Zoho launches AI-powered Projects Plus as users flee Microsoft and JIRA

Zoho‘s new Projects Plus platform unifies project management capabilities by integrating four of its existing applications under a single AI-powered umbrella. This consolidation represents a strategic response to growing customer demand, evidenced by Zoho Projects’ 20% revenue growth in 2024 and a threefold increase in users migrating from competitors like Microsoft Projects and JIRA. The platform aims to give mid-sized and enterprise organizations a comprehensive solution that leverages AI for improved efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

The big picture: Zoho has created an integrated project management ecosystem that combines Projects, WorkDrive, Analytics, and Sprints applications into a unified platform enhanced by AI capabilities.

• The launch follows significant market validation with Projects seeing 20% year-over-year revenue growth and a threefold increase in users switching from competing platforms.
• Notably, 55% of new Zoho Projects users migrated specifically from Microsoft Projects and JIRA, indicating strong competitive positioning.

Key features: Projects Plus introduces advanced AI-driven tools that fundamentally change how organizations manage projects through predictive analytics and automation.

• The platform’s Predictive Analysis capability uses historical data to forecast risks, estimate timelines, and anticipate resource requirements before problems arise.
• Real-time dashboards replace traditional static tools like Gantt charts, providing dynamic project status information and bottleneck identification.
• Quality Control Analytics automatically ensures deliverables meet predefined standards throughout the entire project lifecycle.

What they’re saying: Zoho executives frame the new platform as a natural evolution driven by customer usage patterns across their software ecosystem.

• “Projects Plus synthesizes the latest AI-driven tools, data-first analytics, and privacy-focused protections into software that anticipates the evolving needs of international Enterprise organizations,” says Raju Vegesna, Chief Evangelist at Zoho.

Why this matters: The platform addresses the growing enterprise need for unified project management solutions that eliminate data silos while providing AI-enhanced capabilities.

• Early adopters report improved efficiency and visibility, with Virtuoso’s Vice President of Operations Steve Wooster highlighting its impact on enterprise-wide project coordination.

Behind the numbers: Zoho’s pricing strategy positions Projects Plus as a value proposition at $16 per user per month in the U.S. market.

• This represents a 27% cost reduction compared to purchasing the four component applications separately, potentially accelerating adoption among cost-conscious organizations.