ClickUp vs Trello: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for ClickUp vs Trello.
⚡ Quick Verdict
ClickUp edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | ClickUp | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $35/mo | $30/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $70/mo | $60/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ 100MB storage. Unlimited tasks. Unlimited members. Limited integrations. No Gantt charts. | ✅ Unlimited cards. Up to 10 boards. 1 Power-Up per board. 10MB file attachment limit. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | ClickUp | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Unlimited | $7/mo | $6/mo |
| Business | $12/mo | $12.5/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | $17.5/mo |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ClickUp | Trello |
|---|
Pros & Cons
ClickUp
✅ Pros
- Most feature-rich PM tool — tasks, docs, whiteboards, goals in one app
- Free tier includes unlimited tasks AND unlimited members
- Built-in time tracking (no add-ons needed)
- ClickUp Brain AI for task summaries and writing
- Highly customizable views (List, Board, Gantt, Calendar)
❌ Cons
- Can feel overwhelming — too many features for simple needs
- Performance can be sluggish with large workspaces
- Steep learning curve to configure properly
- Mobile app is less polished than desktop
- Free tier has only 100MB storage
Trello
✅ Pros
- Simplest PM tool — drag-and-drop cards, zero learning curve
- Free tier includes unlimited cards and members
- Butler automation is surprisingly powerful
- Great for personal task management and simple projects
- Polished mobile app
❌ Cons
- Not built for complex projects (no Gantt, no sprints)
- Free tier limited to 10 boards and 1 Power-Up per board
- Gets messy with more than ~50 cards per board
- No built-in reporting or time tracking
- Power behind competitors like ClickUp for the same price
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose ClickUp if...
- You are a teams wanting one tool to replace notion + jira + trello
- You are a project managers who need gantt charts and time tracking
- You are a budget-conscious teams (free tier is generous)
🚫 Skip if...
- Solo devs who want simplicity (Linear is better)
- Teams that value speed over features
- Minimalists who find feature bloat distracting
✅ Choose Trello if...
- You are a personal task management (gtd, todo lists)
- You are a small teams with simple workflows
- You are a non-technical users who want visual task boards
🚫 Skip if...
- Software development teams (use Linear or Jira)
- Complex project management with dependencies
- Teams needing reporting and portfolio views
🏆 Our Verdict
Both ClickUp (4.6/5) and Trello (4.4/5) are excellent tools in their category. ClickUp takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ClickUp better than Trello?
It depends on your needs. ClickUp excels in some areas while Trello has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does ClickUp pricing compare to Trello?
ClickUp starts at Free / $7/mo, while Trello starts at Free / $6/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from ClickUp to Trello?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Trello typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from ClickUp.
Which is easier to use, ClickUp or Trello?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
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