Best Asana alternatives for freelancers & agencies (2026)

Asana keeps your tasks organized, but once you need to bill the client, there are no proposals or contracts, no invoicing or payments, no branded client portal for progress updates, no time tracking that connects to billing, etc... Asana handles project management, but you end up chasing down changes across tools because the project and the invoice don't talk to each other.

The right Asana alternative keeps your task boards and timelines but adds proposals that create projects, contracts clients can sign, and invoices that update when scope changes.

This page breaks down 5 Asana alternatives by pricing, features, and fit so you can find the right one without testing all 5 yourself.

Last updated January 2026

4.6

TLDR (summary)

Best Asana alternative in 2026: Plutio combines proposals, contracts, invoicing, and project management in one platform, starting at $19/month.

Why freelancers switch from Asana: Asana handles task organization with boards, lists, and timelines, but there are no built-in proposals, contracts, or invoicing. You can only assign one person per task. There's no client portal, so clients can't see progress without being added to your internal workspace.

What Plutio adds: Client work connected to project management. When a client approves your proposal, Plutio creates the project automatically with tasks from your scope. Clients get a branded portal to check progress and approve deliverables. Multiple assignees per task, invoices tied to milestones, and pricing per workspace, not per user.

Other alternatives on this page: Monday.com (visual boards and automation, but no invoicing), Trello (simple Kanban boards, but no time tracking or billing). See full comparison table below.

What is Asana and what does it do?

Asana is a project management platform for organizing team work with tasks, deadlines, and multiple project views. Asana is built for organizing team work with tasks, deadlines, and project views. It's designed for managing internal projects where you need clear ownership and progress tracking.

Asana handles:

Planning projects with lists, boards, timelines, and calendars
Assigning tasks with owners, due dates, and priorities
Reusing templates for repeat work
Automating simple task steps with rules
Commenting on tasks and keeping updates in one thread
Connecting to other tools with integrations
Reporting on progress with dashboards on paid plans

For internal project tracking, Asana handles these needs. But there's no path for proposals, contracts, invoicing, or giving clients visibility into their work.

What are Asana's limitations?

Asana is focused on managing tasks, not running the business side of client work. Once you need client agreements and billing tied to the project, you have to add other tools.

The result? You organize tasks in Asana, then scramble to quote projects, sign contracts, and invoice clients in separate tools. The scope changes but the invoice doesn't update because they live in different systems.

Common gaps include:

Proposals
Contracts and e-signatures
Invoices and payments
Client access to see progress and next steps
Time tracking on lower tiers
Multiple assignees on one task
Billing that ties to milestones or tasks
A single place where project work and money stay connected

Asana is designed for task management, but having only one assignee per task is frustrating when multiple people need to collaborate. And there's no invoicing, so I still need separate tools for billing clients.
VR
Verified ReviewerFreelancer

Criteria for a complete Asana alternative

A strong Asana alternative should keep the same project management strengths, then add the client and billing steps around the work. The goal is to run the project and handle agreements and payments without stitching tools together.

A strong alternative should include:

Project management with list, board, timeline, and calendar views
Task management that supports multiple assignees when needed
Proposals that clients can approve before work starts
Contracts with e-signatures tied to the same client and project
Invoices and payments tied to the same project plan or milestones
Client access where clients can see progress, files, and next steps
Branding tools so client pages match your site and feel like your business

#1. Plutio, the complete Asana alternative for freelancers

Asana handles task tracking. Your team can see who's doing what, when it's due, and where things stand. Clean boards. Clear ownership. Progress visible at a glance.

Then a client asks for a proposal. And you realize: Asana doesn't do that. So you send a proposal from one tool, a contract from another, an invoice from a third. The client signs in one place and pays in another. And when they want to see how the project is going, you send them... to Asana? Or somewhere else?

That's the gap. Asana manages internal work. But client work needs more: proposals, contracts, invoices, and a portal where clients can see exactly what's happening.

