Teamwork vs. Trello: a data-backed Comparison

Explore how Teamwork and Trello compare across features, pricing, and best-fit use cases so you can choose the right platform for your team's needs.

Teamwork vs. Trello at a glance

Teamwork and Trello both offer strong project management capabilities, but are designed for different use cases.

Teamwork is built for client service businesses, with features like time tracking, invoicing, and client permissions baked in. It's ideal for agencies and service teams managing multiple external projects and deliverables.

Trello, by contrast, is a visual-first task management tool centered around Kanban boards. It’s ideal for smaller teams, startups, or creatives who prefer a lightweight, intuitive way to track tasks. With its simplicity and drag-and-drop interface, Trello offers a quick setup and minimal learning curve for straightforward project tracking.

Metrics

Teamwork

Trello

Relative cost

27% lower cost than category average

80% lower cost than category average

Adoption trend

18% QoQ adoption growth

7% QoQ adoption growth

Primary user segment

38% of users are SMB

Best for

Teams managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders who need integrated time tracking, resource planning, and client collaboration in one platform.

Small teams and individuals who prefer visual task management and straightforward workflows.

Teamwork overview

Teamwork is a project management solution built with client-facing businesses in mind. It combines essential tools like task scheduling, time tracking, communication, and invoicing into a centralized workspace. Agencies and service-based teams rely on it to oversee multiple projects, maintain client visibility, and simplify project billing and team coordination.

Teamwork features

Features

Description

Client management

Includes built-in CRM tools to store client information, manage interactions, and grant project access.

Task and project planning

Supports Gantt charts, task dependencies, and timelines to organize and manage projects from start to finish.

Time tracking and invoicing

Tracks hours spent on tasks and generates invoices directly within the platform.

Collaboration tools

Provides team chat, file sharing, and threaded discussions within project workspaces.

Custom workflows

Offers customizable templates, task statuses, and reporting formats to suit different industries and teams.

Resource and workload management

Displays team availability and task assignments across multiple projects

Trello overview

Trello is a visual task management platform that uses a Kanban-style board layout to help teams plan and track work. Tasks are represented as cards that move across lists to show status updates—from “To Do” to “Done.” It’s ideal for teams that value simplicity and need a clear, visual overview of project progress. With labels, checklists, and automation, Trello makes it easy to manage workflows with minimal setup.

Trello key features

Features

Description

Project boards

Creates dedicated workspaces for projects, allowing you to organize all tasks and workflows in one interface.

Lists within boards

Organizes tasks into columns within boards, typically representing different stages of work (like "To Do," "In Progress," "Done")

Cards

Houses individual tasks with supporting details such as descriptions, attachments, checklists, and team discussions.

Labels

Adds color-coded tags to cards to signify priorities, departments, or task types

Reminders

Assign card deadlines with automatic reminders as the date nears.

Power-ups

Links Trello to third-party apps or custom integrations like calendars.

Pros and cons

Tool

Pros

Cons

Teamwork

  • Comprehensive project management tools including Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and templates.
  • Built-in time tracking for accurate productivity and budget analysis.
  • Advanced reporting with customizable insights on performance and resources.
  • Strong collaboration via chat, file sharing, and integrations with Slack and Google Workspace.
  • Scalable pricing plans that support teams from startups to enterprises.

  • Steep learning curve and a dense interface for new users.
  • Performance can lag with large volumes of projects and tasks.
  • Limited project view options compared to some competitors.
  • Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features.
  • No centralized control or enforcement of two-factor authentication (2FA).

Trello

  • Highly intuitive interface
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Excellent for simple project visualization
  • Flexible card organization
  • Limited advanced project management features
  • Can become cluttered with larger projects
  • Basic functionality compared to competitors

Use cases

Teamwork is ideal for client-facing teams needing time tracking, billing, and detailed planning, while Trello suits small teams seeking a simple, visual task management tool with boards and cards.

When Teamwork is the better choice

  • Client-driven businesses like marketing agencies, consultants, and service teams.
  • Teams that need built-in time tracking, invoicing, and client access.
  • Groups managing multiple deliverables with a focus on visibility and accountability.
  • Workflows that involve tracking billable work and collaborating directly with clients.

When Trello is the better choice

  • Teams that want a simple, visual approach to managing tasks.
  • Creative teams, startups, or small groups with lightweight workflows like content calendars or event planning.
  • Groups that prioritize ease of use, quick onboarding, and minimal setup.
  • Projects that benefit from Kanban-style boards without added complexity.

Other project management tools

  • Monday.com: A customizable work OS that lets teams build visual workflows with drag-and-drop boards, automation, and integrations. Ideal for teams seeking structure with flexibility.
  • Smartsheet: Brings the look and feel of spreadsheets into project management, featuring Gantt charts, automated workflows, and robust reporting tools. Best for teams managing operational or data-centric projects.
  • Wrike: A robust platform that supports detailed workload distribution, time tracking, and performance analytics. Ideal for companies that need clear insight into progress and resources.
  • Airtable: Combines the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of a relational database. Great for teams working with complex datasets and custom workflows.
  • Zoho Projects: Offers full-spectrum project management with automation, timesheets, and CRM connectivity. A good match for businesses aiming for unified process management.
  • Microsoft Project: Enterprise-ready software with advanced capabilities for scheduling, resource allocation, and budget tracking. Best for large organizations managing complex projects.
  • Asana: A task-oriented platform focused on structured project execution, offering views like timelines and Kanban boards. Well-suited for teams needing coordination and clear task ownership.
  • Jira: A development-focused tool that supports Agile workflows, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, and bug tracking. Built for technical teams following Scrum or Kanban methods.
  • Notion: An all-in-one digital workspace that blends project tracking with documentation and knowledge management. Perfect for teams building internal systems or collaborative wikis.

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