# SmartTask vs Hive

Source: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/smarttask-vs-hive
Last updated: 2026-11-04

SmartTask is the better fit for teams delivering client projects that need a client portal and unlimited free guests; Hive suits teams that want collaborative project work, AI credits and optional proofing tools. Both combine project management with chat, time tracking and CRM capabilities, but their free-plan limits and paid-feature packaging differ.

## At a glance

| | SmartTask | Hive |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free-plan limits | Unlimited tasks, users, and projects | 10 members, unlimited tasks, 200MB storage |
| Paid starting price | Premium $6 per user/month, billed yearly | Starter $5 per user/month |
| Client collaboration | Client portal and unlimited free guests | External-user add-on |
| CRM | Contacts, deal pipeline, and email | Optional CRM add-on |
| Project finances | Project budgeting on Business | Optional Finance add-on |
| Time tracking | Business plan | Teams plan |
| Project portfolios | Portfolios on Business | Portfolios on Teams |
| Resource planning | Workload and capacity planning | Optional team-resourcing add-on |
| AI | AI Agents on Premium | 1,000 AI credits/month on Free |
| Integrations | App integrations, Zapier, and API | App integrations, Zapier, and Enterprise API |
| Platforms | Browser, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android | Browser, Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Enterprise support | Customer Success Manager | Dedicated Customer Success Manager |

## Which to choose

### Choose SmartTask if

- Teams sharing project progress through a client portal
- Businesses inviting many clients as free guests
- Groups needing unlimited users and projects on a free plan
- Client delivery teams combining deals, resources and budgets

### Choose Hive if

- Teams using collaborative notes and native chat
- Small groups wanting a Gantt view on Starter
- Creative teams needing optional proofing and approvals
- Teams seeking AI credits on a free plan

## Verdict

Pick SmartTask when clients need regular access to project work, or when an unlimited-user free plan matters. Pick Hive when your team needs collaborative notes, Gantt views on its entry-level paid plan, or proofing and approvals as an add-on. Compare the plans that contain your required features: SmartTask puts budgeting, time tracking and portfolios on Business, while Hive puts time tracking and portfolios on Teams and offers several specialist tools as add-ons.

## Questions

### Which has the more generous free plan for a growing team?

SmartTask Free Forever lists unlimited tasks, users and projects. Hive Free lists unlimited tasks but caps workspaces at 10 members and includes 200MB of storage.

### How much do SmartTask and Hive cost to start paying for?

SmartTask Premium starts at $6 per user per month, billed yearly. Hive Starter is listed at $5 per user per month. Features needed on higher plans or as add-ons change the total cost.

### Can clients collaborate in either product?

SmartTask offers a client portal and unlimited free guests. Hive offers external-user access as an add-on.

### Does Hive have CRM like SmartTask?

Both have CRM capabilities. SmartTask lists contacts, a deal pipeline and email; Hive offers CRM as an optional add-on.

### Which plan includes time tracking and portfolios?

SmartTask lists time tracking and portfolios on Business. Hive lists both on Teams; its separate timesheets feature is an add-on.

### Which is better suited to creative review and approvals?

Hive offers a proofing and approvals add-on for reviewing documents and creative work. SmartTask focuses its published client-facing tools on a client portal and guest collaboration.

### Do SmartTask and Hive have AI features?

SmartTask lists AI Agents on Premium. Hive Free includes 1,000 AI credits per month, and Starter lists an AI Assistant.

### Can I use SmartTask and Hive outside a browser?

Both publish Windows, Mac, iOS and Android app availability alongside browser access.

## Product pages

- SmartTask: https://nachonacho.com/product/smarttask
- Hive: https://nachonacho.com/product/Hive

## Related comparisons

### More SmartTask comparisons

- SmartTask vs ClickUp: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/smarttask-vs-clickup