ClickUp vs AFFiNE Pro: Pick the Top Brainstorming Tool in 2025

by | Last updated Nov 21, 2025

Winner
clickup
4.5
  • Project Management
  • Product Development
  • Workflow
  • Resource Management
  • Private Whiteboards
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $7
Runner Up
affine pro
3.5
  • Notes
  • Drawing
  • Organized Planner
  • AFFiNE Pro AI
  • Presentation Maker
  • Free plan available
  • Paid Plans from $6.75/month
clickup vs affine pro

Ever feel like your ideas are trapped in a messy notebook? Or lost in a sea of digital notes?

You need a tool to get those thoughts out and organized. But which one? 

Imagine missing deadlines because your brainstorm was a jumbled mess.

Or wasting time trying to find that one brilliant idea you scribbled down weeks ago. 

We’re delving into ClickUp vs AFFiNE Pro. By the end, you’ll know which tool will help you unlock your best ideas. 

Let’s find your top brainstorming partner.

Overview

We’ve spent weeks putting ClickUp and AFFiNE Pro through their paces.

From daily task management to complex project brainstorming.

We’ve explored every feature to give you a real-world comparison.

Clickup CTA
4.5out of 5

Boost productivity by 25%! ClickUp helps you manage sales, projects, docs, and more.

Pricing: It has a free plan. The premium plan starts at $7/month.

Key Features:

  • Task Management
  • Project Management
  • Collaboration Tools
AFFiNE Pro
3.5out of 5

Supercharge your workspace! 92% of AFFiNE Pro users report increased productivity.

Pricing: It has a free plan. The paid plan starts at $6.75/month

Key Features:

  • Whiteboard Integration
  • Database Blocks
  • Markdown Support

What is ClickUp?

Think of ClickUp as your digital command center. It’s a project management tool.

But it’s more than that. It’s a workspace. You can manage tasks.. You can track time.

You can collaborate with your team.4 All in one place. It’s designed to boost productivity.

It’s like having a super-powered to-do list.

clickup homepage

Our Take

Clickup CTA

It’s incredibly powerful and flexible. The free plan is very generous, and it has many features for managing projects. However, due to its many options, it can be overwhelming at first, and the learning curve can be steep for new users.

Key Benefits

  • Centralized workspace for tasks.
  • Offers a free forever plan.
  • Supports over 1,000 integrations.
  • Customizable workflows and views.
  • Comprehensive reporting features.

Pricing

  • Free: Best for personal use.
  • Unlimited: $7/user.
  • Business: $12/user.
  • Enterprise: Contact them for custom pricing based on your requirements.
Clickup Pricing

Pros

  • All-in-One Platform.
  • Highly Customizable.
  • Robust Free Plan.
  • Strong Automation.
  • Collaborative Features.

Cons

  • Steep Learning Curve.
  • Feature Overload.
  • Mobile App Limitations.
  • Performance Issues.

What is AFFiNE Pro?

AFFiNE Pro is your flexible digital workspace. It combines notes, databases, and whiteboards.

Imagine a tool for brainstorming, organizing your ideas, and finally, turning them into actionable tasks.

It’s designed to be your all-in-one productivity hub.

AFFiNE Pro

Our Take

AFFiNE Pro

Build flexible workspaces and collaborate visually with AFFiNE Pro. See a 20% increase in team project clarity. Explore the open-source power today!

Key Benefits

  • Combines multiple tools.
  • Open-source and customizable.
  • Good for visual collaboration.
  • Strong focus on flexibility.
Youtube Video

Pricing

  • FOSS + Basic: Free Forever
  • Pro: $6.75/month
  • Team: $10/per seat/month
AFFiNE Pro pricing

Pros

  • Incredibly flexible and versatile.
  • Feature-rich and powerful.
  • Local-first and privacy-focused.
  • Active community and regular updates.
  • A unique blend of notes and canvas.

Cons

  • It can have a steep learning curve.
  • Mobile apps are still in beta.
  • Limited offline functionality.
  • Some features are still under development.

Feature Comparison

Let’s dive into the core features. We’ll compare these two powerful tools head-to-head.

See which one fits your workflow best.

1. Template

ClickUp offers a vast library of pre-built templates for various workflows.

You can seamlessly customize them. AFFiNE Pro’s templates are more focused on note-taking and database structures. 

