Asana vs Monday.com (2026): Full Comparison

Asana vs Monday: which one actually manages full projects instead of just tasks?

Both handle task assignments well: create tasks, set due dates, assign owners, track progress. But once you need to track time, bill clients, or give them visibility into project status... both tools require add-ons because neither has native invoicing, time tracking that connects to billing, or branded client portals.

Asana organizes work through a task-first model where projects are containers for related tasks. The interface focuses on task lists and due dates, but pricing scales quickly with team size, automation requires premium tiers, and there's no way to track billable hours or generate invoices.

Monday.com uses a board-based approach with customizable columns that can track almost anything. The columns handle internal workflows, but that creates complexity, the learning curve is steeper, and like Asana, there's no native time tracking or client billing.

Plutio handles task management plus time tracking, invoicing, and client portals - all in one subscription. If you need project management and billing in one place... check out Plutio and skip the comparison.

Last updated January 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

Asana organizes work through tasks grouped into projects. The interface shows tasks, due dates, and assignees without extra configuration. The tool handles teams that think in terms of to-do lists and need clear accountability. But once projects grow complex or involve client billing, you start noticing the gaps: no native time tracking, no invoicing, no client-facing portal.

Monday.com takes a different approach with customizable boards where columns can represent anything - status, dates, people, numbers, formulas. The columns handle internal workflows, but that same flexibility makes it harder to learn, and like Asana, it stops at task management. Billing clients requires separate tools.

Key differences at a glance

Interface philosophy: Asana is task-focused and minimal. Monday is board-based and highly customizable.
Learning curve: Asana takes hours to learn. Monday takes days or weeks for full customization.
Free tier: Asana allows unlimited projects with limited features. Monday limits you to 3 boards.
Automation: Both offer automation, but require premium plans. Asana Rules vs Monday Automations.
Time tracking: Neither has native time tracking that connects to billing. Both require integrations with Toggl, Harvest, or similar.
Client billing: Neither handles invoicing. You need separate accounting software.

The verdict? Asana covers task-focused teams, but lacks time tracking, invoicing, and client portals entirely. Monday has customizable boards, but the learning curve takes 1-2 weeks and the same billing gaps apply. If you need task management plus time tracking, invoicing, and client portals without adding more apps, Plutio covers everything for $19/month.

Tired of switching between apps?

There's a simpler option

Task management, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals. All in one platform for $19/month.

No credit card required

Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

Interface and learning curve

You sign up for a new project management tool. How long until your whole team is actually using it? Some tools click immediately, others take weeks of training.

Asana

Minimal interface, but missing key features. Asana's interface shows tasks, due dates, and assignees without extra layers. Projects are containers, tasks are the work. The mental model is simple: create a task, assign it, mark it complete. Most teams are productive within a few hours of signing up.

Easy-to-learn task interface
Multiple views (list, board, timeline, calendar)
Quick to learn for basic use
Mobile app available
Advanced features require training
Timeline view requires paid plan

Monday

Customizable but takes time to master. Monday's board-based system can represent almost any workflow - but that customization creates complexity. Columns can be numbers, dates, status dropdowns, formulas, or custom types. The power is real, but expect a steeper learning curve. Teams typically need 1-2 weeks before workflows are dialed in.

Highly customizable boards
Visual and colorful interface
Dashboards for high-level views
Steeper learning curve
Can feel overwhelming at first
Over-customization leads to inconsistency

Task management and workflows

The core of any project management tool. How do you create, assign, and track work? What happens when tasks depend on each other?

Asana

Tasks first, everything else follows. In Asana, tasks are the atomic unit. Every task can have subtasks, due dates, assignees, attachments, and comments. Projects group related tasks. Sections organize tasks within projects. Dependencies link tasks that must happen in sequence. Asana is predictable and handles teams with straightforward workflows.

Subtasks with full detail
Task dependencies and milestones
Custom fields for extra data
Rules for basic automation
No native time tracking
Limited resource management

Monday

Boards that adapt to any workflow. Monday.com works through items on boards. Each board has columns you define - and columns can be almost anything: status, date, person, number, formula, dependency, timeline. The column flexibility means Monday can model workflows that Asana cannot represent. The trade-off is more setup time and potential inconsistency across teams.

Custom columns for any data type
Formula columns for calculations
Automations for workflow triggers
Integrations with 200+ apps
No native time tracking
Can become unwieldy without governance

Reporting and visibility

Stakeholders want progress updates. Managers need to see bottlenecks. How do you get a high-level view without manually compiling spreadsheets?

Asana

Portfolios and dashboards for paid plans. Asana's reporting lives in Portfolios (groups of projects) and Dashboards (visual summaries). You can track project status, completion rates, and upcoming deadlines. The data is clean and presentation-ready. But most reporting features require Business or Enterprise plans - the free and Premium tiers are limited.

