Asana Alternative: 7X Savings, Clear Milestones, Meet Deadlines

Comparing Tools on Gantt Charts

Choosing the right tool depends on finding a balance between simple planning and smart tracking. Here’s how each tool compares on Gantt charts.

Workstatus

Workstatus delivers powerful Gantt chart functionality that transforms complex project planning into simple visual timelines. 

Its intuitive Gantt charts help teams visualize project schedules and dependencies at a glance.

• Offers drag-and-drop task scheduling for effortless timeline adjustments
• Highlights critical path tasks to prevent project delays
• Provides color-coded progress indicators for quick status assessment
• Allows resource allocation visualization across multiple projects
• Features automatic projects timeline updates when tasks are completed

Workstatus also enables real-time collaboration on Gantt charts, allowing team members to see schedule changes instantly and adapt to shifting priorities without confusion.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet specializes in spreadsheet-style Gantt charts with detailed scheduling features.

• Provides detailed dependency tracking
• Offers critical path analysis
• Includes baseline comparison for schedule tracking

It focuses on traditional project management with comprehensive timeline planning.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project features industry-standard Gantt chart functionality with advanced scheduling tools.

• Supports detailed resource leveling
• Provides extensive dependency types
• Includes earned value analysis for project tracking

It offers comprehensive project planning capabilities for complex projects.

Basecamp

Basecamp offers simplified timeline views rather than true Gantt charts.

• Shows basic project schedules and milestones
• Lacks detailed dependency mapping
• Offers limited customization of timeline views

It provides basic visual scheduling with limited technical capabilities.

Comparing Tools on Profit & Loss of Projects

Choosing the right tool depends on finding a balance between easy financial tracking and detailed reports. Here’s how each tool compares on tracking project profit and loss.

Workstatus

Workstatus provides comprehensive project financial tracking that gives businesses clear visibility into project profitability. 

• Tracks billable hours for accurate client invoicing
• Calculates project ROI based on resource costs and billable rates
• Provides profit margin dashboards with visual profitability indicators
• Offers budget variance alerts to prevent cost overruns
• Generates detailed financial reports for stakeholder presentations

Its integrated cost management features help teams monitor budgets and actual expenses in real-time.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet includes financial tracking features through custom spreadsheet formulas.

• Supports custom budget tracking templates
• Provides formula-based financial calculations
• Offers basic expense vs. budget visualization

It offers moderate project financial management with calculation capabilities.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project features detailed cost management with comprehensive budget tracking.

• Tracks fixed and variable costs across project elements
• Offers earned value management for financial performance
• Provides detailed cost variance reporting

It provides professional project financial analysis for enterprise projects.

Basecamp

Basecamp includes minimal financial tracking features with limited budget management.

• Offers basic budget field customization
• Lacks built-in profit calculation features
• Provides minimal financial reporting capabilities

It focuses on project organization rather than financial analysis.

Comparing Tools on Project-Based Timesheets

Choosing the right tool depends on finding a balance between automatic tracking and ease of use. Here’s how each tool compares on project-based timesheets.

Workstatus

Workstatus excels with sophisticated project-based timesheet functionality that seamlessly tracks hours across multiple projects and clients.

• Captures time entries with single-click simplicity
• Provides automatic project assignment based on active tasks
• Offers customizable approval workflows for employee timesheet verification
• Includes billable vs. non-billable hour differentiation

You can also generate comprehensive timesheet reports that break down hours by project, task, and team member, making client billing and project costing transparent and accurate.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet includes customizable timesheet templates with formula-based calculations. 

• Supports weekly and monthly timesheet views
• Offers custom categories for time allocation
• Provides formula-based time summaries by project

It provides moderate time tracking capabilities through customized sheets.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project features resource-based time tracking with detailed allocation analysis.

• Tracks time against planned schedules
• Provides resource utilization reporting
• Offers variance analysis for time allocation

It focuses on planned vs. actual time tracking for project management.

Basecamp

Basecamp includes simple time tracking features with basic project allocation.

• Provides basic time entry against projects
• Offers limited timesheet organization features
• Includes simple time summaries by project

It offers straightforward time logging without complex reporting.

Comparing Tools on Pricing

Choosing the right tool depends on finding a balance between cost and features. Here’s how each tool compares on pricing.

Workstatus

Workstatus is the most affordable at just $1.60 per user/month. It includes helpful features like time tracking, project budgeting, and employee productivity monitoring — perfect for teams looking to save money without losing key features.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet is priced at $9 per user/month. It works well for planning and organizing but doesn’t have built-in time tracking or GPS tracking like Workstatus.

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project, at $9.59 per user/month, has strong project management features but can be hard to use and more expensive in the long run.

Basecamp

Basecamp costs $15 per user/month. It’s simple to use for teamwork but lacks detailed time tracking, project budgets, and automated reports that Workstatus gives you for much less.

Summary

Workstatus is the best and most affordable alternative to Asana, offering powerful time tracking, detailed reports, and a smart budget tracking tool to manage projects with ease. It’s perfect for teams that want better control without overspending.

Why Workstatus is Better

• Clear Project Insights: Track team activities and fix problems before they grow.
• Budget & Profit Tracking: See project costs, earnings, and profit margins easily.
• Planned vs. Actual Reports: Make sure projects stay on time and within budget.
• Task & Deadline Management: Keep priorities clear and meet deadlines smoothly.
• More Affordable: Lower price with more features compared to Asana pricing (starts from $10.99)
• Easy to Use: Simple design and smart workflows that save time.

Workstatus helps you manage projects efficiently, save money, and make smarter decisions.