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 |
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Trello |
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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.