Softwr

Software · head to head

ClickUp vs Stoplight

ClickUp logo

ClickUp

Software

One app to replace them all

From
Free
Rated
-
Stoplight logo

Stoplight

Software

API design, documentation, and governance platform

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ClickUp the free plan is capped at 60MB of storage, 5 spaces, 1 form and 3 whiteboards, so the limits are structural rather than just a seat count; Stoplight the free plan allows one project and one user
  • They diverge on capability: ClickUp covers Multiple view types, Stoplight covers API Design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ClickUp and Stoplight actually diverge.

Attributes where ClickUp and Stoplight differ
AttributeClickUpStoplight
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, WindowsWeb, Cloud
Founded20172014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 ClickUp

  • Multiple view types
  • Custom fields
  • Automation
  • Time tracking
  • Goal tracking
  • Document collaboration
  • Whiteboards
  • Mind maps

Only in Stoplight

  • API Design
  • API Documentation
  • Governance
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • Web support
  • Cloud support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • GitLab

What people use each for

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

ClickUp

  • Project managementnot Stoplight
  • Software developmentnot Stoplight
  • Marketing campaignsnot Stoplight
  • Product roadmapsnot Stoplight
  • Client managementnot Stoplight

Stoplight

  • Designing and documenting OpenAPI specifications visuallynot ClickUp
  • Serving interactive API docs and instant mock servers from a specnot ClickUp

Where each one falls short

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

ClickUp

  • The free plan is capped at 60MB of storage, 5 spaces, 1 form and 3 whiteboards, so the limits are structural rather than just a seat count
  • Gantt charts, time tracking and goals require Unlimited at $7 per user per month billed yearly
  • Automations are rationed by tier, at 5,000 a month on Business and 250,000 on Enterprise
  • SAML SSO, custom roles and HIPAA compliance are Enterprise only
  • AI is charged separately, at $9 per user per month for Brain and $28 for Everything AI
  • Monthly billing is substantially dearer, at $10 and $19 against the yearly rates

Stoplight

  • The free plan allows one project and one user
  • Private projects, multi branch support and custom domains start at the Startup plan, $113 a month billed annually
  • SSO and shared style guides are Pro Team only, at $362 a month billed annually
  • Seats beyond each plan's allowance are $11 to $27 each per month depending on tier and billing period

Pricing, plan by plan

ClickUp

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited tasks
    • 60 MB storage
    • Collaborative docs
  • Unlimited$7/user/month
    • Unlimited storage
    • All views
    • Time tracking
  • Business$12/user/month
    • Sprint reporting
    • Private docs
    • All Unlimited features
  • Business Plus$null/custom
    • Advanced features

Stoplight

Free
  • FreeFree
    • API design
    • Documentation
    • Community support
  • Pro$75/monthly
    • Governance
    • Advanced testing
    • Team collaboration
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom deployment
    • SLA
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose ClickUp if

  • You need multiple view types.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want custom fields.

Choose Stoplight if

  • You need api design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want api documentation.

Questions people ask

Is ClickUp or Stoplight better?
Neither clearly leads. ClickUp starts at Free and Stoplight at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ClickUp or Stoplight?
ClickUp starts at Free and Stoplight at Free.
Does ClickUp or Stoplight run on more platforms?
ClickUp runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows. Stoplight runs on Web, Cloud.
Can I use ClickUp for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ClickUp best used for?
ClickUp is most often used for project management, software development, marketing campaigns, product roadmaps. Of those, project management and software development are not what Stoplight is typically brought in for.
What can ClickUp do that Stoplight cannot?
ClickUp covers Multiple view types, Custom fields, Automation, Time tracking. Stoplight covers API Design, API Documentation, Governance, Jenkins. Both handle GitHub, GitLab.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ClickUp: How many views does ClickUp support?

ClickUp includes List, Table, Board, Calendar, Gantt, and Inbox views, plus Whiteboards for collaboration and multiple specialized views for different workflows.

Source
ClickUp: What is ClickUp Brain?

ClickUp Brain is the AI feature providing workspace Q&A, task summaries, and AI-powered automation available as an add-on at $9 or $28/user/month depending on usage.

Source
ClickUp: How long does it take to set up ClickUp?

Initial setup typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on team size and complexity needs, which is longer than Monday.com (1-2 days) but necessary for ClickUp's flexibility.

Source
ClickUp: Does ClickUp have built-in time tracking?

Yes, time tracking is included in the first paid plan (Unlimited) at $7/user/month, allowing teams to track project hours without additional tools.

Source

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