Over the years, ClickUp has slowly gained acclaim as one of the top-performing task management platforms. 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’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!
Deya has posted a video review on her YouTube channel Deya // Entrepreneurship, Freelance, DBM and 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 Short Overview How ClickUp vs Freelance
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.
ClickUp is one of the most popular productivity platforms today. It has distinct features that make each platform stand out. It has a huge load of features, most of which are designed to be convenient and easy to use. Additionally, it’s best known for its jam-packed free plan and impressively valuable premium contemporaries.
ClickUp is a popular and highly regarded product. Although ClickUp is packed with productivity features, some users find it too much.
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.
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. You don’t have to pay anything to access most of the core tools. ClickUp has been offering this free forever plan 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
However, while having as many features in one single platform as possible is a sound idea, it does have a downside. It is a common occurrence for people to feel tired when trying to deal with too many things at once. 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. But that aside, it catches up in its customization abilities and offers excellent support and learning resources whenever help is 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 the best in 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.
- Overload of tools means more time for onboarding
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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 includes all the essential features that you would expect such as unlimited storage and reporting, goal tracking, communication, and reporting. ClickUp is a heavy-featured platform. Asana counters this by offering powerful tools for work and a simplified way to manage tasks.
ClickUp has more tools than Asana, so this may be a good thing 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. 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 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. 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. However, its entry-level tier includes unlimited storage among the only saving graces. This gives ClickUp the obvious upper hand in the 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. Asana may have had a greater advantage than ClickUp by not having much to offer.
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. With the former, teammates wouldn’t have to worry as much, as its display of core tools is simply laid out and ready to use, further saving time in the process.
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
- It has enough task management features to ensure a fast 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.
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. Much like the latter, the former lets you do all kinds of task management duties of the highest quality possible.
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.
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.
Comparing the Features
Monday offers its users the following key work management tools that ClickUp also has: apart from primary functions like task-making, reporting, and automations, these also include the Gantt and Kanban charts, the in-house Documents feature, time-tracking tools, single sign-on, and the ability to privatize boards and files. While you can get half of these already in ClickUp’s freemium plan, with Monday, you’d have to pay up just to access them, which can be a bit of a hassle.
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. Though admittedly, there’s not much to offer, Monday’s free plan wins when it comes to storage allowance. Comparing ClickUp’s 500MB storage allowance to ClickUp’s 100MB will immediately show the difference. How ClickUp vs Freelance
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 stands out best in its simplicity based on how it lays out its features. 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.
Aside from the fact that Monday’s pricing plans and the included tools are affordable, it could be a great project management tool for large to mid-sized groups. 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
- The free plan does not offer unlimited storage, but it has certain limitations.
- It doesn’t support multi-device connectivity, so it cannot be connected to voice control platforms such as Alexa or Google Assistant.
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ClickUp vs. Notion
Originally a note-taking application, Notion takes on a refreshing approach to 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.
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. Regardless, while it may lack the range of powerful solutions, it sure does make up for its less complicated setting, making way for a more straightforward working environment.
Comparing the Features
As already established, Notion does not have as wide of a range of functions to offer on the table as ClickUp. 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, on the other, seems to fit groups who may not need any of the increasingly complicated fuss of extra features better. How ClickUp vs Freelance
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. It is easy to use, considering the limited features it offers. The notion has the advantage of being easier to explore and use.
Organizing tasks and other duties have always been challenging given its minimalist feel. You may be able to cut right to the chase and accomplish whatever task you set your mind, whether you are working alone or in a group.
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 minimalist interface makes it easier to set up.
- 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 also requires other essential project management tools such as automation or 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. How ClickUp vs Freelance
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.
Comparing 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. 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. Even if you’re confined to the limits of Trello’s free plan, you may be lucky to take advantage of its native and Power-Up offerings, ultimately giving your extra workflow flexibility. 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
Compared to ClickUp, Trello lacks a diverse range of workspace capabilities. 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.
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? 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. Apart from the assorted range of visuals, the Trello Cards feature lets you collate all your tasks into sub-ecosystems full of workplace interactions. How ClickUp vs Freelance
Trello’s Pros
- Offers a stellar range of board-based work view designs optimized for a variety of purposes
- It has fewer features which makes the setup and onboarding process easier.
- Its free plan gives users unlimited storage space, which is good news for those who handle extra 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.
Jira, like ClickUp is robust and flexible. Its current offerings of tools are great – but it’s better suited to coding pros. 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 is also highly praised for its impressive 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. How ClickUp vs Freelance
The commonality of both platforms is their intimidation upon first impression. ClickUp may be well-known 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. 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. Want to incorporate Gantt charts and 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. 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
- A great set of tools packed with power, many of which are designed for teams working in IT or web development
- Has a generally functional free plan – and an equally robust list of paid plans
- Jira is known for its over 1000 integrations with different platforms. How ClickUp vs Freelance
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. Airtable is a real-time spreadsheet-database hybrid that focuses on letting teams combine all the data and workflow into one source of truth.
While ClickUp has some great database management features, Airtable is the best in this area. 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 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. How ClickUp vs Freelance
Airtable’s free plan is a great feature. Although it lacks some core features, it’s still very 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. Speaking of which, they’re a bit 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. The design of these spreadsheet programs has helped teams achieve 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. Today, with the increasing rise of cloud-based and remote work, Airtable’s signature capabilities are more fitting for teams of all sizes. How ClickUp vs Freelance
Airtable’s Pros
- There are many amazing customization and spreadsheet-creating capabilities.
- It is well-respected for its functional and stable user interface.
- Because of its affinity for diversity, it is suitable for many types of work.
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.
- Onboarding with Airtable may be confusing, but the effort will likely pay off once you’re used to its overall functions
Bottom Line: Which Project Management Software Should I Choose? How ClickUp vs Freelance
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, most platforms on our list count as alternatives, but Monday has more in-house features, including communication and 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. 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.
If your workflow relies on visuals, Trello may be a better fit, though you may have to integrate with other platforms for other purposes. It shines best when it is used with Kanban board views. Jira Software is a great choice if you are looking for an advanced interface and agile features, and/or a computer-related skill such as IT, web development or any other computer-related skill.
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. But, if you’re going for this route, you may need to consider its strengths and weaknesses, most of which we haven’t fully covered here. It’s worth mentioning that some of ClickUp’s tools may be better, while others may not – nevertheless, it offers a decent list of integrations, which you can use to your advantage if you need it most, as with any other existing project management software.
Are you looking for the right PMS to help your team reach their dreams? ClickUp is the right platform for you or something else? Regardless of your choice, we’ll wish you the best of luck!