Basecamp

Basecamp is project management software organized around shared project workspaces. It suits teams coordinating discussions, schedules, and delivery with clients or other guests. It is a strong choice when controlled client visibility matters, but teams with strict SSO requirements or a need for automation should look elsewhere.

Overview

Each project has a page where teams can bring together to-do lists, message boards, chat, calendars, and card tables. This keeps coordination and delivery work tied to the project rather than scattered across unrelated spaces. The trade-off is that Basecamp has no automation rules, so teams needing workflows to trigger or route work will have to handle that another way.

Key features

To-do lists support assignees, due dates, attachments, and subtasks, giving teams the basics for dividing work and tracking ownership. Hill Charts show progress, while Card Tables let teams move work through stages. These provide complementary ways to follow a project, though neither replaces the workflow automation Basecamp lacks.

Calendars cover deadlines, milestones, events, and meetings, and can be subscribed to in Outlook, Google Calendar, and HEY Calendar. Client mode lets a team decide what clients can see on each project, a useful control when external collaborators need access without the same project view as the internal team. Guest access and time tracking are also supported.

Basecamp offers an API and CLI, and its apps cover iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows alongside web access. The integrations directory includes Zapier, Clockify, Harvest, and Unito. ChatGPT and Claude connectors and full MCP support are described as coming soon, so they should not factor into a current buying decision.

HTTPS protects data in transit; uploaded files and database backups are encrypted at rest, with AES-256 used for backups. Application databases generally are not encrypted at rest. The maker does not support SSO or SAML, and has not completed a SOC audit; its hosting provider's SOC 2 Type II report covers physical and environmental controls at datacenters. Those limits matter for organizations with formal authentication or audit requirements.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing and includes one project, 1 GB of storage, and a five-user maximum. It is suitable for a small team trying Basecamp on a single project, but the project and seat caps quickly limit broader use.

Freelancer costs $25 a month and allows up to three active projects, 5 GB of storage, and 20 users; it includes a 30-day free trial. It fits a freelancer or small client team with a modest project load, but the 20-user ceiling and three-project limit leave little room to grow.

Studio costs $59 a month for up to 10 active projects and 25 GB of storage, with unlimited users and tools per project; its trial is 30 days. Pro costs $99 a month for up to 25 active projects and 100 GB, also with unlimited users and tools per project and a 30-day trial. Studio is the more contained fit for teams with broader collaboration needs, while Pro raises the project and storage ceilings for a busier portfolio.

Unlimited costs $299 a month, billed annually, with unlimited projects, users, and tools per project, 1000 GB of storage, and a 45-day free trial. It is aimed at organizations that need to remove project and seat ceilings; the annual billing term and higher price make it a substantial step up. Paid plans list 24/7/365 support.

Platforms

Basecamp runs on the web, Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, and offers API access. The command-line interface adds an option for teams that work from the terminal.

Who it's for

Basecamp is best for teams that want project discussions, task lists, calendars, and client access organized in one place, especially when guest access and project-by-project visibility are important. It is a weaker fit for organizations requiring SSO or a completed SOC audit, and for teams that depend on automation rules.

Pros and cons

Pros: Project pages combine communication, scheduling, and task tools, keeping project coordination together.

Pros: Client mode gives teams control over what clients can see on each project, while guest access supports external collaboration.

Pros: Calendars can be subscribed to in Outlook, Google Calendar, and HEY Calendar, making project dates usable alongside those calendars.

Cons: The free plan caps use at one project and five users, and the Freelancer plan remains capped at three active projects and 20 users.

Cons: There are no automation rules, and SSO/SAML is unsupported, which rules it out for some workflow and security requirements.

Cons: Application databases generally are not encrypted at rest, and the maker has not completed a SOC audit.

Alternatives

Choose Airtable if a free plan and a paid Team plan with 50,000 records per base and 100,000 monthly API calls per workspace better suit the work.

ClickUp is another freemium option, with a free plan that includes unlimited tasks and unlimited free-plan members.

Linear offers a free plan with unlimited members, two teams, and 250 issues, so it may suit teams whose work fits those issue and team limits.

Smartsheet is a paid alternative with a Pro plan priced at $9 a month.

YouTrack has a free cloud plan for up to 10 users and 30 GB of storage, an option for teams that fit those limits.

Asana offers a free Personal plan for one or two people managing personal projects.

Trello has a free plan allowing up to 10 collaborators and 10 boards per workspace, which suits teams that can work within those caps.

Wrike is another freemium option, with a free plan for unlimited users and 200 active tasks per account.

Browse Game Project Management Software, Work Management Software, Team Collaboration Software, and Project Management Software for more options by category.

Verdict

Choose Basecamp if your team wants project coordination and client visibility controls in shared workspaces, and its free-plan caps or paid plan ceilings fit your scale. Look elsewhere if SSO, a completed SOC audit, or automation rules are essential.