign resources, and communicate with team members on the go.
Real-time updates and notificationsWhile the desktop version of project planning software may require manual checking for updates, mobile project planning apps provide instant notifications for task completions, deadline approaches, or team updates. This allows project planners to react quickly and make informed decisions without needing to be constantly at their desks.
Instant data captureUnlike desktop software, mobile project management apps enable project planners and their teams to capture data, including receipts, voice notes, equipment condition, diagrams, and site conditions anytime, anywhere. Some apps also allow for offline data capture, ensuring no information is lost when teams are away from their desktops.

Frequently asked questions when selecting mobile project planning apps

Here are some common questions you can ask your vendors while looking for the best app for project planning.

  • Does the app offer offline access?

Offline access in a mobile project planning app allows professionals to view and update existing tasks, add notes and comments, review project details, and view downloaded files even without a stable internet connection. It helps project planners and their teams to work on projects even in remote locations and ensure that the project doesn’t get stalled due to connectivity issues. 

  • What are the available options for project visibility in the mobile app?

Mobile project planning apps offer several options to help project planners monitor project health, identify potential roadblocks, and ensure everything stays on track. These options may include project dashboards, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and progress bars among others. Understanding these can help project planners gain a comprehensive understanding of their projects and increase chances of project success even when they are away from their desks.

  •  What level of security does the app offer to safeguard project data?

Other than data encryption and multi-factor authentication, a mobile project management app often leverages device-specific measures, such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition or PIN lock codes for added login security. It also offers consistent app updates that are crucial for maintaining security. Understanding the app’s security features can help project managers assess the risk of data breaches or leaks that could compromise project details or sensitive client information.

Methodology

To be considered for this list, products had to:

  1. Have at least 20 unique product reviews published within the past two years that mention mobile-specific capabilities (based on text analysis), with an average rating of 4.0 or higher as of May 22, 2024.

  2. Meet our definition for project planning software: “Project planning software allows businesses to create timelines for project completion, allocate resources, assign and track tasks, and budget for project-related expenses in a collaborative environment.”

  3. Have the highest percentage of positive sentiment (versus neutral or negative sentiment). We calculated the sentiment score by identifying the positive and negative user sentiment specifically around mobile app usage.

*Mobile features of interest were identified from vendor websites. Our research team selected the features considering what we know users expect or find important in a mobile experience.

Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score.

Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by GetApp or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar.

We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.

avatar
About the author

Shephalii Kapoor

Writer
Shephalii Kapoor is a writer at GetApp. She helps small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing user reviews for top-rated software products. Prior to Gartner, she worked as an assistant content manager at InfoEdge India Ltd. She has also worked in company law, aviation, and real estate. She is a published author and has contributed to various magazines and websites. During her free time, she enjoys reading.
Visit author's page