20 Best Productive Alternative Reviewed In 2024
Best Productive Alternatives Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Productive is a valuable project management software, but depending on your unique business needs and team requirements, it may not be the best solution for you. To help you find your next software option, I tested and reviewed several Productive alternatives.
Using my extensive experience in project management and digital software, my detailed reviews offer insights into software features, benefits, and overall performance. Whether you're seeking software solutions, organizational techniques, or innovative gadgets, I’m confident that my in-depth analysis will help you make an informed decision.
What is Productive?
Productive is an all-in-one agency management software designed to streamline operations and boost profitability. It consolidates various tools into one platform, offering features such as project management, time tracking, resource planning, budgeting, invoicing, and reporting.
Why Look for a Productive Alternative
While Productive is a strong choice for a project management software, there are several reasons why you may need an alternative. Some of these reasons include:
- Cost Concerns: You might find the subscription model of Productive restrictive, prompting a search for a more affordable alternative that fits within your budget.
- Feature Set: If you're looking for specific functionalities that Productive doesn't offer, you may seek out alternative software that better meets your project management needs.
- User Experience: A more intuitive interface or a different user workflow could be reasons to explore other software options, aiming for a smoother and more efficient user experience.
- Integration Needs: Better compatibility with other software can drive the search for an alternative, ensuring seamless integration and improved productivity.
- Support and Resources: If you desire more on-hands customer support or additional learning materials, you might look for other software solutions that offer these resources to enhance your overall experience.
Finding the right project management software is essential for optimizing efficiency and meeting unique business needs. Whether due to cost, feature requirements, user experience, integration needs, or support resources, exploring alternatives to Productive can lead you to a tool that better aligns with your specific goals and preferences.
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Best Productive Alternatives Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Nifty | From $5/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
| Freedcamp | From $1.49/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | Website |
| Microsoft Teams | From $4/user/month + free version available | Website |
| Bonsai | From $19/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| ProofHub | From $45/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Taskworld | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Podio | From $11.20/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Bitrix24 | From $49/month (max of 5 users) | Website |
| Redmine | Free to use | Website |
| Celoxis | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare Software-
Wrike
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
Hub Planner
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Miro
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
Best Productive Alternatives Reviews
Below, I’ll provide overviews of each Productive alternative. In my detailed reviews, you’ll learn about their advantages and disadvantages, key features, and ideal scenarios for use.
Nifty is a project management tool that focuses on milestone-driven progress, helping teams to set and achieve goals effectively. It combines task management, timelines, and collaboration features to keep projects on track and aligned with key milestones.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Nifty excels in milestone-driven progress, a critical aspect for teams needing to track and achieve project goals systematically. Compared to other tools, Nifty stands out with its emphasis on milestones, ensuring that teams can maintain focus on key deliverables and deadlines.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include milestone tracking, task management, project timelines, collaboration tools, file sharing, and automation.
Integrations include Harvest, Webex, Zoom, Slack, Github, Microsoft Suite, Google Drive, Miro, Typeform, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Offers a free plan and a 14-day free trial
- Focuses on milestone-driven progress
- Centralizes project communication and tracking
Cons:
- Limited template options and customization
- Lack of custom automation
Freedcamp is a versatile project management and collaboration tool designed to enhance personal productivity. It offers a range of features such as task management, time tracking, and calendar integration to help individuals and teams stay organized and efficient.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Freedcamp combines strategic project management capabilities with user-friendly features that make it ideal for personal productivity. Its flexibility and advanced feature set stand out, particularly for those managing multiple personal projects.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include project tracking, task management, Gantt charts, custom fields, project templates, user-friendly interface, and tools for creating detailed reports, managing issues, and using wikis for documentation.
Integrations include Google Drive, Mailchimp, WordPress, Google Calendar, Google Forms, Microsoft Outlook, ClickUp, Dropbox, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Calendar integration
- Time tracking feature
- Comprehensive task management
Cons:
- Limited mobile functionality
- Interface can be overwhelming for new users
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that integrates chat, video conferencing, file storage, and application integration into a single workspace. It’s designed to provide an integrated team workspace, facilitating communication and collaboration.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Microsoft Teams offers an integrated team workspace, combining multiple collaboration tools into one platform. This is essential for teams that require seamless communication, file sharing, and app integration all in one place, making it a standout choice compared to other fragmented solutions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time collaboration, video and audio calling, instant messaging, file sharing and storage, task management, meeting scheduling, customizable workspaces, and secure communication with data encryption.
Integrations include Microsoft 365 Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint), Trello, Asana, and GitHub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable through app integrations and Power Automate
- Robust communication tools (chat, video, and voice)
- Comprehensive integration with Microsoft 365 applications
Cons:
- Requires Microsoft 365 subscription for full functionality
- Can be overwhelming for new users due to its many features
Bonsai is an all-in-one business management tool tailored for freelancers, providing solutions for contracts, invoicing, time tracking, and task management. It's designed to streamline administrative tasks, allowing freelancers to focus on their work.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Bonsai is an excellent alternative to Productive due to its advanced feature suite tailored for freelancers and small businesses. It offers project management, time tracking, invoicing, and contract tools, all designed to streamline workflow and enhance productivity.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include project management, time tracking, invoicing, contract creation, proposal generation, client CRM, task automation, expense tracking, tax planning, financial management and reporting, and integration with popular payment platforms.
Integrations include Google Calendar, QuickBooks, Zapier, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable contract templates
- Automated invoicing and payment tracking
- Comprehensive freelance-specific tools
Cons:
- Limited customer support options
- Limited to freelance use cases
ProofHub is a project management and collaboration software. It’s best for teamwork collaboration due to its advanced set of features that facilitate communication, task management, and project tracking.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: ProofHub includes features like task management, time tracking, and online proofing, which are essential for managing collaborative projects. The tool also offers discussion boards, chat, and file sharing to ensure that team members can communicate and share resources efficiently. Additionally, its customizable workflows and project templates help streamline project execution.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include task management, Gantt charts, time tracking, custom workflows, project planning, file sharing and proofing, discussions and chat, calendar and milestones, notes, reports, announcements, and user access controls.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable workflows and templates
- Comprehensive project management features
- Strong emphasis on team collaboration and communication
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for small teams or simple projects
- Limited advanced reporting options
Taskworld is a cloud-based project and task management solution. It's best for visual task management due to its visual task boards and project analytics.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Taskworld offers an advanced set of features that cater to visual task management, which is essential for keeping projects organized and on track. Its user-friendly interface and performance analytics make it a top choice for those who prioritize visual project tracking.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable Kanban boards, timelines, built-in project analytics and reporting tools, task comments, file sharing, and real-time notifications.
Integrations include Google Drive, Zapier, Open API, Google Meet, GitHub, Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong collaboration features
- Built-in project analytics and reporting tools
- Customizable Kanban boards and timelines
Cons:
- Limited advanced customization options for reporting
- May be overwhelming for users not familiar with visual task management
Podio is a project management tool that excels in offering customizable workflows to suit various business processes. It allows users to create custom applications and modify workflows to fit their specific project needs, making it ideal for workflow customization.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Podio has an exceptional ability to customize workflows, which is vital for teams with unique project management needs. Its flexibility in creating custom apps and adjusting workflows makes it stand out compared to other tools that offer more rigid structures.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable workspaces, task management, automated workflows, file sharing, calendar integrations, real-time collaboration, project reporting, and webforms.
Integrations include Google Drive, Dropbox, ShareFile, Box, HighTail, OneDrive, Zendesk, Campaign Monitor, Evernote, and FreshBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integrated workflow automation
- Robust collaboration features including social intranet capabilities
- Highly customizable workflows and applications
Cons:
- Limited built-in reporting features
- Can be complex to set up for new users
Bitrix24 is a versatile platform that combines CRM and project management features into a single tool, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to manage both customer relationships and project workflows efficiently.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Bitrix24 offers an advanced solution for both CRM and project management, addressing the needs of businesses that require a unified tool for managing customer interactions and project tasks. It stands out for its ability to integrate these two critical business functions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include CRM for managing leads, contacts, and sales pipelines, project management tools with Gantt charts and Kanban boards, task management with time tracking, collaboration tools such as group chat and video calls, document management, website and landing page creation, email marketing, and social media integration.
Integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Mailchimp, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide range of integrations
- Social intranet for improved internal communication
- Comprehensive CRM and project management features
Cons:
- Can be complex and overwhelming for new users
- Higher starting price compared to some other tools
Redmine is an open-source project management and issue-tracking tool designed specifically for software development teams. It offers features such as Gantt charts, time tracking, and role-based access control to help developers manage and monitor their projects effectively.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Redmine is a highly flexible and customizable solution designed for developer project tracking. Its open-source nature allows extensive customization, which is beneficial when comparing project management tools. Redmine's advanced tracking features and support for various development methodologies make it a unique Product alternative.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include flexible role-based access control, issue tracking, Gantt chart and calendar, time tracking, custom fields, news, documents and file management, per project wiki and forums, repository browser and diff viewer, feeds and email notifications, multiple LDAP authentication support, user self-registration, multi language support, and multiple database support.
Integrations include GitHub, GitLab, SVN, Jenkins, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong issue tracking and time management features
- Supports multiple projects and workflows
- Highly customizable and flexible
Cons:
- User interface can be less intuitive
- Requires self-hosting and technical knowledge
Celoxis is a strategic project management tool designed to handle complex project portfolios efficiently. It offers several features for project planning, tracking, and collaboration, making it ideal for businesses with intricate project needs.
Why it's a good Productive alternative: Celoxis excels in managing complex project portfolios, which aligns with its reputation for handling intricate project details and workflows. Compared to other tools, Celoxis stands out for its extensive features that support large-scale project management and resource allocation.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced scheduling, project tracking, resource management capabilities, Gantt charts, time and expense tracking, reporting tools, and customizable workflows and dashboards.
