The Top 16 Free Basecamp Alternatives To Use in 2022
Basecamp is one of the project management tools that provide customers with concise but focused features. With a growing number of subscribers, Basecamp is gaining credibility and popularity among consumers from all over the internet.
Its project management features are just right for the average team size. However, many organizations need to depend on more than just basic task management stuff .
Where other tools are offering free or multiple payment plans, Basecamp offers a flat rate of $99/month. At its ongoing price, Basecamp offers 500GB of file storage, messages, and real-time chat, to-do lists, schedules. In addition, you can also manage documents and automatic check-ins.
All such features in Basecamp are more than enough for a small team of 5 to 10 users. However large organizations have growing needs. Hence the expression: ‘Free Basecamp alternatives’ comes into perspective.
Where Does Basecamp Lag?
Project management spans over a host of industries that require multiple requirements. These requirements include specifics related to marketing, design, legal, HR, and much more.
Plus, most project managers need to outsource work thereby working with remotely based employees or freelancers. Vice versa, there are freelancers that need to work with multiple clients without building huge teams. In such cases, Basecamp is not really a feasible option .
Basecamp Has Limitations:
Here are some of the limitations we can point out with this tool.
Most projects involve repetitive tasks and deliverables on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Basecamp does not offer the option to set recurring tasks.
The details associated with each project are limited. Most of the information is scattered all over project boards. It means that the interface does not display information at one area. For instance, people look for a project start date, budget allocation, Gantt charts, and vice versa when they reportedly log-on to the Basecamp account.
Despite being labeled a task and project management tool , there are not enough features to handle both these requirements efficiently.
Basecamp does not offer functionalities related to task or project budgeting . This is an important feature to determine how much a project actually costs and can help immensely in future project planning.
Moreover, analytics is the future of any industry. Basecamp does not offer options to analyze project results or future implications.
Time tracking is a critical feature of any project development program. Right now, most of the project n’ task management services are leaning on time tracking. I don’t know why Basecamp didn’t implement this feature, but it is a huge turn-off for many clients. There are options for adding a time tracker, but you need to use third-party integrations.
Customization is one of the attractive features offered by any project management tool. Whether it is through templates, forms, color schemes or personal interface, customization will always have an added advantage in the industry. The lack of customization in Basecamp makes it a take it or leave it case. There is are little to no customization options.
No project is complete without team collaboration . Instead of providing an in-built discussion channel, Basecamp requires you to sign up for Campfire to avail chat services. By default, the program does not come with an instant messaging feature.
While Basecamp is geared towards conversation, I’d like to see tools for converting conversations into actionable items (i.e. assigning tickets with priority).
Another limitation of Basecamp’s project management is the missing search and filter options. You cannot search for files or to-do lists.
16 Free Basecamp Alternatives:
To make up for the items missing in action, we have written down a list of the top 16 free basecamp alternatives. These apps will give you the same, or even better functionalities from a long-term use perspective. Read on…
1. UDN Task Manager
UDN Task Manager is an online task management software , designed and developed primarily for teams. However, with its simplified interface, anyone from homemakers to freelancers, teams to enterprises can make use of its comprehensive list of modules and features. This makes it perfect for project management on all levels.
Moreover, with the easy navigation and transparent feature set, it is good to go for personal use and productivity as well. UDN Task Manager makes it to the top of our free Basecamp alternatives list.
With UDN Task Manager you can avail a broad spectrum of features that improves team collaboration and eases workflow.
Key Features:
Here is an extensive list of UDN Task Manager features:
Pricing Plan:
Free Features:
Here are some features you can get with a free subscription:
UDN Task Manager Features Missing in Basecamp:
Signup Now to The Best Basecamp Alternative for FREE!
2. Allthings
The second tool on our list of top free basecamp alternatives is Allthings. It comprises Kanban boards where you can continue steady workflow using drag and drop method. This feature, alone, is a huge convenience for teams to view tasks and work status.
