Replace Asana with Notion + ClickUp: Docs + Tasks in Two Tools
Asana is great at structured project management, but it doesn't do docs or wikis. So teams bolt on a second tool anyway. Here's the case for replacing Asana Starter ($13.49/seat/mo) with Notion Free + ClickUp Free — a $0 total that covers docs, wikis, tasks, and project management.
The Math
Asana Starter: $13.49/seat/mo (per seat). For a 5-person team: $67.45/mo ($809/yr).
Replacement: Notion Free ($0) + ClickUp Free Forever ($0) = $0/mo total.
Savings: $67.45/mo ($809/yr) for a 5-person team. Even at 10 users, you save $134.90/mo ($1,619/yr).
Exact Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Plan | Monthly Price | Billing Model | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asana | Starter | $13.49/seat/mo | Per seat | Timeline, workflow builder, forms, unlimited dashboards |
| Notion | Free | $0 | Flat | Unlimited pages, 7-day page history, 10 guest collaborators |
| ClickUp | Free Forever | $0 | Flat | 60MB storage, unlimited tasks, unlimited members |
When the Notion + ClickUp Combo Wins
- You need docs alongside tasks. Asana has no wiki or docs feature. Notion's block-based editor and databases fill this gap perfectly, while ClickUp handles the project management Asana was doing.
- Your team is under 15 people. Both free tiers handle small teams well. Notion Free gives unlimited pages for individuals and small teams. ClickUp Free gives unlimited tasks and members.
- You want maximum flexibility. Notion's databases (table, board, timeline, calendar, gallery) plus ClickUp's task views give you more customization options than Asana Starter.
- Budget is tight. $0 vs $13.49/seat/mo is hard to argue with, especially for bootstrapped teams and startups.
When to Stay on Asana
- You value simplicity over features. Asana is opinionated and clean. Running two tools means two interfaces, two learning curves, and two places to check.
- Your team is already productive on Asana. Switching costs are real. If your workflows are established and running smoothly, the $13.49/seat is often worth the productivity consistency.
- You need Portfolios and Goals. Asana Advanced ($30.49/seat/mo) offers Portfolios, Goals, and approvals that neither Notion Free nor ClickUp Free can match.
What You Gain vs. What You Lose
| What You Gain | What You Lose |
|---|---|
| $13.49/seat/mo in savings (100% savings) | Single-tool simplicity for task management |
| Notion's powerful docs, wikis, and databases | Asana's clean, opinionated workflow builder |
| ClickUp's unlimited tasks with Gantt, boards, and lists | Asana's timeline view and form-based intake |
| Two best-of-breed tools instead of one generalist | One login, one notification center, one search |
When Free Tiers Hit Limits
If you outgrow the free tiers, Notion Plus is $12/user/mo and ClickUp Unlimited is $10/member/mo. Combined that's $22/user/mo — still $8.51/user/mo more than Asana Starter alone, but you get docs, wikis, unlimited storage, and full project management features that Asana Starter doesn't include.
Migration Steps
Step 1: Export Asana Data
Export your projects as CSV files from Asana (Project → Export → CSV). Download each project separately. Note your custom field configurations and workflow rules, as these will need to be rebuilt.
Step 2: Set Up Notion for Docs and Wiki
Create a Notion workspace and build your team wiki, meeting notes, and documentation hub. Use Notion's database templates for knowledge bases. This is where Notion excels over Asana — structured docs that link to each other.
Step 3: Set Up ClickUp for Tasks and Projects
Create a ClickUp workspace on the Free Forever plan. Import your Asana CSV exports. ClickUp has a native Asana importer that maps tasks, assignees, due dates, and subtasks. Rebuild your workflow automations using ClickUp's automation features.
Step 4: Run Parallel for 1 Week
Keep Asana active for one week while your team adjusts. Verify all tasks migrated correctly, test any automations, and make sure the team knows which tool to use for what: Notion for docs, ClickUp for tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not just use ClickUp for both tasks and docs?
You can. ClickUp has a Docs feature. But Notion's docs and database system is significantly more powerful and flexible. The combination gives you best-of-breed for both use cases, and both are free.
What about Asana's free Personal plan?
Asana Personal is free but limited to 2 users. If your team is just 1–2 people, Asana Personal might be enough. But the moment you add a third person, you're on Starter at $13.49/seat/mo. The Notion + ClickUp combo scales to unlimited members on free tiers.
Does ClickUp Free have enough features to replace Asana Starter?
For most small teams, yes. ClickUp Free gives you unlimited tasks, unlimited members, multiple views (list, board, calendar), and 60MB storage. The main limitation is storage. If you need more, ClickUp Unlimited at $10/member/mo adds unlimited storage, integrations, and dashboards.
Can I integrate Notion and ClickUp?
Not natively, but both integrate with Zapier and Make. You can set up automations like: new ClickUp task → create linked Notion page, or new Notion database entry → create ClickUp task. Most teams use them side by side without deep integration.
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