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ActiveCollab vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase vs monday Work Management Comparison

Last updated:

ActiveCollab

4.3(104 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

ActiveCollab is a web based project management software designed to make managing small business teams as simple as possible. The intuitive interface makes it easy to delegate tasks and kept track of projects. Features s…

Microsoft Project

4.0(1,520 reviews)

Starting at $10 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps streamline business processes so that…

Quickbase

Starting at $35 /user/month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables users to create custom applicatio…

monday Work Management

Starting at $9 /seat/month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Monday Work Management is an all-encompassing platform designed to streamline team collaboration, task execution, and project management. With its user-friendly interface and highly customizable workflows, Monday empower…

ActiveCollab leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 104 reviews.

ActiveCollab vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase vs monday Work Management — at a glance

FeatureActiveCollabMicrosoft ProjectQuickbasemonday Work Management
Rating4.3 / 54.0 / 5
Reviews1041,520
Starting priceContact for pricing$10 /User/Month$35 /user/month$9 /seat/month
Free trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Free version No No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryProject Management SoftwareProject Management SoftwareProject Management SoftwareProject Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS, Mobile - Android
APIAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Online, Business Hours
CertificationsSOC 2SOC 2SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2
Data residencyGlobalGlobalGlobalGlobal

Key differences between ActiveCollab and Microsoft Project

  • Pricing: Microsoft Project starts at $10 /User/Month. ActiveCollab pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Target audience: ActiveCollab is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Microsoft Project targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
  • User satisfaction: ActiveCollab scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
  • Deployment: ActiveCollab supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Microsoft Project supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.

Compare ActiveCollab vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase vs monday Work Management — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Project Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

ActiveCollab
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Microsoft Project - Project Management Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

ActiveCollab

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Microsoft Project

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

Quickbase

Best for building custom no-code workflows in medium to large enterprises.

Choose if
  • You need to rapidly create tailored project management apps without coding.
  • Your team requires strong workflow automation to reduce manual tasks.
  • You want seamless integration with tools like Salesforce and Slack.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a freelancer or very small team needing simple task management.
  • You prefer out-of-the-box project management without customization or complexity.

monday Work Management

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

ActiveCollab typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Microsoft Project tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

ActiveCollab is a web based project management software designed to make managing small business teams as simple as possible. The intuitive interface makes it easy to delegate tasks and ... Read More about ActiveCollab

Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps ... Read More about Microsoft Project

Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables ... Read More about Quickbase

Monday Work Management is an all-encompassing platform designed to streamline team collaboration, task execution, and project management. With its user-friendly interface and highly ... Read More about monday Work Management

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $10
  • Starts from $35 , yearly
  • Starts from $9 , yearly

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.9/10

8.8/10

9.8/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.32

(104)

4.02

(1520)

Best Company Size

1–50 Employees
50 to 500 employees
50-1,000 employeesMedium to Large Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

ActiveCollab

  • User-Friendly Interface: ActiveCollab is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for teams to get started with project management without a steep learning curve.
  • Integrated Time Tracking and Invoicing: The platform includes built-in time tracking and invoicing features, allowing users to manage project timelines and billing in one tool.
  • Cloud-Based Accessibility: Being cloud-based, ActiveCollab provides teams with the flexibility to access project information from anywhere, facilitating remote work and collaboration.

Microsoft Project

  • Advanced Project Scheduling and Planning: Microsoft Project offers detailed Gantt charts, task dependencies, and critical path analysis, letting you schedule and plan projects precisely.
  • Resource Management: The platform provides tools for resource allocation, workload balancing, and cost tracking, maintaining efficient use of resources across projects.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Microsoft Project includes built-in reporting features that support data-driven decision-making and project performance analysis.

Quickbase

  • Give Your Team a Voice: Quickbase lets teams build custom applications without needing extensive coding skills, helping them simplify workflows and improve productivity. I've seen firsthand how this puts app development in reach for everyone, letting all team members contribute.
  • Rapid Deployment: With Quickbase, you can quickly create and deploy applications designed for your business needs. This lets you respond to changing market conditions or internal requirements faster than competitors.
  • Smooth Integration: The platform integrates easily with existing tools and systems, letting your organization keep its current infrastructure while improving capabilities. This flexibility lets users use their favorite tools without disruption.
Best fit

Best fit

ActiveCollab

  • 1–50 Employees
  • Marketing, Advertising, Consulting, Design, IT Services
  • Project Managers, Account Managers, Team Leads, Freelancers, Consultants

Microsoft Project

  • 50 to 500 employees
  • Construction, Engineering, IT Services, Manufacturing, Consulting
  • Project Managers, Program Managers, Resource Managers, Operations Directors, Portfolio Managers

Quickbase

  • 50 to 1,000 employees
  • SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, and Revtech
  • Project Managers, Business Analysts, Operations Managers, and IT Administrators
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

ActiveCollab

  • ActiveCollab restricts task assignments to a single user, lacking the ability to assign tasks to multiple team members simultaneously. This limitation can hinder collaboration, especially in complex projects requiring input from various team members.
  • While ActiveCollab offers reporting features, they are primarily text-based and lack advanced visual analytics. Users seeking comprehensive, visual reports with charts and graphs may find these capabilities insufficient.
  • The platform offers limited dashboard customization, which may not suit users who prefer a more personalized project management experience.

Microsoft Project

  • Teams seeking intuitive and user-friendly interfaces might opt for tools like Trello or Asana, which offer straightforward task management and collaboration features without the complexity of advanced project management functionalities.
  • Organizations practicing Agile methodologies may find tools like Jira or Monday.com more aligned with their workflow, as these platforms offer robust support for sprints, backlogs, and iterative development processes.
  • Teams emphasizing real-time collaboration and communication might prefer platforms like Slack or ClickUp, which integrate messaging, file sharing, and task management in a single interface.

