Autotask PSA vs Zoho Projects: Complete Comparison (2026)
An in-depth comparison of Autotask PSA and Zoho Projects to help you choose the right tool for your business.
Last updated: November 2026
Autotask PSA
5.8/10
Cloud professional services automation platform from Kaseya (Datto) for managed service providers. It combines ticketing, projects, time tracking, contracts and billing.
Zoho Projects
7.3/10
Cloud project management software with tasks, Gantt charts, timesheets, issue tracking and automation, built for small and mid-sized teams using the Zoho suite.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | Z Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 5.8/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Analytics | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 3/10 | 9/10 |
| Customization | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of Use | 4/10 | 6/10 |
| Integration | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Scalability | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Security | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Support | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | Contact for pricing | $4/user/mo Premium |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Features | ||
| App integrations | ||
| Client collaboration | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Gantt charts | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Task management | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| Workflow automation | ||
| Kanban boards | Not listed | |
| Knowledge base | Not listed | |
| Scheduling | Not listed | |
| Task lists | Not listed | |
| Team messaging | Not listed | |
| Timeline view | Not listed | |
| Whiteboards | Not listed | |
Autotask PSA vs Zoho Projects cost by team size
| Team size | Autotask PSA | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | Contact for pricing | FreeFree |
| 5 users | Contact for pricing | FreeFree |
| 10 users | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| 25 users | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| 50 users | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Autotask PSA
- Higher Integration score (8/10 vs 7/10)
- Better fit for it teams (9/10 vs 4/10)
ZWhy choose Zoho Projects
- Has a free plan (Autotask PSA does not)
- Higher Cost score (9/10 vs 3/10)
- Higher Ease of Use score (6/10 vs 4/10)
- Better fit for startups (8/10 vs 2/10)
- Better fit for freelancers (6/10 vs 1/10)
Pros & Cons
Autotask PSA
Pros
- Time logged on tickets and project tasks flows into contract billing and invoicing, which reviewers say reduces revenue leakage.
- Tight integration with Datto RMM, IT Glue and the Kaseya IT Complete suite, plus an API with more than 170 listed integrations.
- ITIL-aligned ticketing with SLA tracking and alert-to-ticket automation that cuts duplicate tickets.
- Customizable dashboards and pre-built utilization and profitability reports for MSP managers.
Cons
- Users call the projects module underdeveloped for real project planning, and many add third-party Gantt tools.
- Steep learning curve, click-heavy interface and long, costly implementation.
- No public pricing, and reviewers report seat minimums, multi-year contracts and upselling since the Kaseya acquisition.
- Custom reporting and the automation rules are hard to configure without technical help.
ZZoho Projects
Pros
- Paid plans start at $4 per user per month on annual billing, which reviewers rank among the cheapest in the category.
- The free plan supports 5 users and 3 projects, enough for very small teams to run real work.
- Built-in timers, timesheets with approvals, and budgeting serve teams that bill for their time.
- Blueprints, automation rules and custom functions allow detailed workflow control.
- Integrates closely with other Zoho apps such as Desk, Analytics and Sprints.
Cons
- Reviewers say the learning curve is steep, especially for blueprints and custom functions.
- Client and guest access cost extra on top of the plan price.
- Users report weaker portfolio and multi-project management than enterprise-focused rivals.
- Some reviewers find the configuration screens crowded and say support can be slow to respond.
- The free plan has no project templates, and its automation limit is low at 50 actions per month.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Zoho Projects scores higher on our Project Management criteria: 7.3/10 against 5.8/10 for Autotask PSA. The largest gap is in Cost: 3/10 for Autotask PSA and 9/10 for Zoho Projects.
Zoho Projects has a free plan; Autotask PSA does not list one.
Zoho Projects is the better fit for startups: we rate it 8/10 for them, against 2/10 for Autotask PSA.
