[object Object]
15% OFF ON ANY PLANEnds in 16 19 51Claim now →15% OFF ON ANY PLANEnds in 16 19 51Claim now →15% OFF ON ANY PLANEnds in 16 19 51Claim now →15% OFF ON ANY PLANEnds in 16 19 51Claim now →15% OFF ON ANY PLANEnds in 16 19 51Claim now →15% OFF ON ANY PLANEnds in 16 19 51Claim now →
Alternatives

Best Trello alternatives for freelancers & agencies (2026)

Trello keeps your cards organized, but once you need to invoice the client, there are no proposals or contracts, no invoicing or payments, no branded client portal for progress updates, no native time tracking, etc... Trello handles task boards, but the card says 'Done' and there's no invoice attached, so you rebuild everything in a billing tool just to get paid.

The right Trello alternative keeps your Kanban boards but adds proposals that create projects, contracts clients can sign, invoices tied to milestones, and a client portal where they check progress themselves.

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

Last updated January 2026

Try Plutio free
#1
Plutio
9.2/10
#4
Trello
6.8/10
#3
Asana
7.4/10
#2
Monday.com
7.6/10

TLDR (summary)

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

Why freelancers switch from Trello: Trello has visual Kanban boards for task organization, but there's no invoicing, no time tracking, no contracts, and no client portal. Power-Ups add features but cost extra, and billable work still requires separate tools.

What Plutio adds: Full client work connected to project management. Kanban boards plus Gantt charts, time tracking that feeds invoices, proposals that create projects automatically, and a branded client portal where clients check progress themselves.

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

What is the best Trello alternative for freelancers in 2026?

Compare pricing, project management features, invoicing, time tracking, and client portal capabilities.

PRICING

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Starting price

$19/month (Core plan)

$5/user/month (Standard plan, free tier available)

$10.99/user/month (Starter, annual)

$9/user/month (Basic, 3 user min)

$15/user/month (Plus plan)

$15/month (Basic, $9/month annual)

Free plan

No free plan (14-day trial available)

Yes (10 boards per workspace limit)

Free plan for up to 10 users

Free plan for up to 2 users

Free plan (1 project, 1GB storage)

No free plan (trial available)

Trial period

14-day free trial

14-day Premium trial

Free trial available

Free trial available

Free trial available

7-day free trial

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Manage projects and tasks

Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow

Kanban boards with cards and lists

Multiple views with dependencies

Highly flexible project structures

Simple project organization only

Basic project and task management

Project roles and permissions

Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project

Admin, Member, Observer roles

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

4 fixed roles (PMs cannot view financials)

Multiple task boards

Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project

Unlimited boards (paid plans)

You can create multiple boards per project

You can create unlimited boards

Basecamp does not use task boards

Strictly restricted to 1 board per project

Embeddable project boards

Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites

No native embed (Power-Up needed)

You can embed read-only project views

Boards can be embedded

Project views cannot be embedded

Embedding live project boards is not supported

Sharable project boards

Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk

Shareable board links available

You can share project links publicly

Boards can be shared publicly with limits

Projects can be shared read-only via links

Portal access only (no public read-only links)

Project stages and milestones

Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work

Lists as stages (no milestones)

You can define custom sections and milestones

You can define custom statuses and milestones

You cannot define custom stages or milestones

Milestones with Gantt chart visualization

Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices

Everything related stays connected to the project automatically

No proposals/contracts/invoices

Not supported

Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported

Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported

Manual linking (no automatic project integration)

Custom project data fields

Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data

Custom Fields (Standard+)

Full custom field support

Custom columns on boards

Custom fields not supported

Text, number, date, URL (no filtering)

Kanban boards

Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns

Core feature - Kanban is Trello

You can manage tasks in Kanban boards

Boards can be viewed in Kanban style

Not supported

Kanban view (limited customization)

Table view

Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet

Table view (Premium only)

You can view tasks in table format

Boards default to table view

Tasks cannot be viewed in tables

Basic table view (no bulk editing)

List view

Clean task lists with clear hierarchy

Cards in lists (default view)

You can view tasks in lists

Items can be viewed as lists

Tasks are managed as simple to-do lists

Simple list view with basic sorting

Calendar view

See tasks and deadlines on a calendar

Calendar view (Premium only)

