According to a recent report, the average business currently has as many as 371 SaaS apps in its portfolio — with over 80 apps used in most departments. Another report has shown that the number of apps in the SaaS tool stack — regardless of company size and industry — has reached an average of 87 apps per customer.
If SaaS sprawl has crept inside your business, too, you’re probably wondering how to get things under control again.
Project management software may be the answer you’re looking for — something that can serve as an all-in-one productivity and collaboration platform. The tricky part is that choosing the right tool for your team might not necessarily be an easy task.
There are many project management tools, and Asana and ClickUp are definitely two of the more popular ones. However, if you’re deciding between the two, it can be difficult to see which one works best for your needs. This article will give you an unbiased, comprehensive comparison of Asana vs. ClickUp so you can make the right decision for your team.
Asana vs. ClickUp in a nutshell
More than 85% of businesses use project management tools like Asana and ClickUp.
As the demand for real-time tracking, routine task automation, enhanced communication, project planning and monitoring, and operational efficiency continues to increase, the project management software market will continue to expand, too.
In fact, according to a recent report, it could reach $20.47 billion by 2030, indicating an overall CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 15.7% between 2023 and 2030. Within the small and medium-sized business segments, the expected CAGR for project management software for the same period is 17.3%.
Considering the compound annual growth rate over the past few years, experts have predicted the global market for task management tools would generate an annual revenue of $4.33 billion in 2023 — compared to $2.27 billion in 2018.
The growth of the project management software market stems from the increasing need to automate time-consuming, routine tasks, track real-time updates, manage complex projects, make informed business decisions, and ensure optimal use of resources.
Asana and ClickUp — two popular tools in the project management software category — were designed to meet that growing demand.
Both tools offer some excellent task management features. There are, however, some notable differences between these platforms:
Asana is the more traditional project management tool of the two. The user-friendly interface is clearly designed with a focus on simplicity — Asana can handle the basics of project management without overwhelming the user.
ClickUp, with its full suite of project management tools, emphasizes customization, effective communication, and collaboration and is marketed as “one app to replace them all.” As a ready-to-use agile project management tool, it’s an ideal solution for agile teams, too. It’s designed to accommodate different project management methodologies, so it’s also a perfect solution for agile teams.
Accommodating different project management methodologies is where Lark shines — it packs a powerful set of project planning and management features, automated workflows, and collaboration tools into one easy-to-use app.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which has the best features?
Gartner’s study has revealed that the main reasons why a business might become dissatisfied with the project management software tool they currently use and start exploring alternatives are inefficiency (49%), limited functionality (31%), and challenges of using the software (26%).
So, based on this study, the range of features, user experience, and seamless integration are the most important things you should consider when deciding between Asana and ClickUp.
That brings up the question: How do Asana and ClickUp compare in terms of their key features?
Let’s start with an overview of Asana’s most notable features:
Ability to create multiple workspaces for different projects and organizations
Different types of project views, including list, board, and calendar view (Gantt charts are available only to paid users)
Pre-built automation templates
Ability to customize automation logic with Asana Rules
A wide range of integrations with commonly used apps, like Slack, Zoom, Microsoft 365, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Adobe Creative Cloud
Access to key project statuses
Asana Goals for keeping track of company goals (available in Business and Enterprise plans)
Now, here’s a look at ClickUp’s most notable features:
More than 15 custom project views, including unique features like mind maps, Gantt view, spreadsheet functionality, and virtual whiteboards for project planning and brainstorming
Pre-built automation templates and custom automation
Automatic progress tracking with ClickUp Goals
Key communication features, including built-in instant messaging feature
Advanced dashboards with more than 50 dashboard card variations
Customizable templates, including ready-to-use agile project management templates
In-app video recording
Project hierarchy structure for improved organization
Built-in time tracking feature
Integrations with more than 1,000 tools, including native integrations with Slack, Zoom, GitHub, Loom, Google Drive, Dropbox, HubSpot, Google Calendar, and Discord
Last, Asana and ClickUp have native desktop and mobile apps — in addition to the browser version.
There are certainly some similarities here — but it’s obvious that ClickUp boasts more advanced features.
What’s interesting is that there’s usually a slight discrepancy between what buyers think they’ll need when choosing project management tools and the features that actual users find the most valuable:
Buyers typically view collaboration features, scheduling, and time tracking as the key features they expect to get when purchasing a new project management tool. However, project scheduling has proven to be the most valuable feature for project management software users — something that Asana and ClickUp — and Lark —offer.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which has the best integrations?
One report has shown that, in 2022, organizations worldwide were using an average of 130 SaaS apps. The chart below reveals just how much that number has increased between 2015 and 2022:
SaaS sprawl continues to be an issue for most businesses, regardless of size or industry. But what’s more concerning is that over 90 days, only about 47% of licensed employees actively use the apps they have available.
Why is this important?
This data indicates that most businesses — regardless of size or industry — are, to some degree, struggling with SaaS sprawl and managing more apps than they realistically need and use daily.
