Why People Seek a ClickUp Alternative<\/h2>\n
Does ClickUp really live up to its tagline of being \u201cthe one app to replace them all?\u201d In reality, it doesn\u2019t, especially when it comes to its project management software functionality. While there are many features, they\u2019re not as robust as most users prefer.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Underwhelming project planning features:<\/strong> ClickUp project planning features are basic and focus mostly on task management and collaboration. However, project planning involves more than just assigning tasks to your team members and collaborating with them. We\u2019ll explore ClickUp alternatives that offer more robust resource, cost, and budget management features.<\/li>\n
- Steep learning curve:<\/strong> One of the main drawbacks of ClickUp is its cluttered interface and complicated set up process which makes the software hard to use, unlike some of the ClickUp alternatives in this list which offer a better user experience.<\/li>\n
- No free trial:<\/strong> Without a free trial, users aren’t able to see what ClickUp is like without committing. Although there is a free version, it has limited features. Most ClickUp alternatives we picked let users try a fully featured version of their software.<\/li>\n
- Non project management related features:<\/strong> Some ClickUp tools aren\u2019t really designed for project management, but rather for team productivity such as text editing tools, form makers, or whiteboards. While they might be helpful, there are other ClickUp alternatives that are better suited for project management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2026 Best ClickUp Alternatives Software Rankings<\/h2>\n
In this blog, we\u2019ll focus on the best Clickup alternatives for project management to help you find the best option for you and your team.<\/p>\n
1. ProjectManager
![\"ProjectManager,](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/PM-logo-email.png\")
<\/h3>\nProjectManager<\/a> is work and project management software known for its ease of use, multiple project views and collaborative features. Like ClickUp, it\u2019s a feature-rich tool with a clean design with no learning curve. It provides the collaboration features of Clickup, with in-depth project and task management features for keeping your projects and programs on track. There’s dedicated customer service and an online knowledge base if there are any questions, and unlike Clickup, it offers a free 30-day trial<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Plan and Execute Projects Across Multiple Views<\/h4>\n
ProjectManager is a ClickUp alternative that allows teams to create plans on traditional Gantt charts<\/a> or the sheet view (like a Gantt but without the visual timeline) in addition to the list or calendar view. Cross-functional teams and managers get transparency into processes through the visual workflow of the kanban board.<\/a> Managers can allocate resources to avoid bottlenecks and manage backlogs with real-time collaborative tools such as task lists where they can comment and share files.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nKeep Track of Projects in Real Time with Dashboards and Reports<\/h4>\n
Another reason to use this ClickUp alternative is real-time data access that connects teams and helps managers make insightful decisions. Unlike other ClickUp alternatives that require manual data compilation, ProjectManager has a live dashboard<\/a> that automatically calculates and displays live data in six project metrics. It’s clear that ProjectManager prioritizes data and ease of use for its customers.<\/p>\n
![\"ProjectManager\u2019s](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Dashboard_Construction_Wide_Zoom-150.jpg\")
<\/a>\nAnother area where ProjectManager stands out is its time-tracking features. For example, secure timesheets provide a real-time view of team progress. Teams can generate reports with one click and access detailed information on status, projects and portfolios, time, costs and more. In a few clicks, users can filter and share these reports with stakeholders. If you want to try this ClickUp alternative for yourself, get started today for free.<\/a><\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Project Management<\/h3>\n
ProjectManager Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Offers a wide variety of project management tools<\/li>\n
- Robust resource management features<\/li>\n
- Cloud-based software with unlimited file storage<\/li>\n
- Free trial 30-day trial<\/a><\/li>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ProjectManager Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Limited customization<\/li>\n
- Few native integrations<\/li>\n
- Lacks invoicing functionality, unlike some of the ClickUp alternatives in this list<\/li>\n
- No free plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ProjectManager Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Team: $15.00\/user\/month<\/li>\n
- Business: $28.00\/user\/month<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: contact sales for a custom quote<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
ProjectManager Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.4 \/ 5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.1 \/ 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Smartsheet
![\"Smartsheet,](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/smartsheet-logo-blue-new.svg\")
<\/h3>\nSmartsheet<\/a> calls itself a workplace to manage projects and automate workflows. This combined with its ease of use makes it attractive to project managers. As its name suggests, the software uses spreadsheets as its springboard, though it also has calendar views and a timeline, the closest this tool gets to a Gantt chart.<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> Best Smartsheet Alternatives: Free & Paid Options Ranked<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Smartsheet](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/resource-management-software-smartsheet.webp\")
\nWhile the Gantt chart is a fundamental tool for managing projects, the Smartsheet version isn’t nearly as robust as the Gantt charts featured in other ClickUp alternatives. It can\u2019t filter for the critical path, for example. Less powerful features combined with the lack of time tracking is going to sour the software to most potential users. Any time tracking and budgeting you want to do will have to be pieced together with additional software.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Project Spreadsheets and Templates<\/h3>\n
Smartsheet Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Ideal for transitioning from Excel or Google Sheets to project management software<\/li>\n
- Workflow automation tools<\/li>\n
- Free trial<\/li>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Smartsheet Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Its project management tools are basic and lack the functionality needed for advanced users<\/li>\n
- Users need to manually enter spreadsheet formulas to use its project views<\/li>\n
- Limited resource planning tools<\/li>\n
- Project dashboards and reports have an outdated user interface<\/li>\n
- No free plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Smartsheet Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Pro plan: $7 user\/month<\/li>\n
