Plutio vs Asana: Complete Comparison (2026)

Asana manages internal teams, but client-facing workflows require separate tools. Your team assigns tasks, tracks dependencies, and manages workloads across departments. But Asana has no proposals, no contracts, no invoicing, no native time tracking, and no client portal. So everything that actually makes you money happens outside Asana.

Plutio handles project management and the client relationship that drives it: proposals that convert to projects with templated tasks, time tracking that flows into invoices, and a branded portal where clients check progress without emailing you. Try Plutio free and see how much simpler client work gets when everything connects.

Last updated February 2026

4.6

Quick comparison (TLDR)

Asana is a team project management platform built for enterprises and internal teams. Multiple views (list, board, timeline, calendar), subtasks, dependencies, and automation rules handle complex project workflows. Large organizations like Dropbox, Spotify, and NASA use Asana for internal team coordination. But for client-facing work, there are no proposals, no contracts, no invoicing, and no branded client portals. When you need to bill a client or show them progress, you switch to other apps and rebuild the context there.

Plutio is an all-in-one platform built for client-facing businesses. Project management includes Kanban boards, Gantt charts, subtasks, and dependencies similar to Asana. But Plutio also handles proposals, contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and branded client portals. Clients log in and see their project progress without you manually updating them via email.

Key differences at a glance

Client billing: Plutio includes proposals, contracts, e-signatures, invoices, and payment collection in the same platform as project management. Asana has no billing features, so you open a separate proposal tool like PandaDoc ($35/month), type the scope again, then open an invoicing app like QuickBooks ($30/month) and recreate the client details there.
Time tracking: Plutio tracks hours on tasks with one-click timers and generates invoices directly from time logs. Asana has no native time tracking, so you run a separate timer app like Toggl ($10/month) and manually transfer hours to invoices, which is where billable time gets lost or under-reported.
Client portals: Plutio clients log into a branded portal at your domain and see their tasks, files, and project status without needing a software license. Asana requires clients to have Asana accounts to see anything, and they see Asana branding everywhere with no way to customize it for your business.
White-label branding: Plutio runs entirely under your brand with custom domains, branded login pages, custom SMTP emails, and full interface theming. Asana has no white-labeling, no custom domains, and guests always see Asana branding on every screen.
Proposals and contracts: Plutio has a drag-and-drop proposal builder where line items can map to project tasks, e-signatures are built in, and accepted proposals automatically create projects. Asana has no proposals, no contracts, and no e-signatures.
Enterprise features: Asana offers portfolio management, workload balancing, goals, SSO, and audit logs for large internal teams. Plutio focuses on small to mid-sized agencies and freelancers with simpler but more integrated workflows.

The bottom line: Asana covers internal project management for large teams with portfolio views, workload balancing, and SSO. The trade-off: no proposals, invoicing, or client portals. Plutio handles client-facing freelance and agency work where projects, billing, and client communication connect in one platform that replaces Asana plus your invoicing and CRM tools.

Project and task management

A client approves three deliverables with different deadlines. Can you see dependencies, track subtasks, and visualize the timeline? Both tools handle this, but what happens when the project involves a paying client?

Asana

Full-featured task management for internal teams. Asana gives you list, board, timeline, calendar, and workload views. Goals and portfolios track progress across multiple projects. Rules automate status changes and task assignments. Subtasks and dependencies handle complex project structures. The interface is clean and designed for enterprise internal teams. But for client-facing freelancers, Asana lacks proposals, invoicing, native time tracking, and branded client portals. Most freelancers end up pairing Asana with 3-4 additional tools to handle the client-facing side of their business.

List, board, timeline, calendar views
Goals and portfolios for tracking
Subtasks and dependencies
Rules for automation
200+ integrations
No proposals or invoicing
No native time tracking
No branded client portals

Plutio

See your work however makes sense to you. Some people think in Kanban boards, others need a Gantt chart to see the timeline. Plutio gives you five different views of the same project. Switch between them depending on what you are doing. When a project has dozens of tasks spanning months, you can nest subtasks under each milestone, link dependent tasks so deadlines shift together automatically, and build templates that recreate the whole structure every time you book a new client.

5 views: Kanban, Gantt, List, Table, Calendar
Subtasks with unlimited nesting levels
Task dependencies with visual links
Recurring tasks (daily, weekly, monthly, custom)
Project templates with auto-task creation
Custom fields, statuses, and priorities
Time estimates and actual time per task
File attachments on tasks

Time tracking and billing

A client questions an invoice line item. Can you show them exactly what that time was spent on? When time connects to tasks and invoices, billing disputes disappear.

Asana

No native time tracking. Asana focuses on task management and does not include time tracking. You need a separate tool like Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify to track billable hours. Time data lives in one app while project data lives in another. Asana has no timer, no billable rate support, and no connection to invoicing. When you want to bill a client for tracked hours, you manually copy time entries from your timer app to your invoicing app, and that is where billable hours get lost or under-reported.

No native time tracking
Requires third-party integration (Toggl, Harvest)
No connection to invoicing
Time data lives separately from tasks
Manual reconciliation required
No billable rate customization

Plutio

Time tracking that connects to everything. You click a button on any task and the timer starts. When you are done, that time is already attached to the task, the project, and the client. At the end of the week, you pull up your time logs and generate an invoice with one click. The hours are already there, broken down exactly how you tracked them. You can set different rates for different clients or even different types of work. Your team's time shows up in one place where you can approve it before billing.

One-click timer on any task
Manual entry and timer options
Task-level AND project-level tracking
Billable vs non-billable separation
Custom rates per task, project, or client
Time reports by client, project, team
One-click invoice from time logs
Team timesheet approval workflow

Client visibility and communication

'Hey, just checking in on the project status?' When clients can see progress in one place, they stop asking. When clients can see progress in their own portal, they stop emailing you for updates.

Asana

No dedicated client portal. Asana lets you invite clients as guests, but they see the standard Asana interface with Asana branding on every screen. Asana has no dedicated client portal, no custom domain, no white-labeling, and no way to customize what clients see. Clients need to create an Asana account to access anything. If you want to share project status with a client who does not want another software account, you end up exporting reports manually and emailing them.

Guest access available
No dedicated client portal
Guests see Asana branding everywhere
No custom domain support
No visibility customization
Not designed for client-facing use

Plutio

Your clients get their own branded space. When your client logs in, they see yourcompany.com, not some third-party software. The portal shows their tasks, files, deadlines, and messages all in one place. They can check progress whenever they want instead of emailing you. When you finish a deliverable, they approve it right there. When they need to upload assets, they do it in the same place. You control what they see, so your internal workflow stays private.

Custom domain (yourcompany.com)
White-label branding (remove Plutio)
Custom CSS for full styling control
Tasks, files, deadlines visible to clients
In-app messaging tied to projects
Deliverable approval workflow
File uploads from clients
Invoice and payment history

Client communication and inbox

A client emails you a project change. Your associate asks about the deliverables. A partner sends updated timelines. Without a central place, you check three apps and still miss something urgent.

Asana

Task comments only. Asana has commenting on tasks and projects for team collaboration. You can @mention teammates and get notifications. But there is no unified inbox, no email integration, and no way to see all client communications in one place. Communication with external clients happens in email, Slack, or other tools, completely separate from your Asana projects.

Task and project comments
@mentions in comments
Activity notifications
No unified inbox
No email integration
No client communication threads
No live chat
Client emails live separately

Plutio

All your client conversations in one place. When a client emails you, that message shows up in their thread alongside every other conversation you have had with them: project updates, file shares, payment confirmations. Your whole team sees the same inbox, so when you are away and a client sends an urgent message, your assistant can handle it. You can reply from your regular email and it syncs back. If you want to chat internally about a client, create a team channel. Need to capture leads from your website? Embed live chat.

Multi-email integration (connect all accounts)
Shared team inbox (everyone sees client emails)
Auto-sort emails into client 1:1 threads
Project conversations stay with the project
Team channels for internal discussions
Direct messages between teammates
@mentions pull people into conversations
Embeddable live chat for your website

Asana Rules vs connected automation

Asana Rules automate internal workflows well. The question is what happens when you need to automate client-facing actions like sending proposals, invoices, or portal invitations.

