ClickUp vs Trello: Which Project Management Tool Is Better in 2026?
ClickUp
From $7Trello
From $5Quick verdict
Overall pick: ClickUp
Trello starts at a lower per-seat price ($5 vs $7) and suits small teams or personal task boards that mainly need visual Kanban. ClickUp costs more per seat but includes native time tracking and built-in docs, which Trello lacks, making it the better fit for agencies or teams consolidating several tools into one workspace.
- Trello's entry plan ($5) is 29% cheaper than ClickUp's ($7).
- Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
- Only ClickUp offers: native time tracking, built-in docs / wiki.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| ClickUp · per user | $35.00 | $420 |
| Trello · per user | $25.00 | $300 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Agency managing client projects with billable hours | ClickUp | ClickUp has native time tracking and built-in docs; Trello has neither. |
| Small team wanting a simple visual board | Trello | Trello's tagline is simple, visual Kanban boards and its starting price is $5 per seat versus $7. |
| Team replacing several separate tools | ClickUp | ClickUp lists teams replacing several tools as a best-fit and includes docs, time tracking, and automations in one product. |
| Personal task tracking on a budget | Trello | Trello is best for personal task boards and has a lower starting per-seat price. |
| Buyer needing Gantt, automations, guest access, AI, and API | Tie | Both tools list all of these features as available. |
Feature comparison: ClickUp vs Trello
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $7 /user/mo | $5 /user/mo |
| Kanban boards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gantt / timeline view | ✅ | ✅ |
| Native time tracking | ✅ | — |
| Built-in docs / wiki | ✅ | — |
| Workflow automations | ✅ | ✅ |
| Guest / client access | ✅ | ✅ |
| AI assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public API | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
ClickUp
- Includes native time tracking, which Trello lacks
- Includes built-in docs/wiki, which Trello lacks
- Covers Kanban, Gantt, automations, guest access, AI assistant, and API
- Free plan available
- Starting price of $7 per seat is higher than Trello's $5
- Billed per seat, so cost scales with team size
Trello
- Lower starting price at $5 per seat
- Free plan available
- Covers Kanban, Gantt, automations, guest access, AI assistant, and API
- Simple, visual Kanban focus suited to small teams
- No native time tracking
- No built-in docs/wiki
- Billed per seat, so cost scales with team size
At a glance
All-in-one workspace for tasks, docs and goals.
Founded 2017 · From $7 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: agencies, teams replacing several tools
See ClickUp alternatives →Simple, visual Kanban boards.
Founded 2011 · From $5 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: small teams, personal task boards
See Trello alternatives →FAQ
Is ClickUp cheaper than Trello?
No. ClickUp starts at $7 per seat and Trello starts at $5 per seat; both are billed per seat and both offer a free plan.
Does Trello have native time tracking?
No. Trello does not list native time tracking, while ClickUp does.
Which tool includes built-in docs?
ClickUp includes built-in docs/wiki; Trello does not.
Do both tools offer Kanban boards and automations?
Yes. Both list Kanban boards, Gantt/timeline views, workflow automations, guest access, an AI assistant, and a public API.
Which is better for small teams or personal boards?
Trello, which is positioned for small teams and personal task boards and has the lower starting per-seat price.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Project Management tools →