Teamwork alternatives: a data-backed comparison

Explore insights on the most widely used project management tools to find the Teamwork alternatives that suit your requirements.

Best Teamwork alternatives in 2025

If you're searching for a project management tool beyond Teamwork, consider these alternatives that take different approaches to task tracking, team collaboration, and workflow organization.

Trello logo

Trello

Best for: Small teams and individuals who prefer visual task management and straightforward workflows.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 80% lower than average
Adoption trend:
Trello has seen 7% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • Highly intuitive interface
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Excellent for simple project visualization
  • Flexible card organization
Cons:
  • Limited advanced project management features
  • Can become cluttered with larger projects
  • Basic functionality compared to competitors
Asana logo

Asana

Best for: Teams that need to coordinate complex projects across multiple departments with adaptable workflows.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 2% higher than average
Adoption trend:
Asana has seen 11% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation
  • Integrations with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams
  • Customizable dashboards and timelines
Cons:
  • Advanced features can be expensive
  • It may become complex for very large projects with numerous tasks
ClickUp logo

ClickUp

Best for: Teams heavily reliant on multiple tools and requiring extensive integrations.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 34% lower than average
Adoption trend:
ClickUp has seen 14% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Regular platform updates
  • Powerful automation options
  • Competitive pricing
Cons:
  • Steeper learning curve for new users
  • Feature-rich environment can be overwhelming
Notion logo

Notion

Best for: Teams that want an all-in-one workspace to manage docs, tasks, and wikis in a highly flexible and customizable way.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 25% lower than average
Adoption trend:
Notion has seen 9% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • 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
Jira logo

Jira

Best for: Organizations of all sizes seeking ticketing systems, developer support tools, and agile project management platforms that scale with team growth and evolving needs.

Adoption trend:
Jira has seen 8% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • Comprehensive agile boards (Scrum, Kanban)
  • Powerful issue and bug tracking system
  • Customizable workflows for development processes
  • Advanced reporting and sprint planning
  • Extensive integration with developer tools
Cons:
  • Overly complex for non-technical teams
  • Requires significant setup and configuration
  • Steep learning curve for new users
  • Can feel cluttered for simple projects
  • Expensive for small teams
Airtable logo

Airtable

Best for: Teams that need flexible data organization that combines spreadsheet simplicity with database capabilities.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 38% lower than average
Adoption trend:
Airtable has seen 12% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • Steeper learning curve requires time to master
  • Limited records in free plan
  • Mobile app has limited functionality
  • Performance slows with large databases
Basecamp logo

Basecamp

Best for: Teams that value simplicity, clear communication, and an all-in-one place to manage projects without unnecessary complexity.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 74% lower than average
Adoption trend:
Basecamp has seen 15% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • 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
Monday logo

Monday

Best for: Teams that need powerful yet intuitive work management tools to coordinate projects across teams without the complexity of enterprise software.

Relative cost:
The cost is about 12% higher than average
Adoption trend:
Monday has seen 16% adoption growth in the last quarter
Pros:
  • 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
Cons:
  • 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

Criteria for evaluating Teamwork alternatives

When evaluating Notion alternatives, focusing on key factors will determine the tool's effectiveness for your team. The most critical evaluation criteria can be weighted as follows:

Cost-effectiveness and pricing models

Compare per-user pricing versus feature-based tiers with unlimited users. Account for hidden costs like onboarding, add-ons, and scalability. Look for tools that offer generous free plans or pack more premium features into lower-cost tiers.

Core features

Identify the must-have features for your workflows. While Teamwork supports time tracking and client collaboration, alternatives might offer more advanced automation, reporting, or invoicing. Choose tools that prioritize the functionality most critical to your team.

Ease of use and user experience

Prioritize tools with an intuitive interface and fast learning curve if quick adoption matters. Consider mobile support and how well the platform’s design fits your team’s natural way of working.

Scalability for teams of different sizes

Ensure the platform supports both your current team and projected growth. Evaluate performance at scale, user role management, and how well it handles large volumes of data and users.

Industry-specific functionality

Choose tools tailored to your sector’s needs. For example, developers may want issue tracking, agencies may need approval workflows, and consultancies often benefit from precise time tracking. Look for platforms with templates and workflows designed for your industry.

How to choose the right alternative

You can use the following approach when selecting your project management tool:

Step 1: Identify your core requirements

Determine what project management functionality is absolutely essential for your team's success.

  • List the features you can't work without
  • Identify pain points in your current project workflow
  • Get input from end users across different departments
  • Distinguish between "must-have" and "nice-to-have" features

Step 2: Set your budget parameters

Establish clear financial boundaries before evaluating specific alternatives.

  • Calculate your maximum per-user or total monthly spend
  • Evaluate potential ROI from improved project productivity
  • Look for plans that align with your organization's growth trajectory

Step 3: Test drive top contenders

Experience how each project management alternative performs in real-world scenarios.

  • Take advantage of free trials for 2-3 promising options
  • Create a test project that mirrors your typical workflow
  • Involve potential end users in the evaluation process
  • Test mobile apps and remote access capabilities

Step 4: Assess implementation requirements

Consider what it will take to successfully adopt your chosen project management alternative.

  • Evaluate data migration options from your current system
  • Calculate training needs for different user groups
  • Identify potential resistance points and adoption challenges
  • Consider whether phased or full implementation makes more sense
  • Develop a realistic timeline for the transition process

Step 5: Make your selection

Choose the project management alternative that best balances your requirements, budget, and implementation considerations. If your business structure is changing, such as planning to change from LLC to C Corp, ensure the platform can scale and adapt accordingly.

  • Compare notes from all stakeholders involved in testing
  • Weigh pros and cons of final contenders
  • Consider long-term viability of the platform and company
  • Negotiate final pricing and implementation support
  • Develop a clear onboarding and training plan

Time is money. Save both.