ClickUp has steadily gained recognition as one of the most effective task management platforms over the years. It is trusted worldwide by small and large companies, thanks to its great-value plans and extensive list of powerful features.
It’s certainly eye-catching, but it’s not all you need. There are many other software options that may be more suitable for your needs than ClickUp!
We have had the privilege of seeing six of its competitors in the task management industry, comparing their similarities and looking at the differences that make them different. We can also help you decide if your team is more compatible with ClickUp or other platforms. If you haven’t found the perfect PMS yet, keep reading!
For those of you who prefer a more visual experience, here is a video review from Deya on her YouTube channel Deya // Freelance, DBM & Entrepreneurship. To get a comprehensive overview of ClickUp, you may still want to check out our article below, which compares it to some competitors.
What is ClickUp? A brief overview Better Than ClickUp
ClickUp is a cloud-based project management software that, like all other platforms, provides companies and groups of different sizes a space to work productively with optimized task-handling, goal-tracking, and reporting tools, as well as an open opportunity to foster growth as a collective to great heights.
The best productivity platforms of today have distinct factors that set each other apart, and ClickUp takes on it by cashing in on being a one-stop shop for all work-related needs. It has a huge load of features, most of which are designed to be convenient and easy to use. It is also known for its free, jam-packed plan and highly valuable premium alternatives.
Because of these, ClickUp has gained a highly favorable public following and critical acclaim. However, while being filled to the brim with productivity features, the amount it offers can be overkill for some users.
What makes ClickUp stand out from the rest?
There’s no denying that ClickUp delivers when it comes to offering teams a wide variety of project management features. From core tools such as task creation, calendar, reporting, and communication, to handy functions you may not get anywhere else, like time and screen recording, real-time collaborations, and public sharing, ClickUp has it all.
The best thing about large tool storage is the fact that they can all be accessed in one location, rather than using multiple apps. It’s also worth noting that you don’t need to pay a lot to get a hold of most of the core ones as they’re already available in its Free Forever plan – that’s what ClickUp exactly promised since its inception in 2017. It’s believed that having all the necessary work tools in one centralized place may increase productivity rates within teams by around 20%.
ClickUp’s shortcomings
Although having as many features as possible in one platform is a good idea, there are downsides. We all know that dealing with a lot of stuff at once may leave us feeling fatigued at some point. ClickUp has many users complaining about the fact that they have to spend more time learning. There is a steep learning curve that most teams may have to deal with before using it for work full-time.
Although not as serious as the other, ClickUp needs to improve its UI. It can sometimes be a little difficult to navigate and may become unresponsive in some cases. It is capable of customizing itself and provides excellent support and learning resources when needed.
ClickUp’s Pros
- Includes a widely diverse range of work solutions from task management to time tracking to goal-setting
- Its free plan is the best in project management software
- Lets you explore a wider scope of customization tools
ClickUp’s Cons
- It has so many features in one platform that it may intimidate those entering it for the first time.
- Overload of tools means more time for onboarding
> > Click Here to Sign Up for Free < <
ClickUp vs. Asana
Similar to ClickUp, Asana is a cloud-based program that allows you to keep up with your team’s tasks at any time on any device – did you know you can access both platforms through the iOS and Android mobile apps?
Asana comes with the core features you may expect, such as unlimited storage, reporting, goal tracking, and communication. ClickUp aims to be features-heavy, and Asana counters it by striking a perfect balance between offering powerful work tools and simplifying task management duties.
Asana does not have as many tools as ClickUp, which may be good news for some. Its estimated price range is however twice as expensive as the other, despite its impressive list of features.
Comparison of the Features
Both Asana and ClickUp offer teams a handy slew of core workspace features and tools, plus some additions, including portfolio access and customization. The latter offers life-saving tools such as integrated time-tracking management. However, ClickUp does not. This means that you will need to create a program specifically for this purpose.
Asana’s paid plans cost twice as much as ClickUp’s currently. For reference, the ClickUp Unlimited plan is priced at just $5; meanwhile, Asana’s equivalent is at a whopping $10.99. As for the free plans, Asana does not have the same key features as ClickUp, and most of them cannot be accessed unless you register for a premium tier. However, its entry-level tier includes unlimited storage among the only saving graces. ClickUp has the clear advantage in this category.
Asana’s Unique Aspects
Asana may not be best recognized for its financial value. It may also need to be well-versed when it comes to its offering of project management tools and functions, too. But, for what it’s worth, not having a lot to provide may have given Asana a bigger advantage than ClickUp.
Although the latter has a lot of features, it may not be enough for all teams, especially those who are going through the onboarding process. The former saves time and makes teammates less concerned.
Asana makes it easy to incorporate and integrate as many things as you need to improve your team’s experience. Asana, like every other project management platform allows you to integrate with different apps and services such as Zapier for a wider reach.
Asana’s Pros
- Has enough vital task management features to make for a swift working environment
- The platform’s interface and functions are simple, making it easy for new users to use.
- It offers a wide range of integrations with third party apps and services.
Cons of Asana
- Most of Asana’s key features require access to any of its paid-tier offerings.
- Its expensive price range may not bode well for small-scale teams and low-budget groups.
ClickUp vs. Monday.com
On our list of project management platforms, Monday.com is a rare case in which it offers (almost) the exact range of capabilities as ClickUp. The former, much like ClickUp, allows you to manage all tasks with the best quality.
Monday allows you to create any type of task, file them in folders and subtasks. You can also collaborate with your mates in real time even if you are far away.
Essentially, Monday allows you to do exactly what ClickUp promises to offer – the only notable differences are that the interface is sleeker than the other, it’s easier to navigate, and it’s more appropriate in a large-group setting.
Comparison of the Features
Monday provides the following tools for work management that ClickUp offers: In addition to primary functions such as task-making and reporting, and automations; these include the Gantt charts and Kanban boards, in-house Documents feature and time-tracking tools. You can access half of these tools in ClickUp’s freemium program, but Monday will require you to pay for them. This can make it a bit difficult.
The pricing range for Monday’s version is between Asana’s most expensive and ClickUp’s most valuable. Its Basic plan costs $8 – just a good $3 more than ClickUp’s equivalent, but not as pricey. Though admittedly, there’s not much to offer, Monday’s free plan wins when it comes to storage allowance. You’ll spot the difference immediately if you compare its 500MB to ClickUp’s 100MB. Better Than ClickUp
Monday’s Unique Aspects
Monday might be able to offer a greater number of features than ClickUp, but that is only because ClickUp requires access beyond the paywall. We do appreciate the polished UI. Much like Asana, Monday’s interface has been designed to be easy to navigate, even upon onboarding.
Monday stands out best in its simplicity based on how it lays out its features. Since it can integrate with third-party platforms, it gives companies with extra needs or solutions a space to maximize the software to the fullest.
Additionally, considering the cost range of its priced plans and their included tools, Monday has the potential to be a better great-value project management program for mid to large-sized teams. ClickUp is best for small groups so Monday should be the ClickUp for larger ones.
Monday’s Pros
- Offers a wide range of great-value plans that are suitable for large and mid-sized teams.
- Has enough work view options, features, and functionality to give off a highly competitive edge
- Its interface is simple enough for anyone, including newly welcomed teammates.
Monday’s Cons
- Its free plan has some limits features-wise, despite offering users more free storage space allowance.
- It doesn’t support multi-device connectivity, so it cannot be connected to voice control platforms such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
> > Click Here to Sign Up for Free < <
ClickUp vs. Notion
Notion was originally a note-taking app. Now it offers a refreshing approach for task management. Instead of relying on the usual design-heavy interface filled to the brim with tools, as seen in some top platforms such as ClickUp, Notion lays out its offering of features in a more simplified, minimalistic manner.
With Notion, you get to use a set of barebones work features, such as creating an organized list of to-do tasks, viewing the happenings in your workspace in different ways (from Kanban boards to calendar and timeline views), and crafting info-rich documents and wikis.
However, you wouldn’t be able to try out other handy tools, including the Gantt chart, as Notion does not have enough capacity to offer them. It does have a limited number of powerful solutions but it makes up for it with a simpler working environment.
Comparison of the Features
Notion doesn’t have the same number of functions as ClickUp, as we’ve already seen. As for the general design, the former appears to be less bold and brash than the latter (unless you try out any of its pre-made templates available on its official website). But given how it was originally presented, it makes more sense that it turned out this way.
Notion’s simplicity is reflected in its paid and free tiers. Its free plan, on the one hand, allows you to taste its core tools – what makes it different is that it’s more suited for personal use compared to ClickUp’s Free Forever plan. Notion’s Teams plan seems to be more suitable for groups that don’t require the additional features. Better Than ClickUp
Notion’s Unique Aspects
It is the only software that can cater to freelancers and small teams better than large companies with lots at stake. Considering the short list of features, it can offer right away. The notion has the advantage of being easier to explore and use.
Given its minimalist look, organizing tasks and other duties has always been difficult. Whether you work alone or with a team, you may appreciate how you can cut straight to the chase and do whatever task is on your mind.
