Best Basecamp alternatives for freelancers & agencies (2026)

Basecamp keeps your team aligned, but once you need to bill the client, there are no proposals or contracts, no invoicing or payments, no time tracking that connects to billing, no client-facing view where clients check their own progress, etc... Basecamp handles team collaboration, but your team knows what's happening while clients can't log in to see it, so they email asking for status.

The right Basecamp alternative keeps your team's communication but adds proposals that create projects, contracts clients can sign, and a client portal where they see progress without emailing you.

This page breaks down 5 Basecamp 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 Basecamp alternative in 2026: Plutio combines proposals, contracts, invoicing, and project management in one platform, starting at $19/month.

Why freelancers switch from Basecamp: Basecamp keeps teams aligned with messages, to-dos, and files, but there's no invoicing, no time tracking, no contracts, and no client portal. Clients can be added as guests but can't see progress dashboards or approve deliverables.

What Plutio adds: Client work connected to team collaboration. When a client approves your proposal, Plutio creates the project automatically. Clients get a branded portal to check progress. Time tracking feeds invoices, so billing matches the work done.

Other alternatives on this page: Monday.com (visual boards and automation, but no invoicing), Asana (task dependencies, but no contracts or billing). See full comparison table below.

What is Basecamp and what does it do?

Basecamp is a team collaboration tool that groups projects into message boards, to-do lists, schedules, and files. Basecamp keeps team communication organized in one place. You create projects with message boards for discussions, to-do lists for tasks, schedules for deadlines, and file storage for documents. The philosophy is simplicity: fewer features, less noise, less time managing the tool itself.

Many teams use Basecamp because they want to reduce tool sprawl without adding complexity. Everything lives in one place, everyone knows where to look, and the learning curve stays flat.

Basecamp handles:

Keeping messages and project notes in one place
Managing to-dos with owners and dates
Sharing files with the team
Posting schedules and key dates
Keeping project discussions organized
Reducing tool sprawl for internal communication

For simple collaboration, Basecamp handles these needs. But the interface shows its age, and there's no path for proposals, contracts, invoicing, or client portals.

What are Basecamp's limitations?

Basecamp stays simple, but that simplicity becomes a limit once you need to manage client work more tightly. Once you need proposals, contracts, invoices, payments, time tracking, and stronger task management, you end up using other tools.

That gap shows up when the team uses Basecamp for updates, but billing and approvals happen elsewhere and nothing is tied together.

The result? Your team stays aligned in Basecamp, but clients get three different links. One for proposals, one for contracts, one for invoices. Nothing connects, so everything feels scattered.

Common gaps include:

No proposals, contracts, invoices, or payments
No time tracking connected to billing
Limited task management for complex projects
Limited timeline style planning
No client portal experience focused on progress and approvals
Reporting and visibility are basic

Freelancers switch when they need project management and the business steps in the same place.

Basecamp is simple and keeps things organized, but I need time tracking, invoicing, and contracts for my freelance work. I ended up needing 3-4 other tools to actually run my business.
VR
Verified ReviewerFreelancer

Criteria for a complete Basecamp alternative

A complete Basecamp alternative should keep the simple collaboration feel, but also add the tools freelancers and agencies need to run client work. The replacement should connect proposals, contracts, tasks, files, invoices, and payments so the whole job stays organized.

The goal is fewer tools and fewer "where is that" messages because everything stays linked. A strong alternative should include:

Simple project management that stays straightforward to use
Tasks, files, and progress tracking tied to the same project
Client portal access for updates, files, and approvals
Proposals and contracts with signatures, so agreements are handled inside the flow
Invoices and payments tied to the project or milestones
Time tracking connected to billing, if you bill by hours
Branding for client facing pages, so the client experience feels professional

This is what separates a single purpose tool from a complete client work tool.

#1. Plutio, the complete Basecamp alternative for freelancers

Basecamp keeps everyone on the same page. Message boards, to-do lists, schedules, and files all in one place for each project. Your team stays aligned. Conversations don't get lost in email. The simplicity is the point.

Then a client says yes to a project. And you realize: Basecamp doesn't do proposals. Basecamp doesn't do contracts. Basecamp doesn't do invoices. So you send a proposal from one tool, a contract from another, an invoice from a third. The client signs in one place, pays in another, and checks progress in Basecamp. Three different logins. Three different links.

That's the gap. Basecamp manages team communication well. But client work needs more.

Plutio closes that gap. When a proposal is accepted, the project is already there. Tasks are created from the scope. The client has one portal for everything: progress, files, invoices, communication. You don't scatter them across tools.

What this actually looks like

Say you're running a design studio. A client wants a rebrand. 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 "Brand discovery," "Logo concepts," "Guidelines"
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 communication tool and your billing tool are disconnected, 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 where to pay and you send them somewhere else. Updates get lost.