You can view tasks on a calendar

Calendar view is supported

You can see due dates on a project calendar

Calendar view for tasks and deadlines

Gantt view

Plan work visually with task order and dependencies

Timeline view (Premium, not Gantt)

Timeline view functions as a Gantt chart

Gantt view is supported on higher plans

Gantt charts are not supported

Gantt chart with drag-and-drop

Subtasks

Break work down into multiple nested levels

Checklists only (not true subtasks)

You can break tasks into subtasks

Subitems are supported

No subtasks (single-level to-dos only, sections for organization)

Nested subtasks supported

Email to task

Turn emails into tasks without manual copying

Email-to-board creates cards

Included

Included

Included

No email-to-task conversion

Task comments

Keep discussions tied directly to each task

Comments on cards

You can comment directly on tasks

You can comment on items

You can comment on to-dos

Comments stay attached to tasks only

Task attachments

Store files directly on the task they belong to

File attachments on cards

You can attach files to tasks

Files can be attached to items

You can attach files to to-dos

File attachments (no file manager)

Task priorities

Define priority levels that fit your workflow

Labels for priority (no native)

Priorities must be modeled using custom fields

Priority columns are supported

Tasks cannot be prioritized natively

No priority levels

Task labels & color coding

Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks

Color labels built-in

You can tag tasks and use color labels

Status and label columns are supported

Not supported

No color coding (labels only)

Multiple task assignees

Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates

Multiple members per card

You can assign tasks to multiple teammates

Multiple assignees are supported

Multiple assignees are not supported

One assignee per task (no multi-assign)

Task templates

Reuse task-level structures across projects

Card templates available

You can reuse task and project templates

Board and item templates are supported

Task templates are not supported

Task templates with dependencies

Task permissions

Control access at the individual task level

Board-level only (not per card)

Permissions apply at project level, not per task

Permissions depend on board setup

Permissions are project-level only

Project-level only (no task-level)

Task dependencies

Prevent work from starting out of order

No native dependencies (Power-Up)

You can define task dependencies

Dependencies are supported

Tasks cannot be linked together

Waiting on, Blocking, Related to

Recurring tasks

Automate repeating work with flexible schedules

Via Butler automation rules

You can create recurring tasks

Recurring items are supported

Recurring tasks exist with limited options

Daily, weekly, monthly, milestones

Custom task data fields

Add task-level fields for tracking custom details

Custom Fields (Standard+)

Full custom field support

Custom columns on boards

Custom fields not supported

Custom fields (text and number only)

TIME TRACKING

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Time tracking system

Easily track time using timers or manual entries

No native time tracking

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

Timer and manual time entry

Task-level tracking

Log time directly against tasks and subtasks

Requires Power-Up (Clockify, etc)

Requires external tools or custom fields

You can track time per item

Track time on individual to-dos and events

Limited to task-level only (no subtask tracking)

Project-level tracking

See time spent per project and per client

Requires Power-Up

Requires reporting tools or integrations

Project time requires rollups

Track total time per project with CSV export

Time tracked per project

Billable time tracking

Clearly separate billable and non-billable time

No billable time feature

Asana does not track billable time

Billable logic is not supported

Billable time is not supported

Billable and non-billable categorization

Billable time invoicing

Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps

No invoicing capability

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoicing is not supported

One-click invoice from time entries

Timesheet reports

View detailed time reports by task, project, or client

Requires Power-Up

Requires third-party tools

Time tracking add-on required

Timesheet reports with filters and CSV export

Detailed timesheet reports

Team timesheets

See how each team member tracks their time

Requires Power-Up

Requires integrations

Team views require dashboards

View time logged by each team member

Per-member timesheets with locking

PROPOSALS

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Create and send proposals

Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow

No proposal feature

Asana is for task management only

Monday.com is for project management only

Basecamp is for team collaboration only

Customizable proposals with e-signatures

Drag-and-drop proposal builder

Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code

No proposal feature

Not supported

Proposals are not supported

Not supported

Visual editor (no true drag-and-drop)