Portfolio view for multiple projects
Dashboards with charts and graphs
Status updates with templates
Best features on expensive plans
No resource utilization views
Limited custom reporting

Monday

Dashboards that pull from multiple boards. Monday's dashboards pull data from multiple boards to create charts and executive-level views. Widget types include numbers, charts, timelines, calendars, and more. The tradeoff is setup time - dashboards require configuration, and the best widgets require premium plans.

Cross-board dashboards
Multiple widget types
Shareable with stakeholders
Setup requires planning
Premium widgets on higher plans
Can be slow with large datasets

Time tracking and billing

You finish a project. How do you know how many hours your team spent? How do you translate that into an invoice for the client?

Asana

Basic time fields, no real tracking. Asana has no native time tracking. You can add custom number fields for estimated hours and log hours manually, but there is no timer, no automatic tracking, and no connection to billing. Most teams integrate with Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify - then manually export data to create invoices in yet another tool. The three-app workflow adds roughly 45 minutes per week of data copying.

Custom fields for time estimates
Integrations with time tracking apps
No native timer
No automatic time capture
No invoicing capability
Manual data export required

Monday

Time tracking column exists but is limited. Monday has a time tracking column that lets users start/stop timers on items. But it is basic: no rates, no billing integration, no reports by client or project type. The data stays in Monday unless you export it. For actual invoicing, you still need FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or similar. The time data does not flow anywhere useful without manual effort.

Native time tracking column
Start/stop timer on items
No hourly rates
No billing integration
Limited time reports
No invoicing capability

Client collaboration

Clients want to see project progress. How do you give them visibility without giving them access to your internal workspace?

Asana

Guest access with limited permissions. Asana allows guest users who can see specific projects without joining your organization. Guest access works for simple client visibility. But there is no dedicated client portal, no branding options, and guests count toward your user limit on some plans. Clients see Asana's interface, not yours. For agencies where brand experience matters, this can undercut your positioning.

Guest access to projects
Comment and file sharing
Task assignments for clients
No dedicated client portal
No custom branding
Guests may count toward seats

Monday

Shareable views but not a true portal. Monday lets you create shareable board views - read-only links that clients can access without an account. Shareable views work for status updates. But the feature is not a client portal: no branding, no approval workflows, no invoice or contract integration. Clients see a read-only Monday board, not an experience you designed.

Shareable view links
Embedded forms for requests
Guest access available
No dedicated client portal
No custom branding
Read-only views only

Pricing and scalability

These tools charge per seat. What happens when your team grows from 5 to 15 to 50 people?

Asana

Free for individuals, expensive at scale. Asana's free tier includes unlimited tasks, projects, and basic features for up to 10 collaborators. Premium starts at $10.99/user/month (billed annually). Business is $24.99/user/month. Enterprise is custom priced. A 10-person team on Business pays $250/month - and that is just for task management. Add time tracking ($9-12/user) and invoicing ($15-25/user) and the stack cost approaches $400-500/month.

Free tier for up to 10 collaborators
Clear feature tiers
Per-seat pricing adds up
Best features on expensive plans
Supplementary tools add cost

Monday

Free tier is limited, scaling is steep. Monday's free tier limits you to 3 boards and 2 users. Basic is $9/seat/month (minimum 3 seats). Standard is $12/seat/month. Pro is $19/seat/month. A 10-person team on Pro pays $190/month for project management alone. Add time tracking integration ($9-12/user) and invoicing software ($15-25/user) and the total easily hits $350-450/month.

Per-seat pricing starts at $9/seat/month
Customizable templates included
Free tier is very limited
3-seat minimum on paid plans
Supplementary tools required

Skip the tool stack?

Get tasks, time, and billing in one app

Asana and Monday handle tasks. Plutio handles tasks plus time tracking, invoicing, contracts, and client portals.

No credit card required

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating

Asana vs Monday pricing breakdown

Both Asana and Monday use per-seat pricing that scales quickly with team size - but the pricing structure and value proposition differ in ways that affect total cost of ownership.

Asana Pricing (2026)

Personal (Free): Unlimited tasks, projects, messages, and 500MB storage. Limited to 10 collaborators per project. No timeline, forms, or advanced features.
Starter: $10.99/user/month (annual) or $13.49/user/month (monthly). Adds timeline view, forms, unlimited dashboards, and admin console.
Advanced: $24.99/user/month (annual). Adds portfolios, workload management, custom rules builder, and approvals.
Enterprise: Custom pricing. Adds SAML, user provisioning, data export controls, and custom branding.

Monday.com Pricing (2026)

Free: Up to 2 users, 3 boards, limited features. Not viable for most teams.
Basic: $9/seat/month (annual), minimum 3 seats. Unlimited boards, 5GB storage, basic dashboards.
Standard: $12/seat/month (annual). Adds timeline view, Gantt charts, guest access, automations (250/month).
Pro: $19/seat/month (annual). Adds time tracking column, formula columns, chart views, private boards.
Enterprise: Custom pricing. Adds advanced security, multi-level permissions, and dedicated support.

The real cost comparison

A 10-person team comparing options:

Asana Advanced: $250/month for project management
Monday Pro: $190/month for project management
Add time tracking: +$90-120/month (9-12/user)
Add invoicing: +$150-250/month (15-25/user)
Total stack cost: $390-620/month for the full workflow

All-in-one platforms like Plutio start at $19/month for solo users and $49/month for teams - including projects, time tracking, and invoicing in one subscription. The math shifts significantly at scale.

Which tool is better for your team type?

The right choice depends on how your team works day-to-day. Some teams think in tasks, others think in workflows. Some need client visibility, others are purely internal.

Marketing teams with campaigns

Both tools cover campaign tracking. Asana includes templates for campaign management. Monday's boards display campaign timelines. But neither connects campaign work to time tracking or client billing, so agencies still need separate tools for invoicing.

Software development teams

Neither is ideal for development. Asana lacks sprint planning and code integration. Monday has more customization but lacks sprint planning and code integration like Jira or Linear. Development teams typically use specialized tools rather than generic project management.

Agencies with client work

This is where both tools show their limitations. Neither has native time tracking that connects to billing. Neither has client portals. Neither handles proposals, contracts, or invoices. Agencies end up with 3-4 app stacks: Asana or Monday for tasks, Toggl for time, FreshBooks for invoicing, and something else for proposals. Platforms like Plutio replace this stack.

Freelancers and solopreneurs

Asana's free tier covers solo project tracking with unlimited tasks. Monday's free tier is too limited. But neither handles the full freelancer workflow - proposals, contracts, time tracking, invoicing. One-person businesses typically need multiple tools unless they choose an all-in-one platform.

Enterprise teams with compliance needs

Both offer enterprise tiers with advanced security, SSO, and audit logs. Asana has more enterprise deployments historically. Monday has been catching up with SOC 2 and additional certifications. Both charge custom enterprise pricing that typically starts at $30-40/user/month with annual contracts and minimum seat requirements. Evaluate based on specific IT and compliance requirements, keeping in mind that neither enterprise tier adds time tracking or invoicing capabilities.

What both tools are missing

Asana and Monday both cover internal task coordination. But both stop at task management - the gaps appear when you need to track time, bill clients, or give them project visibility.

No native time tracking that connects to billing

Asana has no time tracking at all. Monday has a basic timer column, but it does not connect to rates, clients, or invoices. Neither generates timesheets that you can bill from. Most teams add Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify - then manually export data to create invoices. The extra layer of tools costs 30-60 minutes per week in data handling.

No invoicing or payment collection

Neither tool creates invoices. Neither collects payments. You need FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Xero, or similar. The time data from your project management tool does not flow into your invoicing tool automatically - hours get copied manually from reports into invoice line items, which introduces errors and adds 15-30 minutes per billing cycle.

No client portals

Asana has guest access. Monday has shareable views. Neither is a dedicated client portal where clients can see their projects, approve deliverables, view invoices, and sign contracts. Agencies and consultants who want branded client experiences need additional tools. Plutio offers white-labeled portals on custom domains.

No proposals or contracts

Neither tool helps close deals. Proposals and contracts require DocuSign, PandaDoc, or similar tools at $19-65/user/month. These tools do not connect to project management, so projects get created manually after contracts are signed, client details get re-entered, and scope details from proposals do not carry over into task lists automatically.

Per-seat pricing that punishes growth

Both Asana and Monday charge per seat. As teams grow, costs grow proportionally. A 25-person team on Asana Business pays $625/month. A 25-person team on Monday Pro pays $475/month. Both figures cover project management alone, before adding time tracking ($225-300/month for 25 users) and invoicing tools ($15-25/month base plus per-user fees). The total stack cost for a 25-person team running project management, time tracking, and invoicing typically reaches $900-1,200/month across all subscriptions.

What teams do when neither tool is enough

Teams using Asana or Monday for client work typically follow one of two paths: stack more tools, or switch to a platform that covers the full workflow.

The multi-tool stack approach

Most teams add tools as needs arise:

Project management: Asana or Monday ($10-25/user/month)
Time tracking: Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify ($9-12/user/month)
Invoicing: FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or Xero ($15-25/month + per-user fees)
Proposals/contracts: PandaDoc or DocuSign ($19-65/user/month)
Client communication: Slack or email (included or $7-15/user/month)

Total stack cost for a 5-person team: $300-500/month. Time spent switching between apps and copying data: 2-4 hours/week.

The one-platform approach

Some teams choose platforms designed for the full client lifecycle - where projects, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals live in one place. Data flows automatically: tracked time becomes invoice line items, signed contracts create projects, clients log into branded portals.

Plutio is one example: proposals, contracts, projects, tasks, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals in a single subscription. $19/month for solo users, $49/month for teams. No per-seat multipliers, no integration headaches.

The trade-off: all-in-one platforms may have fewer specialized features in any single area than best-of-breed tools. Asana has more task management sub-features like portfolios and workload views. Harvest has more time report options. But for teams who value simplicity and workflow continuity, switching to one platform often wins.

Final verdict: Asana vs Monday

Asana and Monday both cover task coordination. The differences emerge in interface approach, pricing, and what each tool leaves out.

Asana makes sense when:

The team thinks in tasks and to-do lists rather than visual boards. But advanced features like portfolios and workload management require the Business plan at $25/user/month.
A free tier with unlimited tasks matters for the budget. But the free tier caps at 10 collaborators per project and lacks timeline views.
The workflow is internal-only and does not involve client billing. Asana has no time tracking, no invoicing, and no client portals.

Monday makes sense when:

Workflows require custom columns and adaptable data structures. But the learning curve takes 1-2 weeks, and over-customization leads to inconsistency across teams.
Dashboard customization matters for reporting. But the best widgets require Pro ($19/seat/month) or higher plans.
The workflow is internal-only. Monday's time tracking column is basic, does not connect to billing, and invoicing is missing entirely.

Consider one platform if:

You work with clients who need project visibility
You bill hourly and want time tracking connected to invoicing
You send proposals and contracts as part of your workflow
You want to reduce app switching and data copying

But know that: All-in-one platforms have fewer specialized features in each area. Migration takes time, typically a focused weekend for small teams. Evaluate based on whether the workflow involves client billing, time tracking, and proposals, or whether internal task coordination is the only requirement. Teams that only need task management can stay with Asana or Monday. Teams that bill clients and track hours against projects typically save 2-4 hours per week by switching everything to a single platform.

The bottom line: Asana and Monday both cover internal task management. For teams who work with clients and need time tracking, invoicing, and portals, neither provides a complete solution. The choice becomes: build a multi-tool stack at higher cost and complexity, or switch to a platform that handles tasks, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals in one place.

Research & Sources

This comparison is based on direct testing, official documentation, and analysis of user feedback across major review platforms. All data verified January 2026.

Research methodology

Each tool was evaluated through active trial accounts, official feature documentation, and analysis of 300+ user reviews across G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Focus was on common pain points from 1-3 star reviews where users share honest limitations.

Platform ratings (January 2026)

Asana: 4.4/5 on G2 (9,800+ reviews), praised for task management and interface, criticized for pricing and missing features
Monday.com: 4.5/5 on G2 (12,000+ reviews), praised for customization and visual interface, criticized for learning curve and pricing
Plutio: 4.6/5 on G2 (200+ reviews), praised for all-in-one coverage and value

Common user complaints (from 1-3 star reviews)

Asana users frequently mention: "Pricing increased significantly," "Need too many integrations," "No good time tracking," "Gets expensive with team growth"

Monday users frequently mention: "Steep learning curve," "Too many features to configure," "Automations are limited on lower plans," "Time tracking is too basic"

Pricing sources (verified January 2026)

Feature verification

Asana vs Monday vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three tools compare on features that matter for teams managing client work.