When everything is connected:

Clients see their project status without asking you
Invoices match the work because they're tied to the same scope
All communication happens inside the project, not scattered across tools
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 Basecamp 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. Asana, dependencies and portfolios, no billing

Asana is one of the established project management tools. Asana offers a straightforward interface and full task management features, including multiple project views (list, board, timeline) and automation rules.

Asana handles team collaboration and tracking complex project dependencies. However, Asana is focused strictly on internal project work. Asana lacks built-in tools for proposals, contracts, and invoicing, meaning freelancers and agencies must pair Asana with other software to handle the client-facing side of their business.

Asana works if you need full internal project management and multi-user team collaboration.

Asana is less suitable if you want a single system that also handles your client billing and legally binding agreements.

#4. Trello, simple Kanban, no business tools

Trello is a visual Kanban board tool known for simplicity. Trello helps individuals and teams organize tasks and move them through workflow stages.

However, Trello is purposely simple. Trello doesn't include native time tracking, proposals, contracts, or invoicing. For freelancers and agencies, this often means relying on a maze of "Power-Ups" and third-party integrations to manage the client experience and billing.

Trello works if your primary need is simple, visual task organization.

Trello is less suitable if you want a complete client management system that includes financial and legal tools natively.

#5. Notion, customizable workspace, heavy setup

Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines notes, docs, and project management. Notion is highly customizable, allowing users to build their own systems from scratch using a block-based editor.

While Notion's flexibility is a strength, Notion is also a blank canvas. Notion doesn't include native proposals, contracts, or invoicing. For freelancers, this means spending significant time building custom solutions or using external tools for the core financial parts of their business.

Notion works if you want ultimate flexibility and enjoy building your own custom documentation and tracking systems.

Notion is less suitable if you want a ready-made platform that already has your business tools (proposals, contracts, invoices) connected.

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

Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-style project management tool. Smartsheet is 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, Smartsheet can feel very corporate and "dry" for creative freelancers or agencies. Smartsheet is focused on project data rather than the client experience, and like the others, Smartsheet 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 Basecamp alternative

What Basecamp includes: Message boards, to-do lists, file storage, schedules, and team chat. Basecamp costs $15/user/month or $349/month flat for Pro Unlimited.

What Basecamp lacks: Native proposals, contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and dedicated client portals. Basecamp is built for internal team communication, not client-facing work. G2 reviewers consistently mention needing separate tools for billing.

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

The math: Basecamp ($15/user x 3 = $45) + HoneyBook ($29 for proposals) + Toggl ($10 for time) = $84+/month for disconnected tools. Plutio = $19/month for everything connected.

Best for internal communication: Basecamp excels at simple team communication and project organization without 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 need to send proposals, track time, and invoice clients? If yes, Basecamp requires separate tools for all of that. If you only need team communication, Basecamp handles that.

What changes when you switch from Basecamp?

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

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

2. Clients get a dedicated portal
Basecamp requires adding clients to your workspace. Plutio gives clients a branded portal where they see only their projects without joining your internal communications.

3. Time tracking connects to billing
Basecamp has no native time tracking. Plutio tracks time at the task level and flows it directly into invoices.

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 Basecamp to Plutio (Step-by-Step)

Switching from Basecamp to Plutio works as 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 Basecamp data
Download your clients, projects, and invoices as CSV files from your Basecamp dashboard.

Step 2: Map and Import into Plutio
Upload your CSVs to Plutio. Our importer allows you to map Basecamp 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 Basecamp, 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
Basecamp: Official pricing, G2 reviews
Monday.com: Official pricing, G2 reviews
Asana: 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 Basecamp alternative for freelancers in 2026?

Compare pricing, team collaboration features, invoicing, and time tracking capabilities.

