1. Lark — Best for unified business management and collaboration

With Lark, you can manage all your chats, meetings, calendars, docs, emails, and projects in one place. You can automate operational routines, track task completion, and gain actionable insights instantly with Lark Base.

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Key features

Here are some of Lark Base's key features:

• Shared calendars: Say you’re a manager and need to set up a meeting. Instead of asking your team what time works for them and waiting for their responses, you could simply view their calendars side by side. Then, schedule the meeting at a time that works for all attendees.

• Robust collaboration features: Lark has integrated messaging, group chat, and meeting features. So, you don’t have to juggle multiple platforms for different purposes when you use Lark.

• Automated captions: When you host a meeting in Lark, you’ll automatically get captions at the end. This ensures you focus on engaging in the meeting instead of taking notes.

• Automated repetitive tasks: Lark Base has an automated workflow feature where you can set up rules and have them auto-run. With this, you can create events, tasks, and groups directly from the database, reducing repetitive work while keeping your team fully aligned.

• Dynamic views: Lark Base’s Dynamic Views are more advanced than Asana as they allow you to create multiple views for the same data source, with each view having its filters. You can also create custom views tailored to your business needs, making viewing and analyzing data easier.

• AI content generation: By connecting your OpenAI account with Lark Base, you can generate custom prompts using the prompt template and data fields you have. Then, the results will be automatically filled in.

• Mobile-first approach: Lark is optimized for iOS and Android mobile devices, making it easy to manage your projects on the go. More importantly, you can also use all the features from the app's desktop version. In comparison, Asana’s mobile app doesn’t have all the features in its desktop version, and some reported issues on Asana’s app, such as freezing or crashing.

Integrations

Lark offers integrations with these apps and services:

• Zapier

• Power BI

• Facebook Pages

• Zeplin

• HubSpot

• GitLab

• Microsoft Teams

Pros

• Unified platform for all your business needs

• Built-in communication and collaboration tools

• Mobile-first approach for on-the-go productivity

• Free forever plan and affordable paid plans (starting at $12 per user per month)

Cons

• The steep learning curve when using customizations

• The mobile version can be challenging to use for some users

Pricing

Lark offers several pricing plans, including a starter pack that you can get for free. This $0 plan includes unlimited messaging, audio and video calls, calendar, docs, task management features, the admin console, and 100 GB of cloud storage.

Once you’re ready to get a paid plan, here are your options and included features for each:

2. monday.com — Best for building custom workflows

Another great option to consider if you’re looking for an alternative to Asana is monday.com. It is best for building custom workflows, offering flexibility and customization options.

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Key features

Here are some features you can enjoy with monday.com

• Extensive customization options for workflow designs: monday.com lets you create your automation flow with a trigger, a condition, and actions and use the drag and drop blocks feature.

• A wide range of templates for different project needs: Some templates on monday.com work for content planning, editorial calendars, and campaign tracking.

• A centralized place for all your tasks, processes, tools, and files: You can access everything you need in one place, helping you get organized and focused on your tasks.

• Assign tasks to team members: By adding the People Column, you can assign team members to specific tasks.

• Track time spent on a task: Available only on Pro and Enterprise plans, this feature allows you to add a time tracking column and start the timer activity.

Integrations

Here are some integrations you can use with monday.com:

• Slack

• Gmail

• Mailchimp

• DocuSign

• Microsoft Teams

Pros

• Customizable workflows

• Free forever starter pack

• Offers a wide range of templates for varying project needs

Cons

• Limited integrations

• The mobile version is difficult to use

Pricing

You can get a free starter pack at monday.com to try it out first. It includes over 200 templates, 500 MB of cloud storage, and unlimited messaging and updates. monday.com offers a 14-day free trial for its Basic, Standard, and Pro plans.

Check out the pricing for monday.com plans below:

3. Trello — Best for simple project management through cards

As a visual collaboration tool, Trello allows you to use cards to represent tasks and boards to represent projects. You can create cards for tasks, assign them to your team members, and even add due dates, files, and comments. Trello is the best tool for simple projects that don’t require complex workflows.

