Wrike

What is Wrike?

Wrike is a cloud-based work management and project collaboration platform developed by Wrike, Inc., founded in 2006 by Andrew Filev in San Jose, California. The company was acquired by Citrix in 2021 for $2.25 billion, reflecting the significant value and market position Wrike had established in the enterprise work management space. With over 20,000 organizations using the platform, Wrike has become one of the leading solutions for teams seeking to streamline project management, enhance collaboration, and improve operational efficiency.

What distinguishes Wrike from other project management tools is its powerful combination of flexibility and enterprise-grade capabilities. The platform adapts to various work methodologies including waterfall, agile, and hybrid approaches, making it suitable for diverse teams from marketing to product development to professional services. Wrike’s unique folder and project hierarchy system provides unmatched organizational flexibility, while features like cross-tagging allow tasks to appear in multiple contexts without duplication.

Wrike serves organizations ranging from small teams to global enterprises including household names like Google, Airbnb, and Siemens. The platform’s strength lies in handling complex, cross-functional projects that involve multiple stakeholders and require sophisticated resource management. With integrations spanning over 400 applications and robust API capabilities, Wrike fits into existing tool ecosystems while providing a central hub for work management, collaboration, and business intelligence.

Key Features

• Flexible Work Views: Multiple project views including Gantt charts, Kanban boards, tables, calendars, and workload views allowing teams to visualize work in their preferred format.
• Custom Workflows: Create tailored workflows with custom statuses, approval processes, and automation rules that match your team’s specific processes and requirements.
• Resource Management: Comprehensive workload management with capacity planning, time tracking, and resource allocation tools to optimize team utilization.
• Cross-Tagging: Unique ability to tag tasks across multiple folders and projects, allowing items to appear in various contexts without creating duplicates.
• Request Forms: Customizable intake forms that automatically route work requests to appropriate teams and projects with all required information collected upfront.
• Proofing and Approvals: Built-in visual proofing tools for reviewing and marking up images, videos, and documents with streamlined approval workflows.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Live editing, @mentions, comments, and activity streams keep teams synchronized and communication contextual within work items.
• Automation Engine: Rule-based automation for repetitive tasks including status changes, assignments, notifications, and cross-project workflows.
• Advanced Reporting: Customizable dashboards and reports with real-time data visualization, enabling data-driven decisions and stakeholder communication.
• Time Tracking: Built-in time logging and timesheets for understanding where effort is spent and supporting billing for billable work.

Latest Updates

Wrike continues to enhance its platform with advanced features, improved AI capabilities, and better user experience across all aspects of work management.

• Work Intelligence: AI-powered features that predict project risks, suggest task assignments, and identify bottlenecks before they impact delivery.
• Enhanced Automation: Expanded automation capabilities with more triggers, actions, and cross-project automation possibilities for complex workflows.
• Improved Resource Planning: Enhanced capacity planning tools with scenario modeling and better visualization of resource allocation across projects.
• Native Integrations: New and improved integrations with popular tools including enhanced Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and Slack connections.
• Advanced Proofing: Improved proofing capabilities with support for more file types, better annotation tools, and streamlined review workflows.
• Mobile Experience: Redesigned mobile applications with improved navigation and offline functionality for field teams.
• Custom Item Types: Ability to create custom work item types beyond tasks and projects for industry-specific use cases.
• Enhanced Security: Additional security features including advanced audit logs, enhanced access controls, and expanded compliance certifications.

System Requirements

Web Browser

• Google Chrome (recommended, latest version)
• Mozilla Firefox (latest version)
• Microsoft Edge (latest version)
• Safari (latest version for Mac)
• Stable internet connection required

Desktop App

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• macOS 10.13 or later
• 4 GB RAM recommended
• 500 MB available storage

Mobile

• iOS: Version 14.0 or later
• Android: Version 8.0 (Oreo) or later
• Storage: 100 MB

How to Install Wrike

Web Access

1. Visit wrike.com and click Get Started Free
2. Enter your work email and create your account
3. Verify your email address
4. Complete the onboarding to set up your workspace
5. Invite team members to collaborate

# Wrike is cloud-based - access via browser
# Your workspace URL format:
https://www.wrike.com/workspace.htm

# API access for integrations
# Endpoint: https://www.wrike.com/api/v4/

# Example API call (requires OAuth)
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
     https://www.wrike.com/api/v4/folders

Desktop App Installation

1. Sign in to your Wrike account via web browser
2. Navigate to Apps section or visit wrike.com/apps
3. Download the desktop app for your operating system
4. Run the installer and follow the setup prompts
5. Sign in with your Wrike credentials

# Windows - download and run installer
WrikeSetup.exe

# macOS - download DMG and drag to Applications
open ~/Downloads/Wrike*.dmg

Mobile Installation

1. Open App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)
2. Search for “Wrike”
3. Tap Install to download
4. Open the app and sign in
5. Enable notifications for task updates

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful Flexibility: The folder hierarchy and cross-tagging system provides organizational flexibility unmatched by simpler project management tools.
• Enterprise-Ready: Advanced security, compliance certifications, and scalability make Wrike suitable for large organizations with complex requirements.
• Multiple Work Views: Comprehensive view options including Gantt, Kanban, table, and workload views accommodate different work styles and project types.
• Strong Resource Management: Workload balancing, capacity planning, and time tracking features support effective resource optimization.
• Robust Integrations: 400+ integrations and powerful API enable Wrike to fit into existing tool ecosystems seamlessly.
• Built-In Proofing: Visual proofing and approval workflows for creative teams reduce need for separate review tools.
• Customizable Workflows: Create processes that match your team’s specific needs rather than adapting to rigid tool constraints.

