Looking for ClickUp alternatives?
ClickUp is a project management software designed to help teams manage their work and meet deadlines. It claims to be "The everything app, for work", but many businesses are finding collaboration and project management tools that better suit their needs.
Poor usability, a lack of language options, and no built-in video calling feature are just a few reasons why businesses are looking for better options.
In this blog, we’ll introduce the 10 best ClickUp alternatives in 2025, comparing key features, pricing, and more to help you find the right tool for your team.
ClickUp alternatives
Lark for collaboration and AI workflows
Trello for easy task management
Hive for flexible project management
Asana for simple processes
Wrike for complex tasks and projects
Smartsheet for spreadsheet-style views
Basecamp for remote team collaboration
Airtable for spreadsheet-database power
Monday for color-coded project management
Jira for agile software development projects
What to look for in ClickUp alternatives
When deciding which software is best for your business, keep the following points in mind:
Ease of use: Find tools that have an intuitive interface that doesn’t require hours to learn how to use.
Core features: Ensure the software has chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and integrations.
Pricing: Compare free and paid options to assess the value you get.
Scalability: Assess your team size. Does the tool suit small teams, startups, or large enterprises and can the tool scale with you?
Consider your team’s needs before diving into the list of alternatives.
ClickUp alternatives at a glance
Here's a side-by-side comparison table detailing the best ClickUp alternatives.
10 best ClickUp alternatives in 2025
1. Lark - Best overall ClickUp alternative
For teams seeking a centralized workspace to boost productivity and collaboration, Lark is the ultimate ClickUp alternative. This all-in-one super app consolidates messaging, virtual meetings, document collaboration, file sharing, project and approval management, and AI-powered workflows into a single platform.
Lark offers flexible project views like Gantt, calendar, and Kanban, plus AI-driven automation to eliminate repetitive tasks and help teams work more efficiently. Beyond scheduling and tracking, it empowers global teams to plan, discuss, and execute projects seamlessly, with real-time translations breaking language barriers.
Its adaptability makes Lark more than just a collaboration tool—it can serve as a CRM, CMS, bug tracker, or even a hub for syncing information to frontline teams, fitting the unique workflows of startups, enterprises, tech teams, and frontline operations alike—without the clutter of multiple apps.
Key features
Project management and workflow automation simplify complex processes and eliminate repetitive tasks, making team operations more efficient.
Includes Lark Base, a no-code business management solution that can be tailored for sales management, CRM, or project management, and other work needs.
Built-in video and chat features, combined with auto-translation, enable seamless communication for teams across the globe.
Stunning dashboards for displaying key metrics and insights with a variety of drag and drop widgets, including different types of charts.
Docs, spreadsheets, slides, and mind maps are all available to make it easy to create, share, and work together in real time.
Data tracking and dashboards provide actionable insights into task and project performance, helping teams stay on top of their goals.
AI-powered tools accelerate content generation and transcription, saving time and optimizing productivity.
Pros of Lark
Messaging, video conferencing, document sharing, approvals, and project management are seamlessly combined so teams can move faster and stay aligned.
Built for today’s workforce, Lark keeps teams connected on the go. Frontline staff and desk workers can collaborate and manage tasks directly from their phones.
Use pre-built templates to get started quickly and manage projects efficiently.
Create custom databases, mini apps, and automated workflows without coding or IT support, adapting processes precisely to your business needs.
Automate repetitive work—AI can summarize meetings, generate customer profiles and pitch scripts, create content, translate in real time, and deliver insights automatically.
Available in multiple languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, and more—ideal for international teams.
Perfect for growing teams, offering 11 essential tools, 100GB of storage, and support for up to 20 users at no cost. With all core tools built in, there’s no need to stack third-party apps—saving money while boosting productivity.
Cons of Lark
It may take time for teams to fully leverage its extensive features.
Pricing
Starter plan: Free forever plan that includes 11 powerful tools for up to 20 users. It also comes with 100GB of storage, 1000 automation runs, AI translations, and more.
Pro plan: $12/user/month (billed annually) for up to 500 users. It includes everything in Starter plus group calling for up to 500 attendees, 15TB of storage, 50,000 automation runs, and more.
Enterprise plan: Contact sales for custom pricing. Supports unlimited users and includes even more automation runs and advanced security, compliance, and management features.
2. Trello - Best for traditional Kanban boards
Trello is a task and project management software known for its simple-to-use Kanban boards, making it a great alternative to ClickUp for teams seeking a visual tool for task tracking.