Reusable proposal templates

Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients

No proposal feature

Not supported

Proposals are not supported

Not supported

Industry templates plus custom templates

Real-time proposal analytics

See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed

No proposal feature

Not supported

Proposals are not supported

Not supported

Real-time view tracking

Live messenger on proposals

Answer questions directly while clients review proposals

No proposal feature

Not supported

Proposals are not supported

Not supported

No live chat in proposals

Proposal flow automation

Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically

No proposal feature

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Proposal-contract link only (no scheduler)

Convert proposal to invoice

Create invoices directly from approved proposals

No proposal feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Proposals and invoices are not supported

Auto-generate invoice from accepted proposal

Packages and add-ons

Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals

No proposal feature

Pricing packages are not supported

Proposal pricing is not supported

Pricing packages are not supported

Packages with single, multi-select options

Interactive pricing tables

Let clients choose options before approving

No proposal feature

Pricing tables are not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Static pricing only (no client selection)

Dynamic data and variables

Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data

Butler has some variables

Not supported

Not supported

Dynamic variables are not supported

Basic smart fields (limited variables)

Expiration dates

Automatically expire proposals after a set date

Due dates on cards

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Manual expiry dates (no automation)

PDF Export

Download as branded PDFs

Print to PDF only

Tasks and projects can be exported, not proposals

Included

You can export discussions, not proposals

Basic PDF export (limited branding)

Reusable content blocks

Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand

Card templates only

Proposal blocks are not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Reusable blocks not supported (templates only)

Legally binding e-signatures

Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals

No e-signature feature

E-signatures are not supported

Monday.com has no e-signatures

E-signatures are not supported

Basic e-signatures (limited audit trail)

Custom proposal data fields

Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on

No proposal feature

Proposals are not supported

Proposals are not supported

Proposals are not supported

Text and date custom fields only

CONTRACTS

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Create and sign contracts

Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow

No contract feature

Asana does not handle contracts

Monday.com does not handle contracts

Basecamp does not handle contracts

Legally vetted templates with e-signatures

Drag-and-drop contract builder

Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits

No contract feature

Not supported

Form view is supported

Contracts are not supported

Visual editor (no full drag-and-drop)

Legally binding e-signatures

Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification

No e-signature feature

E-signatures are not supported

E-signatures are not supported

E-signatures are not supported

Legally binding e-signatures

Multi-signature / signees

Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract

No contract feature

Not supported

Contracts are not supported

Not supported

Multiple signers and recipients

Reusable contract templates

Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster

No contract feature

Not supported

Contracts are not supported

Not supported

Industry-specific and custom templates

Auto-reminders automation

Automatically follow up until contracts are signed

Due date reminders (Butler)

Not supported

Contract reminders are not supported

Not supported

Auto-reminders (stop after 16 days overdue)

Dynamic data/variables

Auto-fill contract content with client and project data

Butler has variables

Not supported

Contracts are not supported

Not supported

Basic smart fields (limited variables)

Contract automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed

No contract feature

Contracts cannot trigger workflows

Automations apply to items, not payments

Contracts cannot trigger actions

Contract & proposal triggers only

View notifications

See when contracts are opened and reviewed

Activity notifications

Not supported

Payment notifications are not supported

Not supported

Basic email notifications (no detailed tracking)

PDF download with signature certificate

Download signed contracts with official proof of signature

No contract feature

Not supported

Contracts are not supported

Not supported

Basic PDF download (limited certificate)

Custom signer data fields

Collect structured signer information during signing

No contract feature

Not supported

Contracts are not supported

Not supported

Standard fields only (name & email)

Custom contract data fields

Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on

No contract feature

Contracts are not supported

Contracts are not supported

Contracts are not supported

Custom fields (contact info only)

INVOICES & PAYMENTS

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Create invoices and get paid

Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow

No invoicing feature

Asana does not handle billing

Monday.com does not handle billing

Basecamp does not handle billing

Invoicing with multiple payment options

Fully branded invoices

Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Limited branding (logo and colors only)

Drag and drop invoice builder

Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits

No invoicing feature

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Pre-built templates (no drag-drop)

Customizable line items

Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Line items (no advanced customization)

Item or invoice discounts

Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Discounts (percentage or fixed, no tiered)

Customizable taxes

Create tax rules that match your location and use case

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Basic tax configuration (no automation)

ACH payments

Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments

No payment collection

Asana does not process payments

Payments are not supported

Payments are not supported

ACH via Bonsai Payments (US, UK, CA, AU only)

