ManyRequests is a client portal and client requests management software for creative services.
You don’t want to choose between ClickUp and Monday and end up with a project management tool that gives you more work, headaches, and regrets.
We’ve all been there. You get sold on a tool, convinced it can improve business operations, only to discover that its core feature doesn’t work exactly as it should.
Or maybe the sales pitch is accurate, but the project management tool doesn’t jive well with what you (or your team) need.
Either way, you’ve already spent more time than you’d like to admit narrowing down your choices. You’re not keen on wasting more hours–and you don’t have to.
To help you save time, we’ve reviewed both ClickUp and Monday–two virtually similar software–and condensed everything into one easy-to-read comparison guide.
Whether you’re investing in a project management tool for the first time or switching from ClickUp to Monday (or vice versa), this article will help you make the right decision that perfectly aligns with your agency’s needs.
Key Takeaways:
- A side-by-side comparison of ClickUp vs. Monday, focusing on key metrics that matter to agencies.
- Insight into the pros and cons of both tools and what they’re best for.
- Why ManyRequests is the best alternative to these two software by doing more with less.
At a Glance: ClickUp vs. Monday
Choosing Between ClickUp and Monday: What To Look For?
Comparing ClickUp and Monday is like comparing two similar-looking apples. If you want to arrive at the right decision, you need to look beyond the obvious and superficial features.
Below are some critical factors you may not have considered, but should weigh when making your decision. These have been handpicked with the freelancers’ and agencies’ need for direct client collaboration in mind.
From communication tools to invoicing, the list of considerations below will ensure you’ll end up with a software that perfectly aligns with your project management needs.
Let’s now compare ClickUp and Monday based on the factors listed above.
1. Client-based Project Management
Having a system that organizes projects based on individual clients is essential for agencies. It ensures that tasks, files, and communication are structured efficiently around each client, simplifying the project management process.
ClickUp
- Offers highly customizable dashboards for managing client projects.
- Allows grouping of tasks, files, and communications under each client.
- Provides easy task assignment and tracking across multiple clients.
- Platform tends to become buggy when handling large volumes of data.
- Comprehensive views with Kanban, Gantt, and Calendar modes for flexibility.
Monday
- Limited flexibility for client-based setups, focused more on task-based organization.
- Visual boards help track tasks but are not as focused on client segmentation.
- Offers basic task assignments under general project boards.
- Fewer options for detailed client-specific tracking compared to ClickUp.
Verdict
ClickUp wins here for its client-centric project organization features.
Unlike Monday where this feature is reduced to giving clients login access to private boards, ClickUp takes it up a notch by offering client dashboards.
The dashboards are by no means robust enough to take the place of client portals, but they give clients better visibility into project progress and access to documents.
2. All-in-one Client Communication Tool
Client communication is key to project success, and having all interactions in one place helps prevent information from slipping through the cracks.
ClickUp
- Built-in chat and email integrations.
- Supports comments directly on tasks, which can be assigned to team members.
- Slack integration for seamless team and client communications.
- No native client portal, but integrations are available.
Monday
- No native client communication tools.
- Comments and mentions within tasks to keep the team informed.
- Integrations with communication apps like Slack or Teams.
- No built-in support for direct client interactions without third-party tools.
Verdict
ClickUp provides more robust client communication tools with built-in options and key integrations. Monday lacks direct client communication features, making ClickUp the better choice if this is a priority.
3. Team Collaboration
Effective collaboration ensures that your team stays on the same page, with everyone contributing to tasks and projects seamlessly.
ClickUp
- Real-time collaboration with document editing.
- Multiple views (List, Board, Calendar, Gantt) to accommodate different workflows.
- Commenting and task assignments within projects.
- Collaborative features like task dependencies and checklists.
Monday
- Focused on visual task tracking with customizable boards.
- No real-time document editing.
- Collaboration primarily through task updates and comments.
- Basic task dependencies, but less developed than ClickUp’s options.
Verdict
ClickUp excels with real-time collaboration tools and a variety of workflow views that promote teamwork. Monday's collaboration is more limited to task updates and visual boards, making it better suited for simpler team setups.
4. Insightful Project Reports
Detailed project reports give agencies the insight they need to evaluate progress, identify bottlenecks, and measure success.
ClickUp
- Highly customizable, detailed reporting with various data points.
- Real-time reports with time tracking, task completion, and resource usage.
- Exportable reports for sharing with clients and stakeholders.
- Integration with analytics tools for enhanced reporting.
