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Software · head to head

Basecamp vs Google Optimize

Basecamp logo

Basecamp

Software

Project management & team collaboration software

From
Free
Rated
-
Google Optimize logo

Google Optimize

Software

A/B testing for Google Analytics

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Basecamp the free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage; Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Basecamp covers Message boards, Google Optimize covers A/B testing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Basecamp and Google Optimize actually diverge.

Attributes where Basecamp and Google Optimize differ
AttributeBasecampGoogle Optimize
Founded20041998

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web), 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 Google Optimize

  • A/B testing
  • Google Analytics integration
  • Visual editor
  • Real-time analytics
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google's security
  • Cloud deployment

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 Google Optimize
  • Message boards and chat alongside to-dosnot Google Optimize
  • Client collaboration, since guests are not chargednot Google Optimize
  • Flat-rate project management for a larger team on Pro Unlimitednot Google Optimize

Google Optimize

  • A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Basecamp
  • Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Basecamp
  • Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot 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

Google Optimize

  • Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
  • Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
  • Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product

Pricing, plan by plan

Basecamp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Basecamp review.

Google Optimize

Free
  • FreeFree
    • A/B testing
    • Google Analytics integration
    • Visual editor

Which should you pick?

Choose Basecamp if

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

Choose Google Optimize if

  • You need a/b testing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want google analytics integration.

Questions people ask

Is Basecamp or Google Optimize better?
Neither clearly leads. Basecamp starts at Free and Google Optimize at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Basecamp or Google Optimize?
Basecamp starts at Free and Google Optimize at Free.
Does Basecamp or Google Optimize run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Basecamp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Google Optimize is typically brought in for.
What can Basecamp do that Google Optimize cannot?
Basecamp covers Message boards, To-do lists, Schedules, Documents & files. Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics.

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