Wrike is a popular project management software known for its clean and customizable user interface. It also has proofing, admin, and handy dashboard tools for business operations.
Additionally, Wrike provides various ways to navigate and use the platform effectively (think shortcuts, filters, and tags). This quality-of-life feature can help clarify and visualize priorities.
Building upon this philosophy, Wrike also offers a dashboard builder that can conveniently use data from non-homogenous teams.
However, Wrike doesn’t offer budgeting and invoicing features. There is also a 2GB storage limit per seat, which might complicate the storage management process for some workflows.
Folders are only available in the Business Package and above tiers for storage management. You must get at least the mid-tier package if users need to organize files.
Some users might find the slow loading time, minor visual glitches, and challenging customization settings distracting or inconvenient.
Top 10 Wrike Alternatives & Competitors in 2024
Let’s explore the top Wrike alternatives and their project management features that might better suit your business operations.
1. Ahsuite
Ahsuite is a client portal alternative to Wrike if you want an intuitive platform to conduct client-facing business interactions while managing admin-side operations.
This client portal offers a better dollar value for SMBs and freelancers because of its built-in business tools and simpler setup requirements.
In addition, Ahsuite offers a user-friendly interface and a bundle of helpful tools, including i-frame-based embeds for self-service options and secure messaging.
As a client portal with collaboration features, Ahsuite is a notable Wrike alternative because it adds features focusing on client interactions.
Projects + Task Manager
Ahsuite is easy to use (and blazingly fast) because of its minimalist, modern UI design. The screen will only show features that users will use 90% of the time—no bloat, no distractions.
What makes this approach effective? You don’t have to read through long drop-down menus or click on multiple icons to execute features, keeping your focus on what’s important.
The Task Manager lets users assign, receive, and collaborate on tasks while keeping things organized with labels, checklists, user tagging, dependencies, and more.
Feature Update: With Ahsuite Project, you can now manage multiple projects for a single client. Here are the ways you can view your progress within your portal:
- All workflows using the Task Management Tool.
- Per phase using the Ahsuite Project feature.
Templates
Reducing repetitive administrative tasks can help you focus on what’s important to your clients and business goals. Cut down on repeating the same processes with Ahsuite templates.
Users can create, save, and access their templates across all their portals to maintain consistency, save time, and provide guidelines for newer content.
Each template is accessible on all portals and projects, perfect for quickly creating welcome pages, onboarding tasks, and document requests.
Here are the templates you can make on Ahsuite:
- Client Portal: Create and provide personalized space for each client without starting from scratch every time.
- Pages: This is perfect for welcome messages, instructions, and other static content. Don’t worry about leaving any details ever again.
- Tasks: Creating task templates will let you assign tasks to clients and team members while adhering to your standard operating procedures.
- Passwords: Securely share credentials for platforms and services that you use with your team members. You won’t need to use spreadsheets again.
- Files: This is useful for creating, grouping, and sending files that are commonly used together (share the same permissions, labels, folders, and descriptions).
Data Mangement + Storage
Do you always worry about data usage when using a business management platform? Ahsuite’s file manager eliminates this concern by offering unlimited storage, ensuring that your team can access and collaborate on any document anytime it’s needed.
Ahsuite supports multiple file types—you can store documents, design files, and rich media. Features like searchable labels, comments, and file requests are also built-in to assist users in quickly navigating their storage.
In addition, portal pages can be created directly within the file manager, making sure that its easy to facilitate approval, requests, and reporting tasks.
Here are the things you can do with Ahsuite File Manager:
- Organize content with searchable labels
- Collaborate with comments
- Facilitate document requests and client approvals
- Securely store sensitive information
Pros:
- Fast performance, rare slowdowns even on poor internet connections.
- Has a file and task manager for in-house organization and tracking.
- Robust sharing options and permission controls (no storage limit).
- Users can customize labels and save custom task templates for ease of use.
- Easy to set up and implement. Config is a one-and-done thing.
Cons:
- Billing, time tracking, and e-sign are not available but are already on the roadmap
- Client approval is there, but it is rudimentary.
- Notifications are there, but there are no reminders.
- There is a lot of “white space” in some parts of the app.
Pricing:
- Starter (Free)
- Grow ($8/month)
- Professional ($17/month)
- Agency ($29/month)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.7 out of 5 (82 Reviews)
- Capterra: 5 out of 5 (19 Reviews)
2. ClickUp
As one of the most popular alternatives to Wrike for project management, ClickUp offers tools designed for teams with defined roles and project management needs.
Similar to Wrike, ClickUp also uses a project “space,” which can be personalized with views, widgets, and other dashboard customizations.
Both software makes it easy to configure project views, filters, and third-party integrations. However, ClickUp offers a cleaner UI and better customizability options.
If your team needs more collaboration tools or is currently looking for a cheaper overall solution, ClickUp might be a more sensible option.
Pros:
- Has a free tier for five spaces and 60 custom field uses.
- Offers quality-of-life improvements like collapsable subtasks and auto-hide icons.
- ClickApps are available even on the free plan.
- Users can configure task types, create estimates, and integrate docs natively.
- Recording and sharing clips doesn’t require extensions.
Cons:
- When not configured properly, notifications and reminders can be annoying
- There is no way to chat with your team/client members other than commenting.
- A timesheet and tracker are available but not connected to invoice/billing.
- Dashboard cards auto-align themselves, which can be convenient or not.
Pricing:
- Free
- Unlimited ($10/user/month)
- Business ($19/user/month)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.7 out of 5 (9,538 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 (4,131 reviews)
Related: Best ClickUp Alternatives
3. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is one of the best Wrike alternatives if you’re looking for a work and project management platform that cleverly integrates the data management process into the workflow.
However, expect a steep learning curve, especially for new and non-savvy users. Smartsheet isn’t exactly what you would call a “traditional PM tool”; it is more of a “glorified Google Sheets.”
Each sheet, form, dashboard, and WorkApp (custom no-code apps) is opened like a “file,” and you navigate your items using the sidebar browser (aka. the Browse mode).
This approach gives Smartsheet users better control over permissions, customizations, automation, workflow complexity, and integrations for their content.
Pros:
- Great collaboration tools with permission-based user access.
- It can handle complex automation/analytics features.
- Easy to connect to other data streams (ERPs, CRMs, and databases).
- Commonly used files, projects, and WorkApps work without hiccups.
- It offers templates that can support wide-ranging workflows and teams.
Cons:
- WorkApps and most security measures are only available at Enterprise Plan.
- Contact and User Administration is not that extensive.
- Looks and feels like a file manager, which can alienate traditional PM tool users.
- Requires extensive user and admin training to maximize platform benefits.
- It needs regular maintenance; automation is limited to Free and Pro plans.
Pricing:
- Pro ($12/user/mo)
- Business ($24/user/mo)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (15,160 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (3,258)
Related: Best Smartsheet Alternatives
4. Asana
Asana is probably one of the most popular options on our list of Wrike alternatives, and for good reasons. It offers great reporting, roadmap, and project tracking features out of the box.
Users can access Agile project management tools like Kanban Boards and Burndown Charts and traditional PM techniques like waterfall (Gantt Chart, etc.).
This platform can compromise between customization and standardization, providing options for personalization while ensuring straightforward usability.
Users can also track project health and progress, address date shifts, automate task assignments, build dashboards, and create custom fields/rules.
Pros:
- You can create custom task templates to standardize workflows.
- Great for visual project management and out-of-the-box functionalities.
- It has a robust collection of project templates for different industries.
- Adding, editing, and sharing tasks/approval requests is easy.
- Generous features for the free version (great for personal projects).
Cons:
- External integrations are pretty limited compared to other Wrike competitors.
- Useful default config but can be rigid for highly specialized projects.
- The dashboard is interactive, but reporting and analytics features are quite basic.
- Rudimentary automation features compared to other competitors.
- There are no file management functionalities; files are attached directly in task cards.
Pricing:
- Starter ($10.99/seat/mo)
- Advanced ($24.99/seat/mo)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
- Enterprise+ (Contact Sales)
- Billed annually
Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (10,177 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (12,699 reviews)
Related: Best Asana Alternatives
5. Trello
Trello is definitely not an “apple to apple” substitute for Wrike. This product is for people who want to manage projects visually (or for users who just love Kanban boards).
