What is Hive

Hive is renowned for prioritizing user experience in its software design. Despite the array of features and advantages that Hive offers, a segment of its user base perceives Hive as not fully aligning with their team’s requirements.

Predominant factors influencing the search for alternatives to Hive include the extra costs associated with its add-ons, a deficit in seamless integration with other software systems, the initial and ongoing learning curve for users, and the necessity for teams to continuously adapt to Hive’s evolving functionalities. Consequently, there is a growing demand for a robust alternative to Hive.

In this article, we will examine the top 11 competitors and alternatives to Hive that are poised to transform your workflow in 2024.

Each software will be scrutinized through a detailed analysis of its advantages and drawbacks, essential features, user reviews, and pricing structure. We will also categorize each software to clarify its best-suited application scenario. Our goal is to provide you with comprehensive insights, enabling you to make a well-informed decision.

While Hive presents itself as a robust tool, offering an extensive suite of work management and team collaboration functionalities under a single umbrella, users may encounter certain limitations that prompt them to consider alternatives. This article delves into the five primary constraints of Hive that drive the need for exploring its competitors.

Key Limitations of Hive

  • The base paid plan of Hive does not encompass critical features such as automation, time tracking, and analytics. To access these functionalities, users are required to purchase additional modules, adding to the overall cost.
  • Hive’s integration with other applications is predominantly facilitated through Zapier, which, while functional, is not without its flaws. This limitation can be a significant drawback for users seeking more seamless and direct integration capabilities.
  • Hive’s structure is characterized by a flat hierarchy, lacking the depth of folders, subfolders, and nuanced task categorization. This simplistic approach can hinder effective organization and management of complex projects.
  • A critical drawback of Hive is its lack of a backup feature for projects. This means that any accidental deletion of a project results in permanent loss, posing a significant risk to data security and management.
  • Lack of real-time data handling, sharing, and backup capabilities.     

These constraints highlight the necessity for some users to search for more accommodating and versatile alternatives to Hive, especially when their specific needs surpass the offerings of Hive’s current structure and functionalities.

Best hive alternatives in 2024 for better project management

In pursuit of superior project management tools, many are turning away from Hive in search of software that offers advanced features, particularly in areas where Hive exhibits shortcomings. This comprehensive assessment, grounded in extensive online research and analysis of numerous project management software alternatives, alongside evaluations based on authentic user reviews, has culminated in the identification of the top 11 project management solutions. These alternatives are not just task management enhancements but excel as holistic project management software, addressing the gaps evident in Hive. They represent the pinnacle of what current project management tools can offer, ensuring an optimized balance of functionality, user experience, and integration capabilities.

Teamplate

Teamplate stands out as a cutting-edge project management tool, surpassing the capabilities of typical tools like Hive. It is renowned for its advanced project management features, meticulously designed to optimize task management. This enhances the way teams handle checklists, epics, and sprints, thereby revolutionizing the management of projects and facilitating significant improvements in project progress.

As a robust project management platform, Teamplate offers an extensive range of functionalities that inject transparency and efficiency into every aspect of managing projects. It supports teams of various sizes, empowering them to manage projects with unprecedented precision and agility. Teamplate extends beyond rudimentary project management functionalities, providing an integrated platform that adapts to the dynamic requirements of project execution and team collaboration.

Key Features of Teamplate

  • Teamplate allows teams to effortlessly create and manage epics, offering a broad perspective on project progress and facilitating a comprehensive understanding of project objectives.
  • Emphasizing the importance of time in project management, Teamplate’s sprints enable teams to divide work into manageable segments, focusing on specific tasks within designated timeframes, which enhances efficiency and aids in tracking project progress.
  • Teamplate extends beyond basic functionalities by incorporating agile principles, allowing teams to excel in dynamic project environments.
  • Teamplate’s user-friendly interface ensures a focus on task management rather than on navigating complex features, making it an ideal project management tool for businesses of all sizes.
  • Teamplate’s checklists provide a micro-management approach, breaking down tasks into granular components, ensuring comprehensive oversight.

Teamplate Pros

  • The combination of checklists, epics, and sprints provides unparalleled efficiency and agility in managing projects, streamlining project workflows.
  • Adapts seamlessly to the needs of both small teams and large enterprises, with a flexible pricing model catering to diverse business requirements.
  • Incorporates agile principles for swift adaptation to changing project dynamics and enhanced task management.
  • Facilitates easy onboarding and smooth navigation, enhancing the user experience in project management.
  • Designed to bolster communication and collective decision-making in project tasks.

Pricing

  • Free forever plan

ProofHub

One of the primary challenges with Hive as a project management tool is its approach to integrating essential components. Crucial elements for managing projects, such as analytics, time tracking, proofing, goal setting, and timesheets, are only accessible as add-ons in its paid plans. In contrast, ProofHub stands out as a more efficient project management platform, offering a comprehensive suite of robust project management features as part of its standard offering. This is done for a flat fee, which covers an unlimited number of users, representing a significant value proposition.

ProofHub excels as an all-in-one project management software, adept at enhancing task management and streamlining project progress. It consolidates all aspects of project management and team collaboration software into one unified interface, thereby significantly boosting productivity. This management software is designed to bring together all projects, facilitate teamwork, and centralize team communication, thereby creating an optimal environment for managing projects effectively. Particularly beneficial for those new to using project management software, ProofHub’s intuitive and straightforward interface is one of its key features, making it a highly preferred choice for teams seeking a cohesive and efficient tool to manage their projects.

Key Features of ProofHub

  • Centrakized task management in the project management tool allows for streamlined creation, delegation, and overall management of tasks from one centralized dashboard.
  • Offers diverse views, such as Board and Table, for monitoring the progress of tasks and projects in real-time.
  • Efficient Project Management includes custom workflows using both in-built and user-defined templates, aiding in the more effective management of projects.
  • Utilizes Gantt charts for detailed project planning, crucial in any management platform, and a Calendar for clear visualization of resource allocation.

ProofHub Pros

  • ProofHub replaces multiple apps with one integrated solution for managing projects.
  • Offers a flat fee pricing model, allowing unlimited users access, making it a cost-effective project management tool.
  • Features an intuitive interface and simple mechanisms for tracking tasks.

ProofHub Cons

  • The number of third-party integrations can be improved

Pricing

  • Essential: $45/month for unlimited users and up to 40 projects when billed annually
  • Ultimate Control: $89/month for unlimited users, unlimited projects, and all the premium features when billed annually

Asana

Asana emerges as a prominent alternative among Hive alternatives, particularly for its advanced project management capabilities, offered without the additional per-user fees associated with Hive’s goal management. As a project management solution, Asana rivals Hive in goal management proficiency, enabling users to set and track various types of goals including business, project, team, individual, task, and personal objectives. This is in addition to Asana’s comprehensive suite of features for managing projects and fostering team collaboration.

Key Features of Asana

  • Asana allows users to create detailed project plans, design custom workflows using templates, and assign tasks efficiently.
  • Users can create various goals, link them to projects, and monitor their progress through specialized reports.
  • The tool aids in managing workloads, rebalancing tasks, and future project planning.
  • Features for tracking time, creating timesheets, and planning budgets are integrated.
  • Asana supports seamless integration with important applications like Google Workspace and Slack.

Asana Pros

  • User- friendly interface- Asana’s intuitive interface simplifies navigation and enhances user experience.
  • Over 300 app integrations are available, making it a versatile choice compared to other project management tools.
  • It includes native features for time tracking, resource management, goal management, and automation.

Asana Cons

  • New users may initially find the wide range of features challenging.
  • The pricing may be a consideration for larger teams.
  • The notification system could be improved for better user experience.

Pricing

  • Free: Best for individuals
  • Starter: $10.99 per user per month
  • Advanced: $24.99 per user per month

Wrike

Wrike stands out as a distinguished Hive alternative, particularly for project managers seeking advanced workflow management capabilities without the added cost for automation, a common issue with other project management tools. Its ability to create and automate custom workflows based on simple if-then logic sets Wrike apart from other Hive alternatives. A key differentiator is Wrike’s intelligent notification system, which alerts project managers about projects at risk of missing deadlines, thereby facilitating proactive management and avoiding potential crises.

Key Features of Wrike

  • Offers a robust platform for managers to create, plan, and manage projects efficiently.
  • Simplifies and streamlines business operations, saving significant time through automation.
  • Provides in-depth analysis and insights, crucial for monitoring project progress and team performance.
  • Equipped with powerful collaboration and proofing tools, essential for effective team communication and project collaboration.

Wrike Pros

  • Features enterprise-grade security with 24/7 global customer support.
  • Designed to effectively handle a large number of projects, making it suitable for scaling teams.
  • Integrates flawlessly with more than 400 apps, enhancing its functionality and adaptability.

Wrike Cons

  • Requires onboard training for setup, indicating a steep learning curve.
  • Considered an expensive option in the realm of project management software.
  • The software architecture may not be beginner-friendly, potentially challenging for those new to project management tool.

Pricing

  • Free plan
  • Team plan at $9.80/user/month (billed annually)
  •  Business plan at $24.80/user/month (billed annually)
  •  Enterprise plan at custom pricing for large teams (billed annually)
  •  Pinnacle plan at custom pricing for teams with complex needs

Monday.com

Monday.com is acclaimed as the best Hive alternative, especially for organizations that manage multiple projects and require robust resource management capabilities. It is tailored for larger organizations, setting it apart from Hive, which tends to be more suited for smaller teams and individual users. This distinction becomes apparent when considering aspects like task hierarchy, native integrations, and built-in functions. With its comprehensive set of features and native integrations, Monday.com surpasses Hive, offering a more all-encompassing work management platform.

Key Features of Monday.com

  • Utilizes project templates, Gantt charts, and goal-setting tools for meticulous project planning.
  • Allows for the streamlined management of multiple projects, coordinating efforts across different teams and departments.
  • Delivers insightful analytics for monitoring project progress and making data-driven decisions.
  • Facilitates client interactions with integrated features for requests and approvals, enhancing client engagement and satisfaction.

Monday.com Pros

  • Excellently equipped for managing resources across various projects.
  • Provides over 200 project templates, facilitating rapid project initiation and planning.
  • Includes native integrations with numerous apps, ensuring a seamless workflow across platforms.
  • Features a modern and intuitive UI, making it more accessible than other comparable enterprise-scale software.

Monday.com Cons

  • The structure of pricing and plans can be confusing and might require careful consideration.
  • There is potential for enhancing the task hierarchy for better project oversight.
  • The effectiveness and responsiveness of customer support need improvement for better user experience.

Pricing

  • Free forever: up to 2 seats
  • Basic: $9 per month per user, minimum 3 users
  • Standard: 12 per month per user, minimum 3 users
  • Pro: $19 per month per user, minimum 3 users
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

Jira

Jira stands out as one of the best Hive alternatives, particularly for development teams engaged in Agile software development. Unlike Hive, which often requires third-party services like Zapier for integrations, Jira offers direct support for Agile project management methodologies and integrates seamlessly with a wide array of applications essential to software developers.

Key Features of Jira

  • Tailored for development teams to create custom workflows, Jira facilitates the execution of Agile methodologies through interactive product roadmaps and Gantt charts.
  • Incorporates Scrum and Kanban boards, aiding in managing project workflow and monitoring task progress effectively.
  • Provides an array of templates suitable for Scrum, Kanban, and DevOps, streamlining the project execution process.
  • Delivers detailed reports and insights, essential for tracking project progress and steering projects effectively.

Jira Pros

  • Connects all essential apps used by development teams in a unified platform, simplifying document management and file sharing.
  • Enables easy automation with its simple drag-and-drop interface, enhancing workflow efficiency.
  • Offers a reliable, nearly bug-free environment, upheld by a 99.99% uptime guarantee as per its Service Level Agreement (SLA).

Jira Cons

  • Primarily ideal for software development teams, and may not be as versatile for other types of projects.
  • Features a steep learning curve, which might pose a challenge for those new to Agile or project management tools.
  • Generally more expensive than other project management platforms, reflecting its specialized focus.

Pricing

  • Free plan: Limited storage and up to 10 users
  • Standard: $8.15 per user per month
  • Premium: $16 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

Trello

Trello is widely recognized as a superior Hive alternative, particularly for individual users and small teams. As a project management tool, it leverages the Kanban board system, facilitating efficient handling of all the tasks. This makes Trello ideal for task completion and team coordination, offering a comprehensive solution in a user-friendly format. Compared to Zoho Projects and other tools, Trello provides an array of native power-ups and integrations, ensuring that users have access to all the features necessary for project management.

Key Features of Trello

  • Comes equipped with built-in task templates and tools for rapid setup, streamlining workflow for task completion.
  • Features an intuitive drag-and-drop Kanban board, simplifying task management and project tracking.
  • Automates repetitive processes, enhancing efficiency and saving time.
  • Offers timeline and calendar views, essential for monitoring deadlines and progress.

Trello Pros

  • Boasts a super-intuitive interface, making it easy to use, even for creative teams and those new to project management tools.
  • Allows quick adaptation, reducing the time and effort required to become proficient.
  • Provides robust native integrations through its power-ups, expanding its functionality.

Trello Cons

  • The variety of project views is somewhat restricted compared to other tools like Zoho Projects.
  • While effective for basic use, it lacks some advanced collaboration features found in more comprehensive solutions.
  • The free version has restrictions on attachment size and the number of integrations, which might not suffice for all project needs.

Pricing

  • Free forever
  • Standard: $5 per user per month
  • Premium: $10 per user per month
  • Enterprise: $17.50 per user per month

Smartsheet

For those transitioning from spreadsheets to more advanced project management tools, Smartsheet represents a notable competitor to Hive. It appeals particularly to users who are accustomed to the spreadsheet user interface but require advanced project management features for organizational-level operations. As a versatile tool, Smartsheet excels in offering a suite of capabilities including full-fledged project management, portfolio management, resource management, team collaboration, and effective work management.

Key Features of Smartsheet

  • Provides multiple views like Grid, Board, Gantt, and Calendar, accommodating different user preferences and facilitating efficient project tracking.
  • Features dynamic dashboards that deliver key metrics and essential project information in real-time.
  • Reduces the load of repetitive tasks through powerful workflow automation, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Offers granular sharing controls, ensuring timely and appropriate distribution of information.

Smartsheet Pros

  • Boasts robust security features, suitable for large-scale organizational needs.
  • Demonstrates adaptability to various organizational sizes and complexities.
  • The highly customizable user interface can be tailored to fit any specific workflow requirement.

Smartsheet Cons

  • Some users report that the interface can be complex, often requiring specific training for optimal use.
  • New users might find it challenging to navigate the extensive features, contributing to a steep learning curve.
  • While offering robust features, including native time tracking, Smartsheet is generally more expensive compared to other Hive competitors.

Pricing

  • Free forever for personal use
  • Pro: $7 per user per month
  • Business: $25 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

Clickup

For enthusiasts of AI-driven content creation, project planning, and email crafting, ClickUp presents itself as a formidable alternative to Hive, equipped with a potent AI-powered assistant. ClickUp extends beyond traditional project management tools, allowing users to leverage AI for generating content in ClickUp documents, formulating project plans, and summarizing email threads. Additionally, ClickUp offers a well-defined task hierarchy system, including spaces, folders, and lists, enabling efficient organization and segmentation of large-scale projects – an area where Hive often faces challenges.

Key Features of Clickup

  • Enables users to segment any project into customizable tasks, enhancing project clarity and execution.
  • Offers over 15 project views, providing comprehensive perspectives to track progress from multiple angles.
  • Incorporates advanced collaboration features such as whiteboarding, document management, and proofing capabilities.
  • Facilitates tailored reports and dashboards for a holistic overview of projects and tasks.

Clickup Pros

  • Consolidates a significant number of applications within a single platform, streamlining workflow management.
  • Offers an advanced level of feature customization, catering to diverse project requirements.
  • Designed with an intuitive interface, enhancing user experience and interaction.

Clickup Cons

  • The abundance of features can make the platform confusing and difficult for new users to learn.
  • Some users have encountered errors and bugs, affecting the tool’s overall reliability.
  • Reports of unsatisfactory customer support experiences have been noted by several users.

Pricing:

  • Free forever: Best for personal use
  • Unlimited: $7 per user per month
  • Business: $12 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects stands as a prominent Hive alternative, especially recognized for its comprehensive end-to-end work management capabilities. Its distinct advantage lies in its native integrations with a diverse range of tools, including CRM systems, billing platforms, and ticketing management software. This integration capability facilitates the consolidation of various organizational tasks onto a single platform, streamlining workflow and enhancing efficiency.

Key Features of Zoho Projects

  • Equipped with full-fledged task management capabilities, including task automation, to optimize workflow.
  • Features powerful project reporting and time tracking functionalities, supported by interactive dashboards for real-time insights.
  • Offers dedicated issue tracking tools, crucial for software development teams in monitoring and resolving issues.
  • Includes powerful collaboration tools, such as proofing, to facilitate effective coordination with global teams.

Zoho Projects Pros

  • Zoho Projects comes equipped with powerful project management features readily available upon setup.
  • Supports integration with a vast array of third-party applications, enhancing its versatility.
  • The platform is designed for ease of setup and navigation, making it accessible for new users.

Zoho Projects Cons

  • The platform lacks a range of in-built project templates, which might limit its immediate usability for specific project types.
  • The integration with other applications can affect the overall user interface and user experience, necessitating improvements.
  • The quality of customer support has room for improvement, as noted by some users.

Pricing

  • Free plan: Up to three users
  • Premium plan: $4/user/month
  • Enterprise plan: $9/user/month

Evernote

For users who primarily utilize Hive Notes for collaborative note-taking during meetings and transforming brainstorming sessions into tasks, yet do not leverage its full range of features, Evernote emerges as an optimal alternative. Evernote excels in straightforward note-taking and task management, distinguishing itself as a user-friendly option, particularly for those not requiring a comprehensive project management tool. Its forte lies in being a specialized note-taking application that also serves as an effective task management tool. A key advantage of Evernote over Hive is its mobile responsiveness and the capability for real-time synchronization across various devices.

Key Features of Evernote

  • Facilitates on-the-go note-taking and seamless conversion of these notes into actionable tasks.
  • Allows users to connect notes with their calendar, set reminders, and adhere to deadlines efficiently.
  • Enhances notes by enabling the addition of text, images, audio, scans, PDFs, and documents for comprehensive information capture.
  • Features an Evernote scanner to digitize documents, making them readily accessible.

Evernote Pros

  • Evernote is accessible across multiple devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and tablets, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
  • Offers powerful note-taking capabilities, tailored to meet diverse user needs.
  • Provides a free version for individual users, making it an economical choice.

Evernote Cons

  • Evernote does not encompass advanced project management features, focusing more on note-taking and basic task management.
  • Lacks AI capabilities in note-taking, which might limit its functionality for more advanced users.
  • While it is free for individual use, the platform can be costly for teams, particularly when scaling up.

Pricing

  • Free: Up to three users
  • Personal: $14.99/user/month
  • Professional: $17.99/user/month

Conclusion

Hive, while a commendable project management tool known for its user-centric design, may not meet the unique needs of every team. Exploring alternatives to Hive is a prudent step for those seeking features that align more closely with their specific requirements, without encountering Hive’s limitations.

Teamplate stands out as an excellent Hive alternative, offering a broad array of features right out of the box with a transparent, flat-fee pricing model. This platform efficiently integrates project management, teamwork, and communication, fostering enhanced productivity and collaboration without the burden of hidden costs. It’s a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for teams looking for a more adaptable and comprehensive project management tool.