Trello is a pioneer of project management solutions that use kanban-style user interfaces. Since its launch in 2011, Trello has continued to evolve and revamp its card system layout by adding new features like timelines, dashboards and tables.
In the same time frame, several other project management solutions have emerged as alternatives to Trello. If Trello is not an ideal fit for your company, you should consider using one of these alternative software options. We have highlighted the seven top Trello alternatives on this page for your consideration.
Why would you need a Trello alternative?
Trello’s main strength is its simplicity and easy learning curve; teams and individuals can quickly add new boards and cards without menu-diving or other navigation hassles. However, some users and teams may have outgrown Trello and need features that can handle more complex projects and workflows.
SEE: Use this project management hiring kit to find the right person to lead your project teams.
Thankfully, there are numerous project management tools to choose from and each has its own features, strengths and unique abilities. Here are the top alternatives to Trello with explanations of key features, integrations and potential use cases.
Trello alternatives: Comparison table
| Software | Kanban boards | Gantt charts | Workflow automation | Native time tracking | Built-in messaging | Pricing (billed monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trello | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $6 per user |
| ClickUp | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $9 per user |
| Asana | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $13.49 per user |
| Airtable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $12 per user |
| Hive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $18 per user |
| ProofHub | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No free plan Paid tiers start at $50 flat fee |
| Smartsheet | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $9 per user |
| Wrike | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free plan available Paid tiers start at $9.80 per user |
Jump to:
1. ClickUp: Best for Agile project management
ClickUp is a powerful project management tool that most closely resembles the Asana project management tool format. ClickUp’s dashboards are slightly more graph-like than Asana’s but less so than Trello’s.
In terms of features, ClickUp offers more functionality than Trello. For instance, ClickUp can do kanban boards just as easily as Trello, but with added features like embedded email and the ability to easily customize the dashboard or switch between views.
Pricing
- Free: No cost for unlimited Free plan members.
- Unlimited: $5 per person per month, billed annually, or $9 per person billed monthly.
- Business: $12 per person per month, billed annually, or $19 per person billed monthly.
- Business Plus: $19 per person per month, billed annually, or $29 per person billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact ClickUp’s sales team for pricing information.
Key features
- Reporting and analytics: Clickup is well known for its outstanding reporting tools. You can customize the reports for project progress, budgets, team performance and other parameters.
- Project view: With ClickUp, you can switch between multiple views, including mind maps, boards, Gantt charts, calendars and list views.
- Agile tools: ClickUp’s Agile features are its unique selling point. Agile features include an Agile-optimized dashboard and sprint widgets.
Use cases
- Companies that are looking for a centralized hub for all workflows related to project management can benefit from the ClickUp format.
- ClickUp is great for users that are looking to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Integrations
- Dropbox
- Slack
- Salesforce
- Microsoft Teams
Feature comparison
- ClickUp offers Gantt charts and native messaging, which are not available in Trello without a Power-Up.
- Kanban boards, workflow automation and timeline views are available in both software.
For more information, read the full Clickup review, or check out our in-depth comparison of ClickUp versus Trello.
2. Asana: Best for scalability
As a Trello alternative, Asana might just be one of the closest comparisons but with more flexibility — so much so that Asana has a built-in tool to import your Trello boards with one click. Asana breaks away from the strict board views of Trello and instead focuses on projects. Projects can be displayed in multiple views, including kanban.
Asana focuses more on collaboration than Trello by offering tools to facilitate communication and sharing between teams and departments. This can be helpful for creative teams and any other teams that need to share information quickly and repeatedly during projects.
Pricing
- Basic: No cost for unlimited tasks, projects, messages, activity logs and file storage.
- Premium: $10.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $13.49 per user billed monthly.
- Business: $24.99 per user per month, billed annually, or $30.49 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact Asana’s sales team for pricing information.
Key features
- Extensive list of integrations: Asana integrates with many top business software solutions, including Salesforce, Zapier, Slack and Tableau.
- Smart layout: The interface is intuitive and logical, allowing for smooth navigation.
