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CRM, projects, and invoices – in one tool.
ClickUp is powerful for project management. bestdesq connects what ClickUp keeps separate: DE-compliant invoicing and client management with CRM features.
Invoicing directly from your project.
bestdesq includes complete document capture for incoming and outgoing invoices and their accounting – project hours flow straight into the invoice.
Connect your own AI via MCP.
bestdesq uses MCP: Claude, ChatGPT, or any other AI of your choice accesses your projects and finances directly. Access-protected and at no extra charge.
ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, DATEV.
E-invoicing has been mandatory since January 2025: XRechnung for public-sector clients, ZUGFeRD for B2B, DATEV export for your tax adviser. All of this is standard in bestdesq.
All modules in every plan — or tiered by level
All modules are included in every plan. From the very first user. No tiers.
- ✓ Project management (Kanban, list, calendar)
- ✓ Tasks with sub-tasks, dependencies, checklists
- ✓ CRM, target group lists, and lead pipeline
- ✓ Time tracking with timer
- ✓ Invoicing with ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, DATEV
- ✓ Incoming invoices and supplier quotes
- ✓ MCP server for your own AI integration
Comprehensive project management, but with a steep learning curve – even industry observers speak of "feature bloat". Features tiered by plan, no invoicing.
- ✓ Project management (very comprehensive, including Gantt)
- ✓ Tasks, sub-tasks, dependencies
- — CRM only via custom board, no standalone CRM
- ✓ Time tracking
- — No invoicing, no incoming invoices
- — AI as a paid add-on ($9 to $28 per user)
Feature comparison at a glance
| Funktion | bestdesq | ClickUp |
|---|---|---|
| Project management (Kanban, list, calendar) | Yes | Yes, with Gantt |
| CRM and lead pipeline | Standalone | Custom board only |
| Invoicing | Yes | No |
| German compliance (ZUGFeRD, XRechnung, DATEV) | Full | No |
| Incoming invoices | Yes | No |
| Time tracking with timer | Yes | Yes |
| AI integration | MCP included | Add-on $9–$28 |
| Hosting | DE, GDPR | USA |
| Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) | Yes | Partial |
| Gantt chart | No | Yes |
| Resource planning | Workload | Workload |
Five-user agency, annual billing
bestdesq includes: invoicing, incoming invoices, German compliance, and MCP AI. With ClickUp, depending on your needs, an invoicing tool (sevdesk from €17 per month) and an AI add-on (€9 to €28 per user per month) come on top.
Which tool is right for you?
Not every tool suits every team. Here is our honest assessment – so you don't end up testing the wrong one.
- you're a freelancer or agency and want to manage projects and invoices in one tool
- German invoicing standards (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD, DATEV) are a requirement
- you want a focused, uncluttered interface – without feature overload and without weeks of onboarding
- you want hosting in Germany, not in the USA
- you want to connect your own AI models without a per-user surcharge
- you need all features from the very first user, with no tiering
- you run a global team with extensive project management needs (Gantt, workload)
- you need deep customisation and automations – and are prepared to invest time in onboarding
- you rely on many integrations with US tools (Slack, Notion, Zapier)
- invoicing runs in a separate system and you only need project management
- an overwhelming feature set is not a problem for you – ClickUp is widely regarded as complex to roll out, even in the trade press
Curious? Try it risk-free.
30 days free. Full feature set. Demo data included. After the trial, you decide whether bestdesq stays.
Set up in under 3 minutes · German support · Cancel any time