Asana

Automation within internal projects. Asana Rules automate actions within projects: when a task moves to a section, assign it to someone. When a due date passes, move the task to another project. Custom field changes can start new automation sequences. The automation is capable for internal workflows. But Asana automation cannot create proposals, send invoices, update client portals, or send payment reminders because those features do not exist in Asana. Automation stops at the boundary of task management.

Rules for project automation
Status-based actions
Custom field triggers
Multi-step rules
Cannot create proposals or invoices
Cannot update client portals
Limited to task management scope
No payment or billing triggers

Plutio

Automation that responds to what happens across your entire business. You build automations visually with drag and drop. When a project status changes, a task completes, a payment arrives, or a deadline passes, Plutio can do things automatically: create tasks, send emails, update statuses, assign work to your team, generate invoices, send client portal invitations. You can chain multiple actions with if-then logic. If a client pays their deposit, the welcome email goes out and the project moves to active. If a task is overdue, you get notified. Automation works across proposals, projects, invoices, and client portals.

Visual drag-and-drop builder
Start on project status change
Start on task completion
Start on payment received
Start on form submission
Start on date or deadline
Conditional logic branching
Webhook integrations

Team and agency scaling

You hire your first team member or contractor. Can they see their assignments without accessing client payments? When permissions work, growth does not mean chaos.

Asana

Team permissions for internal coordination. Asana has project and team permissions designed for enterprises. You can control who sees which projects and who can edit tasks. Multiple workspaces and teams help organize large organizations. The free tier supports unlimited members with basic features. But Asana permissions are for internal team coordination, not for separating client access from team access. When you need to give a client visibility without exposing internal discussions, you end up creating workarounds or using external tools.

Project-level permissions
Multiple teams and workspaces
Free tier with unlimited members
No client-specific permissions
Requires external tools for billing
Stack complexity for agencies

Plutio

Add people without losing control. When you hire your first associate, you create a role for them. Maybe they can see their tasks but not client payments. Maybe they can access some projects but not others. You decide exactly what each person sees and does. If you bring on a contractor for one project, they only see that project. Your other clients stay private. When you grow into an agency with multiple brands, you run separate workspaces under one account. You see everyone's workload in one dashboard and approve timesheets before they hit invoices.

Custom role creation with granular permissions
Per-project and per-task access control
Contractor access (assigned tasks only)
Client access (portal permissions)
Internal notes hidden from clients
Multi-workspace for agencies
Team workload and capacity views
Timesheet approval workflow

White-label branding and customization

Your clients should see YOUR brand everywhere. Not your software vendor's logo. When clients log in, book meetings, receive invoices, and check progress, every touchpoint should reinforce your brand.

Asana

Asana branding everywhere. When you invite a client as a guest, they see Asana's interface, Asana's logo, and Asana's colors. There is no way to customize the appearance for your brand. Asana has no white-labeling, no custom domain, no custom SMTP, no interface customization, and no way to hide Asana branding from guests. For internal teams, this is fine. For client-facing agencies that want to present a professional, branded experience, Asana shows the world which software you use.

No white-labeling
Asana branding visible to guests
No custom domain support
No custom SMTP for emails
No interface customization
Not designed for client-facing use

Plutio

Your clients see your brand everywhere. When a client logs in, they go to yourcompany.com, not some third-party URL. The login page has your logo and colors. The interface matches your brand. Emails come from you@yourcompany.com because you connect your own email server. If you want to embed the entire client workspace into your own website, you can. You can even write custom CSS if you need exact control. Your clients never see 'Powered by Plutio' anywhere. As far as they know, you built this yourself.

Custom domain (clients see yourcompany.com)
Full white-label (remove all Plutio branding)
Custom interface theme (your brand colors everywhere)
Branded login and signup pages
Custom SMTP (emails from your domain)
Full workspace embedding into your site
Custom CSS for complete styling control
Custom logo throughout the platform

Invoicing, billing, and subscriptions

Getting paid is more than sending invoices. It's recurring subscriptions, payment plans, transaction tracking, and branded documents that look like they came from your business.