With its automation and add-on power-ups, Trello is perfect for small—to mid-sized teams that already know their specific needs and might consider an accompanying mobile app.
The Kanban Board is an intuitive solution for non-tech-savvy users, helping them stay on top of their tasks or personal projects.
Trello relies heavily on available screen real estate due to its nature as a Kanban board. Hence, you might consider other products to handle bigger and more complex projects.
Pros:
- Onboarding and training are very easy, even for users without experience in PM Tools.
- Gives a generous free tier, which is enough for personal and small projects.
- One of the best options for visual project management and activity tracking.
- Creating and managing cards (and their content) is visually intuitive.
- Users can create templates or copy from existing community-made boards.
Cons:
- Table, Dashboard, and Timeline views are only available starting in the Premium tier.
- Susceptible to data overcrowding problems, not great for big/complex projects.
- Searching archived cards would sometimes return irrelevant results.
- Other products might be better in terms of cost-to-feature ratio for larger projects.
Pricing:
- Free
- Standard ($6/user/mo)
- Premium ($12.50/user/mo)
- Enterprise 1 Year ($17.50/user/mo)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (13,573 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (23,185 reviews)
Related: Best Trello Alternatives
6. Basecamp
If you’re looking for an Wrike alternative that offer platform functionalities within a single monthly price tag, Basecamp’s unique billing structure might be attractive to your organization.
It has everything that a project manager and contributors need to manage specific project functions, such as team collaboration, planning, email forwards, and activity tracking.
This product’s biggest advantage is its deviation from the “per user” model. Once you’ve paid the $349/mo subscription, you can onboard as many members as possible.
Basecamp is a cost-effective product if you have a large team to manage and support across core PM functions (task management, messaging, and scheduling).
Pros:
- You can choose what functions are enabled to keep a clean workspace.
- Users can set automatic notifications for assigned tasks.
- UI is compact and clean, and rarely-used features are tucked under menus.
- All guest users are free; “per-seat” and annual subscription options are available.
- They offer a various integrations, which is great if you’re already using them.
Cons:
- A timesheet is available, but it doesn’t track automatically (manual hours).
- Lacks basic customization features (such as customizable labels).
- Setting up people/user accounts is not intuitive for first-time users.
- Limited project views (no Gantt chart or list view).
- They have different names for everything, which can be confusing.
Pricing:
- Basecamp ($15/user/month)
- Basecamp Pro Monthly ($349/month)
- Basecamp Pro Annual ($299/month)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.1 out of 5 (5,291 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.3 out of 5 (14,441 reviews)
Related: Best Basecamp Alternatives
7. Monday.com
Monday.com is one of the best Wrike alternatives for project and work management if you want to improve visibility and customize your workspace reliably.
This product doesn’t categorize the workload “per task” and “per project” like its competitors. Instead, users work on a “workspace” representing a department, team, or priority.
Its main view is a table that groups every task by month by default. However, users can change the grouping categories by configuring filters to optimize their views.
Users can add new tabs outside the main table from the following selections: Gantt chart, Calendar, Kanban, File Gallery, Form, and internal/external integrations.
Pros:
- You can customize almost all platform aspects (including custom features).
- Quality-of-life improvements (view locking, collapsable tables, and integrations).
- Users are not locked on a static content layout and can adapt to their workflows.
- Widgets let users mix and match features that they can see in the UI.
- Automation can be universal or board-based.
Cons:
- Setting up workspace permission requires the Enterprise plan.
- A minimum of 3 seats ($27 per month) are needed to get the Basic plan.
- The Developer Center needs additional hands-on investment to create custom apps.
- Features such as Gantt views and guest access are not included in the Basic plan.
Pricing:
- Basic ($12/user/month)
- Standard ($14/user/month)
- Pro ($24/user/month)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.7 out of 5 (11,918 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 (4,810)
Related: Best Monday.com Alternatives
8. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a project management solution that allows users to track project progress and manage activities through a clean and modern user interface.
