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New questions about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's guarantee by experts who saw conservatorship start points to tensions in a stalled secondary offering. View the full article

For years, parents, teenagers, pediatricians, educators, and whistleblowers have pushed the idea that social media is detrimental to young people’s mental health and can lead to addiction, eating disorders, sexual exploitation, and suicide. For the first time, juries in two states took their side. In Los Angeles on Wednesday, a jury found both Meta and YouTube liable for harms to children using their services. In New Mexico, a jury determined that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms. Tech watchdog groups, families, and children’s advocates cheered the jury decisions. “The era of Big Tech invincibility is over,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project. “After years of gaslighting from companies like Google and Meta, new evidence and testimony have pulled back the curtain and validated the harms young people and parents have been telling the world about for years.” While it’s too soon to tell if this week’s outcomes will lead to fundamental changes in how social media platforms treat their young users, the dual verdicts signal a changing tide of public perception against tech companies that is likely to lead to more lawsuits and regulation. For years, they have argued that the harms their platforms cause to children are a mere byproduct, unintentional and inevitable consequences of broader societal issues or bad actors taking advantage of safeguards. They pushed against the notion that psychological harms could be the result of social media use and downplayed research that showed otherwise. When asked about whether people tend to use a platform or product more if it’s addictive during his testimony in the Los Angeles trial, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said “I’m not sure what to say to that. I don’t think that applies here.” The verdicts show the public’s growing willingness to hold the companies responsible for harms and demand meaningful changes in how they operate. What’s not apparent, at least not yet, is whether the companies will take heed. Both Meta and Google said they disagree with the verdicts and are exploring legal options, including appeals. Arturo Béjar, a former Meta engineering director who raised alarms about Instagram’s harms inside the company for years before testifying in Congress in 2023, said jury trials “level the playing field” for these trillion-dollar companies. But he cautioned that it will take actual regulation to rein them in. “One thing that I saw working inside the company that effectively led to behavior change was when an attorney general or the FTC stepped in and required things of the company,” he said. “Both New Mexico and Los Angeles and all the attorneys general that are part of this process have really an extraordinary opportunity and the ability to ask for meaningful change.” While both cases focused on harms to children, there are key differences between the two. New Mexico’s lawsuit was filed by state Attorney General Raúl Torrez in 2023. State investigators built their case by posing as children on social media, then documenting sexual solicitations they received as well as Meta’s response. The jury was asked to determine if Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law. The Los Angeles case had a single plaintiff, who goes by the initials KGM, against Meta, Google’s YouTube, TikTok, and Snap. TikTok and Snap settled before trial. The plaintiff in this case argued that the platform design features of the two remaining defendants, Meta and YouTube, were designed to be addictive, especially for young users. Because thousands of families have filed similar lawsuits, KGM and a handful of other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury, eventually leading to a broader settlement reminiscent of the Big Tobacco and opioid trials. By focusing on deliberate design choices and product liability, the lawsuits were able to sidestep Section 230, which generally exempts internet companies from liability for the material users post on their services. Past lawsuits, which have focused on how the platforms distributed content, often failed on these grounds. “For the first time, courts have held social media platforms accountable for how their product design can harm users,” said Nikolas Guggenberger, an assistant professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center. “This is a new legal territory that could reshape an industry long shielded by Section 230. Platforms will have to rethink their focus on engagement at any cost, which has outlived itself.” The final outcome of the cases could take years to resolve pending appeals and settlement agreements, but experts say the shift in the public’s sentiment and understanding of social media’s dangers is already happening. In a 2025 Pew Research Center poll, for instance, 48% of teens said social media harms people their age. In 2022, only 32% said the same. Amid social media’s reckoning, however, artificial intelligence chatbots are emerging as the next frontier in the fight to make technology safer for young people. “You can ban today’s harm, but how do you know what tomorrow is going to bring?” said Sarah Kreps, a professor and director of Cornell University’s Tech Policy Institute. Whether it’s another social media app, AI or some other new technology, she added, new things will crop up. “And people will flock to those because where there’s demand you will see a supply come to meet that demand,” she said. —Barbara Ortutay, AP technology writer View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. In calendar year 2025, the U.S. recorded 4.06 million existing home sales—tying 2024 and coming in just below the 4.09 million recorded in 2023. That marks three straight years with the fewest U.S. existing home sales since 1995. However, when accounting for population growth, the slowdown is even more pronounced. The U.S. had around 99 million households in 1995, compared to roughly 135 million households in 2025. Adjusted for that larger population base, resale turnover over the past three years has been the lowest in more than four decades. You’d have to go back to around 1981—when mortgage rates briefly topped 18%—to find a lower level of resale turnover. The fact that we’ve now been at historically low levels of resale transactions for just over three years—causing a wave of real estate agents and loan officers to already exit the industry—may help explain why, in our latest survey, 9 in 10 real estate agents say they still expect to be active in the industry three years from now. In other words, much of the industry shakeout has already happened (although it could still be lagging in some official industry membership data). That’s one takeaway from the agent survey conducted over the past month by Cotality and ResiClub. To better understand how agents are adapting and how they feel about the evolving industry, we conducted the Cotality–ResiClub Brokerage Survey 2026 between February 24 and March 13, 2026. A total of 213 agents participated. Notably, this is a highly-experienced group: 80% have been in the industry for eight years or more, and nearly half (49%) have been active for over 15 years. The results suggest an industry that remains committed and forward-looking—though not without tension around commissions, private-listing portals, MLS modernization, and data control. Here are the survey results. Career sentiment remains solid 92% of agents plan to remain active for at least the next three years. 83% expect to remain for five years or more. 41% say they feel more confident in their long-term career than they did two years ago. A little commission pressure exists—but it hasn’t been what the media headlines suggested back in 2024 Roughly two-thirds say there has been no meaningful change in their commission levels since the NAR settlement in 2024. 34% report the most pressure on buyer-side compensation. Nearly 70% have not observed brokerage consolidation within their firm over the past year. 53% say consolidation has had no meaningful impact on opportunities in their market. Private listing networks remain controversial 56% of agents view private listing networks somewhat or very unfavorably. 53% say they do not offer private listing networks at all. 68% say seller interest in private listings is about the same as 12 months ago. Agents are divided on structure, with 33% saying private networks should be discouraged entirely. MLS value is high—but modernization gaps are clear Industry favorability Among national portals, Zillow faces the most negative sentiment, with 39% viewing it very unfavorably and just 7% very favorably. Redfin and Compass show similar polarization, with more than one-third viewing each very unfavorably. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) also receives more negative than positive sentiment, with 65% somewhat or very unfavorable. In contrast, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are viewed relatively favorably, with roughly 72% rating each somewhat favorable or very favorable. View the full article

The 30-year fixed mortgage has increased by 40 basis points since February, while the 15-year is 14 basis points lower than a year ago, Freddie Mac reported. View the full article

Affordability improved in February as rates dipped below 6%, but March's climb to 6.43% signals tougher months ahead. Lenders should act now on pockets of opportunity before rising rates erode recent gains. View the full article

The AI behemoth Anthropic released a report this week about the widening “AI skills gap.” In it, the research suggests that a widening gap may be emerging between those who use AI frequently for work and those who don’t. The report data shows that those with at least six months of experience with the company’s chatbot, Claude, have a higher success rate when collaborating with the system than those without. This can lead to an advantage in an ever-changing labor market landscape as AI becomes an integral part of the job market. In an interview with TechCrunch, Anthropic’s head of economics, Peter McCrory, spoke about how the report does not yet prove a broader shift towards automated employment. “There’s no material difference in unemployment rates” for those who use the company’s AI chatbot for the “most central task of their job in automated ways,” McCrory said, pointing to professions like technical writers, data entry clerks, and software engineers rather than those who work in careers that need “physical interaction and dexterity with the real world.” However, Anthropic’s CEO, Dario Amodei, has said in the past that AI has the potential to decimate entry-level white-collar jobs and “push unemployment as high as 20% within the next five years,” Axios reported last year. McCrory continued telling TechCrunch, “Displacement effects could materialize very quickly, so you want to establish a monitoring framework to understand that before it materializes so that we can catch it as it’s happening and ideally identify the appropriate policy response.” The report comes at a time when companies from banking to retail are working to integrate AI into their employees’ workflows—however, they often do so without proper training or support, TechBuzz writes. “Teams with uneven AI adoption rates report tension and confusion about workflows, with power users racing ahead while others struggle to keep pace.” This falls in line with an article recently published by Axios that explained how America’s next class war will be between the AI literate and the inexperienced user. The columnists Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen write that most people think of AI as a tool, but argue that it should be seen as a toolbox. The writers urge people to “move up the AI proficiency ladder,” saying, “Using a large language model as a search engine or copy editor is dumb AI. Even having it draft emails for you is like having a celebrity chef boil your water.” Of course, an AI company arguably stands to benefit from putting out a report encouraging use of their product—and upskilling isn’t always easy or clear-cut. But the bottom line is that there is a lot of anxiety about the implementation of AI, what it means for workers, and what it means for the future of their jobs. However, the experts suggest that it’s less about “robots taking your jobs” and more about learning to collaborate with AI to be more efficient in your work. Even if you’re not an early adopter, there’s still time to catch up. View the full article

Two decades after the original film, Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep are returning to the world of The Devil Wears Prada for its long-awaited sequel. The Devil Wears Prada 2, which also sees the return of stars Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, follows Hathaway as journalist Andy Sachs and Streep as Miranda Priestly, the editor-in-chief of fictional fashion magazine Runway, crossing paths again 20 years after the events of the first movie. When Streep and Hathaway starred in the original Devil Wears Prada, it was an untested franchise that fashion houses hesitated to lend their clothes and brand names to. But the sequel is an entirely different story, with the fashion industry opening doors for the film’s cast and crew, including having its stars attend actual shows at Milan Fashion Week. But as Streep revealed in a new interview for Harper’s Bazaar, both she and her co-star had an eye-opening experience at those fashion shows that Hathaway took straight to the film’s producers. Streep said she was “struck by how not only beautiful and young […] but alarmingly thin the models were.” “I thought that all had been addressed years ago. Annie clocked it too,” Streep said. “She made a beeline to the producers about it, securing promises that the models in the show that we were putting together for our film would not be so skeletal! She’s a stand-up girl.” Despite taking heavy inspiration from the real-world fashion industry (including comparisons between Streep’s character and longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour), its depiction of models is apparently one area where it’s willing to diverge from reality. It’s not a secret that in 2026, thin is in—or at least, that’s what advertisers want you to think. Weight loss drugs, from Ozempic to Wegovy to Ro, are more prevalent than ever, with one in eight adults (12%) saying they’re currently taking a GLP-1 as of November. Even Olympic athletes are peddling weight loss: Champion tennis player Serena Williams told more than a million viewers that she’s “healthier on Ro” during a Super Bowl ad for the drug last month. That cultural return to idolizing thinness makes Hathaway’s request stand out even further, though fans of The Devil Wears Prada are split on the decision. Some argue that the sequel ought to depict the fashion industry accurately—including its often regressive attitudes toward body diversity—if it hopes to provide any real critique or satire. “Another indication that this movie will be so bad,” one user wrote on social media in response to the discourse. “Giving insight to the industry was what made the original so sharp.” But others praised Hathaway for advocating not to show unhealthily thin bodies on screen. “She doesn’t want her movie to perpetuate or encourage dangerously thin/disordered bodies,” one user argued. “I think you guys underestimate how serious eating disorders are and how they can kill you.” The Devil Wears Prada 2 comes to theaters on May 1. View the full article

Google introduces Performance Max updates, including audience exclusions, budget projections, and expanded reporting to give advertisers more visibility and control over campaign performance. The post Google Adds New Performance Max Controls And Reporting Features appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Financier told court he objected to safeguarding measures, including sitting on a lower floor, firm imposed after misconduct claimsView the full article

It’s a big change in how Google interprets intent and presents information. Think of it as a dynamically-generated, “magazine” SERP, that curates AI summaries and organic results. What’s different about Web Guide is that—unlike AI Overviews or AI Mode—it actually…Read more ›View the full article

A near-tragedy sparks a critical conversation on business continuity, risk, and responsibility in accounting firms. Accounting ARC With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto Center for Accounting Transformation Go PRO for members-only access to more Center for Accounting Transformation. View the full article

A near-tragedy sparks a critical conversation on business continuity, risk, and responsibility in accounting firms. Accounting ARC With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto Center for Accounting Transformation Go PRO for members-only access to more Center for Accounting Transformation. View the full article

Google introduced a new user agent, called Google-Agent, that signals when AI agents act on users’ behalf, marking an early shift toward agent-driven web interactions. What happened. Google added Google-Agent to its list of user-triggered fetchers on March 20 and has begun a gradual rollout. The Google-Agent user agent identifies requests made by AI agents running on Google infrastructure, including experimental tools like Project Mariner. How it works. Google-Agent appears in HTTP requests when an AI agent visits a site to complete a user-initiated task. Example use cases include browsing pages, evaluating content, or taking actions such as submitting forms. This differs from Googlebot and other crawlers, which run continuously in the background without direct user prompts. IP ranges. Google shared the IP ranges for its desktop agent: Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; Google-Agent; +https://developers.google.com/crawling/docs/crawlers-fetchers/google-agent) Chrome/W.X.Y.Z Safari/537.36 And the IP ranges for its mobile agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 6.0.1; Nexus 5X Build/MMB29P) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/W.X.Y.Z Mobile Safari/537.36 (compatible; Google-Agent; +https://developers.google.com/crawling/docs/crawlers-fetchers/google-agent) Why we care. This lets you identify agent-driven traffic in server logs. You can now distinguish traditional crawl activity from visits triggered by real users through AI agents. That should help you track agent-assisted conversions, understand emerging user behavior, and prepare for agentic search. What they’re saying. According to Google’s announcement: “The Google-Agent user agent is rolling out over the next few weeks, and will be used by Google agents hosted on Google infrastructure to navigate the web and perform actions upon user request.” What to watch. Early volumes will be low as the rollout continues, but now is the time to establish a baseline. What to do: Monitor logs for Google-Agent activity. Make sure CDNs and WAFs aren’t blocking the published IP ranges. Validate that key site actions, including forms and flows, work for automated agents. Dig deeper. Google’s releasing Google-Agent: Here’s what to know View the full article

A business consolidation loan is a financial tool that allows you to combine multiple debts into one manageable loan. This can simplify your repayments by reducing the number of monthly payments you need to make. By consolidating, you may additionally benefit from lower interest rates and improved cash flow, which can bolster your financial stability. Nonetheless, before you decide to consolidate, it’s crucial to understand both the advantages and potential drawbacks. What should you consider next? Key Takeaways A business consolidation loan merges multiple debts into one, simplifying repayment with a single monthly payment. It can lower overall interest rates, potentially saving money on interest payments. By reducing monthly payments, it improves cash flow, allowing more capital for business operations. This loan can enhance credit scores through consistent payments and better credit utilization ratios. However, it carries risks, such as collateral loss and higher overall debt if not managed correctly. Understanding Business Consolidation Loans A business consolidation loan serves as a strategic tool for companies looking to manage multiple debts more effectively. By combining various business debts into a single loan, you simplify repayments to one monthly payment, which can likewise lower your overall interest rates. These loans can cover several types of debt, such as credit card debt, short-term loans, and equipment financing, making them a versatile option for business debt relief. With a consolidation loan, you can improve your cash flow by reducing the number of monthly payments, allowing for easier budgeting. Interest rates typically range from 8.69% to 41.26%, depending on factors like your credit score and current market conditions. The application process often requires minimal paperwork, and you could receive a funding decision in as little as 24 hours. This streamlined access to capital helps you manage your company’s debt consolidation more effectively, providing the relief you need. Benefits of Business Consolidation Loans While managing multiple debts can be overwhelming, business consolidation loans offer a practical solution for easing the burden. By merging several debts into a single loan, you’ll simplify your repayment process to one monthly payment, reducing the complexity of tracking multiple due dates. Often, these loans come with lower interest rates than your existing debts, which can lead to substantial savings over time and lower overall borrowing costs. Consolidating your debts can boost your cash flow, as lower monthly payments free up capital for operational expenses or growth opportunities. If you’re a web developer, debt consolidation can be particularly beneficial, allowing you to focus on your projects rather than juggling payments. Furthermore, consistent, timely payments on your consolidation loan can improve your credit score and enhance your credit utilization ratio, paving the way for future financing opportunities, including potential business debt forgiveness options. Drawbacks of Business Consolidation Loans Although business consolidation loans can simplify debt management, they come with several drawbacks that you should consider. Here are a few important points: Longer repayment terms can lead to higher overall interest payments. Additional fees, like origination fees, may offset potential savings. Collateral requirements put valuable assets at risk if you miss payments. Furthermore, even though consolidation can streamline your finances, it doesn’t tackle the underlying issues causing your debt, such as revenue or spending problems. In addition, applying for a loan often involves a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily impact your credit score and your ability to borrow in the future. These factors are vital to evaluate before deciding if a consolidation loan is the right choice for your business. Comprehending these drawbacks can help you make a more informed decision about your financial future. Key Factors to Evaluate Before Consolidating Before you consolidate your debts, it’s essential to analyze your current financial situation, including outstanding balances and interest rates. Comparing loan terms from different lenders will help you find a consolidation option that better suits your needs. Furthermore, evaluate how this move will affect your cash flow, weighing short-term relief against long-term repayment implications. Current Debt Analysis Evaluating your current debts is crucial before you consider consolidation, as it lays the foundation for a sound financial decision. Start by listing all your outstanding balances, interest rates, and repayment terms to understand your financial obligations. Assess your cash flow to guarantee you can handle monthly payments without strain. Review your credit score, as many lenders set minimum requirements and offer better rates to those with stronger profiles. Calculate the average interest rate of your current debts to ensure the new consolidation loan offers savings. Additionally, confirm which debts are eligible for consolidation and be aware of any fees that could diminish the benefits, helping you make an informed choice. Loan Terms Comparison When you’re considering a business consolidation loan, comparing loan terms is essential to guarantee you’re making a financially sound choice. Start by evaluating the annual percentage rate (APR), which can range from 8.69% to 41.26%. You want the best interest rate for your credit profile. Next, consider the loan repayment period; terms can extend up to 12 years, resulting in lower monthly payments that ease cash flow. Don’t overlook additional fees, like origination fees, as they can affect the total cost of consolidation. Check the qualification requirements, including minimum credit scores and business history, to verify you qualify. Finally, be aware that a hard inquiry may temporarily lower your credit score, impacting future borrowing options. Cash Flow Impact Comprehending the cash flow impact of a business consolidation loan is fundamental, especially since it can greatly affect your operational flexibility. Evaluating how consolidation affects your cash flow can help you make informed decisions. Lower monthly payments can free up to 30% of cash flow for other operational expenses. Analyzing existing debt repayment schedules will clarify if consolidation improves cash flow or merely extends repayment periods. Fixed repayment terms stabilize cash flow by providing predictable expenses, aiding in budgeting. Understanding the overall borrowing costs is significant, as lower monthly payments might lead to more interest over time. Furthermore, it’s imperative to assess your current revenue streams, since consolidating without addressing underlying financial issues could result in ongoing cash flow challenges. Steps to Consolidate Business Debt Consolidating business debt involves several key steps that can help streamline your financial obligations and improve cash flow. First, assess your current debts by listing all outstanding balances to understand the total amount needing consolidation. Next, check your credit score using free tools, as a higher score can help secure better loan terms during the process. Once you have this information, research various debt consolidation options available through lenders. Compare interest rates, repayment terms, and any additional fees involved. Prepare necessary documentation, including recent tax filings, cash flow projections, and profit-and-loss statements, to facilitate a smoother application process with lenders. Finally, choose the best loan option for consolidation, apply directly or online, and guarantee that the funds are used to pay off existing debts to avoid accumulating further debt. Following these steps can make consolidating your business debt more manageable and effective. Types of Lenders for Business Consolidation Loans Steering through the terrain of lenders for business consolidation loans can greatly influence your financial recovery. Comprehending your options enables you to choose the best fit for your needs. Here are some common types of lenders you might consider: Traditional Banks: They typically offer lower interest rates but often have stricter qualification criteria, making it harder for some businesses to qualify. Credit Unions: These institutions usually provide competitive rates and personalized service, along with more flexible terms than banks. Online Lenders: Gaining popularity for their faster application processes, they often cater to businesses with shorter credit histories, providing more lenient qualification requirements. Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers favorable terms through approved lenders, whereas alternative lenders, such as peer-to-peer platforms, may have innovative solutions for those struggling to secure traditional financing options. Each lender type has unique benefits, so weigh them carefully. How to Qualify for a Business Consolidation Loan Securing a business consolidation loan involves meeting specific criteria that lenders use to evaluate your eligibility. First, you’ll typically need a personal or business credit score of at least 650, though some lenders may have higher requirements. Furthermore, most lenders look for a minimum annual revenue of around $100,000 to guarantee you can manage new loan payments. Demonstrating at least two years of business history is also vital, as it shows stability and experience in the market. Lenders will evaluate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), favoring a DTI of 40% or lower, which indicates your ability to handle debt obligations comfortably. In some cases, lenders may require collateral, such as business assets, to secure the loan. Although this can improve your chances of approval, it’s important to recognize the risk of losing those assets if payments aren’t made on time. Frequently Asked Questions Is Business Debt Consolidation a Good Idea? Business debt consolidation can be a good idea if you’re looking to simplify your financial management. By combining multiple debts into one loan, you reduce the number of monthly payments, which can help you avoid missed payments. It often offers lower interest rates, improving cash flow. Nonetheless, be cautious; longer repayment terms might increase total interest paid. You still need to manage your spending habits to prevent further debt accumulation after consolidation. How Much Is the Payment on a $50,000 Consolidation Loan? For a $50,000 consolidation loan, your monthly payment will depend on the loan’s interest rate and term. At an 8% fixed rate over 5 years, you’d pay approximately $1,012 monthly. If you extend the term to 10 years, that drops to around $606. Lowering the interest to 6% for 5 years brings the payment to about $966. Remember to factor in any additional fees that could affect your total cost. What Is the Downside of Consolidation? One downside of consolidation is that it can lead to longer repayment terms, which might increase the total interest you pay over time. You could furthermore face extra costs like origination fees or prepayment penalties, offsetting potential savings. If you need to provide collateral, you risk losing valuable assets if payments are missed. Moreover, consolidation doesn’t tackle the root financial issues, meaning you may need further strategies for long-term health. What Is the Monthly Payment on a $50,000 Business Loan? The monthly payment on a $50,000 business loan depends on the interest rate and repayment term. For instance, if you secure a fixed interest rate of 10% over five years, your monthly payment would be around $1,061. On the other hand, if the rate is 8% with a three-year term, you’d pay approximately $1,582 monthly. Using a loan calculator can help you determine payments based on varying interest rates and terms, aiding in your financial planning. Conclusion In summary, a business consolidation loan can be a strategic tool for managing your debts more effectively. By combining multiple obligations into one loan, you can simplify your finances and potentially lower your interest rates. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against any drawbacks and carefully assess your financial situation before proceeding. Ultimately, comprehending the consolidation process and knowing how to qualify will empower you to make informed decisions that can improve your business’s financial health. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Business Consolidation Loan and How Can It Help?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A business consolidation loan is a financial tool that allows you to combine multiple debts into one manageable loan. This can simplify your repayments by reducing the number of monthly payments you need to make. By consolidating, you may additionally benefit from lower interest rates and improved cash flow, which can bolster your financial stability. Nonetheless, before you decide to consolidate, it’s crucial to understand both the advantages and potential drawbacks. What should you consider next? Key Takeaways A business consolidation loan merges multiple debts into one, simplifying repayment with a single monthly payment. It can lower overall interest rates, potentially saving money on interest payments. By reducing monthly payments, it improves cash flow, allowing more capital for business operations. This loan can enhance credit scores through consistent payments and better credit utilization ratios. However, it carries risks, such as collateral loss and higher overall debt if not managed correctly. Understanding Business Consolidation Loans A business consolidation loan serves as a strategic tool for companies looking to manage multiple debts more effectively. By combining various business debts into a single loan, you simplify repayments to one monthly payment, which can likewise lower your overall interest rates. These loans can cover several types of debt, such as credit card debt, short-term loans, and equipment financing, making them a versatile option for business debt relief. With a consolidation loan, you can improve your cash flow by reducing the number of monthly payments, allowing for easier budgeting. Interest rates typically range from 8.69% to 41.26%, depending on factors like your credit score and current market conditions. The application process often requires minimal paperwork, and you could receive a funding decision in as little as 24 hours. This streamlined access to capital helps you manage your company’s debt consolidation more effectively, providing the relief you need. Benefits of Business Consolidation Loans While managing multiple debts can be overwhelming, business consolidation loans offer a practical solution for easing the burden. By merging several debts into a single loan, you’ll simplify your repayment process to one monthly payment, reducing the complexity of tracking multiple due dates. Often, these loans come with lower interest rates than your existing debts, which can lead to substantial savings over time and lower overall borrowing costs. Consolidating your debts can boost your cash flow, as lower monthly payments free up capital for operational expenses or growth opportunities. If you’re a web developer, debt consolidation can be particularly beneficial, allowing you to focus on your projects rather than juggling payments. Furthermore, consistent, timely payments on your consolidation loan can improve your credit score and enhance your credit utilization ratio, paving the way for future financing opportunities, including potential business debt forgiveness options. Drawbacks of Business Consolidation Loans Although business consolidation loans can simplify debt management, they come with several drawbacks that you should consider. Here are a few important points: Longer repayment terms can lead to higher overall interest payments. Additional fees, like origination fees, may offset potential savings. Collateral requirements put valuable assets at risk if you miss payments. Furthermore, even though consolidation can streamline your finances, it doesn’t tackle the underlying issues causing your debt, such as revenue or spending problems. In addition, applying for a loan often involves a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily impact your credit score and your ability to borrow in the future. These factors are vital to evaluate before deciding if a consolidation loan is the right choice for your business. Comprehending these drawbacks can help you make a more informed decision about your financial future. Key Factors to Evaluate Before Consolidating Before you consolidate your debts, it’s essential to analyze your current financial situation, including outstanding balances and interest rates. Comparing loan terms from different lenders will help you find a consolidation option that better suits your needs. Furthermore, evaluate how this move will affect your cash flow, weighing short-term relief against long-term repayment implications. Current Debt Analysis Evaluating your current debts is crucial before you consider consolidation, as it lays the foundation for a sound financial decision. Start by listing all your outstanding balances, interest rates, and repayment terms to understand your financial obligations. Assess your cash flow to guarantee you can handle monthly payments without strain. Review your credit score, as many lenders set minimum requirements and offer better rates to those with stronger profiles. Calculate the average interest rate of your current debts to ensure the new consolidation loan offers savings. Additionally, confirm which debts are eligible for consolidation and be aware of any fees that could diminish the benefits, helping you make an informed choice. Loan Terms Comparison When you’re considering a business consolidation loan, comparing loan terms is essential to guarantee you’re making a financially sound choice. Start by evaluating the annual percentage rate (APR), which can range from 8.69% to 41.26%. You want the best interest rate for your credit profile. Next, consider the loan repayment period; terms can extend up to 12 years, resulting in lower monthly payments that ease cash flow. Don’t overlook additional fees, like origination fees, as they can affect the total cost of consolidation. Check the qualification requirements, including minimum credit scores and business history, to verify you qualify. Finally, be aware that a hard inquiry may temporarily lower your credit score, impacting future borrowing options. Cash Flow Impact Comprehending the cash flow impact of a business consolidation loan is fundamental, especially since it can greatly affect your operational flexibility. Evaluating how consolidation affects your cash flow can help you make informed decisions. Lower monthly payments can free up to 30% of cash flow for other operational expenses. Analyzing existing debt repayment schedules will clarify if consolidation improves cash flow or merely extends repayment periods. Fixed repayment terms stabilize cash flow by providing predictable expenses, aiding in budgeting. Understanding the overall borrowing costs is significant, as lower monthly payments might lead to more interest over time. Furthermore, it’s imperative to assess your current revenue streams, since consolidating without addressing underlying financial issues could result in ongoing cash flow challenges. Steps to Consolidate Business Debt Consolidating business debt involves several key steps that can help streamline your financial obligations and improve cash flow. First, assess your current debts by listing all outstanding balances to understand the total amount needing consolidation. Next, check your credit score using free tools, as a higher score can help secure better loan terms during the process. Once you have this information, research various debt consolidation options available through lenders. Compare interest rates, repayment terms, and any additional fees involved. Prepare necessary documentation, including recent tax filings, cash flow projections, and profit-and-loss statements, to facilitate a smoother application process with lenders. Finally, choose the best loan option for consolidation, apply directly or online, and guarantee that the funds are used to pay off existing debts to avoid accumulating further debt. Following these steps can make consolidating your business debt more manageable and effective. Types of Lenders for Business Consolidation Loans Steering through the terrain of lenders for business consolidation loans can greatly influence your financial recovery. Comprehending your options enables you to choose the best fit for your needs. Here are some common types of lenders you might consider: Traditional Banks: They typically offer lower interest rates but often have stricter qualification criteria, making it harder for some businesses to qualify. Credit Unions: These institutions usually provide competitive rates and personalized service, along with more flexible terms than banks. Online Lenders: Gaining popularity for their faster application processes, they often cater to businesses with shorter credit histories, providing more lenient qualification requirements. Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers favorable terms through approved lenders, whereas alternative lenders, such as peer-to-peer platforms, may have innovative solutions for those struggling to secure traditional financing options. Each lender type has unique benefits, so weigh them carefully. How to Qualify for a Business Consolidation Loan Securing a business consolidation loan involves meeting specific criteria that lenders use to evaluate your eligibility. First, you’ll typically need a personal or business credit score of at least 650, though some lenders may have higher requirements. Furthermore, most lenders look for a minimum annual revenue of around $100,000 to guarantee you can manage new loan payments. Demonstrating at least two years of business history is also vital, as it shows stability and experience in the market. Lenders will evaluate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), favoring a DTI of 40% or lower, which indicates your ability to handle debt obligations comfortably. In some cases, lenders may require collateral, such as business assets, to secure the loan. Although this can improve your chances of approval, it’s important to recognize the risk of losing those assets if payments aren’t made on time. Frequently Asked Questions Is Business Debt Consolidation a Good Idea? Business debt consolidation can be a good idea if you’re looking to simplify your financial management. By combining multiple debts into one loan, you reduce the number of monthly payments, which can help you avoid missed payments. It often offers lower interest rates, improving cash flow. Nonetheless, be cautious; longer repayment terms might increase total interest paid. You still need to manage your spending habits to prevent further debt accumulation after consolidation. How Much Is the Payment on a $50,000 Consolidation Loan? For a $50,000 consolidation loan, your monthly payment will depend on the loan’s interest rate and term. At an 8% fixed rate over 5 years, you’d pay approximately $1,012 monthly. If you extend the term to 10 years, that drops to around $606. Lowering the interest to 6% for 5 years brings the payment to about $966. Remember to factor in any additional fees that could affect your total cost. What Is the Downside of Consolidation? One downside of consolidation is that it can lead to longer repayment terms, which might increase the total interest you pay over time. You could furthermore face extra costs like origination fees or prepayment penalties, offsetting potential savings. If you need to provide collateral, you risk losing valuable assets if payments are missed. Moreover, consolidation doesn’t tackle the root financial issues, meaning you may need further strategies for long-term health. What Is the Monthly Payment on a $50,000 Business Loan? The monthly payment on a $50,000 business loan depends on the interest rate and repayment term. For instance, if you secure a fixed interest rate of 10% over five years, your monthly payment would be around $1,061. On the other hand, if the rate is 8% with a three-year term, you’d pay approximately $1,582 monthly. Using a loan calculator can help you determine payments based on varying interest rates and terms, aiding in your financial planning. Conclusion In summary, a business consolidation loan can be a strategic tool for managing your debts more effectively. By combining multiple obligations into one loan, you can simplify your finances and potentially lower your interest rates. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against any drawbacks and carefully assess your financial situation before proceeding. Ultimately, comprehending the consolidation process and knowing how to qualify will empower you to make informed decisions that can improve your business’s financial health. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Business Consolidation Loan and How Can It Help?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Melania The President often commands the attention of any room she enters but all eyes — and cameras — were trained on her humanoid companion on Wednesday. The robot accompanied the first lady to the White House East Room for the final day of a summit she had convened with counterparts from around the world through her Fostering the Future Together global initiative. The group has been discussing ways to empower children using education, innovation and technology, including artificial intelligence. Melania The President and the humanoid walked slowly side by side along the red carpet from the opposite end of the hallway. The first lady paused just before entering the East Room while the robot walked around the table with the panelists and took up a position in the center of the room. It took a moment to scan the audience before speaking. “Thank you, first lady Melania The President, for inviting me to the White House. It is an honor to be at Fostering the Future Together’s global coalition inaugural meeting,” it said. “I’m Figure 03, a humanoid built for the United States of America,” it continued. “I am grateful to be part of this historic movement to empower children with technology and education.” “Welcome,” it said before offering similar greetings in 10 other languages. The robot then thanked everyone and retraced its steps back down the red carpet. The first lady thanked the robot for joining her, adding: “It’s fair to state, you are my first American-made humanoid guest in the White House.” The startup robotics company Figure AI, based in Sunnyvale, California, introduced Figure 03 in October 2025 as its third-generation humanoid robot for people to use at home for help with such household tasks as laundry, cleaning and washing dishes, according to its website and company literature. CEO Brett Adcock said on social media he was “proud to see F.03 make history as the first humanoid robot in the White House.” The startup is competing with others, including Boston Dynamics and Elon Musk’s Tesla, as well as a number of companies in China, in building robots that look human-like and do some of the things that people do. —Darlene Superville, Associated Press Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien contributed to this report. View the full article

