Resource management software helps you plan, allocate, and track resources like people, time, and budget. It ensures that teams stay organized and projects run smoothly. Using resource management tools, you can prevent overloading their teams, avoid bottlenecks, and ensure resources are used efficiently. This type of software is essential for managing workloads and optimizing productivity.
In today’s blog post, I will provide you with the seven best resource management software options. Each tool offers different features, from tracking time to managing tasks, making it easier for you and your team to work efficiently and complete projects successfully.
But before that, let us know what the resource management is.
What is Resource Management?
Resource management is the process of planning, allocating, and managing the resources a business or project needs to succeed. These resources include people, time, money, and tools. Resource management ensures that all tasks are completed efficiently without overusing or underusing resources.
Organizations can prevent burnout, avoid delays, and stay within budget by properly managing resources. It helps managers assign the right people to the right tasks, track progress, and adjust as needed. Good resource management leads to smoother operations and better productivity.
Now that we understand resource management and the role of resource management software, let’s explore the seven best resource management tools.
7 Best Resource Management Software
Following are the seven best resource management software:
- monday.com
- Float
- Forecast
- Runn
- Smartsheet Resource Management Software
- Resource Guru
- HubPlanner
1. monday.com
monday.com is a popular resource management tool designed to help teams plan and organize their work. Its user-friendly interface allows users to create customizable boards for tracking tasks, deadlines, and resource allocation. With features like drag-and-drop scheduling, teams can easily assign tasks to specific members and adjust workloads in real-time.
monday.com also offers visual dashboards that provide a clear overview of project status and resource availability. This makes it simple to see who is working on what and identify bottlenecks. Collaboration tools, such as comments and file sharing, enhance communication within the team.
monday.com integrates with various applications, streamlining workflows. While it is suitable for teams of all sizes, its flexibility and robust features make it useful for larger organizations looking to optimize resource management and improve productivity.
Ratings
monday.com has an impressive rating on Capterra, with 4.6 out of 5 stars from 5,131 users.
Pros
- Easy to Use: Its user-friendly interface simplifies managing resources, even for beginners.
- Customizable Workflows: You can tailor workflows to fit your team’s specific resource management needs.
- Collaboration Tools: Project teams can easily communicate and share updates in real-time, improving coordination.
- Visual Tracking: Clear visual boards help track resource allocation and availability at a glance.
Cons
- Cost: Pricing can be high for smaller teams or businesses with limited budgets.
- Limited Advanced Features: Some advanced resource management features are lacking compared to competitors.
- Learning Curve for Customization: While flexible, customizing workflows may require extra learning time.
- Overwhelming for Small Projects: Its wide range of features might feel excessive for smaller teams or simple projects.
monday.com Pricing
monday.com offers five pricing plans:
- Free: A newly introduced plan that is completely free of charge.
- Basic: This plan starts at 12 USD per seat per month.
- Standard: Pricing for this plan begins at 14 USD per seat per month.
- Pro: This plan starts at 24 USD per seat per month.
- Enterprise: For pricing details on this plan, please contact the monday.com sales team.
All plans come with an 18% discount when billed annually.
Read my monday.com review.
2. Float
Float is a resource management tool that helps you schedule and manage your resources efficiently. It provides a simple, drag-and-drop interface for creating and adjusting project timelines. With Float, you can see resource availability in real time, allowing quick adjustments to workloads and schedules.
The tool helps prevent team members from being overbooked or underutilized. It also offers features like capacity planning, which helps managers forecast future resource needs based on current workloads. Float’s reporting tools provide valuable insights into resource use, making optimizing productivity easier.
Float integrates with various applications, such as Slack and Trello, to streamline workflows. Its focus on clarity and ease of use suits teams of all sizes. Float is an effective solution for organizations looking to improve resource management and enhance team collaboration.
Ratings
Float has 4.5 out of 5 stars ratings on Capterra by 1,602 users.
Pros
- Easy Scheduling: Drag-and-drop scheduling makes managing resources quick and simple.
