Planforge suits organizations managing projects and portfolios across traditional, agile, or combined methods.
Free plan Free trial From €4,500 a month AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux+2
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Best Innovation Software 2026
Facts read 24 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Innovation software brings together tools for gathering ideas, reviewing proposals and coordinating innovation activity. Check this list for plan types, platform availability and workflow support as you assess tools.
The standings: top 10
| Name | In a line | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Planforge | Planforge suits organizations managing projects and portfolios across traditional, agile, or combined methods. | 6.5 | €4,500 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 14 Oct 2026 |
| 02 IdeaGist | IdeaGist suits people who want to develop ideas with a community, a team, or in stealth mode. | 5.9 | $9.99 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 8 Oct 2026 |
| 03 Innovation Cloud | It suits organizations coordinating idea capture, project portfolios and product development. | 5.6 | $27 a month | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 04 Ideanote | Ideanote may suit businesses that want a structured way to gather ideas and manage innovation work, from startups to public companies. | 5.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 29 Sep 2026 |
| 05 Orchidea | Orchidea suits organizations that want to involve employees, customers, or partners in structured idea collection and development. | 5.4 | $695 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 1 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Brightidea | Brightidea suits organizations seeking software to collect and evaluate ideas and manage innovation programs. | 4.7 | $99 a month | Free trial | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 7 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Hives.co | 4.7 | $795 a year | — | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 7 Oct 2026 | |
| 08 innoCentrum Enterprise | 4.6 | $1.25 a month | — | Web, API, Self-hosted | 15 Oct 2026 | |
| 09 Wazoku Platform | 4.5 | $15,000 a year | — | Web, API | 9 Oct 2026 | |
| 10 Sideways 6 | 4.4 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, API | 30 Sep 2026 |
The page is ordered with newer releases before older ones. It shows figures published by the makers, without a score, so you can weigh free access, paid entry points, integrations and deployment yourself.
02
IdeaGist
IdeaGist suits people who want to develop ideas with a community, a team, or in stealth mode.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+4 Record5.9 Visit
03
Innovation Cloud
It suits organizations coordinating idea capture, project portfolios and product development.
WebWindowsMac+3 Record5.6 Visit
04
Ideanote
Ideanote may suit businesses that want a structured way to gather ideas and manage innovation work, from startups to public companies.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Record5.4 Visit
05
Orchidea
Orchidea suits organizations that want to involve employees, customers, or partners in structured idea collection and development.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Record5.4 Visit
6
Brightidea
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 $99 a month Record4.7 Visit Brightidea suits organizations seeking software to collect and evaluate ideas and manage innovation programs.
Before you choose
Compare plans and trial access
Items on this list with a free plan include IdeaGist, Ideanote, Innovation Cloud, Orchidea, Planforge, Sideways 6 and Viima. Free trials are listed by Brightidea, IdeaScale, Innovation Cloud, Planforge, Sideways 6, Traction and Viima.
Published paid starting points include $79 per month for Viima on annual billing, $9.99 per month for IdeaGist, $6 per user per month for Ideanote on annual billing, $695 per month for Orchidea, $1.25 per user per month for innoCentrum Enterprise, $3 per user per month for Sideways 6, $795 per month for Hives on annual billing, and $4,000 per user per year for Traction. Several listings instead show pricing on request.
Match the platform to your setup
Products in this category list web, API, iOS, Android, self-hosted or Windows availability. Check the platform listing against the devices and systems your team needs before signing up.
Check the work you need to manage
The comparison looks at idea intake, evaluation processes, innovation portfolio support and challenge management. These fields show whether a product fits your intake, review and tracking process.
Review integrations and deployment
Use the listed integrations field to check how a tool can connect with your existing services. Compare deployment details as well, including web, API, mobile, Windows or self-hosted options where shown.
Questions
Which innovation software has a free plan?
IdeaGist, Ideanote, Innovation Cloud, Orchidea, Planforge, Sideways 6 and Viima list a free plan.
Which products offer a free trial?
Brightidea, IdeaScale, Innovation Cloud, Planforge, Sideways 6, Traction and Viima list a free trial; listed trial periods include 14 days for Sideways 6 and Viima and 30 days for Innovation Cloud.
What platforms does this category cover?
Listings include web, API, iOS, Android, self-hosted or Windows platforms. Availability depends on the product.
What workflow features are compared?
The comparison looks at idea submission, evaluation workflows, innovation portfolios and challenge management.
How is pricing shown?
Listings may show a free plan, a paid starting price or pricing on request. Published starting prices use the billing terms stated by the maker.
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