ClickUp vs Notion: the match between project management tools in 2025
ClickUp and Notion: two heavyweights in project management that promise to revolutionise the way we work. One focuses on all-in-one productivity, the other on the flexibility of a modular workspace. But when you're looking for the right tool to structure your ideas, manage your tasks or collaborate with your team, the choice can quickly become... a real headache.
👉 Whether you're a freelancer, a startup or a well-oiled project team, these two platforms have a lot to offer:
- ClickUp shines with its functional richness (some would even say too much),
- while Notion charms with its more visual and flexible approach, halfway between note-taking, database and personalised workflow.
In this article, we take a close look at both tools: features, interface, automations, integrations, pricing... Nothing has been left to chance, to help you choose the solution best suited to the way you and your team work.
What is ClickUp?
General presentation of ClickUp
ClickUp is the Swiss Army Knife of project management tools. Designed to centralise all team work in a single space, it offers a multitude of views (list, calendar, Gantt, Kanban board, etc.), an ultra-pushed hierarchy, and features designed for both technical and marketing teams.
🎯 Its aim is to replace all other tools. Docs, tasks, messaging, automation, objectives, reporting... ClickUp aims to be the single platform on which your entire organisation is based.
Since its launch, the platform has continued to evolve, taking customisation, automation and integration with third-party tools further and further. In 2025, it is a complete project management tool aimed at start-ups, SMEs, large companies and even ultra-organised freelancers.
ClickUp's main features
Before delving into the strengths and weaknesses of the tool, let's take a quick tour of its features.
⚒️ Here are the key features that make ClickUp a platform as powerful as it is feared for its learning curve:
- advanced task management: customised statuses, sub-tasks, dependencies, load points, priorities, etc. ;
- multiple project views: list, Kanban board, Gantt chart, calendar, inbox view ;
- docs and Wiki: creation of collaborative documents linked to projects (alternative to Google Docs or Notion');
- goals and OKRs: goal tracking, team alignment, measurable progress;
- automations: customisable workflows to automate repetitive actions;
- templates: ready-to-use templates for projects, tasks, meetings and internal processes;
- dashboards: advanced reporting with customisable widgets for monitoring workspace activity.
ClickUp
Advantages and disadvantages of ClickUp
ClickUp is often perceived as an ultra-ambitious 'all-in-one' tool, but this promise comes at a price: complexity. This is a platform designed for power users, with a fairly steep learning curve... unless you stick to basic use.
✅ Here are the advantages most often cited by users on the web:
- ultra-complete: everything is there, from task tracking to reporting and docs;
- customisable view: each team member can adapt their own interface;
- powerful, code-free automation
- solid value for money;
- well thought-out templates to save time right from the start;
- responsive support team and active community.
❌ But be warned: who says "all-in-one tool" also says "complex tool". Here's what often comes up in reviews:
- too much functionality kills functionality: risk of overload ;
- a dense interface that can be difficult to learn;
- sometimes slow loading times with large workspaces;
- limited mobile version compared to the web interface;
- not always suitable for small teams looking for simplicity.
What is Notion?
Overview of Notion
Notion is the champion of flexibility. At the crossroads between a note-taking tool, a collaborative wiki, a task manager, and a visual database, Notion lets you build anything... as long as you know what you want.
Unlike ClickUp, which structures things for you, Notion starts from a blank page. You lay the bricks of your workspace, according to your needs: a CRM, an editorial calendar, a task management system or a team documentation space.
Extremely popular with freelancers, start-ups and content creators, Notion has also won over large companies thanks to its new collaborative features, advanced permissions and ability to adapt to any workflow.
Notion's main features
Notion is not a tool that imposes its own logic. It's a toolbox where each element can become a functionality, as long as you know how to assemble it.
⚒️ Here are the most commonly used building blocks:
- nested page system: structure your content like a website or document tree;
- customisable blocks: each element (text, image, database, checklist, embed, etc.) is an editable block;
- databases: to manage projects, tasks, content or any type of data (with Kanban views, tables, calendars, galleries, etc.);
- templates: hundreds of templates (official or created by the community) to get you started quickly;
- real-time collaboration: comments, mentions, permissions by role;
- Notion AI: integrated editorial assistant to generate text, summarise or structure automatically;
- integrations & embeds: connectivity with Slack, GitHub, Google Drive, Figma, etc. + dynamic display of external content.
Notion
Advantages and disadvantages of Notion
What makes Notion powerful is also what can make it confusing. The tool offers total freedom, but this freedom can also lead to a lack of framework. Especially in a team.
✅ Before we look at the criticisms, let's take a look at what is so appealing about Notion:
- total organisational freedom ;
- clear, minimalist design that's a pleasure to use;
- powerful, flexible databases;
- documentation + project management in a single tool;
- large community with thousands of templates available;
- Notion AI integrated at no extra cost from paying plans.
❌ But not everything is perfect, especially when you're looking for a tool for more rigid or industrialised workflows:
- no real native task management (no advanced automation like ClickUp) ;
- sometimes slow performance with large files or a lot of pages;
- limited advanced functionality on mobile devices;
- learning curve to build an efficient system ;
- can quickly become chaos without real organisational rigour.
ClickUp vs Notion: compare features
When it comes to choosing a project management tool, it's all about functionality. Some people are looking for a complete cockpit with powerful automations, while others prefer a more modular and creative interface. ClickUp and Notion don't play in the same category... but they target the same users.
| Functionality | ClickUp | Notion |
| Task management | Very advanced | Basic but customisable |
| Multiple views (list, kanban, Gantt, etc.) | Complete | Limited to table, calendar |
| Document editor | Built-in docs | Very powerful native editor |
| Automation | Built-in, no code | ❌ Very limited (via external tools) |
| Databases | Simple (task tables) | Flexible and powerful |
| Dashboards and reporting | Customisable | ❌ Virtually non-existent |
| Real-time collaboration | Very fluid | Very fluid |
| Integrated AI | Productivity assistant | Notion AI (writing + analysis) |
| Templates | Professional and sector-based | Community richness |
| Mobile interface | Functional but dense | Fluid and well thought-out |
Focus on task and project management
ClickUp offers ultra-structured task management:
- customised statuses
- sub-tasks
- priorities,
- dependencies,
- time estimation,
- time tracking,
- comments...
... it's a real war machine. Ideal for tech, product or agency teams.
Notion, on the other hand, is based on customisable databases that can be transformed into Kanban boards or calendars. Less native structure, but great flexibility. Perfect for creating lightweight visual workflows.
💡 Verdict:
- for project teams who need structure: ClickUp;
- for creatives who want to adapt the tool to their method: Notion.
Focus on automation and workflows
ClickUp integrates automation without code:
- change the status of a task,
- automatically assign a person,
- send a notification...
This is a real plus for saving time in recurring workflows.
Notion is still very limited in this respect. You'll have to use external tools like Zapier or Make to automate anything, and that requires a modicum of technical skill.
💡 Verdict: ClickUp largely dominates on this point.
Focus on documents and note-taking
Notion was born as a note-taking tool. And on this point, it excels:
- uncluttered interface,
- a wealth of blocks,
- intuitive hierarchy
- fluid formatting.
You can create real knowledge bases, wikis, guides, content templates...
ClickUp does include a Docs function, but it is more limited in terms of customisation. On the other hand, the integration between docs and tasks is very fluid.
💡 Verdict:
- for writing and wikis, Notion is unbeatable ;
- for project-related documents, ClickUp is very effective.
Focus on databases
Notion shines in this area. It lets you create relational databases, with :
- filters
- tags
- multiple views (table, calendar, gallery, etc.).
It can be used to manage a CRM, an editorial calendar or a product roadmap.
