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ClickUp vs Hive: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between ClickUp and Hive comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: ClickUp is our overall pick for project management workflows. Pick Hive if you need a free tier to start with.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Jun 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

ClickUp

Unify tasks, docs, chat, and goals in one workspace

Best for you if:

  • All-in-one productivity platform combining project management, docs, chat, time tracking, and AI in a single workspace
  • Free tier with unlimited tasks; Unlimited plan at $7/user/month; Business at $12/user/month (annual billing)

Hive

The #1 Project Management Software For Teams.

Best for you if:

  • All-in-one project management with flexible views and collaboration tools.
  • Includes time tracking, automation, and over 1,000 integrations.
At a Glance
ClickUpClickUp
HiveHive
Starts at
FreeFree tier available
FreeFree tier available
Best For
Project ManagementProject Management
Rating
4.5/54.4/5
Free plan
Yes Yes

Choose ClickUp or Hive?

ClickUp

Choose ClickUp if

Unify tasks, docs, chat, and goals in one workspace

  • Replaces multiple tools (Asana, Trello, Notion, Toggl) with one platform
  • Generous free tier with unlimited tasks and members at no cost
  • Highly customizable with custom fields, statuses, views, and automations
  • Budget matters (Free vs Free)
Hive

Choose Hive if

The #1 Project Management Software For Teams.

  • Project management
  • Multiple views
  • Good integrations
FeatureClickUpHive
Pricing ModelFreemiumFreemium
User Rating
4.5/5
12,000 reviews
4.4/5
383 reviews
Categories
Project ManagementProductivity
Project ManagementTask Management

In-Depth Analysis

ClickUpClickUp

Unify tasks, docs, chat, and goals in one workspace

Strengths

  • +Replaces multiple tools (Asana, Trello, Notion, Toggl) with one platform
  • +Generous free tier with unlimited tasks and members at no cost
  • +Highly customizable with custom fields, statuses, views, and automations
  • +Competitive pricing at $7-12/user/month vs. $10-25 for comparable tools
  • +Rapid feature development with frequent product updates

Weaknesses

  • -Feature density creates a steep learning curve for new users
  • -Performance can lag in large workspaces with thousands of tasks
  • -Mobile app is functional but less polished than the desktop experience
  • -Frequent UI changes and feature additions can disrupt established workflows
  • -AI features (Brain) require a separate add-on starting at $9/user/month

Key features

Task management with subtasks, dependencies, priorities, and custom fieldsMultiple project views: list, board, Gantt, calendar, timeline, and mind mapsClickUp Docs with real-time collaboration, nested pages, and wiki featuresBuilt-in chat and threaded comments tied to tasks and documentsClickUp Brain AI assistant for writing, summarization, and ambient answersTime tracking with estimates, timesheets, and billable hours reporting
Starts at Free

HiveHive

The #1 Project Management Software For Teams.

Strengths

  • +Project management
  • +Multiple views
  • +Good integrations
  • +Team collaboration
  • +Fair pricing

Weaknesses

  • -Learning curve
  • -Can be overwhelming
  • -Mobile app basic
  • -Support varies
  • -Feature bloat

Key features

Project managementMultiple viewsTime trackingResourcingAnalyticsIntegrations
Starts at Free

Pricing: ClickUp vs Hive

PlanClickUpHive
Tier 1
Free
Free Forever
Free
Free
Tier 2
$7 /member/month
Unlimited
$12 /user/month
Teams
Tier 3
$12 /member/month
Business
custom
Enterprise
Tier 4
Custom
Enterprise
N/A

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ClickUp pricing and Hive pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: ClickUp

Want the highest-rated option?

ClickUp: 4.5/5 (12,000 reviews). Hive: 4.4/5 (383 reviews).

Go with: ClickUp

Value user reviews?

ClickUp: 12,000 reviews (4.5/5). Hive: 383 reviews (4.4/5).

Go with: ClickUp

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Both are project management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

ClickUp is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.

Key Takeaways

ClickUp

  • Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
  • Larger review base (12,000 reviews)
  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Hive

  • Choose if you want the #1 Project Management Software For Teams

The Bottom Line

ClickUp is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ClickUp or Hive better?

ClickUp is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.

What are ClickUp and Hive used for?

ClickUp: Unify tasks, docs, chat, and goals in one workspace. Hive: The #1 Project Management Software For Teams..

What does ClickUp cost vs Hive?

ClickUp is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Hive is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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