My top 3 ActiveCollab alternatives
By Jean-Loup Karst, Co-founder @Secret
Asana
Asana is another excellent alternative to ActiveCollab. It is a flexible tool that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work. For instance, a marketing team can use Asana to plan their content calendar, assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and monitor progress. Asana's timeline feature provides a visual overview of the project, making it easier to keep track of tasks and deadlines.
ClickUp
ClickUp is a cloud-based collaboration and project management tool suitable for businesses of all sizes and industries. It offers features like task assignments, time tracking, status updates, Gantt charts, and more. A design team, for example, can use ClickUp to manage their design projects from start to finish. They can create tasks for each stage of the design process, assign them to designers, track time spent on each task, and monitor the project's progress with Gantt charts.
Jira
Jira is a flexible and user friendly project management tool, especially popular among agile teams. It provides useful features such as bug tracking, issue management, and general project oversight. For instance, software development teams often rely on Jira to track their project's progress, manage tasks efficiently, and handle bug reporting. Additionally, Jira makes it easy to create user stories, plan sprints, and assign tasks across team members.
When compared to ActiveCollab, Jira stands out for its robust customization options and agile-specific features. ActiveCollab offers a simpler interface and ease of use for smaller teams or general project management needs, but Jira excels in environments that require detailed agile workflows and extensive reporting capabilities. If your team follows agile methodologies closely or needs advanced tracking capabilities, Jira is likely the best choice.
List of Alternatives to ActiveCollab
Here are some of ActiveCollab's top competitors in the Collaboration category: Asana, ClickUp, Wrike or Monday.
Asana's platform supports you across work management and project planning. The platform allows you to have more visibility in how your daily work is connected to the company's bigger picture, and how to better organize yourself, communicate more efficiently, manage tasks and deadlines in order to finalize your products, services or deliverables on time; less work about work, and more focus time on what matters most.
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Facilitate cross-functional collaboration
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Manage project portfolios
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Customize your processes
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Visualize project timelines
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Connect your favorite applications
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Organize your work in an optimal way
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Get detailed reports
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Automate repetitive tasks
Personal
$0 (Freemium)Enterprise
Contact salesEnterprise+
Contact salesStarter
$14 per user per monthAdvanced
$32 per user per monthJon Ward
Cross-Functional Power with Low-Risk Discounted Trial
We mainly chose Asana because it handles cross-functional work better than simpler task apps, and after getting a first-year annual discount through Joinsecret, it felt reasonable to test the more advanced features like portfolio tracking and custom workflows without overcommitting upfront
June 6, 2026
Why is Asana a good alternative to ActiveCollab?
I find ActiveCollab to be a great alternative to Asana due to its comprehensive project management features. While both tools offer task management, ActiveCollab goes a step further by providing advanced functionalities such as time tracking, invoicing, and project profitability reports. This makes it ideal for businesses that need an all-in-one solution for managing projects, finances, and team collaboration.
ActiveCollab also stands out with its user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners. Additionally, it offers a flat-rate pricing model which can be more cost-effective for larger teams compared to Asana's per-user pricing. Lastly, ActiveCollab's customer support has been consistently praised for its responsiveness and helpfulness. These factors make ActiveCollab a worthy alternative to Asana.
What are the differences between Asana and ActiveCollab?
I think that ActiveCollab and Asana, while both project management tools, have some key differences. ActiveCollab is more focused on team collaboration and task management, with features such as time tracking, invoicing and payment processing. It's particularly useful for businesses that bill clients by the hour. On the other hand, Asana is more about workflow management. It allows you to visualize your work in different formats like lists, boards, and timelines. It also integrates well with other apps like Slack and Google Drive.
While both offer task assignment and tracking, Asana has a more intuitive user interface but lacks built-in time tracking. ActiveCollab offers an all-in-one solution with a steeper learning curve. The choice between the two would depend on your specific needs: whether you prioritize ease of use and workflow visualization (Asana) or comprehensive features including finance management (ActiveCollab).
