Top 10 Best Asana Competitors and Alternatives 

What To Look for in a Project Management System

The success of a project often hinges on the effectiveness of its project management system. While Asana stands as a commendable tool, it might not precisely match your team’s needs. Here are key considerations when selecting a project management system:

1. User-Friendliness: Opt for a system that’s intuitive and easy to navigate. Asana excels in simplicity, yet alternative options offer comparable user-friendly experiences.
2. Integration Capability: Ensure the system integrates seamlessly with your existing tools. While Asana collaborates well with many popular applications, less mainstream tools might require exploring other options.
3. Affordability: Consider the cost factor. Asana presents a free plan and paid options starting at $10.00 per user, per month (billed annually). Assess if this aligns with your budget.
4. Functionalities: Assess whether the system offers the necessary features like task management, collaborative tools, and a drag-and-drop interface. Asana covers fundamental task management, but if you require more comprehensive functionalities, exploring Asana alternatives might be beneficial.

Is Asana the Best Project Management System?

Asana Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Every plan, including the free one, offers unlimited tasks, projects, messages, activity logs, and storage.
• Mobile apps available for iOS and Android platforms.
• Integration for time tracking.
• Paid plans include unlimited dashboards and allow free guest access.
• Task templates are accessible with paid plans.

Cons:

• Phone support is not offered.
• 24/7 support is exclusively accessible with Enterprise plans.
• The default email notification settings can be overwhelming.
• More user-friendly tools exist.
• Improvements are needed for its user interface (UI).

Asana Cost

Asana provides three plan tiers, priced between free and $24.99 per user per month (billed annually). Additionally, it offers tailored Enterprise plans.

• Basic: Free
• Premium: $10.99 per user per month (billed annually) or $13.49 monthly
• Business: $24.99 per user per month (billed annually) or $30.49 monthly
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

When To Choose a Competitor Over Asana

There are several reasons you might opt for an alternative to Asana, despite its popularity in project management. While Asana offers numerous integrations, accessing advanced ones like Tableau, Power BI, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Salesforce requires higher-tiered plans. Competitors often provide these integrations at more affordable rates.

Asana lacks 24/7 customer support, meaning assistance beyond business hours necessitates waiting until the following day or upgrading to an Enterprise-level plan—a challenge, especially for bootstrapping startups.

Comparatively, tools like Trello and Wrike boast more user-friendly interfaces. If Asana’s UI doesn’t resonate with you or feels overly complex, exploring alternatives might be worthwhile.

Moreover, if you require robust features like resource management, Asana’s strength lies in simple task management rather than handling more intricate needs. In such cases, seeking out a different tool might better suit your requirements.

The Best Asana Alternatives of 2024

1. Airtable: Best for Advanced Users

Taking the lead is Airtable, which, akin to Asana, employs a drag-and-drop interface. However, its extensive feature set is geared toward proficient users capable of maximizing its capabilities. These encompass functionalities customized for distinct departments within a company, spanning marketing, product development, operations, human resources (HR), sales, and finance.

For instance, HR teams can seamlessly navigate the entire recruitment journey, from overseeing applications to streamlining the onboarding process. Additionally, Airtable offers tools for monitoring the sales pipeline, establishing project budgets, managing workflows, incorporating customer feedback, and aiding decision-making in marketing strategies.

It particularly suits organizations housing multiple teams that demand robust data tracking and efficient workflow management.

Features:

• Data Flexibility: Airtable offers versatile data organization, featuring tables, grids, galleries, and Kanban boards, enabling dynamic visualization.
• Collaboration Power: Team members can collaborate in real-time on the basis, of ensuring unified progress in project contributions.
• Field Customization: Airtable goes beyond traditional spreadsheets, offering customizable fields such as text, attachments, checkboxes, drop-downs, and formulas.
• Record Linking: Easily connect data across tables to manage complex projects and organize interconnected information effectively.
• Drag-and-Drop Ease: Airtable’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes rearranging data to match your workflow effortless.
• Automation Efficiency: Streamline repetitive tasks with Airtable’s built-in automation tool, allowing you to set up triggers and actions.
• Mobile Accessibility: Access and update your data on the go using Airtable’s mobile app, ensuring seamless workflow continuity anytime, anywhere.
• Integration Capabilities: Airtable seamlessly integrates with third-party apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Trello, enhancing its functionality within your existing workflow.

