Smartsheet vs Trello
Compare Smartsheet and Trello on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
Best for
- • Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- • Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- • Structured program reporting
Starting from $9.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Smartsheet and Trello. Choose Smartsheet when Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs. 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.
Smartsheet is better for
- ✓ Timeline / Gantt
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ AI features
- ✓ Reporting
Trello is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Value for money
Tie
- • Collaboration
- • Integrations
Choose Smartsheet if: Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
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
Smartsheet 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
Smartsheet
Trello
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Smartsheet
Trello
- Free planTrello
Smartsheet
Trello
- Ease of useTrello
Smartsheet
Trello
- Timeline / GanttSmartsheet
Smartsheet
Trello
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Smartsheet
Best for timeline / gantt
Smartsheet leads on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 5/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for automations
Smartsheet leads on automations (8/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for ai features
Smartsheet leads on ai features (6/10 vs 4/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Trello
Best for free plan
Smartsheet does not research a free plan; Trello researches a free plan.
- → Trello
Best for ease of use
Trello leads on ease of use (7/10 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 (7/10 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
DependsSmartsheet
Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo; Trello researched starting price from $5/mo; a free plan is researched. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Trello
Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo; Trello researched starting price from $5/mo; a free plan is researched. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsSmartsheet
Check paid seat floors for Smartsheet and Trello on current vendor packaging.
Trello
Check paid seat floors for Smartsheet and Trello on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
Smartsheet winsSmartsheet
Smartsheet leads on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 5/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Automations
Smartsheet winsSmartsheet
Smartsheet leads on automations (8/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Integrations
TieSmartsheet
Smartsheet and Trello are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Smartsheet and Trello are close on integrations (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Reporting
Smartsheet winsSmartsheet
Smartsheet leads on reporting (9/10 vs 4/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Trello
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Which should you choose?
Choose Smartsheet if
- Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- Structured program reporting
Choose Trello if
- Small teams needing simple Kanban
- Personal/team board workflows
- Atlassian-adjacent lightweight entry
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
Wrike
Enterprise/agency work management with proofing, intake and resourcing — Team from $10/user/mo annual.
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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