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Get deal for freeClickUp leverages AI to centralize all the apps and software solutions you use daily. No more juggling your email, project management, and CRM applications—now everything happens in one place.
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Project management
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Collaborate with your team
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Customizable status updates
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Time tracking
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Connect your applications and import your data
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Intuitive task management
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Multitask view
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Integration and API
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Custom pricingUnlimited
$10 per user per monthBusiness
$19 per user per monthNevada Hamill
Templates Streamline Onboarding and Handoffs
ClickUp has a bit of a learning curve at first, but once we standardized templates for recurring client onboarding, it saved us a lot of admin time and made handoffs between sales and delivery much smoother
June 6, 2026
Why is ClickUp a good alternative to ActiveCollab?
I find ActiveCollab a compelling alternative to ClickUp because of its robust project management features. It offers a beautifully designed and intuitive interface that makes it easy for teams to collaborate, track progress, and manage tasks. One of the standout features is time tracking, which allows you to monitor how much time you're spending on each task. This can be particularly useful for businesses looking to streamline their processes and increase productivity.
ActiveCollab also shines in its ability to manage large-scale projects with ease. Its powerful reporting tools allow you to keep track of all aspects of your projects, from budgeting to resource allocation. Plus, it offers seamless integration with many popular third-party apps, increasing its functionality and versatility. Overall, if you're looking for a comprehensive project management tool that's easy to use and packed with features, ActiveCollab is worth considering.
What are the differences between ClickUp and ActiveCollab?
I have noticed several differences between ActiveCollab and ClickUp. While both are project management tools, they offer unique features and user experiences. ActiveCollab is more focused on task management, time tracking, and team collaboration, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides a simple interface with features like task dependencies, invoicing, and client management.
However, ClickUp is a more comprehensive tool that caters to businesses of all sizes. It offers advanced features such as custom statuses, multiple views (list, board, box), and machine learning capabilities for task estimates. ClickUp also stands out with its customizability options and native automation features.
In terms of pricing, ClickUp offers a free version with limited features while ActiveCollab only offers a free trial. Therefore, the choice between the two will depend on your business needs and budget.
Wrike is a project management software that helps teams collaborate, manage tasks, and streamline workflows in a centralized platform, increasing productivity and efficiency.
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Facility scheduling
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Mobile app
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Class scheduling
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Interactive Gantt charts
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Team collaboration
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Project dashboards
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Time tracking
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IT asset tracking
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Booking management
Enterprise
Contact salesFree
Pinnacle
Contact salesTeam
$10 / user / monthBusiness
$25 / user / monthMargaret Smith
Commendable Customer Support: Responsive and Ready to Assist
Lastly, the customer support of Wrike is commendable, they are responsive and always ready to assist.
October 20, 2024
Wrike compared to ActiveCollab
ActiveCollab has better positive reviews than Wrike: 92 vs 85
ActiveCollab is easier to set up than Wrike: 4.5 vs 4.0
ActiveCollab is more suitable for small businesses thanks to its good value for money than Wrike: 4.2 vs 4.0
Wrike has more options than ActiveCollab: 409 vs 92
Why is Wrike a good alternative to ActiveCollab?
I believe ActiveCollab is a great alternative to Wrike due to its user-friendly interface and robust features. It offers a comprehensive project management solution that includes task management, time tracking, and team collaboration tools. Unlike Wrike, ActiveCollab provides an unlimited number of projects and tasks even in its basic plan, making it a cost-effective choice for small businesses or startups. It also has a built-in invoicing system, which is a unique feature not found in many other project management tools. Furthermore, ActiveCollab's customer support is highly responsive and helpful, ensuring that any issues are quickly resolved. Its ability to integrate with various third-party applications like Google Drive, Slack, and QuickBooks further enhances its functionality and convenience. Therefore, for its affordability, versatility, and excellent customer service, I find ActiveCollab to be a superior alternative to Wrike.
What are the differences between Wrike and ActiveCollab?
