Best CRM for project management in 2025

You finally closed a deal—great! But now you’re stuck jumping between apps just to get organized. If it takes hours just to manage your contacts and assign tasks, then something’s not working the way it should.

Poor management can lead to unrealistic expectations and unmonitored project timelines, which are a few prime reasons why projects fail. In the end, it all costs time, money, and customer trust.

A CRM built for project management can help transform these inefficient processes. Project management (PM) is all about keeping your team aligned, deliverables on track, and project scope managed efficiently. When combined with customer relationship management, you get full visibility into the work—and the people it’s for.

Here at Method CRM, we’ve been supporting QuickBooks-based businesses for more than 14 years. Method is a top-rated CRM for project management, loved by business owners for its real-time, two-way QuickBooks sync, no-code customizable workflows, and end-to-end sales automation. In this article, we will break down how CRM and PM software differ, what to look for in a CRM-PM platform, a comparison of the best options out now, and how Method can be an asset to your growing business.

CRM vs. project management software: What’s the difference?

Using the wrong tool can lead to further disorganization and headaches down the line. That’s why it pays to know what CRM systems and PM software actually do before committing to a solution that works best for your business.

Here’s how they differ:

• Customer relationship management system: A centralized hub for managing all interactions with current and potential customers. It stores, tracks, and organizes customer and lead data, while offering full visibility into your sales pipeline, call activity, and email history.
• Project management software: A tool for managing internal workflows and keeping projects on track. Easily track project progress and see tasks, due dates, and project roles.

Can’t decide between CRM or project management software? You’ll have a better idea as to which solution best suits your needs when you break down what your team does day to day.

What does your team spend more time on?

1. Sales, lead follow-ups, and client onboarding?

If you’re sales-heavy → You’ll need CRM software that can handle contact tracking and pipeline management, while ideally also offering automation capabilities.

2. Service delivery, task deadlines, and internal coordination?

If you’re delivery-heavy → You’ll need project management tools for task assignment, timelines, dashboards, and project progress tracking.

3. Do they handle both?

If you’re a hybrid team → You’ll need to merge CRM and project management functionalities with a CRM-PM platform.

While some CRM tools can handle light project management tasks (and vice versa), if your team has needs that require incorporating both, then it’s time to consider a tool that’s as versatile as you.

5 signs you need a CRM-PM platform

If your team handles sales and delivery-heavy tasks and your current software can’t seem to keep up, you may find these signs all too familiar:

1. Disconnected customer data and workflows: Your customer data lives in your CRM, but your team’s actual work happens somewhere else. Without unified workflows, the smallest mistakes can snowball. A CRM-PM setup helps coordinate both areas of work.
2. Re-keying project data into finance tools: Still copying and pasting info between your tools for invoicing, credit card payments, and project summaries? An integrated platform syncs project data with your billing system so handoffs to accounting won’t get messy.
3. No real-time dashboards for team members: Do your team members find status updates hard to see? That could cause costly delays. A CRM-PM solution offers dashboards and collaboration tools to quickly record and track who’s doing what and where things stand, so no one misses out on key information.
4. Work silos between sales and delivery: If as soon as you close a deal, your fulfillment team scrambles to catch up on the details, it’s a sign of disconnect between teams. An effective platform can break down these silos by giving both sides access to the same information through shared workspaces.
5. Missing timelines and unclear ownership: If deadlines continue to slip and no one knows who’s responsible, your software is likely contributing to the chaos. With a CRM-PM, ownership, due dates, and next steps are always clear. There’s less finger-pointing and more doing, plus better team collaboration across the board.

A CRM-PM platform has the power to combine customer relationship management with project management, so your team isn’t stuck juggling separate systems or stepping on each other’s toes.

Core features to look for

A CRM for project management ties both areas of your operation into one connected system. This differs quite a bit from traditional CRMs or standalone project management tools. Here are the functionalities to look for.

Task and time tracking

A CRM-PM platform should let you manage deadlines and track hours without having to switch tabs. 

Look for features like:

• Time tracking tied to contacts or projects.
• Task management with assignments, due dates, and dependencies.
• Gantt charts to map project phases.
• Kanban boards to visualize tasks in progress.