Plutio closes that gap. When a proposal is accepted, the project is already there. Tasks are created from the scope. The client has portal access. Invoices are tied to milestones. You don't rebuild anything because the agreement and the work are connected.

What this actually looks like

Say you're running a marketing agency. A client wants a campaign. In Plutio, here's what happens:

You send a proposal with scope, timeline, and pricing
The client approves and signs in one click
A project appears with tasks like "Strategy," "Creative brief," "Launch"
An invoice is attached to milestones
The client gets a branded portal where they can see progress, approve deliverables, and upload assets
You start working. No copying. No switching apps.

The proposal you sent becomes the project you run. That's the difference.

Why this matters more than it sounds

When your project tool and your billing tool are disconnected, small revenue leaks. The scope changes mid-project, but the invoice doesn't update because it lives in a separate system. You undercharge by 10-20% on complex projects. The scope changes but the invoice doesn't. The client asks for an update and you scramble. Deliverables get lost in email threads.

When everything is connected:

Clients see their project status without asking you
Invoices match the work because they're tied to the same scope
Approvals and feedback happen inside the project, not scattered across email
Reminders and follow-ups happen automatically based on real project steps

These results come from having everything connected instead of scattered across tools.

What about switching?

You can import your clients and project data from Asana into Plutio. Plutio has been refined for over 10 years based on real feedback from freelancers and agencies who use it every day.

With Plutio we don't jump between apps anymore! Everything from projects to invoicing is finally connected in one fully-branded app.
YM
Yazan & MawahebYazMarketing

#2. Monday.com, customizable boards, per-user pricing

Monday.com is a highly visual project management platform with a customizable and colorful interface. Monday.com allows teams to build custom workflows for everything from software development to marketing campaigns.

While Monday.com is customizable for internal operations, Monday.com is not a dedicated client management tool. Monday.com doesn't include native proposals, contracts, or recurring invoicing. Freelancers often find that while the boards handle task tracking, they still need separate apps for the business side of client projects.

Monday.com works if you need highly customizable internal project boards and automation.

Monday.com is less suitable if you want a platform that natively includes the legal and financial tools needed to manage a client relationship.

#3. Trello, simple Kanban, no business tools

Trello is a Kanban-style project management tool. Trello uses a simple card-and-board system that is easy for new teams to adopt. It's often the first tool freelancers use when moving away from simple to-do lists.

Trello's strength is its simplicity, but that can also be its limitation for growing agencies. As projects get more complex, the card system can become cluttered. Like Asana, Trello doesn't include proposals, contracts, or invoicing natively, requiring you to use "Power-Ups" or external integrations for these essential business functions.

Trello works if you want a simple, visual Kanban board for task tracking.

Trello is less suitable if you need to manage complex project dependencies or professional client billing.

#4. Notion, customizable workspace, heavy setup

Notion is an "all-in-one workspace" that combines notes, documents, and databases. Many freelancers use it to build their own custom project management systems and internal wikis.

Notion's advantage is its flexibility. However, because it's a general-purpose tool, Notion doesn't have specialized business logic built-in. You have to manually build your own systems for projects and tasks, and it lacks professional tools for proposals, legally binding contracts, and automated invoicing.

Notion works if you want to build a highly customized internal knowledge base and task system.

Notion is less suitable if you want a structured, purpose-built platform that handles your business law and finances out of the box.

#5. Basecamp, simple communication, no billing

Basecamp is a project management tool that prioritizes communication. Plutio includes message boards, to-do lists, and a "Campfire" chat for every project. It's designed with a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to collaboration.

Basecamp handles team communication, but it lacks the visual project views (like Gantt charts or customizable Kanban) that many agencies prefer. Plutio also doesn't include any tools for proposals, contracts, or invoicing, meaning you'll still be juggling multiple subscriptions to run your business.

Basecamp works if your primary goal is structured team and client communication.

Basecamp is less suitable if you need project tracking with dependencies and planning views or integrated business tools.

