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Software · head to head

Basecamp vs Float

Basecamp logo

Basecamp

Software

Project management & team collaboration software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Float logo

Float

Software

Resource management for agencies and teams

From
$6/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Basecamp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Basecamp the free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage; Float web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • They diverge on capability: Basecamp covers Message boards, Float covers Resource scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Basecamp and Float actually diverge.

Attributes where Basecamp and Float differ
AttributeBasecampFloat
Starting priceFree$6/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20042011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Basecamp

  • Message boards
  • To-do lists
  • Schedules
  • Documents & files
  • Group chat
  • Check-in questions
  • Hill Charts
  • Email forwards

Only in Float

  • Resource scheduling
  • Capacity planning
  • Time tracking
  • Project planning
  • Reports
  • Asana
  • Jira
  • Teamwork

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Zapier

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Basecamp

  • Project management for a small team in one placenot Float
  • Message boards and chat alongside to-dosnot Float
  • Client collaboration, since guests are not chargednot Float
  • Flat-rate project management for a larger team on Pro Unlimitednot Float

Float

  • Schedulingnot Basecamp
  • Appointment bookingnot Basecamp
  • Time trackingnot Basecamp
  • Resource managementnot Basecamp
  • Team coordinationnot Basecamp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Basecamp

  • The free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage
  • Pro is $15 per user per month, so cost scales with headcount unlike the flat Pro Unlimited at $299 a month billed annually
  • Storage beyond the plan costs $50 a month per additional terabyte
  • Timesheet and the Admin Pro Pack are paid upgrades on Pro and only bundled with Pro Unlimited

Float

  • Web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • No offline mode for resource planning
  • Limited reporting customization on lower-tier plans
  • No built-in payroll or invoicing features

Pricing, plan by plan

Basecamp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Basecamp review.

Float

$6/month
  • Starter$6/month
    • Resource scheduling
    • Time off
    • Basic reports
  • Pro$10/month
    • Time tracking
    • Budget tracking
    • Advanced reports

Which should you pick?

Choose Basecamp if

  • You need message boards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want to-do lists.
Basecamp review

Choose Float if

  • You need resource scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want capacity planning.
Float review

Questions people ask

Is Basecamp or Float better?
Neither clearly leads. Basecamp starts at Free and Float at $6/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Basecamp or Float?
Basecamp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Basecamp and $6/month for Float.
Does Basecamp or Float run on more platforms?
Basecamp runs on Web. Float runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Basecamp for free?
Yes. Basecamp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Float starts at $6/month.
What is Basecamp best used for?
Basecamp is most often used for project management for a small team in one place, message boards and chat alongside to-dos, client collaboration, since guests are not charged, flat-rate project management for a larger team on pro unlimited. Of those, project management for a small team in one place and message boards and chat alongside to-dos are not what Float is typically brought in for.
What can Basecamp do that Float cannot?
Basecamp covers Message boards, To-do lists, Schedules, Documents & files. Float covers Resource scheduling, Capacity planning, Time tracking, Project planning. Both handle Slack, Zapier.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Float: What does Float pricing start at?

Float's Starter plan begins at $7 per user per month for basic resource scheduling and capacity management. The Pro plan costs $12 per user per month with advanced features like estimates and actuals tracking.

Source
Float: Is Float independent or backed by investors?

Float is independent and self-funded. The company is a B Corp certified since 2024 and is profitable. It has never raised venture funding and operates with a fully remote team.

Source
Float: What platforms does Float support?

Float is a web-based platform accessible through modern browsers. It provides visual resource management, scheduling, capacity planning, time tracking, and forecasting tools.

Source
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Related pages

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