- Business plan: $25 user\/month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Smartsheet Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.4\/5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.5\/5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Microsoft Project
![\"Microsoft](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/MS_Project_Logo-600x600.png\")
<\/h3>\nYou can\u2019t complete a ranking of ClickUp alternatives without including Microsoft Project<\/a>. It\u2019s a project and portfolio management platform that’s been around since 1984, allowing teams to manage one or multiple projects through either a cloud-based or on-premise solution. Microsoft Project includes scheduling features with Gantt charts and board views for teams to visualize their workflow. Timesheets help to capture project and non-project time and they’re linked to payroll or invoicing. Microsoft Project offers resource management features that predict bottlenecks and manage utilization.<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> Best Microsoft Project Alternatives: Free & Paid Options Ranked<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Microsoft](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/microsoft-project-gantt-chart.webp\")
\nOf course, Microsoft Project offers seamless integration with its Office suite and other tools, but there are many downsides that have MS Project users looking for alternatives. For example, if you or anyone on your team uses Apple products, you’ll need to find an alternative as it doesn’t work on Mac devices. Even if you\u2019re all on PC, Microsoft Project is a clunky and uncollaborative platform. One problem with this ClickUp alternative is the expense. Microsoft Project is costly, and even more so as you add user licenses. If you\u2019re working in a methodology other than waterfall, you\u2019ll also find the tool frustrating and cumbersome, leading you to seek a different ClickUp alternative on this list.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Project Spreadsheets and Templates<\/h3>\n
Microsoft Project Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Best ClickUp alternative for managing complex projects<\/li>\n
- Robust project management feature set<\/li>\n
- Compatibility with Microsoft products<\/li>\n
- Has both a desktop-based and online versions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Microsoft Project Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- User interface is difficult to navigate for new users which is not ideal for team onboarding<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s a complex software that\u2019s hard to use compared to most ClickUp alternatives<\/li>\n
- Expensive monthly license<\/li>\n
- Microsoft Project files can\u2019t be viewed, shared or edited by users without a license<\/li>\n
- No free plan<\/li>\n
- No free trial<\/li>\n
- Doesn\u2019t have a mobile app<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Microsoft Project Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Project Standard 2024: $679.99, one-time license purchase<\/li>\n
- Project Professional 2024: $1,129.99, one-time license purchase<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Microsoft Project Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.0\/5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.4\/5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. Wrike
![\"Wrike](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/wrike-logo_color_black_CMYK.svg\")
<\/h3>\nAnother ClickUp alternative is Wrike<\/a>, a project management software with many frequently used features. It has planning tools, activity tracking and an activity dashboard for a high-level view of the project. There are special account types for marketing and creative teams as well as professional services teams. Wrike is a collaborative platform that has intelligent features that can provide insights as to when your project is in danger of failing.<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> Best Wrike Alternatives: Free & Paid Options Ranked<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Wrike](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/resource-management-software-wrike.webp\")
\nThat said, this is one of the more expensive ClickUp alternatives we\u2019ve highlighted. It\u2019s not easy to onboard new users, either. There are complaints about the software being slow, particularly when uploading or downloading files. The UI is confusing and navigating from task to task is clunky. Even something as important as task management is lacking in task prioritization features, which can make directing teams less efficient.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Third-party Integrations<\/h3>\n
Wrike Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Excels at everyday task and workflow management<\/li>\n
- Ideal for team management across industries<\/li>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n
- Free trial<\/li>\n
- Free plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Wrike Project Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Gantt chart user interface is outdated compared to ClickUp<\/li>\n
- There are no project management reports such as status or variance reports<\/li>\n
- Few resource, cost and budget tracking features<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Wrike Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Professional plan: $9.80 user\/month<\/li>\n
- Business plan: $24.80 user\/month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Wrike Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.2 \/ 5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.3 \/ 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Zoho Projects
![\"Zoho](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/zoho-logo1.png\")
<\/h3>\nZoho Projects<\/a> is a cloud-based project management software that works for both small and large projects. It provides task scheduling and budget creation in addition to helping users assign work to their team. This is one of the few ClickUp alternatives that offer automation for its document processes including revision tracking. Teams can share files and there are dashboard and reporting features with stakeholder presentations.<\/p>\n
![\"Zoho](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/zoho-projects.webp\")
\nHowever, while Zoho Projects can be a popular choice, it’s not the best project management software<\/a>. For one thing, the search functionality is clunky. When you\u2019re in a project, you can only search for tasks within that project. Some of the features could be better, too. Take the dashboard, which doesn\u2019t let users add clients’ contact information or list client names alphabetically. These downsides combined with the high learning curve mean you\u2019re going to have to spend a good deal of time and effort just to know how to use the tool before managing a project.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Teams on a Budget<\/h3>\n
Zoho Projects Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Good fit for beginner project management software users<\/li>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n
- Free trial<\/li>\n
- Free plan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Zoho Projects Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Users interface and usability are lacking compared to most ClickUp alternatives<\/li>\n
