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6 Backlog Alternatives for Mac, Ranked (2026)

Explore 6 alternatives to Backlog, vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

The 6 leading Backlog alternatives, compared

Quick answer

The best replacements for Backlog are Basecamp, Trello and Paymo. Basecamp ranks first with a SpotScore of 9.5 and a 4.19★ rating. Compare all 6 on score, rating, and pricing below.

When Backlog stops earning its keep, you have options. These 6 project management software alternatives are the ones we'd recommend first, ranked by SpotScore (real-user satisfaction and market presence combined), star ratings, and how each one prices. Editors check every entry. Skim the table, then read on for the detail.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
BasecampEffortless collaboration for seamless project management.9.5★★★★☆ 4.19(2783)Freefrom $15 /user/monthteams of all sizes
TrelloOrganize, prioritize, and stay on track with Trello.9.3★★★★★ 4.55(3997)Freefrom $5 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
PaymoEffortless project management at your fingertips.9★★★★★ 4.67(289)Freefrom $4.95 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
ActiveCollabTake control of your projects with ActiveCollab.8.9★★★★☆ 4.32(116)FreeFree Trial · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
RedboothEffortlessly streamline your project management.8.7★★★★☆ 4.37(102)Freefrom $9 /user/monthteams of all sizes
Merlin ProjectEffortlessly manage and collaborate on projects.8.3★★★☆☆ 2.75(2)from $5.83 /User/Monthsmall & mid-size businesses

9.5

SpotScore

Basecamp - Project Management Software

Basecamp

Effortless collaboration for seamless project management.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.2

2783 verified reviews

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What is Basecamp?

Basecamp is a complete project management system that makes it easy for your team to communicate, assign tasks, schedule due dates, share files, and monitor progress. For individuals or teams that work on multiple projects at the same time, Basecamp allows you to organize everything from ...

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Free TrialTry Free →

9.3

SpotScore

Trello - Project Management Software

Trello

Organize, prioritize, and stay on track with Trello.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.5

3997 verified reviews

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What is Trello?

Trello is a flexible project management application that organizes your projects into boards. Each card can be easily moved from one column to another to prioritize tasks and keep you in control of when things get done. You'll know exactly who's working on what, when they completed their task, ...

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9.0

SpotScore

Paymo - Project Management Software

Paymo

Effortless project management at your fingertips.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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4.7

289 verified reviews

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What is Paymo?

Paymo is a cloud-based project management software that helps manage projects of all sizes. This easy to use software can be used by companies of all sizes and individuals working on their own projects at home. Using the intuitive interface users can create projects and tasks, track time, ...

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Free Trial

8.9

SpotScore

ActiveCollab

ActiveCollab

Take control of your projects with ActiveCollab.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.3

116 verified reviews

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What is ActiveCollab?

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 such as time tracking, invoicing, time tracking, online payment gateway ...

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Free TrialTry Free →

8.7

SpotScore

Redbooth - Project Management Software

Redbooth

Effortlessly streamline your project management.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.4

102 verified reviews

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What is Redbooth?

Redbooth automatically turns your project into a product, enabling you to set due dates and create clear sprint goals. Features include Dropbox integration, Task notes allow you to leave messages directly on cards for your team, Time tracking allows you to enter actual time spent on cards, ...

Read more about Redbooth
Free TrialTry Free →·

Redbooth offers custom pricing plan

8.3

SpotScore

Merlin Project - Project Management Software

Merlin Project

Effortlessly manage and collaborate on projects.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

Get Pricing Details

2.8

2 verified reviews

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What is Merlin Project?

Experience professional-quality project management with the Merlin Project. A trusted platform for various industries, including Media & Agencies, Architecture & Construction, Education, and Research & Development. With over 17 years of proven excellence, Merlin Project caters to the daily ...

Read more about Merlin Project

How Backlog competitors stack up

Across Project Management Software, 6 products compete directly with Backlog. The strongest overlap is with Basecamp, Trello and Paymo. Each is compared against Backlog on rating, pricing and feature coverage below.

Sites and apps like Backlog

Searches for "sites like Backlog" and "apps like Backlog" land on the same set of options as "Backlog alternatives" — the 6 options below cover both, whether you want a like-for-like replacement or something lighter.

Why each one belongs on this list

Basecamp9.5Best for teams of all sizes

Simple interface that beginners can adopt quickly without training.

Watch for: Customization options for file storage and integrations are limited for advanced users.

Trello9.3Best for teams of all sizes

Easy for new and experienced users to operate with minimal setup time.

Watch for: Limited capability for handling large or complex projects due to the lack of advanced features compared to specialized project management tools.

Paymo9Best for teams of all sizes

Easy-to-use interface simplifies project management, time tracking, and invoicing, catering to diverse user needs.

Watch for: Lacks advanced features like AI-based project insights or deep integrations with other software ecosystems.

ActiveCollab8.9Best for teams of all sizes

Simple interface makes task and project management easy to learn.

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

Redbooth8.7Best for teams of all sizes

Clear interface makes task and project management straightforward for teams of all sizes.

Watch for: Limited file storage capacity, which can be restrictive for larger projects or teams with extensive documentation.

Merlin Project8.3Best for small & mid-size businesses

With over 17 years of experience and usage in over 160 countries, Merlin Project has earned its reputation as a reliable platform for professional project management across various industries.

Watch for: Merlin Project is predominantly suited for desktop users and lacks broader mobile application support for on-the-go project management.

Why teams look for a Backlog alternative

Teams rarely leave Backlog without a reason — usually it's one of these:

  • Limited advanced functionality such as the inability to set up multi-level parent-child task relationships or track time for subtasks.
  • Reports and analytics are basic, lacking extensive customization or detailed summaries compared to other tools.
  • File attachment size limitations and cumbersome file management hinder a seamless workflow for larger documentation needs.
  • Complexity in setup for newcomers, such as configuring new projects, user permissions, or custom fields for organization-wide use.

What to consider when replacing Backlog

Comparing pricing, ratings, and strengths across the 6 alternatives: 5 offer a free tier; paid plans run $4.95–$15, with Paymo the cheapest entry point; and Paymo is the highest rated at 4.67★ across 289 reviews.

Our ranking, explained simply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The top-rated alternatives to Backlog are Paymo (4.7★), Trello (4.5★), Redbooth (4.4★). Compare all 6 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to Backlog, prioritize: Timeline View, Project Templates, Idea Management, Kanban Board, Recurring Task Management, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Backlog starts from $29.16 /Month. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Backlog is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend narrowing to 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

Which Backlog alternative wins for your team?

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — Basecamp, Trello and Paymo let you evaluate without paying upfront.
  • If real-user ratings matter most: Paymo has the strongest star rating (4.67★) among the options with verified reviews.
  • Want the safest pick: Basecamp has the highest Spotsaas Score (9.5) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

Switching from Backlog the smart way

Plan your Backlog migration around your data. Export it, confirm the new tool imports it without loss, and check that the workflows you depend on still work. Run a pilot on a free plan first, and keep Backlog open until the switch is complete.

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