Besides, context switching can make it hard for project teams to remain laser-focused on their work. In that sense, connecting a project management tool with other apps in your tech stack — instead of constantly switching between dozens of browser tabs and apps — can be crucial for streamlining your workflow.
Regarding free plans, Asana integrations are more impressive — with more than 100 pre-built integrations and the option to connect to other tools through Zapier.
ClickUp, on the other hand, offers closer to 50 native integrations. Moreover, integrations for some commonly used apps — like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Tableau — are reserved for paid plans. But as with Asana, you get tons of advanced integrations through Zapier.
Most importantly, both platforms support custom integrations through their publicly available Application Programming Interface (API) and developer platform.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which has the best pricing?
The subscription-based model, with monthly or annual fees that typically vary based on the number of users, seems to be the most popular app pricing model. Gaming apps lead the way, with as much as 30% relying on subscriptions, while utility and productivity apps come in second, with just over 13%.
So, it’s no surprise that Asana and ClickUp use that same model, too. That said, the two tools couldn’t be more different regarding actual pricing.
That is to say — Asana’s pricing is significantly higher.
Granted, Asana offers a more-than-decent free plan — but so does ClickUp:
ClickUp’s Free Forever plan includes unlimited users, unlimited tasks, custom statuses, real-time chat for team communication, in-app video recording, virtual whiteboards, and comprehensive spreadsheet functionality. That said, the free plan is limited to around 50 native integrations.
Asana’s Personal plan includes unlimited tasks, five essential project management views, and a wider range of integrations. However, it doesn’t include more advanced features for project tracking or task dependencies and is limited to 10 users.
Next, you have ClickUp’s Unlimited plan, which costs $7 per user per month — compared to Asana’s Starter plan at $10.99.
Then there’s ClickUp’s Business plan, which costs $12 per monthly user. That’s where the difference in pricing becomes obvious, with Asana’s Advanced plan costing $24.99 — twice as much as ClickUp’s.
Of course, both platforms offer a scalable Enterprise plan with custom pricing and a complete solution for large organizations managing complex workflows.
Since we’re already comparing pricing plans, it’s worth noting that the average monthly budget per user for project management software ranges from $30 to $70, depending on the number of users.
Even at a glance, it’s easy to see which platform offers cheaper plans. ClickUp is, hands down, the more affordable solution for teams, regardless of size or industry. If you’re still worried about the costs of integrating new software, Lark is a ClickUp alternative worth considering.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which has the best customer support?
As the graph below shows, the leading reasons for contacting customer support in 2023 were related to reporting issues with the product or service and requiring additional information, both clocking in at 13%. Reporting technical problems and complaints were listed as the cause in 10% of cases.
Phone calls were the preferred means of contacting customer support (54%). However, digital channels — including live chat, social media, messaging apps, and other non-traditional channels — were used in as much as 38% of cases.
So, how do Asana and ClickUp compare in this regard?
ClickUp users can access 24/7 support — even if they sign up for the free plan. Moreover, Unlimited, Business, and Enterprise plans also include live chat support. Asana, on the other hand, limits 24/7 customer service to premium plans — Enterprise and Enterprise+.
Of course, there’s more to customer support than the 24/7 availability across multiple channels. What many users find just as important is access to other community resources — things like tutorials, webinars, FAQ pages, and training materials.
On that note, both Asana and ClickUp give users access to a knowledge base and feature extensive libraries of easy-to-follow guides and instructional videos.
So, while Asana users may not get 24/7 support for lower-tier plans, they get access to the community forum, Asana Academy — with courses, training, and webinars — and Asana’s Help Center.
Similarly, ClickUp users can access a comprehensive Help Center, the so-called ClickUp University, on-demand demos, and webinars. But unlike Asana, ClickUp has a dedicated Professional Services team to help with onboarding and integrations.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which is the easiest to use?
The G2 Software Buyer Behavior Report has shown that, while priorities can change, company size, scalability, value, and ease of use are generally considered the most important considerations for software buyers.
We’ve already talked about value and flexibility — so now it’s time to see how Asana and ClickUp compare in terms of ease of use and, by extension, user experience.
ClickUp gives you access to many unique features and customization options, making it an incredibly robust solution for teams of all sizes. However, most users agree it can be a bit overwhelming — especially for those with little to no previous experience using project management apps.
That’s not to say it’s hard to use — it’s not. And, as we pointed out earlier, you’ll have access to ClickUp University, on-demand demos, webinars, and the Help Center.
But overall, Asana’s intuitive interface feels a lot more user-friendly.
Simple menus, easy-to-understand labels, contrasting colors, intuitive features, and basic automation come together to streamline and simplify project management processes for Asana users.
Whether ClickUp’s steep learning curve will be a deal-breaker is up to you and your team to decide. What we can tell you is the implementation process seems to be a top priority for as much as 93% of B2B decision-makers:
Another factor that dictates the ease of use and implementation within the project management software category is on-premises vs. Cloud-based deployment. While there are some notable differences between Asana and ClickUp regarding user experience, one thing they have in common is that both platforms are cloud-based and hosted on Amazon Web Services.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which is the most secure and compliant?
As much as users value the convenience of project management software, concerns regarding data security seem to be one of the leading restraints when adopting such tools.
As we mentioned, both project management software tools are hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) — which serves as a built-in layer of privacy and security.
However, that’s not where the similarities between Asana and ClickUp end:
Compliance-wise, both platforms adhere to global privacy and security standards, boasting full compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and ISO 27018 certification, as well as SOC 2 certification.
Furthermore, all communication is encrypted over Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 — ensuring it can’t be viewed by third parties — with data encryption at rest done using AES-256.
Another similarity is both platforms reserve more advanced privacy features — such as Single Sign-On (SSO) and HIPAA compliance for companies in the medical field — for their premium plans.
Lark goes beyond ISO certification, having earned an enterprise-wide Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s CBPR and PRP certifications.
So, you can rest assured your data will be safe — regardless of your chosen platform.
Two-factor authentication has become more common in recent years. A 2021 survey showed it was used by nearly 79% of respondents — compared to just 53% in 2019.
So, it’s no surprise that both Asana and ClickUp offer two-factor authentication — even in their free plans.
And given that smartphones rank as the preferred means of multi-factor authentication, used by more than 70% of respondents, we’re glad to report that ClickUp’s Business and Enterprise plans offer SMS as an additional two-factor authentication method.
Asana vs. ClickUp: Which is the better PM tool?
Nearly half of businesses (47%) that have invested in project management software in 2022 report that they’ve previously relied on general-purpose office tools — like Outlook and Excel, for example — when managing projects. However, they often caused poor team communication, reduced efficiency, and budget overruns — urging businesses to switch to purpose-built project management tools.
That is to say:
The perfect solution for your team is the one that’ll address these issues and help you get the job done more efficiently.
We can’t make that choice for you — but we can give you some recommendations:
Asana is an ideal solution for those who’d prefer a more traditional project management tool with intuitive features, essential project viewing options, a wide range of native integrations, and a simple, user-friendly interface. Asana’s free plan is great for small teams of no more than ten people.
ClickUp is a better choice for larger project teams that need a customizable platform that goes beyond the basics of project management with collaboration tools, a higher level of project visibility, and advanced features for handling complex workflows. Plus, with cheaper plans, ClickUp can be a great choice for small to mid-sized teams.
ClickUp vs. Asana vs. Lark: Who is the clear winner?
ClickUp packs more robust features and customization options; Asana delivers a better user experience, boasting a more intuitive design. In short, both platforms have some distinct strengths and weaknesses.
So, how about an alternative to Asana and ClickUp?
As a productivity superapp, Lark streamlines your workflow by combining many collaboration features into one app.
You no longer have to switch between apps — you can do all your work in one place.
Lark boasts a wide range of features project managers will find useful — including project management capabilities with workflow automation, document collaboration features, Gantt view for project visibility, and individual and company goal tracking — and supports better team communication.
Even basic automation is a pretty huge deal these days:
As much as 66% of small and medium-sized businesses believe that automation has become a crucial aspect of their workflow.
Moreover, 88% of small and mid-sized businesses believe automation has helped them compete with larger teams.
Lark can help with that — and more.
Plus, we have a free plan that supports teams of up to 50 people. So, don’t hesitate to give it a try — it’ll be much easier to decide between Lark and other project management tools once you’ve had a chance to see our tool in action.
Frequently asked questions
Why shouldn’t you use ClickUp?
The number one reason you may not want to use ClickUp is related to the overall ease of use — or lack thereof. It packs many advanced features, custom automation, and pre-built integrations, making it an incredibly robust tool. But at the same time, the sheer number of features can sometimes be overwhelming. Due to the not-so-intuitive interface and a steep learning curve, ClickUp might not be as user-friendly as some other project management tools — like Lark, for example.
Why shouldn’t you use Asana?
The main reason you might not want to use Asana is the lack of some advanced features, especially compared to platforms like ClickUp. It’s a traditional project management tool with a user-friendly interface and many pre-built integrations — which is great. However, it has its limitations. For instance, it lacks a built-in whiteboard and screen recorder or email functionality. You can only add one assignee per task — and it’s not a fully customizable platform. Plus, Asana’s pricing is higher than many other PM tools, so it might not be the most budget-friendly solution for teams.
Is Jira better than ClickUp?
When determining if Jira is better than ClickUp, you need to remember that Jira is a purpose-built tool — designed primarily with software development teams in mind. So, in that sense, it’s safe to say ClickUp is a more versatile solution for teams from various backgrounds and industries. That said, Jira offers a more robust range of integrations and bug-tracking features and is better suited for agile teams. Ultimately, it comes down to specific use cases.
Conclusion
Asana and ClickUp are both powerful tools that can boost your team’s communication and increase efficiency. Both PM tools will help you get the job done — and make project management and collaboration easier.
The choice between Asana and ClickUp comes down to your needs, goals, and the features you value the most.
And if neither of the two project management tools fits the specific needs of your team? That’s fine, too — you have alternatives like Lark that are worth checking out instead.
Contact our team for a free demo and see how Lark can help you streamline collaboration and project management — all in one place.
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