Bitrix24 Alternative

Bitrix24: Multifunctional Collaboration Software

Bitrix24 is a multifunctional web-based collaboration platform for communication, CRM, support, as well as task management and project management. In this Bitrix24 project management software review, we focused on the latter area and evaluated the system as a project management tool and task management software. To be fair, however, the strength of Bitrix24 lies in its CRM module.

General Functionality

Operations

The Bitrix24 project management software can be operated on your own server (on premises) or used as Software as a Service (SaaS) in the manufacturer’s cloud. The manufacturer guarantees compliance with European data protection standards. Data is stored exclusively in the EU.

Projects and Project Types

In Bitrix24, tasks are managed in groups. Projects are a special type of group. When creating a project, you can access a list of predefined group types that cannot be modified. The type mainly determines the visibility of a project for users as well as the available applications (chat, calendar).

In Bitrix24, groups and projects can be copied.

Items and Item Types

Bitrix24 does not have a concept of item types. Only tasks are managed. When creating a task, you can use task templates that define the associated task attributes. This means you cannot distinguish between a bug report, an improvement suggestion, and a project task.

Item Hierarchies

This Bitrix24 project management software review revealed that the system offers exactly one hierarchy level. These “sub-tasks” are partly treated and displayed differently from the “real” items. A hierarchical structuring of work packages cannot be realized this way.

The type of subordinate items cannot be restricted depending on the type of the parent item. This means, for example, that it cannot be prevented that an item of type “Car” is subordinated to an item of type “Engine”.

Notifications

Bitrix24 has a simple, configurable notification system.

Email notifications are based on predefined templates that cannot be customized. There is an @-mention function and a reminder function.

Access Permissions

Custom roles with corresponding permissions cannot be defined. Predefined roles are available at the project level and are applied to all tasks. Access can only be controlled at the project level, but not for individual tasks within the project.

Attributes

Attributes (fields) are rudimentarily configurable. You can define task templates that contain custom fields. There is a small selection of custom attribute types (text, number, date/time, yes/no). Bitrix24 thus offers only limited support for custom fields.

The behavior of standard attributes can be sensibly adjusted, e.g., the default value for a start or end date.

Input Forms

In Bitrix24, input forms are defined via task templates. Fields can be arranged vertically, one field per row. The order of custom fields can be freely defined.

Dependencies

In project management and task management, items are often related to each other. For example, a task cannot be started before another one is completed. Or an item cannot be closed before a dependent item has been completed.

Bitrix24 offers basic support for defining dependencies or links.

Dashboards

The system offers its users an overview page (cockpit, dashboard).

Each user has the option to use preconfigured dashboards or to assemble their own dashboard from an extensive list of dashboard tiles. However, there are no dashboard templates, and dashboards cannot be centrally assigned to users by system administrators. The following dashboard elements are available, among others:

• My items
• Number of items in state X over time
• Activity stream
• Predefined filters

Reporting

Reports can be exported to Excel in Bitrix24 based on report templates. The report templates can be relatively easily customized to meet individual needs and support output in Excel.

User Management

Synchronization of Bitrix24 with a directory server is not available.

Bitrix24 does not offer integration with common single sign-on systems.

The system supports two-factor authentication.

User Interface and Usability

The software offers a clean, organized, and modern-looking user interface. Regular users can get started relatively quickly without training. Context-sensitive help supports you when something is not immediately obvious.

For configuration, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of Bitrix24. There is material available in the form of tutorials, videos, slide sets, and user manuals. Training sessions are also offered.

The user interface can be customized to meet user requirements. The available menu items can be individually configured for each user or user group.

Interfaces and Extensibility

Through a comprehensive REST API, nearly all functions available in the user interface are also accessible in Bitrix24. For example, users can be managed, projects can be created, modified, and deleted, or queries can be executed.

Bitrix24 cannot be extended by users; there are no suitable interfaces for this.

Task Management

Delegation

This task management software supports delegation only by assigning a new responsible person. It is not possible for the delegator to create a list of tasks they have delegated.

Deputy Function

In Bitrix24, it is not possible to assign a deputy to each user. The deputy cannot step into the rights of the original user in case of vacation or illness and act on their behalf.

Recurring Tasks

Some tasks and deadlines repeat cyclically, e.g., every first Monday of the month. Handling such task series can be very helpful and time-saving in task management.

Bitrix24 allows the creation of recurring tasks just as you would expect from good calendar applications.

Time Tracking

This Bitrix24 project management software review found that Bitrix24 allows tracking efforts (time and money) for each item and assigning them to accounts. Accounts can be grouped into cost centers and released for projects.

There is the option to use timers in the application to automatically log the time spent. Reports provide an overview of who was working on which activities during any past time period.

Getting Things Done Method Support

The Getting Things Done method is a proven approach to personal work organization. It allows personal categorization of items such as personal follow-up dates or personal marking of items as favorites.

In Bitrix24, the GTD method is not implemented.

RACI Matrix Support

For task management and project management, the RACI method defines four item-specific roles through which project participants can be related to a task. Normally, roles are assigned for a project, not for an individual item. For example, there is a project manager or a Scrum Master for the entire project. RACI, on the other hand, allows roles to be assigned on a per-item basis.

This Bitrix24 project management software review found that unfortunately there is no way to model a RACI matrix.

Workflows

Workflows in task management systems are typically represented in two forms. The first method always relates to the workflow of an item that passes through various stages. The second method involves defining task sets and then processing them.

Bitrix24 supports both methods. There is a table-based workflow editor for item-related workflows. Using section templates and summary tasks, simple, small workflows can be created in the form of task packages.

Project Management

Programs and Portfolios

In many organizations, projects run within the framework of programs, portfolios, or product areas. Here, groups of projects must be able to be consolidated to maintain an overview.

A basic prerequisite for program or portfolio management is the ability to group and hierarchically arrange projects.

Bitrix24 unfortunately does not offer support for program and portfolio management.

Sub-Projects

Larger project initiatives with many items cannot be adequately structured solely through the hierarchization of items but must be split into sub-projects. The sub-projects may require different processes, e.g., for hardware and software development. This Bitrix24 project management software review found that the software does not support sub-projects.

Multi-Project Reports

All queries and reports can span multiple projects and sub-projects, which can be freely defined through corresponding filters. Bitrix24 supports the creation of reports (tables) across multiple projects; they can only be exported to Excel.

Work Breakdown Structure

Before a project plan can be created, the activities to be performed or the work products to be created must be structured. To represent such a product structure or Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), items must be able to be arranged hierarchically to any depth.

Bitrix24 only supports one hierarchy level with sub-tasks. This means WBS or project plans cannot be created.

Interactive Gantt Chart

Gantt charts can be used to define and display the timeline of project activities as well as predecessor-successor relationships. Bitrix24 offers a simple, interactive Gantt component. It is not possible to display the critical path. There are no project progress bars, and you cannot compare the current planning status with a baseline plan.

Resource Planning

Resources of different types can be managed and assigned to items. There is a view where resource utilization over time is displayed, and overallocation or underallocation becomes immediately visible. Resources can be organized by project or department affiliation.

Employee Availability

There is no way to represent employee availability in the system and take it into account during resource planning.

Project Progress

A display of project progress is not provided in Bitrix24.

Agile Project Management

For software developers, integrations with source code management systems like Git and Subversion as well as with CI/CD servers like GitLab and Jenkins are missing.

Alternative Solutions

Bitrix24 offers the best support for CRM-oriented projects of all tested solutions. awork is a possible alternative. You can find an awork review here.

Discover the comprehensive project management software Allegra for yourself and book a free live demo.