Ora.pm is shutting down: What to do next

If you're an Ora.pm user, you've probably seen the news: Ora is shutting down and merging into ClickUp. While that might sound like a straightforward upgrade, many teams are feeling blindsided-especially if you picked Ora because it was clean, fast, and easy to use. The move to ClickUp can feel like a step backward, into a more bloated and complex system.

Ora.pm is shutting down

If you chose Ora for its simplicity, the shutdown may feel like yet another shift toward complexity. In a landscape full of feature-heavy platforms, Ora stood out for being quick to pick up and easy to stick with. Now that it's gone, many teams are wondering how to keep that simplicity alive-without getting overwhelmed by tools that try to do too much.

That's where Breeze comes in. It gives teams a way to keep working the way they like-simple, clear, and fast-without having to settle for a bulky replacement. In this guide, we'll explore why ClickUp isn't the only path forward, and why tools like Breeze offer a smoother, more focused alternative.

Losing a tool you rely on is frustrating-especially when the replacement feels nothing like it. If you picked Ora for its clarity and speed, being pushed into ClickUp can feel like a step backwards.

1. What's happening with Ora

Ora.pm recently announced that it will shut down and officially join ClickUp. While details are still emerging, the Ora team confirmed via their official blog post that the platform will no longer function as a standalone service (Read the full announcement).

The announcement was published on August 6, 2025, and outlined that Ora would no longer function independently after the end of the year. Users were advised to migrate their workspaces, tasks, and projects before the official shutdown deadline in December 2025. According to the Ora team, the decision to join ClickUp was driven by a desire to give their community access to a larger platform with more resources, though many users feel this means trading simplicity for complexity.

If you've built your team's workflows, projects, or habits around Ora, this might feel like a disruption. The transition means you'll eventually have to move your data-and more importantly, your way of working-into a new system with a different structure, interface, and philosophy.

For some teams, that might be fine. But for many users who chose Ora because it was clean, fast, and easy to use, the move to ClickUp may feel like a step in the wrong direction.

2. What made Ora different

Ora wasn't just another project management tool-it was a lifeline for teams that wanted to stay focused, not fiddly. Ora gave users the power to organize their work with minimal effort: drag-and-drop boards, quick checklists, clear timelines, and just the right amount of customization. This balance made it popular with marketers, designers, and small startups who wanted to spend time doing the work, not managing the tool.

For example, one user shared: "Ora just worked. I didn't have to explain it to clients or new hires. Everything was where you expected it." Another wrote on Product Hunt: "We switched to Ora after trying Trello, Asana, and Monday. It was the only one that didn't give us decision fatigue." These stories were common-and they're part of why Ora's shutdown stings for so many teams.

Tools should help teams move, not manage the software. Teams that prioritized clarity often gravitated toward solutions that put essential features front and center-like the core ideas behind simple project management software.

3. Why ClickUp isn't for everyone

ClickUp is a powerful tool-but that power comes with a cost: complexity. For many former Ora users who valued a lightweight, intuitive setup, ClickUp can feel overwhelming. It's a classic case of when project management tools get too complicated. Its layered hierarchies (Spaces, Folders, Lists, Views) and abundance of features may slow teams down rather than speed them up.

ClickUp is complicated

Marketing teams, designers, and small agencies often don't need a tool that does everything. They need something that's fast, clear, and easy for everyone to adopt. With ClickUp, even basic tasks like setting deadlines or assigning owners can get buried under settings and configurations.

Teams switching from Ora to ClickUp have also reported a steeper learning curve, inconsistent performance, and more time spent managing the tool instead of doing the work. If you've found yourself frustrated trying to make ClickUp feel as smooth as Ora, you're not alone.

"Just today, two of our girls in marketing are complaining again about ClickUp lagging. Some of the tasks have images, copy, and other marketing materials in them." - Reddit user sharing performance issues when tasks contain rich content (Reddit)

"ClickUp often lacks robust analytics and reporting tools needed for deeper insights. Users struggle to generate customized reports for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs)." - Redditor pointing to limitations in ClickUp's analytics capabilities (Reddit)

"ClickUp can take sometimes around 30 seconds to update a single task. Using the software daily is painful." - User describing extreme slowness even on high-end hardware (Reddit)

These aren't isolated frustrations. Across Reddit, G2, and Capterra, users cite ClickUp's frequent performance hiccups, UI bloat, and confusing permissions as top complaints. Many teams find themselves building internal documentation just to teach others how to use ClickUp. That's a signal that the tool may be doing too much, too fast.

4. What teams actually need

When tools like Ora shut down, teams are forced to reflect on what really matters. For many, the answer is simplicity. What most small teams need isn't feature overload-they need clarity. Clear task assignment, a shared calendar, fast uploads for assets, and easy approvals. That's it.

That's why it's easy to spot the early signs your project management tool is too complicated-the endless views, hidden updates, or confusing dashboards.

Marketing teams, designers, and small product squads often juggle tight deadlines and high-volume content. They need visibility and accountability, not layers of menus or four different types of task views. That's why switching to a heavyweight tool can hurt more than help. It changes the entire workflow without solving the core problems.

5. Why Breeze is a better fit

If you loved Ora for its simplicity, you'll feel right at home in Breeze. Like Ora, Breeze is built around a clean interface, fast navigation, and a structure that makes sense to non-technical teams. There are no layers of confusing hierarchies-just boards, tasks, calendars, and timelines that work out of the box.

Projects and tasks

Breeze brings the same light workflow that small teams love-echoing what many teams look for in simple project management tools for small businesses about lightweight, flexible tools.

Breeze is especially well-suited for teams that want to stay organized without complexity-whether you're in marketing, design, product development, or client services. You can assign tasks, set deadlines, upload assets, track progress, and even manage budgets, without needing to configure a dozen settings or onboard a full-time admin. Breeze helps small teams and fast-moving companies keep projects on track with just the essentials-no bloated menus or confusing setups.

What makes Breeze stand out is how it combines power with clarity. You get features like time tracking, team chat, workload planning, and AI assistance-but only when you need them. Everything stays simple and accessible.

Breeze also makes it easy to get started. You don't need weeks of onboarding or a full-time admin to make it work. Just sign up, create your boards, invite your team, and go. Everything feels lightweight by default-but powerful when needed. You can start with simple task cards and gradually adopt timelines, budgets, and team workload planning if your projects demand it.

Marketing task

If you're looking for something that captures what Ora got right-speed, clarity, and low-friction project tracking-Breeze might be exactly what you need. It's designed for teams who want to collaborate without battling their tools. Whether you're working on internal operations, product development, client work, or support workflows, Breeze gives you the structure to stay on top of tasks without overcomplicating your process. Breeze brings the same simplicity Ora users appreciated, but with the stability and ongoing support of a dedicated team. You can get started in minutes, import your existing tasks, and set up a familiar board-based flow that matches how your team already works. No steep learning curve, no layers of nested menus-just straightforward tools that help you move faster and stay organized.

Quick comparison: Ora vs ClickUp vs Breeze

Feature Ora ClickUp Breeze
Clean interface
Fast performance
Overwhelming features
Quick to learn
Ongoing support

6. How to migrate smoothly

Migrating from Ora doesn't have to be complicated. The first step is to export your projects, tasks, and attachments from Ora. While the platform is still active, make sure you download all your data in a format you can reference or reuse.

Not sure how to export? Ora lets you download your tasks and attachments as JSON or CSV, depending on your workspace settings. Do this as early as possible to avoid any cut-off dates. Keep backups for peace of mind.

Next, set up your Breeze account and create a simple structure that mirrors your old workflow. In most cases, this means setting up boards that match your Ora projects, creating task lists, and adding team members. You can bulk import tasks via CSV to speed things up.

Marketing project board

If you used Ora to manage marketing campaigns, client projects, or content pipelines, Breeze offers ready-made templates and views that make it easy to replicate your setup. The interface is straightforward enough that your team can dive in without training.

Need help? Breeze has a helpful support team and plenty of documentation to guide you through the migration. And since Breeze doesn't lock you into a specific structure, you can customize it as you go-no rigid hierarchies required.

7. Final thoughts

The shutdown of Ora.pm is a reminder that even the best tools can disappear or change direction. If your team is feeling lost or frustrated by the move to ClickUp, you're not alone-and you have options.

Breeze gives you a clear path forward. It's stable, supported, and constantly improving. If you're still wondering why many teams moved away from heavy tools, see why more teams are switching to simpler project management software-then see how Breeze delivers what actually works.

Breeze is a stable, straightforward alternative that gives you just what you need to stay organized, without the clutter. It's built for teams that want to work, not configure software. You can get started in minutes and rebuild your Ora workflow with less effort than you might think.

Don't let the shutdown derail your projects. Try Breeze and see how simple project management can be.

Try Breeze today

Need a tool that feels like Ora but won't disappear next year? Breeze is here for teams who value simplicity, clarity, and speed. Try it for free and see how easy project management can be.

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