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Key features

Trello offers the following features:

• Visual project management tool: You can create cards and boards for tasks, assign them to team members, indicate due dates, and add files and comments on cards.

• Lets you manage projects through a board, list, and card system: With these, you can easily organize your projects.

• Leave feedback on specific tasks: You can use the comment feature to leave feedback on specific tasks.

• Assign tasks to team members and set deadlines: Trello’s advanced checklist allows you to assign tasks and set deadlines, making it easier to see and keeping the team accountable.

Integrations

Here are some integrations that work with Trello:

• Slack

• Time Doctor

• Detectify

• Kanban WIP

• Make

Pros

• Simple and easy-to-use board, list, and card system

• Over 200 integrations

• Unlimited number of team members on the Free plan

Cons

• Limited functionalities and advanced features like reporting

• Not suitable for larger teams

Pricing

Trello has a free plan that allows you to create unlimited cards, custom backgrounds, and stickers and collaborate with an unlimited number of team members. Its paid plans also let you enjoy a 14-day free trial. To learn more about its pricing, check out the table below:

4. Airtable — Best for tracking and organizing data

Airtable, a cloud-based relational database, is highly customizable and flexible, making it an excellent choice to track and organize data.

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Unlike Asana, Airtable is designed to store and manage business data, such as org charts, campaign results, and visual assets.

Key features

Airtable has the following key features:

• Manage a database with the familiarity of a spreadsheet: With this, Airtable makes it easy to store, manage, and retrieve your data.

• Build unique workflows: You can map out your team’s workflows, determine the key information and people involved in the project, and turn these into a solution fitting your team’s needs.

• Use project management templates: Some templates available include project planner and tracker, project budget, and project calendar.

Integrations

Here are some integrations you can use on Airtable.

• Google Drive

• Salesforce

• Zendesk

• Basecamp

• Jira

Pros

• Has built-in automations

• Offers project management templates

• Customizable workflows depending on your needs

Cons

• Limited features before price upgrade is required

• Limited integrations

Pricing

Airtable has a Free plan available to individual users and very small teams. It also has a 14-day free trial on its Team plan. To learn more about its pricing, check out the table below:

5. Notion — Best for comprehensive project documentation

Notion, a cloud-based productivity tool, is one of the top alternatives to Asana. Its comprehensive project documentation capabilities allow you to create and manage detailed project documentation within a single location.

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Key features

• All-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, and databases: Keep track of your work in one place, making it easier to stay productive and organized.

• Customizable for various project needs: Choose from pre-designed templates, modify these templates, or create templates from scratch to match your business needs and workflow preferences.

• Collaboration-friendly, with robust sharing and commenting features: Edit the same page simultaneously with your teammates, leave comments, mention your team members, and receive notifications about page updates.

Integrations

Here are some integrations you can use with Notion:

• Gmail

• Slack

• Typeform

• Zapier

• Google Calendar

Pros

• Offer pre-designed templates and lets you create your own template

• Has features to improve team communication and collaboration

• Integrates with popular tools

Cons

• Can be overwhelming for new users

• No goal tracking

Pricing

Notion offers a free tier for personal use but has limited functionalities. If you want to use Notion for free, you can request a trial run on Business and Enterprise plans by contacting their sales team. Check out Notion’s plan pricing below.

6. ClickUp — Best for teamwork management

A powerful productivity platform, ClickUp offers a complete work management solution for project management, which includes time tracking, team collaboration, and goal and progress tracking.

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Key features

Here are some of its key features:

• Manage tasks, docs, and goals: Manage your tasks, create and edit documents, and track your team’s progress toward your goals.

• Centralized project-related communication: Create a centralized hub for all your project-related communication.

• Brainstorm ideas with whiteboards: Create whiteboards to visualize and analyze ideas, break down complex ideas, and capture new ideas as they happen.

• Real-time collaboration: No more need for needless meetings; team members can communicate, add, and update tasks in real-time

• Automate business processes: Use pre-built workflow automations or create your own to automate repetitive tasks.

Integrations

You can use these apps and services with ClickUp:

• Zoom

• GitHub

• Zendesk

• Intercom

• Harvest Time Tracking

Pros

• Customizable

• Offers real-time collaboration features

• Over 50 pre-built workflow automation commands

Cons

• Steep learning curve

• Pricing can be expensive for small teams

Pricing

ClickUp offers a free forever plan ideal for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small business owners. As for free trials, ClickUp only allows users to try the AI feature for free, up to 100 uses.

To learn more about ClickUp’s pricing, check out the table below:

7. Basecamp — Best for team collaboration

Basecamp is a collaboration and project management tool that offers essential features, such as task lists, docs, files, calendars, messages, and auto-check-ins. Its minimalist design lets teams work in a distraction-free environment and easily collaborate.

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Key features

Check out these key Basecamp features:

• Card Table: Visual, Kanban table to help you organize tasks.

• Organize and share docs and media files: You can store, share, and discuss files in an organized space.

• To-Dos: Organize work by assigning tasks and setting due dates on your To-Dos.

• Leave feedback on tasks: With the commenting feature, you can comment on tasks, messages, and files and even mention your team members to notify them.

• Chat with team members: With Campfire, Basecamp’s chat feature, you can ask questions, share news, mention people to get their attention and have fun with sounds and emojis with your team members.

Integrations

• Git Helpers

• TaskClone

• Clockify

• Ziflow

• Zapier

Pros

• User-friendly interface

• Free trial for all its paid plans

• Built-in communication and collaboration tools

Cons

• Limited integrations

• Limited project management features

Pricing

Basecamp doesn’t offer a free plan. However, you can try Basecamp’s premium features by signing up for a 30-day free trial on any paid plans. Once the trial is up, these prices apply depending on your plan.

8. nTask — Best for risk management

Among the best alternatives to Asana is nTask. Aside from being a project management tool, it also offers features that make it an ideal choice for risk management. These features include custom risk matrices, filters, and custom categorization for risk assessment.

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Features

Here are some key features nTask offers:

• nTask Boards: This feature follows the Kanban methodology, allowing you to manage tasks and projects in a board view.

• nTask Gantt Chart: You can plan, manage timelines, visualize projects, and get real-time updates.

• Issue tracking: Track bugs and issues, set severity, issue status, and priority, and link to tasks and projects.

• Meetings: Schedule within nTask, integrate with Teams, Google, Skype, etc., create meeting agendas, and take real-time meeting minutes.

• Manage, monitor, and evaluate risks: Create and analyze risk matrix, develop mitigation plans, and get risk updates.

• Visual reporting: Make quick decisions by creating custom reporting with visual-friendly data presentation.

Integrations

Here are some popular tools you can use with nTask:

• Zoom

• Google Calendar

• Outlook Calendar

• Apple Calendar

• Slack

Pros

• Gantt charts and Kanban boards

• Easy-to-use interface

• Visual reporting

Cons

• Limited customizations

• No mobile app

nTask pricing

Besides its free plan, you can enjoy more features by signing up for nTask’s 7-day free trial on premium and business plans. It also offers up to 50% discount for NGOs, educational institutions, and early-stage startups.

Check out the pricing below to know more about how much nTask costs after your free trial is up.

9. Jira — Best for streamlining workflows for software projects

As an alternative to Asana, Jira is designed to help software development teams and engineering and product design teams manage projects. Its advanced features and integrations, such as agile project management solutions, make it a top choice for streamlining workflows for software projects.

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Features

Jira has the following features for software project management:

• Timeline view: Map work items, dependencies, and releases on a timeline.

• Scrum and Kanban boards: Get a visual representation to track your team’s progress and identify crucial bottlenecks.

• Drag and drop automation: Automate tedious and repetitive tasks by dragging and dropping if-else rules together.

• Check code and deployment status at a glance: Integrate your source code tools and visualize your project progress through your deployment process.

Integrations

Here are some integrations you can use with Jira:

• Bitbucket

• Figma

• GitHub

• Jenkins

• Opsgenie

Pros

• Issue management, bug, and issue tracking

• Instant ticketing features

• Customizable dashboards

Cons

• Can be complex to use for non-software projects

• Higher pricing compared to other project management tools

Pricing

Jira offers a free trial that lasts for seven days, where you can enjoy some of its premium features. Check out the pricing table below to learn more about your options: