Different Problems, Different Tools
Trello, Asana, and Jira are designed to organize work internally. They help you track tasks, assign team members, set deadlines, and manage sprints. They answer the question: "What needs to get done?"
- • Organize tasks and subtasks
- • Assign work to team members
- • Track progress through stages
- • Manage internal workflows
ClearTimeline is designed to protect freelancers and prove delivery to clients. It creates immutable records with system timestamps that can't be edited. It answers the question: "Can I prove what I delivered and when?"
- • Log immutable proof of deliverables
- • Share a professional Client Progress Portal
- • Track when clients view your work
- • Export timestamped evidence for disputes
The core difference: PM tools help you manage your work. ClearTimeline helps you prove your work. In a client dispute, a Trello board with editable cards won't protect you. An immutable timeline with system timestamps will.
PM Tools vs ClearTimeline: Side-by-Side
| ❌ PM Tools (Trello, Asana, Jira) | ✅ ClearTimeline |
|---|---|
| Tasks and cards can be edited or deleted anytime | Immutable entries — no edits, no deletes, ever |
| Built for internal team tracking | Built for client-facing proof of delivery |
| No dispute protection features | Purpose-built dispute protection with immutable timestamps |
| Team collaboration and task assignment | Client transparency and professional progress sharing |
| No client view tracking | Track exactly when clients view your portal |
| Sharing exposes internal tasks and comments | Clean Client Progress Portal — show only what matters |
Use Both Together
ClearTimeline doesn't replace your project management tool — it fills the gap your PM tool was never designed to cover.
Use Trello, Asana, or Jira to break down your project into tasks, track progress, and manage your workflow. These tools are excellent for organizing what you need to do.
When you complete a deliverable, log it in ClearTimeline. Each entry is permanently locked with a system timestamp. This is your evidence layer — the record that protects you.
Share the Client Progress Portal instead of giving clients access to your PM board. They see a clean, professional timeline — and you track every visit.
Think of it this way: Your PM tool is your internal dashboard. ClearTimeline is your external proof system. Together, you're organized and protected.
PM Tools vs ClearTimeline FAQ
Can I use Trello or Asana as proof of delivery in a freelance dispute?
No. Trello, Asana, and similar PM tools allow cards and tasks to be edited, moved, or deleted at any time. There's no immutable record of when work was delivered. In a dispute, a Trello board is not credible evidence because either party could have changed the data.
What's the difference between ClearTimeline and project management tools?
Project management tools (Trello, Asana, Jira) are designed to organize tasks and manage workflows within a team. ClearTimeline is designed to create immutable, timestamped proof of deliverables and share them with clients through a professional portal. They solve different problems.
Can I use ClearTimeline alongside Trello or Asana?
Yes, and we recommend it. Use your PM tool to manage your workflow and tasks internally. Use ClearTimeline to log every important deliverable with immutable timestamps and share progress with clients through the Client Progress Portal. They complement each other perfectly.
Why can't I just use Jira or Asana to show clients my progress?
PM tools are built for internal team collaboration, not client-facing proof. Sharing a Jira board with a client exposes internal tasks, comments, and workflow details. ClearTimeline provides a clean, professional Client Progress Portal that shows exactly what you want clients to see — with view tracking and immutable timestamps.