Basecamp launched in 2004. Gmail had just launched. Facebook did not exist yet. The internet was a different place, and Basecamp was a genuinely innovative project management tool for its time. It is now 2026, and Basecamp is still fundamentally the same tool.

That is either a sign of remarkable stability or a sign that the tool has not kept pace with how teams actually work. We will let you decide.

Basecamp pricing history is worth knowing

Basecamp used to charge a flat 99 per month for unlimited users. It was transparent, simple, and a good deal. Then Basecamp changed the pricing to 15 per user per month with no grandfather clause for existing customers. Teams that had been on Basecamp for years saw their bills triple or quadruple. This is documented and searchable — Basecamp does not deny it.

The lesson: Basecamp pricing can change overnight. Your budget is not safe.

What Basecamp Gets Right

Off-the-grid simplicity for small teams who do not need Kanban viewsThe Hill Chart for progress visualization — genuinely useful and uniqueSoundCloud-style design philosophy — simple and non-overwhelming

What Basecamp Gets Wrong in 2026

Kanban boards are not native — Basecamp uses a card-based to-do list that is not a real KanbanNo real-time presence — you cannot see what your team is onBuilt-in docs are basic — not built for technical specs or complex documentationNo AI-powered search — finding anything requires knowing what you are looking for15 per seat per month vs Zoobbe Standard at 4.99 per seat — same category, very different prices

The Verdict on Basecamp

Basecamp is a fine tool for small teams who want simplicity and do not need Kanban views. But at 15 per seat per month versus Zoobbe at 4.99 per seat per month — and with Basecamp having a history of changing pricing without warning — the value equation is not in Basecamp favor.

Zoobbe gives you more: real Kanban, real-time presence, built-in docs, and time tracking. At less than a third of the price. With pricing that does not change overnight.