Cons

• Learning Curve: The extensive feature set and flexibility can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant onboarding investment.
• Complex Pricing: Tiered pricing with many features locked to higher tiers makes it difficult to predict total cost as needs grow.
• Overwhelming Interface: The powerful interface can feel cluttered compared to simpler tools, especially for teams with basic needs.
• Performance Issues: Large workspaces with extensive data can experience slowdowns, particularly in the web interface.
• Free Tier Limitations: The free plan is very limited compared to competitors, essentially serving only as a trial.

Wrike vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Wrike?

Wrike is ideal for:

• Enterprise Organizations: Large companies with complex, cross-functional projects benefit from Wrike’s scalability and advanced features.
• Marketing Teams: Built-in proofing, approval workflows, and campaign management features make Wrike excellent for marketing operations.
• Professional Services: Consulting firms, agencies, and service providers benefit from time tracking, resource management, and client collaboration features.
• Project Managers: Those managing complex projects with dependencies, multiple stakeholders, and resource constraints find Wrike’s tools comprehensive.
• Creative Teams: The proofing and approval features streamline review processes for design, video, and content production workflows.
• IT and Development: Teams using agile or hybrid methodologies can customize Wrike to support their specific development processes.

Wrike may not be ideal for:

• Small Teams: Simple teams with basic project needs may find Wrike’s complexity unnecessary and overwhelming.
• Budget-Conscious Users: Advanced features require higher-tier plans, making Wrike expensive compared to simpler alternatives.
• Simplicity Seekers: Teams wanting straightforward task management without extensive configuration should consider simpler tools.
• Individual Users: Solo professionals or freelancers likely don’t need Wrike’s collaboration-focused enterprise features.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wrike worth the cost?

Wrike’s value depends on your team’s complexity and needs. For organizations managing sophisticated, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders, Wrike’s advanced features like resource management, proofing, and custom workflows justify the investment through improved efficiency and visibility. Teams with simpler needs may find the cost hard to justify compared to more affordable alternatives. The free trial allows evaluation before committing to determine if the features align with your requirements.

How does Wrike compare to Asana?

Wrike and Asana both excel at work management but serve different needs. Wrike offers more powerful resource management, built-in time tracking, and advanced proofing features, making it better suited for enterprise and professional services organizations. Asana provides a cleaner, more intuitive interface with strong collaboration features ideal for fast-moving teams. Wrike’s folder/project hierarchy offers more organizational flexibility, while Asana’s portfolio feature provides better high-level visibility. Choose Wrike for complexity and power; choose Asana for simplicity and ease of use.

Can Wrike handle agile methodologies?

Yes, Wrike supports agile project management with features like Kanban boards, backlog management, sprints, and customizable workflows. You can configure Wrike to match Scrum, Kanban, or hybrid approaches with custom statuses, automation, and dashboards. While not as agile-specific as tools like Jira, Wrike’s flexibility makes it suitable for teams practicing agile while also needing broader work management capabilities. The platform works particularly well for organizations using agile within larger project portfolios.

What integrations does Wrike offer?

Wrike integrates with over 400 applications across various categories. Key integrations include Salesforce for CRM data sync, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for productivity tools, Slack and Microsoft Teams for communication, Adobe Creative Cloud for design workflows, and Tableau for advanced analytics. The platform also offers robust API access for custom integrations. Zapier connectivity extends reach to thousands of additional apps. Most organizations find their essential tools already have Wrike integrations available.

How secure is Wrike for enterprise use?

Wrike maintains enterprise-grade security with SOC 2 Type II certification, ISO 27001 compliance, and GDPR adherence. Features include role-based access control, two-factor authentication, SSO integration with identity providers, custom access roles, and detailed audit logs. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with options for data residency in specific regions. Wrike’s acquisition by Citrix brought additional security resources and expertise. Enterprise plans include enhanced security features and dedicated support for security compliance requirements.

Final Verdict

Wrike stands as one of the most powerful work management platforms available, delivering enterprise-grade capabilities that handle complex, cross-functional projects with sophistication. The combination of flexible organization through folders and cross-tagging, comprehensive resource management, and built-in proofing creates a platform that addresses needs often requiring multiple tools. For organizations with demanding project management requirements, Wrike provides the depth of functionality needed to succeed.

The platform’s strengths lie in its adaptability to various work methodologies, powerful visualization options, and robust enterprise features including security, compliance, and integrations. Teams managing marketing campaigns, creative production, professional services delivery, or complex product development find Wrike’s feature set well-aligned with their needs. The time tracking and workload management capabilities support resource optimization that simpler tools cannot match.

Wrike best serves mid-size to large organizations with complex project needs and the resources to invest in proper implementation. The learning curve is significant, and extracting maximum value requires thoughtful configuration and team training. Smaller teams or those with straightforward project needs should consider simpler alternatives, but for enterprises seeking a comprehensive work management platform that can scale with their complexity, Wrike delivers capability that justifies its position as a market leader.