Shortcut vs Zoho Projects — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Shortcut and Zoho Projects to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Shortcut takes the lead with a 4.3 rating and is best for engineering teams of 10-100 who want more structure than trello but less than jira.. Zoho Projects (4.0) is the better pick if you need teams already in the zoho ecosystem.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Shortcut | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.3(112) | ★★★★ 4.0(83) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | freemium |
| Starter Price | $8.50/user/mo (Standard) | $4/user/mo |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web, ios, android |
| Learning Curve | easy | medium |
| API Available | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Engineering teams of 10-100 who want more structure than Trello but less than Jira. | Teams already in the Zoho ecosystem |
| Verdict | recommended | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Shortcut | Zoho Projects |
|---|---|---|
| Epics, stories, and iterations | — | |
| Built-in Docs | — | |
| Milestones for initiative tracking | — | |
| API-first design | — | |
| Tight GitHub integration | — | |
| Reports and velocity tracking | — | |
| Gantt charts | — | |
| Task automation | — | |
| Time tracking | — | |
| Issue tracker | — | |
| Custom fields | — |
Shortcut
Pros
- ✓Perfect balance between simplicity and structure
- ✓Excellent API and Git integration for developer workflows
- ✓Generous free tier with full features for 10 users
Cons
- ✕Web-only — no desktop or mobile apps
- ✕Less brand recognition leads to smaller community
- ✕Docs feature is basic compared to Notion or Confluence
Zoho Projects
Pros
- ✓Extremely affordable
- ✓Deep Zoho integration
- ✓Feature-rich for the price
Cons
- ✕Dated UI design
- ✕Best value only within Zoho ecosystem
- ✕Can feel bloated
The Bottom Line
Both Shortcut and Zoho Projects are solid tools in the Project Management space. Shortcut edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and is the better choice for engineering teams of 10-100 who want more structure than trello but less than jira.. However, if you prioritize teams already in the zoho ecosystem, Zoho Projects is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.