← Back to project management tools
Alternatives · project management tools

Ellie Planner alternatives

The best Ellie Planner alternatives in project management tools, ranked by Sparkpulse's velocity_score.

Updated Sep 16, 2026

Looking for the best alternatives to Ellie Planner? Sparkpulse tracks and ranks 12 alternatives in project management tools by shipping velocity — how frequently each ships meaningful updates, verified from official changelogs. For reference, Ellie Planner shipped 1 meaningful update in the last 30 days and carries a velocity score of 3.8 out of 10 in 2026. The alternatives below are ranked the same way, so you're comparing real release momentum, not marketing claims.

About Ellie Planner

Ellie opens its task data to outside agents, eight months after its last changelog.

Ellie is a solo-built task and calendar planner spanning web, desktop, iPhone and iPad. After an eight-month gap, the catch-up release lands a real Week Calendar on iPad, Pomodoro sessions started from a task and restored across reloads, Quick Capture as a standalone window on a global shortcut, rich-text task notes with Markdown shortcuts, and MCP/API access in beta. Beneath the headline items sits the unglamorous work: recurring tasks, timezones, rollover, and calendar sync behaviour.

Velocity 3.8 · Last update 21d ago

Read the full Ellie Planner trajectory →

Top 12 alternatives to Ellie Planner

Ranked by recent ship velocity. Tap any card for the full editorial breakdown, or pivot to a head-to-head.

Browse all project management tools products →

Ellie Planner vs alternatives — shipping velocity at a glance

Velocity score (0–10) and meaningful releases shipped in the last 30 days, from official changelogs. Higher = shipping faster.

ProductVelocitySparks · 30dFocus areasLatest release
Ellie Planner (baseline)3.81task managementmcpcalendar synciPad Week Calendar, Pomodoro, Quick Capture, rich notes, and MCP
NocoBase8.82no-codeai-workflowsknowledge-basev2.3.0-beta.8
Rize8.82time-trackingagenciesinvoicingRize Is Now an Official ChatGPT Partner
Aha!8.82product-managementai-assistantmcpConnect AI applications created with Aha! Builder to 3,000+ tools
SmartSuite7.51project-managementautomationsno-codeLinked Records: Dynamic Filters
Tracecat6.31security-automationsoarai-agentsTracecat 1.0.0
Asana6.30project-managementai-integrationenterprise-compliance🎉 @mention Asana in Slack to create tasks and get answers
Hive6.30project-managementai-automationworkflow
Atarim6.31web-agencyai-automationseoAI actions 40% cheaper, SEO gets live search data
My Hours6.31time-trackingmcpai-nativeMy Hours MCP for Claude
Fibery6.30work-managementcustom-appsmcpAugust 13, 2026 / Custom Apps, See how each change was made (UI, API, automation, AI)
Papertrail6.31asset-managementinspectioncompliancePapertrail launches conditional checklist logic — rebuilt from scratch
OpenProject6.31project-managementmcpai-integrationOpenProject 17.8.0

The 12 best Ellie Planner alternatives, in depth

1. NocoBase · velocity 8.8

NocoBase adds an AI knowledge base retrieval API, connecting no-code workflows to external knowledge sources.

Over the last 30 days NocoBase shipped 2 meaningful updates vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “v2.3.0-beta.8”. Its velocity score of 8.8/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, NocoBase focuses on no code, ai workflows and knowledge base.

Over the last 30 days NocoBase has been shipping faster than Ellie Planner — a point in its favour if release momentum matters to you.

2. Rize · velocity 8.8

Rize pivots from solo time tracker to agency operations platform with invoicing, profitability reporting, and a ChatGPT integration.

Over the last 30 days Rize shipped 2 meaningful updates vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “Rize Is Now an Official ChatGPT Partner”. Its velocity score of 8.8/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Rize focuses on time tracking, agencies and invoicing.

Over the last 30 days Rize has been shipping faster than Ellie Planner — a point in its favour if release momentum matters to you.

3. Aha! · velocity 8.8

Aha! ships MCP connectors for Elle and opens Builder to 3,000+ integrations, deepening AI product workflows.

Over the last 30 days Aha! shipped 2 meaningful updates vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “Connect AI applications created with Aha! Builder to 3,000+ tools”. Its velocity score of 8.8/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Aha! focuses on product management, ai assistant and mcp.

Over the last 30 days Aha! has been shipping faster than Ellie Planner — a point in its favour if release momentum matters to you.

