Introduction
Asana and Teamwork are two widely used platforms for managing projects, tasks, and collaboration at work. Both solutions cater to teams needing reliable tools to organize workflows, track assignments, and drive project delivery. Asana is known for its convenience and robust automation options, while Teamwork is popular among service businesses and agencies that need built-in time tracking and billing. This guide breaks down the key differences and similarities between Asana vs Teamwork, focusing on pricing plans, task management, security, integrations, and more.
- Asana: Project and workflow management for teams of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.
- Teamwork: Designed for client services and project-heavy teams, with a focus on time tracking, billing, and portfolio management.
Key Takeaways
- Asana’s free plan supports larger teams, while Teamwork’s paid entry-level plan is less expensive.
- Teamwork includes native time tracking and billing—Asana does not.
- Asana leads in workflow automation and advanced reporting capabilities.
- Both platforms meet modern security standards, but compliance details vary.
| Feature | How Asana handles it | How Teamwork handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan (15 users); paid from $10.99/user/month (annual) | Free plan (5 users, 2 projects); paid from $5.99/user/month (annual) | Teamwork for price-sensitive entry; Asana for larger free teams |
| Advanced features on free plan | Not included (timeline, reporting, custom fields require paid plans) | Not included (time tracking, portfolio management require paid plans) | Paid plans needed for serious work |
| Task Management | Customizable workflows, strong automation, project templates | Core task tracking, time tracking, workload/billing built-in | Asana for automation; Teamwork for built-in time tracking |
| Reporting & Analytics | Advanced (on paid plans) | Reporting plus workload & billing management | Asana for reporting; Teamwork for resource/billing focus |
| Security Standards | SOC 2 Type II compliance, data encryption | GDPR compliance, data encryption | Depends on org requirements |
| Mobile Apps | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| Integrations | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| Customer Support Options | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
Pricing Plans and Limitations
Asana offers a free plan supporting up to 15 users. However, key features like the timeline, advanced reporting, and custom fields are only available on paid plans, which start at $10.99 per user per month (billed annually). Teamwork provides a free forever plan covering up to 5 users and 2 projects. More advanced tools—such as portfolio management, time tracking, and billing—are included only in paid plans, beginning at $5.99 per user per month (billed annually). If your team needs advanced features or you’re managing multiple large projects, you’ll need to upgrade on either platform. Teamwork’s lower starting cost may be attractive for small teams, while Asana’s free offering supports larger groups before requiring payment.
Task Management and Project Templates
Both Asana and Teamwork enable you to create, assign, and track tasks. Asana stands out for its customizable workflows and automation features, allowing you to build complex project structures and automate routine actions. Project templates in Asana simplify setup for recurring project types, helping teams get organized fast. Teamwork covers core task tracking and adds native time tracking, workload, and billing management—features especially useful for agencies and service providers. On free tiers, both limit access to advanced tools: Asana restricts key project views and reporting, while Teamwork withholds portfolio and time management.
Collaboration Tools and Mobile Access
Both solutions provide internal collaboration and file-sharing capabilities, but specific communication features and mobile app usability are not publicly specified. Both platforms are widely known to offer mobile apps on iOS and Android for managing tasks on the go, but no specific usability claims or limitations can be confirmed from available evidence. Collaboration within Asana focuses on structured workflows, comments, and assignments. Teamwork supports team discussions around tasks, and adds resource and workload management on paid plans.
Integrations
Asana and Teamwork both support integrations with other apps, letting users connect their project systems to external tools. However, the current evidence does not specify which third-party integrations are supported directly, their depth, or the setup process. Most teams can expect to connect each to standard work apps, but details around connectors, advanced workflows, or API limitations are not publicly specified.
Security Standards and Compliance
Asana offers SOC 2 Type II compliance and encrypts data both in transit and at rest, which is essential for organizations with higher security requirements. Teamwork complies with GDPR and also uses data encryption. For both platforms, details regarding HIPAA compliance, role-based access controls, and data residency options are not publicly specified. If your business operates in highly regulated industries, you’ll need to request further details from both vendors before committing.
Reporting, Analytics, and Automation
Asana differentiates itself with advanced reporting and analytics, particularly on paid plans. You can access custom dashboards and deep insights into project status. It also supports workflow automation to reduce repetitive tasks and streamline projects at scale. Teamwork provides integrated reporting but is unique in offering native time tracking, workload, and billing management. Analytics in Teamwork include resource utilization and billable hours—valuable for client-focused firms. Your choice will depend on whether you prioritize automated reporting or need resource tracking and billing in your workflow.
User Management and Customer Support Options
User management for both Asana and Teamwork is built to allow team assignment, permissions, and scaling across projects. However, neither platform’s evidence specifies granular controls, SSO, or custom administrative roles. Customer support options—such as implementation help or live chat—are also not publicly specified in the available facts. Both platforms are known to serve small businesses and large teams, but if you need highly detailed user roles or premium support, clarify these in vendor discussions.
When to Choose Asana vs Teamwork
- Choose Asana if you want automation, advanced reporting, and a free plan supporting up to 15 users. Asana suits organizations that benefit from detailed workflow customization and analytic depth.
- Choose Teamwork if you need built-in time tracking, billing, and workload planning—especially useful for agencies, consultancies, or project-heavy teams with clients. Its entry-level price is lower if you have a small user base.
- Both platforms require paid plans for advanced features and greater control, so your choice may hinge on whether automation or time/billing tools matter most to your workflow.
Conclusion
Both Asana and Teamwork are proven solutions for managing projects and team collaboration. Asana is best for teams focused on workflow automation and data-driven project tracking. Teamwork stands out for companies needing native time tracking, workload management, and billing within their chosen platform. Consider your team size, reporting needs, and whether time tracking or workflow automation matters more before deciding.
FAQs
Which is better for project management, Asana or Teamwork?
Asana delivers stronger reporting and automation. Teamwork is better for teams that require built-in time tracking and billing. The choice depends on your project and industry needs.
How do Asana and Teamwork compare in terms of pricing?
Asana’s free plan supports up to 15 users but its paid plans start at $10.99/user/month (annual). Teamwork’s free plan is limited to 5 users and 2 projects, with paid plans beginning at $5.99/user/month (annual). Advanced features need upgrading on both platforms.
What security and compliance features are offered by Asana and Teamwork?
Asana is SOC 2 Type II compliant and encrypts data in transit and at rest. Teamwork is GDPR compliant and also provides data encryption. Details on HIPAA, role-based access, or data residency are not publicly specified.
Do Asana and Teamwork integrate with popular third-party tools?
The ability to integrate is supported in both, but specifics about which tools or processes are not publicly specified.
What are the key differences in task management between Asana and Teamwork?
Asana excels at customizable workflows and automation. Teamwork includes native time tracking, workload, and billing—features not offered by Asana.
Is data migration easy between Asana and Teamwork?
Not publicly specified.
Which platform offers better analytics and reporting features?
Asana provides more advanced reporting and analytics, especially on paid plans. Teamwork’s analytics center around time tracking, workload, and billing management.