Image source: trello.com
Trello is a favorite for teams who value a straightforward and intuitive approach to project planning. With its visually appealing Kanban boards, Trello makes it easy to organize tasks and track progress using drag-and-drop functionality and customizable lists. Designed for teams that prioritize ease of use, it combines simplicity with the flexibility to manage various projects, from marketing campaigns to product development, while seamlessly integrating with popular tools like Slack and Google Drive.
Key features:
Visual Kanban boards to help prioritize tasks
Custom workflow automation to help with task management
Power-Ups to integrate with other tools
Pros of Trello:
Simple and easy to learn the key features
Highly customizable boards, workflows, and Power-Ups
Free plan includes almost all the basic features of task management
Cons of Trello:
Free plan lacks advanced project management features such as reporting and analytics
Can become cluttered when it comes to complex workflows and managing multiple projects
Pricing:
Free plan for up to 10 collaborators per workspace.
Standard plan for $5 per user/month (unlimited boards and custom fields)
Premium plan for $10 per user/month (Different views and unlimited Workspace runs)
Enterprise plan with custom pricing (advanced features and permissions)
3. Hive - Best for flexible project viewing
Hive is a dynamic and versatile project management tool designed to help teams stay organized and productive.
Image source: Hive
Hive offers a range of flexible board views, including Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendars, and table views, making it easy to visualize and manage tasks in a way that suits your team’s needs. Hive’s adaptability makes it an excellent choice for teams looking to streamline their workflows and customize their project management experience.
One of Hive’s standout features is its ability to transform unique team processes into highly visual workflow templates and dashboards. Whether your team thrives with a traditional Kanban setup, prefers the timeline-focused approach of Gantt charts, or needs calendar-based task tracking, Hive has you covered.
Key features:
Flexible views with Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendars, and more
Automated actions and project workflows
Resource tracking and management
Pros of Hive:
Highly visual and customizable dashboard
Built-in team collaboration features such as chat, comments, and mentions
Powerful reporting and analytics
Cons of Hive:
Steep learning curve to learn all the features
Free plan is limited to one project and 10 users
Pricing:
Free plan for up to 10 workspace members
Starter plan for $5 per month/user (unlimited storage and up to 10 projects)
Teams plan for $12 per month/user (unlimited workspace members and time tracking)
Enterprise plan with custom pricing (enhanced security and enterprise API)
4. Asana - Best for small teams with simple processes
Asana is a valuable project management tool that’s very easy to use, making it an excellent choice for organizations seeking a straightforward solution.
Image source: Asana
Asana’s intuitive design makes it an excellent choice for organizations looking for a straightforward solution to manage their workflows effectively. Whether you're a small team, a startup, or even a larger organization with simple processes, Asana adapts seamlessly to your needs.
One of Asana's biggest strengths is its ease of use. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started, making it perfect for teams looking to streamline their project management without spending hours learning a complicated system. Its clean, visually appealing interface allows users to quickly create tasks, assign them to team members, set deadlines, and monitor progress—all in one place.
Key features:
Clear and focused work management
Powerful search and filtering
Team communication and collaboration tools
Pros of Asana:
Easy-to-learn platform that makes it simple to assign tasks and build custom automation
Comprehensive mobile app which works just as well as the desktop app
Good functionality in the free plan
Various customer support options, including email and chat
Cons of Asana:
Limited customization
Too rigid for complex organizations
Pricing:
Free plan to collaborate with up to 10 teammates
Starter plan for $10.99 per user/month (500 teammates and Asana AI)
Advanced plan for $24.99 per user/month (25,000 automation runs per month and approvals)
Enterprise plan with custom pricing (No user seat limits and unlimited views)
Enterprise+ plan with custom pricing (All Asana features)
5. Wrike - Best for complex projects
Wrike is a project management tool designed to simplify complex workflows and help teams stay organized with effective task management. It's a great ClickUp alternative for teams with intricate needs and is suitable for both small and large teams.
Image source: Wrike
Wrike’s intuitive features and versatile tools make it particularly well-suited for managing multi-step projects and keeping everyone on the same page. Whether you’re tracking tasks, collaborating on projects, or managing deadlines, Wrike provides the structure and flexibility teams need to succeed.
Key Features:
Highly customizable workflows and multiple project views
Real-time collaborative editing with team members
Workload management features to help with team management
Pros of Wrike:
Handles intricate projects well
Flexible and scalable
In-depth reporting and insights
Cons of Wrike:
Learning curve steeper than simpler tools
Its feature-richness feels overpowering for small teams
Pricing:
Free plan with limited features
Team plan for $10 per user/month (up to 15 users and unlimited custom fields)
Business plan for $24.80 per user/month (up to 200 users and unlimited dashboards)
Enterprise plan with custom pricing (unlimited users and admin permissions)
Pinnacle plan with custom pricing (All Wrike features)
6. Smartsheet - Best for teams that need a spreadsheet-style interface
Smartsheet is a work management and collaboration platform that combines the familiarity of a spreadsheet interface with powerful project management and automation features.
