Aalto vs Programa
Aalto vs Programa: which fits your studio
A focused, lightweight way to capture, curate, and share products, next to a full studio management suite.
Free forever plan · No credit card required
Programa aims to run the whole studio, from projects to invoicing. Aalto focuses on one job and does it well: capturing products from supplier sites, curating them visually, and sharing them with clients. Many teams use a lightweight curation tool alongside their project system, and this page lays out the differences so you can choose.
Which should you choose?
Choose Programa if you want one system for projects, specs, client approvals and invoicing. Choose Aalto if you want fast product capture, visual curation and client boards without replacing the tools you already run.
Aalto vs Programa at a glance
| Feature | Aalto | Programa |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Product capture, curation, and sharing | End-to-end studio management |
| Best for | Fast sourcing and visual curation | Running projects, invoicing, and admin |
| Save from supplier sites | Browser extension captures product data | Web Clipper turns a product URL into a spec |
| Getting started | Free plan, sign up and save in minutes | 7-day free trial, then paid plans |
| Views | Table, grid, and canvas | Schedules and project boards |
| Client sharing | Read-only board of product images and names | Client dashboard and presentations with sign-off |
Sourcing without a studio system
Aalto focuses on the sourcing and curation step, so you can capture and organise products without setting up a whole studio system.
A free plan, not a trial
Sign up and start saving products in minutes on the free plan, then upgrade to Pro when your team grows.
Works next to your project tools
Use Aalto for capture and curation alongside whatever you already run for project management and billing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Aalto and Programa?
Programa is project management and specification software that also covers schedules, client presentations with approvals, and invoicing. Aalto covers one part of that work: saving products from supplier sites, organising them by project and room, sharing boards with clients, and exporting the schedule.
Is Aalto cheaper than Programa?
Aalto has a free plan with 100 products and one collection, and Pro is $19 per member per month. Programa offers a 7-day free trial and then paid plans that vary by region, so check its pricing page for your market.
Can I use Aalto alongside Programa?
Yes. Some studios use Aalto to capture and curate products during sourcing and keep their project management and invoicing in another system. Aalto exports selections to CSV, and to Excel or PDF on Pro.
Does Aalto handle invoicing or procurement?
No. Aalto does not send invoices or place orders. It tracks each product's status from saved to shortlisted, ordered, delivered and installed.
Try the focused option
Start curating products in minutes on the free plan and see how a lighter tool fits your studio.