I have found that ActiveCollab and Wrike, while both project management tools, have distinct differences. ActiveCollab is more suited for small to medium-sized businesses, offering features like task management, time tracking, and invoicing. It's user-friendly and has a flat-rate pricing model which makes it cost-effective for growing teams.
On the other hand, Wrike is more robust and caters to medium to large enterprises with complex project management needs. It offers advanced features like Gantt charts, workload view, and custom workflows. Wrike also integrates with a wider range of third-party applications compared to ActiveCollab. However, its pricing is per user which can make it expensive for larger teams.
In conclusion, the choice between ActiveCollab and Wrike would depend on the size of your team and the complexity of your project management needs.
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Get deal for freemonday.com lets you manage projects from planning to delivery on a single platform, utilizing AI to streamline workflows and enhance team collaboration, ensuring you can track everyone's progress effectively.
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Kanban and Gantt Softwares
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Integrate all your tools
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Visualize your data
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Streamline your workflow
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Keep track of all your projects
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Collaborate in real-time
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Manage all your files
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Automate your tasks
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Custom pricingBasic
$12 per user per monthStandard
$14 per user per monthPro
$25 per user per monthRalph White
Flexible for Simple Tasks and Complex Workflows
We use Monday for campaign planning, and the mix of kanban, calendar, and dashboard views gives each team what they need without forcing everyone into the same format. The integration with Slack is handy for quick updates, and I like that the interface stays approachable even for less technical teammates
May 28, 2026
Basecamp brings value by providing a centralized platform for project management, team collaboration, and communication, streamlining workflows, and improving productivity. It offers a range of tools such as to-do lists, schedules, message boards, and file sharing options that help teams to stay organized and focused, easily manage tasks and deadlines, and track progress in real-time.
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Reminders
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Delegate tasks with ease
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Organize and share files with ease
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Role-based permissions
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Improve team productivity
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Stay connected on the go
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Stay on top of your team's progress
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Project templates
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Chat/Messaging
Basecamp
$15 / user / monthPro Unlimited
$299 / monthJordan A
Excellent User Interface
I find Basecamp to offer a great user experience. It's very clean and simplifies project organization. However, I wish it had templates for best practices in setting up projects.
October 19, 2024
Basecamp compared to ActiveCollab
ActiveCollab has better positive reviews than Basecamp: 92 vs 87
ActiveCollab has more functions than Basecamp: 92 vs 62
Teamwork brings value by enabling teams to collaborate and work effectively towards achieving their goals. It provides tools and features for project management, task tracking, team communication, file sharing, and more, helping teams stay organized, productive, and aligned. Overall, Teamwork helps teams save time, reduce errors, and increase their chances of success.
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Integrated time tracking
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Task board view
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Activity tracking
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Cost-to-completion tracking
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Customizable dashboard
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Supercharged collaboration
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Automated project management
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Mobile app accessibility
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Streamlined task management
Ruth S
Boosting Workflow Efficiency with Teamwork
I found the service provided by Teamwork to be incredibly valuable! It added so much to our workflow efficiency. Even after our initial subscription period, we were more than happy to invest in an additional year because of the immense benefits we were experiencing.
October 22, 2024
Teamwork compared to ActiveCollab
Teamwork pricing plans are more competitive than ActiveCollab: 4.4 vs 4.2
Teamwork is more versatile than ActiveCollab: 110 vs 92
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Get deal for freeTrello brings value by providing a visual organization and collaboration tool for individuals and teams, helping to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and increase transparency across projects.
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Set due dates and get reminders
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Data synchronization
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Invite your team
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Connect Your Tools
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CRM
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Track Your Progress
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Organize and prioritize with Trello Boards
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Testing/QA management
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Content management
Free
$0 (Freemium)Standard
$6 / user / monthPremium
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$18 / user / monthSable G
Trello Excels at Simplicity
Trello appears visually appealing and is very user-friendly for me. Its straightforward interface enables me to quickly grasp how to structure my tracking. However, I am not fond of the restriction on the number of custom fields. If I require custom fields now, I will likely need more in the future. I don't like being limited in the number of fields, which forces me to operate within the tool's constraints rather than my own understanding. I don't want to pay for something as basic as a field. I would prefer to be charged for baselining, enhanced reporting, or more advanced features, rather than being nickel and dimed for fields.
