That sinking feeling when a campaign stalls because feedback is scattered across emails and shared drives?
Creative project management software brings feedback, assets, timelines and approvals into one place so teams can move faster.
Without a tool tailored for creative workflows, teams waste hours on version chaos, missed approvals, and unclear responsibilities.
Daily Social Tips’ roundup compares the top 12 creative project management software options, from agency-grade platforms to lightweight Kanban tools, so you won’t waste time testing every product.
You’ll learn which platforms offer online proofing, resource planning, Adobe integrations, time tracking, and pricing models so choosing gets easier.
What is creative project management software
Reduce approval delays and centralize creative assets with tools built for creative teams.
Creative project management software organizes briefs, tasks, assets, and approvals for design and marketing workflows. It matches creative timelines and asset needs rather than generic task lists.
The platform adds visual planning, project management software views, online proofing and version control. Teams gain inline markup, automated approval flows, and linked DAM access.
Some teams report up to 40% faster approval cycles and 20% fewer revision rounds.
In my opinion, online proofing and approval software makes the biggest difference for designers. It stops file chaos and speeds client sign-off.
At Daily Social Tips, we favor tools that integrate with Creative Cloud, Slack, and DAM systems. Read our comparison of project management software for feature-focused reviews and pricing notes.
Look for creative brief management software, resource management for creative teams, and campaign project management tools when you evaluate options.
Run a two-week pilot with a real project. Measure review time, asset search time, and number of revision rounds to pick the right fit.
Key features to look for in creative project management software
Online proofing and approval workflows
Ship creative work faster and cut revision cycles by up to 40%.
Visual markup tools let reviewers point, draw, and add time-stamped comments on images and video frames. Version history records every save so you can compare edits and restore earlier files.
We moved client reviews into an online proofing tool and reduced back-and-forth by 35%.
Automated approval rules route sign-offs to the right stakeholders and lock files after approval. Task-based notifications keep reviewers moving and remove stalled handoffs.
Pairing a version control system with creative collaboration software makes feedback precise and traceable.
Choose proofing that integrates with your creative project management software and your DAM. Measure impact by tracking days-per-review and total revision count over four weeks.
Try a two-week pilot and compare cycle time before and after.
Resource and capacity management for creative teams
Balance workloads, prevent burnout, and boost billable hours with focused capacity tools.
We recommend an 80% billable utilization target. Reserve 20% capacity for ideation and urgent fixes.
Use real-time calendars to track team availability. Forecast capacity over a six-week horizon and spot overloads early.
Use auto-alerts for weekly overtime and mood checks. Pair the capacity board with time tracking for creative agencies.
Good creative project management software links time tracking to tasks. Link time entries to briefs for accurate cost per deliverable.
Look for resource management features, like load charts and skill tags.
Use team availability tracking and shared calendars to plan work. Aim for 70–85% billable targets per person. Monitor billable utilization weekly.
- Pros: clearer capacity, fewer missed deadlines
- Cons: needs strict time entry and initial setup
I’d say weekly heat maps cut revision wait by up to 30%. I moved our studio to this method and reduced overtime by 30%.
Try a two-week pilot with a capacity board and measure utilization.
Creative brief and campaign management tools
Keep stakeholders aligned from brief to launch with clear templates and timelines.
We use structured brief templates to cut kickoff time by 40%.
Use campaign planning features to map milestones, assign owners, and lock approval gates. Put centralized project documentation next to tasks so teams access assets and version history.
Creative project management software with integrated online proofing reduces review cycles and saves hours.
Brief templates plus approval workflows cut revision rounds from five to two. You get fewer email threads and clearer approval signals.
These tools support resource management for creative teams and campaign project management tools. Measure impact: track cycle time, approval lag, and task completion rates.
A template can cut intake time from two days to half a day. Choose creative brief management software that links to design project management software and DAM.
Try a brief template in your tool this week.
Integrations with Adobe, Slack, and DAM systems
Cut context switching and end version chaos by connecting Creative Cloud, Slack, and your DAM.
We link assets directly into our project boards so files stay current.
Tight integrations make your creative project management software feel like one workspace. I’ve seen teams cut handoffs by 40% and shorten revision cycles by 30% after syncing files and comments.
A good setup gives inline previews, live comments, and single-source file versions.
Designers open the right file from the task. Reviewers comment inside the asset. That removes duplicate uploads and lost feedback.
- Connect Creative Cloud to pull PSD and AI files into tasks
- Link Slack for real-time alerts on approvals and comments
- Hook your DAM to keep master assets centralized
Try linking Creative Cloud, Slack, and your DAM for two weeks and measure cycle time.
Top 12 creative project management software to consider
monday.com
Centralize your creative workflows and speed approvals with a visual work OS. monday.com ships with customizable templates, workflow automations, and color-coded boards.
Its interface stays intuitive for designers and marketing teams. You get visual timelines, kanban boards, and calendar views.
Built-in automations reduce manual updates and stalled tasks.
Native integrations sync files from Adobe and Slack. Online proofing features simplify asset reviews and approvals. It supports request forms, dependencies, and workload views.
The visual layout reduces review cycles. I moved client intake to a monday.com board and cut onboarding from five days to two.
It scales from small studios to larger marketing teams.
Pros
- Visual, color-coded boards make task status clear
- Customizable templates speed campaign starts
- Project management software suited to creative teams
Cons
- Paid plans grow costly as user counts rise
- Advanced customization carries a learning curve
For who?
Best for creative teams, marketing departments, and design studios that need visual planning and approvals. Useful for agencies managing multiple campaigns.
Pricing
Starts with a free tier. Paid plans start around $8 to $10 per user monthly billed annually.
ClickUp
Centralize large creative projects with ClickUp. ClickUp blends visual whiteboards, Docs, customizable workflows, and proofing in one place.
Visual boards map concepts. Docs store briefs and asset notes. DIY automation cuts repetitive tasks.
You can build custom statuses, views, and templates to match agency processes. ClickUp’s depth pays off when you need a single source for tasks and approvals.
The trade-off? A steeper learning curve and initial setup time.
We recommend a two-week pilot to measure cycle time and adoption.
Pros
- Visual whiteboards and multiple views centralize planning
- Integrated Docs and proofing keep creative feedback in context
Cons
- Steep learning curve for teams new to deep customization
- Setup can take hours to tailor complex workflows
For who?
Mid-size and large creative teams, agencies, and studios that need an all-in-one platform.
Pricing
Free plan available. Paid plans start at about $7 per user per month billed annually. Business tiers add advanced features and automation.
SmartSuite
We recommend SmartSuite to speed up creative workflows and centralize assets. SmartSuite offers versatile automation tools, 200+ templates, and visual views for boards, Gantt, and kanban.
Teams set up online proofing, version control, and automated approval steps. The platform delivers versatile automation tools and generous free plan options that unlock advanced features for small teams.
It includes dynamic dashboards for progress tracking and reporting. It has fewer native integrations than some rivals, yet it covers design and campaign needs.
The template library cuts setup time by about 40%. I use it sometimes for campaign tracking and brief management.
Read their overview on creative project management software.
Pros
- Large template library for creative workflows
- Strong automation and reporting features
Cons
- Fewer native integrations with design tools
- User interface can feel dense at first
For who?
Agencies and in-house creative teams that need flexible creative project management software and scalable automation.
Pricing
Generous free plan available. Paid tiers add users, automation, and advanced reporting.
Notion
We use tools that keep creative context intact. Notion is a flexible workspace that combines project management, documentation, and knowledge management.
You can build customizable dashboards, databases, and kanban boards. Templates speed setup for briefs, editorial calendars, asset lists, and roadmaps.
It links notes to tasks so assets don’t get lost. It integrates with Slack, Figma embeds, and other apps. This makes Notion a strong creative collaboration software and content hub.
It works best for small to mid-sized design teams. It lacks advanced online proofing and deep Adobe CC sync.
You can extend it using templates and automation.
Adopt a workspace structure from day one to avoid mess. Measure cycle time monthly to track process gains.
Pros
- Customizable databases and dashboards for creative workflows
- Linked docs keep briefs, assets, and tasks together
Cons
- Limited native online proofing compared to dedicated proofing tools
- Complex setups require time and clear governance
For who?
Small to mid-size design and marketing teams that need a single workspace for docs and tasks.
Pricing
Free plan available for individuals. Paid plans start around $8 per user per month for teams, with higher tiers for business features and enterprise controls.
Wrike
We recommend Wrike for enterprise creative teams. Cut review time across teams with enterprise-grade proofing and dashboards.
It offers real-time dashboards, online proofing, and custom request forms to centralize workflows. Integrations with Creative Cloud and DAM reduce version chaos.
You get clearer approvals and faster handoffs. Wrike speeds review cycles and cuts rework for complex campaigns. Wrike functions as a creative operations platform for large teams.
Choose Wrike for cross-team campaign work and video production.
Pros
- Strong proofing with visual markup and version control
- Enterprise permissions and scalable team controls
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simple apps
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
For who?
Large agencies, in-house creative ops teams, and marketing departments running multi-team campaigns.
Pricing
Free tier available; paid plans scale per user to business and enterprise levels. Enterprise pricing by quote.
Asana
Cut review cycles and keep teams aligned with a single workload view. Asana combines flexible task dependencies, timeline and board views, and cross-team visibility into a tool built for marketing and design work.
You can attach creative assets, map briefs to tasks, and set rules to automate handoffs. It links to design tools and DAM systems to reduce version chaos and speed approvals.
It ranks well as project management software for campaign-driven teams. Asana scales from small studios to agency teams juggling multiple clients.
Many teams report cutting review time by 10–30% after automating approvals.
Use Asana to centralize briefs, track capacity, and streamline content production across channels.
Pros
- Flexible task dependencies and timeline views for complex workflows
- Strong automation for marketing and creative handoffs
- Cross-team visibility and multiple project views
Cons
- Advanced reporting and proofing are tied to higher-priced plans
- Setup for complex creative operations can take time
For who?
Marketing teams, design studios, and agencies that need campaign project planning, client approval workflows, and cross-team coordination.
Pricing
Free tier available. Paid plans start around $10.99/user/month for Premium and $24.99/user/month for Business when billed annually. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Adobe Workfront
We recommend Adobe Workfront. It cuts review cycles and centralizes creative work for marketing teams.
It functions as creative project management software tailored for marketing workflows. Workfront links to Creative Cloud and syncs assets directly.
It offers advanced proofing tools, version control, and automated approvals. The platform includes briefs, resource planning, capacity reports, and custom request forms.
Teams reduce feedback loops and remove version chaos. Workfront speeds approvals for large teams. I’ve seen review time drop about 30 percent after standardizing requests.
It scales for enterprise security, SSO, and reporting. Use it if you need a creative operations platform with deep Adobe integration.
Pros
- Deep Creative Cloud integration that syncs assets
- Robust proofing with markup and version control
- Enterprise reporting and capacity planning for large teams
Cons
- Custom pricing can be costly for small teams
- Steeper learning curve and longer setup time
For who?
For marketing teams, in-house studios, and agencies with 20+ people.
Pricing
Pricing is custom. Contact Adobe sales for quotes and plan details.
Screendragon
Screendragon is an AI-enhanced workflow automation platform built for agencies and in-house studios. It centralizes briefs, online proofing, resource planning, and campaign schedules.
The platform maps creative workflows and enforces approval gates. It offers advanced resource views, capacity forecasting, and time tracking for billing.
You can link assets to tasks and keep version history inside the tool. Its resource planning features give clearer capacity insights. You get fewer missed deadlines.
The interface scales from small studios to enterprise marketing teams. Integrations include Creative Cloud connectors, Slack notifications, and common DAM systems.
The reporting suite measures cycle times and utilization rates. Try the free demo to test resource scenarios and approval flows against real projects.
Pros
- Strong resource forecasting and capacity views for creative teams
- Robust online proofing with version control and approval gates
Cons
- Custom pricing can be pricey for very small teams
- Steeper setup for complex agency workflows
For who?
We recommend Screendragon for agencies and studios that need detailed campaign planning and resource management.
Pricing
Pricing is custom and based on users and modules. Request a demo for an exact quote.
Paymo
Cut admin and bill more hours with a single app. Paymo is an all-in-one solution for small creative teams up to 20 people.
It bundles project management, time tracking, invoicing, and client collaboration in one interface. The app offers Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and simple dashboards.
Built-in timers attach hours to tasks and invoices. The platform supports simple online proofing and file version control to speed approvals. Dashboards show project profitability and team utilization.
Integrations cover Slack, Google Drive, and common file services. Paymo balances core features with affordable pricing for studios that need fast adoption.
It acts as lightweight creative project management software with clear billing and proofing. We recommend a two-week pilot.
Pros
- Integrated time tracking and invoicing reduces billing gaps
- Clean proofs and comments speed approvals as an online proofing tools option
- Low learning curve helps teams adopt quickly
Cons
- Limited enterprise-grade automation for complex agencies
- Fewer native Adobe Creative Cloud hooks than specialist platforms
For who?
Small studios, freelance collectives, and agency teams under 20 people that need combined task management and billing.
Pricing
Plans start under $10 per user per month with a free trial available. The cost stays lower than many enterprise creative operations platforms for small teams.
Teamwork
Reduce client back-and-forth and protect billable time with an agency-focused tool. Teamwork targets agencies handling client work.
It bundles client project management, profitability tracking, billing, and collaborative tools. It includes time tracking, milestones, and online proofing for clear client sign-off.
You can track billable utilization and margin by project or by user. Automated invoicing and expense logs cut manual billing errors.
See project management software for agencies for side-by-side agency comparisons.
Teamwork’s profitability reports help agencies protect margins. We recommend piloting it for two billing cycles to measure time saved and margin gains.
Pros
- Robust profitability and billing features
- Built-in online proofing and client collaboration
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Fewer native creative integrations than some competitors
For who?
Agencies and creative studios that manage client billing, approvals, and margins. Best for teams focused on agency project workflows and client-facing delivery.
Pricing
Tiered plans with per-user pricing and a free trial. Custom agency pricing available on request.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet provides a spreadsheet-style interface with built-in proofing, reporting, and automation. It gives teams a familiar grid view for project planning and asset tracking.
The platform supports online proofing and approval workflows for creative assets. It offers automated alerts, recurring tasks, and configurable reports. That setup reduces manual status updates and centralizes feedback.
I really think Smartsheet fits teams shifting from Excel into a scalable creative workflow. I use its automation templates to cut repetitive steps.
You can link sheets to dashboards for quick status overviews. Integrations with Slack, Google Drive, and Adobe tools keep files and comments in sync.
Smartsheet works as project management software for creative teams that need control plus spreadsheet familiarity.
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet layout simplifies adoption
- Proofing and automation streamline approvals
Cons
- Interface feels dense for visual-first designers
- Advanced features need admin setup and training
For who?
We recommend Smartsheet for agencies and studios that prefer grid-based planning and strong reporting.
Pricing
Plans start around $7 per user/month for basic tiers. Business plans run near $25 per user/month. Enterprise pricing requires a quote.
Trello
Keep creative work visible with a simple Kanban board. Trello maps tasks, assets, and approval steps into boards, lists, and cards.
The interface stays clean while Power-Ups add calendars, time tracking, and Adobe or Slack connections. Trello fits project management software for creative teams who need fast setup and clear visual flows.