Sales pipeline meets project timeline

Sales don’t end after the handshake. Your chosen CRM-PM platform should help connect the dots between signed deals and delivery. Otherwise, projects might risk being overlooked.

Here’s what to expect:

• A visual sales pipeline showing deal stage, probability, and next steps.
• Automatic conversion of closed deals into projects or jobs.
• Built-in milestones to keep work on track.
• Linked project status updates to the customer record.

Workflow automation and notifications

Repetitive tasks eat up valuable hours, and those hours cost real money. Roughly half of the work employees do could be automated. Streamlining time-consuming work means affording employees more time to do higher-value work.

A CRM-PM platform with automation capabilities can:

• Automatically create tasks when a deal closes.
• Trigger email or SMS notifications when deadlines are near.
• Send follow-ups using pre-built templates.
• Assign project tasks based on pipeline stage.

Accounting and billing sync

Manually copying project data into your invoicing software is a recipe for errors and wasted time, resulting in poor data quality. This hurts customer relationships and skews your data, which can drag down business performance.

If you’re a QuickBooks user, finding a CRM platform that easily integrates with your current software is a valuable asset. Enter Method CRM.

Method offers a two-way, real-time sync for both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, keeping your customer data, estimates, invoices, and payments aligned across platforms. This level of sync isn’t something you’ll find in most tools.

Easily sync your customer, vendor, and employee info, sales and vendor transactions, time tracking, and other key job activity details between Method and QuickBooks. Permissions are separate, too, giving you control over access.

Note: You can also create custom fields and dashboards (like specific customer regions). While these won’t sync directly to QuickBooks, they still give you the flexibility to track the data your team relies on daily.

Mobile and ease of use

A solid CRM-PM platform should work wherever your team works, whether in the office, in the field, or when out and about. If the software’s too complicated, it can pose a roadblock for your employees.

Look for a tool with a user-friendly interface available on both desktop and mobile. This way, you get instant access to client notes, tasks, and project timelines. And because dashboards are fully customizable, you can tailor what each team member sees, ensuring accurate information and less back-and-forth.

Easy onboarding materials and reliable customer support are must-haves, especially if you’re switching systems or training a hybrid team. Look for platforms that offer step-by-step tutorials, a live chat, or a reliable support team.

CRM-PM platforms: Tool-by-tool comparison (2025)

A CRM-PM platform packed with features won’t matter much if it’s bloated and doesn’t fit your business needs. The best CRM and project management combo should be customizable, agile, and built with tools that are valuable to your team.

With so many tools out there, it’s easy to feel buried before you even begin.

Don’t worry; we’ve sorted through the noise. 

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the top CRM-PM platform picks for smarter decision-making.

Some quick tips for choosing the right CRM-PM platform:

• Start with your pain points: Some platforms offer balanced features, while others lean more on either sales or project delivery, and this could be a benefit. Identifying your biggest workflow gaps helps you choose the tool that solves them.
• Map your sales-to-delivery process: Look for platforms that let you move information from the sales pipeline straight into a project timeline without having to re-enter it.
• Don’t overbuy: Fancy features won’t help if your team doesn’t need them. It’s better to prioritize features that your team will adopt.
• Try before you buy: All the tools on our list offer free trials so you can try them out on your real day-to-day tasks before fully committing.

Use-case playbooks

Not every business will use a CRM-PM platform the same way. Your business might lean sales-heavy, focus more on service delivery, or handle both.

These use-case playbooks break down what to prioritize based on how your team works.

Client-services agency

Scenario: You’re struggling to balance sales calls, project timelines, and client check-ins. And because time tracking is such a hassle, it’s either forgotten or logged too late. That means you could be losing billable hours and undercharging for your work without even realizing it.

Recommended setup: Build your CRM workspace around contact records, pipelines, and onboarding tasks. Then use a kanban board to manage delivery stages like “Planning,” “In Progress,” and “Final Review,” alongside built-in time tracking tied to each task.

With this, your team logs hours where the work happens. You’ll get accurate project totals, more accurate billing, and insights into your profitable jobs.