Asana

No invoicing at all. Asana is project management software, not business management software. Asana has no invoicing, no payment processing, no subscription management, and no way to bill clients. You need a separate invoicing tool like QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or Wave. Each additional tool adds another login, another monthly cost ($25-30/month), and another system where you recreate client details and project scope. The disconnect between project tasks and billing is where revenue leaks happen.

No invoicing
No payment processing
No subscription management
Requires external invoicing tool
Additional $25-30/month cost
Client details duplicated across systems

Plutio

Billing that works like you are running a real business. You open the invoice builder and drag elements where you want them. Logo here, line items there, payment terms at the bottom. The result looks like something you designed, not a template you filled in. When you have retainer clients, you set up subscriptions that charge them automatically every month. When someone needs to pay in installments, you split the invoice and schedule the charges. All your payment processors connect: Stripe, Square, PayPal, bank transfers. At the end of the week, you pull up your time logs and turn them into invoices with one click.

Drag-and-drop invoice builder (visual design)
Subscription management (auto-billing)
Recurring invoices on schedule
Payment plans with installments
Multiple gateways: Stripe, Square, PayPal, ACH
Full transaction history and tracking
Fully branded invoice design
One-click invoice from time logs

Proposals and contracts

Your proposal is the first document a potential client sees. When they open it, do they see modern interactive pricing? Or do you send a PDF and hope for the best?

Asana

No proposals or contracts. Asana manages tasks after a project starts, not the process of winning and onboarding clients. Asana has no proposal builder, no contracts, no e-signatures, and no proposal analytics. You need a separate tool like PandaDoc ($35/month), Proposify, or Better Proposals to send proposals. When the client accepts, you manually recreate the scope as tasks in Asana. The proposal you wrote once has to be rebuilt as a project from scratch.

No proposal builder
No contracts
No e-signatures
Requires external proposal tool
Manual recreation of scope in Asana
No proposal view tracking

Plutio

Proposals that close deals and create projects. You drag in sections, add interactive pricing tables where clients pick packages or add-ons, and send something that looks like you built a custom app for them. When they accept, the proposal converts into a project automatically with tasks from your template. Contracts attach to the same flow with e-signatures and full audit trails. You see exactly when someone opened your proposal, what they clicked, and how long they looked at each section.

Drag-and-drop proposal builder
Interactive pricing tables
Package and add-on selection
Auto-convert to project on approval
E-signatures with audit trail
Real-time view tracking
Proposal templates
Proposal-to-invoice automation

Running a client project: Asana vs Plutio

A potential client reaches out about a project. What happens next?

With the Asana stack, here is how it usually goes:

After the discovery call, you open PandaDoc to create a proposal
You write out the scope and pricing from your notes
Client signs the proposal in PandaDoc
You open Asana and create a new project
You add tasks based on the scope you already wrote once
You open Toggl to set up time tracking for this client
You open QuickBooks to create a client record and send the deposit invoice
Work happens across multiple tools
Client emails asking for project status
You export a report from Asana and send it manually

With Plutio, here is how it works:

After the discovery call, you send a proposal with interactive pricing
Client selects their package and signs
A project is created automatically with tasks from the scope
Time tracking is already connected to the project
The deposit invoice is attached to the same project
Client logs into a branded portal to see progress
They see their tasks, files, and timeline without asking

Asana covers internal task management for teams. Plutio handles the complete client workflow from proposal to payment to project completion, so you run one platform instead of managing a stack of 4-5 separate tools.

Where Plutio wins (the proof)

These are verifiable differences, not opinions.

1. Billing features: Plutio has them, Asana does not

Asana: No invoicing, no payment processing, no proposals, and no contracts. Check Asana's official features page and you will not find billing anywhere.

Plutio: Drag-and-drop invoice builder, subscription billing, payment plans, Stripe/PayPal/Square/ACH, proposal builder with e-signatures, and contracts.

The proof: G2 reviewers frequently mention needing separate tools for invoicing and time tracking alongside Asana.

2. Time tracking: Built-in vs add-on

Asana: No native time tracking. Requires Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify integration at $10-15/month extra.