4. SmartSuite · velocity 7.5

SmartSuite ships viewer-interactive linked record filters and conditional automation branching in rapid succession.

Over the last 30 days SmartSuite shipped 1 meaningful update vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “Linked Records: Dynamic Filters”. Its velocity score of 7.5/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, SmartSuite focuses on project management, automations and no code.

SmartSuite and Ellie Planner have shipped at a similar pace over the last 30 days, so the decision comes down to fit and feature depth.

5. Tracecat · velocity 6.3

Tracecat 1.0 stable lands with workspace entitlements, SSRF hardening, and an open-source MCP skills catalog.

Over the last 30 days Tracecat shipped 1 meaningful update vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “Tracecat 1.0.0”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Tracecat focuses on security automation, soar and ai agents.

Tracecat and Ellie Planner have shipped at a similar pace over the last 30 days, so the decision comes down to fit and feature depth.

6. Asana · velocity 6.3

Asana embeds AI into Slack threads and closes the rich-text gap with Notion.

Over the last 30 days Asana shipped 0 meaningful updates vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “🎉 @mention Asana in Slack to create tasks and get answers”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Asana focuses on project management, ai integration and enterprise compliance.

Asana has shipped fewer meaningful updates than Ellie Planner in the last 30 days, so weigh it on fit and feature depth rather than recent pace.

7. Hive · velocity 6.3

Hive is building shared AI automation infrastructure into the core of its PM platform.

Over the last 30 days Hive shipped 0 meaningful updates vs Ellie Planner's 1. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Hive focuses on project management, ai automation and workflow.

Hive has shipped fewer meaningful updates than Ellie Planner in the last 30 days, so weigh it on fit and feature depth rather than recent pace.

8. Atarim · velocity 6.3

Atarim cuts AI action costs 40% and plugs in live SEO search data, tightening the value case for its agency AI.

Over the last 30 days Atarim shipped 1 meaningful update vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “AI actions 40% cheaper, SEO gets live search data”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Atarim focuses on web agency, ai automation and seo.

Atarim and Ellie Planner have shipped at a similar pace over the last 30 days, so the decision comes down to fit and feature depth.

9. My Hours · velocity 6.3

My Hours launches a Claude MCP connector, making AI-driven time logging a first-class workflow.

Over the last 30 days My Hours shipped 1 meaningful update vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “My Hours MCP for Claude”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, My Hours focuses on time tracking, mcp and ai native.

My Hours and Ellie Planner have shipped at a similar pace over the last 30 days, so the decision comes down to fit and feature depth.

10. Fibery · velocity 6.3

Fibery's Custom Apps go GA, completing its turn from work tracker to embedded app platform.

Over the last 30 days Fibery shipped 0 meaningful updates vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “August 13, 2026 / Custom Apps, See how each change was made (UI, API, automation, AI)”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Fibery focuses on work management, custom apps and mcp.

Fibery has shipped fewer meaningful updates than Ellie Planner in the last 30 days, so weigh it on fit and feature depth rather than recent pace.

11. Papertrail · velocity 6.3

Papertrail's most significant product change in years: a rebuilt checklist engine with conditional logic and structured sections, launched September 2026.

Over the last 30 days Papertrail shipped 1 meaningful update vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “Papertrail launches conditional checklist logic — rebuilt from scratch”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, Papertrail focuses on asset management, inspection and compliance.

Papertrail and Ellie Planner have shipped at a similar pace over the last 30 days, so the decision comes down to fit and feature depth.

12. OpenProject · velocity 6.3

OpenProject's MCP Server gains write access — AI agents can now create tasks, add comments, and manage relations.

Over the last 30 days OpenProject shipped 1 meaningful update vs Ellie Planner's 1, most recently “OpenProject 17.8.0”. Its velocity score of 6.3/10 blends that with longer-term release cadence.

Where Ellie Planner leans on task management, mcp and calendar sync, OpenProject focuses on project management, mcp and ai integration.

OpenProject and Ellie Planner have shipped at a similar pace over the last 30 days, so the decision comes down to fit and feature depth.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best alternatives to Ellie Planner?

The top Ellie Planner alternatives we currently track in project management tools are NocoBase, Rize, Aha!, SmartSuite, Tracecat, ranked by recent ship velocity.

How is this list of Ellie Planner alternatives ranked?

Alternatives are ranked by Sparkpulse's velocity_score — release cadence + 30-day spark count + sector-relative ship rate.

Can I compare Ellie Planner directly with one of these alternatives?

Yes — every card has a "Compare with Ellie Planner" link to a side-by-side /compare page.