2. ClickUp: Best for Integrations

In comparison to Asana’s 100+ integrations, ClickUp emerges as the frontrunner with over 1,000 integrations, including Slack, API, GitHub, OneDrive, Google Drive, Zoom, Loom, Zendesk, and Time Doctor. Analyzing data from over 4,000 transitioning teams, ClickUp found that teams saved a day per week utilizing its solutions.

ClickUp features workflow automations and goal tracking, setting itself apart by introducing unique pricing termed “Let’s make a deal,” allowing users to propose their preferred price per user, per month. Otherwise, the cost remains reasonable at just $5 per member per month for paid plans.

It’s ideal for teams heavily reliant on integrations and requiring efficient workflow automations.

Features:

• Workload View: Presents a comprehensive overview of how tasks are distributed among team members, offering insight into workload distribution.
• Team Chat: Facilitates real-time communication and collaboration within the ClickUp platform, fostering seamless teamwork.
• Smart Notifications: Delivers timely and relevant updates through an intelligent notification system, ensuring users receive pertinent information.
• Custom Roles: Allows users to define and assign tailored roles within the platform, granting specific permissions to individual team members.
• Dynamic Recurring Tasks: Supports the creation of tasks that automatically recur based on customizable parameters, optimizing efficiency for repetitive work.
• Assigned Comments: Enables the assignment of specific comments to team members, turning discussions into actionable tasks.
• Docs & Notepad: Features a documentation and notepad tool for creating and storing important information directly within ClickUp.
• Customizable Board View: Provides flexibility by allowing customization of the board view according to individual or team preferences, fostering a personalized workflow experience.

3. monday.com: Best for Visual Task Management

monday.com provides an excellent alternative to Asana, especially for those who prefer visual task management. Using “pulses,” the platform allows task tracking with customizable details like colors, due dates, assigned team members, and notes. These pulses can then be grouped into “boards,” similar to Asana projects, offering users a centralized view of all project tasks.

Unlike Asana, monday.com includes features such as time tracking and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with Asana, enabling users to leverage Asana for specific tasks while accessing monday.com’s additional functionalities.

It’s a fitting choice for teams looking for visual task management and requiring features like time tracking and HIPAA compliance.

Features:

• Prebuilt Templates: Swift setup using industry-specific project and automation templates.
• Customization Features: Tailor workspaces with task column tags, colors, and background settings.
• API Integration: Extensive connectivity via the monday.com API for advanced tool development.
• Collaboration Features: Task assignment, progress tracking, and in-app communication for seamless teamwork.
• Workflow Automation: Streamline processes with a library of automation templates and customizable options.
• System Integrations: Link monday.com with essential systems for efficient data exchange.
• Adaptable Dashboards: Customize layouts to display information according to your preferences.

4. Teamwork: Best for Time Tracking

Ranked 4th on this list is Teamwork. Backed by famous companies like Netflix, Panasonic, HP, PayPal, and Disney, Teamwork prides itself on its ease of use and scalability. Its functionality also serves freelancers well, especially with its time tracking capabilities.

Teamwork includes all the same essential features as an alternative to Asana: task management, subtasks, file sharing, and comments. Additionally, it offers an important feature not found in Asana: document collaboration. Similar to Asana, Teamwork offers a free plan, although there are limitations in scope.

It’s the right choice for teams that require strong time tracking and document collaboration capabilities.

Features:

• Role Assignment Features: Tailor teams and subteams in Teamwork based on your plan.
• Gantt Charts: Available only in paid versions, interactive Gantt charts assist in timeline adjustments and adding tasks/milestones.
• Software Integrations: Teamwork supports over 80 integrations with popular tools such as G-Suite, Microsoft Office, and Zapier.
• Task Dependencies: Effortlessly include task dependencies during creation within the Teamwork platform.
• Budgeting: A recent addition allows setting hourly or fixed-fee project budgets, with automated notifications as thresholds approach.

5. Microsoft Planner: Best for Microsoft Users

Microsoft Planner is included with your Office 365 subscription at no additional cost. This makes it an excellent alternative to Asana, particularly for organizations already utilizing Microsoft products. Planner seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft tools like Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint, simplifying the task addition process from emails, attachments, and notes.

Planner offers features absent in Asana, such as the ability to view upcoming tasks on a calendar and receive weekly email summaries of progress. However, unlike Asana, Microsoft Planner lacks pre-designed project templates, requiring users to create their own.

It’s ideal for organizations already immersed in Microsoft products and seeking a straightforward task management solution.

Features:

• Schedule View: Understand project status by viewing task schedules and plan ahead with drag-and-drop scheduling.
• Multiple Task Assignees: Assign tasks to multiple people, a highly requested feature on planner.uservoice.com.
• Group and Filter Options: Gain deeper insights into tasks by grouping and filtering based on due dates for better deadline management.
• External User Access: Collaborate with external partners; grant access to edit tasks, buckets, and plan details.
• Due Date Notifications: Stay updated on approaching deadlines with email notifications summarizing upcoming tasks.
• iCalendar Format Feed: Import Planner tasks to Outlook for better scheduling and task tracking in your calendar.

6. Notion: Best for Templates

Notion secures the 5th spot among the Best Asana Competitors and Alternatives. Providing over 50 templates per plan, it stands as a notable substitute to Asana for teams embarking on new projects. These templates span various domains, covering product development, event planning, and social media marketing.

Much like Asana, Notion boasts a drag-and-drop interface. However, it extends further with a “block” system, enabling users to amalgamate diverse content types like headings, lists, images, code snippets, and files. Users enjoy flexibility in rearranging and customizing these blocks to align with their preferences. Notion also supports the creation of custom databases and the embedding of external websites.

It’s an optimal choice for teams commencing projects and seeking functionalities like custom databases and website embedding.

Features:

• Task Management Tools: Notion offers Kanban boards, task lists, calendars, and sprint organizers for efficient task management and project tracking.
• Team Calendar: Notion’s shared calendar displays ongoing tasks, aiding in long-term project scheduling.
• Mobile App: Access Notion’s functionalities on the go with its iOS and Android mobile versions.
• Document Handling: Upload and share images, documents, and spreadsheets within tasks and projects.
• Collaboration Tools: Share files and engage in discussions within Notion’s task comments.
• Security Measures: Integrate with SSO providers and control access with detailed permissions for tasks, teams, and projects.

7. Confluence: Best for Large Organizations

Coming in at number 7 is Confluence, which serves as a great choice for large organizations looking to increase collaboration across teams and promote internal connections. Notable companies like LinkedIn, The New York Times, and NASA rely on Confluence for their workflows.

Differentiating itself from Asana, Confluence offers robust sandboxing (unlike the less powerful version of Asana) and incorporates site versioning. Furthermore, seamless integration with Asana allows users to use Asana for specific tasks while also benefiting from additional Confluence features.

Tailored for large organizations looking for capabilities like personalized templates and optimized workflows.

Features:

• Project and Goal Alignment: Efficiently manage projects and synchronize objectives across teams for successful deliverables.
• IT Service Management: Empower development, IT operations, and business teams to provide exceptional service at a rapid pace.
• Agile & DevOps Implementation: Establish and operate a top-tier agile software organization, covering the entire process from discovery through delivery to operational phases.

8. Wrike: Best for Productivity

Wrike’s AI Work Intelligence improves productivity for individuals and businesses alike. It forecasts potential issues, allows early mitigation, and assists in prioritizing tasks by recommending which ones to address first. Users access real-time prioritization lists, suggested solutions, and risk projections.

This AI addition amplifies Wrike’s already robust toolkit. The Gantt chart visualizes project timelines and dependencies, while the Kanban board provides a clear overview of task progress and outstanding items. Furthermore, users can add subtasks, simplifying the breakdown of extensive projects into more manageable parts.

An excellent choice for teams requiring assistance with project management and task prioritization.

Features:

• File Management: Easy file access and versioning for client collaboration.
• Integrated Communication: Discussion within the work system for feedback exchange.
• Collaborative Editing: Simultaneous file access and task sharing.
• Time Tracking: Built-in timer for hourly billing tracking.
• Real-time Reporting: Easy report generation from live data.
• Visual Timelines: Clear project visualization with deadlines and milestones.
• Resource Visibility: Display of team workloads and resource availability.
• Task Management: Drag-and-drop organization for better task understanding.
• Mobile Accessibility: Dedicated mobile apps for easy access.
• Customizable Workflows: Adaptation to unique team workflows.

9. Trello: Best for Solopreneurs

Coming in at number 9 on the list is Trello, which serves as a great organizational tool not only for teams but also as a starting point for independent entrepreneurs to structure their businesses. Whether you’re a writer, social media manager, or virtual assistant, Trello’s user-friendly drag-and-drop interface simplifies task management across boards. Its Kanban view provides a quick overview, ensuring you stay on top of your process and upcoming deadlines.

Furthermore, Trello offers many integrations, allowing connection to many different work applications. For example, linking Trello to your Gmail account will notify you of comments or assigned tasks. Integration with IFTTT allows tasks to be automatically created in Asana when new cards are added to Trello.

