Top 9 Planview Alternatives in 2025 - Connect Strategy with Execution

Why Organizations Are Searching for Planview Alternatives

Planview has long been a leader in project and portfolio management (PPM). It offers deep functionality for organizations with complex governance needs. But that depth can come at a price:

• Implementation Complexity: Rollouts often require months of configuration and dedicated consultants.
• Usability Barriers: Interfaces can feel dense, limiting adoption beyond the PMO.
• High Total Cost of Ownership: Enterprise licensing plus service packages add up quickly.
• Reporting Reliance on External BI: Many organizations layer tools like Power BI to get the insights they need.

In 2025, PMO leaders are asking for something different:

• Faster onboarding with minimal consulting overhead.
• Real-time visibility from strategic objectives down to execution tasks.
• A balance between governance and agility.

How to Evaluate the Best Planview Alternatives

When comparing options, focus on four critical dimensions:

Strategic Alignment & Portfolio Management

» Can the tool connect corporate strategy to team-level execution?

» Does it support OKRs, KPIs, and initiative tracking natively?

Implementation & User Experience

»How quickly can teams adopt it?

» Is it accessible for executives, portfolio managers, and delivery teams alike?

Total Cost of Ownership

» Beyond licensing, factor in consulting, add-ons, and administration.

Reviews & Migration Stories

» What do real users say about moving from Planview to this tool?

The 9 Best Planview Alternatives in 2025

1. Businessmap

Businessmap is built for organizations that want to connect strategy with execution seamlessly. It combines visual planning, portfolio coordination, and Lean analytics - reducing reliance on integrations and external BI.

»» Key Features:

• Collaborative, AI-powered whiteboards for mapping strategies.
• Portfolio and management boards to coordinate work across teams.
• Flexible workflow builder adaptable to Agile, hybrid, or waterfall models.
• Timelines and Gantt charts for planning dependencies.
• Built-in OKRs and KPIs tied directly to execution boards.
• Lean analytics for forecasting and process improvement.

»» Why Switch from Planview:

• Faster deployment: Weeks instead of months.
• Intuitive UX: Designed for both executives and delivery teams.
• Lower TCO: No heavy service costs or mandatory add-ons.

Visualizing a portfolio/program management board in Businessmap

2. Jira Align

Jira Align unifies strategic objectives with Agile execution for enterprises already using Jira Software. Its Strategy Room ties goals to program backlogs, while portfolio funding tools help track investment priorities.

• Strengths: Deep support for SAFe and other Agile-at-scale frameworks, strong integration with the Atlassian ecosystem.
• Considerations: More complex to implement than lighter tools; may require specialized training.
• Why pick over Planview: Consolidates Agile portfolio management in a familiar environment, reducing the need for multiple vendor solutions.

3. Targetprocess (Apptio)

Targetprocess is a visually rich platform that supports Agile, hybrid, and SAFe 6.0 configurations. It offers direct connections between OKRs, value streams, and execution work.

• Strengths: Scenario planning, dependency visualization, portfolio hierarchies.
• Considerations: Like Planview, it can require deeper setup for large organizations.
• Why pick over Planview: Built-in OKR mapping and advanced visualization without relying on external BI layers.

4. Asana

Asana's clean UI and low learning curve make it easy to deploy across departments. Portfolios provide high-level tracking, while Goals link directly to live project data.

• Strengths: Quick adoption, automated progress updates, simple portfolio oversight.
• Considerations: Limited resource modeling compared to enterprise PPM tools.
• Why pick over Planview: Excellent for rapid, organization-wide adoption where ease of use is paramount.

5. Rally

Rally offers robust Agile program management with native OKRs embedded into portfolio items. It supports large-scale Agile delivery with clear alignment to strategic objectives.

• Strengths: Integrated OKRs, detailed iteration planning, strong for multiple ART environments.
• Considerations: Primarily geared toward Agile delivery; less flexible for non-IT portfolios.
• Why pick over Planview: Keeps strategy and execution in one space without modular complexity.

6. Smartsheet

Smartsheet combines spreadsheet familiarity with portfolio governance via its Control Center. This ensures consistent project setup and roll-up reporting across the enterprise.

• Strengths: Easy adoption for Excel-native teams, strong collaboration features.
• Considerations: Some portfolio features require premium add-ons.
• Why pick over Planview: Faster onboarding and easier collaboration with external stakeholders.

7. Wrike

Wrike balances flexibility with enterprise controls, offering OKR templates, portfolio dashboards, and automation to cut down administrative work.

• Strengths: PMO blueprints, robust customization, fast deployment.
• Considerations: May require a scaling strategy for very large portfolios.
• Why pick over Planview: More agile rollout and user-friendly configuration without losing governance.

8. Monday.com

Monday.com delivers a configurable work OS with an Enterprise Portfolio Solution. It provides AI-powered risk detection and a variety of OKR templates for goal alignment.

• Strengths: Highly customizable boards, rapid deployment, intuitive dashboards.
• Considerations: Portfolio depth still evolving; resource management may be limited for large PMOs.
• Why pick over Planview: Flexibility and speed without heavy consultant support.

9. ClickUp

ClickUp consolidates projects, goals, portfolios, and documentation in one place. Its OKR features integrate directly with dashboards for tracking strategic progress.

• Strengths: Cost efficiency, all-in-one functionality, quick setup.
• Considerations: Less mature in resource modeling and advanced portfolio analytics.
• Why pick over Planview: Reduces tool sprawl and accelerates adoption for cost-conscious organizations.

Businessmap vs. Planview: Core Differences

Strategic Alignment

» Businessmap: Native OKRs and KPIs linked to execution boards, with timelines and Lean analytics for decision-making.

» Planview: Strong portfolio management, but strategic alignment often requires more configuration and BI integration.

Implementation & UX

» Businessmap: Visual, intuitive, adopted in weeks.

» Planview: Complex, often months to implement with specialized support.

Cost & Licensing

» Businessmap: Transparent, scalable pricing with fewer required add-ons.

» Planview: Enterprise licensing plus professional services can drive up TCO.

Unlocking a More Natural Way of Working

Choosing the right alternative to Planview isn't just about swapping software - it's about unlocking a new way of working. It's about replacing static plans with living strategies, aligning every initiative to outcomes that matter, and giving your teams the clarity and confidence to deliver.

Among the nine contenders, Businessmap stands out for its ability to bring strategy and execution together in one dynamic space. Whether you're scaling Agile, managing hybrid portfolios, or leading enterprise transformation, it gives you the tools to move faster without losing control.

If your organization is ready to shed the weight of slow rollouts and siloed reporting, take the leap. Explore what a Lean, connected, and cost-efficient portfolio management approach feels like - and see how quickly you can turn vision into measurable progress.