While AFFiNE Pro offers flexibility, ClickUp excels in ready-to-use project setups.

2. Project Management Tool

ClickUp is a dedicated project management tool.

It’s designed for complex projects. AFFiNE Pro, while capable, is more of a flexible workspace.

It’s better for individual or small team collaboration.

If you need robust project management, ClickUp is the stronger option.

clickup kanban

3. Kanban

Both tools support Kanban boards. ClickUp’s Kanban is highly customizable. 

You can add many custom fields. AFFiNE Pro’s Kanban is simpler and more focused on visual organization.

ClickUp provides more features, but AFFiNE Pro is easier to learn.

4. Gantt Charts

ClickUp offers detailed Gantt charts for project timelines.

You can visualize dependencies. AFFiNE Pro provides basic timeline views within its databases.

ClickUp is better for complex project scheduling.

AFFiNE pro offers Gantt chart templates through their online template library.

5. Automation

ClickUp has extensive automation features. You can automate tasks, workflows, and notifications.

AFFiNE Pro’s automation is less developed. It relies on manual configuration.

ClickUp wins when you want to automate repetitive tasks.

AFFiNE Pro

6. Productivity Tool

Both tools boost productivity. ClickUp focuses on team and project efficiency. 

AFFiNE Pro enhances individual or small team productivity. 

ClickUp’s focus allows for higher productivity when working with larger teams.

7. Progress Tracking

ClickUp offers detailed progress tracking. 

You can see task statuses and project timelines. You can prioritize tasks. 

AFFiNE Pro tracks progress within databases and note structures. 

ClickUp offers more granular progress visibility.

What to Look For When Choosing a Brainstorming Tool?

  • Management Capabilities: The software should allow you to easily view tasks and set a due date. Look for features like time tracking and the ability to support an unlimited number of users. Check for a commitment to new features in a full comparison before choosing your business software.
  • Features and Usefulness: The tool must be more than just a project management software—it should be a project management platform with essential features. Look for clickup’s features such as a whiteboard feature for creative thinking. It needs enough features to manage projects, multiple projects, and complex tasks.
  • AI Integration: A modern tool needs a powerful AI component like ClickUp Brain. This feature helps with business operations by making it smarter. Look for an AI that improves resource management and helps you assign tasks for new tasks automatically.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Great team communication is vital. The platform should have built-in communication features, real time editing, and the ability to add guest access. It should integrate with your tech stack, like google drive, to centralize your entire workspace for team member use.
  • Pricing and Plans: Review the different clickup plans. Check what is included in the free forever plan, which is completely free and ideal for solo workers or small businesses. See if the unlimited plan offers unlimited storage and unlimited users. For large groups, look for the enterprise plan features like single sign on (single sign) and user permissions. Also, check if they offer discounts if billed annually.
  • Support and Learning: The clickup review should highlight good support, such as live onboarding training and dedicated phone support. Look for a comprehensive knowledge base like clickup university. The platform should also allow you to import data and give you an api access for advanced integration.

Final Verdict

We confidently choose Affine AI as the best option.

This Affine Pro review highlights that it is a feature-rich and privacy-focused solution.

It stands out because it is a hyper-fused platform that effortlessly allows you to combine documents, whiteboards, and advanced databases into one all-in-one workspace.

This intuitive interface and intelligent assistance help you enhance productivity by simplifying your knowledge management.

Since it is local first and open-source, your data is safe, making it superior to many other apps.

It truly provides all the features needed to build a powerful personal knowledge base.

It works across every operating system and is ready for real-time collaboration, proving it is robust enough for both individuals and established organizations.

More of Clickup

Here’s a brief comparison of ClickUp with these software solutions:

  • ClickUp vs Pipedrive: Pipedrive is a sales-focused CRM with a visual pipeline. ClickUp is a more flexible project management tool.
  • ClickUp vs Gohighlevel: ClickUp is an all-in-one work management platform with strong project management and customizable CRM. GoHighLevel is a dedicated marketing and sales automation platform focused on lead generation and conversion.
  • ClickUp vs Keap: ClickUp is a versatile platform for project management and customizable CRM, while Keap is a powerful CRM and marketing automation tool that emphasizes lead nurturing and sales processes.
  • ClickUp vs ActiveCampaign: ClickUp provides a flexible platform for task, project, and basic CRM management, whereas ActiveCampaign excels in advanced marketing automation, email campaigns, and customer segmentation.
  • ClickUp vs Hubspot: ClickUp is a highly customizable project management and work OS with integrated CRM features, while HubSpot offers a comprehensive suite of tools for marketing, sales, and customer service.
  • ClickUp vs Clickfunnels: ClickUp is an all-in-one work management platform; ClickFunnels is primarily a sales funnel builder for creating landing pages and automating sales funnels.
  • ClickUp vs Folk: ClickUp is a robust work management solution with customizable CRM functionalities, while Folk focuses on collaborative contact management and relationship tracking.
  • ClickUp vs Instantly: ClickUp is a versatile platform for project management and diverse workflows, while Instantly specializes in cold email outreach, deliverability optimization, and automated email campaigns.
  • ClickUp vs Monday CRM: ClickUp provides a highly customizable all-in-one workspace for project management and CRM, while Monday CRM offers visual workflows and team collaboration focused on customer relationships.
  • ClickUp vs Capsule CRM: ClickUp is a comprehensive work management and customizable CRM platform, whereas Capsule CRM is a straightforward, user-friendly CRM focused on managing contacts and sales opportunities.
  • ClickUp vs Insightly: ClickUp is a flexible platform for project management and adaptable CRM. Insightly is a dedicated CRM offering a strong sales pipeline and project management features within a CRM context.
  • ClickUp vs Freshsales: ClickUp is an all-in-one work management tool with adaptable CRM capabilities, whereas Freshsales CRM is a specialized sales CRM with advanced automation, lead scoring, and reporting.
  • ClickUp vs Salesforce: ClickUp is a versatile work management platform with customizable CRM, while Salesforce is an enterprise-grade CRM with extensive features for sales, service, and marketing automation.
  • ClickUp vs Zendesk: ClickUp offers an all-in-one workspace for tasks, projects, and customizable CRM, while Zendesk is a leading customer service platform primarily focused on ticketing and support.

More of AFFiNE pro

Let’s see how AFFiNE pro stacks up against these other workspace apps:

  • AFFiNE pro vs Notion: AFFiNE pro tries to put docs, whiteboards, and databases together in one app and keeps your info private. Notion is a cloud-based workspace for notes, projects, and more.
  • AFFiNE pro vs ClickUp: AFFiNE pro wants to be an all-in-one workspace. ClickUp is mainly for teams to manage projects with lots of features.
  • AFFiNE pro vs Anytype: Both AFFiNE pro and Anytype aim to keep your info private on your computer and help you link different kinds of information.
  • AFFiNE pro vs Coda: AFFiNE pro combines different tools in one place. Coda lets you build documents that act like apps with tables and automation.
  • AFFiNE pro vs XTiles: Both AFFiNE pro and XTiles focus on keeping your info private and letting you connect notes and tasks.
  • AFFiNE pro vs Capacities: AFFiNE pro wants to be an all-in-one workspace. Capacities helps you see connections between your ideas in a visual way.
  • AFFiNE pro vs Craft: AFFiNE pro tries to combine different tools for productivity. Craft focuses on making nice-looking documents that you can link.
  • AFFiNE pro vs Obsidian: Both AFFiNE pro and Obsidian keep your info on your computer and let you link your thoughts. Obsidian uses plain text files and has many extra tools you can add.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Affine’s architecture unique combination for better organization?

Affine’s unique combination merges documents, whiteboards and databases seamlessly. This allows you to seamlessly switch between views to better organization and handle various tasks.

Can I contribute to Affine as an open source project?

Yes, Affine is an open source project. The community is welcome to contribute code, documentation, or new ideas, helping to evolve the platform for next gen startups and individual users.

How does the tool help me brainstorm ideas and stay organized?

You can brainstorm ideas on the whiteboard, then convert those ideas into structured notes. This helps you stay organized and turn initial thoughts into actionable plans easily.

What is the advantage of the latest version for specific needs?

The latest version offers continuous updates with new features like enhanced AI and improved database functionality. This ensures the tool meets your specific needs for productivity and task management.

How does Affine help next gen startups manage various tasks?

Affine provides an all-in-one platform to handle various tasks, from brainstorm ideas to managing projects. It allows next gen startups to centralize their workflow without needing multiple apps.

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