Smartsheet vs Trello
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a work management platform that combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with powerful project management and collaboration features. It is widely used by enterprise teams for project tracking, resource management, and automated workflows. Smartsheet is particularly popular with teams comfortable with Excel who need more collaboration and automation capabilities.
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
- ✓Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces learning curve for Excel users
- ✓Powerful automation and workflow capabilities
- ✓Strong enterprise security and compliance features
- ✓Excellent for managing large portfolios of projects
Cons
- ✗Pricing is higher than many competitors
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
- ✗No free plan — 30-day trial only
- ✗Less intuitive for teams unfamiliar with spreadsheet-style tools
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
Smartsheet vs Trello: Side by Side
| Factor | Smartsheet | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $9/user/mo | Free |
| Best For | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation | Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Trello Features
- ✓Kanban boards
- ✓cards and checklists
- ✓power-ups and integrations
- ✓automation
- ✓timeline view
- ✓calendar view
- ✓mobile app
- ✓templates
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Best For
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
How Smartsheet and Trello Are Similar
- •Both are Project Management platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Smartsheet nor Trello is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Smartsheet and Trello?
Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Trello is best for small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
Which is better, Smartsheet or Trello?
Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Trello cost?
Trello starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Who should use Trello?
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management