PRICING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Starting price	$19/month (Core plan)	$10.99/user/month (Starter, annual)	$9/user/month (Basic, 3 user min)
Free plan	No free plan (14-day trial available)	Free plan for up to 10 users	Free plan for up to 2 users
Trial period	14-day free trial	Free trial available	Free trial available
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Manage projects and tasks	Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow	Multiple views with dependencies	Highly flexible project structures
Project roles and permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project	You can control project access per user and team	You can control access at board and item level
Multiple task boards	Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project	You can create multiple boards per project	You can create unlimited boards
Embeddable project boards	Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites	You can embed read-only project views	Boards can be embedded
Sharable project boards	Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk	You can share project links publicly	Boards can be shared publicly with limits
Project stages and milestones	Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work	You can define custom sections and milestones	You can define custom statuses and milestones
Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices	Everything related stays connected to the project automatically	Not supported	Proposals, contracts, and invoices are not supported
Custom project data fields	Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data	Full custom field support	Custom columns on boards
Kanban boards	Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns	You can manage tasks in Kanban boards	Boards can be viewed in Kanban style
Table view	Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet	You can view tasks in table format	Boards default to table view
List view	Clean task lists with clear hierarchy	You can view tasks in lists	Items can be viewed as lists
Calendar view	See tasks and deadlines on a calendar	You can view tasks on a calendar	Calendar view is supported
Gantt view	Plan work visually with task order and dependencies	Timeline view functions as a Gantt chart	Gantt view is supported on higher plans
Subtasks	Break work down into multiple nested levels	You can break tasks into subtasks	Subitems are supported
Email to task	Turn emails into tasks without manual copying	Included	Included
Task comments	Keep discussions tied directly to each task	You can comment directly on tasks	You can comment on items
Task attachments	Store files directly on the task they belong to	You can attach files to tasks	Files can be attached to items
Task priorities	Define priority levels that fit your workflow	Priorities must be modeled using custom fields	Priority columns are supported
Task labels & color coding	Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks	You can tag tasks and use color labels	Status and label columns are supported
Multiple task assignees	Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates	You can assign tasks to multiple teammates	Multiple assignees are supported
Task templates	Reuse task-level structures across projects	You can reuse task and project templates	Board and item templates are supported
Task permissions	Control access at the individual task level	Permissions apply at project level, not per task	Permissions depend on board setup
Task dependencies	Prevent work from starting out of order	You can define task dependencies	Dependencies are supported
Recurring tasks	Automate repeating work with flexible schedules	You can create recurring tasks	Recurring items are supported
Custom task data fields	Add task-level fields for tracking custom details	Full custom field support	Custom columns on boards
TIME TRACKING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Time tracking system	Easily track time using timers or manual entries	Native time tracking (Advanced plan only, $24.99/user/month)	Time tracking column (Pro and Enterprise plans only, $16/seat/month)
Task-level tracking	Log time directly against tasks and subtasks	Requires external tools or custom fields	You can track time per item
Project-level tracking	See time spent per project and per client	Requires reporting tools or integrations	Project time requires rollups
Billable time tracking	Clearly separate billable and non-billable time	Asana does not track billable time	Billable logic is not supported
Billable time invoicing	Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Timesheet reports	View detailed time reports by task, project, or client	Requires third-party tools	Time tracking add-on required
Team timesheets	See how each team member tracks their time	Requires integrations	Team views require dashboards
PROPOSALS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Create and send proposals	Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow	Asana is for task management only	Monday.com is for project management only
Drag-and-drop proposal builder	Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code	Not supported	Proposals are not supported
Reusable proposal templates	Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients	Not supported	Proposals are not supported
Real-time proposal analytics	See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed	Not supported	Proposals are not supported
Live messenger on proposals	Answer questions directly while clients review proposals	Not supported	Proposals are not supported
Proposal flow automation	Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically	Not supported	Not supported
Convert proposal to invoice	Create invoices directly from approved proposals	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Packages and add-ons	Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals	Pricing packages are not supported	Proposal pricing is not supported
Interactive pricing tables	Let clients choose options before approving	Pricing tables are not supported	Not supported
Dynamic data and variables	Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data	Not supported	Not supported
Expiration dates	Automatically expire proposals after a set date	Not supported	Not supported
PDF Export	Download as branded PDFs	Tasks and projects can be exported, not proposals	Included
Reusable content blocks	Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand	Proposal blocks are not supported	Not supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals	E-signatures are not supported	Monday.com has no e-signatures
Custom proposal data fields	Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on	Proposals are not supported	Proposals are not supported
CONTRACTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Create and sign contracts	Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow	Asana does not handle contracts	Monday.com does not handle contracts
Drag-and-drop contract builder	Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits	Not supported	Form view is supported
Legally binding e-signatures	Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification	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
Reusable contract templates	Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster	Not supported	Contracts are not supported
Auto-reminders automation	Automatically follow up until contracts are signed	Not supported	Contract reminders are not supported
Dynamic data/variables	Auto-fill contract content with client and project data	Not supported	Contracts are not supported
Contract automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments
View notifications	See when contracts are opened and reviewed	Not supported	Payment notifications are not supported
PDF download with signature certificate	Download signed contracts with official proof of signature	Not supported	Contracts are not supported
Custom signer data fields	Collect structured signer information during signing	Not supported	Contracts are 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
INVOICES & PAYMENTS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Create invoices and get paid	Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow	Asana does not handle billing	Monday.com does not handle billing