Workflow example:

1. The sales rep marks a deal as “Won.”
2. The platform auto-generates a kanban board for delivery.
3. Kickoff tasks are assigned to the account manager.
4. Client notes and files then auto-sync to the workspace.

Where Method fits: Method’s time tracking software lets you track time by task, job, or customer from any device. Review and approve hours with notes, sync timesheets to QuickBooks Desktop and Online for payroll or invoicing, and show hours worked directly on client invoices. No double-entry needed!

Construction/field service

Scenario: You manage estimates, work orders, subcontractors, and changing timelines, often across multiple job sites. Between winning jobs and executing them, your team needs more than just a whiteboard and a spreadsheet.

Recommended setup: Look for a platform that links estimates, jobs, and project timelines. You should be able to create and assign work orders directly from a sales deal, then track project status in real-time.

Gantt and kanban views visually help you keep your crews aligned, while templates and task automations reduce admin work.

Workflow example:

1. Your sales rep closes a new job.
2. The work order is auto-generated.
3. A project board with tasks is created.
4. The foreman gets assigned and notified.
5. Job status is fed back into the CRM.
6. The final invoice gets triggered once marked “Complete.”

Where Method fits: Method:Field Services is built for QuickBooks users in construction and field service. Simplify scheduling, dispatching, estimating, invoicing, and route planning, all from your phone.

With Method:Field Services, you can:

• Create and assign work orders.
• Track job costing.
• Manage your equipment and assets on the app.
• Sync instantly with QuickBooks.
• Accept online payments on-site.

SaaS or tech consultancy

Scenario: You’re selling high-touch services, involving onboarding, integrations, and strategy, while also managing recurring clients, proposals, and deadlines. Projects may last weeks or months, and success depends on handing off proper context from sales to delivery.

Recommended setup: With so many moving parts, client info often gets lost in emails and scattered tools. Use software with a sales pipeline, visual project tools, and integrated contact records. This lets you track onboarding tasks alongside customer interactions and timelines.

Add custom fields for milestones or renewal dates to stay ahead.

Workflow example:

1. A new client signs a SaaS contract through your CRM.
2. An onboarding board auto-generates with pre-set tasks.
3. Tasks are assigned to the implementation lead.
4. Notes, emails, and files sync to the board.
5. Follow-ups and renewal reminders are auto-scheduled.

Where Method fits: Method CRM is an all-in-one CRM and proposal management solution built for QuickBooks users. It supports your full client lifecycle without changing how you work.

• Advanced customizable workflow automation that connects with your favourite apps (Zapier, QuickBooks, Xero, Square, Outlook, etc.)

• Automates proposals, invoicing, and payments.
• Accepts ACH or credit card via Stripe, PayPal, and more.
• Centralizes lead and contact management.

Implementation checklist

Getting started with a CRM project management solution? Here’s a quick-start checklist to keep you on track:

✅ Ask the right CRM selection questions: Prepare a CRM selection checklist that answers questions with a big-picture view of your team’s needs.

✅ Plan your data migration: Clean up your existing contact records, task lists, and project data before importing them to avoid clutter.

✅ Choose templates that match your workflows: Look for pipeline, kanban, or Gantt templates that reflect how your team manages projects.

✅ Set up dashboards and KPIs: Define what success looks like and build views that highlight these metrics.

✅ Onboard your team: Provide training, assign roles, and set expectations. Adoption only happens if the system makes work easier, not harder.

Of course, you can customize Method CRM on your own using drag-and-drop tools—and it’s 100% code-free. We understand that one size rarely fits all, especially for small businesses with unique workflows.

With Method’s customization services, you work with expert consultants who know Method inside and out. They’ll work with you to design custom screens, build tailored apps, and shape the platform around how your team works. While you stay focused on running your business, we’ll handle the behind-the-scenes setup that makes your CRM platform truly yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Close the deal. Deliver the work. Repeat with ease.

A reliable CRM for project management tracks deals and helps your team deliver results. A CRM-PM platform gives your team one place to handle both, improving follow-through, saving time on admin work, and keeping the customer experience consistent from pitch to delivery.

Need something built around your workflows? An all-in-one tool like Method keeps everything (and everyone) in sync.

Book a free demo with the Method team and get a custom walkthrough tailored to how your business operates.