Comparison

16 Best Adobe Workfront Alternatives in 2024

November 14, 2023

Adobe Workfront connects creative workflows from beginning to end. It's designed to handle project portfolios, sort out tasks, team up with others, and keep tabs on project progress as it happens. While some creative teams might see it as a great addition to their Adobe toolkit, others think it puts the brakes on their productivity.

In this article, we'll take a deep dive into each of these alternatives, exploring their features and pricing. Whether you’re a project manager, part of a large marketing team, or just starting your creative business, we've got you covered with various options to suit every need and budget.

Why should I look for an Adobe Workfront alternative?

Adobe Workfront is not everyone’s cup of tea. Based on genuine reviews, here are three compelling reasons to consider switching to an alternative solution.

#1 Complicated interface

While the software has many features that can benefit users, many have found the interface complicated and overwhelming.

The software offers a plethora of functionalities, from task management to timeline coordination and team collaboration. This extensive range of features can pose a challenge for new users trying to navigate and grasp effective usage of the software.

Another factor that contributes to the interface's complexity is the software's layout.
The software's interface can be overwhelming and crowded, with various buttons, tabs, and menus that can be confusing to navigate.

However, with all that functionality, the tool becomes confusing to do simple project management. Here's a review from G2:

“It's very typical and difficult to understand at a go. We needed to have several sessions to understand each of the tools in depth. Tasks are not automatically connected and it's very difficult to merge and track the messages if the number of users increases.”

A user on Capterra says:

“It does take some getting used to the program. In order to become familiar with the terminology (tasks vs. projects, dashboards, and reports), a significant amount of onboarding typically occurs. From the standpoint of my team, we utilized our onboarding sessions to personalize dashboards for each team member. Both the designers' and copywriters' dashboards are separate. Thus, even while the intricacy is a drawback, there is a lot of room for additional customization.”

#2 The tool is on the pricey side

While Adobe Workfront is quite secretive about its pricing tiers, reviews suggest they had to reserve some budget. The highly customizable software allows businesses to tailor it to their specific needs. However, this level of customization can come at a premium cost, making it less accessible for companies with smaller budgets.

“Workfront's interface and workflows are a bit complicated, which can make it challenging to use effectively. The cost is also on the higher side with limited customization properties.”

#3 Bugs limit the capabilities of the features

While the software is regularly updated and maintained, some users have reported encountering bugs and glitches that can impact their productivity and overall experience with the software.

“Numerous tools are available within the application, but their execution is not optimal, and bugs often arise when using them.”

Top 16 Adobe Workfront alternatives you should try

Now that we have discussed some common issues with Adobe Workfront, let's explore some of the top alternative options available.

1. Rodeo Drive

A comprehensive project management software solution, Rodeo Drive streamlines project organization from start to finish. With Rodeo Drive, you have access to a range of tools such as project planning, invoicing, and reporting, all in one place.

Here’s a better look at the features that Rodeo Drive has to offer:

#1 Intuitive interface

Unlike the clunky interface of Adobe Workfront, Rodeo Drive features a sleek and modern design that's been revamped for easier project management. With its user-friendly interface, Rodeo Drive makes it seamless to manage projects and finances in one place, reducing the need for extensive administrative work and enhancing overall organization.

Rodeo Drive's projects overview page

^{An overview of all your projects in Rodeo Drive}

#2 Create projects and tasks in a few clicks

Fortunately, the project set-up process in Rodeo Drive is simple enough. Rodeo Drive guides the process by prompting you to begin with a phased budget. This approach enables you to visualize and manage the cost of each project segment before commencing work, which can lead to more efficient cost management.

Building a project budget in Rodeo Drive

^{Easily keep track of your project budget with Rodeo Drive}

In effective project management, capacity planning is a fundamental component. Utilize Rodeo Drive's planner to handle your team's workload and upcoming deadlines seamlessly.

Allocate project activities and tasks effortlessly with just a few clicks. Should you need to make adjustments to a deadline, it's as simple as a quick drag and drop.

Gif of adjusting task duration in Rodeo Drive

^{Adjust the duration of your tasks in one simple motion}

#3 Time tracking that’s connected to your budget

Accurate time tracking is essential to bill clients for the appropriate amount of work. Rodeo Drive offers two ways for users to track time. You can start the stopwatch on your planner tab when you begin working on a task or add a timecard after completing the task.

Adding new time card in Rodeo Drive

^{Track your time with Rodeo Drive for accurate billing}

Plus, Rodeo Drive's integration with QuickBooks (US) and Xero (UK) further streamlines bookkeeping and billing processes.

Who is this tool for?

Rodeo Drive is specifically built to meet the needs of project teams working in the creative industry. The tool helps out with the administrative side of projects so you can spend more of your time creating. Marketing agencies, video production studios, freelancers, and event organizers are just a few who use Rodeo Drive.

Pricing

Plain and simple, Rodeo Drive pricing is easy to breakdown:

Free: Access to the features that will help you get your projects going.
Achiever: At $14.99 per user/month, this plan comes with access to all features, including reporting and unlimited projects.

Want to experience Rodeo Drive for yourself? No worries. Start a free account today.

2. Teamwork

Teamwork's task board

^{Source: Teamwork}

Collaboration is the name of the game for Teamwork, and it delivers in spades for teams looking to streamline their project-based work.

With unlimited free client users included in its more expensive plans, teams with heavy external collaboration will find this feature particularly useful.

While the tool does have some reporting features, it may not meet the needs of teams that require in-depth reporting.

Key features

Time tracking
Budgeting and profitability
File sharing
Tasks and subtasks