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$15/user/month (Plus plan)	$9/user/month (Basic, 3 user min)	$10.99/user/month (Starter, annual)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan (1 project, 1GB storage)	Free plan for up to 2 users	Free plan for up to 10 users
Trial period	14-day free trial	Free trial available	Free trial available	Free trial available
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Simple project organization only	Highly flexible project structures	Multiple views with dependencies
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	You can control who has access to each project	You can control access at board and item level	You can control project access per user and team
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	Basecamp does not use task boards	You can create unlimited boards	You can create multiple boards per project
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	Project views cannot be embedded	Boards can be embedded	You can embed read-only project views
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	Projects can be shared read-only via links	Boards can be shared publicly with limits	You can share project links publicly
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	You cannot define custom stages or milestones	You can define custom statuses and milestones	You can define custom sections and milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported	Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported	Not supported
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Custom fields not supported	Custom columns on boards	Full custom field support
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	Not supported	Boards can be viewed in Kanban style	You can manage tasks in Kanban boards
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	Tasks cannot be viewed in tables	Boards default to table view	You can view tasks in table format
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	Tasks are managed as simple to-do lists	Items can be viewed as lists	You can view tasks in lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	You can see due dates on a project calendar	Calendar view is supported	You can view tasks on a calendar
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Gantt charts are not supported	Gantt view is supported on higher plans	Timeline view functions as a Gantt chart
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	No subtasks (single-level to-dos only, sections for organization)	Subitems are supported	You can break tasks into subtasks
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 on to-dos	You can comment on items	You can comment directly on tasks
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	You can attach files to to-dos	Files can be attached to items	You can attach files to tasks
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Tasks cannot be prioritized natively	Priority columns are supported	Priorities must be modeled using custom fields
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	Not supported	Status and label columns are supported	You can tag tasks and use color labels
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	Multiple assignees are not supported	Multiple assignees are supported	You can assign tasks to multiple teammates
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	Task templates are not supported	Board and item templates are supported	You can reuse task and project templates
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Permissions are project-level only	Permissions depend on board setup	Permissions apply at project level, not per task
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	Tasks cannot be linked together	Dependencies are supported	You can define task dependencies
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	Recurring tasks exist with limited options	Recurring items are supported	You can create recurring tasks
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Custom fields not supported	Custom columns on boards	Full custom field support
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Built-in Timesheet with start/stop timer and manual entry	Time tracking column (Pro and Enterprise plans only, $19/seat/month)	Native time tracking (Advanced plan only, $24.99/user/month)
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Track time on individual to-dos and events	You can track time per item	Requires external tools or custom fields
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Track total time per project with CSV export	Project time requires rollups	Requires reporting tools or integrations
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Billable time is not supported	Billable logic is not supported	Asana does not track billable time
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Invoicing is not supported	Invoices are not supported	Not supported
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Timesheet reports with filters and CSV export	Time tracking add-on required	Requires third-party tools
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	View time logged by each team member	Team views require dashboards	Requires integrations
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Basecamp is for team collaboration only	Monday.com is for project management only	Asana is for task management 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	Proposals and invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	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	Not supported	Not supported	Pricing tables are not supported
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Dynamic variables are not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	You can export discussions, not proposals	Included	Tasks and projects can be exported, not proposals
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Not supported	Not supported	Proposal blocks are 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	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Basecamp does not handle contracts	Monday.com does not handle contracts	Asana does not handle contracts
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Contracts are not supported	Form view is supported	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 actions	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger workflows
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	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Basecamp does not handle billing	Monday.com does not handle billing	Asana does not handle billing
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	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	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	Not supported
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	Not supported
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	Not supported
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported	Asana does not process payments
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Payments are not supported	Stripe works via third-party tools	Asana does not process payments
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported	Asana does not process payments
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	Payments are not supported	Possible via integrations only	Asana does not process payments
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	Invoices are not supported	Payments are not supported	Not supported
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	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	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported	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 actions	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger workflows
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	Basecamp has no invoicing	Monday.com has no invoicing	Asana 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	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	Each project has a central message board	Updates inbox exists for board activity	Task comments act as a shared activity feed
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	You can post to Basecamp via email	Email-to-board is supported	Email-to-task is supported
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	Direct messages are supported	Direct messages are supported	Messaging exists via comments, not chat
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Messages stay tied to projects	Comments stay tied to items	Comments stay attached to tasks and 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 people in messages	@mentions are supported	You can mention users in comments
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	You can see who has read messages	Seen indicators exist in updates	Read receipts are not supported
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Files can be shared in messages	Files can be shared in updates	Files attach to tasks, not chat threads
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 messages	Mobile app includes inbox	Mobile app includes inbox
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Email replies post to projects	Email replies create board items	Email replies create tasks
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Files are stored per project	Files are item-based, not a file system	Files are stored within tasks and projects
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Color-coded folders in Docs section	3-level folder hierarchy within workspaces	Section-based, relies on cloud integrations
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 project-attached only	Files are item-attached, not person-based	Files are task-attached, not person-based