- Gantt charts don\u2019t have cost tracking features<\/li>\n
- Limited resource management tools for monitoring utilization and availability<\/li>\n
- Hard to integrate with<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Zoho Projects Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Premium: $4\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: $9\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Zoho Projects Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.3\/5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.4\/5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6. Monday.com
![\"Monday.com](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Logo-Monday-600x212.png\")
<\/h3>\nA popular ClickUp alternative is Monday.com<\/a> This project management software automates workflows and manages different projects. It’s also good at getting teams to collaborate and gives managers features to plan and track work. It mostly uses kanban boards, checklists for task management and integrations with other apps to pick up the slack, including Slack. There are multiple project views, including a timeline, which is not quite a Gantt, but it\u2019s something.<\/p>\n
Related:<\/strong> ClickUp vs. Monday: In-Depth Software Comparison<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Monday.com](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/monday.com-gantt-chart-2.webp\")
\nIn fact, there are a lot of limitations to Monday.com. It might look pleasing, but its features fall short. For example, it tracks project goals, but not easily. You can\u2019t assign comments to team members, which is going to get in the way of any collaboration effort. It lacks powerful task dependencies, and that can mean bottlenecks and delays that will cost you time and money.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Managing Small Teams<\/h3>\n
Monday.com Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Effective team collaboration tools, ideal for team leaders getting started with project management platforms<\/li>\n
- Simple-to-use task management features<\/li>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n
- Free trial<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Monday.com Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Not robust enough for project, program or project portfolio management<\/li>\n
- Project reports and dashboards are not detailed enough for advanced project management users<\/li>\n
- Most of its project management views require a manual-intensive setup due to its customization features<\/li>\n
- Limited project budgeting and resource management tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Monday.com Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Basic: $8\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n
- Standard: $10\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n
- Pro: $16\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n
- 3-seat minimum<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Monday.com Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.7\/5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.6\/5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
7. Trello
![\"trello](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Trello_logo.svg.png\")
<\/h3>\nSome of the ClickUp alternatives in this ranking use a spreadsheet as their main feature. Before people upgrade to project management software, they\u2019re likely managing projects on a spreadsheet. But Trello<\/a> is different because its DNA comes from the kanban board. Kanban boards are customizable and are great for managing work and workflows for teams and others outside of the project. Like most kanban boards, it\u2019s also easy to use, which is a plus.<\/p>\n
![\"Trello](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Trello-kanban-board.webp\")
\nBut what makes it stand apart is also what makes it a poor ClickUp alternative. For one thing, kanban boards are great for workflow, but managers need more tools to manage projects. If they want those added features, it\u2019s going to cost them. Time tracking, billing and more are only available as add-ons. You can\u2019t really make a Gantt out of a kanban board, which is going to alienate many. But even its kanban boards are not all they can be. For example, there are no swimlanes. But, if you like kanban boards, this tool is for you.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Best ClickUp Alternative for Kanban Project Management<\/h3>\n
Trello Pros & Key Features<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Good fit for agile and scrum teams<\/li>\n
- Can be customized for different work styles using integrations<\/li>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n
- Free plan<\/li>\n
- Free trial<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Trello Cons & Limitations<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Poor offer of project management tools, limited to kanban boards and project calendars<\/li>\n
- Relies on add-ons and third-party integrations to make up for its missing features, unlike other more well-rounded ClickUp alternatives<\/li>\n
- Not ideal for managing larger projects<\/li>\n
- There are no Gantt charts, a critical project management tool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Trello Pricing<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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- Standard: $5\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n
- Premium: $10\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n
- Enterprise: $17.50\/user\/month, billed annually<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Trello Reviews<\/strong><\/h4>\n
- \n
- G2 review: 4.4\/5<\/li>\n
- Capterra review: 4.5\/5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
8. nTask
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/ntask-logo.png\")
<\/h3>\n
- Mobile project management app for Android and iOS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Steep learning curve:<\/strong> One of the main drawbacks of ClickUp is its cluttered interface and complicated set up process which makes the software hard to use, unlike some of the ClickUp alternatives in this list which offer a better user experience.<\/li>\n
![\"nTask](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ntask.webp\")
\n![\"Teamwork](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/teamwork-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/h3>\n![\"Teamwork](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/teamwork-project-management-software.webp\")
\n![\"ActiveCollab](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/active-collab-01-1.png\")
<\/h3>\n![\"ActiveCollab](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ActiveCollab-JPG-scaled.jpg\")
\n![\"Hive](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hive-logo-project-management-tool.webp\"){kind=logo}
<\/h3>\n![\"Hive](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hive-project-management-software.webp\")
\n![\"Airtable](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Airtable-official-logo-600x183.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/h3>\n![\"Airtable](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/airtable-screenshot-e1701877955376.webp\")
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