Jira vs Trello: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Jira is built for software development teams, while Trello suits personal and small-team task boards. For most users Jira is the stronger default, but Trello can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Jira versus Trello comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Jira | Trello | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | software development PM | kanban board |
| What it's known for | Industry-standard issue and sprint tracker for software teams, with Scrum/Kanban boards, backlogs, roadmaps and deep Atlassian Marketplace integrations. | Visual, drag-and-drop Kanban boards that are extremely easy to start with, extensible via Power-Ups and Butler automation; part of Atlassian. |
| Pricing | Free up to 10 users; Standard from ~$7.53/user/mo; Premium ~$13.53/user/mo; Enterprise custom (billed annually; scales down at higher seat counts). | Free plan; Standard from ~$5/user/mo; Premium ~$10/user/mo; Enterprise ~$17.50/user/mo (billed annually). |
| Best audience | Software/agile teams at any scale already in or adopting the Atlassian ecosystem. | Individuals and small teams wanting visual Kanban boards and an easy start to project management. |
| Best for | Software development teams, Agile/Scrum at scale, Atlassian ecosystem users | Personal and small-team task boards, Visual Kanban workflows, Beginners to project management |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Industry standard for agile software teams; extremely customizable. | Easiest PM tool to start with; visual and intuitive. |
| Main caveat | Complex to administer; real cost often 2-3x base license with apps. | Free plan caps at 10 boards per workspace and 250 automation runs/mo. |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
Jira key features
- Scrum and Kanban boards with backlogs and sprints
- Issue tracking with custom workflows and fields
- Roadmaps (timeline) and Advanced Roadmaps for cross-project planning (Premium)
- Automation rules (rule runs metered per plan)
Trello key features
- Drag-and-drop Kanban boards with cards, lists and checklists
- Butler automation (rules, buttons, scheduled commands)
- Premium views: Timeline, Calendar, Dashboard, Table and Map
- Power-Ups directory (200+ integrations) to extend boards
Pricing tiers side by side
Jira plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 10 users, 2 GB storage, 100 automation runs/mo |
| Standard | ~$7.91/user/mo | Advanced permissions, 250 GB storage, ~1,700 automation runs/mo site-wide |
| Premium | ~$14.54/user/mo | Advanced Roadmaps, AI, sandbox, unlimited storage, 1,000 runs/user |
| Enterprise | Custom | Multi-site, advanced security, 24/7 support |
Trello plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited cards, 10 boards/workspace, 250 automation runs/mo, 10 MB attachments |
| Standard | $5/user/mo (annual) | Unlimited boards, advanced checklists, card mirroring, 1,000 automations |
| Premium | $10/user/mo (annual) | Timeline/Calendar/Dashboard/Map views, AI, unlimited automation |
| Enterprise | $17.50/user/mo (annual) | 50-seat minimum; SSO, org-wide permissions, 24/7 support |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Jira wins
The default issue and sprint tracker for software teams, backed by a 10,000+ app marketplace.
- Industry standard for agile software teams; extremely customizable.
- Free for up to 10 users with no time limit.
That makes it the stronger pick for software/agile teams at any scale already in or adopting the Atlassian ecosystem.
Where Trello wins
The simplest on-ramp to Kanban, extensible via 200+ Power-Ups and Butler automation.
- Easiest PM tool to start with; visual and intuitive.
- Generous free plan for personal and small-team use.
That makes it the stronger pick for individuals and small teams wanting visual Kanban boards and an easy start to project management.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Jira if you fit its core audience — software/agile teams at any scale already in or adopting the Atlassian ecosystem.
- Choose Trello if you fit its core audience — individuals and small teams wanting visual Kanban boards and an easy start to project management.
FAQ
Is Jira better than Trello?
Jira is the stronger default for most users, but Trello can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Jira and Trello?
Jira is the default issue and sprint tracker for software teams, backed by a 10,000+ app marketplace. Trello is the simplest on-ramp to Kanban, extensible via 200+ Power-Ups and Butler automation.
Which is cheaper, Jira or Trello?
Both Jira and Trello offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Jira and Trello: