The 6 Best Alternatives to ClickUp for Smoother Project Management in 2026 

ClickUp has become a reference thanks to its flexibility and numerous customization options. However, this wealth can quickly backfire on teams: dense interface, complex settings, and difficult adoption when multiple services need to collaborate. 

In 2026, many organizations are now looking for simpler, more structured, and sometimes more sovereign tools. Here are the 6 most relevant alternatives to replace ClickUp according to your needs and working style.

Why Look for an Alternative to ClickUp?

A Complexity that Hinders Adoption

ClickUp offers numerous features, but this wealth quickly becomes a hindrance. Between multiple views, settings, and customization options, many teams only utilize part of the tool. This density creates a confusing experience that complicates adoption and slows down collaboration between services.

Growing Issues of Governance and Sovereignty

Multi-team organizations need tools capable of providing structure, clarity, and common rules to avoid dispersion. Additionally, there are increasing requirements for sovereignty and GDPR compliance, particularly in the public sector. In this context, several alternatives to ClickUp are gaining popularity.

The New Challenges of Project Management

The Rise of Hybrid and Multi-Team Projects

Organizations are increasingly combining internal teams, freelances, agencies, and external providers. According to Gallup, 52% of employees eligible for remote work are now working in a hybrid mode, a model that has become dominant in companies. This hybridization complicates coordination, timelines, and responsibility management.

Marketing Teams Overwhelmed by Preparatory Tasks

According to Coupler, marketing teams spend on average 40% of their time collecting and preparing data, rather than creating content or driving strategies. This overconsumption of time on repetitive tasks highlights the importance of tools capable of automating workflows, centralizing content, and accelerating production.

Hosting and GDPR Compliance Become Essential

According to the latest European data, 45.2% of EU companies used cloud services in 2023, a number that is steadily increasing. This generalization of the cloud reinforces the issues of data localization and GDPR compliance, particularly for public organizations.

The Most Popular Alternatives to ClickUp

Organizations are currently seeking simpler and more structured tools, while ClickUp can quickly become complex to deploy. In the face of these needs for clarity and efficiency, several platforms offer a more accessible approach. Here are the most relevant alternatives in 2026 to replace ClickUp.

Asana

Asana is one of the most well-known project management tools due to its simple interface and multiple views (list, board, calendar). It appeals to teams looking for an intuitive, easy-to-adopt tool that is effective for coordinating daily tasks. 

Its limitations become apparent when projects become more complex: stages are difficult to structure, the articulation between tasks lacks clarity and it is complicated to frame responsibilities between teams. For multi-team organizations, Asana can quickly lack structure and become costly at scale.

Trello

Trello has established itself with its minimalist kanban system, ideal for quickly organizing tasks and providing a clear view of progress. Its adoption is immediate, making it a popular choice for basic projects and small teams. 

However, its features remain limited for more advanced projects: little governance, no structured reporting, and nearly no version management. And to go further, Trello relies on external extensions, which are often insufficient for organizations looking for a truly comprehensive solution.

Basecamp

Basecamp offers a minimalist approach centered around collaboration. Created in 2006, it aims to reduce complexity by grouping discussions, tasks, documents, and dates into a single space, making it a popular tool for small teams. 

This simplicity comes with a functional cost: Basecamp lacks advanced tools for managing complex projects, offers little reporting, and does not include advanced automations.

MeisterTask

MeisterTask focuses on a sleek and intuitive interface, designed for small structures. Its simplicity and clear kanban boards allow for quick setup without heavy training. 

This simplicity quickly shows its limits: few options for structuring workflows, lack of planning tools, and minimal reporting. MeisterTask is suitable for light projects, but is limited for organizations looking for more advanced management.

Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects stands out with a comprehensive and affordable offer: Gantt charts, automation, management of key project stages, and advanced reporting. It is an interesting alternative for SMEs or technical teams looking for a structured tool without blowing their budget. 

Its limitations relate to an aging interface, a less smooth user experience, and non-sovereign hosting despite data centers in Europe. For organizations sensitive to GDPR or UX, Zoho Projects may lack modernity and guarantees.

Smartevo

Smartevo is an all-in-one platform designed for marketing and communication teams. It centralizes your projects, from briefing to approval, in a 100% France-hosted environment that complies with GDPR. Its integrated AI automates time-consuming tasks and allows teams to achieve over 30% more productivity. 

Designed for multi-team organizations, Smartevo adapts to complex projects and streamlines both internal and external collaboration. It provides clear governance, complete visibility, and real-time version tracking. It is becoming the sovereign reference solution for brands, administrations, media, and agencies.

Does this approach resonate with you? Visit our website or schedule an appointment for a free demo.

How to Choose the Best Alternative to ClickUp?

What Criteria for a Company?

Marketing and communication teams need a tool that can centralize briefs, versions, approvals, and reporting while ensuring strong governance. Smartevo precisely meets these requirements with its sovereign hosting in France, GDPR compliance, and its business orientation for multi-team organizations.

Which Alternative to Choose for Easy Setup?

Solutions like Trello or MeisterTask offer very rapid setup, but quickly reach their limits once multiple teams or partners need to collaborate. Smartevo offers an intuitive interface while being able to manage complex projects, making it suitable for both small teams and more structured organizations.

Should One Choose a Free or Paid Alternative to ClickUp?

Free versions allow getting started but lack robustness for cross-cutting projects or those needing rigorous tracking. Smartevo offers a quick return on investment thanks to project centralization, its integrated AI (briefs, metadata, summaries), and a reactive local support based in France.

Why is Smartevo a Sustainable and Sovereign Alternative to ClickUp?

Smartevo allows for reducing coordination time by up to 30% while improving internal and external collaboration. Hosted in France, GDPR-compliant, and designed for brands, administrations, media, and agencies, the platform meets the issues of governance, reliability, and sovereignty sought by modern organizations.

ClickUp remains a powerful tool, but its complexity can hinder adoption. The alternatives cover certain needs without offering a unified vision. Smartevo stands out for its simplicity, governance, and business orientation. For enhanced clarity and efficiency, it is the most comprehensive option.