Asana vs Paylocity
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Asana
Asana is a leading project management platform that helps teams organize, track, and manage their work. It offers multiple views including lists, boards, timelines, and calendars to suit different working styles. Asana is trusted by over 130,000 organizations worldwide for managing everything from daily tasks to complex cross-functional projects.
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
Pros
- ✓Intuitive interface that teams adopt quickly with minimal training
- ✓Multiple project views including list, board, and Gantt timeline
- ✓Strong automation features to reduce manual work
- ✓Generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Can feel overwhelming for simple use cases with too many features
- ✗Pricing jumps significantly from free to paid plans
- ✗No built-in time tracking on lower tiers
- ✗Limited native reporting on free plan
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
Asana vs Paylocity: Side by Side
| Factor | Asana | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Asana Features
- ✓Task and project management
- ✓timeline view
- ✓board view
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓reporting dashboards
- ✓goals tracking
- ✓integrations
- ✓mobile app
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Best For
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Also Consider
If neither Asana nor Paylocity is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Asana and Paylocity?
Asana is best for teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Which is better, Asana or Paylocity?
Choose Asana if teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
How much does Asana cost?
Asana starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Asana?
Teams of all sizes wanting a flexible, feature-rich project management tool
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees