Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a flexible work management platform that combines the familiar interface of a spreadsheet with powerful project management features to help you automate workflows and track complex projects.
Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organize tasks, collaborate with teammates, and track project progress from start to finish.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Smartsheet | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Website | smartsheet.com | trello.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2005 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Bellevue, USA | New York, USA |
Overview
Smartsheet
Smartsheet gives you a dynamic workspace where you can manage projects, automate workflows, and build new solutions without writing code. You can switch between grid, card, Gantt, and calendar views to visualize your work exactly how you want. It bridges the gap between simple spreadsheets and complex project tools, allowing you to track individual tasks or manage massive enterprise portfolios in one centralized location.
You can eliminate manual data entry by setting up automated alerts, status updates, and approval requests. The platform scales with your needs, whether you are a small team organizing a launch or a large corporation managing global operations. It helps you increase transparency across your organization by sharing real-time dashboards and reports with stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays aligned on key goals and deadlines.
Trello
Trello is a visual collaboration tool that helps you manage projects and organize tasks using a simple board-and-card system. Instead of digging through messy spreadsheets or long email chains, you can see your entire workflow at a glance. You can move cards across different stages of completion, assign tasks to team members, and set due dates to keep everyone on schedule.
The platform is designed to be flexible enough for any type of work, from software development and marketing campaigns to personal to-do lists. You can enhance your boards with 'Power-Ups' that connect your favorite tools directly into your workflow. Whether you are a freelancer managing one project or a large team coordinating hundreds, Trello scales with you by offering a robust free version and tiered paid plans starting at $5 per user per month.
Overview
Smartsheet Features
- Flexible Work Views Switch instantly between Grid, Gantt, Card, and Calendar views to manage your tasks from any perspective you prefer.
- Automated Workflows Create visual automated actions to send alerts, request approvals, and update sheet rows without manual intervention.
- Real-time Dashboards Build custom widgets and charts to give your team and executives a live look at project health and performance.
- Dynamic Reports Consolidate information from multiple sheets into a single report to identify trends and risks across different departments.
- Proofing and Approvals Streamline content reviews by uploading files directly to rows and collecting feedback through dedicated proofing workflows.
- Resource Management Track team availability and allocate hours effectively to ensure your projects stay on schedule and under budget.
Trello Features
- Kanban Boards. Organize your projects into visual stages using drag-and-drop boards that show you exactly who is doing what.
- Butler Automation. Create custom rules and commands to automate repetitive tasks like moving cards or sending deadline alerts without writing code.
- Advanced Checklists. Break down complex tasks into smaller steps and assign individual sub-tasks to specific team members for better accountability.
- Power-Ups. Connect your boards to tools like Slack, Google Drive, and GitHub to see live data without leaving Trello.
- Timeline View. Plan your project schedule on a visual timeline to track dependencies and ensure your team meets every deadline.
- Mobile Sync. Update your tasks and respond to comments on the go with native apps that keep your data synced across all devices.
Pricing Comparison
Smartsheet Pricing
- 1 user and 2 editors
- Up to 2 sheets
- Gantt, Grid, Card views
- 500MB attachment storage
- 100 automations per month
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited viewers
- Up to 10 sheets
- Unlimited reports and dashboards
- 20GB attachment storage
- Forms and branding
Trello Pricing
- Unlimited cards
- Up to 10 boards per Workspace
- Unlimited Power-Ups per board
- 250 Workspace command runs/month
- Unlimited activity log
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited boards
- Advanced checklists
- Custom Fields
- 1,000 Workspace command runs/month
- Single board guests
Pros & Cons
Smartsheet
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces the initial learning curve
- Highly customizable views for different project management styles
- Powerful automation engine saves hours of manual work
- Excellent reporting capabilities across multiple different sheets
- Strong mobile app for managing tasks while traveling
Cons
- Advanced features require a significant time investment
- Real-time collaboration lacks the speed of Google Sheets
- Pricing can become expensive as you add more members
Trello
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface requires almost no training
- Generous free plan includes unlimited integrations
- Highly flexible for both professional and personal use
- Visual nature makes project status immediately clear
Cons
- Limited reporting features compared to specialized tools
- Can feel cluttered when managing very large projects
- Advanced views like Timeline require paid upgrades