Stripe integration

Accept credit and debit cards instantly

No payment collection

Asana does not process payments

Stripe works via third-party tools

Payments are not supported

Stripe payments supported

Square integration

Collect in-person payments when needed

No payment collection

Asana does not process payments

Payments are not supported

Payments are not supported

Not supported

PayPal integration

Let clients pay using PayPal

No payment collection

Asana does not process payments

Possible via integrations only

Payments are not supported

PayPal payments supported

Flexible partial payments

Collect deposits and split payments across milestones

No invoicing feature

Payments are not supported

Payments are not supported

Payments are not supported

Partial payments (manual milestone setup)

Payment plans

Break invoices into scheduled installments

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Payments are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Payment plans (limited automation)

Automated recurring invoices

Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Weekly, biweekly, monthly, yearly recurrence

Subscription management

Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing

No invoicing feature

Subscriptions are not supported

Subscriptions are not supported

Subscriptions are not supported

Recurring invoices (no subscription portal)

Automated payment reminders

Follow up automatically until invoices are paid

No invoicing feature

Payments are not supported

Payments are not supported

Payments are not supported

Automated reminders (stop after 16 days)

Reusable invoice templates

Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Templates available (limited customization)

Multiple currency support

Bill clients globally in their local currency

No invoicing feature

Payments are not supported

Board currency columns exist

Payments are not supported

Multi-currency (manual exchange rates)

Invoice automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid

No invoicing feature

Contracts cannot trigger workflows

Automations apply to items, not payments

Contracts cannot trigger actions

Payment & form triggers only

View notifications

See when invoices are opened and paid

Activity notifications

Not supported

Payment notifications are not supported

Not supported

Email notifications (no real-time tracking)

Built-in expense tracking

Track project-related costs alongside invoices

No expense tracking

Not supported

Expenses are not supported

Not supported

Expense tracking (auto-categorization via bank sync)

Invoice deposits

Collect upfront payments before work starts

No invoicing feature

Not supported

Invoices are not supported

Not supported

Deposits supported (manual collection)

Auto-invoice billable time

Turn tracked time into invoices automatically

No invoicing feature

Asana has no invoicing

Monday.com has no invoicing

Basecamp has no invoicing

Time-to-invoice (manual confirmation required)

Custom invoice data fields

Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on

No invoicing feature

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Invoices are not supported

Text and date custom fields only

INBOX

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Centralized unified inbox

Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox

No unified inbox

Task comments act as a shared activity feed

Updates inbox exists for board activity

Each project has a central message board

A unified client inbox is not supported

Full email integration

Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place

Email-to-board only

Email-to-task is supported

Email-to-board is supported

You can post to Basecamp via email

Send-only (no inbox sync)

Embeddable live chat

Add real-time chat to your website and client portals

No live chat

Live chat is not supported

Live chat is not supported

Live chat is not supported

Not supported

Instant direct messages

Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace

No direct messaging

Messaging exists via comments, not chat

Direct messages are supported

Direct messages are supported

Direct messaging is not supported

Contextual project conversations

Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to

Comments on cards

Comments stay attached to tasks and projects

Comments stay tied to items

Messages stay tied to projects

No in-app project messaging

Team channels

Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions

No team channels

Channel-based chat does not exist

Updates act like channels

Channel-based chat does not exist

Team chat is not supported

Customized channels

Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow

No channels feature

Channels are not supported

Board updates can be organized

Channels are not supported

Not supported

@mentions

Notify teammates instantly inside conversations

@mentions in comments

You can mention users in comments

@mentions are supported

You can mention people in messages

Not supported

Message read receipts

See when messages are read

No read receipts

Read receipts are not supported

Seen indicators exist in updates

You can see who has read messages

Read receipts are not supported

File sharing in chat

Share files directly inside conversations

Attachments in comments

Files attach to tasks, not chat threads

Files can be shared in updates

Files can be shared in messages

Share files and links in portal messages

Shared email inbox

Collaborate on incoming emails as a team

No shared inbox

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Inbox mobile app

Access and respond to messages on mobile

Notifications only (no inbox)