Quickbase

  • Pricing runs 2–3x higher than Airtable or Monday.com for comparable low-code features
  • Lacks native data analytics and requires custom integrations or third-party tools like Tableau for reporting
  • Steep learning curve for non-technical users — most teams hire a Quickbase specialist or consultant to manage builds

Software Demo

Demo

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How do ActiveCollab, Microsoft Project, Quickbase and monday Work Management Compare on Features?

Total Features

38 Features

15 Features

10 Features

17 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare ActiveCollab, Microsoft Project, Quickbase and monday Work Management on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

          Starting From

          • Not Available
          • $10
          • $35 , yearly
          • $9 , yearly

          Pricing Plans

          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available

          Pricing Page

          ActiveCollab pricing
          Microsoft Project pricing
          Quickbase pricingmonday Work Management pricing

          Other Details

          Organization Types supported

          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Large Enterprises
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Individuals

          Platforms Supported

          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - Android
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)

          Modes of support

          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online

          API Support

          • Available
          • Available
          • Available
          • Not Available
          Get help choosing
          Get help choosing

          Security & Compliance

          Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

          SOC 2

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          HIPAA

          ✗ No
          ✗ No

          GDPR

          ISO 27001

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          ✓ Yes

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          ✓ Yes

          Data Encryption

          ✓ Yes

          Audit Logs

          ✓ Yes

          Data Residency

          🌐 Global
          🌐 Global

          ActiveCollab vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Rating Distribution

          70

          34

          10

          1

          1

          660

          622

          186

          40

          18

          No reviews available for this product

          No reviews available for this product

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is positive across 116 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

          What buyers like

          • Simple interface makes task and project management easy to learn.
          • Supports collaboration between team members and clients with shared communication and updates.
          • Project organization tools include tasks, subtasks, templates, and workload management.

          Common complaints

          • Lacks modern UI aesthetics and advanced customization options like drag-and-drop features or enhanced visual dashboards.
          • No support for assigning tasks to multiple users, creating additional manual workload for collaborative activities.
          • Missing agile project planning tools such as sprints and story writing, limiting flexibility for specific methodologies.

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is positive across 1526 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

          What buyers like

          • Customizable and flexible for various project types, including complex ones.
          • Integrates with Excel, Word, and PowerBI for improved reporting and workflow.
          • Gantt charts and automated dependency setups support task tracking and timeline management.

          Common complaints

          • High subscription cost; no longer available for outright purchase.
          • Steep learning curve requiring extensive training or tutorials to master.
          • Overly complex for small or simple projects; better suited to large organizations.

          Buyer sentiment

          Overall positive sentiment highlights Quickbase's flexibility and automation, though some users note usability challenges.

          What buyers like

          • Ease of use
          • Workflow automation
          • Integration capabilities

          Common complaints

          • Usability issues
          • Functionality limitations

          No expert review available for this product

          Pros and Cons

          • Easy to use with a simple interface, making task and project management intuitive for teams.

          • Facilitates collaboration between team members and clients, streamlining communication and updates.

          • Offers robust project organization tools such as tasks, subtasks, templates, and workload management.

          • Lacks modern UI aesthetics and advanced customization options like drag-and-drop features or enhanced visual dashboards.

          • No support for assigning tasks to multiple users, creating additional manual workload for collaborative activities.

          • Customizable and flexible, allowing adaptation to various projects and needs, particularly complex ones.

          • Seamless integration with other Microsoft tools like Excel, Word, and PowerBI, improving workflow and reporting.

          • Excellent for task tracking and timeline management, with features like Gantt charts and automated dependency setups.

          • High subscription/license cost, with purchasing restrictions as it is no longer available outright.

          • Steep learning curve for beginners, with a need for extensive training or tutorials to master its features.

          • No-code drag-and-drop app building enabling rapid custom workflow creation

          • Seamless integration with major tools like Salesforce, Slack, and cloud storage

          • Strong workflow automation capabilities reducing manual processes

          • Usability and functionality could be improved according to user feedback

          • Pricing details are not publicly transparent, requiring sales engagement

          No pros or cons available for this product

          Positive Reviews

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Negative Reviews

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Used ActiveCollab, Microsoft Project, Quickbase, or monday Work Management? Tell buyers what actually differs.

          List of Customers

          Customers

          Nike

          Nike

          Cisco

          Cisco

          Honda

          Honda

          No Customers information available.

          Amazon

          Amazon

          P and G

          P and G

          Fresenius

          Fresenius

          Glossier

          Glossier

          BD

          BD

          Universal Music Group

          Universal Music Group

          Media and Screenshots

          Screenshots

          Task

          5 Screenshots

          No screenshots available.

          Videos

          video-0

          3 Videos

          video-0

          1 Videos

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          Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

          Frequently asked questions

          Which is better, ActiveCollab or Microsoft Project?
          ActiveCollab edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
          Do ActiveCollab and Microsoft Project offer a free trial?
          Yes, both ActiveCollab and Microsoft Project offer a free trial.
          What is the starting price of ActiveCollab vs Microsoft Project?
          ActiveCollab starts at Contact for pricing. Microsoft Project starts at $10 /User/Month.
          What are the top alternatives to ActiveCollab?
          Top alternatives to ActiveCollab include Quickbase, monday Work Management, Smartsheet, ClickUp, Jira.
          What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Project?
          Top alternatives to Microsoft Project include Quickbase, monday Work Management, Smartsheet, ClickUp, Freshbooks.