ClickUp offers a hierarchical structure (Spaces > Folders > Lists > Tasks), but no real databases that can be modelled. Each task remains independent, even if you can play around with custom fields.
💡 Verdict: Notion is the obvious choice if you need a database-style structuring tool.
Focus on dashboards and reporting
If you want to manage your projects with visual KPIs, ClickUp offers a complete Dashboards module:
- charts
- progress bars,
- team stats,
- customisable widgets... everything you need for real-time monitoring.
Notion, on the other hand, is virtually silent on this point. You can tinker with calculation or synthesis systems, but nothing native or visual.
💡 Verdict: ClickUp is the best option for visual reporting, especially for managers.
ClickUp vs Notion: compare prices
| Plan | ClickUp | Notion |
| Free | Free Forever :
|
Yes :
|
| Basic | Unlimited - €8.51/user/month
|
Plus - €9.50/user/month :
|
| Intermediate | Business - €10.21/user/month
|
Business - €19.50/user/month :
|
| Enterprise | Enterprise - on request:
|
Enterprise - on request:
|
ClickUp vs Notion: which interface is more intuitive?
A good management tool is no good if you get lost in it. And in this area, ClickUp and Notion adopt radically different approaches. One favours functional richness, the other visual simplicity. So, who takes the prize for usability?
| Criteria | ClickUp | Notion |
| Quick to get to grips with | ❌ Complex at first | Very accessible |
| Overall ergonomics | ❌ Dense interface | Streamlined interface |
| Visual customisation | Very extensive (views, colours, layout) | High (themes, icons, blocks) |
| Navigation | ❌ Rigid hierarchical tree structure | Fluid navigation between pages |
| Mobile (App) | Functional but could be improved | Very fluid and intuitive |
| Collaborative experience | Very optimised for teams | Natural and efficient |
🧠 Verdict:
- if you like tightly-focused, powerful tools with complex management functions, choose ClickUp, but allow yourself some time to adapt;
- if you prefer a light, modular interface that's easy to use on a day-to-day basis, choose Notion without hesitation.
ClickUp vs Notion: compare integrations
The more easily a tool can be integrated into your digital stack, the more essential it becomes to your organisation. For product, marketing or IT teams, a software tool's ability to interact with other tools is a key factor: less friction, more automation, and a smoother workflow.
👉 Number of integrations available
- ClickUp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Over 1,000 integrations available, via native connections or via Zapier, Make, Webhooks or REST APIs. There are the classics: Slack, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Zoom, HubSpot, Salesforce... The ecosystem is rich, but some integrations require a bit of manual configuration.
- Notion: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Notion has long lagged behind on this point, but since 2023, things have changed a lot. It now offers native integrations with Slack, Jira, GitHub, Google Drive, Figma, Asana, etc. Above all, a well-documented public API means you can develop custom connections. Many integrations still use third-party tools such as Zapier.
👉 Ease of configuration
- ClickUp: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
The majority of native integrations are simple to activate. But as soon as you get into more advanced cases (CRM, multi-step automations), you have to dig into the docs or go through an external connector. The ClickUp Apps Center helps, but not everything is plug & play.
- Notion: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
The most basic integrations (such as Slack or Google Calendar) are fairly simple to activate. But as soon as it comes to creating synchronised workflows, the configuration becomes more technical. You often have to go through the Notion, Zapier or Make APIs, which can put off non-technical users.
👉 Customisation and automation
- ClickUp: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Big strong point. Integrations can be linked to internal automations (task assignment, conditional creation, notifications...). You can create very specific automation scenarios without writing a line of code, provided you have a good understanding of the triggers available.
- Notion: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Notion offers some basic automation with Notion AI (automatic summarisation, text completion) and connectors with Make or Zapier to automate sending emails, creating tasks, etc. But everything depends on external tools: automation remains dependent on a third-party ecosystem.