Allthings makes it easier to break down your work into tasks and projects and offers a simple to use interface. Plus, you can view work in the form of a grouped list or as columns.
Another great feature is that users can create custom fields available in lists for your subscription.
Key Features:
Here are some key features you can avail with Allthings:
Pricing:
Free Features:
The features you get with the Free version include:
Allthings Features Missing in Basecamp:
3. Avaza
Avaza is one of the top free Basecamp alternatives helping you manage your projects from the initial quotation to project development to invoice management. With Avaza, you can keep in sync with clients and keep them updated through the Questions tab.
Plus, Avaza lets you convey and monitor detailed estimates to potential clients that can later be converted into a project swiftly. You can break down your work into manageable sections such as workflows or timeframes in a to-do list, each with a start and end date.
Primarily a project management tool, Avaza also comes with an inbuilt client management module that caters to functionalities such as a Time & Expenses tab, invoicing tools as well as direct payment through PayPal or Stripe.
Key Features:
Here are a set of functionalities you can get with Avaza:
Pricing Plan:
Free Features:
Avaza comprises the following features in the basic subscription:
Avaza Features Missing in Basecamp:
4. Sendtask
Sendtask is a task management solution as well as a great collaboration tool for teams. This is one of the top free Basecamp alternatives offering communication between teams, with clients and suppliers under one roof.
This means you don’t need different media to communicate and convey project updates for different levels of the hierarchy.
This tool facilitates task management through numerous options to help in managing tasks, monitoring workflow and as well as scheduling projects and tasks all the while keeping clients and stakeholders in sync.
Plus, it offers you the option of collaborating with users even without a Sendtask account.
Key Features:
Some of the prominent features Sendtask offers you include:
Pricing:
Sendtask Features Missing in Basecamp:
5. Quire
Number five on our list of free Basecamp alternatives is Quire. If you work with a creative team and want task management for streamlining workflows, Quire is for you.
Despite being designed with a focus on creative teams, Quire is easily adaptable in other areas of work too. Quire is a free tool to help easily manage complex and time-consuming projects.
Key Features:
Some of the key features this tool can offer you include:
Pricing Plan:
Quire Features Missing in Basecamp:
6. Teamwork Projects
The next tool on our list of free Basecamp alternatives is Teamwork Projects. It is a cloud-based software that provides advanced task management features to the users. In some sense, Teamwork Projects is equipped with all the project management features that Basecamp lacks.
Due to vast integration options, Teamwork projects facilitate a smooth workflow and seamless collaboration among team members.
Key Features
Some of the key features Teamwork Projects comes with are:
Pricing
Free Features
Free forever version of the software provides the following features:
Teamwork Features Missing in Basecamp:
7. ProProfs Project
Key Features:
Pricing:
Free Features:
ProProfs Project features missing in Basecamp:
8. Zoho Projects
Number 7 on our list of free Basecamp alternatives is Zoho Projects. This one is a web-based project management software designed to assist in task management. Zoho offers the ability to split up complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks and subtasks.
The program also makes collaboration easy by letting you share updates with the entire team through an interactive feed. In addition, the tool also provides issue tracking and issue management features to help the project managers in resolving them timely.
Key Features
Pricing
Free Features
With the Free plan of Zoho projects, you can get the following features:
Zoho Projects Features Missing in Basecamp:
9. Paymo
Paymo is a project management software that allows small and medium-sized organizations to effectively execute their projects and tasks.
It is a tool which provides multiple project-related features on one platform, ranging from personal task management, planning, and scheduling, to more advanced time tracking, collaboration, and invoicing features.
Coming with an interesting feature of web timer, it also lets you track the time you spend on a particular project in your browser for better time management.
Key Features
Here’s how you can utilize Paymo for effective project management:
Pricing
Free Features
With the Free plan of Paymo, you get the following features:
Paymo Features Missing in Basecamp:
Check out the top Paymo alternatives:
Top 6 Paymo Alternatives to Use in 2021
10. Freedcamp
Next up in this collection of free Basecamp alternatives is Freedcamp. Free for an unlimited number of users, it is a web-based project management collaboration tool that is designed for solo as well as multiple users to organize and manage their projects seamlessly.
