// honest_comparison
Project management tools for game dev, compared
Most game devs end up in Trello, Notion, or a tool that almost fits. Here's how the options actually stack up for game development.
| Feature | Questlog | Codecks | Trello | Notion | Hacknplan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for game dev workflowsDisciplines (code, art, audio, design), platform tags, milestones with burndown | |||||
| Kanban boardsCodecks uses a card-collection metaphor instead of traditional kanban columns | |||||
| Bug trackingQuestlog has a dedicated bug board with severity, reproduction steps, and linked tasks | |||||
| Game Design Document editorQuestlog has a built-in rich text GDD editor or link to external docs | |||||
| Milestone burndown charts | |||||
| Team collaboration | |||||
| Real-time sync | |||||
| Public progress pageShare your game's development progress with your community | |||||
| Free tier for solo devs | |||||
| No enterprise bloatQuestlog ships only what game devs need. No workflows, no sprints, no story points. | |||||
| Import from Trello / CSVQuestlog imports from Trello JSON exports and any CSV/TSV with smart column mapping | |||||
| Scope management (cut list)Track cut features with reasons — essential for game dev scope control | |||||
| Discipline tags (code, art, audio, design)Filter by team role — see all art tasks or all code tasks at a glance | |||||
| Platform tags (PC, Switch, PS, Xbox, mobile, VR)Track which platforms each task or bug applies to | |||||
| Markdown shortcuts & task listsType **bold**, # headings, - [ ] checkboxes and have them convert as you write |
Questlog vs Codecks
Codecks is a creative take on game dev project management — it uses a collectible card metaphor instead of traditional boards. It's game-dev-aware and well-designed. The key differences: Questlog uses standard kanban boards that any developer can pick up instantly, has a dedicated bug tracking board with severity and repro steps (not just card tags), includes a built-in GDD editor, supports importing from Trello/CSV, and offers public progress pages for community updates. Codecks leans into its unique card-game aesthetic; Questlog leans into zero-friction productivity.
Questlog vs Trello
Trello is a great generic kanban board, but that's exactly the problem — it's generic. There's no concept of disciplines, platform tags, bug severity, or milestones. You end up building a game dev workflow out of labels and Power-Ups, and it's always a compromise. Questlog was built around how game dev teams actually work: art tasks, code tasks, bugs with repro steps, milestones with burndown charts, and a built-in GDD editor.
Questlog vs Notion
Notion is excellent for documentation and knowledge management, but using it as your primary project management tool means building databases, templates, and views from scratch. Every team ends up with a slightly different Notion setup, and none of them have real-time kanban drag-and-drop, bug tracking with severity levels, or milestone burndown charts. Questlog handles task management so you can use Notion for what it's actually good at — documentation.
Questlog vs Hacknplan
Hacknplan is the closest competitor — it was also built for game dev. The key differences: Questlog has real-time collaboration (Hacknplan doesn't), a built-in scope management system (cut list with reasons), public progress pages for community updates, platform tags for multi-platform releases, and import from Trello JSON exports or any CSV/TSV. Pricing is flat at €9.99/month per team (not per user) versus Hacknplan's per-seat model, which makes Questlog significantly cheaper as your team grows. Questlog's free tier has no time limit and includes full task, bug, milestone, and GDD functionality for solo developers.