The Top Free and Paid Monday.com Alternatives

In 2025, businesses continue to search for the perfect project management and collaboration platform – that's why a lot of team leaders search for monday.com alternatives.
While Monday.com remains one of the most well-known project management tools, many companies are starting to explore monday.com alternatives that better fit their pricing, scalability, or all-in-one workspace needs.

If you're looking for a platform that helps manage tasks, projects, communication, CRM, and team performance in one place, you're in the right spot.

This article explores the top 10 monday.com alternatives for 2025, highlighting their unique strengths, weaknesses, pricing, and ideal use cases – with a special focus on Bitrix24, one of the most complete all-in-one workspace solutions on the market today.

What Is Monday.com? Why Is It Popular?

Monday.com is a cloud-based work operating system (Work OS) designed to help teams plan, track, and deliver projects. It's known for its colorful visual dashboards, flexible automations, and user-friendly interface.
Over the past few years, it has gained popularity among small and medium-sized teams for task management, simple CRM workflows, and creative project planning.

Key reasons for its popularity include:

• Highly visual project views (Kanban, timeline, Gantt)
• Easy-to-use automations
• Broad integrations (Slack, Google Workspace, Zoom, Jira, etc.)
• Customizable dashboards for project tracking

However, as teams scale and workflows become more complex, users often hit the limits of Monday.com's pricing tiers, integrations, and feature depth – prompting many to look for a Monday free alternative.

Why Look for Monday.com Alternatives in 2025?

There's no one-size-fits-all tool. Monday.com might be great for simple team tracking, but not every organization finds it ideal for long-term scalability or cross-department collaboration.

As businesses evolve, they often need more flexibility, automation, and built-in tools for CRM, HR, and communication – features that Monday.com offers only through third-party integrations or higher-tier plans.

Here are the top reasons why teams are switching in 2025:

1. Pricing and scaling costs. Monday.com's pricing increases significantly with team size and advanced feature needs. Enterprise plans can become costly for organizations managing multiple departments or global teams, especially when add-ons are required.
2. Free plan limitations. The free version of Monday.com supports only 2 users – insufficient for even small startup teams that want to collaborate effectively or test the system in real-world conditions.
3. Limited native features. While Monday.com is strong in project management, it relies heavily on third-party integrations for CRM, communication, HR, and document collaboration. This can lead to fragmented data and higher subscription costs.
4. Integration complexity. Too many external integrations can create disconnected workflows and inconsistent reporting, especially for teams that prefer an all-in-one ecosystem with seamless data sharing.
5. Scalability issues. Some growing teams find Monday.com's structure less adaptable for managing diverse workflows (e.g., combining HR, sales, and operations). It's optimized more for task management than for full business process automation.
6. Industry-specific needs. Creative agencies, construction firms, IT companies, and remote-first startups often look for project management tools with specialized templates, CRM pipelines, or reporting dashboards – areas where platforms like Bitrix24 or Wrike provide more tailored solutions.

How to Choose the Best Monday.com Alternatives

Before switching, it’s essential to define what you really need from your next platform. Not all project management tools are built alike — some excel at team collaboration, others at CRM or workflow automation. Take time to analyze your team’s size, work style, and long-term scalability goals. The right choice depends not only on project management features but also on usability, integration depth, and total cost of ownership over time.

Use these criteria to guide your decision when looking for monday.com alternatives:

1. Must-have features. Look for capabilities that go beyond simple task tracking — including CRM integration, automation, real-time communication, time tracking, AI assistants, and analytics dashboards. Platforms like Bitrix24 and ClickUp unify these collaboration features to reduce app switching and improve data consistency.
2. Free plan & pricing. Evaluate what’s available for free and how costs scale with additional users or storage. Transparent pricing and feature-rich free tiers, such as those offered by Bitrix24 or Trello, let teams grow sustainably without early financial pressure.
3. Integrations. Check for native integrations with project management tools your team already depends on — like Google Workspace, Slack, Microsoft 365, Jira, Zoom, and other project management tools. Smooth integrations minimize workflow friction and support faster onboarding.
4. Scalability. Choose a project management platform that grows with you. Look for unlimited user options, custom workflows, and departmental permissions that adapt as your organization expands or diversifies.
5. Reporting & analytics. Comprehensive reporting is essential for tracking project health and team productivity. Project management features like task analytics, KPI dashboards, and time utilization reports help managers make data-driven decisions.
6. Support & onboarding. A tool’s learning curve matters. Prioritize project management solutions that offer live onboarding assistance, tutorials, and responsive support, ensuring your team adapts quickly and confidently.
7. Security & compliance. Security is critical for modern businesses. Confirm that your chosen platform complies with GDPR, ISO 27001, and other relevant data protection standards, especially if handling sensitive client information.
8. Migration & import options. Migration should be seamless. Opt for project management tools that provide CSV import, API synchronization, or automated data mapping from Monday.com, ensuring a smooth transition without data loss.

Top monday.com alternatives in 2025

Below are ten top-rated alternatives, each offering different strengths for teams of all sizes and industries.

1. ClickUp

What is it?

ClickUp is one of the most feature-rich project management tools on the market, offering deep customization for tasks, docs, and goal tracking.

Key features

• Customizable views (List, Board, Gantt, Calendar, Mind Map)
• Time tracking and workload management
• Integrated documents and whiteboards
• Automation and templates
• AI writing and task assistance
• Best for: Agile project management teams, startups, and agencies seeking flexibility and extensive customization
• Pros: powerful free plan; customizable dashboards; frequent updates and new AI features
• Cons: can be overwhelming for new users; complex UI for small teams
• Unique features: ClickUp AI, mind maps, and built-in documentation make it ideal for creative and technical teams
• Pricing (2025): free for unlimited users (basic collaboration features); paid plans start at $7 per user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: ClickUp offers more built-in project management features for free and deeper task customization. Monday.com, however, has a smoother learning curve for beginners
• Migration from Monday.com: direct import tools and CSV uploads make migration simple

2. Asana

What is it?

Asana remains a staple for project and task management, emphasizing clarity and team accountability.

Key features

• Task dependencies and milestones
• Timeline (Gantt) and calendar views
• Workflow automation
• Integrations with Slack, Gmail, Microsoft Teams, and other project management tools
• Best for: Mid-sized teams needing structured task management with simplicity
• Pros: great UX, excellent for cross-functional teams, clear visual timeline
• Cons: limited reporting in lower plans, no built-in time tracking
• Unique features: workload balancing and goal-tracking make Asana excellent for project-based teams
• Pricing (2025): free for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $10.99/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: Asana provides better long-term roadmap tracking but fewer customization options
• Migration from Monday.com: offers step-by-step migration guides and third-party sync tools

3. Notion

What is it?

Notion blends project management with collaborative documents, databases, and wikis – ideal for flexible, creative teams.

Key features

• Customizable databases and Kanban boards
• Built-in wiki for documentation
• AI-assisted writing and summarization
• Integrations with Slack, Figma, and GitHub
• Best for: startups and small teams needing a workspace that combines documentation and task management
• Pros: beautiful, minimal interface; all-in-one note-taking and task tool; great free plan
• Cons: weak reporting, not ideal for managing complex projects
• Unique features: AI-powered content blocks and flexible page architecture
• Pricing (2025): free for individuals; teams start at $8/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: Notion is better for content teams and documentation. Monday.com remains stronger in automation and structured project tracking
• Migration from Monday.com: manual data import or via third-party integration

4. Wrike

What is it?

Wrike is a project management tool geared toward enterprise-level operations, offering advanced analytics and workload management.

Key features

• Real-time analytics
• Gantt charts and custom dashboards
• Advanced automation rules
• Security compliance (SOC 2, GDPR)
• Best for enterprise and marketing teams managing complex workflows
• Pros: excellent enterprise-grade collaboration features; detailed reporting and analytics; custom access roles
• Cons: expensive compared to SMB-focused project management tools; steeper learning curve
• Unique features: Wrike's real-time analytics and proofing tools for creative teams
• Pricing (2025): free basic plan; paid starts at $9.80/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: Wrike provides more advanced reporting and compliance features, while Monday.com is more user-friendly for smaller teams
• Migration from Monday.com: CSV import and Wrike Integrate support data transfer

5. Trello

What is it?

