15Five vs Trello
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
15Five
15Five is a continuous performance management platform focused on weekly check-ins, OKRs, and employee engagement. It helps managers stay connected with their teams through structured feedback and recognition tools. 15Five is popular with remote and distributed teams that need async communication tools.
Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool based on the Kanban board methodology. It uses cards, lists, and boards to help teams organize tasks and workflows in a simple, visual way. Owned by Atlassian, Trello is one of the most widely used project management tools in the world, known for its simplicity and ease of use.
Pros
- ✓Simple and intuitive weekly check-in format that drives adoption
- ✓Strong OKR and goal-setting tools
- ✓Excellent manager training and coaching resources
- ✓Good engagement survey tools with benchmarking
Cons
- ✗Limited HR functionality beyond performance and engagement
- ✗No payroll or benefits administration
- ✗Reporting could be more advanced for data-driven HR teams
Pros
- ✓Extremely easy to learn and use — teams are productive within minutes
- ✓Generous free plan with unlimited cards
- ✓Familiar Kanban interface that most people already understand
- ✓Large library of power-ups and integrations
Cons
- ✗Limited project management features beyond Kanban boards
- ✗Not suitable for complex projects with dependencies
- ✗Reporting and analytics are basic
- ✗Timeline and calendar views require paid plan
15Five vs Trello: Side by Side
| Factor | 15Five | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $4/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Companies focused on employee engagement and performance | Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management |
| Our Pick | — | — |
15Five Features
- ✓Weekly check-ins
- ✓OKRs
- ✓performance reviews
- ✓engagement surveys
- ✓manager training
Trello Features
- ✓Kanban boards
- ✓cards and checklists
- ✓power-ups and integrations
- ✓automation
- ✓timeline view
- ✓calendar view
- ✓mobile app
- ✓templates
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Best For
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance
Best For
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Also Consider
If neither 15Five nor Trello is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 15Five and Trello?
15Five is best for companies focused on employee engagement and performance. Trello is best for small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Which is better, 15Five or Trello?
Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
How much does 15Five cost?
15Five starts at $4/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Trello cost?
Trello starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use 15Five?
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance
Who should use Trello?
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management