Plutio: One-click timer on any task. Billable rates per project. Time reports by client. One-click invoice generation from time logs.

The proof: Asana's integrations page lists time tracking as a category of third-party apps because it is not built in.

3. Client portals: Branded vs generic

Asana: Guest accounts see Asana's interface and branding. No custom domain. No white-labeling.

Plutio: Clients log into yourcompany.com. Your logo, colors, and branding throughout. No mention of Plutio anywhere.

The proof: Search Asana's Help Center for "white-label" or "custom domain" and you will find nothing.

When Asana might still work

No tool fits every workflow. Asana might still work if:

You manage internal teams, not clients. Asana was built for companies like Dropbox and Spotify to coordinate internal projects across departments. If you do not bill clients directly, Asana's missing billing features do not matter.
You need enterprise security. Asana offers SSO, SAML, audit logs, and admin controls that large organizations require. Plutio focuses on small to mid-sized agencies.
You need portfolio and goals tracking. Asana's Goals and Portfolios features help executives track progress across dozens of projects. Plutio focuses on project-level management.
Your team already uses Asana. If your company has invested in Asana training and workflows, switching has a cost. The integration overhead of adding billing tools may be acceptable.

But if you run a client-facing business where you send proposals, track billable time, invoice clients, and want clients to see project progress without emailing you, Plutio handles all of that in one platform.

Why they switched: real outcomes

What happens when freelancers and agencies move their tool stack into Plutio?

West 7th Design Studio reduced client support requests by 90% after switching. Clients got one branded portal to see progress instead of emailing for every update. The team stopped managing separate tools for projects, invoicing, and client communication.

YazMarketing increased their sales pipeline by 80% after moving to Plutio. Connecting proposals directly to projects meant less manual handoff, faster client onboarding, and more capacity to take on new work.

These results come from eliminating the handoffs between disconnected tools. When proposals create projects automatically, when time tracking connects to invoicing, and when clients can check their own portal for updates, you spend less time on admin and more time on actual work.

Final verdict

Asana and Plutio are built for different audiences.

On G2, Asana has a 4.4-star rating from over 10,000 reviews. The rating reflects years of enterprise development. Companies like Dropbox, Spotify, and NASA use Asana for internal project coordination. The reviews praise the flexibility, the integrations, and the clean interface.

Plutio has a 4.4-star rating from around 60 reviews. The reviews focus on eliminating multiple tools, having everything from proposals to invoicing in one place, and the branded client portal experience.

The ratings measure different things. Asana is rated as enterprise project management for internal teams. Plutio is rated as a complete client management platform for freelancers and agencies.

Here is where the difference becomes real: Using Asana for client work means building a stack. PandaDoc for proposals runs $35/month. QuickBooks for invoicing runs $30/month. Toggl for time tracking runs $10/month. The total is $75/month in additional subscriptions, plus the context switching between four separate tools, plus the risk of client details falling through the cracks between systems.

Plutio starts at $19/month with proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and client portals included.

The bottom line: Asana covers internal project management for large teams without client-facing billing requirements. The trade-off: no proposals, invoicing, time tracking, or client portals. Plutio handles client-facing work where proposals, invoicing, time tracking, and a professional client portal connect in one platform that replaces 3-4 separate tools.

How to switch from Asana to Plutio

Switching from Asana to Plutio means keeping your project structure while adding the billing and client portal features Asana lacks.

Step 1: Export your Asana projects
Download projects as CSV files from Asana. Task names, descriptions, assignees, and due dates all export cleanly.

Step 2: Import into Plutio
Upload the files to Plutio. Map Asana fields to Plutio fields. Projects maintain their structure, and now each task can have time tracking attached.

Step 3: Cancel your stack subscriptions
Once your proposals, invoicing, and time tracking are set up in Plutio, you can cancel PandaDoc, QuickBooks, Toggl, and any other tools you were using to fill Asana's gaps. Canceling those subscriptions puts $50-100/month back in your pocket.

Step 4: Invite clients to their new portal
Set up your custom domain, configure your branding, and give clients a workspace that looks like your business. They see tasks, files, and progress in one place instead of receiving manual email updates.