💡 Conclusion
- ClickUp takes the lead with its more mature integrations, robust API and powerful native automations. It's an excellent choice for teams looking to centralise actions between multiple tools without coding ;
- Notion, on the other hand, is making progress but remains more suited to modular, manual use, or to technical users who are able to build their own workflows via external tools.
When should you choose ClickUp or Notion?
ClickUp and Notion are two powerful tools... but they are not always aimed at the same types of team or project. Choosing the right tool means first and foremost understanding your needs: structure or freedom? Automation or customisation? Macro or micro management? Let's take stock.
Examples of ClickUp use cases
ClickUp is cut out for those who like (or need) structure, centralisation and operational control. It excels in contexts with complex workflows , large teams and multidimensional projects.
📌 Here are the contexts where ClickUp is an obvious choice:
- tech, dev, product or support teams with rigid workflows and a need for status-based management;
- growing agencies or startups that want to centralise their tools (tasks, documents, reporting...) ;
- managers who manage several projects and want personalised dashboards to track progress;
- organisations looking to automate their internal processes without developing ;
- companies with complex onboarding or structured HR monitoring requirements;
- cross-functional teams who need to align themselves with common objectives (OKRs, product roadmap, etc.).
Examples of Notion use cases
Notion shines in contexts where creativity, flexibility and documentation are priorities. It appeals to those who like to build their own system, page by page, block by block.
📌 Here are the profiles that get the most out of Notion:
- freelancers, content creators, coaches or consultants who want an all-in-one, elegant workspace;
- marketing or communications teams who manage their content, editorial planning or campaigns in a single tool ;
- organisations creating a living, well-structured knowledge base;
- users who want a hybrid tool combining note-taking, lightweight project management and a database;
- companies that want to document their internal processes, HR policies or product guides;
- any team that values aesthetics, customisable templates and intuitive navigation.
ClickUp or Notion: your next management tool depends on your working style
In the end, the question is not so much which tool is best... but which tool is best for you. Because between ClickUp and Notion, we're not comparing two similar pieces of software, but two work philosophies.
👉 ClickUp is all about structure, automation and performance. Perfect for :
- demanding project teams,
- complex workflows,
- organisations looking to centralise everything.
It requires a bit of mastery, but it quickly becomes an ultra-powerful cockpit for managing all your work.
👉 Notion is all about flexibility, creativity and fluidity. Ideal for :
- building a workspace that reflects your image,
- documenting your ideas,
- managing projects without rigidity.
Accessible to all, it adapts to your logic (and not the other way round).
And if you're still not sure... why not try them both out? Both tools offer a free plan, so you can get an idea without breaking the bank.
FAQ - ClickUp vs Notion: your frequently asked questions
Is ClickUp better than Notion for managing a team?
Yes, especially if you need structuring, task prioritisation, fine-grained permissions and performance monitoring. ClickUp is designed for team management, whereas Notion is more flexible, but less equipped for complex projects.
Can Notion be used as a complete project management tool?
Yes, but with a few limitations. Notion lets you create Kanban boards, calendar views and custom databases. This is sufficient for simple to medium-sized projects. On the other hand, it lacks native automation, conditional status or advanced reporting like ClickUp.
Can Notion and ClickUp be used together?
Absolutely. Many teams use Notion for documentation (wiki, content, internal guides) and ClickUp for operational management (tasks, deadlines, sprints). The two tools can be connected via Zapier, Make or the API to synchronise certain elements.
Which tool is easier to learn?
Notion is easier for beginners: clear interface, intuitive navigation, very fluid content creation. ClickUp is more comprehensive, but takes a little time to get to grips with all its features.
Which free version is more interesting?
Both offer a generous free plan, but :
- ClickUp Free is richer in project features (multiple views, task management, docs, etc.);
- Notion Free shines in its flexibility to create wikis, databases or personal spaces, without too many limits.
Article translated from French