About ClickUp
ClickUp is a comprehensive productivity platform designed to be the Swiss Army knife of project management. What I found intriguing is its attempt to combine various functionalities like task management, document creation, whiteboarding, goal tracking, and time tracking all under one roof. After testing it for a couple of weeks, I can confidently say it does a decent job at many things, but it doesn't necessarily excel at all of them. The AI features, like automated writing assistance and action item extraction, aim to cut down on the monotony of administrative tasks, but they still feel a bit clunky in real-world usage.
One standout feature is the extensive customisation options. With over 15 different views, including List, Board, Gantt, and Calendar, you can tailor your workspace to suit your team's workflow. However, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming for new users, and I often found myself lost in a sea of menus trying to figure out how to set things up the way I wanted. The pricing structure is also worth noting: while the free plan is generous, you’ll need to fork out $7 per user per month for unlimited capabilities or $12 for the Business plan, which adds more advanced features. The AI add-on is an additional $5 per user, which feels like an afterthought rather than an essential.
ClickUp is perfect for teams that require flexibility and adaptability. I can see it being particularly beneficial for project managers and team leaders who juggle multiple projects and need a centralised hub for tracking progress and collaboration. However, I can imagine it being a bit too much for smaller teams or freelancers who just want a straightforward task manager without the bells and whistles. In my experience, I'd say if you're someone who thrives on organisation and enjoys tinkering with settings, ClickUp could be a dream come true. But if you're looking for something simple and intuitive, you might want to consider other options.
Our Review
Verified 11 May 2026Reviewed by Delv Editorial, Delv Team
When I first came across ClickUp, I thought, 'Great, another productivity tool to try out.' After spending a good chunk of time testing it, I can say it’s a mixed bag. This platform markets itself as an all-in-one solution for project management, which is both its strength and its Achilles' heel. I was impressed by its extensive features, but I quickly realised that with great power comes great complexity.
One area where ClickUp shines is its customisation. I was able to set it up to fit my workflow perfectly, with options ranging from Gantt charts to Kanban boards. If you’re a project manager who loves to fiddle with your tools, this is heaven. However, I often found myself buried under layers of menus, trying to find the right setting or feature, which can be a bit maddening. For teams that thrive on organisation, this level of customisation is invaluable, but it could easily overwhelm users who just want a straightforward way to manage their tasks.
The AI features are a nice touch, but they’re not quite where I expected them to be. The automated writing assistance was helpful in drafting quick emails, yet it didn’t always nail the tone I was going for. The action item extraction feature was hit or miss, which is frustrating when you rely on it to summarise meetings effectively. It feels like ClickUp is still refining these capabilities, which makes me wonder if they’re worth the price tag of an additional $5 per user.
In terms of pricing, ClickUp offers a free forever plan, which is a great entry point, but the costs can escalate quickly if you want to unlock the more advanced features. At $7 per user per month for the Unlimited plan and $12 for the Business plan, you need to weigh the value against your actual needs. If you’re a small team or freelancer, it might feel like overkill.
In comparison to competitors like Asana and Trello, ClickUp offers a more comprehensive feature set but at the potential cost of user-friendliness. If you're looking for something visually appealing and straightforward, you might want to steer clear and look at Monday.com or Notion instead.
Overall, I would recommend ClickUp to larger teams who need a powerful tool to manage complex projects and appreciate customisation. However, if you’re a solo entrepreneur or a small team just trying to get organised, you might find it more trouble than it’s worth. My advice? Try the free version first, and see if you can handle the complexity before committing.
Getting started with ClickUp
In this guide, you'll learn how to set up ClickUp and manage tasks effectively. By the end, you’ll be ready to organise your projects and collaborate with your team using this all-in-one productivity platform.
Step 1: Sign up and set up
Step 2: Your first task
Step 3: Get better results
Pro tip
Set up recurring tasks for regular activities. When creating or editing a task, click on the "Repeat" option to save time on repetitive tasks.
Common mistake to avoid
Many beginners forget to set due dates for tasks, which can lead to confusion and missed deadlines. Always ensure you assign due dates to keep your projects on track.
The Verdict
ClickUp is a solid choice for larger teams needing flexibility and a myriad of project management features. However, smaller teams or freelancers might find it overly complicated and costly as their needs evolve. If you're willing to navigate its complexities, you might just find it invaluable, but if you prefer simplicity, you might want to look elsewhere.
Best For
- Project managers overseeing multiple teams and projects
- Freelancers looking to manage tasks and client communications in one place
- Sales teams that need to track goals and performance metrics efficiently
- Agile teams that require adaptability in project management methodologies
- Marketing teams coordinating large campaigns with numerous stakeholders
At a Glance
ClickUp is a versatile productivity platform that combines project management, documentation, and AI features to support team collaboration. While its extensive customisation options are impressive, they can overwhelm users seeking simplicity. The pricing model offers a free tier, but advanced features come at a cost that may add up quickly.
Strengths
- +The free forever plan is genuinely useful, allowing teams to manage basic tasks without incurring costs, making it ideal for startups and freelancers.
- +With over 15 different views, ClickUp provides incredible flexibility in how you visualise tasks, which can cater to a variety of project management styles.
- +The integration of AI features like automated writing assistance can save you time on repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on more critical aspects of your projects.
- +ClickUp's centralised approach to project management means that you can keep everything from documents to timelines in one place, reducing the need for multiple tools.
- +The ability to set goals and track progress in real-time helps teams stay aligned and accountable, making it easier to meet deadlines and objectives.
Limitations
- -The learning curve is steep; new users may find themselves overwhelmed by the multitude of features and customisation options, which can lead to frustration.
- -Some AI functionalities feel like they are still in beta, with the action item extraction and summarisation lacking the precision you'd hope for in a professional setting.
- -The pricing can escalate quickly, especially if you opt for the AI add-on, which could make it less appealing for small teams or freelancers on a budget.
- -Mobile app functionality is limited compared to the desktop version, which can hinder productivity when you're on the go and need to make quick updates.
- -Occasionally, the platform can be sluggish, especially when loading large projects, which can disrupt your workflow and lead to inefficiencies.
Use Cases
- -Project managers handling multiple teams who need a central hub to track progress and communicate effectively.
- -Freelance creatives who want to manage tasks and client communications without juggling numerous apps.
- -Sales teams aiming to align their goals and track performance metrics in real-time throughout a campaign.
- -Agile teams that require flexibility in project management methodologies, from Scrum to Kanban.
- -Marketing teams coordinating large campaigns with numerous moving parts and stakeholders involved.