Fully branded invoices	Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Drag and drop invoice builder	Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits	Invoices are not supported	Invoices are not supported
Customizable line items	Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Item or invoice discounts	Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Customizable taxes	Create tax rules that match your location and use case	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
ACH payments	Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments	Asana does not process payments	Payments are not supported
Stripe integration	Accept credit and debit cards instantly	Asana does not process payments	Stripe works via third-party tools
Square integration	Collect in-person payments when needed	Asana does not process payments	Payments are not supported
PayPal integration	Let clients pay using PayPal	Asana does not process payments	Possible via integrations only
Flexible partial payments	Collect deposits and split payments across milestones	Payments are not supported	Payments are not supported
Payment plans	Break invoices into scheduled installments	Not supported	Payments are not supported
Automated recurring invoices	Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Subscription management	Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing	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
Reusable invoice templates	Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Multiple currency support	Bill clients globally in their local currency	Payments are not supported	Board currency columns exist
Invoice automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments
View notifications	See when invoices are opened and paid	Not supported	Payment notifications are not supported
Built-in expense tracking	Track project-related costs alongside invoices	Not supported	Expenses are not supported
Invoice deposits	Collect upfront payments before work starts	Not supported	Invoices are not supported
Auto-invoice billable time	Turn tracked time into invoices automatically	Asana has no invoicing	Monday.com 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
INBOX Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Centralized unified inbox	Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox	Task comments act as a shared activity feed	Updates inbox exists for board activity
Full email integration	Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place	Email-to-task is supported	Email-to-board 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
Instant direct messages	Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace	Messaging exists via comments, not chat	Direct messages are supported
Contextual project conversations	Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to	Comments stay attached to tasks and projects	Comments stay tied to items
Team channels	Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions	Channel-based chat does not exist	Updates act like channels
Customized channels	Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow	Channels are not supported	Board updates can be organized
@mentions	Notify teammates instantly inside conversations	You can mention users in comments	@mentions are supported
Message read receipts	See when messages are read	Read receipts are not supported	Seen indicators exist in updates
File sharing in chat	Share files directly inside conversations	Files attach to tasks, not chat threads	Files can be shared in updates
Shared email inbox	Collaborate on incoming emails as a team	Not supported	Not supported
Inbox mobile app	Access and respond to messages on mobile	Mobile app includes inbox	Mobile app includes inbox
Email reply to inbox	Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced	Email replies create tasks	Email replies create board items
FILES Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Store and manage files	Keep all client and project files in one organized place	Files are stored within tasks and projects	Files are item-based, not a file system
Advanced folder organization	Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose	Section-based, relies on cloud integrations	3-level folder hierarchy within workspaces
Folder permissions	Control who can view or edit folders	Project-level permissions only	Board-level permissions only
People folders	Group files by person when needed	Files are task-attached, not person-based	Files are item-attached, not person-based
Project folders	Keep files scoped to each project	Files attach to projects and tasks	Files organize within board folders
In-app previews	Preview files instantly without downloading	Preview via cloud integrations	Files Gallery preview view
Custom file data fields	Capture file metadata you can sort and filter	You can create and reuse custom fields	Custom form fields are supported
Built-in documents	Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio	No built-in document editor	WorkDocs for embedded editing
Comments on files and docs	Leave comments directly on files and documents	Comments on task attachments	File annotation and comments
Bulk file actions	Move, tag, or manage many files at once	Select multiple via integrations	Bulk select in Files Column
Files search & filter	Find files quickly using search and filters	Search across projects and files	Search across boards and files
External cloud sync	Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox	Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive	Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive
Secure sharing controls	Restrict access with permissions or passwords	Project-level permissions	Board-level sharing controls
File sharing links	Share files externally with controlled access	Task link sharing only	Board link sharing only
SCHEDULING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Schedule meetings	Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails	Asana does not have scheduling	Monday.com 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
Advanced availability management	Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings	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
Multiple meeting types	Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups	Scheduling is not supported	Scheduling is not supported
Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)	Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically	Read-only calendar integration	Calendar sync is supported
Customizable booking confirmations	Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits	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
Booking automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments
Smart meeting reminders	Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups	Reminders exist for tasks only	Notifications exist, not bookings
Automatic timezone detection	Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments	Handled by external calendars	Timezone exists per account
Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)	Collect payments during booking without extra steps	Asana has no scheduling	Monday.com has no scheduling
Custom booking forms	Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout	Not supported	Booking forms are 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
Rescheduling and cancellation controls	Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations	Scheduling is not supported	Monday.com has no scheduling
AUTOMATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Automated workflows builder	Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates	70+ rule templates with AI Smart Rules	AI-powered cross-board workflows
Trigger-based workflows	Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments	Rules allow task-based automation	Item-based automations are supported
Schedule-based workflows	Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals	Possible via rules and integrations	Recurring automations exist with limits
Multi-step workflows	Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation	Complex logic requires integrations	Multi-step automations are supported
True/False branching	Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows	Limited logic without integrations	Conditional logic is supported
Delay-based actions	Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days	Delayed rules are supported	Delays are supported
Create & update records	Create, update, or move records automatically across the system	Tasks and projects only	Tasks and boards can be created automatically
Move & duplicate records	Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup	Tasks and projects can duplicate	Items can duplicate automatically
Delete & archive records	Automatically archive or remove records based on rules	Deletion requires manual confirmation	Items can delete automatically
API calls (webhooks)	Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems	Asana has a full API	API and webhooks are supported
Send emails	Send automated emails tied to real workflow events	Emails require integrations	Emails can be sent via automations
Post comments	Add notes or comments automatically where work happens	Requires integrations	Updates via automations
Complete automation logs	See exactly what ran, when, and why	Logs exist at task level	Automation logs are supported
Auto-fill data/variables	Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping	Variables exist inside rules	Formula and column values can be reused
Cross-entity connections	Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more	Not supported	Cross-board automations are supported
FORMS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Create branded forms	Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience	Internal only	WorkForms with branding and conditional logic
Drag-and-drop form builder	Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required	Not supported	Form view is supported
Reusable form templates	Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch	Internal intake forms exist	Forms can be reused
Custom form data fields	Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on	You can create and reuse custom fields	Custom form fields are supported
Smart conditional logic	Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms	Conditional logic is limited	Conditional logic exists in forms
Instant email notifications	Get notified immediately when forms are submitted	Requires integrations	Notifications can trigger on submit
Form automation triggers	Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted	Contracts cannot trigger workflows	Automations apply to items, not payments
Embed forms	Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions	Forms can be shared via links	Forms can be embedded
Advanced field preferences	Control required, hidden, and default field behavior	Limited field options	WorkForms conditional logic
Comprehensive field types	Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more	Many field types via custom fields	Many field types supported
Form signature field	Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms	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
Redirect after submission	Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page	Redirects not supported	Thank you screen only
CRM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Manage clients and leads	Manage contacts and companies in one connected system	Asana is not a CRM	Contacts via boards, not native CRM
Full company management	Track organizations, not just individual contacts	Companies are not modeled	Companies can be modeled manually
Custom contact data fields	Collect and manage structured contact data you define	CRM structure does not exist	Custom CRM fields are supported
Complete activity timeline	See every interaction with a client in one place	Activity is task-based only	Activity is board-based
Contacts labeling and grouping	Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines	Tags exist via custom fields	Tags and status columns are supported
WIKI Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Comprehensive knowledge base	Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides	Pages exist but are not client-facing	Docs are supported, not a wiki system
Beautiful rich text pages	Write structured, formatted content without complexity	Not supported	Not supported
Unlimited nested pages	Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits	Not supported	Not supported
Granular page permissions	Control exactly who can view or edit each page	Not supported	Not supported
DASHBOARDS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Custom dashboards and pages	Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics	Reporting dashboards with custom charts	Custom dashboard widgets
Drag-and-drop dashboard builder	Design dashboards visually with full layout control	Paid ($)	Paid ($)
Charts widget	Visualize data with customizable charts	Included	Included
Metrics widget	Track key numbers without manual reporting	Included	Included
Goals widget	Monitor progress toward defined goals	Paid ($)	Paid ($)
Notes widget	Add contextual notes directly to dashboards	Not supported	Included
Calendar widget	View upcoming events alongside work and metrics	Included	Included
Financial widgets	Track revenue and expenses in the same view	Not supported	No financial widgets in Monday
BRANDING Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
White-label and branding	Run the entire platform under your brand	Asana branding always visible	Monday.com branding always visible
Custom interface theme	Apply your brand colors across the system	UI cannot be customized	Board colors can be customized
Stylesheet customization	Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming	Custom CSS is not supported	Custom CSS is not supported
Custom login/signup pages	Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens	Login pages cannot be customized	Custom login pages are not supported
Email branding	Send all system emails with your branding	Emails cannot be branded	Email branding is limited
Custom brand fonts	Use your own fonts throughout the platform	Fonts cannot be customized	Not supported
Custom brand logos	Replace all platform logos with your own	Logos cannot be customized	Paid ($)
Custom domain name	Run everything on your own domain	Not supported	Not supported
Custom email SMTP	Send emails from your own email infrastructure	Not supported	Not supported
Full workspace embedding	Embed Plutio directly into your website or product	Not supported	Not supported
CUSTOMIZATION Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Flexible workspace setup	Shape the platform to match how your business works	Asana structure is templated	Workspace only
Main menu editor	Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely	Navigation cannot be customized	Workspace structure can be adjusted
User-based menus	Show different navigation for different roles	Menus are the same for all users	Menus cannot change per user
Custom user roles	Create role types beyond preset permissions	Roles exist but are limited	Roles exist with limits
Advanced user permissions	Control access at a granular level	Permissions are team-based	Advanced permissions are supported
SSO / OAuth	Support enterprise-grade single sign-on	SSO is supported on enterprise plans	Email & password login only
INTEGRATIONS Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Connect with other tools	Integrate with external systems without lock-in	200+ native integrations	72+ integrations plus marketplace
Zapier integration	Connect to thousands of apps without custom code	Zapier is supported	Zapier is supported
Make.com integration	Build advanced automation scenarios visually	Make is supported	Make is supported
Pabbly Connect	Connect services without usage-based limits	Possible via API	Possible via API
Full REST API access	Build custom integrations with full system access	Full REST API is available	REST API is supported
Incoming & outgoing webhooks	Send and receive real-time events	Webhooks are supported	Webhooks are supported
PLATFORM Collapse	Plutio 198/199	Asana 55/199	Monday.com 77/199
Mobile apps	Access your business from native mobile apps	Full-featured mobile apps	Full-featured mobile apps
iOS app	Full-featured iPhone app	iOS app is available	iOS app is supported
Android app	Full-featured Android app	Android app is available	Android app is supported
Mac desktop app	Native macOS app for desktop workflows	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

Try Plutio free

Asana vs Monday FAQ

Is Asana better than Monday?

Asana is better for teams who want a clean, task-focused interface with minimal learning curve. Monday is better for teams who need highly customizable boards and visual workflows. Neither is objectively better - it depends on how your team thinks about work.

Is Monday easier than Asana?

No, Asana has a shorter onboarding curve. Most teams are productive with Asana within hours. Monday's flexibility creates a steeper learning curve that typically takes 1-2 weeks to master fully.

Can I use Asana for free?

Yes. Asana's free tier includes unlimited tasks, projects, and messages with up to 10 collaborators per project. The free tier lacks timeline views, forms, and advanced features. Monday's free tier is much more limited: 2 users and 3 boards maximum.

Does Asana have time tracking?

No. Asana has no native time tracking. You can add custom number fields for estimates or integrate with third-party tools like Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify. The time data does not connect to billing.

Does Monday have time tracking?

Yes, Monday has a basic time tracking column where users can start/stop timers on items. But it lacks hourly rates, billing integration, or meaningful reports. For serious time tracking, most teams still add third-party tools.

Can clients see projects in Asana?

Yes, through guest access. Clients can be invited to specific projects without joining your organization. They see Asana's interface, not a branded portal. Guest access may count toward user limits on some plans.

Can I create invoices in Monday?

No. Monday has no invoicing functionality. You need separate accounting software like FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or Xero. Time tracked in Monday does not automatically flow to these tools.

Why is Asana so expensive?

Asana's per-seat pricing adds up quickly for larger teams. Premium starts at $11/user/month, but most teams need Business at $25/user/month for portfolios and advanced features. A 20-person team pays $500/month minimum.

Is Monday worth the price?

Monday's Pro plan at $19/seat/month includes time tracking, formula columns, and chart views. The Pro plan at $19/seat/month includes time tracking, formula columns, and chart views. But if you only need basic task management, cheaper options exist.

Can Asana replace Monday?

For most task management needs, yes. Asana covers project tracking, task assignments, timelines, and basic automation. If you need Monday's custom columns and formula calculations, Asana may feel limiting.

Which is better for small teams?

Asana's free tier includes unlimited projects and tasks for up to 10 collaborators. Monday's free tier limits to 2 users and 3 boards. Monday's free tier limits you to 2 users and 3 boards, which is not viable for most teams.

Which is better for agencies?

Neither is ideal for agencies. Both lack time tracking connected to billing, invoicing, proposals, contracts, and branded client portals. Agencies typically run 3-4 additional subscriptions alongside Asana or Monday: Toggl or Harvest for time tracking ($9-12/user/month), FreshBooks or QuickBooks for invoicing ($15-25/month), and PandaDoc or DocuSign for proposals ($19-65/user/month). The subscriptions add up quickly, and data gets copied between each tool manually every week. All-in-one platforms like Plutio handle proposals, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals in one subscription without the manual handoffs.

Does Asana integrate with Slack?

Yes. Asana has a native Slack integration that creates tasks from messages, sends task updates to channels, and allows task management from Slack. Monday also integrates with Slack with similar functionality.

Can I migrate from Monday to Asana?

Yes, both tools offer import/export features. Asana can import from Monday using CSV exports. The process typically takes a few hours for small teams, longer for complex board structures. Some custom column data may not transfer cleanly.

Is there a better alternative to both?

If you need project management plus time tracking, invoicing, and client portals, all-in-one platforms like Plutio cover the full workflow for less money. If you only need task management, Asana or Monday cover task assignment and tracking. But neither handles invoicing, time-to-billing, or client portals.

Tired of the tool stack?

See what one platform looks like

Tasks, time tracking, invoicing, and client portals in one place.

No credit card required

4.6/5 Rating

4.4/5 Rating

4.6/5 Rating

4.7/5 Rating