Trello is a lightweight, visual task management tool best for simple projects and small teams, while ClickUp is a comprehensive all-in-one work OS with advanced features, automation, and integrations suited for complex workflows and larger organizations.
Trello vs ClickUp — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Trello if you need a simple, intuitive tool for basic task management and small team collaboration with minimal setup time. Choose ClickUp if you manage complex projects, need advanced automation, multiple views, time tracking, and a centralized platform to replace multiple tools—and have time to master its depth.
Visual project management platform built on kanban boards for task tracking
All-in-one work management platform with customizable views, unlimited features, and broad integrations.
Structured comparison data for Trello vs ClickUp with 194 attributes.
Monthly Cost (Single User, Standard Plan)
Professional Plan Price (Per User/Month)
Base Monthly Price (Individual/Starter Plan)
Annual Cost for Full Stack (Single User with AI)
Trello vs ClickUp — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Trello vs ClickUp.
Which is cheaper for a small team of 5 people?
Both are roughly equal in cost. Trello's Professional plan is $10/user ($50/month for 5 users), while ClickUp is $12/user ($60/month). However, Trello's free plan is unlimited for team members, whereas ClickUp limits the free plan to 2 users. For small teams just starting, Trello's free tier is better value.
Can I replace my other tools (time tracking, docs, invoicing) with just one of these?
ClickUp is designed as an all-in-one work OS and can replace time tracking, docs, goals, and basic invoicing. Trello is primarily a task/project board and requires Power-Ups and integrations for these features. ClickUp eliminates tool sprawl better, but requires more setup and training.
ClickUp's automation engine is significantly more powerful—it offers 100+ native automation rules including AI-powered suggestions, conditional logic, and complex workflows. Trello's Butler automation is basic and limited to simple trigger-action pairs. ClickUp wins decisively for teams needing sophisticated workflows.
Is Trello or ClickUp better for agile/scrum teams?
Trello's simplicity makes it excellent for basic scrum boards and sprint planning. ClickUp offers more advanced features like sprint templates, burndown charts, velocity tracking, and native time estimates. For teams practicing strict agile methodologies at scale, ClickUp is superior. For lightweight scrum, Trello suffices.
How long does it take to onboard a team on each platform?
Trello: 30 minutes to 1 hour. Most users are productive within 15-30 minutes due to the intuitive Kanban interface. ClickUp: 3-5 hours of structured training recommended. The platform has 100+ features, and teams need guided onboarding to avoid confusion and ensure proper adoption. Trello is significantly faster to deploy.