Microsoft Project vs Trello
Compare Microsoft Project and Trello on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Microsoft Project
Microsoft 365 project / Planner ladder for Gantt, resources and portfolios — Planner Plan 1 from ~$10/user/mo.
Best for
- • Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
- • Traditional PMO Gantt/resource needs
- • Enterprise portfolio planning on higher plans
Starting from $10.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Microsoft Project and Trello. Choose Microsoft Project when Microsoft 365 standardised orgs. Choose Trello when Small teams needing simple Kanban. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Microsoft Project is better for
- ✓ Timeline / Gantt
- ✓ Integrations
- ✓ AI features
- ✓ Reporting
Trello is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Value for money
Tie
- • Automations
- • Collaboration
Choose Microsoft Project if: Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
Choose Trello if: Small teams needing simple Kanban
Trello
Lightweight Kanban boards (Atlassian) — Free; Standard from $5/user/mo annual.
Best for
- • Small teams needing simple Kanban
- • Personal/team board workflows
- • Atlassian-adjacent lightweight entry
Starting from $5.00/user/mo
Free plan available
Microsoft Project vs Trello at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Microsoft Project
Trello
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Microsoft Project
Trello
- Free planTrello
Microsoft Project
Trello
- Ease of useTrello
Microsoft Project
Trello
- Timeline / GanttMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project
Trello
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for timeline / gantt
Microsoft Project leads on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 5/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for integrations
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (9/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for ai features
Microsoft Project leads on ai features (6/10 vs 4/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Trello
Best for free plan
Microsoft Project does not research a free plan; Trello researches a free plan.
- → Trello
Best for ease of use
Trello leads on ease of use (6/10 vs 10/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Trello
Best for value for money
Trello leads on value for money (6/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo; Trello researched starting price from $5/mo; a free plan is researched. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Trello
Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo; Trello researched starting price from $5/mo; a free plan is researched. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsMicrosoft Project
Check paid seat floors for Microsoft Project and Trello on current vendor packaging.
Trello
Check paid seat floors for Microsoft Project and Trello on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
Microsoft Project winsMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 5/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Automations
TieMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project and Trello are close on automations (6/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Microsoft Project and Trello are close on automations (6/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Integrations
Microsoft Project winsMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (9/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Reporting
Microsoft Project winsMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on reporting (8/10 vs 4/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Which should you choose?
Choose Microsoft Project if
- Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
- Traditional PMO Gantt/resource needs
- Enterprise portfolio planning on higher plans
Choose Trello if
- Small teams needing simple Kanban
- Personal/team board workflows
- Atlassian-adjacent lightweight entry
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Alternatives to consider
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
Asana
Cross-functional work management with goals, workflows and AI Studio — Starter from $10.99/user/mo annual.
ClickUp
All-in-one configurable Work OS (tasks, docs, dashboards, ClickUp Brain) — Unlimited from $7/user/mo annual.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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