ClickUp vs monday.com: Which Project Management Tool Is Better in 2026?
ClickUp
From $7monday.com
From $9Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Both tools cover the same eight core features, so the decision comes down to price and positioning: ClickUp is $2 per seat cheaper at entry and targets agencies and teams consolidating multiple tools, while monday.com targets operations and non-technical teams. Buyers replacing several tools should weigh ClickUp's lower per-seat cost; buyers prioritizing a customizable board-based work OS may prefer monday.com.
- ClickUp's entry plan ($7) is 22% cheaper than monday.com's ($9).
- Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
- They cover the same 8 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| ClickUp · per user | $35.00 | $420 |
| monday.com · per user | $45.00 | $540 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Agency managing client projects on a tight budget | ClickUp | ClickUp starts at $7 per seat versus $9 for monday.com, and both offer guest/client access and the same core views. |
| Team consolidating tasks, docs and goals into one workspace | ClickUp | ClickUp is positioned as an all-in-one workspace for tasks, docs and goals, and includes built-in docs, goals-adjacent planning views and automations. |
| Non-technical operations team wanting customizable boards | monday.com | monday.com is explicitly positioned for operations teams and non-technical teams with a customizable work OS and colourful boards. |
| Buyer comparing feature parity before price | Tie | Both tools list all eight compared features: kanban, Gantt, time tracking, docs, automations, guest access, AI assistant and public API. |
| Organization valuing a longer track record | monday.com | monday.com was founded in 2012, five years before ClickUp in 2017. |
Feature comparison: ClickUp vs monday.com
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $7 /user/mo | $9 /user/mo |
| Kanban boards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gantt / timeline view | ✅ | ✅ |
| Native time tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Built-in docs / wiki | ✅ | ✅ |
| Workflow automations | ✅ | ✅ |
| Guest / client access | ✅ | ✅ |
| AI assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public API | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
ClickUp
- Lower starting price at $7 per seat versus $9 for monday.com
- All eight core features included: kanban, Gantt, time tracking, docs, automations, guest access, AI assistant and API
- Positioned as an all-in-one workspace for tasks, docs and goals, suited to replacing several tools
- Free plan available
- Per-seat billing means cost scales with team size
- Founded in 2017, later than monday.com's 2012 founding
monday.com
- All eight core features included: kanban, Gantt, time tracking, docs, automations, guest access, AI assistant and API
- Positioned for operations teams and non-technical teams
- Customizable work OS with colourful boards
- Free plan available
- Higher starting price at $9 per seat versus $7 for ClickUp
- Per-seat billing means cost scales with team size
At a glance
All-in-one workspace for tasks, docs and goals.
Founded 2017 · From $7 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: agencies, teams replacing several tools
See ClickUp alternatives →Customizable work OS with colourful boards.
Founded 2012 · From $9 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: operations teams, non-technical teams
See monday.com alternatives →FAQ
Is ClickUp cheaper than monday.com?
Yes, ClickUp starts at $7 per seat and monday.com at $9 per seat, both billed per seat.
Do ClickUp and monday.com have the same features?
For the eight compared features—kanban, Gantt, time tracking, docs, automations, guest access, AI assistant and API—both tools include all of them.
Which tool is better for non-technical teams?
monday.com is explicitly positioned for non-technical teams and operations teams, with a customizable board-based work OS.
Which tool is better for agencies?
ClickUp lists agencies among its best-for audiences and starts at a lower per-seat price of $7 versus $9.
Do both tools offer a free plan?
Yes, both ClickUp and monday.com offer a free plan.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Project Management tools →