Best Asana Alternatives Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best Asana alternatives:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Managing projects can be tough, especially when your current tools aren't cutting it. As a product manager, you face constant pressure to keep everything on track, and although it can be a great tool for specific use-cases, sometimes Asana just doesn't fit your needs.
Maybe you're dealing with complex projects, or you need better customization or collaboration features. Whatever the case, finding the right tool can make all the difference for your team.
I've tested and reviewed various options, and I'm here to share unbiased insights on the best Asana alternatives. You'll find practical solutions tailored to your unique challenges. Here are my top software recommendations.
What Is Asana?
Asana is a product management core tool designed to help teams organize, track, and manage their work. It's commonly used by project managers, team leaders, and product development professionals who need to keep projects on schedule and ensure collaboration. Task assignment, deadline tracking, and project visualization features like Calendars and Kanban boards help with managing workflows and improving team efficiency. Overall, Asana simplifies project management by providing a clear view of tasks and progress.
Why Look For An Asana Alternative?
While Asana is a good choice for product management, there are a number of reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for an Asana alternative due to any of the following.
- You need more customization options
- Your team requires advanced reporting tools
- You find the user interface to be convoluted
- You find it lacks integration with specific apps
- You're seeking more affordable pricing plans
- Your team is growing and requires better scalability
- You need compliance with specific data regulations
If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several product management core options that are better suited for teams facing these challenges with Asana and looking for alternative solutions.
Best Asana Alternatives Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top Asana alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nifty Nifty integrates task management, tracking, and communication for cohesive workflows. | Best for all-in-one project management | 14-day free trial | From $5/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
2 | Airtable Airtable enables custom applications, flexible views, and diverse workflow support. | Best for no-code app building | 14-day free trial | From $20/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
3 | Freedcamp Freedcamp offers free tools like task lists, calendars, and discussions for collaboration. | Best for comprehensive free features | 14-day free trial | From $1.49/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
4 | ProofHub ProofHub centralizes tasks, discussions, and timelines in a controlled team environment. | Best for centralized collaboration | 14-day free trial | From $45/month (billed annually) | Website |
5 | Podio Podio adapts workflows with custom apps, boosting flexibility and task organization. | Best for customizable workflows | Free plan available | From $11.20/month (billed annually) | Website |
6 | Notion Notion provides customizable workspaces, databases, and embedded elements for flexibility. | Best for customizable workspaces | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $10/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
7 | Trello Trello simplifies task management with visual boards, cards, and drag-and-drop tools. | Best for visual task organization | 14-day free trial | From $5/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
8 | Jira Jira is a project management solution equipped to handle complex projects with issue tracking, agile boards, and detailed reporting. | Best for complex project tracking | 7-day free trial + free plan available | From $7.16/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats) | Website |
9 | Aha! Aha! helps teams set strategy, capture ideas, create roadmaps, and manage releases. | Best for product development teams | 30-day free trial | From $74/month | Website |
10 | Teamwork Teamwork offers time tracking, billing, and client management for effective project handling. | Best for client work management | 14-day free trial | From $10/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing product management software since 2020. As product managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.
We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different product management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.
Best Asana Alternatives Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best Asana alternatives that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Nifty is a project management tool designed to help teams collaborate and manage projects efficiently. It's suitable for businesses and teams looking for a complete solution to plan, track, and complete projects.
Why Nifty is a good Asana alternative: Nifty combines task management, time tracking, and project collaboration in one platform, providing an all-in-one solution that Asana may lack. It features a milestone-driven approach to project management, helping you keep track of progress and deadlines. The built-in discussion channels enable team communication without needing external tools. Nifty's focus on integrating multiple functionalities makes it a great choice if you're seeking a more cohesive project management experience than Asana.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a milestone feature that helps your team track project goals and timelines. The built-in discussion channels facilitate communication directly within the platform. Nifty also offers time tracking, allowing you to monitor time spent on each task.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, GitHub, Asana, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Suitable for various team sizes
- Milestone-driven project tracking
- Built-in communication channels
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming with features
- Limited template options
Airtable is a cloud-based collaboration tool that combines the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of a database. It's favored by teams in various sectors for managing projects, tracking tasks, and organizing data.
Why Airtable is a good Asana alternative: Airtable offers a unique ability to build custom applications without coding, making it ideal for teams needing tailored solutions. Its grid, Kanban, and calendar views allow you to visualize projects in multiple ways. The drag-and-drop interface simplifies task management, while the flexible database structure supports diverse workflows. For teams seeking customizable project management features beyond what Asana offers, Airtable provides a versatile and adaptable platform.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a flexible grid view that lets your team organize information in a way that suits them. The Kanban view provides a visual workflow for managing tasks. Airtable's calendar view is perfect for tracking deadlines and schedules.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Asana, Trello, Salesforce, Zendesk, Box, GitHub, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Adaptable to different workflows
- Easy to use for various teams
- Flexible data organization
Cons:
- Requires time to set up
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
Freedcamp is a project management tool that caters to businesses and individuals looking for a cost-effective solution to organize tasks and collaborate. It's popular among freelancers, small businesses, and teams that need to manage multiple projects efficiently.
Why Freedcamp is a good Asana alternative: Freedcamp offers a wide range of features in its free plan, making it appealing if you're budget-conscious. It provides tools like task lists, calendars, and time tracking to keep your projects on track. The ability to manage documents and discussions within the platform supports collaboration. These offerings make Freedcamp a worthy alternative to Asana if you're seeking extensive features without the high-end price tag.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a user-friendly task list that helps your team organize and prioritize work. The calendar view provides a visual timeline for project tasks and deadlines. Freedcamp also offers a time-tracking tool that enables you to monitor project hours effectively.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Zapier, Slack, Box, Google Calendar, Evernote, GitHub, and Trello.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers time tracking
- Supports document management
- Wide range of free features
Cons:
- Can be complex for new users
- Limited advanced features
ProofHub is a project management and team collaboration tool designed for teams needing centralized control over their projects. It serves managers and team leaders by providing tools for task management, communication, and project planning.
Why ProofHub is a good Asana alternative: ProofHub offers a centralized platform where your team can manage tasks, discussions, and files in one place, reducing the need for multiple tools. Its built-in chat and discussion features make communication straightforward and accessible. The visual timeline helps you plan and track project progress efficiently. These features make ProofHub an attractive alternative to Asana for teams that require a more centralized and controlled environment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a detailed project timeline that allows you to visualize project stages. ProofHub's built-in chat feature lets your team communicate without leaving the platform. It also offers file storage, ensuring all your project documents are easily accessible.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, Outlook, iCal, FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Zapier, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Visual project timelines
- Built-in chat and discussions
- Centralized project management
Cons:
- Limited advanced reporting features
- May need additional training
Podio is a project management and collaboration platform that allows users to create custom workflows for their teams. It's used by businesses of all sizes to manage tasks, projects, and communications in a flexible environment.
Why Podio is a good Asana alternative: Podio lets your team customize workflows to suit your specific project needs, offering more flexibility than Asana. You can build your own apps within Podio to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Its task management features help keep your team organized and focused. With the ability to adapt to various project types, Podio provides a tailored management experience that might be lacking in Asana.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable templates that let your team create tailored project structures. Podio's real-time collaboration tools ensure everyone stays connected and informed. The app-building capability allows you to design specific functionalities for your unique workflow needs.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, Zendesk, Outlook, ShareFile, GoToMeeting, FreshBooks, Campaign Monitor, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible project structures
- Real-time collaboration tools
- Highly customizable workflows
Cons:
- Limited out-of-the-box features
- May require technical setup
Notion is a versatile workspace tool designed for individuals and teams to organize their tasks, projects, and knowledge. It's favored by creatives, freelancers, and team managers for its ability to combine notes, tasks, databases, and wikis.
Why Notion is a good Asana alternative: Notion offers highly customizable workspaces where you can create pages and databases tailored to your team's needs. Its flexibility allows you to structure information in a way that suits your workflow, from simple to complex setups. The ability to embed various elements, like images and tables, provides a visual edge. For those seeking more customization options than Asana, Notion is a compelling choice.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to arrange content the way you want. With Notion, you can create templates for repetitive tasks, saving time and effort. The tool also supports rich media, allowing your team to embed videos and images directly into pages.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Trello, Asana, GitHub, Zapier, Typeform, Figma, Jira, and Twitter.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable pages
- Templates for quick setup
- Supports rich media
Cons:
- Can be slow with large databases
- May have a learning curve
Trello is a project management tool designed for teams seeking a visual way to organize tasks and projects. It is popular among project managers, freelancers, and teams of all sizes, providing essential functions like task tracking and collaboration.
Why Trello is a good Asana alternative: Trello offers a unique visual approach to task management with its board and card system, making it easy for you to see the big picture. Its drag-and-drop interface allows for quick adjustments, keeping your team aligned and organized. With features like custom labels and checklists, Trello helps personalize your workflow. Its simplicity and focus on visual organization make it a compelling choice if you're looking for something more intuitive than Asana.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a simple drag-and-drop interface, customizable boards and cards, and easy-to-use checklists that help your team track progress efficiently.
Integrations include Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, Jira, Evernote, Salesforce, Confluence, and GitHub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable task boards
- Highly visual layout
- Easy setup and navigation
Cons:
- Can get cluttered with many tasks
- Limited advanced features
Jira is a project management and issue-tracking tool designed for software development teams. It helps with Agile project management, planning, and tracking software development projects.