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Docs & Files section per project	Files organize within board folders	Files attach to projects and tasks
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	In-app previews supported	Files Gallery preview view	Preview via cloud integrations
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	Custom fields are not supported	Custom form fields are supported	You can create and reuse custom fields
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 in Docs section	File annotation and comments	Comments on task attachments
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	No bulk file operations	Bulk select in Files Column	Select multiple via integrations
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Search in Docs & Files	Search across boards and files	Search across projects and 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 access control	Board-level sharing controls	Project-level permissions
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Public folder links supported	Board link sharing only	Task link sharing only
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Basecamp does not have scheduling	Monday.com does not have scheduling	Asana 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	Google/iCloud integration	Calendar sync is supported	Read-only calendar 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 actions	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger workflows
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Reminder pings exist, not bookings	Notifications exist, not bookings	Reminders exist for tasks only
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	Basecamp has no scheduling	Monday.com has no scheduling	Asana 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	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	Basecamp has no automation builder	AI-powered cross-board workflows	70+ rule templates with AI Smart Rules
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Workflow automation does not exist	Item-based automations are supported	Rules allow task-based automation
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Automation does not exist	Recurring automations exist with limits	Possible via rules and integrations
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Automation does not exist	Multi-step automations are supported	Complex logic requires integrations
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Automation does not exist	Conditional logic is supported	Limited logic without integrations
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Automation does not exist	Delays are supported	Delayed rules are supported
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Automation does not exist	Tasks and boards can be created automatically	Tasks and projects only
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Projects can be duplicated manually	Items can duplicate automatically	Tasks and projects can duplicate
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Deletion is manual	Items can delete automatically	Deletion requires manual confirmation
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	Limited API access exists	API and webhooks are supported	Asana has a full API
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Emails cannot be automated	Emails can be sent via automations	Emails require integrations
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	Automation does not exist	Updates via automations	Requires integrations
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Automation does not exist	Automation logs are supported	Logs exist at task level
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Automation does not exist	Formula and column values can be reused	Variables exist inside rules
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Automation does not exist	Cross-board automations are supported	Not supported
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Basecamp has no form builder	WorkForms with branding and conditional logic	Internal only
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Contracts are not supported	Form view is supported	Not supported
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Forms are not supported	Forms can be reused	Internal intake forms exist
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	Custom fields are not supported	Custom form fields are supported	You can create and reuse custom fields
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Forms are not supported	Conditional logic exists in forms	Conditional logic is limited
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Forms are not supported	Notifications can trigger on submit	Requires integrations
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Contracts cannot trigger actions	Automations apply to items, not payments	Contracts cannot trigger workflows
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Forms are not supported	Forms can be embedded	Forms can be shared via links
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Forms are not supported	WorkForms conditional logic	Limited field options
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Forms are not supported	Many field types supported	Many field types via custom fields
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	Forms are not supported	Thank you screen only	Redirects not supported
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Basecamp is not a CRM	Contacts via boards, not native CRM	Asana 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 message-based only	Activity is board-based	Activity is task-based only
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tags are not supported	Tags and status columns are supported	Tags exist via custom fields
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	Each project includes a document space	Docs are supported, not a wiki system	Pages exist but are not client-facing
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	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Basecamp has no custom dashboards	Custom dashboard widgets	Reporting dashboards with custom charts
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	No dashboard builder in Basecamp	Paid ($)	Paid ($)
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Included	Included	Included
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Included	Included	Included
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	No goals widget in Basecamp	Paid ($)	Paid ($)
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Campfire sticky notes	Included	Not supported
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included	Included	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Not supported	No financial widgets in Monday	Not supported
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Basecamp branding always visible	Monday.com branding always visible	Asana branding always visible
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	UI cannot be customized	Board colors can be customized	UI cannot be customized
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Custom CSS is not supported	Custom CSS is not supported	Custom CSS is not supported
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Login pages cannot be customized	Custom login pages are not supported	Login pages cannot be customized
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Emails cannot be branded	Email branding is limited	Emails cannot be branded
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Fonts cannot be customized	Not supported	Fonts cannot be customized
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Logos cannot be customized	Paid ($)	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	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Basecamp has fixed structure	Workspace only	Asana structure is templated
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	Custom roles are not supported	Roles exist with limits	Roles exist but are limited
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Permissions are project-level only	Advanced permissions are supported	Permissions are team-based
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	SSO is supported on higher plans	Email & password login only	SSO is supported on enterprise plans
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	Basic integrations via Doors	200+ integrations plus marketplace	200+ native integrations
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier integration exists	Zapier is supported	Zapier is supported
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Possible via Zapier or API	Make is supported	Make is supported
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	API access is limited	REST API is supported	Full REST API is available
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks are limited	Webhooks are supported	Webhooks are supported
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Basecamp 39/199	Monday.com 77/199	Asana 55/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Mobile companion apps	Full-featured mobile apps	Full-featured mobile 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 Basecamp alternatives

Can Plutio replace Basecamp?

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 Basecamp?

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 Basecamp 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. Basecamp is for team communication, 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 Basecamp alternative

Team projects plus proposals and invoicing

Project management, client portals, proposals, contracts, and invoicing connected.

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Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

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