October 19, 2024
Smartsheet provides a cloud-based platform for flexible work management and automation, empowering teams and organizations to plan, track, automate, and report on work.
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Collaborate with your team
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Change order management
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Accessible from anywhere
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Key & lock management
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Improve communication and transparency
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Automate your workflow
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Project nanagement made easy
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Expense management
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Rescheduling
Kevin Garcia
Comprehensive and User-Friendly Training Resources: Smartsheet Review
Lastly, the training resources provided by Smartsheet are comprehensive and easy to understand, making the learning curve much smoother.
August 17, 2024
Smartsheet compared to ActiveCollab
Smartsheet pricing plans are more competitive than ActiveCollab: 4.3 vs 4.2
Smartsheet has more functions than ActiveCollab: 219 vs 92
Bitrix24 is a comprehensive saas software that offers a wide range of collaboration, communication, and management tools all in one platform. It provides businesses with a centralized hub for project management, CRM, document sharing, team collaboration, and more.
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All-in-one business platform
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Task and project management made easy
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Collaborate and communicate seamlessly
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Powerful CRM system
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Automation and workflow customization
Edward M
Efficient Communication and Improved Response Time: Bitrix24's Contact Center Feature Review
As a customer service manager, I've found the contact center feature in Bitrix24 very effective. It has streamlined our communication with customers and improved our response time
October 20, 2024
Bitrix24 compared to ActiveCollab
ActiveCollab is a better solution based on percentage of positive reviews than Bitrix24: 92 vs 81
ActiveCollab is easier to set up than Bitrix24: 4.5 vs 4.0
ActiveCollab is better at number of features than Bitrix24: 92 vs 81
Enhance team communication and collaboration.
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Get deal for freeEasily collaborate, stay organized, and boost productivity with Slack — the intelligent platform that brings together your team’s messages, projects, tools, and AI into one streamlined workspace.
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Threads
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$12 per user per monthAlberta O'Reilly
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We switched to Slack from Microsoft Teams for one department and the adoption was much faster than I expected. People understood channels and reactions right away, and workflow builder has been surprisingly useful for simple request processes. It is not perfect for long-form documentation, but for day-to-day coordination it is solid
May 27, 2026
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Get deal for freeJira is a powerful project management tool designed to help your team organize, track, and manage their work efficiently. It offers versatile features for breaking down complex projects into manageable tasks, setting milestones, and mapping dependencies.
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Visual project tracking
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Integrations
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Customizable workflows
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Goal alignment
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Dependency mapping
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Real-time performance insights
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Milestone tracking
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Customizable dashboards
Enterprise
Custom pricingFree
$0 (Freemium)Standard
$9 / user / monthPremium
$17 / user / monthGood Product
I’ve been using Jira for project management recently, and honestly, it’s just a genuinely good product. When you are managing moving parts and need to keep everything on track, having a tool that is actually useful—rather than just another administrative burden—makes all the difference. One of the biggest surprises for me was the onboarding experience. Powerful project management software usually comes with a reputation for being overly complex, but Jira actually has a very easy learning curve. It’s incredibly easy to learn and understand right out of the gate. You don't have to spend weeks reading documentation to figure out how to set up a sprint or manage a backlog; the core mechanics just make sense. A huge part of why it's so accessible comes down to the front-end experience. It features a really nice, clean user interface that gets out of your own way. I absolutely love the design and the customization options. You can tailor your boards, fields, and workflows to fit your exact operational style, rather than being forced to adapt your process to fit the software. The real magic happens when you start expanding its capabilities. Jira connects seamlessly with just about every other app you might be using. By hooking it up to the rest of your tech stack, it adds so much more functionality, turning it from a simple task tracker into a centralized hub for your entire workflow. Overall, it’s a highly effective platform that successfully balances deep customization with an easy-to-digest design. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2026
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