Mobile app includes inbox

Mobile app includes inbox

Mobile app includes messages

Not supported

Email reply to inbox

Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced

No email inbox feature

Email replies create tasks

Email replies create board items

Email replies post to projects

Not supported

FILES

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Store and manage files

Keep all client and project files in one organized place

File attachments on cards

Files are stored within tasks and projects

Files are item-based, not a file system

Files are stored per project

Project document storage with client access

Advanced folder organization

Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose

No folder structure

Section-based, relies on cloud integrations

3-level folder hierarchy within workspaces

Color-coded folders in Docs section

Project-level only (no granular)

Folder permissions

Control who can view or edit folders

No folders

Project-level permissions only

Board-level permissions only

Project-level permissions only

Project-level only (no granular)

People folders

Group files by person when needed

No folders

Files are task-attached, not person-based

Files are item-attached, not person-based

Files are project-attached only

Not supported

Project folders

Keep files scoped to each project

No folders

Files attach to projects and tasks

Files organize within board folders

Docs & Files section per project

Project-based file sections in portal

In-app previews

Preview files instantly without downloading

Preview attachments

Preview via cloud integrations

Files Gallery preview view

In-app previews supported

Not supported

Custom file data fields

Capture file metadata you can sort and filter

No file custom fields

You can create and reuse custom fields

Custom form fields are supported

Custom fields are not supported

Contact info only (no CRM fields)

Built-in documents

Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio

No native documents

No built-in document editor

WorkDocs for embedded editing

No built-in document editor

No built-in document editor

Comments on files and docs

Leave comments directly on files and documents

Comments on cards with files

Comments on task attachments

File annotation and comments

Comments in Docs section

No file commenting system

Bulk file actions

Move, tag, or manage many files at once

No bulk file actions

Select multiple via integrations

Bulk select in Files Column

No bulk file operations

Not supported

Files search & filter

Find files quickly using search and filters

Search finds attachments

Search across projects and files

Search across boards and files

Search in Docs & Files

Not supported

External cloud sync

Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox

Google Drive, Dropbox Power-Ups

Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive

Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive

Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive

Not supported

Secure sharing controls

Restrict access with permissions or passwords

Board-level permissions only

Project-level permissions

Board-level sharing controls

Project-level access control

Not supported

File sharing links

Share files externally with controlled access

Attachment links shareable

Task link sharing only

Board link sharing only

Public folder links supported

Portal sharing only (no direct file links)

SCHEDULING

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Schedule meetings

Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails

No scheduling feature

Asana does not have scheduling

Monday.com does not have scheduling

Basecamp does not have scheduling

Booking pages with calendar sync

Branded booking page

Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor

No booking pages

Not supported

Booking pages are not supported

Not supported

Custom branding on booking pages

Advanced availability management

Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings

No scheduling feature

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Event types with availability windows

Automatic buffer times

Add buffer time automatically between meetings

No scheduling feature

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Buffer times (no daily limits)

Multiple meeting types

Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups

No scheduling feature

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Custom event types with different durations

Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)

Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically

Google Calendar sync (Premium)

Read-only calendar integration

Calendar sync is supported

Google/iCloud integration

Calendar sync (Google and Outlook only)

Customizable booking confirmations

Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits

No booking feature

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Email customization (limited template control)

Redirect after booking

Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page

No booking feature

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Redirect supported (basic URL redirect)

Booking automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked

No booking feature

Contracts cannot trigger workflows

Automations apply to items, not payments

Contracts cannot trigger actions

Booking triggers (limited action types)

Smart meeting reminders

Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups

No meeting feature

Reminders exist for tasks only

Notifications exist, not bookings

Reminder pings exist, not bookings

Auto-reminders (email only, no SMS)

Automatic timezone detection

Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments

Timezone detection built-in

Handled by external calendars

Timezone exists per account

Handled by external calendars

Timezone detection (basic support)

Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)

Collect payments during booking without extra steps

No payment collection

Asana has no scheduling

Monday.com has no scheduling

Basecamp has no scheduling

Require payment to book via Bonsai Payments or Stripe

Custom booking forms

Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout

No booking feature

Not supported

Booking forms are not supported

Not supported

Custom intake questions and forms on booking events

Minimum notice / daily booking limits

Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume

No booking feature

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Scheduling is not supported

Notice periods (no per-event daily limits)

Rescheduling and cancellation controls

Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations

No booking feature

Scheduling is not supported

Monday.com has no scheduling

Scheduling is not supported

Clients can reschedule or cancel from confirmation email

AUTOMATION

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Automated workflows builder

Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates

Butler automation builder

70+ rule templates with AI Smart Rules

AI-powered cross-board workflows

Basecamp has no automation builder

Contract, proposal, invoice, form triggers

Trigger-based workflows

Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments

Butler rules and triggers

Rules allow task-based automation

Item-based automations are supported

Workflow automation does not exist

Contract signed, proposal accepted, form filled

Schedule-based workflows

Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals

Scheduled Butler commands

Possible via rules and integrations

Recurring automations exist with limits

Automation does not exist

Not supported

Multi-step workflows

Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation

Limited multi-step support

Complex logic requires integrations

Multi-step automations are supported

Automation does not exist

Not supported

True/False branching

Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows

No conditional branching

Limited logic without integrations

Conditional logic is supported

Automation does not exist

Not supported

Delay-based actions

Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days

Scheduled delays available

Delayed rules are supported

Delays are supported

Automation does not exist

Not supported

Create & update records

Create, update, or move records automatically across the system

Create/update cards

Tasks and projects only

Tasks and boards can be created automatically

Automation does not exist

Auto-create (projects and clients only)

Move & duplicate records

Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup

Move/copy cards and lists

Tasks and projects can duplicate

Items can duplicate automatically

Projects can be duplicated manually

Not supported

Delete & archive records

Automatically archive or remove records based on rules

Archive cards and boards

Deletion requires manual confirmation

Items can delete automatically

Deletion is manual

Not supported

API calls (webhooks)

Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems

Webhooks available

Asana has a full API

API and webhooks are supported

Limited API access exists

Webhooks (outgoing only, no incoming)

Send emails

Send automated emails tied to real workflow events

Email notifications only

Emails require integrations

Emails can be sent via automations

Emails cannot be automated

Logo & colors (no custom domain)

Post comments

Add notes or comments automatically where work happens

Auto-comment via Butler

Requires integrations

Updates via automations

Automation does not exist

Not supported

Complete automation logs

See exactly what ran, when, and why

Limited automation history

Logs exist at task level

Automation logs are supported

Automation does not exist

Not supported

Auto-fill data/variables

Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping

Limited variable support

Variables exist inside rules

Formula and column values can be reused

Automation does not exist

Not supported

Cross-entity connections

Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more

No cross-board automation

Not supported

Cross-board automations are supported

Automation does not exist

Not supported

FORMS

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Create branded forms

Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience

No form builder

Internal only

WorkForms with branding and conditional logic

Basecamp has no form builder

Branded intake and questionnaire forms

Drag-and-drop form builder

Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required

No form builder

Not supported

Form view is supported

Contracts are not supported

Form editor (no true drag-and-drop)

Reusable form templates

Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch

No form feature

Internal intake forms exist

Forms can be reused

Forms are not supported

Form templates with auto-CRM sync

Custom form data fields

Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on

No form feature

You can create and reuse custom fields

Custom form fields are supported

Custom fields are not supported

Custom fields (limited field types)

Smart conditional logic

Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms

No form feature

Conditional logic is limited

Conditional logic exists in forms

Forms are not supported

Conditional logic (limited complexity)

Instant email notifications

Get notified immediately when forms are submitted

Activity notifications

Requires integrations

Notifications can trigger on submit

Forms are not supported

Email notifications (no customization)

Form automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted

No form feature

Contracts cannot trigger workflows

Automations apply to items, not payments

Contracts cannot trigger actions

Basic automation triggers (limited actions)

Embed forms

Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions

No form feature

Forms can be shared via links

Forms can be embedded

Forms are not supported

Embed via iframe (limited styling control)

Advanced field preferences

Control required, hidden, and default field behavior

No form feature

Limited field options

WorkForms conditional logic

Forms are not supported

Not supported

Comprehensive field types

Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more

No form feature

Many field types via custom fields

Many field types supported

Forms are not supported

Not supported

Form signature field

Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms

No form feature

Signatures are not supported

Signatures are not supported

Signatures are not supported

E-signature field (basic, no advanced options)

File upload fields

Accept file uploads as part of form submissions

No form feature

Files can be uploaded

File uploads via WorkForms

Files can be uploaded

Clients can upload files to projects

Redirect after submission

Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page

No form feature

Redirects not supported

Thank you screen only

Forms are not supported

Not supported

CRM

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Manage clients and leads

Manage contacts and companies in one connected system

Cards can track contacts

Asana is not a CRM

Contacts via boards, not native CRM

Basecamp is not a CRM

CRM with Deals pipeline for leads

Full company management

Track organizations, not just individual contacts

No company management

Companies are not modeled

Companies can be modeled manually

Companies are not modeled

Companies (basic info only, no hierarchy)

Custom contact data fields

Collect and manage structured contact data you define

Custom Fields on cards

CRM structure does not exist

Custom CRM fields are supported

CRM structure does not exist

Custom fields (text and select only)

Complete activity timeline

See every interaction with a client in one place

Card activity history

Activity is task-based only

Activity is board-based

Activity is message-based only

Activity log (projects and invoices only)

Contacts labeling and grouping

Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines

Labels on cards

Tags exist via custom fields

Tags and status columns are supported

Tags are not supported

Tags (no advanced segmentation)

WIKI

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Comprehensive knowledge base

Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides

No wiki/knowledge base

Pages exist but are not client-facing

Docs are supported, not a wiki system

Each project includes a document space

Not supported

Beautiful rich text pages

Write structured, formatted content without complexity

Card descriptions only

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Unlimited nested pages

Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits

No nested pages

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Granular page permissions

Control exactly who can view or edit each page

No wiki feature

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

DASHBOARDS

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Custom dashboards and pages

Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics

Dashboard view (Premium)

Reporting dashboards with custom charts

Custom dashboard widgets

Basecamp has no custom dashboards

Dashboard (fixed layout, no customization)

Drag-and-drop dashboard builder

Design dashboards visually with full layout control

No dashboard builder

Paid ($)

Paid ($)

No dashboard builder in Basecamp

Pre-configured widgets only

Charts widget

Visualize data with customizable charts

Dashboard view has charts

Included

Included

Included

Charts (revenue and time only)

Metrics widget

Track key numbers without manual reporting

Basic metrics in Dashboard

Included

Included

Included

Metrics (revenue and project totals only)

Goals widget

Monitor progress toward defined goals

No goals widget

Paid ($)

Paid ($)

No goals widget in Basecamp

Not supported

Notes widget

Add contextual notes directly to dashboards

No notes widget

Not supported

Included

Campfire sticky notes

No notes widget

Calendar widget

View upcoming events alongside work and metrics

Calendar view (Premium)

Included

Included

Included

Calendar widget (upcoming tasks only)

Financial widgets

Track revenue and expenses in the same view

No financial widgets

Not supported

No financial widgets in Monday

Not supported

Revenue tracking (invoices only, no expenses)

BRANDING

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

White-label and branding

Run the entire platform under your brand

Cannot remove Trello brand

Asana branding always visible

Monday.com branding always visible

Basecamp branding always visible

Documents and portal only (no admin theming)

Custom interface theme

Apply your brand colors across the system

Custom backgrounds only

UI cannot be customized

Board colors can be customized

UI cannot be customized

No admin interface theming

Stylesheet customization

Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming

No CSS customization

Custom CSS is not supported

Custom CSS is not supported

Custom CSS is not supported

No CSS customization

Custom login/signup pages

Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens

No custom login pages

Login pages cannot be customized

Custom login pages are not supported

Login pages cannot be customized

Branded login (fixed layout)

Email branding

Send all system emails with your branding

Trello branding remains

Emails cannot be branded

Email branding is limited

Emails cannot be branded

Logo in emails (no custom templates)

Custom brand fonts

Use your own fonts throughout the platform

No custom fonts

Fonts cannot be customized

Not supported

Fonts cannot be customized

No custom fonts

Custom brand logos

Replace all platform logos with your own

Board background images

Logos cannot be customized

Paid ($)

Logos cannot be customized

Logo (documents and portal only)

