Feeling the Monday blues? We’re here to help.
The right project management software can work wonders for your team's productivity, streamlining workflows, tracking progress, and boosting communication. While Monday.com offers powerful features to manage your daily tasks, it might not be the perfect fit for every team.
If Monday.com no longer meets your needs and leaves you craving more, it could be time to explore Monday alternatives.
With so many project management tools available, choosing the right one for your team isn’t always easy. This guide will dive into the top Monday alternatives, comparing their features, pricing, and pros and cons to help you find the best solution for your team’s needs.
What is monday.com?
Monday.com is a popular project management solution often described as a centralized Work OS. It combines three core products: Work Management, Sales CRM, and Dev, all designed to help teams stay organized and collaborate efficiently.
Source: capterra.com
Launched in 2014 as daPulse, the platform rebranded to Monday.com in 2017, quickly gaining recognition for its user-friendly interface and powerful features.
Ideal for project management, CRM, sales management, and more, Monday.com offers essential task management tools, basic communication features, and a simple, intuitive interface. As a cloud-based solution, Monday.com enables teams to track progress, manage workflows, and collaborate in real time, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized teams.
While Monday.com is an excellent choice for many, some teams may find its features or pricing don't fully meet their needs.
Why is Monday.com so popular?
While Monday.com might not be the perfect fit for every team, there's no denying that it's making waves in the project management space.
At first glance, it may seem like just another project management tool, but the numbers tell a different story. According to Forbes, Monday.com has gained 25,000 new customers in just two years since launching its CRM product—a clear sign of its growing influence and user appeal.
So, what’s driving its success? Here are three key areas where Monday.com excels.
Easy-to-use interface
The demand for user-friendly interfaces is on the rise, with the UI design market projected to grow to $9.98 billion by 2028.
Monday capitalizes on this trend with its modern, intuitive interface, featuring colorful labels and seamless drag-and-drop functionality. Its ease of use—especially during onboarding and setup—sets it apart in the project management software market, delivering a smooth and engaging user experience.
Source: retrocube.com
Great customer support
Monday.com provides multiple customer support options to ensure users get the help they need, whenever they need it. The standout feature is its 24/7 live chat support, a crucial resource given that 61% of US customers prefer real-time assistance.
Source: monday.com
Beyond live chat, users can also reach out via email or submit a request through the contact form. However, phone support is limited to billing inquiries, which may be a drawback for those seeking in-depth technical assistance.
For businesses that require personalized support, Monday.com’s Enterprise plan includes a dedicated customer success manager who assists with onboarding, training, and ongoing account optimization.
If you prefer a self-service approach, Monday.com offers a comprehensive Help Center filled with video tutorials, step-by-step guides, and an active community forum where users can exchange insights and troubleshoot issues together.
Free forever plan and trials
Another advantage of this project management solution is the free forever plan and 14-day free trials of other plans.
The free version is limited to two users per account and includes only basic features. However, it still offers three boards, eight different column types, 200+ templates, document sharing, and whiteboards for remote collaboration.
Monday’s paid plans include:
Basic: $12 per user/month
Standard: $14 per user/month
Pro: $24 per user/month
Enterprise: Custom pricing
Limitations of monday.com
Like any software, monday.com has its drawbacks.
With 50% of knowledge workers saying negative experiences with digital tools hurt their productivity, choosing the right software is crucial.
Claiming monday.com is perfect for every business would be misleading. A quick look at G2 or Capterra reveals plenty of dissatisfied users sharing their frustrations.
While monday.com can be a productivity booster for some, it may be counterproductive for others. That’s why it’s essential to look beyond its strengths and consider its weaknesses.
Advanced features are limited to expensive plans
One of the biggest downsides of monday.com is that its advanced project management features are locked behind higher-tier plans, making it a costly choice for growing teams.
Upgrading to the Standard plan unlocks features like custom automation, integrations, additional calendar and timeline views, custom fields, and 20GB of storage.
However, even on this plan, you’ll face limitations—integrations and automation are capped at 250 actions per month, and key features like dependencies, time tracking, chart views, and advanced security are still restricted to more expensive plans.
As a result, monday.com pricing becomes a big issue for teams managing complex projects. For small businesses, startups, or those looking to reduce costs, it might be better to explore Monday alternatives that offer a more flexible pricing structure.
Limited number of boards per dashboard
This issue is closely related to monday.com’s pricing structure.
For starters, the free version is limited to only three boards. While Dashboards are free, an upgrade to the Basic plan only lets you create a dashboard based on data from a single board, while the Standard plan lets you combine up to five boards when creating a dashboard.
That may not seem like a deal-breaker, but it makes it challenging to get a comprehensive view of projects across different departments — which can be an issue for teams managing complex, large-scale projects.
The mobile version isn’t as functional
Both the Google Play and Apple Store predominantly feature free apps. As much as 97% of apps on Google Play Store are free. So, the fact that monday.com has both iOS and Android apps as part of the free plan shouldn’t be a surprise.
While it provides on-the-go access to monday.com, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as robust as the desktop version.
The dashboard looks different; it lacks some key functionalities for project management outside of the office setting — and, overall, there’s room for improvement.
That can be a deal-breaker for more dynamic frontline teams and project managers who rely heavily on their mobile devices.
Monday alternatives at a glance
10 best Monday alternatives in 2025
Effective collaboration and communication remain key challenges in remote work. While many project management tools tackle these issues, not all will suit your needs. Here are the top 10 monday.com alternatives to consider in 2025.
1. Lark - Best overall Monday alternative
Lark is the ultimate monday.com alternative, offering an all-in-one super app that brings every aspect of teamwork onto a single platform.
Lark combines the tools and features remote teams need to streamline their workflows, manage tasks and schedules, and handle daily communication — from one easy-to-navigate, intuitive user interface. That’s what makes Lark a better project management solution — and a top Monday alternative.
Key features
Base, Lark’s project management solution — a spreadsheet-based collaborative database with multiple views for project visualization (Gantt charts, Kanban boards, grid, gallery, calendar, and form view), templates, automated workflows, notifications, reminders, and dashboards
Meetings, Lark’s audio and video conferencing tool, with advanced collaboration features like Magic Share, subtitles with real-time translation, and breakout rooms with up to 50 different groups within a single meeting
Meeting recording and automatic transcripts with Minutes
One-on-one and team chat options — with rich formatting, real-time auto-translation, threads, and the option to share emails, convert messages into tasks that will show up in chat and on the dashboard, or schedule events within the chat — with Messenger
Lark Docs makes team collaboration easy with file sharing, co-editing, and support for 200+ file types. Your organization can enjoy up to 15TB of cloud storage plus 30GB per user.
Lark OKR for tracking individual and team goals, with progress reporting capabilities and dashboards with insights for data-driven decisions
Integrations
Lark’s app library includes a variety of integrations, with thousands more accessible through Zapier.
Limitations
Some advanced features may require users to visit the Lark Help Center or YouTube channel to learn.
Pricing:
Free plan available including 11+ products.
Paid plans start at $12 per month/user.
It is worth mentioning that Lark offers all these advanced features at a lower price point than monday.com.
2. Jira - Best for agile software development teams
Jira — Atlassian’s flagship product and the core of their software suite — is a bug-tracking and agile project management solution with a range of advanced features,
Source: infoq.com
According to the 17th State of Agile Report, agile adoption among software teams has grown to 86%—up from 37%—and has doubled for non-IT teams. If your company follows agile practices, Jira’s cloud-based platform is worth considering.
Key features
Scrum and Kanban boards for agile project management
Interactive timelines for tracking task progress and dependency management
Backlogs, Jira’s to-do lists that can be used for basic task management
Comprehensive reporting features with more than 12 default types of reports and insights
Customizable workflows
Intuitive automation builder with drag-and-drop functionality and hundreds of pre-built automation templates
Integrations:
JIra connects with more than 3,000 apps in the Atlassian Marketplace
Limitations:
There’s a steep learning curve. It takes time to figure out how different features work
Pricing
Free plan available for up to 10 users
Paid plans start at $8.15 with limited features
3. ClickUp - Best Monday alternative for customizable workflows
ClickUp — cloud-based software known for its highly customizable platform — is another popular monday.com alternative.
Source: thedigitalprojectmanager.com
Key features
15+ custom views (Kanban boards, Gantt charts, lists, calendars, timelines, whiteboards, and Mind Maps)
Intuitive automation builder with pre-built and custom automation
Reporting capabilities, including time tracking, ClickUp Goals, and task milestones
Real-time chat
Custom workflows and preset project templates for different departments
Lots of customization options, including custom fields, statuses, and task types
Advanced security features, including two-factor authentication, Single Sign-On (SSO), and HIPAA compliance (for Enterprise-level customers)
Integrations
ClickUp natively connects with over 50 apps, including Slack, Google Drive, OneDrive, Zoom, and Discord — with even more third-party integrations available through Zapier.
Limitations
New users might find it overwhelming and hard to navigate, which is one of ClickUp’s biggest downsides
Pricing
Free version available for personal use
Paid plans start at $7 per user/month
4. Airtable - Best Monday alternative for creating databases
Airtable, which has been one of the fastest-growing apps in recent years, has the look and feel of a traditional spreadsheet tool. However, don’t let that fool you. Its database system and project management features make it one of the top alternatives to monday.com available.
