Paylocity vs Trello
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
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
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
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
Paylocity vs Trello: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | Free |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
Trello Features
- ✓Kanban boards
- ✓cards and checklists
- ✓power-ups and integrations
- ✓automation
- ✓timeline view
- ✓calendar view
- ✓mobile app
- ✓templates
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity 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 Paylocity and Trello?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Trello is best for small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Which is better, Paylocity or Trello?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Trello cost?
Trello starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use Trello?
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management