Trello is one of the simplest project management tools – based entirely on Kanban boards.

Key features

• Kanban task management
• Power-Up integrations
• Custom automations (Butler)
• Team templates
• Best for small teams and freelancers managing straightforward task boards
• Pros: simple and intuitive, easy onboarding, generous free plan
• Cons: limited scalability, weak analytics
• Unique features: automation via Butler and unlimited Power-Ups in paid tiers
• Pricing (2025): free forever plan; paid starts at $5/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: Trello is easier and cheaper, but lacks the robust reporting and cross-functional collaboration features Monday.com offers
• Migration from Monday.com: export tasks as CSV and import via Trello's import tools.

6. Smartsheet

What is it?

Smartsheet combines spreadsheet-style task management with project automation and enterprise-level control. It's particularly popular among project managers and operations teams who prefer a structured, data-driven workflow.

Key features

• Spreadsheet-style project management
• Gantt, calendar, and card views
• Workflow automation
• Advanced reporting and dashboards
• Integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
• Best for enterprises and operations teams managing complex, multistep processes
• Pros: familiar spreadsheet interface, great for large datasets, enterprise-grade task management features
• Cons: can feel clunky for creative teams, expensive for other teams
• Unique features: powerful automation rules and compliance features make it attractive to corporate environments
• Pricing (2025): no free plan; paid starts at $9/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: while Monday.com focuses on visual boards and ease of use, Smartsheet appeals to users who want control, precision, and detailed reporting in spreadsheet-like form
• Migration from Monday.com: supports CSV and Excel import for a quick transition

7. Bitrix24

What is it?

Bitrix24 is an all-in-one online workspace used by over 15 million businesses worldwide. It brings together project management, communication, CRM, HR tools, file storage, and workflow automation under a single platform – eliminating the need for multiple separate subscriptions.

Where most tools focus on one or two areas, Bitrix24 provides a fully integrated ecosystem that supports teams from planning and communication to analytics and performance tracking.

Main features

• Tasks & projects. Kanban board, Gantt chart, Scrum, checklists, subtasks, task time tracking, recurring tasks, and automation.
• Collaboration tools. Team messenger, HD video conferencing, shared calendar, and online document editing.
• CRM & sales. Full CRM system with pipeline automation, sales analytics, email marketing, and AI-powered lead scoring.
• HR management. Employee directory, time tracking, leave requests, and performance KPIs.
• Workflow automation. Custom process templates, triggers, and approval chains.
• AI-powered tools. AI task assistant for writing, reporting, and efficiency optimization.
• Analytics & reporting. KPI tracking, workload reports, and performance dashboards.
• Best for businesses seeking an all-in-one collaboration platform – especially useful for SMBs, agencies, and enterprises that want to consolidate multiple software tools into one system
• Pros: all tools in one platform (CRM, HR, tasks, chat, documents); free plan with unlimited users; built-in AI assistant and workflow automation; cross-integrated ecosystem
• Cons: extensive task management features may require onboarding time; advanced customization requires some setup

Comparison with Monday.com

Bitrix24 outperforms Monday.com in integration depth, pricing value, and team communication tools, while still offering the project structure that Monday.com users love.

Unique features

• True all-in-one workspace with tasks, CRM, HR, chat, and storage
• AI assistant for advanced project management and insights
• In-depth analytics and KPI dashboards
• Automations connecting CRM, tasks, and HR workflows seamlessly

Pricing (2025)

• Free Plan: Unlimited users with core tools
• Basic: from $49/month (5 users)
• Standard: from $99/month (50 users)
• Professional: from $199/month (100 users)
• Enterprise: custom pricing for large-scale deployments

Migration from Monday.com

• CSV/Excel data import
• Automated mapping for tasks, projects, and users
• API integration for ongoing sync

Try Bitrix24 today – simplify your workflow with one integrated workspace for projects, CRM, and communication.

8. Airtable

What is it?

Airtable merges spreadsheet simplicity with database power, allowing teams to structure workflows for content planning, operations, and product management.

