As you grow your business, you might find that it’s hard to keep on top of everything – that's where productivity tools and apps come in.
They offer various features designed to help individuals and teams to communicate and collaborate more effectively and to work smarter – all on one platform.
Here, we take a close look at one such tool, ClickUp. We’ll dig into the specific features, pricing, and highlight the pros & cons. By the end of this ClickUp review, you’ll be able to decide whether the platform really can boost your productivity and streamline your business processes.
We’ll also introduce some alternatives – and let you know why you can find everything you need to build and run your business more effectively right here on Whop.
What is ClickUp?
Selling itself as the “everything app for work”, ClickUp is a cloud-based project management tool that aims to boost productivity, collaboration, and workflow.
Founded in 2017 and now headquartered in San Diego, ClickUp has offices across the world with a total workforce of approx. 1.2k. It boasts around 10 million users, with a corporate customer base that includes IBM, Netflix, Booking.com, and Spotify.
Through ClickUp’s all-in-one platform, teams of all sizes can chat, collaborate, manage multiple projects, and track progress towards defined goals. It also has its own AI tool which connects tasks, documents, and staff across the organization.
It’s an all-in-one platform that claims to replace lots of other work-related apps and tools, bringing everything together under the ClickUp umbrella. Among others, the platform can supposedly take over the work of:
It also offers lots of integrations, which we’ll explore in more depth later in our ClickUp review. In the meantime, here's an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the platform:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Manage multiple projects | ❌ AI tool costs extra |
| ✅ Feature rich/customizable | ❌ Steep learning curve for beginners |
| ✅ Free forever plan | ❌ Free plan has limitations |
| ✅ Easy to navigate interface | ❌ Interface can become cluttered |
| ✅ Lots of integrations | ❌ Easier to use on desktop than mobile |
| ✅ Replaces other apps | ❌ Some poor third-party reviews |
Before we delve into the features, let’s take a quick look at getting started on ClickUp.
How do you sign up to ClickUp?
Simply enter an email address to sign up. It asks for a work email, but we used a regular Gmail address. The default option is the free forever plan. You can then set your ClickUp login details – either using a password or link to an existing account.
You’re then asked about how you plan to use ClickUp and invite other people by inputting their email address.
The next stages ask about the apps you already use and the features of ClickUp you want to try.
At the end of all of this, your workspace is set up. On the desktop, it looks like this:
On first glance, the dashboard is a bit overwhelming (and quite slow to load). However, it’s neatly divided into sections and easy to navigate.
The basic sections are:
- Inbox: A basic email-style inbox
- Chat: Where you can chat with other team members
- Dashboards: This allows different templates to be set up
- Spaces: This is where all projects are created and stored…
Of course, within each of these areas, there are various options and customizations. So, our ClickUp app review moves on to look more closely at the features.
ClickUp features
ClickUp’s many features are arranged under six different categories, which we’ll go through now.
Project management
Along with the collaboration tools, the project management features are probably the main draw of ClickUp. This collection of features helps organizations to group different functions together and to track progress towards goals. The main tools are:
Tasks
Users can create individual tasks, such as an ad campaign or project launch. These tasks are customizable with different fields and color coding to denote progress and prioritization.
Team members working on a task can get an up-to-date overview of the task and their role, including any relevant communications.
Portfolios
Another project management feature is the ability to create a portfolio of related activities. For example, if a business was opening a new physical location, a portfolio might include things like fit out, advertising, stock, and recruitment.
These separate functions can be grouped together in one place to offer an overview of the whole “store opening” project.
Board view
ClickUp gives users the ability to arrange their work activities visually through the use of kanban boards. These are simply drag-and-drop panels that facilitate workflows, collaboration, and managing workloads.
Tasks can be divided into subgroups – “swimlanes” – across various criteria. They can also be color-coded for priority. Users can add labels, such as “in progress”, add comments, and attach files.
The drag-and-drop element means individual users can arrange their boards however they like. If that wasn’t enough, users can also choose to see their tasks in other forms, including:
- List
- Calendar
- Table
- Timeline
- Gantt charts (which look like this…)
Each of the views is further customizable, with the ability to integrate other apps, such as Google Docs or Maps.
The almost unlimited flexibility and customization is likely to appeal to organizations with a heavy content schedule or to companies that juggle multiple projects.
Collaboration
ClickUp offers various ways for team members to collaborate through the platform. As well as email, there’s an internal chat function that is supported by AI.
Users can group related conversation threads together and connect chats to the relevant tasks and documents.
Another collaboration tool is the Whiteboards feature. These are virtual boards which can be used by teams for brainstorming, with AI design tools and the ability to embed documents and connect to chats.
In addition, outside apps, such as Slack, can be integrated to offer many more ways to communicate and collaborate.
Knowledge management
Separate to ClickUp’s own support, which we look at below, this suite of features allows organizations to create and organize Docs and wikis to support various projects and procedures.
Users have a wealth of choices in how they create documentation, with different templates, nested pages, and style choices. The system also supports bookmarks and tables. It works with slash commands, so – for example – to create a table, you type “/table” or to attach a document, it’s “/att”.
Team members can collaborate and edit Docs, store them in the dedicated Hub, and add them to workflows for everyone to access. They can also be protected with privacy controls and permissions to limit access.
Another useful feature in this category is the ability to create custom search commands. This allows anyone with access to search the organization’s files, content across any of the integrated apps, and anything else.
Again, ClickUp has been designed to streamline and simplify processes, but the sheer number of options mean that learning about all the features requires an investment of time.
Workflows
Among the features designed to streamline workflows are AI-supported automations. ClickUp offers 100+ automation templates. These cover things like assigning tasks, adding assignees to tasks, and posting comments.
There are also email automations. These can be set up for customer communications. For example, to generate a response when a customer submits feedback via one of the ClickUp Forms.
Automation activity is logged and stored in one place, for ease of viewing and making changes.
ClickUp Forms can be tailored for a variety of uses. Examples include gathering feedback and incident reporting. They can be set up to automatically create tasks and assign to the right team.
Discover our top tips for automating your business.
Resource management
The platform includes a range of features aimed at tracking progress towards defined goals and targets.
ClickUp Goals is a customizable set of tools that offer a variety of ways to set goals and visualize progress. Options include showing progress as a percentage, true/false targets, where projects can be marked as complete or not complete, and monetary targets, like achieving certain sales and revenue.
ClickUp includes a time tracker, which is also available as a free Chrome extension. This can be supplemented with things like notes, billable hours, and labels to categorize time spent on specific tasks.
ClickUp also integrates with other tracker tools, like Toggl and Harvest. While users can generate timesheets based on the data, there’s currently no billing and invoicing option.
Product development
ClickUp’s project development tools include the ability to create and execute sprint cycles. These are set periods where teams complete tasks within a large project.
Within this feature, users can create:
- Burn up / burn down charts: these track work completed and work left to do, respectively.
- Cumulative flow charts: these offer a snapshot of progress so any delays or bottlenecks can be identified.
- Velocity charts: these provide data on average completion times to inform future sprints.
There is also automation functionality, so – for example – sprints can be automatically set to “in progress” on a designated start date.
ClickUp provides a choice of customizable sprint templates. There is also a selection of ways to view the analytics and metrics for each project.
It’s clear from reviewing the features across all the categories that ClickUp has gone the extra mile to fulfill its claim to be an all-in-one platform that goes beyond project management.
ClickUp integrations
If all of ClickUp’s functionality and features aren’t enough, there are 1k+ integrations. This is maybe not surprising given its “everything app for work” slogan.
It understands that users coming to its platform are likely to have all kinds of stuff on various other apps, websites, and tools. So, while it claims to replace many of these in its own right, ClickUp also makes it easy to bring in all that stuff, so team members can access, view, and share everything in one place.
While we won’t list all 1k, some notable native integrations include:
- Slack
- Google Drive
- OneDrive / Outlook
- Dropbox
- Chrome
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Discord
For developers, there’s also the platform’s own ClickUp API for building custom integrations.
In addition, users can automatically import data from a range of other project management apps, including:
- Asana
- Trello
- Monday
- Jira
- Wrike
- Todoist
For more details on some of these platforms, keep reading to our “ClickUp alternatives” section below.
ClickUp works with Zapier to make the integration process easier. This can be done from the App Center accessed via the main dashboard.
A range of third-party apps have created their own ClickUp integrations. These allow users of those platforms to take advantage of ClickUp’s features. Some examples include:
- Grammarly
- Google Sheets / Forms
- Salesforce
- Evernote
- Typeform
- Zoho Flow
As you can see, ClickUp has done its best to cover all the angles and ensure that users can access everything they need, whatever the source.
ClickUp support
One indication of the complexity of ClickUp is the amount of free support offered. There’s also a paid support option, which we look at below.
For all users, the support available consists of a large, searchable knowledge base, as well as:
ClickUp University: A collection of self-paced and self-directed video-based courses focused on different aspects of ClickUp’s functionality. Users who complete a series of courses can claim a certificate to highlight their skills.
ClickUp demo: A five-minute YouTube demonstration video showing users how to get up and running on the platform.
Video library: A collection of videos of up to an hour highlighting different aspects of the platform, from getting started to making the most of the various features. Other topics include ClickUp integrations and use cases for different sectors.
Webinars: Expert-led recorded YouTube sessions on ClickUp topics. Recent webinars include using the Whiteboard feature and the Chat functionality.
Blog: ClickUp’s blog contains a collection of articles designed to help users get the most from the platform, as well as more general business and marketing topics.
For individual issues, ClickUp’s support includes a searchable knowledge center and live chat featuring an automated assistant.
There’s no obvious route to sourcing human help from ClickUp and some of the third-party reviews flag problems connecting with customer support.
Have you explored Whop’s growing blog? It features in-depth reviews and articles on topics including starting an online business and how to make money online.
ClickUp Brain
ClickUp Brain is the platform’s optional AI assistant, which unlocks a range of automated features, including:
Organization-specific Q&A: Ask specific questions about different team members, projects or company policies without having to reach out to a colleague.
Project and task creation: Input basic details and ClickUp Brain will generate new projects and tasks.
Import knowledge: Connect to external apps and files to source information and data from the likes of Google Drive, GitHub, Figma, Dropbox, and Salesforce.
Generate summaries: ClickUp Brain can automatically generate progress updates and status reports for tasks, documents, and team members.
Writing assistant: There are several AI writing tools available, including spellcheck, transcription generation, AI replies, and copywriting support.
ClickUp claims its AI function can save mid-size companies up to 75% a year in costs and boost productivity by 30%. However, the value of all this to smaller and less complex organizations is questionable – especially as other AI tools are freely available.
For example, ClickUp’s cost savings projections are partly based on a comparison with a $20 ChatGPT Plus monthly subscription, but many users can do what they need with the ChatGPT free option.
The main benefit of ClickUp Brain is that it’s organization-specific and integrated into the platform, so users can do everything in one place. This is likely to be of most benefit to larger organizations and teams where ClickUp’s AI features could save time.
ClickUp Brain is available as an add-on feature at an extra cost. We’ll go through the full ClickUp pricing options later in the review.
Learn more about ChatGPT and how it works.
ClickUp Assist
As well as the free resources on the site, there is a paid support option. ClickUp Assist is an optional add-on feature that offers access to personalized help from one of the platform’s experts.
Users of ClickUp Assist gain access to:
- Two hours a month of one-to-one expert help
- A one-to-one business review each quarter
- Two live workshops a month
- Early access to training webinars
While it might be valuable, this is a costly add-on, which is really designed for organizations and teams that heavily rely on ClickUp and its wealth of features.
For other types of users, the documentation and other support tools on the site should be adequate, despite any shortcomings of the customer service.
ClickUp app
We’ve taken you through the main features of ClickUp, but how does all of this work on the app? While the mobile app looks slick and easy to navigate, it does have some limitations.
Features such as Whiteboards and Gantt view are unavailable on the mobile app. It also has fewer “view” settings. In addition, there are problems with things like synching the app and desktop versions, creating or tagging tasks, and time tracking.
These types of issues have also been flagged by users who’ve downloaded the app on to their Android device.
They also mention things like the app crashing, bugs in the system, and problems synching the app with other services like Gmail.
The main advantage of the app is that it’s available on mobile devices, which lets users access ClickUp and its various features on the go. One useful feature is “create”. Tap on it to bring up a simple menu from where you can start something new:
However, for using ClickUp on a day-to-day basis, a larger screen is probably better for viewing and managing everything on the platform.
A desktop ClickUp app is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. This eliminates the need to have ClickUp open in a separate browser.
In general, this is more user-friendly than the mobile app and also offers full functionality. Another advantage of the app is Offline Mode, which is available on all plans.
Speaking of which, let’s move on to see how much ClickUp will cost you.
How much does ClickUp cost?
The current pricing structure for ClickUp is:
There’s a 30% discount if you pay annually. This takes the paid plans down to the monthly equivalent of $7 for the Unlimited plan or $12 for the Business option (one payment of $84 or $144 a year). The Enterprise option is priced individually – larger businesses can contact ClickUp for a quote.
Note that the prices are per user per month. So, for example, if you want 10 team members to have access, on the Unlimited plan, it would cost $100 a month or the equivalent of $70 if you pay annually (one payment of $840 a year).
However, your attention has likely been caught by the free option. That’s one of the advantages of ClickUp – its generous “free forever” plan, which gives you access to:
- 100MB storage
- Unlimited tasks
- Unlimited members
- Two-factor authentication
- Collaborative docs
- Whiteboards
- “Everything” view
- Real-time charts
- Kanban boards
- Sprint management
- Calendar view
- Basic custom field manager
- In-app video recording
- 24/7 support
- One form
It offers a good range of features, including the ability to add an unlimited number of team members. But it’s really aimed at solopreneurs or for personal use.
The free plan has certain limitations which could prove restrictive among larger teams and anyone who wants to make use of ClickUp for running a business. Restrictions include the limited storage and just five “spaces” to house projects.
Of course, the idea is to prompt users to upgrade to the paid plans. If you do opt for one of the reasonably priced paid options, you unlock additional features.
The Unlimited plan (left column) and Business plan (right column) include 👇
The Unlimited and Business plans are aimed at small teams and midsize businesses, respectively.
If you choose one of the paid plans, you can add on the products we talked about earlier in the ClickUp review for an additional cost:
- ClickUp Brain can be added for $7 a month
- ClickUp Assist starts at $249 a month
To clarify, neither of these are available with the free forever plan (though there is limited ChatGPT-style AI functionality).
There’s no free trial but a 30-day money-back guarantee with the paid plans applies, as well as the “cancel anytime” option. This involves contacting ClickUp.
Given the reported issues reaching a human customer support agent, if you want to test out the features without committing, the best advice is to stick to the free option until you’re ready to upgrade.
Our verdict on ClickUp: Is it worth it?
Overall, there’s no doubt that ClickUp offers a wide range of features that streamline multiple projects and facilitate communication between team members. It’s great for individuals and organizations that have lots of plates spinning at once and need to keep on top of things.
One of the big advantages is that it’s an all-in-one platform, which keeps everything in one place and can do the job of other tools and apps and allows for multiple integrations.
However, when it comes to ClickUp pricing, the paid plans look attractive, but the fact that the cost is user-based can push the price up as more users are added. Still, the free forever plan is a great option that offers some of the functionality for free, while giving anyone tempted by the platform the chance to try it out without obligation.
What are other users saying about ClickUp?
When it comes to the third-party ClickUp reviews, the verdict is largely negative:
Among the complaints are individual payment issues, overly complicated software, and slow loading speeds (which we noted). This is in addition to the customer service frustrations we talked about earlier which center on tracking down human assistance.
The main downside to ClickUp for many users is really its complexity. It’s so feature-rich with multiple options within each feature, such as the kanban boards and views, that getting to grips with it all presents a steep learning curve.
The best way to know if ClickUp is the solution you’ve been searching for is to review the list of features. If your work activity requires this high level of sophistication and customization, then ClickUp might tick all the boxes.
Who is ClickUp best for?
We believe the organizations and individuals likely to get the most from the platform are:
- Freelancers who juggle lots of projects and who can either take advantage of the free plan or pay for one user on one of the paid plans.
- Organizations that work on projects of different types and complexity across multiple teams and would make use of the various customization options.
- Midsize companies which need an all-in-one solution that brings all work functions and apps under one umbrella.
- Individuals and firms that produce a lot of content and need a robust way of keeping on top of the generation, editing, and publication process.
To sum up, if you think you’d benefit from having access to all the functionality and you’re willing to take the time to learn how to get the most from the platform – ClickUp may be the one.
But if it all looks overwhelming and overkill for your needs, then this platform might not be right for you. Fortunately, ClickUp is only one of many options out there to support running your business.
ClickUp alternatives
If ClickUp’s not right for your needs, here are just a few alternatives that can help you to streamline your business and boost your efficiency.
Monday.com
Another project management tool, Monday.com offers fewer features than ClickUp and the paid plans cost more. However, Monday.com is more user-friendly and less overwhelming for newcomers than ClickUp. It has its own AI tool, mondayAI, which is currently only available on the two highest-paid tiers – Pro and Enterprise.
Price: There’s a free forever plan for up to two users. Paid plans are currently priced at $12, $14, and $24 per user per a month, with an 18% discount if paid annually.
Asana
Asana is not an all-in-one platform. Instead, it’s focused solely on project management. Again, Asana is easier to set up and use than ClickUp. It features 250+ integrations and AI functionality through its Asana AI tool, which is available as part of the paid plans.
Price: A free forever plan is available for individuals and teams of up to 10. The paid plans cost $13.49 or $30.49 per user per month, with a discount for paying annually.
Teamwork.com
Teamwork is project management software that scores points for useability. It has similar features to ClickUp, such as the kanban boards and Gantt charts. It also offers the ability to manage tasks and subtasks, and to collaborate with team members. However, it has fewer customization options than ClickUp and its simple AI Assistant is based on ChatGPT.
Price: There’s a free forever plan for up to five users. The paid options cost $13.99, $24.99, or $69.99 per user a month, with a 29% discount if paid yearly. A 30-day free trial applies to all paid plans.
Trello
Another project management solution, Trello is not an all-in-one platform, instead relying on hassle-free drag-and-drop kanban boards to view and arrange tasks. This makes it simple to use but it has fewer collaboration tools and customization options than ClickUp. It features AI functionality for paid users via Atlassian Intelligence.
Price: Trello offers a limited free forever plan. The paid plans cost $6 or $12.50 per user per month, or $5 / $10 when paid annually. The Enterprise option starts at $17.50 for 50 users.
Stay on top of your business with Whop
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