11 Project.co Alternatives for Successful Client-Based Work

Project.co has long been a favoured choice for teams seeking an intuitive platform to streamline client-based work. However, there’s a massive variety of alternatives on the market, each boasting unique features and functionalities. Why not have a look for a tool that works best for your team?

From task management to time tracking and beyond, these 11 platforms have been meticulously curated to enhance efficiency and foster seamless collaboration. Let's discover the perfect fit for your client-based workflows.

Why should I look for a Project.co alternative?

Project.co facilitates task management, note-taking, payment processing, and task execution between teams and clients in project ‘hubs’. The communication threads are consolidated in a unified space for each project to keep workflows running smoothly. Looking at online reviews, users like the platform’s easy-to-navigate interface and customisable templates.

However, like any tool, Project.co does have its limitations. Let's explore the top three reasons why you might want to seek out alternative software for your projects.

Not your all-in-one client management tool

While highly effective in its specific functionalities, it is not an all-encompassing client management tool if that’s what you need the most. Compared to comprehensive client management platforms, Project.co may not cover other facets such as comprehensive financial management features such as project budgeting and time tracking, typically offered by all-in-one client management tools. 

Here is what a G2 reviewer has to say about it “The flip side is that there are times you need complexity for work effectively. Project.co handles this primarily through embedding other tools. This works most of the time, but it requires additional subscriptions and not all other tools allow external embedding.” 

Expect a learning curve when you’re new to project management

When transitioning into project management with Project.co, it's important to anticipate a learning curve, especially for those new to client-based project management. 

While Project.co offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive features, users have reported that it may take some extra time to fully acclimate. An example is the following Project.co review left by a user in Capterra:

“One potential drawback is that it may have a learning curve for users unfamiliar with project management tools. Additionally, the platform's features and capabilities may be limited for businesses with highly complex or specialized project management needs. Finally, some users may find the cost of Project.co to be a concern, especially for smaller or cost-conscious organizations. Before making a decision on whether Project.co is the right solution for your business, it's important to thoroughly evaluate the benefits and drawbacks to ensure that it meets your specific needs and requirements.”

Invoicing clients is not straightforward

While you would expect that sending invoices through Project.co is a breeze, some users find the process too clunky. According to the below user review in Capterra:  

“The invoicing needs improving. At the moment, the client needs to be logged in to view the invoice which means it can't be paid by someone who's not involved in the project (like a finance department). Could also do with invoice customisation for the visuals.”

For businesses with complex invoicing needs, it might be more efficient to utilize a third-party invoicing tool in conjunction with Project.co or an all-in-one project management tool.

11 Project.co alternatives to consider

Having discussed several reasons why you might be exploring alternatives to Project.co, let's now explore what other options are available. Below, we've compiled a thorough list of the top 11 options, providing insights into their features, drawbacks, and pricing information.

1. Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is designed as an encompassing solution, emphasising intuitive and streamlined project management, with a notable focus on financial aspects. It caters to client-based teams such as creative agencies and digital marketing teams and a wide range of in-house project-based teams. 

Here's why Rodeo Drive stands out in comparison to Project.co:

Financial features to boost project profitability

Unlike Project.co, which lacks comprehensive financial management functionalities, Rodeo Drive encompasses a wide array of features. The platform particularly shines in financial management, including project budgeting, allowing users to establish phased budgets for their projects. 

Rodeo Drive goes a level deeper with its project budgeting options. Within the whole platform, all features operate in harmony. All moves are tied to a budget activity. As your team accomplishes tasks, Rodeo Drive seamlessly updates the budget, reflecting your real-time progress.

Integrated time tracking connected to your project budget

No integration is required here. Rodeo Drive provides users with two time-tracking options: a real-time stopwatch for tasks in progress or the ability to input timecards at a later stage so you can stay on top of all billable and non-billable hours.

Send invoices according to client’s needs

When you’ve hit the deadlines or concluded a project’s phase, there’s nothing more frustrating if you have to wait for payments. Accelerate your cash flow using Rodeo Drive’s customisable invoice templates and bill clients for your team’s time directly from the platform or Xero in the UK and via QuickBooks integration in the US. 

Rodeo Drive’s additional features

• Timeline-view activity planner: Manage your workload and stay ahead of upcoming deadlines.
• Rodeo Drive compiles your data within reports: These insights provide an overview of project financials, team time tracking, and productivity.
• Estimates: Send your budget estimates to clients directly from Rodeo Drive to speed up the approval process.
• Client contact management: Centralize your client contact information, rate cards, markup percentages, and files. This way, the necessary team members will always have access. 
• Guest users: Give your clients access to Rodeo Drive through a guest user account. 

Rodeo Drive’s weaknesses

• Mobile app: While we do not currently offer a dedicated mobile app for Rodeo Drive, we have plans to address your mobile needs soon.

Rodeo Drive’s pricing

Rodeo Drive provides users with two distinct plans: the Free and Achiever plan. Here's a detailed comparison of the features offered by each:

Free plan:

• Up to 10 users
• 3 active projects
• 2GB of storage
• Budget management
• Estimate generation
• Invoicing capabilities and more

Achiever plan ($14.99 per user/month):

• Unlimited user capacity
• Access to live chat support
• Full access to all available reports
• Unlimited customisation of work schedules
• No storage limitations
• Watermark-free emails

Not sure which plan to pick? Try Rodeo Drive for free to see the tool for yourself. 

2. Asana

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Asana offers a comprehensive platform that enables the management of multiple customer projects while allowing for customisable organisation based on your preferences. 

Plus. as a leading player in the realm of project management software, Asana is renowned for its robust task management features. Its primary functions encompass task assignment, goal setting, milestone tracking, and deadline management.

Also read: Top 20 Asana Alternatives to Consider

Asana’s popular features

• Milestones
• Timeline, list, and calendar views
• Tasks with prioritisation options
• Custom fields

Asana's weaknesses

• Asana does require some training and may have a learning curve. If not handled properly, this could lead to challenges in the future, especially when dealing with a high volume of customers with multiple ongoing projects and growing teams.
• Many users are disappointed by the free plan’s limited feature set. You'll need to upgrade to fully access all of Asana’s task features. 

Asana’s pricing

• Basic plan: free
• Premium plan: $13.49 per user/month
• Business plan: $30.49 per user/month
• Enterprise plan: contact sales

3. Nifty

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The tool offers chat, tasks, goals, document management, and files into one unified platform. The integrated project milestones allow project managers to ensure that stakeholders are aligned, and the overall progress is according to established goals.

In Nifty, you can categorise projects into folders based on operations, account ownership, and client delivery, enabling effective oversight of multiple projects concurrently. You have the flexibility to designate project folders as either public or private or create invitation-only projects. 

Also read: Searching for Nifty Alternatives? Here Are 12 Worth Trying

Nifty’s popular features

• Project portfolios
• Task management
• Template library
• Discussions
• Roadmaps

Nifty’s weaknesses

• Nifty’s slow loading times are a big frustration for users. 
• The limited integrations can be a dealbreaker for teams with complex workflows or already working with software tools.

Nifty’s pricing

• Free plan
• Starter: $9 per user/month
• Pro: $16 per user/month
• Business: $25  per user/month
• Enterprise: contact sales for pricing information

4. Trello

^{Source: Trello}

As long as task management is your focus, Trello might be your best bet. This tool embraces the Kanban method for task management, representing your project lists visually in columns based on their current status in your workflows. Team members can easily move tasks between columns as they advance in progress. 

Trello can be set up as a CRM with integrations with Pipedrive, Salesforce, and other tools but be sure to factor in some set-up time.

Also read: Top 22 Trello Alternatives for Project Management [Free & Paid]

Trello’s popular features

• Recurring tasks and dependencies
• To-do lists 
• Planning

Trello’s weaknesses

• You’ll need some experience in your team on how to work with Kanban boards to make the most out of the tool.

Trello’s pricing

• Free plan
• Standard plan: $6 per user/month
• Premium plan: $12.50 per user/month
• Enterprise plan: $210 per user/year for 50 users 

5. Paymo

^{Source: Paymo}

Paymo stands out with its powerful toolset crafted to simplify generating project estimates and invoices. Its extensive capabilities include support for recurring invoices in multiple languages and currencies, perfect if you’re working with clients all around the globe. 

Paymo definitely distinguishes itself with its intuitive interface and organised layout, ensuring a user-friendly experience. 

Also read: Paymo Alternatives: Top Competitors for Effective Project Management

Paymo’s popular features

• Resource management
• Invoicing
• Multiple currencies
• File proofing
• Gantt charts

Paymo’s weaknesses

• If you wish to collaborate with external resources, you’ll have to pay for additional seats.

Paymo’s pricing

• ​​Free plan
• Starter plan: $5.95 per user/month (maximum 1 user)
• Small office plan: $11.95 per user/month 
• Business plan: $24.95 per user/month

6. Teamwork

^{Source: Teamwork}

Teamwork is a project management software designed specifically for teams engaged in client-centric projects, offering features such as proofing and client management. 

The platform provides a wealth of team collaboration-boosting features, time-saving functions, and automation tools for streamlined processes. Its seamless integration with popular platforms like Trello and Slack enhances team management.

Also read: 20 Best Teamwork Alternatives [In Depth Review]

Teamwork’s popular features

• Time tracking
• Budgeting and profitability 
• Client management 
• Project views

Teamwork’s weaknesses

• The interface can be confusing and feels outdated. 
• If you need to share extensive reports with your clients, it’s best to look into another tool.

Teamwork’s pricing

• Free forever plan: $0 for up to 5 users 
• Starter plan: $8.99 per user/month (3 user minimum)
• Deliver plan: $13.99 per user/month (3 user minimum)
• Grow plan: $25.99 per user/month (5 user minimum) 

7. Hive

^{Source: Hive}

Hive offers a blend of task and resource management, collaborative features, and analytical tools. Its analytics feature allows project managers to create dashboards for tracking essential KPIs and metrics like workspace productivity. This capability is invaluable in identifying productivity gaps and bottlenecks. 

Another impressive feature is the proofing and review environment. While this is an additional paid feature for Hive Teams plans and above, users can generate content items and seamlessly route them for proofing, even accommodating video formats in the approvals workflow. 

Also read: Hive Alternatives: A Comprehensive Comparison of Competing Software

Hive’s popular features

• Proofing
• Automated flows
• Client invoicing
• Analytics
• Time tracking

Hive’s weaknesses

• The abundance of features could feel overwhelming to those new to project management.
• Bugs can result in slower loading times, leading to less productivity.

Hive’s pricing

• Hive Solo: free
• Hive Teams: $18 per user/month
• The Enterprise plan is available upon request

8. Rocketlane

^{Source: Rocketlane}

Rocketlane is a specialised platform designed for client onboarding and implementation. 

It offers essential features like built-in resource management, time tracking, portfolio managemen, and budgeting. Tailored to customer type and size, you can template forms for processes like intake, migration, and surveys, eliminating the need to start from scratch.

Rocketlane’s popular features

• Templates
• Task scheduling
• Project accounting
• Automation

Rocketlane’s weaknesses

• There’s no free plan, so you’ll have to commit to a paid plan to dive straight in.
• The tool can feel like it’s built for enterprise businesses with so many features focused on automation. Look for other software if you have varied types of clients.

Rocketlane’s pricing

• Essential: $19 per user/month
• Standard: $49 per user/month
• Premium: $69 per user/month
• Enterprise: $99 per user/month

Please note that all plans are billed annually.

9. Resource Guru

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The resource management tool assists teams in overseeing and scheduling their resources, including staff, equipment, and other essential assets, in ensuring client satisfaction. It offers a centralised platform for allocating and overseeing resources, monitoring availability, scheduling tasks, and ensuring efficient resource utilisation.

Also read: Optimise Your Projects With These Resource Guru Alternatives

Resource Guru’s popular features

• Capacity planning
• Custom views
• Task scheduling
• Forecasting

Resource Guru’s weaknesses

While providing various features for effective resource management, the tool does not include a drag-and-drop option for resource planning. 

Resource Guru’s pricing

• Grasshopper plan: $5 per user/month
• Blackbelt plan: $8 per user/month
• Master plan: $12 per user/month

10. ProofHub

^{Source: ProofHub}

Boasting strong capabilities in task management, reporting, and collaboration, this tool proves to be an exceptional choice for project management. If you lean towards a project management solution that focuses on core functionalities without unnecessary extras, ProofHub could fit your needs.

Also read: 15 Best ProofHub Alternatives to Consider [Free & Paid]

ProofHub’s popular features

• Templates 
• Request forms 
• Dashboards 
• Group chats

ProofHub’s weaknesses

• Guest and client access is only available in their highest-priced package.
• Look for an alternative if you need financial management features.

ProofHub’s pricing

• Essential plan: $50 monthly for unlimited users
• Ultimate control plan: $99 monthly for unlimited users

11. LiquidPlanner

^{Source: LiquidPlanner}

LiquidPlanner utilises a unique approach called Dynamic Project Management, which combines elements of Agile and traditional project management methodologies. Tasks and projects are managed in a dynamic scheduling system that automatically adjusts priorities based on changing factors like team availability and task dependencies. 

The tool is particularly popular in industries where adaptability and flexibility are crucial for successful project delivery.

Also read: A Comprehensive Comparison of 12 LiquidPlanner Alternatives

LiquidPlanner’s popular features

• Predictive scheduling
• Resource planning
• Project views
• Team capacity planning

LiquidPlanner’s weaknesses

• While LiquidPlanner is filled to the brim with features, they overlooked the crucial billing and budgeting aspect, which essentially serves as the backbone of any project.

LiquidPlanner’s pricing

• Essential plan: $15 per user/month
• Professional plan: $25 per user/month
• Ultimate plan: $35 per user/month
• Note: All plans will be billed annually. 

Takeaway

That concludes our list of the top 11 alternatives to Project.co. However, the choice ultimately hinges on your specific needs.

For small teams seeking comprehensive client management features in one platform, Hive is a worthy contender. Conversely, teams handling complex projects might find robust project management tools like Rocketlane and Teamwork more suitable.

Yet, if you're in search of a project management solution that adeptly balances client management, financial oversight, and all-encompassing project management capabilities, Rodeo Drive could be the perfect fit.

Begin your journey with a free trial today, or schedule a meeting with a Rodeo Drive expert to discover more.