The target users are smaller businesses that need a free PM tool (for 3 users) or larger organizations that already use a couple of Zoho products in their workflow.
A neat function called “Roll-Up” makes it easy to generate a summary of project information (including project duration, planned work hours, actual log hours, and more.)
Like other great alternatives to Wrike, Zoho Projects uses “tab-based” customization wherein users can edit elements like reports, documents, finance, and more.
However, this product is a hard sell if you’re not planning to expand your workflows with the Zoho environment in mind.
Pros:
- The item filter is neatly hidden when not needed, but it packs a lot of options.
- Free for 3 users, offers extremely competitive “per user” pricing.
- It provides various customization options, from appearances to task settings.
- Extras like Blueprint and Data Backup are unique and handy additions.
- Easy integration with other calendar apps by exporting .ics files.
Cons:
- Focuses on native Zoho apps and has fewer third-party integration options (great for new teams, but can be a hassle for already established teams).
- Data Admin capabilities are quite lacking compared to other competitors.
- Although customizable, the dashboard can quickly become overcrowded with data.
- Some apps, like time tracking, can be challenging to set up and use.
- Core features like 2FA, SSo, and custom roles/fields are behind paywalls.
Pricing:
- Free (3 users)
- Premium ($5/user/month)
- Enterprise ($10/user/month)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.3 out of 5 (424 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4 out of 5 (595 reviews)
9. nTask
nTask is known for its fast performance, and it is achieved by removing visual aesthetics like animations and other fancy visualizations.
Unfortunately, the UI could use some improvement – some of the button placements are not intuitive, and collapsing columns/rows can help improve these issues.
Time tracking and resource management are some of its best features. They allow project managers to see and adapt workflows as needed if priorities are slipping.
Unlike Wrike, nTask can automatically track task hours. You can activate the tracker from the task card itself, and all the progress will be recorded in the timesheet.
Pros:
- Expansive user management with role-based permission controls.
- Task and Time Tracking is easily accessible and hassle-free to use.
Cons:
- Automation only uses date as the trigger condition, limiting other features.
- Issue & Risk Management are good for tracking but have no advanced functionalities.
- The UI can be unintuitive in some areas (especially if you’re working on the sidebar).
Pricing:
- Premium ($4/user/month)
- Business ($12/user/month)
- Enterprise (Contact Sales)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (17 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2 out of 5 (107 reviews)
10. Teamwork
Teamwork is a robust project management solution known for adding risk registers, notebooks, work management, and project planning features.
Its resource planning feature is particularly powerful. It offers multiple views of the project, which competitors and alternatives to Wrike often do not include.
Most Wrike substitutes have timesheet features, but only a couple of products actually connect tie tracking with budgeting and reporting features.
Its other features (proofs, forms, calendar, and more) can also be helpful for managing administrative tasks for a leaner and more focused workflow.
Pros:
- “Jump to” add lets you make your tool shortcut for easier navigation.
- Automation uses templates for commonly used actions.
- Provides handy tools like forms, proofs, and report builders.
- Integration for Slack, Zapier, and MS Teams is offered for free.
- You can easily import your project from Wrike, Asanam Basecamp, Trello, and more.
Cons:
- There is no option to separate internal and external projects/contacts.
- Minor graphics glitches can happen occasionally (especially on tools not used often).
- If you want to create, update, or use the task cards, you must open them in full screen.
- Automation is only available for 5,000 actions per month (for the lowest tier).
Pricing:
- Free
- Deliver ($13.99/user/month)
- Grow ($25.99/user/month)
- Scale (Contact Sales)
Ratings:
- G2: 4.4 out of 5 (1,122 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 (860 reviews)
Related: Best Teamwork Alternatives
Summary
While Wrike has advantages, alternatives offer features that better suit your organization’s needs. The best alternative to Wrike depends on team size, project complexity, and industry-specific requirements.
Carefully evaluate each option to determine which solution aligns best with your workflow and goals, enhancing overall productivity and collaboration.
Client portals like Ahsuite might better suit your workflow if you want to organize your tasks, plan your team workload, and present reports to multiple clients.
Ahsuite offers a free trial for 30 days. Try the convenience of client portals for free today.