Trello is ideal for self-employed people and small teams looking for a simple way to organize their work.

Features:

• Dashboards: Visual insights into teamwork and project statuses for customizable prioritization in Trello.
• Time Tracking: While lacking native time-tracking, Trello facilitates monitoring through work logs to identify potential bottlenecks.
• Customization: Highly customizable workspaces and boards in Trello with color-coded categories and file attachments for efficient task management.
• Reporting & Analytics: Trello offers reporting and analytics through integrations, providing automated updates on project progress to track goals.
• Budget Tracking: Trello’s templates support budget tracking by linking cards to financial tools, allowing real-time expense monitoring in workflows.

10. Basecamp: Best for Group Chats

We would like to end the list with the name Basecamp.
Basecamp offers two plans: one designed specifically for freelancers, startups, and small teams, with limited components like 500GB storage. The Pro Unlimited plan, priced at a flat rate of $299 per month (billed annually), unlocks unlimited projects, clients, and users, plus 5 TB storage, priority support, and guest access to advanced goods.

Choosing to pay annually saves 15%, while students, teachers, and nonprofits get free or discounted accounts. Basecamp is ideal for large teams, the platform’s unlimited user capabilities promote seamless collaboration, supported by group chat for easy communication between remote teams.

Features:

• Project Message Board: Central hub for project communication in Basecamp.
• To-dos Tool: Efficient task management specific to each project.
• Hill Charts: Real-time progress tracking tool for managers.
• Docs & Files: Collaborative file storage in Basecamp.
• Campfire and Pings: Robust instant messaging within Basecamp.
• Schedule: Tool for organized project scheduling.
• Bookmark: Quick saving of project items for easy reference.
• “My Stuff” Page: Personalized dashboard for users to oversee tasks, messages, files, and schedules across their projects.

Compare Asana Alternatives

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How to choose an Asana project management alternative

Are you in search of an Asana alternative but finding it difficult to know where to start? With so many project management tools flooding the market, selecting the perfect fit can be a real challenge. Here are some essential considerations to ponder when looking for an alternative to Asana.

Ease of use

When opting for an alternative to Asana, a crucial factor to consider is user-friendliness. You’ll want a tool that’s intuitive and easy to navigate, saving you valuable time that might otherwise be spent figuring out its workings.

Collaboration features

Another key aspect to contemplate when seeking an alternative to Asana is the collaboration capabilities. Seek a tool that enables task assignment, smooth communication among team members, and easy file sharing.

Customization options

Search for a tool that permits customization of task views, project fields, and various settings to align with your team’s distinct requirements. This customization will enable you to tailor the tool to your workflow, enhancing its efficiency.

Pricing and value

Take into account both the tool’s cost and the features included at that price point. Seek tools that provide various pricing plans catering to different budgets and requirements. Compare the features and advantages of each plan to identify the one that delivers the most value for your team.

Integration with other tools

Lastly, explore the integration capabilities of an alternative to Asana. Search for tools that seamlessly integrate with your team’s existing tools like email, calendars, or other project management software. This integration will streamline your workflow and minimize the necessity to switch between multiple tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best Asana alternative for small business?

Notion serves as an excellent competitor to Asana, particularly for small teams and businesses. It boasts over 50 templates for various workflow types, offering user-friendly functionality at a low monthly cost.

What is the best Asana alternative for large organizations?

Confluence stands out as the top alternative to Asana for large organizations. It provides unique features that Asana lacks, including customizable templates and workflows.

Why are people looking for Asana alternatives?

Certain individuals might seek alternatives to Asana because of pricing concerns, complexity, or specific feature requirements.

Is Trello better than Asana?

The choice hinges on your team’s needs and preferences: Trello leans toward visuality, whereas Asana favors structure.

Is there a free version of Asana?

Asana offers a free version with unlimited tasks, projects, messages, activity logs, and file storage. It supports collaboration with up to 15 teammates, includes a mobile app, and provides numerous integrations.

Is Asana better than monday.com?

Asana surpasses monday.com in task management and boasts a lower monthly price, considering that monday.com requires payment for a minimum of three seats. Additionally, Asana provides more integrations. On the other hand, monday.com excels in project management and offers round-the-clock support.

Is Asana better than Trello?

Trello suits freelancers and small teams for project and pipeline tracking, while Asana excels as a collaboration tool. Trello’s user-friendliness, visual nature, and Kanban-style board set it apart.