10 Best ClickUp Alternatives For Project Management in 2024

Managing a business and its workflow can be a challenging task. This is especially true for someone in a project manager role, and is even more true during this new era of remote work. While staying on top of a lot of moving parts is in the job description, a project manager’s life can be made a lot less stressful when utilizing the best project management tools and creating a powerful productivity tech stack.

There are a wide range of software suites out there for you to choose from, and picking the right one can be a daunting task – each company is different and adopting the wrong one can leave you with a whole host of functions you don’t need and several areas you still need to improve.

And while ClickUp is one of the most popular project management tools on the market, it isn't a “one size fits all” solution. That's why we are going to explore some of the best ClickUp alternatives in this article.

ClickUp Features & Functionality

First let's review ClickUp itself. ClickUp is a powerful project management tool that brings all aspects of project planning and collaboration together in one place. With features such as task management, timelines, reminders, and document sharing, ClickUp makes it easy for teams to stay organized and on track.

The platform allows users to create customized workflows to match their unique project needs, whether it's in software development, marketing, or any other industry.

ClickUp also offers real-time communication capabilities, allowing team members to collaborate seamlessly. The interface is also simple and straightforward for teams who are just getting started with project management.

Why You Might Need an Alternative to ClickUp

Not every tool will work for every team - and that's OK. Here are a few reasons we've heard that ClickUp hasn't been right for teams.

1. Steep learning curve

ClickUp can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive range of features and customization options. This can make it challenging for some users to navigate and fully utilize the platform efficiently.

2. Limited integration options

While ClickUp does offer a variety of integrations with other apps and tools, its compatibility with certain popular programs may be limited. This can be a constraint for users who heavily rely on specific tools for their workflow.

3. Lack of mobile functionality

Although ClickUp does have a mobile app, some users have reported that it lacks certain features and functionalities available on the desktop version. This can hinder productivity for users who frequently work on the go.

4. Pricing structure

ClickUp's pricing plans can be costly for some users, especially for smaller teams or individuals. The platform's tiered pricing model may not be suitable for those on a tight budget.

5. Customer support

Some users have experienced delays or difficulties in receiving timely support from ClickUp's customer service team. This can be frustrating for users who encounter technical issues or need assistance with using the platform.

So, if you’re an ClickUp user and looking to switch up your software, or you’re just in the market for a tool and want to learn more, we’ve rounded up the top alternatives. Let's dive in. 

1. Hive

Hive is a project management tool that works off of “tasks” as a building block, the same way ClickUp does, which makes it one of the best non-ClickUp options. Hive’s interface is extremely user-friendly and boasts a first-of-its-kind email integration which sends messages directly from Gmail and Outlook to Hive. Hive is also the top ranked alternative to ClickUp according to G2.

Hive is also the first and only productivity platform built for users, by users. This means that customers can submit feature requests and vote on requests that will actually improve their workflow on a daily basis — Hive has all of the functionality you need, plus all of the features you want.

How Hive's features compare to ClickUp

The tool also has several features that ClickUp doesn’t have, including data import, note-taking, and custom forms. So, if you’re going to be manipulating data or customizing content, Hive is probably your better bet. Hive also offers all of the features teams need to succeed in today's workplace, including:

• Flexible project layouts including Gantt, Kanban, Calendar, Table and List views

• Time management via time-tracking and timesheets

• Resourcing capabilities

• AI writing tools

• Customizable dashboards via Pages

• Access to The Swarm — a closed community for Hive members to share tips, ask questions, access exclusive resources and connect with industry peers.

• Extensive integrations

Hive Pricing

Hive offers a free 14-day trial. Hive Starter is the lowest paid plan on the market, starting at $5 per user per month. Hive Teams plans offer advanced functionality and start at $5 monthly per user. Hive’s Free plan offers light project management for up to 10 users and a generous 200MB storage. 

2. Basecamp 

Basecamp is one of the older apps on the list, but it’s on our list of top ClickUp alts for good reason. The primary draw of Basecamp is that it’s a totally web based solution for managing your projects. This means that so long as your team members have access to a web browser, they can pitch into whatever aspect of the project they are responsible for.

It’s also specifically designed for service businesses, enabling them to give clients access to project information to cut down on unnecessary back-and-forth.

Basecamp Comparisons

To see how Basecamp stacks up against another tools on the market, check out our full guide to Basecamp alternatives.

3. Monday.com

Monday.com, formerly Dapulse, is a lightweight, visual project management tool that is easy to implement across a team. To get started with the tool, you simply make an account, pick a template, and fill the template in with tasks and projects.

While Monday.com has a few features that ClickUp doesn’t, including data import, event tracking and file transfer, the tool lacks some necessary project management aspects, like the ability to have multiple projects, milestone tracking, or take project notes.

Monday.com Pricing & Alternatives

The basic version starts at around $9 a month per user, and provides unlimited board views and unlimited free viewers on your project, which makes it one of our highest recommended ClickUp alternatives. To continue your research, check out these great Monday.com alternatives on the market.

