ClickUp alternatives: a data-backed comparison
Explore the most widely used project management tools to find the ClickUp alternatives that suit your specific requirements.
Best ClickUp alternatives in 2025
Notion
Best for: Teams that want an all-in-one workspace to manage docs, tasks, and wikis in a highly flexible and customizable way.
- Real-time collaboration and document creation
- Affordable pricing compared to competitors
- Highly customizable with a variety of templates
- Combines note-taking, task management, and databases
- Basic workflow management not ideal for complex projects
- Can be slow with large workspaces
- New users may find it overwhelming due to its high level of customization
Smartsheet
Best for: Organizations of all sizes that need collaborative project management and scalable workflow solutions that can grow with their business.
- Team members can comment, attach files, and update tasks in real time.
- Ability to link data across sheets like a database, enabling dynamic project rollups.
- Connections with systems like Salesforce, Jira, Microsoft Teams, and ServiceNow.
- Unlike Google Sheets, simultaneous edits by multiple users can lag.
- Some features are harder to access or use on mobile.
- Requires third-party tools for detailed time tracking.
Teamwork
Best for: Teams managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders who need integrated time tracking, resource planning, and client collaboration in one platform.
- Comprehensive project management tools including Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and templates.
- Built-in time tracking for accurate productivity and budget analysis.
- Advanced reporting with customizable insights on performance and resources.
- Strong collaboration via chat, file sharing, and integrations with Slack and Google Workspace.
- Scalable pricing plans that support teams from startups to enterprises.
- Steep learning curve and a dense interface for new users.
- Performance can lag with large volumes of projects and tasks.
- Limited project view options compared to some competitors.
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features.
- No centralized control or enforcement of two-factor authentication (2FA).
Basecamp
Best for: Teams that value simplicity, clear communication, and an all-in-one place to manage projects without unnecessary complexity.
- Clean, intuitive interface that's easy for anyone to use
- Combines messaging, task lists, schedules, and file sharing in one place
- Ideal for async or remote teams with tools like automatic check-ins
- Flat monthly pricing makes it affordable for larger teams
- Centralized communication reduces scattered emails and Slack overload
- Lacks task dependencies and advanced workflow features
- No built-in time tracking or workload management
- Reporting and analytics are minimal
- May not scale well for complex or technical project needs
Trello
Best for: Small teams and individuals who prefer visual task management and straightforward workflows.
- Highly intuitive interface
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent for simple project visualization
- Flexible card organization
- Limited advanced project management features
- Can become cluttered with larger projects
- Basic functionality compared to competitors
Asana
Best for: Teams that need to coordinate complex projects across multiple departments with adaptable workflows.
- User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation
- Integrations with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams
- Customizable dashboards and timelines
- Advanced features can be expensive
- It may become complex for very large projects with numerous tasks
Airtable
Best for: Teams that need flexible data organization that combines spreadsheet simplicity with database capabilities.
- Links information across multiple tables
- Offers nearly 30 field types for customization
- Enables complex filtering and grouping
- Offers API access for integrations
- Allows no-code interface building
- Supports complex formula calculations
- Steeper learning curve requires time to master
- Limited records in free plan
- Mobile app has limited functionality
- Performance slows with large databases
Monday
Best for: Teams that need powerful yet intuitive work management tools to coordinate projects across teams without the complexity of enterprise software.
- Intuitive, visual interface requires minimal training time
- Strong mobile app functionality for on-the-go monitoring
- Excellent dashboard visualization for metrics
- High user satisfaction ratings for ease of use
- Limited functionality in free version
- Limited customization options for complex processes
- Less robust time tracking capabilities for billable hour management
- Limited number of native integrations
Need more insights before you decide?
Criteria for evaluating ClickUp alternatives
The data on the platforms usage and spending patterns above is drawn from Ramp's analysis of anonymized transactions across more than 30,000 businesses. These insights can help benchmark your expected usage and understand market adoption trends. Here’s how you can take your analysis further:
Cost-effectiveness and pricing models
Some tools charge per user, while others offer unlimited users with feature-based tiers. Look beyond the monthly fee to consider implementation costs, potential add-ons, and how pricing scales as you grow. Some tools offer more generous free tiers or include premium features at lower price points, potentially delivering better value depending on your specific needs than others.
Core features
Assess which essential functions you can't work without. While ClickUp offers an all-in-one approach, you might prefer a specialized tool that excels in specific areas like Asana's workflow management, Trello's visual simplicity, or Monday.com's customizable dashboards. Consider whether you need advanced time tracking, resource management, document collaboration, or reporting capabilities that might be better implemented in alternative platforms.
Ease of use and user experience
If your priority is quick adoption and minimal training, consider streamlined alternatives with focused functionality. Evaluate the interface intuitiveness, availability of mobile apps, and whether the tool's design philosophy aligns with how your team naturally works.
Scalability for teams of different sizes
Consider both your current size and future growth plans. Some alternatives excel with small teams but become unwieldy at scale, while others might be overbuilt for simple needs but offer room to grow. Evaluate user permission controls, workload management features, and whether the platform can maintain performance as your data and user count increases.
Industry-specific functionality
Evaluate whether you need specialized capabilities for your sector. ClickUp offers templates for various industries, and there are some ClickUp alternatives that offer dedicated solutions for some industries – development teams might prefer Jira's technical focus, creative teams might value Asana's approval workflows, and agencies might benefit from Monday.com's client management features. Consider platforms with pre-built workflows that align with your industry's established processes.
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How to choose if ClickUp is right for you
Assess your team's requirements
Begin with an analysis of your team's needs. Consider:
- Whether you need an all-in-one platform or prefer specialized tools
- How important customizable workflows and views are to your processes
- If you require robust document management within your project tool
- The level of complexity your projects typically involve
Try them out before committing
Take advantage of free plans to evaluate the capabilities:
- Set up a pilot project with a small team
- Test the multiple views (List, Board, Calendar, Gantt, etc.)
- Assess the customization options and learning curve
- Gather feedback on whether the platform addresses your current pain points
Evaluate long-term fit
Ensure the tool can scale with your team's growth:
- Review pricing tiers and determine which features you'll need access to
- Assess integration capabilities with your existing tech stack
- Consider your need for advanced automations and reporting
- Examine how well it handles increasing team sizes and project complexity
Consider support and learning resources
Successful implementation depends on available support:
- Explore the platform knowledge base and tutorial videos
- Review their customer support options at your intended pricing tier
- Engage with the community for real-world insights
- Evaluate onboarding resources and potential training needs