19 rules in 6 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 11.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid plan for 5 people", then to the name.
Project and task tools for small teams, sold per user or per team. Tools must run on Windows in a browser or app. Prices are for a team of 5 on the cheapest paid plan with a published price. A line that says 'on at least one plan' also counts quote-only plans. Note apps and to-do apps are left out.
Price 22 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Cheapest paid plan for 5 people
The total monthly cost, in US dollars, of the cheapest paid plan with a published price that allows at least 5 users, for a team of 5, billed yearly, at its regular price. Per-user plans: price per user times 5, or times the plan's minimum number of seats if that is above 5. Flat-price plans with unlimited or 5+ users: the flat price. Add-ons and quote-only plans are not counted. $25 or less earns 12 points, $40 or less 9, $55 or less 6, $80 or less 3.
12
Free plan
A free plan that does not expire (not a trial) and lets you manage tasks or projects.
6
People on the free plan
The number of people who can use the free plan together, as the vendor's pricing page states it. Record 1000 if the page says unlimited. Record null if there is no free plan. 10 or more earns 4 points, 5 or more 3, 2 or more 1.
4
Views 12 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Board view
Tasks can be shown as cards in columns (a Kanban board) on at least one plan.
3
Timeline or Gantt view
Tasks can be shown as bars on a timeline or Gantt chart on at least one plan.
7
Calendar view
Tasks can be shown by due date on a calendar inside the product, on at least one plan.
2
Planning 29 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Task dependencies
One task can be set to wait on another task (blocking or 'depends on'), on at least one plan.
7
Workload view
A view or report on at least one plan lists each person's assigned tasks, hours or capacity across more than one project, so you can see who is over or under loaded.
6
Built-in time tracking
People can log time on tasks inside the product with a timer or manual entries, without an add-on from another vendor, on at least one plan.
5
Custom fields
You can add your own fields (text, number, date or dropdown) to tasks, on at least one plan.
5
No-code automation rules
Built-in trigger-and-action rules that change tasks without code, on at least one plan.
6
Teamwork 13 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Guest access for clients
People outside the team can be given access to chosen projects or tasks as guests or clients, on at least one plan.
5
Request forms
A built-in form turns submissions into tasks, on at least one plan.
3
Reports and dashboards
A built-in dashboard or report page combines progress data from more than one project, on at least one plan.
5
Security 14 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001
The vendor names a SOC 2 Type II report or an ISO/IEC 27001 certification for this product or the company running it.
7
SAML single sign-on
SAML single sign-on is documented on a vendor page as available on at least one plan, including quote-only plans.
4
Two-step sign-in
A vendor page says people can turn on two-step sign-in (authenticator app, SMS or security key) for their own account on at least one plan. A mention that only enterprise admins can require it does not count.
3
Apps and API 10 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Apps
An official installable app listed by the vendor (desktop installer or store listing) for each system; a browser page or web shortcut does not count. Each one earns 2 points.
8
Public API
The vendor documents a public API for tasks or projects on its own developer pages, on at least one plan.