- Real-Time Updates: It provides instant updates, helping teams stay on track with resource availability.
- Capacity Management: You can easily track team workload and adjust resources to prevent overbooking.
- Time Tracking: Built-in time tracking allows you to monitor how resources are used in real-time.
Cons
- Limited Integrations: Fewer integrations compared to some other resource management tools.
- Mobile App Limitations: The mobile version lacks some of the features available on the desktop.
- No Free Version: Float doesn’t offer a free plan, which may be a drawback for smaller teams.
- Basic Reporting: Reporting features are less advanced than other tools, limiting data analysis options.
Float Pricing
Float has three pricing plans:
- Starter: The price is 6 USD per user per month.
- Pro: The price is 10 USD per user per month.
- Enterprise: Contact customer care for details.
There is no free plan, but you get a 30-day free trial.
Annual plans offer a 10% discount.
3. Forecast
Forecast is a powerful resource management tool designed to help you plan and allocate resources effectively. It uses AI-driven scheduling to optimize task assignments based on team availability and workload. This feature allows project managers to quickly identify who is free to take on new tasks, ensuring that resources are used efficiently.
The platform offers visual timelines and dashboards, making it easy to track project progress and resource utilization in real-time. Forecast also includes built-in time tracking, helping teams monitor the time spent on various tasks and projects.
With its forecasting capabilities, users can predict future resource needs based on current projects and trends. It integrates with other tools like Slack and Jira, enhancing workflow. Forecast is an effective solution for organizations aiming to improve resource management and drive productivity while maintaining flexibility in their planning.
Ratings
On Capterra, Forecast has 4.5 star ratings out of 5 from 62 users.
Pros
- AI-Powered Scheduling: The AI helps optimize resource allocation by predicting the best schedule for your team.
- Comprehensive Insights: Offers detailed insights into resource utilization and project progress.
- Time Tracking: Built-in time tracking helps you monitor how resources are used and stay on budget.
- Seamless Integrations: Connects well with tools like Slack and Jira for smooth workflow management.
Cons
- Higher Cost: Pricing can be expensive for small teams or startups.
- Complex Setup: Initial setup can take time due to its wide range of features.
- Steep Learning Curve: Some users may find learning challenging, especially with the advanced features.
- Limited Customization: Customization options are not as flexible as some competitors.
Forecast Pricing
The pricing details are not available on the website. You need to contact customer care to obtain them.
4. Runn
Runn is a resource management tool designed to help teams plan and allocate their resources effectively. It offers a clear and visual interface for scheduling, making it easy to see who is available and when. Users can drag and drop tasks to assign to team members, ensuring that workloads are balanced.
Runn provides real-time updates on resource availability, allowing managers to adjust schedules as needed. The platform also features capacity forecasting, which helps teams anticipate future resource needs based on current projects. This enables better planning and reduces the risk of overbooking.
Runn includes reporting tools that provide insights into resource utilization and project performance. It integrates with various tools like Slack and Google Calendar to streamline workflows. Runn is an effective solution for organizations seeking to optimize resource management and improve team collaboration.
Ratings
On Capterra, Runn has a 4.8 star rating out of 5 from 30 users.
Pros
- Real-Time Resource Planning: It provides live updates, helping project teams manage resources efficiently.
- Capacity Forecasting: Offers forecasts for team availability, making future planning easier.
- Visual Interface: The clear visual layout makes tracking resource allocation simple.
- Integrations: Easily integrates with tools like Slack and Harvest, improving workflow.
Cons
- Limited Customization: Customization options for workflows and dashboards are restricted.
- No Mobile App: Lacks a dedicated mobile app, which can limit on-the-go management.
- Steep Learning Curve: New users may need time to understand the full range of features.
- Fewer Reporting Features: Reporting capabilities are basic compared to other resource management tools.
Runn Pricing
Runn has three pricing plans:
- Free: This is a free plan.
- Pro: The price is 8 USD per user per month.
- Enterprise: Contact customer care for pricing details.
5. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a resource management tool that helps you plan, track, and manage your resources efficiently. Its familiar spreadsheet-like interface makes it easy for users to organize tasks, deadlines, and resource allocation. Teams can create custom templates to fit their needs, enhancing flexibility in project management.
Smartsheet lets users visualize project timelines through Gantt charts and other visual tools. This feature helps teams monitor progress and see resource availability at a glance. With real-time updates, comments, and file sharing, collaboration is made simple, ensuring everyone stays informed.
Smartsheet also offers robust reporting features, allowing managers to analyze resource usage and project performance effectively. It integrates seamlessly with other applications, such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, streamlining workflows. Smartsheet is an effective solution for organizations looking to improve resource management and enhance team productivity.
Ratings
On Capterra, Smartsheet has a 4.5 rating out of 5 from 3,338 users.
Pros
- Flexible Spreadsheet Interface: It offers a familiar, spreadsheet-like interface that is easy to use for tracking resources.
- Customizable Templates: You can customize templates to fit your resource management needs.
- Collaboration Features: Teams can collaborate in real-time, improving communication and resource planning.
- Advanced Reporting: It provides detailed reports, giving insights into resource utilization and project performance.
Cons
- Complex for Beginners: The wide range of features can overwhelm new users.
- Costly for Larger Teams: Pricing increases as team size grows, making it expensive for bigger teams.
- Limited Automation: Compared to some competitors, Smartsheet has fewer automation options.
- Mobile App Limitations: The mobile version lacks some key features in the desktop version.
Smartsheet Pricing
Smartsheet has four pricing plans:
- Pro: The price is 9 USD per user per month.
- Business: The price is 19 USD per user per month.
- Enterprise: Contact customer care for pricing details.
- Advanced Work Management: Contact customer care for pricing details.
Use this form to get the resource management pricing plan.
Use this form to get the resource management pricing plan.
Visit smartsheet resource management
6. Resource Guru
Resource Guru is a resource management tool designed to help you allocate and track resources efficiently. Its user-friendly interface allows users to schedule team members, equipment, and other resources easily. With a clear visual layout, Resource Guru makes it simple to see who is available and when preventing overbooking and ensuring balanced workloads.
The tool includes features for managing employee leave and tracking project assignments, which helps teams plan better. Real-time updates allow managers to adjust schedules quickly based on changes in availability.
Resource Guru also offers reporting features that provide insights into resource usage and project progress. These reports help managers make informed decisions about future resource needs. It integrates with various tools like Slack and Google Calendar, enhancing workflow. Resource Guru is an effective solution for organizations seeking to optimize resource management and improve team collaboration.
Ratings
On Capterra, Resource Guru has a 4.7 rating out of 5 from 519 users.
Pros
- Simple Interface: It offers an easy-to-use interface, making resource management straightforward for teams.
- Real-Time Availability: Provides real-time updates on resource availability, helping teams plan effectively.
- Leave Management: Includes features for tracking employee leave, ensuring accurate resource allocation.
- Reporting Tools: Offers useful reporting tools to analyze resource usage and project performance.
Cons
- Limited Customization: Customization options are minimal, which may not suit all teams’ needs.
- No Time Tracking: Lacks built-in time tracking features, requiring integration with other tools.
- Basic Integrations: Fewer integrations with other software compared to competitors.
- Pricing Structure: The pricing model may be less flexible, especially for smaller teams or projects.
Resource Guru Pricing
Resource Guru has three plans:
- Grasshopper Plan: The price is 4.16 USD/user/month.
- Blackbelt Plan: The price is 6.65 USD/user/month.
- Master Plan: The price is 10.00 USD/user/month.
Let’s move to the last resource management software.
7. Hub Planner
Hub Planner is a resource management tool designed to help teams efficiently plan and allocate resources. It offers a user-friendly interface that provides a visual overview of resource availability and project timelines. Users can easily schedule team members, track project assignments, and manage workloads through a drag-and-drop feature.
With Hub Planner, real-time updates allow project managers to adjust schedules and resources as needed. The tool also includes time-tracking capabilities, enabling teams to monitor the time spent on various tasks and projects.
Hub Planner also features forecasting tools that help predict future resource needs based on current projects. It integrates with popular applications like Slack and Trello, enhancing workflow. Hub Planner is an effective solution for organizations aiming to optimize resource management, improve team collaboration, and ensure projects on-tracks.
Ratings
On Capterra, Hub Planner has 4.2 out of 5 stars from 107 users.
Pros
- Visual Resource Scheduling: Offers a clear visual interface for scheduling resources, making planning easy.
- Time Tracking: Includes built-in time tracking to monitor how resources are utilized on tasks.
- Forecasting Features: Provides resource forecasting to help anticipate future needs and availability.
- Team Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration among team members with real-time updates and notifications.
Cons
- Learning Curve: New users may find it challenging to learn all the features quickly.
- Limited Customization: Customization options are somewhat restricted compared to other tools.
- Pricing: This can be expensive for small teams, especially with premium features.
- Mobile App Limitations: The mobile version may lack some functionality on the desktop app.
Hub Planner Pricing
Hub Planner has three pricing plans:
- Plug & Play: The price is 7 USD per user per month.
- Premium: The price is 18 USD per user per month.
- Business Leader: The price is 54 USD per user per month.
How to Select the Best Resource Management Software?
When choosing the best resource management software, it is important to evaluate the software based on the following factors:
1. Team Size
- Small Teams (1-20 members): Focus on software that is easy to set up and use, with basic resource allocation and scheduling features.
- Medium Teams (21-100 members): Use scalable solutions with enhanced tracking, reporting, and collaboration tools.
- Large Teams (100+ members): Consider enterprise-level software that offers advanced customization, integration capabilities, and robust reporting for managing complex projects.
2. Budget
- Low Budget (Freelancers or small teams): Opt for software with flexible pricing models, freemium versions, or affordable entry-level plans.
- Moderate to High Budget (Medium to large teams): Choose more feature-rich platforms with advanced analytics, priority support, and integrations with tools like CRM, project management, or accounting software.
3. Key Features to Consider
- Resource Allocation & Scheduling: Does the software allow for easy assignment and tracking of resources, availability, and workloads?
- Real-Time Collaboration: Can the team communicate, update progress, and share files within the platform?
- Forecasting: Are there tools to predict future workload, capacity, or resource needs based on current data?
- Time Tracking & Reporting: Does the platform provide detailed reports on resource utilization, performance, and timelines?
- Integrations: Is it compatible with tools you already use, such as project management, accounting, or HR systems?
- Ease of Use: How user-friendly is the platform? Consider the learning curve for the team.
Comparison of the Options
| Software | Best For | Key Features | Team Size |
| monday.com | Visually intuitive, customizable | Resource tracking, workload management, integrations, automation | Small to Large |
| Float | Lightweight, straightforward scheduling | Real-time resource allocation, capacity management, integrations | Small to Medium |
| Forecast | AI-powered insights, project management | AI-based forecasting, project planning, time tracking, budgeting | Medium to Large |
| Runn | Real-time forecasting, resource planning | Utilization insights, forecasting, financials | Small to Medium |
| Smartsheet Resource Management | Detailed reporting, enterprise collaboration | Resource tracking, Gantt charts, task management, automation | Medium to Large |
| Resource Guru | Simple resource scheduling | Availability scheduling, time-off management, simple reporting | Small to Medium |
| Hub Planner | Professional services, capacity planning | Capacity planning, time tracking, budgeting, integrations | Medium to Large |
Recommendations:
For Large Teams (High Budget): Opt for Smartsheet Resource Management or Hub Planner for advanced resource planning, reporting, and enterprise-level integration.
For Small Teams (Low Budget): Go with Float or Resource Guru for simplicity and affordability.
For Medium Teams (Moderate Budget): Consider Forecast or monday.com for scalability, strong forecasting, and project management features.
Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase after clicking. Please understand that I recommend these resources because they are useful, not because of my commissions. Please do not purchase unless you feel that the materials will help you achieve your goals. Thank you for your support.
I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.