Coming with a broad set of task management features, Freedcamp is a viable choice for any industry type and size depending upon the project requirements. Affordable upgrades make it a go-to application for project management.
Key Features
Pricing
Free Features
Freedcamp Features Missing in Basecamp:
11. Podio
#10 in this roundup of the best free Basecamp alternatives is Podio. Project management and social collaboration tool which helps teams to communicate on projects and execute them successfully.
Podio brings together the content, conversations, and processes all in one tool so that everything is transparent for the users to collaborate without any trouble.
Key Features
Pricing
Free Features
The free version of Podio comes with the following features:
Podio Features Missing in Basecamp:
12. GanttPRO
GanttPRO has been one of our favorites for a long time now. Apart from recommending this software on the list of free Basecamp alternatives, we have mentioned GanttPRO at various other blogs on the UDN Task Manager website.
It’s just that the program’s overall usability melds really well with process management, task monitoring, Gantt Charts , collaboration, and program management. We love this software for an unbelievably short learning curve.
GanttPRO reportedly maintained users over the 500k mark. There are NASA and Sony on the clients’ list too. With those big names using this program on their daily regimen, you can be sure that the tool has more than enough features to offer whatever Basecamp’s been capable of.
Key Features:
Pricing:
13. Huddle
Huddle is one of those free Basecamp alternatives that you’d call “handy” for several reasons. The program is perfect for tasks, processes, and project management.
Thanks to its collaboration features, Huddle can be used to get connected with people from both inside and outside the office. Various government institutes use this program to get by with their day to day workflow.
What distinguishes it from Basecamp is whether you’re working on an internal project or collaborating with clients, Huddle can be easily customized for an ‘on-brand’ experience.
Key Features:
Pricing:
14. JIRA
JIRA is a complex breed of project management software. Over time, this tool has garnered a mix of both positive and negative reviews for all kinds of reasons. You should read the case study by Anderson Q, over at Dzone .
Anderson stated that JIRA itself is not a bad software – it’s just that a lot of people are oblivious to using it properly. Therefore, if your company requirements are not something that JIRA can fulfill , don’t blame the program.
Moving on, this one’s a stronger alternative to Basecamp – and that too for free! Various software development, project management, and agile teams use this JIRA to plan and track projects.
Key Features:
Pricing:
15. Toggl Plan
An incredible web-based task scheduling, project, and team management software that allows you to create and schedule tasks according to the requirements of your project development process.
The software has amazing board views that are useful for setting up task priority and task statuses.
The application also provides a velar overview of two different perspectives. They are:
Key Features
Pricing
Free Features
Toggl Plan features missing in Basecamp:
16. Workzone
One of the top alternatives to Basecamp is Workzone. This is because it comes with features from need assessment, training to customization.
With Workzone, your broader team can jump quickly onboard, know where each project stands, and collaborate on files.
Key Features
Pricing
Choosing the Right Basecamp Alternative
We have covered a whole array of prominent Basecamp alternatives in our review.
Now you can check with your broader project management team and its requirements and align it with the right Basecamp alternative.
And, don’t forget to try out UDN Task Manager . It has a free plan as well for up to 5 users. It comes with a host of features including 100 MB storage, it has tasks, issues, and time management modules included.
Signup for UDN Task Manager now!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are two packages for the software.
Integrating Basecamp is a no-brainer. Without writing a single line of code, you can integrate the two software, and you can send your info from Basecamp to Microsoft Outlook and vice versa.
Basecamp has an amazing Kanban Board viewing feature in-built which allows you to view different information related to your project, as you want.
You can view different tasks and processes that you have done or have to do in the future, using a slew of amazing boards.
The application does not have this feature, but there a lot of different software that can integrate with Basecamp to do the job. Some of them are:
Here’s how it works:
See also:
The 10 Best Free Wrike Alternatives To Use in 2022 (Free & Trial)