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Basecamp vs Melio

Basecamp logo

Basecamp

All industries

Project management & team collaboration software

From
Free
Rated
-
Melio logo

Melio

Accounting & Finance

Simple business payments

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Basecamp the free tier allows one project and 1 GB of storage; Melio go (free) plan limited to one user only
  • They diverge on capability: Basecamp covers Message boards, Melio covers Vendor payments.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Basecamp and Melio actually diverge.

Attributes where Basecamp and Melio differ
AttributeBasecampMelio
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile app
CategoryAll industriesAccounting & Finance
Founded20042018

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Melio

  • Vendor payments
  • Card to check
  • Payment scheduling
  • Approval workflows
  • QuickBooks sync
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • FreshBooks

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

Melio

  • Accounts payable automationnot Basecamp
  • Bill management and payment schedulingnot Basecamp
  • Multi-vendor payment processingnot Basecamp
  • Invoice receivables and payment collectionnot 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

Melio

  • Go (free) plan limited to one user only
  • ACH charges £0.50 per transaction beyond monthly allowance (5-50 free depending on plan)
  • Card payment fees range from 2.9% to 2.9% plus £75 maximum
  • International payments limited to select currencies only
  • NetSuite integration only available in Unlimited plan (£80/month minimum)

Pricing, plan by plan

Basecamp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Basecamp review.

Melio

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Melio review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Basecamp if

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

Choose Melio if

  • You need vendor payments.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app.
  • You also want card to check.

Questions people ask

Is Basecamp or Melio better?
Neither clearly leads. Basecamp starts at Free and Melio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Basecamp or Melio?
Basecamp starts at Free and Melio at Free.
Does Basecamp or Melio run on more platforms?
Basecamp runs on Web. Melio runs on Web, Mobile app.
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 Melio is typically brought in for.
What can Basecamp do that Melio cannot?
Basecamp covers Message boards, To-do lists, Schedules, Documents & files. Melio covers Vendor payments, Card to check, Payment scheduling, Approval workflows.

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