Home / Alternatives to ClickUp / ClickUp vs Plane

ClickUp vs Plane

A side-by-side look at ClickUp (the paid SaaS) and Plane (the open source alternative). Use this page to decide if the switch fits your team and workflow.

ClickUp Plane
Tagline One-app-to-replace-them-all workspace for tasks, docs and goals. Open source JIRA alternative with cycles and modules.
License Proprietary SaaS AGPL-3.0
Pricing Free Forever; Unlimited from $7/user/month. Free to self-host · optional paid hosted plan
Self-host option No Yes — difficulty 3/5
Hosted cloud available Yes (only option) Yes
Desktop apps Varies by product Web only
Mobile apps Official apps typically available None official
Ad slot — between tables

Best for

Modern teams wanting cycles, modules and Linear-style ergonomics.

Plane strengths

  • Modern UI inspired by Linear/Jira.
  • Cycles, modules and views.
  • Active community and rapid updates.

Plane weaknesses

  • Still adding features at pace — occasional rough edges.
  • Self-hosted setup involves several services.
  • Fewer integrations than mature incumbents.

What's the catch with ClickUp?

  • Feature overload — steep learning curve for new users.
  • Performance can slow on large workspaces.
  • Frequent UI changes disrupt muscle memory.

Still unsure?

Check the full list of alternatives to ClickUp: see ClickUp alternatives, or learn more about Plane on its project page.