Trello vs ClickUp (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features and real-world ratings to help you choose between Trello and ClickUp.
| Feature | Trello | ClickUp |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Project Management | Project Management |
| Starting Price | $5/mo | $7/mo |
| Free Trial | 14-day trial | 14-day trial |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Best For | Freelancers | Startups |
| Reviews | 23,100 | 9,800 |
Key differences between Trello and ClickUp
Trello leans into kanban boards and power-ups, while ClickUp puts its weight behind docs and tasks & subtasks — pick based on which of those you will actually use weekly.
Their sweet spots differ: Trello is strongest for freelancers, whereas ClickUp is built with startups in mind.
🏆 Our Verdict
Trello is our overall pick, scoring 4.5/5 across 23100 reviews. That said, ClickUp remains a great option if you prioritise startups. Read the breakdown below before you decide.
Head to head
Trello
Trello is the tool people recommend when someone has never used a project manager: a board, lists and cards explain themselves in seconds. Power-Ups and Butler automation quietly extend it further than its simplicity suggests, handling recurring tasks and cross-board workflows. It starts to creak when work needs dependencies, workload views or formal reporting — that is usually the moment teams graduate to heavier platforms, often reluctantly.
Trello
Simple Kanban boards anyone can use.
Visit Trello →Pros
- ✓Dead simple
- ✓Generous free plan
- ✓Flexible boards
Cons
- ✗Limited for complex projects
- ✗Reporting is basic
ClickUp
ClickUp's pitch is consolidation: tasks, docs, whiteboards, goals, time tracking and chat in one product, aggressively priced. For teams tired of paying for four overlapping tools, that bundle is compelling, and its customization runs deep — custom fields, statuses and views per space. The cost of that breadth is a denser interface and a history of rough edges after big releases, so it suits teams willing to invest setup time in exchange for range.
ClickUp
One app to replace them all.
Visit ClickUp →Pros
- ✓Feature-packed
- ✓Affordable
- ✓Highly customizable
Cons
- ✗Can be buggy
- ✗Steep learning curve
How we compare tools
Every comparison on SaaS Compare follows the same recipe: we aggregate verified user ratings from G2 and Capterra, track published pricing (including free plans and trial terms), and weigh the practical pros and cons reported by real users. We refresh this data on a regular schedule and never let affiliate partnerships influence a verdict — the same criteria decide every matchup, including this Trello vs ClickUp comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trello better than ClickUp?
Based on aggregated ratings, Trello edges ahead with a 4.5/5 score. The right choice still depends on your budget and use case — Trello suits freelancers, while ClickUp is strong for startups.
Which is cheaper, Trello or ClickUp?
Trello starts at a free plan and ClickUp starts at a free plan.
Does Trello or ClickUp offer a free trial?
Trello: 14-day trial. ClickUp: 14-day trial.
What do users say about Trello and ClickUp?
Trello averages 4.5/5 from 23,100 reviews (G2: 4.4/5, Capterra: 4.5/5). ClickUp averages 4.5/5 from 9,800 reviews (G2: 4.7/5, Capterra: 4.6/5). Ratings aggregate thousands of verified users, so small gaps are meaningful at this scale.
When should I pick ClickUp instead?
Despite the overall verdict, ClickUp is the better fit when feature-packed and affordable matter most to your workflow, particularly for startups.