ClickUp review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
All-in-one work management platform with tasks, docs, whiteboards and AI credits, sold per user with a free tier.
Our take for buyers
ClickUp suits small and mid-size teams that want a flexible tool replacing several apps, and teams comfortable configuring custom fields and automations. It is a weaker fit for teams wanting a simple tool with little setup, since G2 complaints mention a steep learning curve, slow loading and an unintuitive interface for some. The free plan has unlimited members, so a pilot costs little before you commit to a paid tier.
Security coverage is broad and public: SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, ISO 42001 and PCI are listed, and a DPA is public. The sticking point is plan gating. SAML, Okta and Microsoft SSO, SCIM and audit trails need Enterprise, so Business buyers get Google SSO only.
Pros
- Very flexible way to organize tasks.
- Broad feature set in one place.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Some features restricted on lower plans.
- Slow loading and unintuitive interface for some.
- Best for
- Small and mid-size teams that want one flexible tool replacing several apps.
- Starting price
- $9 per user/month billed annually (Core; regular $12)
- G2 rating
- 4.6 (13,158 reviews)
What is ClickUp?
All-in-one work management platform with tasks, docs, whiteboards and AI credits, sold per user with a free tier. Teams that want one configurable workspace in place of several apps can start free with unlimited members. Allocate time for building custom fields and automations, since beginners report a steep learning curve. SAML SSO and SCIM require an Enterprise contract. ClickUp was founded in 2017 and is based in San Diego, US.
Category: Project Management Software
ClickUp key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Workflow automation | 1K automations/month on Core, 10K on Business (pricing page) |
| Time tracking and budgets | Timesheets listed from Business plan. |
| Pricing model and real cost | Per user per month, workspace-wide upgrade; AI credits pooled, extra 10,000 credits for $10. |
| Target company size | Free tier to enterprise; Enterprise and Max for large orgs. |
ClickUp plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Forever | $0 | user/month | Unlimited members; 500 AI credits per workspace |
| Core | $9 billed annually (regular $12) | user/month | 1K automations/month; 1K AI credits per user |
| Business | $17 billed annually (regular $25) | user/month | Google SSO, timesheets, 10K automations/month |
| Enterprise | Contact sales | SAML SSO, SCIM, audit trails, regional data hosting | |
| Max | $100 billed annually (regular $120) | user/month | Enterprise features plus highest AI usage; contact sales |
Pricing page showed two versions (current Free/Core/Business/Enterprise/Max, and a legacy Unlimited $7 annual / $10 monthly and Business $12 annual / $19 monthly). Monthly prices for the current plans were not listed.
Who should shortlist ClickUp
A strong fit for
- Small and mid-size teams that want one flexible tool replacing several apps.
- Teams that need a free plan with unlimited members.
- Teams comfortable configuring custom fields and automations.
A weak fit for
- Companies needing SAML SSO or SCIM without an Enterprise contract.
- Teams wanting a simple tool with little setup (G2 complaints mention a steep learning curve)
ClickUp alternatives
AsanaCross-functional teams that want timelines and unlimited automations from the Starter tier.
monday.comSmall and mid-size teams that want customizable boards and many automations.
WrikeMid-size teams running cross-functional projects with approvals.
SmartsheetTeams used to spreadsheets who want structured project tracking.
TrelloSmall teams that want a visual Kanban board with minimal setup.
NotionStartups and small teams combining wiki and project tracking.
Security, admin and compliance
Published: a long certification list, a public DPA at clickup.com/terms/dpa, and Enterprise data hosting in the US, Europe (Ireland) or Asia Pacific (Australia, Singapore) on AWS at no extra cost. Google SSO is on Business, while SAML, Okta, Microsoft SSO, SCIM and audit trails are Enterprise and Max only. Cancellation is anytime with a 30-day satisfaction refund window. Not published: implementation time. Ask for the Enterprise quote early.
- SAML SSO
- Google SSO on Business; SAML, Okta, Microsoft SSO on Enterprise and Max.
- SCIM provisioning
- Enterprise and Max.
- Audit logs
- Enterprise and Max.
- Data residency
- Enterprise: US, Europe (Ireland) or Asia Pacific (Australia, Singapore) on AWS.
- Public DPA
- Yes, public at clickup.com/terms/dpa.
- Certifications
- SOC 1 Type 2, SOC 2 Type 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 27701, ISO 42001, PCI.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- Cancel anytime; 30-day satisfaction refund window; bank transfer for Enterprise orders above a minimum.
- Support
- 24/7 support via help center; Assist add-on for expert time.
- Starting price
- $9 per user/month billed annually (Core; regular $12)
- Pricing model
- Per user.
- Free plan or trial
- Free plan.
What to test in a ClickUp demo or trial
Build your real workflow, not a demo project. Set up custom fields, views and automations, and check how long a new user takes to be productive, since the learning curve is the top complaint. Test performance with a large workspace, because some reviewers report slow loading. Check which features you rely on that are restricted on lower plans. Try the AI credits on a normal week of use, and test guest access against the cap of 5 guests per paid user on Business.
Questions to ask ClickUp before you sign
These are the points ClickUp's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- SAML, Okta and Microsoft SSO, SCIM and audit trails need Enterprise; Business only has Google SSO.
- Pricing shows a promotional annual price next to a higher regular price ($17 vs $25 Business)
- AI usage is metered: pooled credits per user, extra 10,000 credits cost $10.
- Enterprise can choose US, EU (Ireland) or Asia Pacific data hosting at no extra cost.
- Guest seats are capped per paid user (Business: 5 per paid user, 10 for a 1-user workspace)
Head-to-head comparisons
ClickUp FAQ
What is ClickUp used for?
Teams that want one configurable workspace in place of several apps can start free with unlimited members. Allocate time for building custom fields and automations, since beginners report a steep learning curve. SAML SSO and SCIM require an Enterprise contract. It suits small and mid-size teams that want one flexible tool replacing several apps.
Does ClickUp support SAML SSO and SCIM?
Yes, but only on Enterprise and Max. Business includes Google SSO only.
Can I choose where ClickUp hosts my data?
On Enterprise, yes: US, Europe (Ireland) or Asia Pacific (Australia, Singapore) on AWS, at no extra cost.
Does ClickUp have a public DPA?
Yes, it is public at clickup.com/terms/dpa.
Vendor profile
- Founded
- 2017.
- Headquarters
- San Diego, US.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from ClickUp's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.