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startbuddi vs ClickUp: an honest comparison

ClickUp is a work app with tasks, docs, whiteboards, chat, goals and dashboards, and AI sold as separate add-ons. startbuddi covers much of the same work ground but sits in one workspace with customers, invoices and client portals, which suits small service businesses more than teams that only need a work app.

We make startbuddi, so we're biased. We've tried to be fair: we list where ClickUp is stronger, every fact about ClickUp links to its source, and anything we couldn't confirm on their own site is marked "not published". Checked in September 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
startbuddi

startbuddi is best for

Small service businesses that want work, clients and invoices in one place

ClickUp logoClickUp

ClickUp is best for

Teams that want tasks, docs, whiteboards and chat in one work app

At a glance

Best for
startbuddiSmall service businesses that want work, clients and invoices in one place
ClickUpTeams that want tasks, docs, whiteboards and chat in one work app
Free plan
startbuddiYes, the Free plan
ClickUpYes, Free Forever
First paid plan
startbuddiStarter, $29 a month
ClickUpUnlimited, $7 USD per user/month, billed yearly ($10 billed monthly)
Checked
startbuddiPrice book, October 2026
ClickUpSeptember 2026

Where each one is stronger

The short version. ClickUp first, because it does some things better than we do.

ClickUp logoClickUp is stronger at

Apps everywhereClickUp has apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android plus a Chrome extension; startbuddi is web only.
Bigger free plan for teamsClickUp Free Forever has unlimited tasks and unlimited free plan members, while startbuddi Free has 1 seat.
Integrationsthe Unlimited plan lists 50+ native integrations, including Slack, HubSpot and Google Drive.
Custom fieldsClickUp lists unlimited custom fields on Unlimited, which startbuddi projects do not offer yet.
Choice of AI modelsthe Brain AI add-on includes AI chat with Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini.

startbuddi is stronger at

AI includedChip works in Docs, Chat and Whiteboards on every plan using monthly Chip credits, rather than a separate per-user add-on.
Clients, projects and invoices togethera project can be linked to a customer record, and its Budget tab pulls project expenses from Money Manager.
Client portals without seatsclients sign in with an email link to follow projects, approve deliverables, message you and see invoices (paid plans; Free can build and preview).
Contracts and e-signatures in Documents15 contract templates, plus signers and signature fields you place on the document before sending.

Feature by feature

Each ClickUp value links to where we found it. Anything their site doesn't state is marked "not published".

startbuddi and ClickUp, feature by feature
FeaturestartbuddiClickUp
List, board and calendar views Yes YesSource (opens in a new tab)
Gantt chartsProject timeline with dependencies Yes Unlimited plan and upSource (opens in a new tab)
Time trackingTimers, weekly timesheets, billable hours Yes Unlimited plan and upSource (opens in a new tab)
Goals Yes Unlimited plan and upSource (opens in a new tab)
WhiteboardsFree plan: 1 whiteboard; paid: unlimited Yes 3 on Free, 10 on UnlimitedSource (opens in a new tab)
DocsFree plan: 3 documents Yes YesSource (opens in a new tab)
Team chatChannels, DMs and a room for each project Yes YesSource (opens in a new tab)
AutomationsAutomations are locked on the Free plan Paid plans 100 runs a month on FreeSource (opens in a new tab)
DashboardsWork reports; dashboards built by hand Yes Business plan and upSource (opens in a new tab)
AI assistant Chip, uses credits Paid add-onSource (opens in a new tab)
Client portalsFree can build and preview Paid plans Not statedSource (opens in a new tab)
Desktop and mobile appsWeb app only; works in phone browsers No YesSource (opens in a new tab)

What each one looks like

Real screens, captured by us or taken from the official press kit, each dated.

startbuddi: Projects
startbuddi · Projects. Captured from our own account, personal details blurred.
startbuddi: My work as a board
startbuddi · My work as a board. Captured from our own account, personal details blurred.
startbuddi: Goals and OKRs
startbuddi · Goals and OKRs. Captured from our own account, personal details blurred.

ClickUp's own screens are on ClickUp's website. We don't show another company's product without a dated capture from a trial or its press kit.

Pricing side by side

List prices as each company publishes them. We never convert currencies.

See startbuddi pricing

startbuddi

  • FreeFree
  • Starter$29 a month
  • Growth$79 a month
  • Scale$199 a month

Prices in US dollars, billed monthly. From our pricing page, updated 3 Oct 2026.

ClickUp logoClickUp

Checked in September 2026. Check ClickUp's site for current plans.

Switching from ClickUp

What moving across involves.

  1. Take stock of what is open in ClickUpList the Spaces, lists and tasks you still need. Check ClickUp's help centre for its export options before you cancel.
  2. Recreate projects in WorkThere is no ClickUp importer, so start each project from a template or blank and add open tasks by hand, with owners and due dates.
  3. Move docs and clientsPaste key doc text into new startbuddi Docs, and import your client list from CSV on the Contacts page.
  4. Rebuild automations and invite peopleAutomations do not carry over; rebuild the ones you need in startbuddi Automations (paid plans), then invite teammates and set up client portals.

Sources

Checked in September 2026. startbuddi prices come from our own price book. ClickUp's website.

Questions people ask

Can I import my ClickUp workspace into startbuddi?

Not directly. There is no ClickUp importer, so recreate projects from a template or blank and add open tasks by hand. Client lists in CSV can be imported into Contacts.

Does startbuddi have a free plan?

Yes. The Free plan includes Work, Documents and Chat for one seat, with limits such as 3 documents and 1 whiteboard. Every paid plan comes with a 30-day trial.

Is AI extra in startbuddi like in ClickUp?

Chip is part of every startbuddi plan and uses monthly Chip credits, with extra credit packs available. ClickUp sells AI as Brain AI or Everything AI add-ons.

Does startbuddi have desktop or mobile apps?

No. startbuddi is a web app that works in desktop and phone browsers. ClickUp has desktop and mobile apps.

Other comparisons

All comparisons
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Try startbuddi alongside ClickUp.

Start on the free plan with a copy of your contacts and see how it fits before you decide.

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Free plan available. Every paid plan starts with a 30-day trial.