SmartTask vs ClickUp
SmartTask is the better fit for teams delivering client projects and tracking their budgets, while ClickUp suits teams that want a broad workspace for projects, documents, goals, and automation. Both offer free plans and combine task management with collaboration. SmartTask puts client portals, billable time, and project profitability near the center of its offering; ClickUp emphasizes configurable workflows across more kinds of work.
Last updated November 4, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | SmartTask | ClickUp |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Client delivery, projects, resources, and CRM | Projects, tasks, and collaboration |
| Client collaboration | Client portal and unlimited free guests | Guest permissions on Core |
| Project finances | Billable time and project budgeting on Business | Not published |
| Paid starting price | Premium $6 per user/month, billed yearly | Core $9 per user/month, billed yearly |
| Free-plan limits | Unlimited tasks, users, and projects | 60 MB storage, five Spaces |
| CRM | Contacts, deal pipeline, and email | Contacts, deals, forms, and pipelines |
| Project work | Tasks, milestones, board and timeline views | Tasks, Docs, Kanban boards, and Gantt charts |
| Goals and portfolios | Portfolios on Business | Goals on Core |
| Platforms | Browser, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android | Browser, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android |
| Integrations | App integrations, Zapier, and API | Native integrations, third-party connections, and API |
| Support | Guide, forum, and chat; customer success manager on Enterprise | 24/7 support on Free; live chat on Core |
| Automation | Workflows on Premium | 1,000 automation actions/month on Core |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose SmartTask if
- Client-service teams managing projects and budgets together
- Teams that need a dedicated client portal
- Teams tracking billable hours and project profitability
- Free-plan teams that need unlimited users and projects
Choose ClickUp if
- Teams combining project work with Docs and goals
- Software teams planning work in sprints
- Teams building workflows across many integrations
- Teams that need a Linux desktop app
The verdict
Pick SmartTask if client visibility, billable hours, and project budgets are part of the work your team manages every day. Pick ClickUp if your team needs a workspace spanning Docs, sprints, goals, and extensive integrations. Both can track deals and projects, so the choice rests less on whether either has a CRM and more on whether client delivery or cross-team workflow flexibility is your priority.
SmartTask vs ClickUp: common questions
- Which is better for managing client projects?
- SmartTask is the more client-delivery-focused choice: it offers a client portal, unlimited free guests, and tools for billable time and project budgets. ClickUp also supports project work and guest collaboration, but its workspace spans a broader range of team workflows.
- How much do SmartTask and ClickUp cost to start?
- Both have a free plan. SmartTask Premium starts at $6 per user per month billed yearly; ClickUp Core starts at $9 per user per month billed yearly.
- What are the free-plan limits?
- SmartTask lists unlimited tasks, users, and projects on Free Forever. ClickUp's Free Forever plan lists 60 MB of storage and five Spaces.
- Can both products manage sales pipelines?
- Yes. SmartTask offers contacts and a deal pipeline alongside project work. ClickUp offers CRM workflows for contacts, deals, forms, and pipelines.
- Which product handles project budgets and billable time?
- SmartTask lists time tracking and budgeting on its Business plan, including billable time and project cost tracking. ClickUp publishes time-tracking features, but does not publish an equivalent built-in project budgeting and invoicing package.
- Does either product offer a client portal?
- SmartTask offers a dedicated client portal for sharing project progress and collaborating with clients. ClickUp lists guest permissions on its Core plan.
- Can I use SmartTask or ClickUp on Linux?
- ClickUp offers a Linux desktop app. SmartTask publishes browser, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android options, but does not list a Linux desktop app.
- How do their integrations compare?
- SmartTask lists app integrations, Zapier connections, and API access. ClickUp lists native and third-party integrations as well as a public API; availability of particular features can depend on the plan.