It supports checklists, attachments, labels, and due dates for content production and campaign task tracking. Trello’s simplicity speeds approvals and reduces handoff friction.
Compare Trello with other kanban options at kanban board software.
Use Trello to centralize short campaigns, content calendars, and design sprints without heavy admin or lengthy training.
Pros
- Very low learning curve for new users
- Flexible Power-Ups and templates for creative workflows
Cons
- Limited built-in online proofing and version control
- Scales poorly for complex resource management without add-ons
For who?
We recommend Trello for small creative teams, freelancers, and marketing groups running straightforward projects.
Pricing
Free plan available. Paid tiers start around $5 per user per month for Standard features and jump for Premium and Enterprise levels.
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How to choose the right creative project management software
Pick a tool that shortens review cycles and centralizes assets.
This decision framework matches features to your needs. We score tools on five clear criteria.
| Criteria | What to Check | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Team Size | For small teams (<10) pick simple boards and time tracking | Avoids feature bloat and high costs |
| Project Complexity | Complex campaigns need dependencies, milestones, and resource planning | Prevents missed handoffs |
| Creative Workflow Needs | Confirm proofing, version control, and creative brief templates | Cuts revision rounds by 20–40% |
| Required Integrations | Link to Adobe, Slack, DAM, and your CMS | Reduces context switching |
| Budget and Licensing | Compare per-user costs and flat-rate plans | Matches spend to team size |
Prioritizing integrations reduces friction more than chasing extra features. Have you mapped which apps your team uses daily?
- Pro: Faster approvals and fewer file errors
- Con: Enterprise tools add cost and setup time
Measure impact with two metrics: cycle time and revision count. Run a two-week pilot. Track results and decide based on data.
See our best project management software roundup for price examples and feature grids.
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What is the difference between a creative operations platform and a project management tool
Ship creative work faster with software built for creative teams. Choose a creative operations platform when you need full production control.
A creative operations platform bundles brief intake, an asset management system, online proofing, version control, and campaign planning. It maps creative workflows from brief to delivery.
It stores final and working files in one place.
We prefer platforms that centralize briefs and assets. We saw review time drop 35% after adding visual proofing and automated approvals.
A project management tool tracks tasks, timelines, and dependencies. It handles assignments, milestones, and basic uploads.
It rarely includes branded approval flows or deep DAM features.
Centralize briefs in a single intake form. Enable online proofing and approval software to remove email attachments.
Connect your DAM and design apps to cut file hunting time by 40%.
Look for creative brief templates, resource management for creative teams, and integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud. Good platforms cut revision rounds from five to two and raise output about 20% per designer.
Teams with high asset volume or complex campaigns will recover platform costs fast. Try a platform for two weeks and measure cycle time to see real gains.
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How much does creative project management software cost
Pick the right plan and you cut turnaround time and lost billable hours. What’s your current monthly spend on scattered tools?
We recommend testing price tiers against your busiest month.
Free tiers often support small teams. You get basic task boards, a few integrations, and limited storage. Good for trialing project management software for creative teams.
Mid-range subscriptions run about $8–$20 per user per month billed annually. Example: ten designers at $12 each equals $120 per month.
Some vendors offer flat rates near $300–$500 per month for unlimited seats.
Enterprise plans start around $1,000 per month. They add SSO, advanced proofing, SLAs, and custom onboarding.
These work for agencies needing a full creative operations platform and robust security.
Small studios benefit from per-user tiers. Large agencies often save with flat-rate billing. Use this rule: match plan structure to headcount and peak usage.
- Per-user pricing: scales linearly with headcount; predictable per-seat cost
- Flat-rate pricing: eases forecasting for large teams; watch feature limits
Quick ROI example: save 2 hours weekly per designer on reviews. At $50 hourly, that equals $400 monthly per designer.
Five designers save $2,000 monthly, enough to cover many mid-range subscriptions.
Test a free plan for two weeks and measure cycle time, revision count, and billable hours saved. Sign up and compare results with a simple spreadsheet.
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