Ever finished a project only to realize you earned less per hour than flipping burgers? Profit leaks, missed deadlines, and endless client emails are the silent killers of many agencies. What makes it worse is that most project management software isn’t built with agencies in mind. They help you organize tasks, sure — but they fall short when it comes to client collaboration, profitability tracking, and managing the complex workflows that creative and marketing teams rely on.
That’s why choosing the right agency project management software is critical. The right tool can streamline client feedback, track every billable hour, and give you a real-time view of your agency’s financial health.
In this guide, we’ll review 5 of the best project management tools for creative agencies and marketing agencies, highlighting features that directly impact client satisfaction and profitability.
👉 For a quick overview, check out the comparison table below. For deeper insights into each tool, keep reading.
Comparison of the Best Project Management Tools for Agencies (At a Glance)
If you just want the essentials, here’s a quick overview of the top picks. This table shows at a glance which tools stand out for creative and marketing agencies in 2025.
| Tool | Starting Price | Best For | Client Portal | Time Tracking | Unique Strength |
| ClickUp | Free plan / $7 per user | Ultimate Customization | ❌ No (via integrations) | ✅ Yes | One platform for everything |
| Monday.com | $9 per user | Visual Workflow Management | ❌ Limited client sharing | ⚠️ Basic | Colorful, intuitive dashboards |
| Teamwork | Free plan / $12.50 per user | Client Services | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Built-in billing & invoicing |
| Asana | Free plan / $10.99 per user | Creative & Marketing Teams | ⚠️ Limited guest access | ❌ Via integrations | Proofing & approvals for creatives |
| Wrike | Free plan / $9.80 per user | Scalability & Complex Projects | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Enterprise-grade flexibility |
What to Look For in Agency Project Management Software
Not all project management tools are created equal. Many popular platforms work well for internal teams, but agencies need more. The right project management software for agencies should go beyond task lists and deadlines, helping you manage client relationships, track profitability, and keep your team balanced.
Here are the key features to look for when evaluating project management tools for creative agencies and marketing agencies:
- Client Collaboration & Proofing – Clients should be able to review work, leave feedback, and approve deliverables without drowning you in endless email threads. A built-in client portal or proofing system makes collaboration smoother and more professional.
- Project Profitability Tracking – It’s not enough to finish projects on time; you need to know if they’re profitable. Look for tools that connect time tracking and budgets, so you can monitor financial health in real time.
- Resource Management – Agencies thrive on talent, and burnout is the enemy. The best tools show you who is working on what, help you balance workloads, and prevent last-minute capacity crises.
- Customizable Workflows – No two agencies operate the same way. Whether you run a creative studio, a marketing agency, or a web design shop, your software should adapt to your process — not the other way around.
5 Best Project Management Tools for Agencies Reviewed
1. ClickUp — Best for Ultimate Customization
Best For: Agencies needing one tool to run everything.
Overview:
ClickUp positions itself as the “all-in-one” workspace, and for agencies, that claim holds true. From task management and time tracking to docs, reporting, and even client-facing dashboards, it’s built to replace a stack of disconnected tools. Its flexibility means you can mold it to fit your exact agency workflow.
Why It’s Great for Agencies:
- Highly customizable dashboards to track projects, budgets, and team capacity.
- Built-in time tracking and reporting to keep profitability in check.
- White-label client views and integrations with tools like Slack and Google Drive.
Pricing:
Free forever plan available. Paid plans start at $7 per user/month, making it one of the most affordable agency project management software options at scale.
Bottom Line:
If your agency wants one platform to manage everything — tasks, time, clients, and reporting — ClickUp is the most flexible and cost-effective choice.
2. Monday.com — Best for Visual Workflow Management
Best For: Agencies that thrive on visual dashboards and campaign planning.
Overview:
Monday.com is famous for its colorful, intuitive boards that make even the most complex campaigns easy to follow. For creative and marketing agencies juggling multiple clients, its drag-and-drop style offers instant clarity on deadlines, deliverables, and responsibilities.
Why It’s Great for Agencies:
- Visual dashboards help teams track campaigns and creative assets at a glance.
- Custom automations reduce repetitive admin work.
- Easy client sharing options for progress updates (though not a full portal).
Pricing:
Paid plans start at $9 per user/month, with a 14-day free trial available.
Bottom Line:
If your agency values clarity and needs a tool that makes campaign management easy for everyone — including less technical team members — Monday.com is the go-to choice.
3. Teamwork — Best for Client Services
Best For: Agencies that prioritize client communication, billing, and long-term retainers.
Overview:
Unlike many generalist tools, Teamwork was designed with agencies in mind. It combines task management with built-in billing, invoicing, and time tracking, making it a true business platform rather than just a project tracker.
Why It’s Great for Agencies:
- Full client portal for feedback, file sharing, and updates.
- Integrated billing and invoicing tools (connects with QuickBooks, Xero).
- Retainer management features for recurring client work.
Pricing:
Free plan for small teams. Paid plans for agencies start at $12.50 per user/month.
Bottom Line:
If client experience is your top priority, Teamwork delivers the professionalism and features agencies need to build long-term client trust.
4. Asana — Best for Creative & Marketing Teams
Best For: Agencies managing creative production, content calendars, and campaign approvals.