Remember the letter-writer whose new team thought they were incredibly overworked, but they actually did nothing? Here’s the update. I wanted to send an update as many of the commentators had requested one. I was the person who wrote about the team that spent all their time reading books and organizing their record collections, and yet kept insisting they were Really Very Busy. Alison’s advice was spot-on — I was only there on a temporary basis, so I decided to just enjoy the madness as a casual observer before I went back to my permanent role. There was a lot of discussion in the comments as to why the team was behaving the way they were, and some of the commentators had great insights. A couple of things that might provide context: – The job that the team does is the sort of job that would have genuinely been quite demanding in the days before smartphones. Without giving too much away, the basic task is supporting colleagues in the field (imagine police officers or the military). So things like iphones, Google maps, and group chats have taken a lot of those tasks away, and the people in the field are now broadly very independent from the people in the office. So I think maybe some of the team’s attitude was a hangover from the old days? – We work in an industry that’s usually very competitive and fast-paced. A few people in the comments wondered if that might have something to do with it and I think on some level it did (it was almost as though they thought they ought to be busy, without considering whether they actually were). – It started to become apparent after a few months that it was management which was significantly adding to the problem. They were OBSESSED with coverage — bringing in four workers when one would do, refusing leave requests because two out of 20 people were already off, etc. It actually got really depressing because I started missing events in my personal life just to be dragged into the office to do nothing, on the basis that “we won’t cope without you.” I really think that management hold a lot of responsibility for the current situation, as the team seem to be feeding off that “coverage anxiety.” One thing I did appreciate was it gave me a lot of time for my own projects. I worked on several pitches for things I really wanted to do, and was successfully given a lot of opportunities in the wider company. But aside from that, the really big thing was that it helped me get over my work anxiety. I’ve been guilty in the past of not setting the right emotional boundaries — the mindset of “I’m lucky to have a job,” as opposed to “money is exchanged for goods and services.” Working somewhere that I really didn’t care about helped cure me of that. I started putting my career ahead of my job and focussing on what would help me succeed in the long-term, as opposed to just working hard for my boss. De-centering my job from my career has completely changed my life — and for that reason, I’m very grateful for my time with the Team That Work Forgot! The post update: my new team thinks they’re incredibly overworked, but they actually do nothing appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

