Basecamp

The all-in-one toolkit for working remotely

From $15/mo

About Basecamp

Basecamp is the original project management tool from 37signals, the company that pioneered remote work culture and Rails web development. Unlike feature-packed competitors (Asana, Monday), Basecamp takes an intentionally opinionated approach: every project gets the same six tools—Message Board, To-dos, Schedule, Docs & Files, Campfire (chat), and Automatic Check-ins. No kanban boards, no Gantt charts, no customization paralysis. This simplicity is polarizing—teams either love the constraints or find them limiting. Pricing changed in 2024: $15/user/month for Basecamp, or $299/month flat for unlimited users (Pro Unlimited)—making the flat rate excellent value for teams over 20 people. Basecamp includes built-in client access, so agencies can loop in clients without extra seats. The tool excels at reducing notification overload with 'Hey!' (focused work time) and async communication philosophy. Best for teams who want simplicity over configurability, agencies managing client projects, and remote teams aligned with 37signals' work culture.

Key Features

Message Boards for async threaded discussions

To-do lists with assignments and due dates

Schedule for milestones and deadlines

Docs & Files storage with version history

Campfire real-time group chat per project

Automatic Check-ins for async standups

Hill Charts for project progress visualization

Client access without extra cost

Hey! mode for focused work without notifications

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Simple, opinionated design eliminates decision fatigue
• Flat $299/mo pricing is unbeatable for large teams
• Built-in client access perfect for agencies
• Strong async-first communication philosophy
• No per-seat costs at Pro Unlimited tier
• Excellent email-to-Basecamp integration

Cons

• No kanban, Gantt, or timeline views
• Very limited customization—take it or leave it
• Fewer integrations than Asana/Monday
• Per-user pricing expensive for small teams under 20
• No native time tracking
• Reporting capabilities are basic

Best For

Remote teams wanting structured async communication Agencies managing multiple client projects Teams over 20 people (flat pricing value) Companies aligned with 37signals work philosophy Teams tired of over-complicated project tools