Image source: smartsheet.com
Designed for teams of all sizes, it helps businesses organize projects, track progress, automate workflows, and collaborate in real time. With its flexibility, Smartsheet is widely used across industries for project planning, resource management, reporting, and scaling complex business processes.
Key Features:
Switch between views to suit project needs and team preferences.
Create automated workflows for repetitive tasks such as reminders, status updates, and approvals.
Share sheets with team members, comment directly on rows, and attach files for context.
Pros of Smartsheet:
Familiar spreadsheet-style interface
Highly customizable with flexible views and templates
Strong automation features save time and reduce manual work.
Cons of Smartsheet:
Can become complex for very simple task tracking
Advanced features like resource management require higher-tier plans
Pricing:
Free – For individuals, includes 2 editors, up to 2 sheets, and basic features.
Pro – $9 per user/month (billed annually); includes unlimited sheets, reports, dashboards, and basic automation.
Business – $32 per user/month (billed annually); includes advanced automation, activity logs, proofing, and more.
Enterprise – Custom pricing; includes enterprise-grade controls, governance, and advanced security features.
7. Basecamp - Best for non-linear communication
If ClickUp feels like too much, Basecamp offers a simpler, more focused approach to project management and team collaboration.
Image source: Basecamp
Basecamp is a digital campfire where teams gather to collaborate, communicate, and stay organized thanks to its intuitive interface. With features like message boards, to-do lists, and file storage, it prioritizes transparency and simplicity. Unlike ClickUp, Basecamp avoids feature overload, making it a great alternative for teams seeking a straightforward, distraction-free platform for project management.
Key Features:
Campfire central message board for discussions, file sharing, and project updates
Simple and clear to-do lists for assigning tasks, setting due dates, and tracking progress.
A dedicated area to store and share project-related documents and files.
Pros of Basecamp:
Helpful with team alignment
Simple and easy to get started
Reduces information overload
Cons of Basecamp:
Limited functionality for complex projects
May feel restrictive and minimalist to some teams
Pricing:
Basecamp Free plan (one project and 1 GB storage)
Basecamp Plus plan for $15 per user/month (unlimited projects and 500 GB storage)
Basecamp Pro Unlimited for $299 per month (unlimited projects and 5 TB storage)
8. Airtable - Best for spreadsheet-database power
Airtable is a modern work management and database platform that blends the familiarity of a spreadsheet with the power of a relational database.
Image source: Airtable
Its highly customizable structure makes it easy for teams to build workflows tailored to their needs — whether for content planning, project tracking, product development, or customer relationship management. With a clean interface, flexible views, and powerful integrations, Airtable helps teams stay organized while scaling complex processes.
Key features:
Work in grid, Kanban, gallery, or calendar views depending on your workflow.
Link tables together to manage complex relationships (e.g., tasks, projects, and resources).
Set triggers and actions to handle repetitive work like sending alerts or updating records.
Pros of Airtable:
Extremely flexible and adaptable to many use cases.
Familiar spreadsheet-style design makes adoption easy.
Strong collaboration features for teams.
Cons of Airtable:
Can feel overwhelming without a clear setup or process.
Not as strong in advanced reporting compared to dedicated BI tools.
Pricing:
Free – Includes unlimited tables, essential views, and up to 5 editors.
Plus – $10 per user/month (billed annually); adds more records, automations, and attachments.
Pro – $20 per user/month (billed annually); unlocks advanced views, more automation runs, and extensions.
Enterprise – Custom pricing; includes enterprise-level admin, security, and support.
9. monday.com - Best for visual project management
Monday brings a vibrant, visual approach to project management, making it easy for teams to stay organized and on track. Its simple design might be appealing to users who find the ClickUp app a little overwhelming.
Image source: monday.com
Monday has colorful, customizable boards that provide clear overviews of tasks and progress, ideal for teams that value transparency and intuitive design. With its user-friendly automation builder, Monday helps accelerate workflows and reduce manual tasks, streamlining even the most complex projects.
