// 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 board for tasks and bugsQuestlog puts tasks and bugs on one board. Codecks uses a card-collection metaphor instead of kanban columns | |||||
| Bug trackingSeverity, reproduction steps, platforms, and the task that fixes it | |||||
| Player bug reportsShare a link with playtesters; reports land in your Inbox to accept or dismiss | |||||
| Game design docsQuestlog keeps multiple docs (GDD, art bible, lore, tech notes) next to the work, written in-app or linked | |||||
| Milestone burndown chartsQuestlog also estimates whether you are on pace for each milestone date | |||||
| Team collaboration | |||||
| Real-time sync | |||||
| Public progress pageKey art, Steam/Discord/itch.io buttons and your roadmap, without leaking internal data | |||||
| 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)Cut tasks with a reason and bring them back later from the Board's Cut filter | |||||
| Game dev starter templatesGame Jam Weekend, Vertical Slice, Steam Page Launch and Bug Bash projects | |||||
| 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 a standard kanban board that any developer can pick up instantly, with tasks and bugs side by side (bugs have real severity and repro steps, not just card tags). It keeps your design docs next to the work, collects player bug reports in an Inbox, 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 and code tasks next to bugs with repro steps on one board, milestones with burndown and pace, player bug reports, and your design docs in the same place.
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 kanban drag-and-drop built for tasks and bugs, severity levels, player bug reports, or milestone burndown charts. Questlog handles project management and keeps your design docs too, or links the Notion pages you already have.
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, player bug reports straight into your Inbox, 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 the full Board, milestones and docs for solo developers.