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.
But, as eye-catching as it appears to be, it’s not the only software you should consider getting, as there are plenty more out there that might suit your team’s needs better than, say, ClickUp!
We’ve had the pleasure of looking at six of its close competitors that are impacting the task management scene, checking out their similar traits, and examining their distinct aspects that set each other apart. 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 ClickUp vs Craft
ClickUp, a cloud-based project-management software, is available to companies and groups of all sizes. It offers a place to work efficiently with optimized task-handling and goal-tracking tools as well as reporting tools. ClickUp also gives you the opportunity to encourage growth and collaboration 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. There are many features available, and most of them are easy-to-use and convenient. Additionally, it’s best known for its jam-packed free plan and impressively valuable premium contemporaries.
ClickUp is a popular and highly regarded product. 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?
ClickUp is a great tool for project management. 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.
What’s particularly nice about the large capacity of tools is that you can access them in one place instead of relying on 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. A common complaint nearly everyone has about ClickUp is that the overload of tools requires them to allot extra time to learn. 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
- This includes a wide range of solutions for work, from task management to time tracking to goal setting.
- Its free plan is one of the most robust in any project management software
- Let’s explore more customization options
ClickUp’s Cons
- It offers so many features that it can be intimidating for those who are new to it.
- More time is needed to onboard if you have too many tools
> > Click Here to Sign Up for Free < <
ClickUp vs. Asana
Similar to ClickUp and Asana, Asana allows you to track your team’s tasks from anywhere on the internet. Did you know that you can access both platforms via the iOS or Android mobile apps?
Asana includes all the essential features that you would expect such as unlimited storage and reporting, goal tracking, communication, and reporting. 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. However, as high-quality as its lineup of features may seem, its estimated price range is twice as much as the other.
Comparing 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. While the latter has life-saving tools like integrated time-tracking management, the former does not – this means you would have to find a dedicated program just for that.
Asana’s offered set of paid plans costs twice the amount of what ClickUp currently has. For reference, the ClickUp Unlimited plan is priced at just $5; meanwhile, Asana’s equivalent is at a whopping $10.99. Asana’s free plans do not offer the same features as ClickUp and can only be accessed by those who have opted for premium tiers. The only thing that saves Asana’s entry-level tier is unlimited storage. 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.
With that considered, it’s more liberating to integrate and incorporate as much as you want to enhance your team’s work experience with Asana. Like every other project management platform, Asana lets you integrate with various apps and services, including Zapier, for an expanded reach.
Asana’s Pros
- It has enough task management features to ensure a fast working environment.
- Its interface and general functions are sleek, making it easier for first-timers to explore the platform.
- It offers a wide range of integrations with third party apps and services.
Asana’s Cons
- Most of Asana’s key features require access to any of its paid-tier offerings.
- The high price tag may not be a good fit for small teams or 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.
With Monday, you can create any kind of task and file them into folders and subtasks, collaborate with your fellow mates in real-time even while you’re far away, draft reports using its excellent cloud-based framework, customize your dashboard with drag-and-drop options, and track goals at any moment whether you’re in desktop view or on mobile.
ClickUp Monday lets you do what it promises. The only differences are that ClickUp’s interface is more modern than the other, easier to use, and more suitable for large groups.
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. The Basic plan costs $8, which is $3 less than ClickUp’s equivalent but not as expensive. Although there isn’t much to be had, Monday’s free plan has the best storage allowance. Comparing ClickUp’s 500MB storage allowance to ClickUp’s 100MB will immediately show the difference. ClickUp vs Craft
Monday’s Unique Aspects
Monday may be capable of offering a different amount of features than ClickUp on the table in its free plan – given that most of them require access beyond the paywall. We do appreciate the polished UI. Like Asana’s interface, Monday’s was designed to be simple to use even after you have been onboarded.
Monday’s simplicity is what makes it stand out. Its layout of its features is the best. It can be integrated with third-party platforms so that companies with additional needs or solutions have a place to make the most of the software.
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 works best for small-scale groups, so it’s fitting for Monday to be the ClickUp for bigger 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 lacks multi-device support, as it can’t be currently connected to voice control platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant.
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ClickUp vs. Notion
Notion was originally a note-taking app. Now it offers a refreshing approach for task management. Notion does not rely on the traditional interface that is cluttered with many tools as ClickUp and other top platforms, but instead presents its features in a simplified, minimalistic way.
Notion allows you to create a simple set of work features. These include creating a list of tasks and viewing your workspace in various ways, from Kanban boards to calendar views and timeline views, and creating info-rich documents or wikis.
You won’t be able use other useful tools like the Gantt chart because Notion doesn’t have enough capacity. It does have a limited number of powerful solutions but it makes up for it with a simpler working environment.
Comparing 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. ClickUp vs Craft
Notion’s Unique Aspects
The notion is one of the only software out there that caters to solo freelancers and minimalist teams better than large-scale companies with a lot at stake. It is easy to use, considering the limited features it offers. It is easy to understand 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. It may not be as great as other tasks like automation, but those won’t be much of a great concern if you’re a simple task management type.
Notion’s Pros
- It excels in task-creating and note-taking. This is especially impressive considering that it was originally a simple notes application.
- Its minimalistic interface leads to a less complex setup process
- Encourages users to be more functional and fluid in their workflow – this is enough to suit both one-person freelancers and teams with multiple players
Notion’s Cons
- It needs other vital project management tools, such as automation and advanced-level reporting.