#6. Smartsheet, spreadsheet-based, data-first

Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-style project management tool. It's designed for people who prefer the power of Excel but need better collaboration and task management features.

While Smartsheet handles data-heavy projects and complex project tracking, the interface can feel very corporate and "dry" for creative freelancers or agencies. Plutio is focused on project data rather than the client experience, and like the others, it requires external tools for your proposals, contracts, and payments.

Smartsheet works if you manage large volumes of project data and prefer a spreadsheet interface.

Smartsheet is less suitable if you want a modern, branded experience that makes your agency look professional to clients.

The verdict: Why Plutio is the best Asana alternative

What Asana includes: Task management, project boards, multiple views (list, board, timeline, calendar), workflow automations, and team collaboration. Asana Premium costs $11/user/month, Business costs $25/user/month.

What Asana lacks: Native proposals, contracts, invoicing, and dedicated client portals. Asana is built for internal team collaboration, not client-facing work. Per-user pricing makes it expensive for growing teams. G2 reviewers consistently mention needing separate tools for client billing.

What Plutio adds: Full project management (Kanban, Gantt, dependencies) plus proposals, contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and branded client portals. Flat per-workspace pricing. Plutio Core costs $19/month.

The math: Asana Business ($25/user x 3 = $75) + HoneyBook ($29 for proposals) + Stripe invoicing = $100+/month for disconnected tools. Plutio = $19/month for everything connected.

Best for internal teams: Asana excels at internal task tracking and team collaboration without client billing needs.

Best for client work: Plutio connects proposals to projects to invoices. When a client approves, the project creates itself with tasks from your scope.

The deciding question: Do you work with external clients who need to see proposals, sign contracts, and receive invoices? If yes, Asana requires separate tools for all of that. If you only need internal task management, Asana handles that.

What changes when you switch from Asana?

Freelancers who switch from Asana to Plutio report three consistent changes:

1. Client work stays in one place
In Asana, you send proposals from HoneyBook, contracts from DocuSign, invoices from Stripe, and manage the project in Asana. In Plutio, all of that lives in one connected workflow.

2. Clients get a dedicated portal
Asana requires adding clients as team members to see project progress. Plutio gives clients a branded portal where they see only their projects without joining your workspace.

3. Costs stay predictable
Asana charges per user, so adding team members increases costs. Plutio has flat per-workspace pricing, so your costs stay the same as you grow.

With Plutio we don't jump between apps anymore! Everything from projects to invoicing is finally connected in one fully-branded app.
Yazan & MawahebAgency Owners

How to migrate from Asana to Plutio (Step-by-Step)

Switching from Asana to Plutio works as be a continuous move rather than a fresh start. You can carry over your existing client data and billing history to maintain momentum.

Step 1: Export your Asana data
Download your clients, projects, and invoices as CSV files from your Asana dashboard.

Step 2: Map and Import into Plutio
Upload your CSVs to Plutio. Our importer allows you to map Asana fields (like Client Name, Email, and Total Invoiced) directly to Plutio's structured database.

Step 3: Brand and Invite
Set up your whitelabeled portal and custom domain. Once ready, invite your clients into their new professional workspace where they can access all their historical data.

Step 4: Connect the Workflows
Unlike Asana, you can now link those imported invoices and projects to automated follow-ups and task boards, so your work finally catches up with your billing.

Research & Sources

Every comparison and price point on this page is backed by direct research conducted in January 2026. We verify data across official product pages, user reviews, and third-party analysis to ensure accuracy.

Pricing verification sources

Plutio: Official pricing page, GetApp reviews
Asana: Official pricing, G2 reviews
Monday.com: Official pricing, G2 reviews
Basecamp: Official pricing, G2 reviews

Verification methodology

For each feature in the comparison table:

We consult official product documentation
We verify with multiple third-party sources (G2, GetApp, TrustRadius)
We cross-reference with video demonstrations and user reviews
We update pricing monthly based on current published rates

If you find any inaccuracies, please let us know so we can investigate and update immediately.

What is the best Asana alternative for freelancers in 2026?

Compare pricing, project management features, invoicing, proposals, and client communication tools.

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$10.99/user/month (Starter, annual)	$9/user/month (Basic, 3 user min)	$15/user/month (Plus plan)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan for up to 10 users	Free plan for up to 2 users	Free plan (1 project, 1GB storage)
Trial period	14-day free trial	Free trial available	Free trial available	Free trial available
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Multiple views with dependencies	Highly flexible project structures	Simple project organization only
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	You can control project access per user and team	You can control access at board and item level	You can control who has access to each project
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	You can create multiple boards per project	You can create unlimited boards	Basecamp does not use task boards
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	You can embed read-only project views	Boards can be embedded	Project views cannot be embedded
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	You can share project links publicly	Boards can be shared publicly with limits	Projects can be shared read-only via links
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	You can define custom sections and milestones	You can define custom statuses and milestones	You cannot define custom stages or milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Not supported	Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported	Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Full custom field support	Custom columns on boards	Custom fields not supported
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	You can manage tasks in Kanban boards	Boards can be viewed in Kanban style	Not supported
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	You can view tasks in table format	Boards default to table view	Tasks cannot be viewed in tables
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	You can view tasks in lists	Items can be viewed as lists	Tasks are managed as simple to-do lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	You can view tasks on a calendar	Calendar view is supported	You can see due dates on a project calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Timeline view functions as a Gantt chart	Gantt view is supported on higher plans	Gantt charts are not supported
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	You can break tasks into subtasks	Subitems are supported	No subtasks (single-level to-dos only, sections for organization)
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Included	Included	Included
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	You can comment directly on tasks	You can comment on items	You can comment on to-dos
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	You can attach files to tasks	Files can be attached to items	You can attach files to to-dos
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Priorities must be modeled using custom fields	Priority columns are supported	Tasks cannot be prioritized natively
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	You can tag tasks and use color labels	Status and label columns are supported	Not supported
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	You can assign tasks to multiple teammates	Multiple assignees are supported	Multiple assignees are not supported
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	You can reuse task and project templates	Board and item templates are supported	Task templates are not supported
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Permissions apply at project level, not per task	Permissions depend on board setup	Permissions are project-level only
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	You can define task dependencies	Dependencies are supported	Tasks cannot be linked together
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	You can create recurring tasks	Recurring items are supported	Recurring tasks exist with limited options
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Full custom field support	Custom columns on boards	Custom fields not supported
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Native time tracking (Advanced plan only, $24.99/user/month)	Time tracking column (Pro and Enterprise plans only, $19/seat/month)	Built-in Timesheet with start/stop timer and manual entry
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Requires external tools or custom fields	You can track time per item	Track time on individual to-dos and events
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Requires reporting tools or integrations	Project time requires rollups	Track total time per project with CSV export
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Asana does not track billable time	Billable logic is not supported	Billable time is not supported
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoicing is not supported
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Requires third-party tools	Time tracking add-on required	Timesheet reports with filters and CSV export
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Requires integrations	Team views require dashboards	View time logged by each team member
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Asana is for task management only	Monday.com is for project management only	Basecamp is for team collaboration only
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Not supported	Proposals are not supported	Not supported
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Not supported	Proposals are not supported	Not supported
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	Not supported	Proposals are not supported	Not supported
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	Not supported	Proposals are not supported	Not supported
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Proposals and invoices are not supported
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	Pricing packages are not supported	Proposal pricing is not supported	Pricing packages are not supported
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Pricing tables are not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Not supported	Not supported	Dynamic variables are not supported
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	Tasks and projects can be exported, not proposals	Included	You can export discussions, not proposals
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Proposal blocks are not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	E-signatures are not supported	Monday.com has no e-signatures	E-signatures are not supported
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Proposals are not supported	Proposals are not supported	Proposals are not supported
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Asana does not handle contracts	Monday.com does not handle contracts	Basecamp does not handle contracts
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Not supported	Form view is supported	Contracts are not supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	E-signatures are not supported	E-signatures are not supported	E-signatures are not supported
Multi-signature / signees	Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract	Not supported	Contracts are not supported	Not supported
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Not supported	Contracts are not supported	Not supported
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Not supported	Contract reminders are not supported	Not supported
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Not supported	Contracts are not supported	Not supported
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger actions
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Not supported	Payment notifications are not supported	Not supported
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Not supported	Contracts are not supported	Not supported
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Not supported	Contracts are not supported	Not supported
Custom contract data fields	Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported	Contracts are not supported
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Asana does not handle billing	Monday.com does not handle billing	Basecamp does not handle billing
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	Asana does not process payments	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Asana does not process payments	Stripe works via third-party tools	Payments are not supported
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Asana does not process payments	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	Asana does not process payments	Possible via integrations only	Payments are not supported
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Not supported	Payments are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	Subscriptions are not supported	Subscriptions are not supported	Subscriptions are not supported
Automated payment reminders	Follow up automatically until invoices are paid	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Payments are not supported	Board currency columns exist	Payments are not supported
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger actions
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Not supported	Payment notifications are not supported	Not supported
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Not supported	Expenses are not supported	Not supported
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Not supported	Invoices are not supported	Not supported
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Asana has no invoicing	Monday.com has no invoicing	Basecamp has no invoicing
Custom invoice data fields	Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	Task comments act as a shared activity feed	Updates inbox exists for board activity	Each project has a central message board
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Email-to-task is supported	Email-to-board is supported	You can post to Basecamp via email
Embeddable live chat	Add real-time chat to your website and client portals	Live chat is not supported	Live chat is not supported	Live chat is not supported
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Messaging exists via comments, not chat	Direct messages are supported	Direct messages are supported
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Comments stay attached to tasks and projects	Comments stay tied to items	Messages stay tied to projects
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Channel-based chat does not exist	Updates act like channels	Channel-based chat does not exist
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Channels are not supported	Board updates can be organized	Channels are not supported
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	You can mention users in comments	@mentions are supported	You can mention people in messages
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Read receipts are not supported	Seen indicators exist in updates	You can see who has read messages
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Files attach to tasks, not chat threads	Files can be shared in updates	Files can be shared in messages
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Mobile app includes inbox	Mobile app includes inbox	Mobile app includes messages
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Email replies create tasks	Email replies create board items	Email replies post to projects
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Files are stored within tasks and projects	Files are item-based, not a file system	Files are stored per project
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Section-based, relies on cloud integrations	3-level folder hierarchy within workspaces	Color-coded folders in Docs section
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	Project-level permissions only	Board-level permissions only	Project-level permissions only
People folders	Group files by person when needed	Files are task-attached, not person-based	Files are item-attached, not person-based	Files are project-attached only
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Files attach to projects and tasks	Files organize within board folders	Docs & Files section per project
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	Preview via cloud integrations	Files Gallery preview view	In-app previews supported
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	You can create and reuse custom fields	Custom form fields are supported	Custom fields are not supported
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No built-in document editor	WorkDocs for embedded editing	No built-in document editor
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	Comments on task attachments	File annotation and comments	Comments in Docs section
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	Select multiple via integrations	Bulk select in Files Column	No bulk file operations
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Search across projects and files	Search across boards and files	Search in Docs & Files
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive	Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive	Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Project-level permissions	Board-level sharing controls	Project-level access control
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Task link sharing only	Board link sharing only	Public folder links supported
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Asana does not have scheduling	Monday.com does not have scheduling	Basecamp does not have scheduling
Branded booking page	Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor	Not supported	Booking pages are not supported	Not supported
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Automatic buffer times	Add buffer time automatically between meetings	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Read-only calendar integration	Calendar sync is supported	Google/iCloud integration
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Redirect after booking	Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger actions
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Reminders exist for tasks only	Notifications exist, not bookings	Reminder pings exist, not bookings
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Handled by external calendars	Timezone exists per account	Handled by external calendars
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Asana has no scheduling	Monday.com has no scheduling	Basecamp has no scheduling
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Not supported	Booking forms are not supported	Not supported
Minimum notice / daily booking limits	Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Scheduling is not supported	Monday.com has no scheduling	Scheduling is not supported
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	70+ rule templates with AI Smart Rules	AI-powered cross-board workflows	Basecamp has no automation builder
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Rules allow task-based automation	Item-based automations are supported	Workflow automation does not exist
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Possible via rules and integrations	Recurring automations exist with limits	Automation does not exist
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Complex logic requires integrations	Multi-step automations are supported	Automation does not exist
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Limited logic without integrations	Conditional logic is supported	Automation does not exist
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Delayed rules are supported	Delays are supported	Automation does not exist
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Tasks and projects only	Tasks and boards can be created automatically	Automation does not exist
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Tasks and projects can duplicate	Items can duplicate automatically	Projects can be duplicated manually
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Deletion requires manual confirmation	Items can delete automatically	Deletion is manual
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	Asana has a full API	API and webhooks are supported	Limited API access exists
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Emails require integrations	Emails can be sent via automations	Emails cannot be automated
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	Requires integrations	Updates via automations	Automation does not exist
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Logs exist at task level	Automation logs are supported	Automation does not exist
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Variables exist inside rules	Formula and column values can be reused	Automation does not exist
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Not supported	Cross-board automations are supported	Automation does not exist
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Internal only	WorkForms with branding and conditional logic	Basecamp has no form builder
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Not supported	Form view is supported	Contracts are not supported
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Internal intake forms exist	Forms can be reused	Forms are not supported
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	You can create and reuse custom fields	Custom form fields are supported	Custom fields are not supported
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Conditional logic is limited	Conditional logic exists in forms	Forms are not supported
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Requires integrations	Notifications can trigger on submit	Forms are not supported
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger actions
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Forms can be shared via links	Forms can be embedded	Forms are not supported
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Limited field options	WorkForms conditional logic	Forms are not supported
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Many field types via custom fields	Many field types supported	Forms are not supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	Signatures are not supported	Signatures are not supported	Signatures are not supported
File upload fields	Accept file uploads as part of form submissions	Files can be uploaded	File uploads via WorkForms	Files can be uploaded
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Redirects not supported	Thank you screen only	Forms are not supported
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Asana is not a CRM	Contacts via boards, not native CRM	Basecamp is not a CRM
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Companies are not modeled	Companies can be modeled manually	Companies are not modeled
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	CRM structure does not exist	Custom CRM fields are supported	CRM structure does not exist
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Activity is task-based only	Activity is board-based	Activity is message-based only
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tags exist via custom fields	Tags and status columns are supported	Tags are not supported
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	Pages exist but are not client-facing	Docs are supported, not a wiki system	Each project includes a document space
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Reporting dashboards with custom charts	Custom dashboard widgets	Basecamp has no custom dashboards
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	Paid ($)	Paid ($)	No dashboard builder in Basecamp
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Included	Included	Included
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Included	Included	Included
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Paid ($)	Paid ($)	No goals widget in Basecamp
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported	Included	Campfire sticky notes
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included	Included	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Not supported	No financial widgets in Monday	Not supported
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Asana branding always visible	Monday.com branding always visible	Basecamp branding always visible
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	UI cannot be customized	Board colors can be customized	UI cannot be customized
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Custom CSS is not supported	Custom CSS is not supported	Custom CSS is not supported
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Login pages cannot be customized	Custom login pages are not supported	Login pages cannot be customized
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Emails cannot be branded	Email branding is limited	Emails cannot be branded
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Fonts cannot be customized	Not supported	Fonts cannot be customized
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Logos cannot be customized	Paid ($)	Logos cannot be customized
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Asana structure is templated	Workspace only	Basecamp has fixed structure
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Navigation cannot be customized	Workspace structure can be adjusted	Navigation cannot be customized
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Menus are the same for all users	Menus cannot change per user	Menus are the same for all users
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	Roles exist but are limited	Roles exist with limits	Custom roles are not supported
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Permissions are team-based	Advanced permissions are supported	Permissions are project-level only
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	SSO is supported on enterprise plans	Email & password login only	SSO is supported on higher plans
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	200+ native integrations	200+ integrations plus marketplace	Basic integrations via Doors
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier is supported	Zapier is supported	Zapier integration exists
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make is supported	Make is supported	Possible via Zapier or API
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Possible via API	Possible via API	Possible via API
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	Full REST API is available	REST API is supported	API access is limited
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks are supported	Webhooks are supported	Webhooks are limited
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199	Basecamp 39/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Full-featured mobile apps	Full-featured mobile apps	Mobile companion apps
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	iOS app is available	iOS app is supported	iOS app is available
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Android app is available	Android app is supported	Android app is available
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version	Desktop app wraps the web version	Desktop app wraps the web version
Windows desktop app	Native Windows app for desktop workflows	Desktop app wraps the web version	Desktop app wraps the web version	Desktop app wraps the web version