Research & Sources

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

Pricing verification sources

Plutio: Official pricing, GetApp reviews
Asana: Official pricing, G2 pricing information

Verification methodology

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

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

Plutio vs Asana: full feature comparison for 2026

Project management, time tracking, client portals, proposals, invoicing, and automation compared side by side

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

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Plutio vs Asana FAQ: common questions answered

Is Plutio better than Asana?

Plutio is better for client-facing freelancers and agencies who need proposals, contracts, invoicing, and client portals. Asana is built for internal teams and enterprises. If you work with paying clients, Plutio handles the complete workflow. If you manage internal projects without client billing, Asana is a capable choice.

Can Plutio replace Asana?

Yes. Plutio includes Kanban boards, Gantt charts, list views, table views, subtasks, task dependencies, and project templates. Plutio adds proposals, contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and client portals that Asana lacks.

Does Asana have invoicing?

No. Asana requires an external tool like QuickBooks or FreshBooks for invoicing. External invoicing tools add $25-30/month and require managing another system. Plutio includes invoicing with Stripe, PayPal, Square, and ACH on all plans.

Does Asana have time tracking?

No. Asana requires integrations like Toggl, Harvest, or Clockify for time tracking. Time data lives in a separate system with no connection to invoicing. Plutio includes time tracking on all plans with one-click invoice generation from time logs.

Does Asana have client portals?

No. Clients can be added as guests but see the standard Asana interface with Asana branding. There is no dedicated client portal, no custom domain, and no visibility customization. Plutio has fully branded client portals with custom domains.

How much does the Asana stack cost for freelancers?

Asana Starter is $10.99/user/month. Add PandaDoc ($35/month), QuickBooks ($30/month), and Toggl ($10/month) for client-facing features. Total for a freelancer: $85+/month. Plutio Core is $19/month with all features included.

Which tool has better project views?

Both include project views. Asana offers list, board, timeline, calendar, and workload views. Plutio offers Kanban, Gantt, list, table, and calendar views. The difference is Plutio adds proposals, invoicing, and client portals to the project workflow.

Can I import Asana projects to Plutio?

Yes. Export your Asana projects as CSV files. Upload to Plutio and map the fields. Task names, descriptions, assignees, and due dates transfer over.

Does Plutio have automation like Asana Rules?

Yes. Plutio has a visual automation builder that runs actions based on project status, task completion, form submissions, payments received, and client activity. Unlike Asana, Plutio automations can create proposals, send invoices, and update client portals because those features exist in Plutio.

Which tool is better for agencies?

Plutio is better for agencies that work with external clients. Plutio has granular permissions, multi-workspace support, branded client portals, and the full proposal-to-invoice workflow. Asana is better for large enterprise teams with internal coordination needs.

Is Asana free?

Asana has a free tier for basic task management with up to 10 users per project. Premium features like timeline, forms, and rules require paid plans starting at $10.99/user/month. The free tier has no proposals, invoicing, or time tracking because Asana lacks these features at any tier.

Why do freelancers switch from Asana to Plutio?

Most switch because they are tired of building and managing a stack of tools. Asana requires PandaDoc for proposals, QuickBooks for invoicing, and Toggl for time tracking. Plutio includes all of these in one platform, reducing monthly costs and eliminating context switching between systems.

Does Plutio have a unified inbox?

Yes. Plutio has a unified inbox where you connect multiple email accounts and manage all client communication in one place. Client emails automatically sort into their conversation threads. Your team shares one inbox so no one misses urgent requests. Asana has no email integration.

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.

How long has Plutio been around?

Plutio has been built and refined for over 10 years based on real freelancer and agency feedback. The platform is actively developed with regular updates and new features added based on user needs.

Does Asana have proposals or contracts?

No. Asana is project management only. To send proposals and contracts, you need a separate tool like PandaDoc or Proposify. Plutio includes proposals, contracts, and e-signatures connected to your projects and invoicing.

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. Asana has no white-labeling options.

Can I import data from other tools into Plutio?

Yes. Plutio supports CSV imports for clients, projects, and invoices. You can migrate from most business tools including Asana, HoneyBook, and Dubsado. Our support team can help with complex migrations.

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