Image source: airtable.com
Considering nearly two-thirds of people have an average of two to three spreadsheets open anytime during the workday, it’s no wonder Airtable is a popular choice in the business world. If your team works often on spreadsheets, Airtable may be the monday.com alternative you are looking for.
Key features
Different types of views (Kanban boards, Gantt charts, timeline, calendar, list, form, and gallery views)
Real-time collaboration and comments
Automation capabilities with an automation run history
Multi-source and two-way syncing
Customization options, including custom branding for forms
Integrations
It has more than 47 pre-built extensions and supports seamless integration with other tools
Limitations
The list of integration options is limited compared to competitors
You need to upgrade to higher-tier plans to access additional project management features
Pricing
Free version available
Paid plans start at $24 per user/month
If Airtable sounds like your ideal tool but is a bit pricey, we recommend you check out our list of Airtable alternatives.
5. Trello - Best for Kanban-style task visualization
For a simple, cheap Monday alternative that focuses on task management, you can look no further than Trello.
Source: startupstash.com
Its Kanban-style boards allow businesses to track workflows and tasks at a glance, making it an excellent choice for retail and wholesale teams dealing with inventory or promotional campaigns.
Key features
Trello boards with advanced checklists, custom fields, assignees, and due dates
Dashboard, timeline, table, calendar, and map view
No-code automation
Customizable templates for more efficient workflow creation
Integrations
You can also bring additional features and connect Trello with more than 200 other apps with Power-Ups — including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, and Salesforce
Limitations
Lacks advanced features compared to Lark, monday.com, and other competitors. This makes it hard to use for managing large or complex projects.
Pricing
Free plan available
Paid plans start at $6 per user/month. This makes Trello a cheap monday.com alternative
6. Asana - Best for straightforward project management
Asana is a project management tool that’s very easy to use. This makes it an excellent choice for organizations seeking a straightforward solution.
Source: uk.pcmag.com
Asana’s intuitive design makes it a top monday.com competitor. It’s a great choice for organizations looking for a straightforward solution to manage their workflows effectively.
Key features
Essential task management features, with unlimited projects, tasks, activity logs, and comments
Several types of project views (lists, Kanban boards, calendars, Gantt charts, and timelines)
Pre-built automation
Resource management with workload and time tracking (reserved for higher-tier plans)
Advanced reporting and goal tracking
Integrations
It offers more than 100 free integrations — including Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, Zoom, and Notion — and integrates with Lark. Plus, you can extend the list of third-party integrations through Zapier.
Limitations:
Limited customization compared to competitors
Too rigid for complex organizations
Pricing
Free plan for up to 15 users and limited features
Paid plans start at $10.99 per user/month
If you’re not sure which to choose when it comes to Asana vs Monday, read our comparison blog.
7. Smartsheet - Best for planning projects with spreadsheets
When it comes to core features, Smartsheet is relatively similar to Monday.com and most other project management tools. The main difference between this advanced spreadsheet tool and Monday.com is mostly in the interface.
Source: management-club.com
Like Airtable, Smartsheet’s default layout resembles a traditional spreadsheet more than a typical PM tool. And if spreadsheet compatibility is a priority for you, Smartsheet can be a strong Monday.com alternative.
Key features
Different views (grid, Gantt, calendar, and card view)
Dashboards with widgets and real-time information
Activity logs
Custom branding for workspaces, sheets, and dashboards
Automated workflows
Bi-directional reporting
Integrations
Smartsheet integrates with over 100 third-party tools — including Microsoft Teams, Webex, Slack, Miro, and Excel. Plus, you can connect it to Zapier, which extends Smartsheet’s integration capabilities to over 1,000 other apps.
Limitations
It has a steep learning curve. This may be an issue for your team considering only 27% of people say they’re advanced Excel users.
Lack of security features on lower-tier plans.
Pricing
Free plan available for basic features
Paid plans start at $9 per user/month
8. Basecamp - Best for remote team collaboration
Basecamp is one of the oldest collaboration tools in the project management space, designed to help remote teams stay connected and organized.
Source: zapier.com
As remote work continues to grow, so does the demand for tools like Basecamp. In 2022, only 20% of U.S. employees who could work remotely stayed on-site, while 29% worked exclusively remotely and 49% followed a hybrid model. With more teams embracing remote work, Basecamp remains a popular choice for seamless collaboration.
Key features
Message boards
Real-time group chat
“All-access” feature for easier collaboration
Automatic check-ins that can replace status meetings
To-do lists with notes, file attachments, and due dates
Reports for quick insights regarding the latest activity, shared files, completed and overdue tasks, and more
Drag-and-drop file sharing
Integrations
You can connect Basecamp to other apps you’re using — including Google Drive, Dropbox, GitHub, Notion, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, and Miro — through so-called “Doors.”
Limitations
Limited customization options
No free version
Pricing
No free version. Free trial available
Paid plans start at $15 per user/month
9. Notion - Best for note-taking and organization
With more than 20 million users, Notion ranks as one of the fastest-growing productivity apps in the market. It’s an easy-to-use, highly customizable platform that’s best known as a note-taking app. However, it can also be used for simple, smaller-scale projects and task management.
Source: sync2sheets.com
Key features
Collaborative workspace
Different types of project views, including timelines, boards, and calendar
Notion Calendar, which allows you to sync multiple Google Calendars
Option to add subtasks and dependencies
Custom automation
Integrations
Integrates with popular workplace apps, including ClickUp, Asana, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, GitHub, Jira, and Zoom.
Limitations
Lack of real-time communication and reporting features. This gives products such as Lark a clear advantage — and makes it a great Notion alternative.
Pricing
Free version available
Paid plans start at $10 per user/month
10. Microsoft Planner - Best for Microsoft Office 365 users
With so many companies already using Office 365 software, it’d be best to find a task management tool that can be integrated with the Microsoft 365 apps that your team is already using — and that brings us to Microsoft Planner.
Source: www.bulb.digital
Key features
To-do lists and Kanban boards with content-rich tasks (files, checklists, and labels)
Basic task management
In-task collaboration through comments and file attachments
Integrations
Integrates with other apps in the Office 365 suite — including Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft To Do, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.
Limitations
Outside of the Office 365 suite, MS Planner has relatively limited integrations.
Microsoft Planner lacks any advanced functionality for project management, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to other Monday.com alternatives.
Pricing
No free plan
Included in Microsoft 365 paid plans that start at $6 per user/month
How to choose the best Monday alternative for your team
Selecting the best Monday.com alternative can be overwhelming with so many options available. However, by evaluating a few key factors, you can find a solution that aligns with your team's specific needs.
Assess your team’s size, budget, and workflow
Start by defining your team’s unique requirements. How many members will use the platform? What is your budget? Do you need a simple communication tool, or are you searching for an all-in-one solution that includes project management, automation, and workflow customization?
Understanding these factors will help you filter out tools that don’t fit your needs.
Look for tools that integrate seamlessly with your existing software
Your team likely depends on various tools, so choosing a collaboration platform that integrates with your existing tech stack is essential to maintaining productivity.
For example:
If your team frequently works with Microsoft 365, your best option is likely Microsoft Planner.
If your team uses Zapier to connect third-party tools, then software such as Lark or ClickUp may be an ideal choice.
Alternatively, consider an all-in-one collaboration tool if you're looking to save money on using multiple third-party tools. This way, you cut costs while creating a smoother workflow without the need to switch between apps.
Take advantage of free trials and plans
Many Monday alternatives offer free trials and free plans. These trials allow you to explore features, test usability, and assess compatibility with your team’s workflow.
Encourage your team to participate, gather feedback, and identify any potential roadblocks before making a final decision.
Frequently asked questions about Monday alternatives
Who is Monday.com’s biggest competitor?
Any of the products mentioned in our list can be considered worthy contenders. However, Lark provides the most comprehensive set of project management tools and collaboration features.
Is the free version of Monday.com worth it?
The free version of Monday is useful for small teams or simple projects. However, it only supports 2 seats (2 users) and lacks advanced features. If you need to get started with free project management software, we recommend trying Trello or Lark.
Does Google have something similar to Monday.com?
Google doesn’t offer direct alternatives to Monday, but Google Workspace and tools like Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Google Calendar can be used for task tracking and collaboration. However, it’s worth noting they lack the structured project management features of Monday.com.
Are there any open-source alternatives to Monday.com?
Yes, some popular open-source alternatives include Taiga, OpenProject, and RocketChat. These provide customizable project management features but involve a more technical setup.
What are some Monday CRM alternatives?
Top CRM alternatives include HubSpot CRM, Lark, Zoho CRM, Pipedrive, Salesforce, and Freshsales. These tools offer stronger CRM features focused on sales automation and lead management.
Final thoughts on Monday alternatives
Monday.com is a well-known project management tool, but it’s not the most versatile option for 2025. If you need a platform that does more than just task tracking, Lark is the ultimate choice. Unlike other Monday.com alternatives like Asana and Trello, Lark seamlessly integrates messaging, video calls, shared calendars, cloud storage, and real-time document collaboration—all in one place.
Beyond offering a broader feature set than Monday.com, Lark provides a free plan built for teams, not just individual users. Whether you’re leading a startup or a large organization, Lark’s intuitive interface and productivity-driven design help teams collaborate more effectively.
Why settle for less when you can have a solution that truly enhances teamwork and efficiency? Book a free consultation and demo today to see why Lark is the best alternative to Monday.
Table of Contents