Why Jira is a good Asana alternative: Jira excels in handling complex projects with its advanced issue-tracking capabilities, making it suitable for development teams needing intricate project management. It offers features like customizable workflows and Agile boards, allowing you to tailor project management to your team's needs. Its ability to manage sprints and backlogs effectively supports Agile methodologies. For larger teams dealing with complex tasks, Jira's detailed tracking and reporting features provide an edge over Asana.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced reporting tools, customizable dashboards, and detailed permission settings, which let your team manage projects with precision.
Integrations include Slack, GitHub, Bitbucket, Microsoft Teams, Trello, Confluence, Google Sheets, Salesforce, Zendesk, and Outlook.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Suitable for complex projects
- Customizable workflows
- Supports Agile methodologies
Cons:
- May be too complex for small teams
- Requires configuration
Aha! is a product development software designed for teams to set strategy, capture ideas, create roadmaps, and manage releases. It's primarily used by product managers and development teams to plan and execute product initiatives.
Why Aha! is a good Asana alternative: Aha! offers specialized features tailored for product development, such as visual roadmaps that link strategy to execution, idea management to capture and prioritize customer feedback, and release planning tools to coordinate cross-functional launches. These capabilities make it particularly suitable for product teams seeking complete end-to-end product management.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a visual roadmap builder that helps you plan and communicate product strategy, idea management to gather and prioritize customer feedback, and release planning tools to coordinate cross-functional launches. These tools enable your team to align on goals and deliver products that customers love.
Integrations include Jira, GitHub, Azure DevOps Server, Pivotal Tracker, Trello, FogBugz, Jellyfish, Redmine, Zendesk, Salesforce, Google Analytics, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrated idea management
- Visual roadmap creation
- Customizable workflows
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to some alternative paid plans
- Steep learning curve
Teamwork is a project management software designed for businesses that handle client work, such as agencies and consultancies. It helps with task management, project planning, and collaboration to deliver client projects efficiently.
Why Teamwork is a good Asana alternative: Teamwork offers advanced features for managing client projects, such as time tracking and billing, which are essential for agencies. Its task dependencies and Gantt charts help you plan and execute projects effectively. The client permissions feature allows you to share project updates with your clients without compromising privacy. These capabilities make Teamwork a great choice if your team needs more robust client management than Asana provides.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include detailed time tracking, which helps your team bill clients accurately. The built-in billing feature allows you to manage invoices directly from the platform. Teamwork also offers task templates, which can save time on repetitive projects.
Integrations include Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, HubSpot, QuickBooks, Xero, Zapier, Microsoft Teams, Harvest, and Basecamp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Task dependencies available
- Includes time tracking
- Strong for client management
Cons:
- May need additional training
- Can be complex for small teams
Other Asana Alternatives
Here are some additional Asana alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Workzone
For marketing and creative teams
- Smartsheet
For spreadsheet-based projects
- Miro
For visual collaboration
- ClickUp
For task customization
- Bonsai
For freelancer invoicing
- Process Street
For workflow automation
- Wrike
For real-time project tracking
- Basecamp
For simple project management
- MeisterTask
For Kanban-style task management
- Hive
For productivity analytics
- Zoho Projects
For integrated project management
- Ravetree
For creative agency management
- Flow
For managing multiple teams
- monday.com
For quick and intuitive setup
Asana Alternatives Selection Criteria
When selecting the best Asana alternatives to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to product management core products, like customization and integration capabilities. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Task management
- Project tracking
- Collaboration tools
- Reporting and analytics
- Deadline management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Customizable workflows
- Advanced time tracking
- Built-in invoicing
- Real-time collaboration
- Visual project planning
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy navigation
- Quick access to features
- User-friendly design
- Minimal learning curve
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Pre-made templates
- Interactive product tours
- Chatbot assistance
- Access to webinars
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Access to knowledgeable reps
- Multiple support channels
- Response time
- Help center resources
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Feature-to-cost ratio
- Availability of free trials
- Flexible subscription plans
- Cost savings over time
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Frequent complaints or praises
- Commonly mentioned features
- Ease of use feedback
- Support experience reviews
Asana Key Features
Here are some of the key features of Asana, to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:
- Task management: Allows you to create, assign, and track tasks to keep your projects organized.
- Project timelines: Helps visualize project schedules and deadlines, ensuring your team stays on track.
- Boards and calendars: Provides visual tools for project planning and management, aiding your team's organization.
- Real-time updates: Keeps your team informed with instant notifications, enhancing collaboration and accountability.
- Portfolios: This lets you organize projects by account or team, useful for managing numerous projects efficiently.
- Asana Intelligence: Offers AI-driven insights and suggestions to improve project outcomes and save time.
- Collaboration tools: Facilitates communication with message boards and file attachments within tasks.
- Gantt view: Assists in building projects, setting dependencies, and visualizing timelines with a drag-and-drop interface.
- Proofing feature: Converts feedback into subtasks, helping teams manage content production efficiently.
- Custom fields: This enables you to tailor project details to fit your specific workflow needs. It looks like your message is empty. How can I assist you further? If you have any instructions or questions, feel free to let me know!
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