Trello vs. Smartsheet: Comparison & Expert Reviews for 2025
Trello offers a user-friendly platform for managing tasks and team collaboration. Smartsheet supports complex project planning and tracking with its spreadsheet-style layout. Trello stands out for its simplicity and visual design, while Smartsheet is better suited for detailed, data-driven project work.
In this article, you'll find a detailed comparison of these tools, exploring their features, pros and cons, and pricing to help you decide which project management software suits your team's needs best.
Trello vs. Smartsheet: An Overview
Trello
Smartsheet
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Trello vs. Smartsheet Pricing Comparison
| Trello | Smartsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 14-day free trial | 30-day free trial |
| Pricing | From $5/user/month (billed annually) + free plan available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowTrello pricing offers a tiered subscription model with a free basic plan and paid options for more advanced features, but you might face extra costs for power-ups and larger team sizes.
Smartsheet pricing is also tiered, with a focus on enterprise solutions, potentially incurring additional fees for premium support and integrations.
To select the right tool for your team, consider not just the base price but also evaluate the features you'll use and any hidden costs that could impact your budget.
Prioritize understanding your team's specific needs and how each tool's features align with those requirements to make an informed decision.
Trello vs. Smartsheet Feature Comparison
Trello’s Kanban board makes it easy to manage tasks and visualize project progress, especially for teams using agile methods. Smartsheet’s spreadsheet-style interface is well-suited for complex project planning, resource management, and budget tracking.
While Trello provides a more visual and flexible workflow, Smartsheet supports detailed projects with advanced integration and automation features.
| Trello | Smartsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| API | ||
| Budgeting | ||
| Calendar Management | ||
| Contact Management | ||
| Dashboards | ||
| Dependency Tracking | ||
| Document Sharing | ||
| Expense Tracking | ||
| External Integrations | ||
| File Sharing | ||
| Gantt Charts | ||
| Kanban Boards | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Resource Management | ||
| Task Scheduling/Tracking | ||
| Time Management | ||
| Workflow Management |
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowTrello vs. Smartsheet Integrations
| Integration | Trello | Smartsheet |
| Slack | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Workspace | ✅ | ✅ |
| Microsoft 365 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Salesforce | ❌ | ✅ |
| Jira | ✅ | ❌ |
| Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| Adobe Creative Cloud | ❌ | ✅ |
| Power BI | ❌ | ✅ |
| API | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zapier | ✅ | ✅ |
Trello integrates with Slack to deliver real-time updates and enable team collaboration directly within your chat platform, ideal for quick decisions in fast-paced settings.
Smartsheet integrates with Salesforce to sync sales data and project timelines, helping customer-facing teams stay aligned with project goals. Both tools offer useful integrations, but each supports different workflow priorities.
Trello vs. Smartsheet Security, Compliance & Reliability
| Factor | Trello | Smartsheet |
| Data Encryption | Trello encrypts data in transit with TLS and at rest with AES-256 | Smartsheet encrypts data both in transit and at rest using AES-256 |
| Regulatory Compliance | Trello complies with GDPR and offers a Data Processing Addendum. | Smartsheet complies with GDPR, HIPAA, and offers a Data Processing Addendum. |
| Reliability | Trello provides a 99.99% uptime SLA to ensure reliable access. | Smartsheet offers a 99.9% uptime SLA and continuous monitoring. |
Trello and Smartsheet both prioritize security and compliance, but Smartsheet offers broader regulatory compliance, which might be crucial for some industries. To evaluate security features, consider the specific compliance needs of your industry and review the vendor's encryption standards and uptime commitments.
Trello vs. Smartsheet Ease of Use
| Factor | Trello | Smartsheet |
| User Interface | Trello offers a simple, drag-and-drop interface that’s intuitive for visually managing tasks. | Smartsheet provides a familiar spreadsheet-like interface that can feel complex but is powerful for data-driven tasks. |
| Onboarding Experience | Trello’s onboarding is quick with minimal setup and interactive tutorials. | Smartsheet requires more time to set up with detailed guides and training resources. |
| Support | Trello offers community forums and basic support for free users. | Smartsheet provides extensive support, including webinars and dedicated account managers for enterprise clients |
Trello’s visual board system makes it easy to navigate, but it may fall short when managing complex data. Smartsheet is better suited for detailed projects with its advanced features, though its complexity can be overwhelming for new users.
