Trello vs Rippling ATS
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Rippling ATS
Rippling Recruiting is the applicant tracking module within the Rippling platform. It connects recruiting directly to onboarding, payroll, and IT provisioning so that when a candidate is hired, their entire employee setup happens automatically. Rippling ATS is ideal for companies already using Rippling for HR who want a seamlessly integrated recruiting experience.
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
Pros
- ✓Seamless connection from hiring to onboarding to payroll — zero manual handoff
- ✓Automatically provisions IT accounts and equipment when a candidate is hired
- ✓Deep integration with the full Rippling platform
- ✓Eliminates duplicate data entry across HR systems
Cons
- ✗Only valuable if you use the full Rippling platform
- ✗Requires custom pricing quote
- ✗Less feature-rich as a standalone ATS compared to dedicated tools like Greenhouse
- ✗Overkill for companies not using Rippling
Trello vs Rippling ATS: Side by Side
| Factor | Trello | Rippling ATS |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management | Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Trello Features
- ✓Kanban boards
- ✓cards and checklists
- ✓power-ups and integrations
- ✓automation
- ✓timeline view
- ✓calendar view
- ✓mobile app
- ✓templates
Rippling ATS Features
- ✓Job posting
- ✓candidate pipeline
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓automated onboarding trigger
- ✓payroll integration
- ✓IT provisioning
- ✓analytics
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management. Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
Best For
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Best For
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll
Also Consider
If neither Trello nor Rippling ATS 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 Trello and Rippling ATS?
Trello is best for small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management. Rippling ATS is best for companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
Which is better, Trello or Rippling ATS?
Choose Trello if small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual kanban-based task management. Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
How much does Trello cost?
Trello starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Rippling ATS cost?
Rippling ATS starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Trello?
Small teams and individuals wanting simple, visual Kanban-based task management
Who should use Rippling ATS?
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll