PODIO
- Customized workflow management
- Private and shared workspace
- Unlimited file storage
- Integrated chat
- Customizable dashboard
- Extensive Integrations: Evernote, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
- Paid Integration: SmartGantt. Take a tour: https://smartgantt.com/take-a-tour/
See project management workflow in action: https://podio.com/site/use-cases/project-management
ASANA
- Task and/or Project driven
- Set due dates and times on individual tasks
- Add conversations and files to any individual task
- Check project progress in customizable dashboard views
- Individualized inbox (contains alerts for projects/tasks relevant to you)
- Integrations: Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote
See more Asana features: https://asana.com/product
BASECAMP
- Simple, tight interface
- Tasks (to-do) list can be assigned, reordered and commented upon
- Ability to add files to tasks
- Message boards (team wide announcements or bulletins)
- “Campfires”- in-app group chat; “Pings” – 1-to 1 in-app chat
- Project Schedules
- Timeline overview– check the progress of the entire team in a linear fashion
For more deets: https://basecamp.com/3/features
TRELLO
- Highly visual interface
- Drag and drop functionality
- Projects referred to as “Boards”
- Tasks within Boards are organized as “Cards”
- Cards can be as detailed or as simple as you like (Attach owners, due dates, comment, attach files)
- Calendar can be added as a “Power Up”
Find more details: https://trello.com/
Podio
FREE
Non-Profit Pricing for Plus Plan- Highly Customizable
- Initial Set Up is Required
- Triggered Workflow
- Gantt Chart Integration (Non-native)
Asana
FREE
Marketing Managed- Clear Interface
- Little to No Initial Setup
- Easily Manage Multiple Teams
- See all tasks in one view
Basecamp
29/mo
No Per User Cost- Streamlined Interface
- Little to No Initial Setup
- Global Progress Timeline View
- Automatic Check-ins
Trello
FREE
No Restrictions- Simple Interface
- Little to No Initial Setup
- Extensible Task List
- Highly Visual and Tactile
Podio is the most extensive and customizable option and is able to hit the majority of the stated feature requests. However, it does require initial setup and can have a bit of a learning curve. Podio is also a feature rich option that utilizes many of the requested features, including an extension for Gantt Chart functionality– it will run you 6 bucks per user, per month. Asana was redesigned and tweaked a bit within the past year and has a very clean, user-friendly interface. Basecamp is one of the “OG”s in the creative project management space and is well thought out and well designed from a user experience and project management standpoint. The cost is significantly more than the other tools investigated– $29.00 vs. free. Trello is the least robust in terms of features, at this point in time. This takes Trello out of the running for the most part unless you were enamored with the interface and user experience– it is highly visual and entirely different from the other tools.
I recommend using each tool with a mock project for a week and then narrow down your choices from there.