Custom domain name

Run everything on your own domain

No custom domains

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

No custom domain

Custom email SMTP

Send emails from your own email infrastructure

No custom SMTP

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

No custom SMTP

Full workspace embedding

Embed Plutio directly into your website or product

No embedding option

Not supported

Not supported

Not supported

No workspace embedding

CUSTOMIZATION

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Flexible workspace setup

Shape the platform to match how your business works

Workspaces and boards

Asana structure is templated

Workspace only

Basecamp has fixed structure

No workspace customization

Main menu editor

Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely

Limited menu customization

Navigation cannot be customized

Workspace structure can be adjusted

Navigation cannot be customized

Fixed menu (no customization)

User-based menus

Show different navigation for different roles

No user-based menus

Menus are the same for all users

Menus cannot change per user

Menus are the same for all users

Same menu for all users

Custom user roles

Create role types beyond preset permissions

Admin, Member, Observer only

Roles exist but are limited

Roles exist with limits

Custom roles are not supported

4 fixed roles (no custom)

Advanced user permissions

Control access at a granular level

Workspace-level permissions

Permissions are team-based

Advanced permissions are supported

Permissions are project-level only

Project permissions (no granular control)

SSO / OAuth

Support enterprise-grade single sign-on

SSO via Atlassian (Enterprise)

SSO is supported on enterprise plans

Email & password login only

SSO is supported on higher plans

Email & password login only

INTEGRATIONS

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Connect with other tools

Integrate with external systems without lock-in

200+ Power-Ups available

200+ native integrations

200+ integrations plus marketplace

Basic integrations via Doors

Integrations (Zapier and Make only)

Zapier integration

Connect to thousands of apps without custom code

Zapier supported

Zapier is supported

Zapier is supported

Zapier integration exists

Zapier (limited triggers and actions)

Make.com integration

Build advanced automation scenarios visually

Make.com supported

Make is supported

Make is supported

Possible via Zapier or API

Make.com (limited modules)

Pabbly Connect

Connect services without usage-based limits

Pabbly Connect supported

Possible via API

Possible via API

Possible via API

No Pabbly integration

Full REST API access

Build custom integrations with full system access

REST API available

Full REST API is available

REST API is supported

API access is limited

REST API (read-only, limited endpoints)

Incoming & outgoing webhooks

Send and receive real-time events

Webhooks supported

Webhooks are supported

Webhooks are supported

Webhooks are limited

Webhooks (outgoing only, limited events)

PLATFORM

Collapse

Plutio

198/199

Trello

55/199

Asana

55/199

Monday.com

77/199

Basecamp

39/199

Bonsai

43/199

Mobile apps

Access your business from native mobile apps

iOS and Android apps

Full-featured mobile apps

Full-featured mobile apps

Mobile companion apps

Mobile apps (iOS and Android, limited features)

iOS app

Full-featured iPhone app

iOS app available

iOS app is available

iOS app is supported

iOS app is available

iOS app (basic features only)

Android app

Full-featured Android app

Android app available

Android app is available

Android app is supported

Android app is available

Android app (basic features only)

Mac desktop app

Native macOS app for desktop workflows

Mac desktop app

Desktop app wraps the web version

Desktop app wraps the web version

Desktop app wraps the web version

Web only (no Mac app)

Windows desktop app

Native Windows app for desktop workflows

Windows desktop app

Desktop app wraps the web version

Desktop app wraps the web version

Desktop app wraps the web version

Web only (no Windows app)

Frequently asked questions about Trello alternatives

Can Plutio replace Trello?

Yes. Plutio includes Kanban boards, list views, Gantt charts, and all the project management features Trello offers, plus invoicing, time tracking, contracts, and client portals.

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 freelancers and agencies switch to Plutio from other tools?

Freelancers and agencies switch when they need to bridge the gap between getting hired and actually doing the work, moving from isolated tools to one app where proposals, projects, and invoicing stay connected.

Can I migrate from Trello?

Yes. You can export Trello boards and recreate your project structure in Plutio, then add the billing and client features Trello lacks.

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 Trello better for freelancers?

Plutio is better for freelancers because it combines project management with invoicing, time tracking, contracts, and client portals. Trello requires separate tools for billing and client work.

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.

The complete Trello alternative

Kanban boards, invoicing, client portals all connected

Visual project management plus time tracking, contracts, and everything Trello lacks.

No credit card required

Plutio - Your entire business, one login away