There are many Wrike alternatives that offer Wrike’s features and then some; more features, a better user experience, and, in many cases, a lower price point. Don’t partner with the loudest voice, consider the best Wrike alternatives of 2026 that we’ve tested instead. Chances are high that a project management software from this list will speak your language. Why Do People Seek a Wrike Alternative? Despite its upsides, Wrike can only take you so far in project management. While Wrike allows you to manage tasks, it fails to follow through on its promise of a fully-fledged project management solution, forcing some users to seek a Wrike alternative. First, it’s not easy for beginners to jump in and get started with its project management tools, which is difficult for team onboarding. The interface is complicated, especially if you’re managing more than one project. Also, Wrike’s project management features aren’t as robust as project managers need. What Features Make the Best Wrike Alternatives for Project Management? The features outlined below served as the evaluation criteria we used to review and rank the Wrike alternatives included in this list. Each tool was tested and assessed based on its ability to deliver these core project management capabilities, along with how effectively and intuitively those features are implemented. Rather than simply listing options, our team compared how each platform performs in real-world scenarios to help you identify the best fit for your needs. Gantt charts: Wrike’s Gantt charts allow you to assign tasks, define dependencies and identify the critical path. However, project structures rely on folders and task hierarchies rather than a true work breakdown structure (WBS), which may feel limiting for complex projects. Kanban boards: Wrike includes kanban boards with support for task details, attachments and custom workflows, but they’re less flexible and customizable than those offered by some competing tools. Project dashboards: Wrike provides real-time dashboards to track project performance, but customization and depth of insights can be limited depending on your pricing plan. Task management: Wrike offers solid task management features, including workflow automation and approvals, though advanced capabilities may require higher-tier plans. Project reporting: Wrike includes reporting and analytics tools, but more advanced reporting features and customization options are restricted to premium plans. Resource management: Wrike’s resource management focuses on workload tracking and utilization, but lacks some of the more advanced forecasting and capacity planning features found in other tools. Time tracking: Built-in time tracking and timesheets are available, though they’re relatively basic compared to specialized time-tracking tools. Team collaboration: Wrike supports collaboration through comments, mentions, file sharing and approvals, but the experience can feel fragmented across different views and tools. Automation & AI: Wrike offers workflow automation and some AI-powered features, but these are still evolving and may not be as robust or transparent as in other platforms. Request forms: Custom request forms help standardize project intake, though setup and management can be complex for new users. Integrations: Wrike integrates with a wide range of third-party tools, but some integrations require additional configuration or higher-tier plans. Thankfully, there are other platforms with similar project management tools at a comparable price point. We’ll take a look at 12 of the best Wrike alternatives for 2026 so you can find project management software that suits your needs. 2026 Best Wrike Alternative Software Rankings There are many Wrike alternatives in the market, and each has key features and characteristics that make them unique. The following list includes free, freemium, cloud-based or open-source options. Look through them and decide which is the best Wrike alternative for you. 1. ProjectManager /wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PM-logo-email.png ProjectManager compiles your favorite project management tools to help you plan and track progress from one location. This Wrike alternative makes it easy for project managers and their teams to plan projects, manage work and collaborate alongside the work. It offers multiple project views so everyone can work how they choose, fostering team collaboration every step of the way. ProjectManager Key Features ProjectManager is the best Wrike alternative because managers and teams can work how they want, choosing from traditional Gantt charts, sheet views, task lists and calendars. If a more agile tool is needed, teams can use kanban boards. Having multiple views boosts productivity for cross-functional teams, allowing different departments to work better together. It even features workflow and automation with triggers that automatically push work forward and ensure quality with task approvals. A proven collaboration approach for this tool is to make a plan on the Gantt chart, then have the team execute the plan in the project view of their choosing. And, unlike some other Wrike alternatives on this list, ProjectManager offers a lengthy free 30-day trial. Track Multiple Projects on Real-Time Dashboards You’ll want a Wrike alternative that offers compelling features such as real-time portfolio dashboards that can track time, resources and progress across a portfolio of projects. ProjectManager has these features and can deal with expenses, budgeting and resource management, all features that Wrike doesn’t offer. As the best Wrike alternative, ProjectManager has the features you need to plan, monitor and report on projects throughout their life cycle. Plan and report on projects with a level of sophistication that yields real insights. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dashboard_Construction_Wide_Zoom-150.jpg When you consider the robust project management, work management and collaboration features that ProjectManager offers, it’s clear that it’s the best Wrike alternative for 2026. Ready to try it for yourself? Get started for free today. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Project Management ProjectManager Pros & Key Features Strong time tracking, timesheets and cost control features that connect directly to project budgets and resource planning. Multiple project views including Gantt charts, kanban boards, task lists and calendars for flexible workflows. Advanced scheduling tools with dependencies, critical path analysis and real-time progress tracking. Real-time dashboards and detailed reporting that provide visibility into project performance, costs and workload. Robust resource management features, including workload balancing and team capacity planning. Cloud-based platform with mobile apps for Android and iOS, allowing teams to update tasks and track work from anywhere. 30-day free trial with full feature access, making it easy to evaluate before committing. ProjectManager Cons & Limitations Customization options are more limited compared to some highly flexible competitors. No free plan available, which may be a barrier for smaller teams or individuals. Resource management is solid, but not as advanced as dedicated enterprise resource planning tools. ProjectManager Pricing Team: $15/user/month, billed annually Business: $28/user/month, billed annually ProjectManager Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.1/5 Highlighted User Reviews “ProjectManager works very well with both large and small-scale projects. Being able to use this with anything from a project involving only two members of staff, to hundreds, has been invaluable.” Peter W – from Capterra “We used to manage our projects, resources, and reporting in different systems. Enter ProjectManager. We have consolidated systems and work more efficiently.” Jeffrey M – from Capterra “Having the full scope of activities and who is responsible to do it, plus the time tracking is excellent.” Flavio M – from G2 “It has an excellent accounting system capable of calculating the time that a person has used to develop a task that was assigned to him, I like being able to collaborate with all my colleagues in the Finance sector through ProjectManager.” Jesus C – from G2 “The UI of the application is user-friendly, and it helps to identify what we are looking for with minimal effort.” Pavan H – from G2 /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gantt-Chart-Template-Excel-image.png Get your free Gantt Chart Template Use this free Gantt Chart Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template 2. Smartsheet /wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Smartsheet-logo-transparent-300x187.png Smartsheet takes a very different approach from Wrike by leaning into a spreadsheet-style interface rather than a structured work management system. That makes it one of the easiest tools to pick up, especially for teams already familiar with Excel, but it also comes with trade-offs in terms of depth. Its dashboards and reporting tools pull real-time data across multiple sheets, giving decent visibility into project performance. Collaboration features like comments, attachments and alerts work well for day-to-day coordination, and integrations with tools such as Salesforce, Jira and Microsoft Teams help round out the experience. /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/resource-management-software-smartsheet.webp Where it starts to fall behind is in areas like resource management, time tracking and cost control. Gantt charts support dependencies, but handling complex schedules isn’t as intuitive, and resource planning lacks deeper forecasting. Performance can also slow down with larger datasets. In the end, it still feels closer to a spreadsheet than a fully developed project management platform. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Project Spreadsheets Smartsheet Pros & Key Features Spreadsheet-style interface makes it one of the easiest Wrike alternatives to pick up, especially for teams already working in Excel. Strong dashboards and reporting tools with real-time data pulled across multiple sheets. Collaboration features like comments, attachments and alerts are reliable for day-to-day work. Integrates well with enterprise tools such as Salesforce, Jira and Microsoft Teams. Smartsheet Cons & Limitations Time tracking and cost control features feel limited compared to more complete Wrike alternatives. Gantt charts support task dependencies, but managing complex schedules isn’t as intuitive. Resource management lacks deeper forecasting and long-term capacity planning. Performance can slow down when working with large sheets or multiple collaborators. Still feels closer to a spreadsheet than a fully developed project management platform. Smartsheet Pricing Pro plan: $7/user/month, billed annually Business plan: $25/user/month, billed annually Smartsheet Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Smartsheet has allowed me to take my to-do list and run with it in a way that I didn’t think would be possible.” Victoria W – from G2 “I like that Smartsheet has a lot of different functions. It can be used for project management, inventory or event planning.” Lauren M – from Capterra 3. Microsoft Project Microsoft Project represents a more traditional, structured approach to project management. It goes deeper than Wrike when it comes to scheduling, especially with Gantt charts, critical path analysis and detailed resource planning. It’s a strong fit for large-scale initiatives that require tight control over timelines and costs. Integration with the Microsoft ecosystem—Teams, Excel and SharePoint—also makes it appealing for organizations already working within that stack. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/microsoft-project-gantt-chart.webp That depth comes at a cost. The learning curve is steep, the interface feels dated and collaboration features don’t match what modern teams expect. It also struggles in agile or hybrid environments, making it feel rigid in comparison. Setup alone can take significant time, so while it’s more powerful in certain areas, it’s not as practical for fast-moving teams. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Microsoft Users Microsoft Project Pros & Key Features Delivers some of the most advanced scheduling tools available, especially for Gantt charts and critical path analysis. Strong resource planning and cost tracking capabilities for complex projects. Works well for large-scale initiatives that require structured planning and control. Deep integration with Microsoft tools like Teams, Excel and SharePoint. Microsoft Project Cons & Limitations Steep learning curve makes it harder to adopt than most Wrike alternatives. Collaboration features feel outdated compared to modern cloud-based tools. The interface isn’t built for real-time workflows or fast-moving teams. Limited flexibility when managing agile or hybrid project environments. Setup and configuration can take significant time for new users. Microsoft Project Pricing Project Plan 1: $10/user/month Project Plan 3: $30/user/month Project Plan 5: $55/user/month Microsoft Project Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Microsoft project has really helped to improve my productivity and project planning overall.” Jamie G – from Capterra “I love the automatically generated gantt charts and the timeline feature.” Eric B – from G2 4. ClickUp /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ClickUp-logo1-e1652117646715.png ClickUp positions itself as an all-in-one platform and leans heavily into flexibility. Compared to Wrike, it gives teams more control over how they structure their workflows, with multiple views including list, board and Gantt. It packs in a wide range of features—dashboards, docs, time tracking, automation and even AI tools for generating tasks and reports. For teams trying to consolidate tools into a single platform, it’s one of the more versatile options out there. Pricing is also competitive for what you get. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/clickup-task-list.png That flexibility can backfire. The interface often feels cluttered, onboarding takes time and performance can dip in heavily customized setups. Dashboards usually require manual configuration before they become useful. In practice, it offers more freedom than Wrike, but at the cost of simplicity and ease of use. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Integrations ClickUp Pros & Key Features Extremely flexible with multiple views, making it a versatile Wrike alternative for different workflows. Includes a wide range of features like dashboards, docs, time tracking and automation. AI tools help generate tasks, summaries and reports quickly. Pricing is competitive compared to other all-in-one platforms. ClickUp Cons & Limitations The sheer number of features can feel overwhelming at first. Performance can suffer in highly customized or large workspaces. Interface tends to feel cluttered compared to simpler tools. Initial setup takes time if you want to fully configure workflows. Dashboards and reporting require manual effort to become truly useful. ClickUp Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Unlimited: $7/user/month, billed annually Business: $12/user/month, billed annually Enterprise: contact sales ClickUp Reviews G2 review: 4.7/5 Capterra review: 4.6/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Good for operational tasks and customer support.” Hovhannes G – from G2 “ClickUp sits right in the middle between typical task management tools and business platforms.” Pawel M – from Capterra 5. Monday /wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Logo-Monday.png Monday leans more toward ease of use and visual organization than structured project control. It’s one of the more approachable options, with a clean interface that makes onboarding quick and intuitive, even for non-technical teams. Automation is one of its stronger areas, helping reduce repetitive work, and the wide selection of templates makes it easy to get started across different use cases. Collaboration is also straightforward, with updates, mentions and file sharing built directly into tasks. /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/resource-management-software-monday.com_.webp Once you move into more advanced project needs, the limitations become more noticeable. Scheduling features aren’t as robust, reporting depends heavily on higher-tier plans and resource management lacks depth. Customization looks strong on the surface but doesn’t extend far into deeper project logic. Costs can also rise quickly as teams scale. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Task Management Monday.com Pros & Key Features Clean and intuitive interface makes onboarding fast for most teams. Automation features are strong and help reduce repetitive work. Wide selection of templates for different industries and use cases. Collaboration tools like updates, mentions and file sharing are easy to use. Monday.com Cons & Limitations Gantt charts and scheduling features aren’t as advanced as more specialized tools. Reporting capabilities feel limited unless you upgrade plans. Resource management lacks depth for more complex project environments. Pricing can scale up quickly as teams grow. Customization looks great visually but is more limited in deeper project logic. Monday.com Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Basic: $8/user/month, billed annually Standard: $10/user/month, billed annually Pro: $16/user/month, billed annually Monday.com Reviews G2 review: 4.7/5 Capterra review: 4.6/5 Highlighted User Reviews “We used to have a mess of excel sheets and emails but now everything’s in one place.” Laura A – from G2 “It is overall a great product but it requires a lot of setup initially to take advantage of all its functions and features.” Ana D – from Capterra 6. Asana /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/asana-logo.svg Asana takes a more streamlined approach, focusing on task management and team coordination rather than full-scale project control. It’s one of the more user-friendly options, with a clean interface and multiple views like list, board and timeline. Collaboration is a strong point, with comments, mentions and file sharing making it easy for teams to stay aligned. It works particularly well for cross-functional and agile teams that need flexibility without too much structure. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/asana-kanban-board.webp The trade-off shows up when projects become more complex. Timeline and dependency features are less advanced, resource management is minimal and reporting is fairly basic unless you upgrade. It’s not built for detailed cost tracking or heavy scheduling, so while it’s easier to use, it can feel limiting for more demanding environments. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Cross-functional Work Asana Pros & Key Features Simple and clean interface makes task management easy to adopt. Multiple views support different workflows, including list, board and timeline. Collaboration features are strong, with comments, mentions and file sharing. Works well for cross-functional and agile teams. Asana Cons & Limitations Timeline and dependency features are less advanced than some Wrike alternatives. Resource management and workload forecasting are fairly limited. Reporting is basic unless you move to higher-tier plans. Not designed for complex scheduling or detailed cost tracking. Can feel too lightweight for enterprise-level project management. Asana Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Premium plan: $10.99/user/month, billed annually Business plan: $24.99/user/month, billed annually Asana Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Asana is very easy to use, intuitive for my team members who don’t have tech backgrounds but need to start and contribute right away.” Sara G – from G2 “Overall, I had great success staying organized with this project management tool.” Mary B – from Capterra 7. Trello /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Trello_logo.svg-e1654112954822.png Trello strips project management down to its essentials by focusing almost entirely on kanban boards. That simplicity makes it one of the fastest tools to pick up, with a drag-and-drop interface that works well for visual task tracking. It’s especially effective for small teams or straightforward projects that don’t require much structure. Boards, lists and cards are intuitive, and “Power-Ups” allow you to extend functionality when needed. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Trello-kanban-board.webp That simplicity comes with clear limitations. There are no native Gantt charts, time tracking or robust reporting tools, and resource management is essentially nonexistent without add-ons. It also doesn’t scale well, as boards can become cluttered when managing multiple projects or larger teams. It’s easier to use than Wrike, but far less capable overall. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Kanban Boards Trello Pros & Key Features Extremely simple kanban-style interface makes it one of the easiest Wrike alternatives to start using immediately. Drag-and-drop boards, lists and cards are great for visual task tracking and lightweight workflows. Works well for small teams or straightforward projects that don’t require heavy structure. Wide range of integrations and “Power-Ups” extend its functionality when needed. Trello Cons & Limitations Lacks advanced project management features like robust reporting, resource planning or cost tracking. Not ideal for complex projects with dependencies or critical path requirements. Gantt-style planning and timelines are limited compared to more complete Wrike alternatives. Can quickly become messy when managing multiple projects or larger teams. Relies heavily on add-ons to reach feature parity with more advanced tools. Trello Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Standard: $5/user/month, billed annually Premium: $10/user/month, billed annually Enterprise: $17.50/user/month, billed annually Trello Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I use it at work for my daily tasks and I also use it at home for a variety of different things.” Michelle J – from G2 “Aside from the UI being rather outdated, overall, Trello has streamlined our workflow significantly.” Peter Z – from Capterra 8. Jira /wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Jira_Software_logo-300x106.png Jira is far more specialized than Wrike, focusing heavily on agile project management and software development workflows rather than general-purpose project management. It’s a strong option for technical teams, with built-in support for sprint planning, backlog management and issue tracking. Jira stands out with advanced workflows, automation and customization, allowing teams to build highly tailored processes. Its reporting and analytics are especially strong in agile environments, offering insights through burndown charts and performance metrics. For teams managing complex projects with dependencies and large-scale tracking requirements, it can feel more robust overall. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Jira-kanban-board.png That specialization comes at a cost. The interface can feel overwhelming, especially for non-technical users, and setup requires time and experience to configure properly. Collaboration isn’t as intuitive, and the platform can feel like overkill for teams that don’t follow agile methodologies. It delivers more depth in certain areas, but lacks the balance and accessibility that make Wrike easier to adopt across different teams. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Software Development Jira Pros & Key Features Strong support for agile project management, including sprint planning, backlog tracking and issue management. Advanced workflows, automation and customization make it a powerful Wrike alternative for technical teams. Robust reporting and analytics provide deep insights into team performance and progress. Handles complex projects with dependencies, large teams and detailed tracking requirements. Jira Cons & Limitations Steep learning curve makes it difficult for non-technical users to adopt. Interface can feel overwhelming and overly complex for general project management use. Setup and workflow configuration require time and experience to get right. Less intuitive for collaboration compared to more user-friendly Wrike alternatives. Overkill for simple projects or teams that don’t follow agile methodologies. Jira Pricing Free plan: $0 user/month Standard: about $7.53 user/month Premium: about $13.53 user/month Enterprise: contact sales Jira Reviews G2 review: 4.3/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “In my office we use jira for task management and time management, which helps us for team projects with multiple moving parts.” Saili K – from G2 “Once we got past the learning phase, Jira significantly improved our project efficiency and collaboration.” Abu R – from Capterra 9. Kantata /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kantata-logo.png Kantata takes a more specialized approach, focusing on professional services and project-based businesses that need strong financial and resource management capabilities. It goes beyond typical project tracking by combining operational and financial oversight in a single platform. Kantata brings together project management, time tracking, expense tracking and project accounting, making it particularly useful for teams managing billable work. Its resource planning and forecasting tools are more advanced, and its reporting provides portfolio-level visibility that supports data-driven decision-making. This makes it a strong fit for agencies or organizations handling multiple client projects. /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/resource-management-software-kantata.webp The trade-off is usability. The interface isn’t as intuitive, and the platform can feel overly complex for teams that don’t need financial tracking or PSA-level features. Setup and onboarding take time, and pricing is clearly geared toward enterprise users. While it offers deeper financial and resource capabilities, it sacrifices some of the flexibility and ease of use that make Wrike more accessible. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Resource Management Kantata Pros & Key Features Strong resource management, forecasting and financial tracking make it a serious Wrike alternative for service-based teams. Combines project management with time tracking, expense tracking and project accounting in one platform. Advanced reporting and portfolio-level visibility help with data-driven decision making. Good fit for agencies or organizations managing multiple client projects simultaneously. Kantata Cons & Limitations Learning curve can be noticeable, especially for teams unfamiliar with PSA (professional services automation) tools. Interface isn’t as intuitive as more modern or lightweight project management platforms. Overly complex for teams that don’t need financial tracking or portfolio management. Setup and onboarding take time due to the depth of features. Pricing and feature structure are geared more toward enterprise users. Kantata Pricing Enter your company info to see custom pricing Kantata Reviews G2 review: 4.1/5 Capterra review: 4.2/5 Highlighted User Reviews “The best thing about Kantata is that I can see budgets and time entries in real-time.” Rachel S – from G2 “The time tracking and resource allocation features are very well integrated into the system.” Hussain A – from Capterra 10. ProofHub /wp-content/uploads/2022/02/proofhub-300x73.png ProofHub aims to deliver a simpler, all-in-one project management experience without the complexity of more advanced tools. It combines task management, collaboration and reporting into a single workspace, making it a more straightforward option for teams that want everything in one place. ProofHub includes Gantt charts, kanban boards, calendars and task lists, offering flexibility in how projects are planned and tracked. Its built-in proofing and approval tools are particularly useful for creative and marketing teams, and the flat pricing model with unlimited users makes costs more predictable. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/proofhub.webp That simplicity comes with limitations. Reporting and analytics are more basic, resource management and forecasting are limited, and customization doesn’t go far enough for more complex workflows. The interface can feel dated, and performance isn’t always consistent. It’s easier to manage overall, but doesn’t offer the same level of depth needed for larger or more demanding project environments. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Large Teams ProofHub Pros & Key Features All-in-one platform that combines task management, collaboration and reporting in a single workspace. Includes Gantt charts, kanban boards, calendars and task lists for flexible project planning. Built-in proofing and approval tools are especially useful for creative and marketing teams. Flat pricing model with unlimited users makes it a cost-effective Wrike alternative. ProofHub Cons & Limitations Reporting and analytics are more basic compared to more advanced Wrike alternatives. Limited customization for workflows and advanced project structures. Resource management and forecasting features lack depth. Interface can feel dated compared to newer tools. Not ideal for highly complex or large-scale project environments. ProofHub Pricing ProofHub has a flat pricing fee of $89 per month or $45 with limited features, billed annually ProofHub Reviews G2 review: 4.5/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “The best thing I like about ProofHub is the way it organizes tasks and the detailed information each task captures.” Jagadeep S – from G2 “There are areas that need to be improved and more user customization would benefit this platform greatly.” David F – from Capterra 11. Bonsai /wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bonsai-logo.pngBonsai takes a different angle than Wrike by blending project management with business operations, especially for agencies and freelancers. Instead of focusing purely on task and workflow management, it brings together project tracking, client collaboration and financial tools in a single platform. You still get core planning features like kanban boards and Gantt charts, which are enough to organize tasks, set dependencies and track progress. Resource planning is also built in, helping teams manage workloads and avoid bottlenecks when handling multiple client projects. /wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bonsai-Project-Management-Software-for-Agencies-1600x898.webp Where Bonsai really separates itself is on the financial side. Time tracking, budgeting, invoicing and contract management are all tightly connected, so you can see project profitability in real time without jumping between tools. The client portal also makes collaboration more structured, especially for agencies managing external stakeholders. The trade-off is in project management depth. Workflows, reporting and advanced planning features don’t go as far as Wrike, and customization is fairly limited. It works well for small to mid-size teams that want an all-in-one business tool, but for larger or more complex projects, it can start to feel restrictive pretty quickly. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Agency Project Management Bonsai Pros & Key Features Feels more like a business management tool than a pure project management platform, combining tasks, time tracking and billing in one place. Gantt charts, time tracking and budgeting are tightly connected, which makes it easy to see project profitability in real time. Client collaboration stands out with a dedicated client portal and integrated contracts, invoices and proposals. Simple interface makes it easy to manage projects without much setup or training. Bonsai Cons & Limitations Project management features are relatively lightweight compared to more robust Wrike alternatives. Reporting and dashboards exist, but they’re more focused on financials than deep project analytics. Limited flexibility for complex workflows, dependencies or large-scale project structures. Kanban boards and advanced planning tools aren’t as strong as in more specialized platforms. Integrations are somewhat limited and often rely on third-party connectors. Bonsai Pricing Basic: $9/user/month Essentials: $19/user/month Premium: $29/user/month Elite: $49/user/month Bonsai Reviews G2 review: 4.3/5 Capterra review: 4.6/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Basic CRM if paying for a basic package. Reasonably priced and does what it says on the tin.” Anita O – from G2 “If you’re a freelancer looking for something to get started very quickly, then Bonsai will be great.” Brandon B – from Capterra 12. Flow Flow takes a much lighter approach than Wrike, focusing primarily on task management and team collaboration rather than full project planning. It’s a simpler option for teams that want to organize work without dealing with the complexity of more advanced tools. Flow offers kanban boards, task lists and basic dashboards that make it easy to track day-to-day work. Collaboration features such as comments, updates and task-level communication are built in, and its straightforward workload management helps distribute tasks across team members without much setup. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/flow-user-interface.png The trade-off shows up quickly once projects become more demanding. Reporting and analytics are minimal, customization options are limited, and there are no advanced planning tools like critical path analysis or detailed resource forecasting. It ends up feeling more like a task manager than a complete project management system, and scalability becomes an issue as projects grow in size or complexity. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Team Accountability Flow Pros & Key Features Clean and intuitive interface makes it easy to organize tasks and projects without a steep learning curve. Kanban boards and task lists are straightforward and effective for day-to-day project tracking. Good collaboration features with comments, updates and team communication built into tasks. Simple workload management helps distribute tasks across team members. Flow Cons & Limitations Lacks the depth of reporting and analytics expected from stronger Wrike alternatives. Limited customization options for workflows and dashboards. No real advanced project planning features like critical path analysis or detailed resource forecasting. Feels more like a task manager than a full project management system. Scalability becomes an issue when managing larger or more complex projects. Flow Pricing Basic: $6/user/month, billed annually Plus: $8/user/month, billed annually Pro: $10/user/month, billed annually Flow Reviews G2 review: 4.3/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Flow has a very attractive user interface that makes navigating the app an aesthetically pleasing experience.” Titus A – from G2 “Clarity across all my team’s projects. More productive workers. Better team building and higher morale.” Jens R – from Capterra 13. nTask /wp-content/uploads/2023/11/nTask-Logo-Vertical-600-300x300.png nTask positions itself as a more affordable alternative to Wrike, offering a surprisingly broad set of features for teams that need more than just basic task management. It covers many of the same fundamentals, including Gantt charts, kanban boards and reporting, but at a lower price point. One area where nTask stands out is its inclusion of risk management and issue tracking, which aren’t always standard in tools at this level. It also combines time tracking, meeting management and collaboration features into a single platform, making it a practical option for smaller teams that want an all-in-one solution without a heavy setup process. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ntask.webp In practice, though, the experience isn’t as refined. Reporting and dashboards are more basic, automation and workflow capabilities are limited, and performance can become inconsistent with larger projects. While the feature coverage is solid, execution feels less polished overall, making it better suited for smaller teams rather than complex environments. Verdict: Best Wrike Alternative for Task Tracking nTask Pros & Key Features Surprisingly complete feature set for a lower-cost Wrike alternative, including Gantt charts, kanban boards and reporting. Includes built-in risk management and issue tracking, which is not common in many tools at this price point. Time tracking, meeting management and collaboration tools are all integrated into one platform. Easy to use with a relatively quick setup compared to more complex tools. nTask Cons & Limitations Interface feels less polished compared to more established project management platforms. Reporting and dashboards are functional but not as advanced or customizable. Performance and responsiveness can be inconsistent with larger projects. Automation and workflow capabilities are more limited than higher-end Wrike alternatives. Overall feature depth is good, but execution feels less refined. nTask Pricing Premium: $3/user/month, billed annually Business: $8/user/month, billed annually nTask Reviews G2 review: 4.3/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I like the task board, since it has three different ways to visualize it: list, grid and calendar.” Mauricio P – from G2 “There are just a few things I would change, but it has helped our organization stay more organized and track progress on tasks.” Todd F – from Capterra 14. Zoho Projects /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/zoho-logo1-300x123.png Zoho Projects sits somewhere in the middle, offering a balanced mix of project planning, reporting and automation features at a relatively low cost. It leans more heavily into scheduling than Wrike, with Gantt charts that support task dependencies and critical path tracking. Reporting and dashboards provide real-time visibility into project progress and team performance, while time tracking, automation and customizable workflows give it flexibility across different use cases. Its integration ecosystem—especially within Zoho—adds another layer of functionality. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/backlog-header.png That said, the experience can feel less polished. The interface is more cluttered, setup takes time and collaboration isn’t as seamless as more communication-focused tools. Resource management is there but doesn’t go as deep, and the platform tends to work best if you’re already invested in the Zoho ecosystem. Verdict: The Best Low-cost Wrike Alternative Zoho Projects Pros & Key Features Strong Gantt charts with task dependencies and critical path tracking make it a solid Wrike alternative for scheduling. Comprehensive reporting and dashboards provide real-time insights into project progress and team performance. Includes time tracking, automation and customizable workflows for different use cases. Extensive integrations within the Zoho ecosystem and with third-party tools. Zoho Projects Cons & Limitations Interface can feel cluttered and less intuitive compared to more modern tools. Setup and customization take time, especially for new users. Collaboration features are solid but not as seamless as more communication-focused platforms. Resource management is present but not as advanced as some enterprise-level alternatives. Best experience often depends on using other Zoho products. Zoho Projects Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Premium: $4/user/month, billed annually Enterprise: $9/user/month, billed annually Zoho Projects Reviews G2 review: 4.3/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “What I like most is how it integrates perfectly with the entire Zoho ecosystem.” Emy L – from G2 “While the UI and the setup were slightly complicated, Zoho Projects helps you track your projects efficiently.” Shria G – from Capterra 15. Teamwork /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/teamwork-logo-project-management-tool-300x87.png Teamwork is a more structured option that’s particularly strong for client-facing work. It leans more heavily than Wrike into time tracking, budgeting and profitability, making it a better fit for agencies and professional services teams managing billable projects. Project planning is solid, with Gantt charts, workload management and detailed reporting dashboards that give clear visibility into performance. Collaboration is also well-supported, with file sharing, comments and client access built into the platform. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/resource-workload-management-e1700159217437.webp That added depth comes with some friction. The platform can feel more complex than necessary for smaller teams, onboarding takes time and the interface isn’t always intuitive at first. Some advanced features are also locked behind higher-tier plans, so while it offers stronger financial tracking, it’s not as accessible for teams looking for a simpler setup. Verdict: Teamwork Is the Best Wrike Alternative for Service Providers Teamwork Pros & Key Features Well-rounded Wrike alternative with strong project planning, Gantt charts and workload management. Excellent time tracking, budgeting and profitability tracking for client-facing projects. Detailed reporting and dashboards give good visibility into project health and performance. Collaboration tools are robust, including file sharing, comments and client access. Teamwork Cons & Limitations Interface and feature set can feel overwhelming at first. More complex than necessary for small teams or simple projects. Setup and onboarding take time due to the number of features available. Mobile experience is less polished than the web version. Some advanced features are locked behind higher-tier pricing plans. Teamwork Pricing Starter $5.99/user/month, billed annually Deliver $9.99/user/month, billed annually Grow $19.99/user/month, billed annually Teamwork Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.4/5 Highlighted User Reviews “It’s a great tool for unifying developers, designers and everyone involved in a project, needing little training.” Brett W – from G2 “Can also be used for personal projects, tasks, planning and dreaming/distractions, to get the info out of your head and recorded in a central system.” Jacki B – from G2 The Best Wrike Alternative Is Clear You’ve seen the top 15 Wrike alternatives listed in descending order. It’s clear that ProjectManager has more of what makes Wrike popular and leaves the other Wrike alternatives in the rearview mirror. Get ProjectManager today for free and get even more features, such as risk management, task management and resource management features that will help you deliver successful projects. Related Content Best Project Management Software: Rankings, Reviews & Comparisons Best Project Management Software Microsoft Project Alternatives Best Monday.com Alternatives Best Smartsheet Alternatives Best ClickUp Alternatives Best Asana Alternatives ProjectManager is the best Wrike alternative for project management. Our online project management software does everything Wrike does and more. Our dashboard metrics give you a clearer picture of your project’s progress. Resource management is more robust. Budgets stay on track with real-time monitoring of costs. That’s just the beginning. We have the best project management features such as online Gantt charts to plan, time tracking, task management and project portfolio management. Get started today for free. The post 15 Best Wrike Alternatives of 2026 (Free + Paid) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Garmin’s Vivoactive watches are some of my favorites for casual fitness tracking. The Vivoactive 6 is the newest version, but right now you can get a steal on the Vivoactive 5 for just $179.99 in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Garmin vívoactive 5 Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch $179.95 at Amazon $194.85 Save $14.90 Get Deal Get Deal $179.95 at Amazon $194.85 Save $14.90 The Vivoactive 5 originally launched at $299.99 in 2023. When the Vivoactive 6 came out, the 5 dropped to $229.99. It’s been hovering around the $200 mark since the holiday season, but is now at $179.99, give or take a few dollars depending on which color you choose. For more about why I like the Vivoactives, check out my comparison of the Vivoactive 5 with the Pixel Watch 3, where the Vivoactive pulls off an underdog win. It’s cheaper, the fitness features are faster and easier to access, and it has more than a week’s worth of battery life. While I don’t have a dedicated review of the Vivoactive 5, I’d recommend reading my review of the Vivoactive 6, a similar watch. The 6 added more coaching options, and a more robust navigation system, but otherwise the differences are mostly superficial. The core features are the same on both. Those core features include a 42-millimeter body (that’s on the smaller size for smartwatches); a touchscreen for most features but physical buttons to start, stop and lap workouts; Garmin’s always-excellent workout tracking and analytics; and everyday conveniences like hydration and relaxation reminders, a morning report, weather forecasts, and incident detection. The Vivoactive watches also have a mode for wheelchair users that counts pushes rather than steps, and includes wheelchair and hand-cycling activities. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $209.99 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Valerie Cherish is back, and not a moment too soon. Twenty years after a modestly rated but absolutely brilliant first season, mega-cringe Hollywood satire The Comeback has returned to HBO for one more painfully embarrassing season (complimentary) Co-created by and starring Lisa Kudrow, it's the hilarious, dark, and occasionally moving story of a C-list celebrity determined to stay in the limelight at whatever cost. Valerie Cherish—clueless, egotistical, and all-too-human—is one of TV's indelible characters, simultaneously a victim of ageism, misogyny, and celebrity culture, and also a woman who doesn't care about any of that provided she can find a way to scrabble to the top. Likewise, these 10 shows spotlight women (mostly) of a certain age navigating career challenges with...mixed results. Hacks (2021 – ) On the surface, Valerie Cherish and Deborah Vance don't have all that much in common, but they often feel like two sides of a coin in the ways in which they battle, and concede to, the pressures of being a woman in modern show business. Hacks finds 25-year-old writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) struggling to get her career back one track after getting cancelled over a tweet. She reluctantly takes a job with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a comedy trailblazer who remains popular with an older Vegas crown, but whose career is largely on autopilot. They're an entirely mismatched pair, but their chemistry is ultimately explosive, with Jean Smart doing some of the best work of her incredible career as the often deeply unlikeable Vance, and Einbinder more than holding her own in return. It's funny, bitchy, and surprisingly moving when it wants to be. Stream Hacks on HBO Max. Hacks (2021 – ) Learn More Learn More Girls5eva (2021 – 2024) The premise is very much about a comeback: A very ‘90s group (Sara Bareilles, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Renée Elise Goldsberry) who made it big very briefly with exactly one hit song gets its own shot at a career resurgence (they’re Girls5eva because they expected to be in the game “longer than 4 ever”—turned out, not so much; also there used to be a fifth member, but she died in a tragic infinity pool accident). After an up-and-coming rapper samples one of their old hits, the band reunites to try to find new relevancy in the 2020s. It doesn't go great! Tina Fey is one of the executive producers, and the (very fun) '90s-inspired original music was composed and written for the show by the creators. Stream Girls5Eva on Peacock and Netflix. Girls5eva (2021 – 2024) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Veep (2012 – 2019) There's a sweet vulnerability to Valerie Cherish absent from pretty much anyone in Veep, but the air of cringeworthy desperation hangs heavy over both shows. Veep asks: What if the very worst people imaginable had control of all the levers of power in America? What would that be like? In the highly satirical and in no way politically relevant series, Julia Louis-Dreyfus brilliantly plays Vice President Selina Meyer: part icon, part worst-case-scenario for the feminist dream. The supporting cast consists almost entirely of entitled rich people climbing over each other for infinitesimal extra bits of power while trying to appear as folk heroes to the rubes (us voters). It’s one of the funniest shows ever on TV, with the nastiest put-downs...if you can handle the fact that history has overtaken it in favor of a reality that's even more absurd. Stream Veep on HBO Max. Veep (2012 – 2019) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max The Studio (2025 – ) Industry exec Matt Remick (Comeback vet Seth Rogen) loves movies, and when he signs on for a high-profile role at the fictional Continental Studios, he feels like his time has come. He aims to make a real difference in returning an increasingly IP-driven movie industry to its creative roots.—until about a minute into his new job, when the CEO (Bryan Cranston) reveals his first order of business will be marketing the Kool-Aid Man Movie. Hollywood satires of yore have focused on the industry as one that eats people up and spits them out, but the spin here is that Remick yearns for those good old days, much as Valerie can never quite seem to move forward. The late Catherine O'Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders (Bodies Bodies Bodies), and Kathryn Hahn also star, and like The Comeback, the show boasts a long list of celebrity cameos. Stream The Studio on Apple TV+. The Studio (2025 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Enlightened (2011 – 2013) Before The White Lotus, Mike White co-created (with star Laura Dern) this beloved, if short-lived, comedy-drama about a middle-aged woman who has a complete mental breakdown following a demotion at the job to which she's devoted her life. Following a two-month stay in an holistic treatment facility, Dern's Amy Jellicoe becomes determined to approach life with a new perspective, focusing on meditation and positive change at work and at home. The results are mixed, but there's also a rather beautiful sense that change is absurd and difficult, but also entirely possible. Stream Enlightened on HBO Max. Enlightened (2011 – 2013) Learn More Learn More No Good Deed (2024) I'm adding this one largely for the Lisa Kudrow of it all, but there's a similar vein of dark comedy here—plus, No Good Deed is a pretty great show that a lot of people missed. The setup sounds like a juicy crime thrillers: Kudrow is retired pianist Lydia; Ray Romano is her husband, Paul. The two are in rather tricky financial straits and need to sell their home without wanting to seem too desperate to prospective buyers—and also hide a secret involving a death a few years prior. For all that, it's very much a comedy, with a great supporting cast that includes Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, O-T Fagbenle, and Teyonah Parris. Stream No Good Deed on Netflix. No Good Deed (2024) Learn More Learn More Younger (2015 – 2021) Rather than a young woman seeking to make a name for herself, Younger follows Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a recently divorced woman in her 40s who finds that age is a barrier to reentering the publishing industry she left years earlier. After a compliment convinces her that she could pass for a younger woman, she lies that she's just 26 (must be nice) in order to land an entry-level job. Misadventures ensue. Think of it as a story of coming-of-age, again. Stream Younger on Netflix. Younger (2015 – 2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Hot in Cleveland (2010 – 2015) In contrast to The Comeback's reality TV style and structure, this is very much a traditional three-camera sitcom, albeit one with a stacked cast of legends, though it approaches the challenges of being a middle-aged woman in entertainment in many of the same ways. Writer Melanie (Valerie Bertinelli), beautician Joy (Jane Leeves), and soap diva Victoria (Wendie Malick) wind up spending a wild night in Cleveland after a plane to Paris is diverted, discovering in the process that, while they're seen as over-the-hill back in Los Angeles, they're all Ohio 10s—though the sassy caretaker of their house, Elka (Betty White), might not agree. Stream Hot in Cleveland on Paramount+. Hot in Cleveland at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ Grace and Frankie (2015 – 2022) Close female friendships are hard to come by for the driven, slightly clueless Valerie, a woman focused on staying on top. Jane Fonda's Grace, a cosmetics mogul, isn't much different at the start, but she finds a different path when she makes a truce with her arch-nemesis Frankie (Lily Tomlin), a quirky artist with whom she has nothing in common—other than the fact that their husbands left them for one another. (Valerie might take some notes.) Stream Grace and Frankie on Netflix. Grace and Frankie at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Call My Agent! (2015 – 2020) International sensation Call My Agent! shifts its focus between four talent agents at a prestigious firm who are forced to take the reins following the sudden death of the agency founder, all of them getting a second chance in mid-career—or beyond. The cast is lead by Camille Cottin as Andréa Martel, while Liliane Rovère's Arlette Azéma is in her '80s. They navigate their messy personal lives while catering to the needs of their real celebrity clients (Juliette Binoche, Monica Bellucci, Isabelle Huppert, and Sigourney Weaver are just some of the name guest stars playing faintly exaggerated versions of themselves). It's soapy, addictive showbiz fun, a dishy delight even if you know not a lick of French. Stream Call My Agent! on Netflix. Call My Agent! (2015 – 2020) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix View the full article

Welcome to AI Decoded, Fast Company’s weekly newsletter that breaks down the most important news in the world of AI. You can sign up to receive this newsletter every week via email here. François Chollet on AI benchmarks I wrote an exclusive feature this week about the launch of a new AI benchmark called ARC-AGI-3. The benchmark was created by influential AI researcher Francois Chollet, who also created the widely-used Keras deep learning framework, a simplified toolkit for building AI models. Chollet has long argued that current AI models are limited in their ability to navigate novel situations and problems. The ARC test, which humans can master but not most AI systems, is designed to lay bare that limitation. My interview with Chollet contained a lot of general insights that didn’t make it into the story. Here are some of them (with my annotations in bold.) ARC-AGI-3 asks AI agents to navigate a series of simplistic video games, without instructions. Here’s Chollet on why current models struggle to do that: “It’s because they are reliant on memorization and retrieval, and the game is something they’ve never seen before. They’ve never played that particular game before or games like it, because each one is unique. So they’re lost. But a human is generally intelligent. A human is never lost. A human figures it out on the fly because they have fluid intelligence.” I began to imagine how I would approach figuring out the games. I suggested to Chollet that my main strategy would be thinking about similar scenarios I’d seen in the past or in other contexts, and trying to apply them. “Models have a lot of abstractions encoded in them. They have in fact more knowledge than you do. But they have very low ability to recombine that knowledge at test time to make sense of something they’ve never seen before. It’s the way the entire paradigm works. We are really good at absorbing knowledge, absorbing lots and lots of patterns. Better than the human brain, and at a much bigger scale. We are very bad at fluid intelligence, which is taking those patterns and actually combining them on the fly to form a new model [of a problem].” On what exactly an AI model would need to score highly on the benchmark: “They need small amounts of world modeling and continual learning–continual learning being the idea that on one level you’re going to learn one concept, on the next level you’re going to reuse that concept but learn a new one, and on the third level you’re going to add a third concept, and so on. It’s continual learning.” Not only do AI models need to continually learn, but they also need to form a model of the world that captures causes and effects. Chollet explains: “In general, all the ingredients you need in order to solve ARC 3 the right way, without brute forcing, without training on millions of games, are the ingredients of human intelligence but on a very small scale. The control space is tiny, the sensor space is tiny, the mechanics of the worlds are very simple, and your learning time scale is very short. But it’s fundamentally about dealing with the unknown. You have to explore. You have to try things and then build, step by step, bit by bit, a causal model of what’s going on, like ‘what happened when I pressed this button?'” Then you have to figure out what you want to be doing in this world. Like a child learning to move around. They have to figure out how their sense of space works, how the environment responds to what they’re doing. And when they start being able to do things, like crawling, they have to figure out what they want to be doing. Where do I want to crawl? If I can grab an object, why would I want to grab this object or that object? On what would happen if we did incorporate these solutions and got close to a perfect score playing the games in ARC-AGI-3: The causal models you need to build to solve these games are dramatically simpler than the causal models of the world that you have in your head. And the continual learning you have to do to solve one of these games is on the scale of a few minutes–five minutes, 10 minutes of gameplay. A human does decades of continual learning. So it’s the right ingredients at a very small scale. It’s a step in the right direction, but you cannot say this is human level. OpenAI may have zapped Sora as part of a pivot toward ‘world modeling’ OpenAI has decided to shut down its Sora app, which lets users generate AI videos and then share them on its TikTok-style social feed. Its reason for doing so may dovetail with a growing trend among AI video generation players. The AI lab may be pivoting toward using its AI video generation technology for world modeling and simulation. “As we focus and compute demand grows, the Sora research team continues to focus on world simulation research to advance robotics that will help people solve real-world, physical tasks,” an OpenAI spokesperson told Axios. That technology which can also be used in game development, digital twins, and special effects in visual entertainment. AI video generation companies Moonvalley and Runway AI are also moving toward developing world models. OpenAI might also have been spooked by the obvious copyright infringement risk of apps like Sora. Many copyright holders, including Hollywood studios and actors, were shocked to see that Sora often used well-known faces and had no clear guardrails for controlling it. OpenAI responded by offering to give Hollywood studios and actors more control over their IP and likenesses on the platform. Disney characters were among the first copyrighted assets to show up in Sora videos. But the two companies made a deal: Disney was invited to invest a billion dollars in OpenAI, and agreed to allow the use of classic Disney characters in Sora videos. The Hollywood Reporter now reports that the deal is off. OpenAI will continue building its video generation models, and it’s possible that something like Sora will be added to ChatGPT. More AI coverage from Fast Company: What happens when an AI agent decides to email you This Microsoft security team stress-tests AI for its worst-case scenarios Why breaking news still wins in the age of AI This artist’s work has been shown at MoMA. Now it’s training AI Want exclusive reporting and trend analysis on technology, business innovation, future of work, and design? Sign up for Fast Company Premium. View the full article

Stop thinking small. By Sandi Leyva The Complete Guide to Marketing for Tax & Accounting Firms Go PRO for members-only access to more Sandi Smith Leyva. View the full article

Stop thinking small. By Sandi Leyva The Complete Guide to Marketing for Tax & Accounting Firms Go PRO for members-only access to more Sandi Smith Leyva. View the full article

Today's Bissett Bullet: “Who is sending new business your way and who isn’t but really ought to be?” By Martin Bissett See more Bissett Bullets here Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Today's Bissett Bullet: “Who is sending new business your way and who isn’t but really ought to be?” By Martin Bissett See more Bissett Bullets here Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article