4. Trello

Trello is another popular choice for businesses looking for a different perspective on project management. Like Basecamp, Trello is a web based platform that offers users a more flexible and collaborative approach to managing projects. Managers can establish workflows and individual projects in the Kanban style – a task visualization method that involves a three-step workflow. This is one of our most popular ClickUp alternatives for smaller teams.

The advantage of this is that it's easy for new members to quickly throw themselves into a Trello project because more of the information is displayed visually, but the tool lacks advanced project view features and functionalities including document management and project reports. So if you wanted to change the format of your project, or customize and display your data meaningfully, that would be tricky.

Ultimately for smaller, creative businesses (or freelancers) looking for an ClickUp alternative this a solid choice, but we wouldn’t recommend this for large companies.

5. Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-based project management alternative to ClickUp used to track, assign and filter tasks in the workplace, and is one of our highly ranked ClickUp alternatives. The app is cloud-based, and used by teams ranging in size. In addition to the spreadsheet view, Smartsheet also offers Gantt, file sharing, and workplace automation.

Smartsheet offers a few capabilities that ClickUp does not, including time tracking, resource management and budgeting. Smartsheet does not offer a central communication hub, which could make it harder for larger teams to use or integrate fully into their workflow. While Smartsheet is a great spreadsheet software, it is more limiting for teams who prefer to view projects in other views as well.

Smartsheet also does not offer a free version of their tool — the individual user license starts at $7.

6. Wrike

Wrike, a project management tool designed to organize and oversee project workflow, is another great option for ClickUp alternatives. Wrike helps you plan, streamline and track progress as an individual and team, and is free for up to 5 users. After that, the pricing starts at $9.80 per user/month. 

Compared to ClickUp, Wrike is a very comprehensive tool with tons of helpful functionalities. Wrike has Gantt view, task dependencies and resource management, which ClickUp does not have. However, ClickUp's ease of use make it an ideal project management tool for creative teams.

To see how Wrike stacks up against another tools on the market, check out our full guide to Wrike alternatives.

7. Airtable

Airtable is another great project management tool and one of our most popular ClickUp alternatives. As it's name suggests, Airtable helps you organize and plan tasks in a customizable table format. Tasks can be stacked by priority, deadline, assignee, department, and more.

The tool markets itself as “part spreadsheet, part database,” with its main view formatted as a grid. In addition to this standard grid view, Airtable has a few other options including calendar gallery, form, and and Kanban views. Like ClickUp, this tool also has integrations with a ton of apps, including Slack, LinkedIn and Gmail.

Also like ClickUp, Airtable has a free plan option for limited use. After you surpass a certain “row” or task capacity, plans starts at $20 per user/month.

Check out these top Airtable alternatives for other tools that use tables to manage projects.

8. Jira

Jira is another project management tool that is comparable to ClickUp in some ways, but Jira's most notable distinction is its emphasis on agile project management. Jira sells itself on being a top tool for agile teams, and specifically software developers, who utilize agile methods in their workflow. To help these teams manage their projects, Jira offers layouts including Scrum boards, Kanban boards, and roadmaps.

Jira's reporting capabilities are notably better than ClickUp's. With that being said, ClickUp may be better option for non-engineering teams. It all comes down to what your team is looking for in a tool.

Want to know more? Learn about these top Jira alternatives to compare additional tools.

9. ProofHub

ProofHub is a comprehensive project management software and one of our most popular ClickUp alternatives. ProofHub has similar features, albeit in a more straightforward and less aesthetically pleasing layout. With ProofHub, you can assign and track tasks in the same way you can in ClickUp, viewing in multiple views including Gantt, Kanban, calendar, and table view.

One negative about ProofHub is its price, which is quite a bit more expensive than ClickUp at a starting price of $45 per month. If you're a smaller organization with limited budget, other options like Hive could be a better choice.

10. Proprofs Project

ProProfs Project is an excellent ClickUp alternative if you’re looking for an all-in-one project management tool capable of managing complex projects effortlessly. In comparison to ClickUp, ProProfs Project is easy to set up. You can choose from its ready-to-use and professionally designed templates. Simply tweak the project name, create tasks, allocate resources, define due dates, and you’re ready to get started with your project within minutes.

In addition, the tool offers time tracking ability to monitor which tasks your team members are engaged in. This facilitates hassle-free invoicing by providing you with accurate billable and non-billable hours for each team member.

ProProfs also allows you to assign multiple users to a task, a feature that ClickUp lacks. The tool overall offers everything you need to deliver projects successfully.

In Conclusion

ClickUp is a popular project management tool that offers a range of features to help teams stay organized and on track with their tasks. It offers task management, time tracking, collaboration tools, and a customizable interface to fit any team's needs. With ClickUp, teams can easily create tasks, set due dates, assign team members, and track progress all in one place. 

However, while ClickUp is a great tool for project management, some teams may find that Hive is a better fit for their needs. Hive is built for users, by users, and has in-depth project management functionality that ClickUp lacks. Hive also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for teams to get started quickly and stay organized without feeling overwhelmed by too many features.

Additionally, Hive offers seamless integrations with other popular tools like Slack, QuickBooks, Google Drive, and Zoom, making it easy for teams to collaborate and communicate in real-time. Hive also offers a variety of templates (over 100!) and automations to help streamline workflows and save time on repetitive tasks.