Integrations include Microsoft Project, Excel, Salesforce, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable dashboards and workflows
- Comprehensive resource management tools
- Advanced project planning and scheduling features
Cons:
- Limited customization options for certain reports
- Steeper learning curve for new users
Other Productive Alternatives
Below is a list of additional Productive alternatives that I shortlisted. While they didn’t make the top 10, they’re still valuable and worth further research.
- Asana
Best for workflow customization
- Smartsheet
Best for spreadsheet-like project management
- ClickUp
Best for all-in-one tool versatility
- Jira Service Management
Best for Agile software teams
- Airtable
Best for database-driven projects
- Basecamp
Best for team communication
- Zoho Projects
Best for integration with Zoho Suite
- Trello
Best for visual project planning
- TeamGantt
Best for graphical project planning
- monday.com
Best for intuitive design interface
Related Project Management Software Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other related tools that we've tested and evaluated:
- Project Management Software
- Resource Management Software
- Workflow Automation Software
- Time Tracking Software
- Task Management Software
- Collaboration Tools
- Gantt Chart Maker
- Productivity Tools
- Project Tracking Software
- Project Scheduling Software
Productive Alternatives Selection Criteria
The criteria for choosing a Productive alternative should directly address buyer needs and common pain points, ensuring that the software serves its intended purpose effectively. As an expert who has personally tried and researched these tools, here are the requirements I use when evaluating software:
Core Functionality: 25% of total weighting score
- Task assignment and tracking
- Project timeline visualization (Gantt charts or Kanban boards)
- Team communication and collaboration
- Time and resource management
- Reporting and analytics
Additional Standout Features: 25% of total weighting score
- Integration with emerging tools and platforms
- Advanced automation capabilities
- AI-driven insights and analytics
- Enhanced security features for data protection
- Mobile app functionality with offline access
Usability: 10% of total weighting score
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces
- Customizable dashboards and user interfaces
- Minimal learning curve for new users
- Comprehensive search and filter options
- Seamless navigation across features
Onboarding: 10% of total weighting score
- Availability of interactive product tours
- Detailed training videos and webinars
- Ready-to-use templates for quick setup
- In-app guidance and tutorials
- Dedicated customer success managers
Customer Support: 10% of total weighting score
- 24/7 availability through multiple channels (chat, email, phone)
- Detailed knowledge base and FAQs
- Responsive and knowledgeable support staff
- Community forums and user groups
- Personalized support plans and SLAs
Value For Money: 10% of total weighting score
- Transparent pricing models
- Flexible subscription plans
- Discounts for annual commitments or volume purchases
- Comparison of feature sets against pricing tiers
- Assessment of long-term ROI based on feature utilization
Customer Reviews: 10% of total weighting score
- High overall satisfaction ratings
- Positive feedback on reliability and performance
- Consistent praise for ease of use
- Reports of effective and timely customer support
- Testimonials highlighting impactful use cases and success stories
By adhering to these criteria, you can ensure that the Productive alternatives recommended are not only functionally robust but also user-friendly, well-supported, and provide good value for money.
Key Features Of Productive Alternatives
Here are some key features of Productive that your alternative software should be able to replicate or improve upon in order to be a good fit:
- Customizable Views: Customizable views enable users to prioritize tasks and resources by organizing projects in a way that best fits their workflow. This tailored approach helps maintain focus and streamline project management for enhanced productivity.
- Macro View of Projects: Tracking progress through macro views allows users to monitor both individual contributions and overall team performance across timelines. This perspective ensures that all project aspects are aligned and on track.
- Internal Chat Tool: An internal chat tool supports seamless communication within the organization, offering private, group, or company-wide messaging options. This feature enhances collaboration and ensures that everyone stays informed and connected.
- Recurring Tasks: Automating recurring tasks eliminates the need for manual recreation, saving time and reducing the risk of oversight. This feature ensures that essential tasks are consistently completed on schedule.
- Add Tasks via Email: The ability to create tasks through email streamlines task management by allowing users to quickly convert emails into actionable items. With the email subject as the task title and the body as a comment, this feature enhances efficiency.
- Set Reminders: Customizable reminders help keep timelines on track by sending notifications tailored to individual or project needs. This feature ensures deadlines are met and tasks are completed promptly.
- Mute Notifications: The option to mute notifications allows users to silence distractions and maintain focus on high-priority tasks. This feature supports uninterrupted work periods and enhances productivity.
- Private Projects and Tasks: Controlling visibility through invitation-only access ensures that sensitive projects and tasks are securely managed. This feature maintains confidentiality and allows for focused collaboration within specific teams.
- Single Sign-On: Single sign-on provides a seamless login experience using Google or Microsoft accounts, reducing the hassle of multiple passwords. This feature enhances security and simplifies user access management.
- Secure File-Sharing Integration: Secure file-sharing integration allows for safe and efficient cloud-based file sharing within the application. This feature ensures that files are easily accessible to authorized users while maintaining data security.
Exploring these key features for Productive alternatives can significantly enhance your project management experience, offering greater flexibility, improved collaboration, and enhanced security. By adopting tools with these features, teams can streamline their workflows and boost overall productivity.
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