Overview:
Asana has long been a favorite among creative and marketing teams thanks to its clean interface and campaign-friendly views. It excels at breaking large initiatives into smaller, trackable tasks while keeping all approvals in one place.
Why It’s Great for Agencies:
- Built-in proofing and approval workflows for creative assets.
- Multiple project views (calendar, timeline, boards) for flexible planning.
- Smooth integrations with design and marketing tools (Adobe, Canva, HubSpot).
Pricing:
Free plan available. Premium plans start at $10.99 per user/month.
Bottom Line:
If your agency lives and breathes creative campaigns, Asana keeps everything — from brainstorming to final approval — in one streamlined workflow.
5. Wrike — Best for Scalability & Complex Projects
Best For: Larger agencies or those managing complex, multi-layered projects.
Overview:
Wrike combines powerful project planning with enterprise-level features. It’s highly customizable and built to handle projects with many moving parts, making it a strong choice for agencies that are scaling fast or handling large client accounts.
Why It’s Great for Agencies:
- Advanced resource and capacity planning for big teams.
- Customizable workflows to handle complex dependencies.
- Strong client collaboration features with permissions and proofing.
Pricing:
Free plan available. Paid plans start at $9.80 per user/month.
Bottom Line:
If your agency is scaling quickly or handling complex, high-budget projects, Wrike offers the power and flexibility to keep everything under control.
Honorable Mentions
Not every agency needs the full power of the five tools above. Depending on your size and workflow, these two options may also fit the bill:
Basecamp — Best for Simplicity & Client Communication
Basecamp has been around for years, and many small agencies still love it for one reason: simplicity. It provides an easy way to manage tasks, share files, and keep client communication organized in one place. While it lacks advanced profitability tracking or resource planning, it shines when you want straightforward collaboration without the learning curve.
Bottom Line: If your agency values a simple, client-friendly communication hub over advanced features, Basecamp is still a solid choice.
Notion — Best for DIY Workflows
Notion isn’t a traditional agency project management software, but its flexibility makes it worth mentioning. Agencies use it to build custom databases for tasks, content calendars, and client workspaces. The trade-off is setup time — you’ll need to design your own system, and it doesn’t include built-in profitability tracking.
Bottom Line: If your team enjoys building its own processes and wants a highly adaptable tool, Notion can serve as a lightweight alternative.
How to Choose the Right PM Tool for Your Agency
With so many options, the real question is: which one fits your agency’s unique needs? To make the decision easier, here’s a ready-to-use framework you can apply to the tools in this list — or any other project management software for agencies you may be considering.
Step 1: Define Your Core Priority
Ask yourself: What is the one problem we absolutely need to solve?
- If it’s client communication, prioritize tools with portals, proofing, and approval features.
- If it’s profitability tracking, look for built-in time tracking and budget management.
- If it’s team balance, prioritize resource planning and workload management.
Step 2: Match to Your Agency Type
- Creative agencies → need strong proofing, approvals, and content workflows.
- Marketing agencies → need campaign planning, dashboards, and automation.
- Web/design agencies → need customization and integrations for technical workflows.
Step 3: Factor in Scale & Budget
- Small teams → affordability and ease of use are critical (look at free plans or low per-user pricing).
- Growing agencies → scalability matters; choose tools that can handle more clients and complex projects.
- Large agencies → enterprise-level security, resource management, and integrations are essential.
Step 4: Test with One Real Project
Before committing, run a trial project with the tool. Invite a client, assign tasks, and track hours. You’ll quickly see if the workflow feels natural or if the tool adds friction.
Applying This Logic to Our Top Picks
- If your top priority is client experience → choose Teamwork.
- If you want one tool to run absolutely everything → choose ClickUp.
- If your team thrives on visual dashboards → choose Monday.com.
- If you run creative campaigns → choose Asana.
- If you’re scaling into complex projects → choose Wrike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do these tools integrate with accounting software like QuickBooks?
Yes. Most leading agency project management software integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, or similar platforms, making invoicing and expense tracking seamless.
Can I manage retainers and recurring client work in these tools?
Absolutely. Tools like Teamwork and ClickUp allow you to set up recurring projects and tasks, making them ideal for agencies that bill on monthly retainers.
What’s the difference between these tools and simple task managers like Trello?
Task managers like Trello are great for simple boards, but project management tools for creative agencies include client portals, time tracking, resource planning, and profitability reporting — features agencies need to stay profitable.
Which project management tool is most affordable for small agencies?
ClickUp and Asana both offer strong free plans, while Monday.com starts at just $9 per user/month. If cost is the top priority, start with one of these before scaling up.
Final Thoughts — Taking Back Control of Your Agency Projects
The right agency project management software isn’t just about keeping tasks in order — it’s about protecting your margins, impressing clients, and giving your team the clarity they need to do their best work.
Whether you need the all-in-one flexibility of ClickUp, the client-first design of Teamwork, or the visual clarity of Monday.com, the tools we’ve reviewed give you a solid foundation to choose from.
At the end of the day, the best tool is the one that fits your agency’s workflow and helps you run more profitable, less stressful projects. Explore the options, test them with real client work, and step into 2025 with confidence that your agency has the right systems in place.