Not only is Notion easy to navigate, but its layout is simple enough that it can be maximized however you want. Although it may not be as efficient as automation, that won’t make it a problem if you are a task manager.
Notion’s Pros
- Excels in its task-creating, note-taking, and organization features, especially considering its origin as a simple notes application
- Its minimalistic interface leads to a less complex setup process
- This encourages users to be more efficient and fluid in their workflow. It is suitable for both freelancers and large teams.
Notion’s Cons
- It needs other vital project management tools, such as automation and advanced-level reporting.
- You may need to rely on third-party integrations if you want to use Notion and maximize it with other features it currently cannot offer
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ClickUp vs. Trello
Trello is breaking with tradition and aiming to be the most popular project management platform. It offers a variety of options for teams to organize and see project tasks. Some notable features include Kanban-style boards and Trello cards. There are also eye-catching views that range from lists to tables. Better Than ClickUp
ClickUp has been made a credible competitor by Trello’s task-laying capabilities. Furthermore, it excels in its distinctive way when it comes to automations and integrations, and its free plan seems to be on par with what ClickUp’s Free Forever variant has in store.
Trello’s visual layouts are what make it stand out, but we cannot say the same about other aspects of project management like reporting. Nevertheless, its limited scope of tool offerings makes onboarding less cumbersome.
Comparison of the Features
Trello, like ClickUp, is a great visual task management tool. Each layout allows you to stay organized and aligned with your team’s main goals. You can create a Kanban Board for free but you will need to purchase a premium plan for $10 to have access to many other options. However, the Kanban board’s task management and automation tools are sufficient to be used by any team.
It’s also worth noting that its integration capabilities seamlessly match those of ClickUp. Trello’s free plan limits may limit your options, but you might be able to use its native and power-up offerings to give you more flexibility in your workflow. Also, Trello’s entry level tier grants unlimited storage which ClickUp is currently unable to offer. This is a great bonus!
Trello’s Unique Aspects
Trello is not as flexible as ClickUp. Trello currently doesn’t allow you to track your projects, set up a timer or record work hours.
It is not suited for data-intensive projects that require a lot of flexibility. But will that matter if all you want is a place where you can organize your tasks for your team? Unless you’re willing to expand with Trello’s integration feature, just using the default version may not be enough to satiate your workspace needs.
Trello’s task-management functions are a great way to organize your tasks. The Trello Cards feature allows you to combine all your tasks into sub-ecosystems that allow for workplace interactions. Better Than ClickUp
Trello’s Pros
- Offers a stellar range of board-based work view designs optimized for a variety of purposes
- Has fewer features, ultimately making the onboarding and setup process less cumbersome
- The free plan offers unlimited storage space which is great news for people who work with more data.
Trello’s Cons
- Trello must improve its ability to create visuals and boards, as well as other critical tools such reporting and time management.
- You’ll only be limited to Kanban boards unless you sign up for its mid-tier Premium plan.
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ClickUp vs. Jira Software
Jira Software has been proclaimed the best project management software for agile teams. It boasts a variety of highly functional and advanced features. These features are targeted at teams that specialize in IT or other high-skill areas, so if this is something you’re interested in, it may be worth your time.
Like ClickUp, Jira is quite robust and flexible to use based on its current offering of interesting tools – the only difference being it’s more suited for coding pros and the like. Core functions aside, it has been hailed by many who’ve used it for its top-notch reporting, dev-ops, and bug-tracking capabilities.
It’s also praised for its remarkable list of native integrations. While these seem promising, Jira has also drawn ire from most users for its notoriously slow UI, confusing setup, and inability to assign multiple people to one task.
Comparison of the Features
If there are a few things that both Jira and ClickUp have in common, they may include scrums, automations, project reporting, and power-heavy task management capabilities. The key distinction is the focus on dev teams, which may explain why some of Jira’s features are hard to digest if you’re not tech-savvy. Better Than ClickUp
Another aspect both platforms share is the intimidation upon first impression – ClickUp may be notorious for its feature overload. Jira’s features are so extensive that some may have trouble understanding it. As for Jira’s free and paid plans, you may likely reap the benefits of what each tier offers, especially if you work in IT. Atlassian Access subscriptions are a good option if you want to have expert-level access, such as SCIM and SSO.
Jira’s Unique Aspects
As daunting as it may seem, Jira has the potential to be a highly functional project management platform. Plus, given its offering of functions and tools, it may suit agile teams better – considering the inclusion of distinctive assets like DevOps and IT companies.
Although Jira might not have ClickUp, it can offer all the features you need. It is able to integrate with ClickUp and offers extra gigabytes storage space. This allows you to easily add any feature that you need into your workspace. You might like to integrate Gantt charts or time checking. You can explore all of them in the Atlassian Marketplace.
A recurring issue some users have with Jira is since it can house as many integrations as possible, your computer may run into some hardware issues. But, with that out of the way, as long as there’s enough time to go through the platform, we can envision Jira as a place where teammates can work as swiftly as possible.
Jira’s Pros
- A great set of tools packed with power, many of which are designed for teams working in IT or web development
- A generally functional plan is available. There are also a number of premium plans.
- Jira is known for its over 1000 integrations with different platforms. Better Than ClickUp
Jira’s Cons
- You may find it difficult to navigate Jira if you are not familiar with IT terminology.
- It has been criticised for its slow interface, lack of intuitive functions and inability to manage important tasks.
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ClickUp vs. Airtable
Airtable is well-known for its spreadsheet capabilities. But it also has many other features. Penned as a “real-time spreadsheet-database hybrid” that takes on a new spin on the usual project management software, it focuses on letting teams mix in all the workflow and data into one cohesive source of truth.
ClickUp may have good database management features, but Airtable excels across the board in this field. It’s best recognized for its generously customizable spreadsheet-adjacent table view. Airtable is best suited for data-management teams, but it can be used for all purposes.
From its stable functionality to its user-friendliness, there’s no doubt that Airtable has gained the trust of so many folks who use it. It can be difficult to use in certain cases, especially when using its data input functions.
Comparison of the Features
Airtable makes it easy to create a well-organized layout using spreadsheets. Based on its template library, they can be utilized in multiple ways and for multiple purposes. The Interface Designer update has added new ways to view tasks. You can now customize your views to look like ClickUp. Better Than ClickUp
Airtable’s free plan is a great feature. Although it lacks some core features, it’s still very functional. While you have access to some core features, customization is limited. You can only explore the premium plans if you are interested in more options. Speaking of which, they’re a bit more expensive than ClickUp’s, so be aware.
Airtable’s Unique Aspects
Out of all the project management software on our list, Airtable stands out best regarding spreadsheets. Airtable is also the only platform that makes spreadsheets and table tools their star asset.
For years before the advent of digital boards and other task views designed for today’s age, spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel were primarily used to import data and lay out the tasks for any project. The design of these spreadsheet programs has helped teams achieve their goals.
But, as time passed, they slowly went out of style, considering the need for more flexibility and functionality. Airtable was created to address the lack of oomph found in most spreadsheet platforms during its release. Today, with the increasing rise of cloud-based and remote work, Airtable’s signature capabilities are more fitting for teams of all sizes. Better Than ClickUp
Airtable’s Pros
- There are many amazing customization and spreadsheet-creating capabilities.
- Renowned for its stable and functional user interface and experience
- Because of its affinity for diversity, it is suitable for many types of work.
Airtable’s Cons
- Sometimes, data import and export can be difficult to manage, especially when data is transferred from MS Excel.
- Although it may seem difficult to sign up for Airtable, once you get used to the overall functions of the platform, it will be worth it.
Bottom Line: Which Project Management Software Should I Choose? Better Than ClickUp
If you want your team to do all things at once, ClickUp may be our best option. However, if you don’t want your mates to be fully overwhelmed for the first time, Monday.com is a great alternative. Technically, all platforms in our list are alternatives. However, Monday.com has more in-house capabilities, such as communication tools, collaboration tools, reporting and time-tracking.
If you’re striving for a perfect balance between functionality and form, Asana, Notion, and Airtable are the best bets. You can focus on the task at hand while using as few features as possible. If you want to, integrations are available. The only difference lies in how they’re used: Notion focuses on note-taking and documents, Airtable on spreadsheets, and Asana on task handling with a little communication on the side.
Trello might be better suited for workflows that rely on visuals. However, you may need to integrate with other platforms in order to achieve other goals. It shines best when it is used with Kanban board views. Meanwhile, if you rely on an advanced-level interface and agile features and/or specialize in IT, web development, or any computer-related skill, then Jira Software is.
Lastly, if you want to stuff the best features of all the other PMS into one place, there’s no other thing we could think of other than ClickUp. However, this route is not for everyone. You will need to be aware of its strengths and limitations, which we haven’t covered in detail here. ClickUp may have some tools that are better than others, but it does offer a good list of integrations which you can use to your advantage when you most need them.
Have you found the perfect PMS to help your team achieve your dream goals? ClickUp is the right platform for you or something else? We wish you all the best, regardless of which platform you choose.