- Import existing project data: Users can import existing project data into the application and start working from where they left off.
Use cases
- This tool is great for managing complex team workflows.
- Asana helps with product roadmapping and product launches.
- Onboarding and applicant tracking can be handled with Asana templates.
Integrations
- Microsoft Teams
- Salesforce
- Slack
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
Feature comparison
- Asana and Trello have some similar features, as both software offer kanban boards, timeline view and workflow automation.
- Trello does not natively offer Gantt charts or native messaging features without a Power-Up.
For more information, read the full Asana review, or check out our in-depth comparison of Asana versus Trello.
3. Airtable: Best for customization
Airtable is a unique project management tool that’s based on a spreadsheet and database model. Think of it as Excel or Google Sheets supercharged specifically for project management. Airtable is perfect for teams with data-intensive workflows. By incorporating the tools of a spreadsheet and database, Airtable helps organize projects that involve large data sets or asset management.
This Trello alternative is also a great fit for teams that prefer to work in spreadsheets as their main way of visualizing and entering data. However, users are not locked into a spreadsheet view with Airtable; they can quickly swap between kanban, calendar and other popular views.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for unlimited bases for up to five users and unlimited commenter and read-only users.
- Plus: $10 per user per month, billed annually, or $12 per user billed monthly.
- Pro: $20 per user per month, billed annually, or $24 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact Airtable’s sales team for pricing information.
Key features
- Multiple views: You get a variety of views with Airtable, including grid, form, gallery, calendar, kanban and more.
- App marketplace: With Airtable, you can access an extensive app marketplace that helps extend the software’s functionality.
- Spreadsheet interface: The spreadsheet-based interface means it has a familiar collaboration layout for users who have used MS Excel.
Use cases
- Managing data-intensive workflows.
- For users who prefer to work with databases and spreadsheets.
- Data organization alongside project management.
Integrations
- Basecamp
- Dropbox
- Slack
- WordPress
Feature comparison
- Both software offer kanban boards, workflow automation and timeline views.
- Airtable offers a few extra features compared to Trello. This includes Gantt charts and native messaging capability.
For more information, read the full Airtable review, or check out our in-depth comparison of Airtable versus Trello.
4. Hive: Best for analytics
Hive is a great alternative for larger teams that have outgrown Trello. In particular, Hive’s analytics tools allow project managers to quickly visualize project and performance data to identify any issues that need attention. In addition, Hive offers stronger communications features than Trello’s @mention system. Hive includes real-time notifications and a built-in instant messaging system.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for up to 10 users.
- Teams: $12 per user per month, billed annually, or $18 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact Hive’s sales team for pricing information.
Key features
- Built-in messaging system: Hive’s messaging tools connect with the platform’s dashboard for a seamless team collaboration experience.
- Project management layout options: You get several visualization options, such as portfolio view, table view, kanban board view and calendar view.
- Project summaries: The summary view allows users to visualize progress across all tasks or projects.
- Quick proofing and approval tools: Rather than sending emails with attachments for approval, teams can simply tag their managers in Hive for approval.
Use cases
- Ideal for companies looking for in-depth analytics.
- Communication tools offered by Hive are great for remote work.
- Hive has tools to manage creative and technical marketing campaigns.
Integrations
- Google Drive
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Dropbox
Feature comparison
- Hive offers native messaging tools, but with Trello you will need to integrate with a third-party application.
- Trello does not have Gantt charts natively, while this tool is available in Hive.
- Similar features include kanban boards, timeline view and workflow automation.
SEE: Learn how to use project templates in Hive.
5. ProofHub: Best for simple project management
ProofHub builds on some of the core features of Trello without adding undue complexity; this includes ProofHub’s powerful proofing and project management tracking tools that are easily accessible.
Some advanced tools offered by ProofHub include custom reporting and workflows — which are strong communication features — and project tracking tools that work particularly well for project managers. ProofHub is a great alternative to Trello for teams that need more advanced features than what Trello offers but still want a highly accessible tool.
Pricing
- No free plan.
- Essential: $45 per month, billed annually, or $50 billed monthly.
- Ultimate Control: For the first three months, ProofHub is $89 per month, billed annually, or $99 billed monthly. After, pricing increases to $150 per month.
Key features
- Reports: Users can create different types of custom reports in ProofHub using their chosen parameters.
- Task management: ProofHub makes it quick and easy to create, delegate and monitor tasks. You can also add labels, set time estimates and add due dates for each task.
- Table view of tasks: This is a standout feature of ProofHub. You can choose which task fields to add to the table view by filtering through different parameters; you can also use this feature to export data to a CSV file.
Use cases
- ProofHub is an option for teams that want an end-to-end project management tool.
- This tool is flexible enough for either growing or established businesses.
- Project managers can use ProofHub features to maintain tight control over projects.
Integrations
- Slack
- OneDrive
- QuickBooks
- FreshBooks
Feature comparison
- Trello doesn’t offer a true Gantt chart feature without a Power-Up, but with Proofhub, you get a complete Gantt chart functionality.
- Proofhub has an in-built native messaging app, while Trello would need integration with a third-party application.
SEE: In the market for something more complex? Learn more in our Jira versus Trello comparison.
6. Smartsheet: Best for handling multiple projects
Similar to Airtable, Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-focused project management tool. It is ideal for teams that work with large amounts of data and need support for complex budgeting or asset tracking.
However, Smartsheet lacks some collaborative features that come with many project management tools. Communication features are not a priority in Smartsheet, so organizations or departments that rely heavily on collaborative software will probably find Smartsheet too limiting.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for one user and up to two editors.
- Pro: $7 per user per month, billed annually, or $9 per user billed monthly.
- Business: $25 per user per month, billed annually, or $32 per user billed monthly.
- Enterprise: Contact Smartsheet’s sales team for pricing information.
Key features
- Data security: With Smartsheet, you get enterprise-level data security, including data encryption, SSO, advanced controls for user access and secure data centers.
- Gantt charts: The spreadsheet-style interface provides the ideal layout for Gantt charts.
- Pre-built templates: Smartsheet has over 350 pre-built templates to help users get up and running fast.
Use cases
- Smartsheet is great for complex budgeting needs.
- Users that are already familiar with using a spreadsheet to manage projects will like the format of Smartsheet.
- Teams that work with large amounts of data can use Smartsheet effectively.
Integrations
- Salesforce
- Tableau
- Microsoft Power BI
- Jira Connector
Feature comparison
- Smartsheet and Trello both have timeline views, workflow automation and kanban boards.
- Both software are missing native messaging functionality.
- Smartsheet offers Gantt charts, which are not available in Trello without a Power-Up.
For more information, read the full Smartsheet review.
7. Wrike: Best for team collaboration
Wrike is a great alternative for users who want to take a big leap in features, even beyond what Asana and many other project management tools offer over Trello. Wrike’s feature set includes many built-in integrations, making most third-party tools unnecessary; its suite of features goes beyond comparable tools like Asana or ClickUp. Wrike also offers users standard project management views, including kanban and timeline.
Pricing
- Free: $0 for unlimited users.
- Team: $9.80 per user per month, billed annually. Monthly billing is not available.
- Business: $24.80 per user per month, billed annually. Monthly billing is not available.
- Enterprise: Contact Wrike’s sales team for pricing information.
- Pinnacle: Contact Wrike’s sales team for pricing information.
Key features
- Wrike Lock: Wrike workspace data is protected with additional layers of encryption through the Wrike Lock feature.
- Wrike analytics: Wrike offers plenty of useful marketing insights, such as performance metrics from marketing campaigns and reporting features.
- AI tools: With Wrike, you get AI tools to help with project management. This includes an AI project risk predictor to help highlight any upcoming issues with project progress.
Use cases
- Wrike is great for marketing campaigns.
- Creative agencies can benefit from Wrike’s comprehensive suite of features.
- This software is a great fit for more experienced PM tool users; it is not ideal for beginners.
Integrations
- Salesforce
- Tableau
- Microsoft Teams
- MediaValet
- Google Drive
Feature comparison
- With Wrike, you get Gantt charts and native messaging features, which are not available in Trello with a Power-Up or integration.
- Both software offer kanban views, timeline views and workflow automation.
SEE: For more information, read the full Wrike review, or check out our in-depth comparison of Wrike versus Trello.
Key features to look for in a Trello alternative
Kanban boards
Kanban boards are workflow visualization tools, designed to provide clarity and transparency to the project and enhance efficiency by minimizing work in progress bottlenecks. While Trello offers kanban boards, there are some top project management solutions that don’t offer Kanban boards.
Gantt charts
Gantt charts help project managers to handle multiple tasks or projects at once. It provides a visual overview of the project schedule, showing each activity from start to finish. Having a Gantt chart feature option helps illustrate how the project will progress through the entire project schedule.
Workflow automation
There are several time-consuming yet essential tasks in project management. Workflow automation helps save time by automating repetitive or recurring tasks. It also helps optimize the process by reducing the steps needed to complete each task and project.
SEE: Learn more about top workflow automation options with our Trello versus monday comparison.
Native time tracking
Trello does not have native time tracking, so if your organization needs this feature, you should consider the Trello alternatives that offer this option. With native time tracking, you won’t have to rely on third-party applications to track billable hours and/or how much time is spent on tasks.
Built-in messaging
Having a built-in messaging app allows the team to work more efficiently without needing to rely on third-party messaging or chatting applications. Trello does not offer a built-in messaging app, so if this is important to you, you should consider Trello alternatives that offer more extensive communication and collaboration features.
Methodology
To choose the best alternatives to Trello, we analyzed the pros and cons of Trello to determine what needs can be fulfilled by other project management solutions. We also compared the usability of several project management software solutions to Trello.
After a short list of applications was compiled, we did a hands-on review of each solution to finalize the list of top Trello alternatives based on several parameters, including standout features, usability and scalability.
How to choose the best Trello alternative
For project leaders who enjoy the core functions of Trello but need more customization and workflow options, Asana is likely the best choice for your next project management software solution. Asana takes the core functions of Trello and adds the ability to customize workflows beyond Trello’s set processes. Breaking up projects into smaller categories and assigning individual parts to specific team members is easy in Asana, but Trello does not offer this flexibility.
If you need more features and scalability than Asana or Trello, Wrike should be one of your top considerations. However, for project teams with detailed data that they need to track above all else, Airtable and Smartsheet are the top choices. With so many choices, there is definitely a Trello alternative that can accommodate whatever project or team workflow you need to manage.
Top project management software recommendations
1
Wrike
Tackle complex projects with Wrike’s award-winning project management software. Break projects into simple steps, assign tasks to team members, and visualize progress with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars. Manage resource allocation and forecasting with software that’s easy to launch. Automation and AI features strip away time-consuming admin tasks so you can do the best work of your life. Streamline your practices, align your team, and ensure you hit deadlines and stay on budget.
2
ClickUp
ClickUp is one of the highest-rated project management tools today. Use Docs, Reminders, Goals, Calendars, Chat, scheduling, assigned comments, custom views, & more with this all-in-one project management tool.
Used by 800,000+ teams in companies like Airbnb, Google, and Uber, it brings all of your projects into a single app! Built for teams of all sizes and industries, Our fully customizable & proprietary features make it a must-have for anyone wanting to keep project management in one place.
3
monday.com
monday.com Work OS is the project management software that helps you and your team plan, execute, and track projects and workflows in one collaborative space. Manage everything from simple to complex projects more efficiently with the help of visual boards, 200+ ready-made templates, clever no-code automations, and easy integrations. In addition, custom dashboards simplify reporting, so you can evaluate your progress and make data-driven decisions.
4
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is an online work execution platform empowering organizations of all sizes to plan, manage, automate, and report on work. Over 80,000 brands rely on Smartsheet for project and work management.
Source: News