ClickUp vs Asana: Which Is Best?

ClickUp is a better project management software tool than Asana. ClickUp has a more modern interface and features that position the service as a complete WorkOS, compared to Asana's slightly outdated look and less sophisticated functionality. Best of all, ClickUp has a genuinely good free tier — a rarity for any software.

That said, Asana remains a respectable project management solution, and includes a decent free tier, even if you'll be able to do less with it than with ClickUp.

Here, we break down the core differences in pricing, ease of use, and features between ClickUp and Asana.

In this guide:

• ClickUp vs Asana: Head to Head
• ClickUp Pricing vs Asana Pricing
• Asana Is Easier to Use than ClickUp
• ClickUp Has Better Features than Asana
• Final Thoughts
• FAQs

ClickUp vs Asana: Head to Head

Both of these project management software services include the basics, so let's tick those off, first. Asana and ClickUp are cloud-based – you can access their interfaces from any computer, tablet or phone. Both ClickUp and Asana give you list, board and calendar views that aid team collaboration and help users track task statuses.

So far, so similar. But it's not long before the two tools start drawing apart. And one key way they differentiate is on value – ClickUp is far cheaper than Asana. Pricing plans for both ClickUp and Asana include advanced features that let businesses get painstakingly detailed, with expanded time tracking and custom views and fields. The main difference is you pay more for the privilege with Asana.

ClickUp has the edge in most cases: It offers more features and integrations in its basic paid plan in comparison to Asana, and it has a more useable free plan as well. Asana isn't bad, however. Here are the biggest functions available from both tools.

ClickUp Core Features and Benefits

• Unlimited Tasks, Members, Storage, Integrations and Dashboards
• Unlimited List, Board, and Calendar views
• Guests and Permissions
• Goals, Portfolios, and Custom Fields
• Google SSO
• Goal Folders
• Custom Exporting
• Private, Protected, and Default Views
• Mind Maps & Timeline Views
• Advanced Time Tracking
• Workload

ClickUp goes far beyond the basics of project management software. It isn't simply a task tracker or fancy-looking “to-do list”. Indeed, the company has posited its software as being a complete WorkOS – an operating system for how a business or team can go about arranging and planning all of their key tasks, long-term initiatives and daily must-do's. It's an intriguing new approach to more effective collaboration, and WorkOS might just be the future of project management.

The lowest paid plan for ClickUp includes unlimited storage, integrations, and dashboards, added to the unlimited tasks and members that the free plan starts out with. Users will be able to manage guests with different permission levels, and can create goals and portfolios to better manage their projects.

The next paid plan up includes SSO, custom export options, and private views for more granular control over who sees what. Time tracking tools are included as well, helping managers keep an eye on workers' movements.

Asana Core Features and Benefits

• Unlimited tasks, projects, messages, and activity log
• Unlimited file storage (100MB per file)
• Collaborate with up to 15 teammates
• List view, Board view, Calendar view
• Assignee and due dates
• Project Overview
• Project Brief
• iOS and Android mobile apps
• Custom fields
• Admin Console
• Custom rules builder

The paid plan comes with Forms, Rules, and Milestones in addition to all the typical project management fixings (tasks, projects, messages, and activity logs). Projects can be summarized with overviews or briefs, and tasks can be checked off over the mobile app, available on iOS and Android.

The most advanced off-the-shelf plan includes a custom rules builder as well as the ability to customize forms. Users will also get advanced integrations that can connect commonly used softwares including Salesforce, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Tableau.

ClickUp Pricing vs Asana Pricing

How do the two service's paid plans compare? Both project management tools have surprisingly similar plan structures: Each has three paid plans in total, with the highest plan tier aimed at enterprises and available only for a custom price.

ClickUp pricing plans are Unlimited ($5 per user per month), Business ($9 per user per month), and Enterprise. ClickUp Unlimited comes with no limits on storage, features and integrations, or advanced reporting. ClickUp Business adds features useful for large operations: Two-factor authentication, quick sign-in through Google accounts, and (coming in the near future) advanced data exporting.

In contrast, Asana pricing plans are Premium ($10.99 per user per month), Business ($19.99 per user per month), and Enterprise. In addition, Premium's pricing changes to $9.99 per user after the first 15 users. Premium adds functionality to support a timeline, task dependencies, and milestones. Business's noteable features include portfolios, forms, proofing, and lockable custom fields

Asana's pricing is around or a little higher than the industry average — monday's pricing ranges from $8 to $16 per user per month, for example. Still, ClickUp undercuts the industry average across the board, with $5 and $9 per user per month prices for its most popular plans, compared to Asana's $10.99 and $19.99 prices for similar plans.

ClickUp vs Asana – Which Has the Best Free Plan?

Both services offer a free plan, but it's easy to pick a winner: The free ClickUp option is head and shoulders above Asana's free plan.

No only do ClickUp Free's perks include unlimited projects and unlimited users, but the plan also supports tasks dependencies, while the free Asana Basic plan does not. Dependancies let users pick which tasks must be completed ahead of other tasks, setting up a steady, predictable workflow. If you're looking for a free plan that actually lets your business set tasks and track projects, ClickUp Free is likely the one to pick.

Asana's free plan, Asana Basic, includes tasks that are sortable into a list view, board view, or a calendar. It's a decent sample of the basics to tracking projects, although it is limited to 15 users and doesn't include task dependencies, milestones, or a timeline.

In summary, the ClickUp free plan lets you operate the essentials of project management for your business, while the Asana one is more of a taster. Still, in either case, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan to meet the requirements of a decent sized team.

Asana Is Easier to Use than ClickUp

ClickUp and Asana both have customizable dashboards as their main view, with menus that allow users to quickly navigate to the right feature with a click or two.

The set up process is comparable across the services: They'll both require a little elbow grease to properly configure the apps, integrations, and custom fields each service offers, but won't be unreasonably difficult.

Customer service hours are another consideration. While ClickUp offers an impressive 24/7 availability, its support is only through email. In comparison, Asana offers email and phone support — but only during business hours. For those with a Saturday morning crisis, ClickUp's the clear superior, but those who prefer being talked through an issue over the phone may disagree.

ClickUp has more comprehensive spreadsheet functionality, as it supports formula columns, which allow you to calculate things automatically, whereas Asana has no such feature.

However, Asana wins in its automation and form builders, as both were not only easier to use, but also had more features and options within them. These include the ability to add questions to forms, and the ability to create basic automations with ease.

A test project within Asana

ClickUp Has Better Features than Asana

The services share a range of basic features, including the three most popular ways to view all projects: List, board, and calendar views. Users will get tasks, projects, messages, generous storage options and the ability to invite free guests with the paid versions of both services.

In some cases, ClickUp's advanced features are more, well, advanced than Asansa: Time tracking is one example. Both services include a time tracking function in their base paid plans, but ClickUp expands the time tracking functionality with it's upgraded plan, while Asana does not.

Integrations are a similar case. While ClickUp includes unlimited integrations in its Unlimited plan, Asana users would have to upgrade to the Business plan to access integrations for stalwart softwares like Salesforce and Adobe Creative Cloud.

FAQs