Trello vs Smartsheet: Pros & Cons
Trello
- Trello adapts to your team's workflow, offering flexibility in task management.
- It's simple to use, making it accessible for team members of all skill levels.
- You can easily visualize your tasks with Trello's board and card layout.
- Trello's simplicity might not suit large teams with detailed project management needs.
- You can't create intricate task dependencies, which may limit complex project planning.
- Trello lacks advanced reporting features you might find in more complex tools.
Smartsheet
- Gives your team a lot of flexibility with how you set up sheets, dashboards, and workflows
- Proofing and approval tools can help you better collaborate with your team
- Handles complex projects and cross-team coordination better than most tools
- It takes time to set up and isn’t very intuitive for new users
- Interactive spreadsheets don’t automatically sync changes
- You can’t easily build simple task lists without doing extra setup
Best Use Cases for Trello and Smartsheet
Trello
- Creative Agencies Trello's visual task management makes it easy for you to track projects, ideas, and client feedback.
- Startups The flexibility Trello offers helps your team adapt quickly as you grow and change.
- Marketing Teams You can easily plan campaigns and track progress with Trello's board system.
- Design Departments Trello's simple interface allows you to manage design projects and revisions efficiently.
- Freelancers You can organize your tasks and deadlines without getting overwhelmed by complex features
- Product Development Trello's adaptability helps your team streamline workflows and manage product roadmaps effectively.
Smartsheet
- Marketing Teams You can manage campaign timelines, creative approvals, and content calendars in one place using built-in forms, reminders, and dashboards.
- Construction Projects Smartsheet is great for tracking tasks, permits, and inspections across vendors and crews using Gantt charts and status columns.
- PMO Departments You get a clear portfolio view of all your projects, timelines, and risks with built-in reports and resource views.
- Healthcare Operations Smartsheet helps you track compliance tasks, training, and onboarding with audit-ready logs and approval workflows.
- IT Teams Smartsheet is useful for managing system rollouts, support requests, and change logs with forms, automations, and sheet linking.
- Mid-Sized Companies You get just enough structure to scale your operations without needing a full custom solution or enterprise buildout.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Get Expert AdviceOpens new windowWho Should Use Trello, and Who Should Use Smartsheet?
Trello is well-suited for small teams and individuals who need a simple, visual way to organize tasks and projects. It works best for creative projects or agile teams that value flexibility and quick changes.
Smartsheet is a better fit for larger organizations that need detailed project tracking and strong data management. For complex projects that require advanced reporting and integration, Smartsheet is the stronger option.
Differences Between Trello and Smartsheet
| Trello | Smartsheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Trello provides basic automation through Butler for repetitive tasks. | Smartsheet offers advanced automation and workflows for complex processes |
| Integrations | Trello integrates well with communication tools like Slack | Smartsheet excels in integrating with data-driven tools like Salesforce. |
| Onboarding | Trello's onboarding is quick with simple tutorials | Smartsheet requires more setup time and offers comprehensive training resources. |
| Pricing | Trello uses a tiered subscription model with a free basic plan | Smartsheet offers tiered pricing with a focus on enterprise solutions. |
| User Interface | Trello offers a visual Kanban board that makes task management easy. | Smartsheet uses a spreadsheet-like interface for detailed project planning |
| Visit TrelloOpens new window | Visit SmartsheetOpens new window |
Similarities Between Trello and Smartsheet
| Cloud-Based | Both platforms are cloud-based, providing access from anywhere, ensuring your team can work remotely without issues. |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | They both support team collaboration, enabling real-time updates and comments to keep everyone on the same page. |
| Customization | Trello and Smartsheet offer customization options, letting you tailor workflows to fit your team’s specific needs, whether through cards or sheets. |
| Integrations | Each tool integrates with popular apps like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, enhancing productivity by connecting your existing tools. |
| Task Management | Both Trello and Smartsheet allow you to manage tasks effectively, with Trello’s boards and Smartsheet’s providing clear task visibility. |
| Visit TrelloOpens new window Visit SmartsheetOpens new window | |