- If you want to maximize Notion’s capabilities and add other features, third-party integrations may be necessary
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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. ClickUp vs Craft
From the looks of it, Trello’s task layout capabilities have given ClickUp a worthy competitor in the field. 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
Like ClickUp’s take, Trello does not fail to impress us with its storied range of visual task layouts, as each allows you to keep organized and in tune with your team’s primary goals. However, while you can create a Kanban board for free, you may need to pay for a $10 Premium plan to access many 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. Additionally, Trello’s entry-level tier gives you unlimited storage, something ClickUp currently isn’t capable of having, which is a welcome bonus!
Trello’s Unique Aspects
Trello is not as flexible as ClickUp. You can’t record work hours with a timer, track and report on how well your project has been, or send e-mails within the platform – all because Trello doesn’t offer any of these currently.
This lack of range means it won’t be a great fit for ambitious data-heavy projects. But will that matter if all you want is a place where you can organize your tasks for your team? If you don’t want to use Trello’s integration features, the default version might not suffice to meet your workspace requirements.
Speaking of organizing your tasks, it’s quite telling that Trello’s task management functions have helped the software get to where it is today. The Trello Cards feature allows you to combine all your tasks into sub-ecosystems that allow for workplace interactions. ClickUp vs Craft
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
- Aside from boards and visuals, Trello needs to catch up in other crucial tools like reporting and time management.
- If you don’t sign up for the Premium mid-tier plan, your access to Kanban boards will be restricted.
> > Click Here to Sign Up for Free < <
ClickUp vs. Jira Software
Advertised as the #1 project management software for agile teams, Jira Software is packed with a stellar list of advanced-grade and highly functional 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
ClickUp and Jira share some commonalities, such as scrums and automations, project reporting, power-heavy task managing capabilities, and project reporting. One of the key differences is Jira’s focus on developers. This may explain why Jira’s features can be difficult to understand if you are not tech-savvy. ClickUp vs Craft
Another aspect both platforms share is the intimidation upon first impression – ClickUp may be notorious for its feature overload. Still, Jira’s range is so advanced that others may struggle with 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
Jira is a powerful project management platform that can be as simple or complex as you might think. 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.
Jira may not be capable of offering every feature under the sun like ClickUp. But it catches up with its integration capabilities and extra gigabytes of free storage space, encouraging you to add whatever is lacking into your workspace. Want to incorporate Gantt charts and time checking? You can explore all of them in the Atlassian Marketplace.
Jira has a problem that users frequently have. It can store as many integrations and your computer could run into hardware problems. With that said, Jira can be viewed as a platform where colleagues can collaborate as quickly as possible, so long as you have enough time to explore the platform.
Jira’s Pros
- Packed with an outstanding set of power-heavy tools, most of which cater to teams who work in IT and web development
- A generally functional plan is available. There are also a number of premium plans.
- Its list of over 1000 integrations with other platforms is one of Jira’s strengths. ClickUp vs Craft
Jira’s Cons
- You may find it difficult to navigate Jira if you are not familiar with IT terminology.
- Has been criticized for its often slow interface, less intuitive functions, and lack of important task management features
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ClickUp vs. Airtable
Airtable has been widely admired for its spreadsheet capabilities, but it has more to offer than that. 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. Airtable is best known for its flexible spreadsheet-adjacent view. Though more appropriate for teams specializing in organizing important data, Airtable’s inclusive approach makes it a welcoming solution for any purpose.
Airtable is trusted by so many people because of its stability and ease-of-use. But, in some cases, it can be challenging to use, especially with its data input functions.
Comparison of the Features
Airtable allows you to craft an organized layout with the help of 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. ClickUp vs Craft
Airtable’s free plan is a great feature. It may be less robust in features, but it is surprisingly functional. You get to access some core features, but as for customization, there’s not much range of options to explore unless you sign up for any of its premium plans. These plans are a little more expensive than ClickUp’s so be aware.
Airtable’s Unique Aspects
Airtable excels in spreadsheets, out of all the project management tools on our list. It’s also one of the only platforms that cash in on their spreadsheet and table tools as their star asset.
Before the advent of digital boards or other task views, spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel were used to import data and set up tasks for projects. Their formal and neatly stacked nature stemmed from the design has helped get teams to reach their goals.
They became less popular as they were no longer practical and had to be replaced by more functionality. Airtable was designed to solve the shortcomings of spreadsheet platforms. Airtable’s unique capabilities make it more suitable for all types of teams, especially with cloud-based work and remote work. ClickUp vs Craft
Airtable’s Pros
- Houses plenty of remarkable spreadsheet-creating and customization capabilities
- It is well-respected for its functional and stable user interface.
- Its affinity for diversity makes it suitable for many different types of work purposes
Airtable’s Cons
- The data export and import process may sometimes be a struggle to work with, especially when transferring data from other platforms like 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? ClickUp vs Craft
ClickUp is a great option if you want your team members to be able to do everything at once. Monday.com is an excellent alternative if your team doesn’t want to feel overwhelmed the first time. 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.
Asana, Notion and Airtable offer the perfect combination of functionality and form. You can focus on the task at hand while using as few features as possible. If you want to, integrations are available. There is only one difference between the three: Notion focuses more on document creation and note-taking, Airtable on spreadsheets and Asana on task management with some communication.
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.
Are you looking for the right PMS to help your team reach their dreams? Is ClickUp the right platform for your team, or is it something else that best suits your needs? Regardless of your choice, we’ll wish you the best of luck!