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Frequently asked questions about Asana alternatives

Can Plutio replace Asana?

Yes. Plutio includes proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, projects, tasks, client communication, client portals, automation, and AI in one system.

Can I send one-off invoices or contracts in Plutio?

Yes. You can send one-off proposals, contracts, or invoices, or connect proposals, contracts, and invoices into automated workflows.

Is Plutio good for freelancers and agencies?

Yes. Plutio is used by freelancers and agencies managing multiple projects, tasks, and workflows. Many users start small and expand their workflows as their client work grows.

Do freelancers actually use Plutio day to day?

Yes. Plutio is used daily by freelancers to manage proposals, contracts, invoices, projects, client communication, and automation in one place.

Is Plutio proven for agencies, not just solo freelancers?

Yes. Agencies use Plutio to manage multiple clients, team members, projects, billing, and client communication while keeping everything connected.

How long has Plutio been around?

Plutio has been built and refined for over 10 years based on real freelancer and agency feedback.

Why do people switch to Plutio from other tools?

Most users switch when they need to bridge the gap between getting hired and actually doing the work, moving from isolated tools to a unified system.

Can I migrate from Asana?

Yes. You can import clients, projects, invoices, and more and continue without starting over.

Is my data used to train AI models?

No. Your data is private, encrypted, and never used to train any AI models.

Is Plutio or Asana better for growing agencies?

Plutio is better for growing agencies because its pricing scales per-workspace rather than per-user, and features like client portals, team permissions, and project automation are built for managing multiple clients at once. Asana handles internal task tracking, but agencies managing client work typically need proposals, contracts, invoices, and client visibility connected in one place to avoid juggling multiple tools.

What integrations does Plutio support?

Plutio connects to 5,000+ apps through Zapier, including Google Calendar, Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks, Slack, and more. Plutio also has a REST API for custom integrations. Native integrations include calendar sync, payment processors, and email services.

Does Plutio have a mobile app?

Yes. Plutio has native iOS and Android apps that let you manage projects, communicate with clients, track time, and send invoices from your phone. The mobile apps sync in real-time with the web platform.

Does Plutio offer a free trial?

Yes. Plutio offers a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card required to start. You can explore proposals, contracts, invoicing, project management, and client portals before choosing a plan.

Is my data safe with Plutio?

Yes. Your data is private, encrypted, and never used to train AI models. Plutio uses industry-standard security practices including SSL encryption, regular backups, and GDPR compliance. You can export your data at any time.

Can I white-label Plutio with my own branding?

Yes. Plutio offers complete white-labeling including custom domains, branded login pages, your logo and colors throughout, custom email templates with your SMTP, and CSS customization. Clients see your brand, not Plutio.

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The complete Asana alternative

Asana-level projects with proposals and invoicing

Task boards, Gantt charts, proposals, contracts, and invoicing in one platform.

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Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

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