Key features

• Database-style workspaces
• Custom fields and forms
• Automation rules
• Real-time collaboration tools
• Best for creative teams, content managers, and data-driven departments
• Pros: highly flexible, great for content or data workflows, beautiful interface
• Cons: complex setup for newcomers, limited reporting
• Unique features: linked records, dynamic fields, and API access for custom dashboards.
• Pricing (2025): free plan available; paid starts at $12/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: Airtable provides deeper database control; Monday.com is easier for traditional task management
• Migration from Monday.com: CSV import/export and Zapier automation support

9. Basecamp

What is it?

Basecamp focuses on simplicity – offering basic tools for projects, communication, and file sharing without overcomplication.

Key features

• To-do lists and message boards
• Schedule and document sharing
• Automatic check-ins and notifications
• Best for: small businesses and teams that value simplicity over customization
• Pros: very easy to use, flat-rate pricing, great for startups
• Cons: no Gantt or Kanban views, limited automation
• Unique features: team check-ins and message boards streamline daily updates
• Pricing (2025): flat $15/user/month; free for students and educators
• Comparison with Monday.com: Monday.com is more feature-rich; Basecamp prioritizes simplicity and predictability
• Migration from Monday.com: Manual import or CSV-based migration

10. Teamwork

What is it?

Teamwork is project management software and a client collaboration tool optimized for service-based businesses.

Key features

• Time tracking and billing
• Client portal
• Project templates and automations
• Gantt and workload views
• Best for agencies, consultants, and service-based organizations
• Pros: client management tools built-in, solid reporting, great customer support
• Cons: not ideal for internal-only projects, interface feels dated
• Unique features: client portal, invoicing, and resource scheduling
• Pricing (2025): free for 5 users; paid plans start at $8.99/user/month
• Comparison with Monday.com: Teamwork offers better billing and client management features, while Monday.com is more visual for internal task tracking.
• Migration from Monday.com: import projects and clients via CSV or integration.

Quick Comparison Table: Monday.com vs. Top Alternatives (2025)

Below is a snapshot comparing Monday.com alternatives – including Bitrix24 – based on pricing, features, and suitability for various business types.

Key takeaways:

• For simplicity and affordability, Trello and Basecamp lead
• For feature richness, ClickUp, Wrike, and Bitrix24 stand out
• For all-in-one business management, Bitrix24 offers the best balance of features, scalability, and pricing

FAQ – monday.com alternatives in 2025

Conclusion

When Monday.com is a good fit

Monday.com remains a great choice for small to medium teams that value visual simplicity, intuitive setup, and quick project tracking. Its color-coded dashboards, automations, and integrations make it a good entry point for teams getting started with digital project management.

When to switch to monday.com alternatives

However, as your team grows or your needs diversify – combining CRM, HR, communication, and reporting – you may find Monday.com too limited or costly. That's when exploring an alternative like Bitrix24, ClickUp, or Wrike becomes worthwhile.

Why Bitrix24 deserves your attention

Bitrix24 stands out as the most comprehensive alternative, offering a single workspace for complex projects, tasks, CRM, documents, and communication – all integrated natively. Instead of switching between apps for chat, project tracking, and CRM, you can manage everything in one ecosystem.

Key reasons to consider Bitrix24:

• All-in-one integration: Tasks, CRM, chat, HR, and storage space.
• Unlimited free users: Perfect for scaling without surprise costs.
• AI assistance and analytics: Automate routine tasks, track progress, and optimize performance.
• Built for collaboration: Teams, clients, and departments work seamlessly together.

Final advice

When choosing among monday.com alternatives, always:

1. Define your priorities – Is it project management, CRM, or automation?
2. Compare features and free plans – Tools like Bitrix24 or ClickUp may offer much more at lower cost.
3. Try free trials – Experience how each tool fits your workflows.
4. Plan your migration – Import tasks and data smoothly using CSV or built-in migration tools.

Switching platforms can feel daunting, but the benefits of an integrated, cost-effective workspace are immediate.
If you're ready to explore a platform that unites complex projects, CRM, communication, and automation – try Bitrix24 today and see how an all-in-one workspace can transform your team's productivity in 2025.