Monday
- Simplified reports that are visually appealing but offer fewer customizations.
- Provides basic overviews of project progress and team performance.
- Limited export options and less granular control over report details.
- Custom reports are available but require more manual setup.
Verdict
ClickUp offers deeper and more customizable reporting options, making it better for agencies that need detailed project insights. Monday's reporting is simpler and more suitable for teams that prefer visual summaries over extensive data.
5. Task and Workflow Automation
Automation can take repetitive tasks off your plate, freeing your team to focus on higher-value work.
ClickUp
- Extensive automation with conditional logic, templates, and triggers.
- Automate recurring tasks, assignments, and status changes.
- Customizable automation for different workflows and task dependencies.
- Integrates with other automation tools like Zapier for extended functionality.
Monday
- Basic automation features like status updates and task assignments.
- Fewer triggers and customization options for complex workflows.
- Limited integration options for workflow automation.
- Great for simple automation but lacks depth for more advanced needs.
Verdict
ClickUp offers more advanced and customizable automation features, making it the better choice for agencies with complex workflows and high task volumes. Monday is ideal for those looking for simpler automation.
6. Ease of Use
A project management tool should be easy for the team to adopt and use without a steep learning curve.
ClickUp
- Steep learning curve due to its extensive feature set.
- Offers numerous customization options, which can feel overwhelming for new users.
- Better suited for teams willing to invest time in learning the platform.
- Extensive help resources and tutorials are available.
Monday
- Easy to use and intuitive interface.
- Visual boards make it simple to grasp at a glance.
- Ideal for teams looking for a fast and straightforward setup.
- Fewer features mean fewer distractions for new users.
Verdict
Monday is the winner for ease of use, with its simple and intuitive design making it easier for new users to get started. ClickUp’s extensive features make it more powerful but also more complex to master.
7. Pricing Model
Budget is always a factor when choosing a tool. It’s important to ensure the software you choose is priced fairly for the features you get.
ClickUp
- No free trial is available, but it comes with a free plan with limited features.
- Affordable paid plans (start at $10/user/month) that scale with team size.
- The lower price point for smaller teams or agencies.
- More features are included in lower-tier plans.
Monday
- No free plan; starts with a free trial (which lasts for 14 days).
- Higher price point, especially for larger teams.
- Offers more features only in higher pricing tiers.
- Custom pricing is available for enterprise-level clients.
Verdict
ClickUp offers more value with its free plan and affordable pricing tiers, making it better suited for agencies on a budget. Monday tends to be pricier, especially for larger teams looking for premium features.
8. Client Invoicing
Managing invoicing within the same platform can simplify billing processes and reduce the risk of errors.
ClickUp
- No built-in invoicing system and relies on third-party integrations.
- Can integrate with tools like QuickBooks and FreshBooks for invoicing.
- Time tracking features can help streamline billable hours for invoicing.
- Lacks native invoicing features but integrates easily with accounting software.
Monday
- Offers a dedicated Quotes & Invoices app that you can add to your boards.
- Automatically generates invoices based on a schedule or when a new item is added to your board.
- Limited time tracking and billable hour management.
Verdict
While both platforms offer comprehensive invoicing solutions, Monday.com's native invoicing capabilities and integration with QuickBooks may provide a more seamless and efficient invoicing experience compared to ClickUp's template-based approach.
9. Customizability
Agencies often need tools that can adapt to their unique workflows, and customizability is a crucial factor in making the software fit your needs.
ClickUp
- Highly customizable with a range of templates, task views, and automation.
- Create custom workflows, dashboards, and fields.
- Offers deep control over how tasks are organized and displayed.
- Customizable permissions for different users and teams.
Monday
- Basic customizations mostly focused on visual board setups.
- Can create custom fields and labels but with limited options.
- Less flexible than ClickUp when it comes to task and workflow customization.
- Suitable for teams with simpler project structures.
Verdict
ClickUp takes the lead in customizability, offering deeper control and flexibility, making it ideal for agencies that need tailored workflows. Monday’s customizability is more limited, catering to simpler project needs.
10. Scalability
As your agency grows, your project management tool should grow with you, handling larger teams, more complex projects, and an increasing workload.
ClickUp
- Scales well with growing teams and more complex workflows.
- Supports large teams and intricate project structures.
- Flexible enough to adapt to the needs of a growing agency.
- Extensive feature set to accommodate scaling demands.
Monday
- Scalable for mid-sized teams but less suited for larger, enterprise-level projects.
- More suitable for simpler projects and smaller teams.
- Scaling with Monday requires upgrading to higher pricing tiers.
- Can become expensive for larger teams.
Verdict
ClickUp excels in scalability, making it a better choice for agencies expecting significant growth. Monday is better suited for mid-sized teams or those with simpler, smaller-scale projects.
How ManyRequests Offers More, with Less
While ClickUp and Monday have their strengths, both platforms come with certain complexities and gaps that can hold agencies back. This is where ManyRequests shines, offering a more streamlined and intuitive approach to project management that focuses on simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
Let’s take a closer look at how ManyRequests stands out.
1. Client Communication & Portal Management
Neither ClickUp nor Monday offers an integrated client portal. Agencies often need to rely on external tools to handle client communication, which can lead to scattered conversations and delays.
ManyRequests solves this problem by providing an all-in-one client portal where you can communicate with clients, manage requests, and keep all interactions organized in one place. This feature ensures your team and clients are always on the same page, reducing miscommunication and keeping projects running smoothly.
2. Simplified Workflow & Request Management
Both ClickUp and Monday offer extensive project management features, but for many agencies, they can feel overwhelming and overly complicated.
ManyRequests takes a more focused approach with a centralized request system that allows your clients to submit project requests easily. This streamlined process reduces back-and-forth emails, automates task assignment, and ensures that each client request is tracked, prioritized, and delivered on time.
3. Invoicing and Billing Integration
Unlike ClickUp with no native invoicing feature, ManyRequests integrates invoicing directly into your workflow, allowing you to seamlessly bill clients as soon as tasks or projects are completed. This integrated invoicing feature simplifies your financial processes and ensures you get paid faster, all while keeping everything under one roof.
4. Ease of Use
ClickUp, while powerful, comes with a steep learning curve, and Monday, while simpler, may lack some of the customization options growing agencies need.
ManyRequests strikes the perfect balance between functionality and ease of use. Designed specifically for agencies, it provides an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate from day one.
You won’t need to spend countless hours onboarding your team—ManyRequests makes managing client projects and requests straightforward from the get-go.
5. Client-Focused Simplicity
Many project management tools are built to handle every use case imaginable, but this often results in complex, bloated platforms.
ManyRequests is built with creative agencies in mind, providing only the tools that matter most—client requests, communication, task tracking, and invoicing.
See how it has helped agencies streamline their workflows without getting bogged down in features they don’t need. You can also sign up for a 14-day free trial to see how ManyRequests can benefit your business.
Which is Better: ClickUp vs. Monday?
While ClickUp and Monday have their strengths, they might not be the perfect fit for every team. Let’s break down the key selling points of each software and why ManyRequests could be the best option for agencies looking for a streamlined, client-focused solution.
We recommend ClickUp if you want…
- Extensive features and customizability
- Advanced automation capabilities
- In-depth reporting and analytics
- Scalability for large teams
We recommend Monday if you want…
- A visually simple interface.
- Project tracking with visual boards.
- Ease of use and quick adoption.
- Collaborative task management
We recommend ManyRequests if you want…
- An all-in-one client portal solution: ManyRequests gives you a centralized client portal for communication, request management, and project updates, eliminating the need for external tools and reducing back-and-forth emails.
- Simplified project management without the clutter: If ClickUp and Monday feel too complex, ManyRequests offers a streamlined, focused approach with all the essential features agencies need—no unnecessary extras.
- Built-in invoicing for smoother payments: ManyRequests integrates invoicing into the project management process, making billing clients effortless and ensuring you get paid faster, directly within the platform.
- A tool designed specifically for creative agencies: Unlike ClickUp and Monday, which are general project management tools, ManyRequests was built with agencies in mind, offering features that directly solve your client management, workflow, and communication challenges.
Wrapping Up
The choice between ClickUp and Monday comes down to how complex your workflows are and how much customization your team needs.
While each has strengths, both tools are more project-focused than most agencies would have preferred. They’re heavily invested in project management with fewer client-facing features that make for a more personalized, transparent, and professional client experience.
ManyRequests fills this gap with its all-in-one client portal where clients can make and track requests, leave feedback, monitor project progress, and pay invoices–all while your team focuses on delivering great work in the backend.
If you're ready to make project management easier and more client-friendly, ManyRequests is the ideal alternative to ClickUp and Monday.
Try ManyRequests free for 14 days and see how it can transform the way your agency works.