Key features:
Highly visual, customizable dashboards
Automated workflows to help team members reduce manual work
Team collaboration features to help keep projects moving
Pros of monday.com:
Highly visual and engaging
Easy to learn and use
Flexible and customizable
Cons of monday.com:
A unique way of working that takes time to learn
Extensive customization can lead to cluttered dashboards
Pricing:
Free plan for individual use with limited features.
Basic plan for $9 per user/month (unlimited items and 5 GB of file storage)
Standard plan for $12 per user/month (250 automation runs per month and more views)
Pro plan for $19 per user/month (25,000 automation runs per month and private boards)
Enterprise plan with custom pricing (all of Monday’s features)
10. Jira - Best for agile software development
Jira is a robust agile project management tool tailored for development teams.
Image source: Atlassian
It excels at managing iterative cycles, tracking backlogs, and resolving issues, making it an essential platform for teams working in agile frameworks. With features like customizable workflows, sprint planning, and detailed reporting, Jira helps software development teams streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
Key features:
Designed for agile development teams
Excellent issue tracking
Insightful dashboards and reports
Pros of Jira:
Agile-fluent built-in features
Very flexible and customizable
Detailed data-driven insights
Cons of Jira:
Difficult to get started with right away and may require training
The complexity of the customization options can be overwhelming
Pricing:
Free plan for up to 10 users with limited features.
Standard plan for $7.53 per user/month (user roles and permissions)
Premium plan for $13.53 per user/month (Atlassian Intelligence AI and unlimited storage)
Enterprise plan with custom pricing (all of Jira’s features)
How to choose a ClickUp alternative for your team
Finding the right replacement for ClickUp can be daunting with so many options available. However, by focusing on a few essential factors, you can streamline your selection process and find a tool that suits your team’s needs. Here’s how to approach it:
Assess your team’s size, budget, and workflow
Begin by evaluating the specific characteristics of your team. Consider the number of users, your budget constraints, and whether you need a straightforward management tool or a more comprehensive solution that includes features like time tracking and collaboration.
Assess what key features you need
Whether it’s built-in document editing, knowledge management, multiple task views, a dedicated project management space, instant messaging, or all these tools in one platform, it’s crucial to identify your requirements when comparing ClickUp alternatives. Doing so helps you quickly eliminate platforms that don’t meet your team’s needs.
Prioritize integration with existing software
To minimize disruptions, seek tools that integrate well with your current software stack. For instance:
If your team uses Google Workspace extensively, consider tools like Asana which integrate well together.
If you rely on automation services like Zapier, platforms such as Trello or Wrike might be ideal.
Alternatively, you could opt for an all-in-one tool to save costs and streamline your workflow by reducing the need to switch between multiple applications.
Test free plans and trials
Many tools offer free trials or freemium versions. Take advantage of these to explore the features, user experience, and compatibility with your team’s workflow. Involve your team during the trial to gather feedback and identify any challenges early on.
Choosing the right ClickUp alternative is about finding the best fit for your team’s unique requirements. Don’t hesitate to explore various options to discover the best solution for your team.
Why Lark is the best ClickUp alternative
ClickUp is a popular choice for task and project management, but it wasn’t built as a fully unified platform. If you’re looking for a smarter solution that goes beyond task tracking, Lark is the ultimate alternative. Let’s break down why Lark is the best replacement for ClickUp.
Truly unified platform
Unlike ClickUp, which focuses heavily on task and project management, Lark brings everything your team needs into a single, seamless superapp—messaging, video calls, file sharing, cloud storage, project boards, approvals, and more. Instead of jumping between apps, your team can collaborate, communicate, and execute projects all in one place.
While ClickUp provides a range of features, Lark stands out with its all-in-one approach, affordability, and powerful communication tools. From freelancers to small businesses to large enterprises, Lark delivers a comprehensive solution that effectively supports both project management and collaboration.
Cost-effective
ClickUp's free plan is described as being for personal use, which means you can forget using it for your business needs. In addition, many advanced features are locked behind paid tiers. In contrast, Lark’s free plan is fully equipped for small businesses and startups, covering communication, project management, approval systems, document collaboration and file storage at no cost.
If you compare ClickUp's paid plans with Lark's you'll notice Lark consistently delivers greater value—offering advanced features at a fraction of the cost. To see just how much your business could save, check out our Pricing Calculator.
Designed for global teams
Working across time zones and languages? Lark makes global collaboration simple:
Multi-language support: With auto-translation and translate-as-you-type features, language barriers are no longer an issue.
Time zone-friendly tools: Schedule messages and meetings that align with your team’s diverse time zones, ensuring communication is effective without disruptions.
Lark is designed for truly global teams, offering 16 in-app language options to support organizations with offices around the world. In contrast, ClickUp’s language support is largely limited to European languages.
On top of this, Lark goes beyond simple interface language. With built-in tools to translate messages and documents across 100+ languages into 24 target languages, Lark ensures that teams can collaborate seamlessly across borders. This multilingual capability far surpasses what ClickUp currently offers, making Lark the stronger solution for global communication and collaboration.
Built for every industry
Lark isn’t just a one-size-fits-all tool—it adapts to the unique workflows and challenges of different industries.
Technology: Keep product and engineering teams aligned with messaging, shared project boards, and real-time document editing—so releases stay on track and feedback loops are faster.
Retail: Coordinate store operations, update inventory levels instantly, and adjust staff schedules in real time to meet customer demand without delays.
Food & beverage: Track supply orders and share daily shift updates to maintain consistent quality and ensure smooth coordination between the kitchen and front of house.
Manufacturing: Centralize production schedules, track quality control reports, and log maintenance activities to reduce downtime and improve efficiency on the shop floor.
Professional services: Manage client projects, contracts, and billing cycles in one organized workspace, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are always clear.
Web3: Collaborate securely on decentralized projects, manage global communities, and share key documents across different time zones without losing version control.
Mobile-first experience
While ClickUp offers mobile support, Lark is built with a mobile-first mindset—making it easier for teams to stay productive on the go. From editing documents to managing projects and joining virtual meetings, Lark provides a seamless and intuitive experience across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.
When comparing scores on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the results are sometimes evenly matched, but Lark is a clear winner for Apple users, boasting an impressive 4.8 rating compared to ClickUp’s 4.5 rating.
Customizable workflows for every team
Lark adapts to your organization's unique needs with highly customizable workflows. Tools like Lark Base and Lark Approval allow businesses to automate processes, streamline operations, and centralize data—all tailored to fit your specific requirements.
Lark doesn’t just match ClickUp—it surpasses it in key areas like usability, automation, and global collaboration.
Final thoughts on ClickUp alternatives
While there are many ClickUp alternatives to consider, Lark stands out as a valuable tool and one of the best productivity tools for teams seeking a fully integrated solution. It goes beyond traditional project management by combining team communication, collaboration, and task execution into one cohesive platform, with a clean and intuitive user interface that makes adoption easy.
Lark supports time tracking tools and advanced project monitoring, making it ideal for managing future projects and keeping multiple teams aligned. For small businesses or those focused on reducing costs, Lark is the best ClickUp alternative that is free to use forever. Its streamlined, user-friendly design delivers unmatched flexibility and value. Whether for managing projects, enhancing communication, or automating tasks, Lark is a truly comprehensive productivity solution.
FAQs about ClickUp alternatives
Is ClickUp free to use?
Yes, ClickUp offers a forever free plan that provides a set of features for personal use. However, if you’re looking for a project management platform that goes beyond basics in its free plan, we recommend trying Lark. For example, with the Lark free plan, you get access to more than 11 different Lark products each designed to enhance efficiency and collaboration.
What is the best open-source alternative to ClickUp?
OpenProject is the best alternative that is open source. It offers similar project management features like task tracking, the ability to create recurring tasks, and advanced reporting, making it a strong choice for teams seeking an open-source solution.
Is ClickUp better than Excel?
ClickUp is generally better than Excel for project progress tracking and managing multiple teams because it’s an all-in-one solution. While Excel is a great spreadsheet tool, it lacks native integrations, reporting tools, and knowledge management features that ClickUp has. For businesses or sales teams needing more than just data tables, ClickUp provides a complete productivity tool ecosystem.
Does Microsoft have something similar to ClickUp?
Yes, Microsoft offers Microsoft Project and Planner, which are ideal project management tools for project progress tracking. They integrate with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and provide enterprise-grade security, but they may not match ClickUp’s breadth as an all-in-one solution.
Does Google have something similar to ClickUp?
Google Workspace includes tools like Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Tasks, which can be combined to manage projects. While useful as productivity tools, they all lack advanced reporting tools and project progress dashboards like ClickUp.
What are the pricing options for ClickUp?
ClickUp pricing ranges from its free plan to several paid tiers. The paid plans start at $5 per user per month (when billed annually) and include enhanced features such as unlimited storage, advanced reporting, and team-specific permissions. To compare plans, see ClickUp Pricing Guide.
What are some ClickUp alternatives for personal use?
If you’re seeking alternatives to ClickUp for personal use, Trello or Lark are excellent options. While Trello focuses on simplicity, Lark combines task management with built-in communication tools, offering a more integrated experience for individual users.
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