Jira vs Trello: The Complete 2026 Comparison
Choosing between Jira and Trello for project management? This in-depth comparison breaks down pricing, features, user ratings, integrations, and real-world use cases to help you make the right decision. Both tools serve the project management category, but they take distinctly different approaches to helping teams get work done.
Founded in 2002, Jira is Atlassian's flagship project management and issue tracking tool, dominant in software development. Meanwhile, Trello was founded in 2011. Trello is a visual collaboration tool using boards, lists, and cards to organize projects. Let us dive into how they stack up across every dimension that matters.
Quick Verdict
Trello edges ahead with a G2 rating of 4.4/5 (based on 13,700 reviews) versus Jira's 4.3/5 (6,100 reviews). However, Jira holds its own with 12 key features and competitive pricing starting at Free (up to 10 users). If budget is your top priority, Trello ($5/user/month at the pro tier) is the more affordable option.
At-a-Glance: Jira vs Trello
Before we dive into the details, here is a high-level overview of how Jira and Trello compare across the key criteria most teams care about when evaluating project management software.
| Criteria | Jira | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (6,100 reviews) | 4.4/5 (13,700 reviews) |
| Free Plan | Free (up to 10 users) | Free |
| Pro Pricing | $7.75/user/month | $5/user/month |
| Enterprise | $15.25/user/month | $17.50/user/month |
| Founded | 2002 | 2011 |
| Key Features | 12 features | 12 features |
| Integrations | 10+ integrations | 10+ integrations |
| Category | Project Management | Project Management |
| Website | www.atlassian.com/software/jira | trello.com |
About Jira
Jira is Atlassian's flagship project management and issue tracking tool, dominant in software development. It offers deep customization, powerful workflows, and extensive Marketplace integrations. Founded in 2002, Jira has built a reputation in the project management space, earning a 4.3/5 rating on G2 from 6,100 verified user reviews. The platform offers 12 distinct features and integrates with 10+ third-party tools.
Jira's core strengths include Scrum boards, Kanban boards, Backlog management, Sprints, Roadmaps. Teams that choose Jira typically value its approach to Scrum boards and Kanban boards, which sets it apart in the crowded project management landscape.
About Trello
Trello is a visual collaboration tool using boards, lists, and cards to organize projects. Known for its simplicity and Kanban-first approach, it is popular with small teams and personal productivity. Since its founding in 2011, Trello has grown to serve teams worldwide, achieving a 4.4/5 G2 rating from 13,700 reviews. The platform provides 12 key features and supports 10+ integrations.
Trello's standout capabilities include Kanban boards, Power-Ups, Automations (Butler), Checklists, Labels. Teams gravitating toward Trello often prioritize Kanban boards and Power-Ups, making it a strong fit for organizations that need these specific capabilities.
Pricing Breakdown: Jira vs Trello
Pricing is often the deciding factor when choosing project management software. Here is how Jira and Trello stack up across their pricing tiers. Note that both tools may offer annual billing discounts, and prices shown are for monthly billing as of 2026.
| Plan | Jira | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / Free | Free (up to 10 users) | Free |
| Pro / Business | $7.75/user/month | $5/user/month |
| Enterprise | $15.25/user/month | $17.50/user/month |
Pricing verdict: Trello is the more budget-friendly option at the pro tier, costing $5/user/month compared to $7.75/user/month for Jira. However, pricing alone should not drive your decision -- consider the total value each platform delivers relative to its cost. A tool that costs more but saves your team hours each week may actually be the more economical choice in the long run.
Keep in mind that both tools offer free plans or trials, so you can test each platform before committing. For teams of 10 or fewer, both Jira and Trello provide functional free tiers that let you evaluate the core experience without spending anything.
Feature Comparison: Jira vs Trello
Feature availability can make or break your team's productivity. Below is a detailed comparison of every feature offered by either Jira or Trello. This checklist covers 23 features across both platforms, giving you a comprehensive view of what each tool brings to the table.
| Feature | Jira | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced search (JQL) | Yes | No |
| Automations | Yes | No |
| Automations (Butler) | No | Yes |
| Backlog management | Yes | No |
| Calendar view | No | Yes |
| Card templates | No | Yes |
| Checklists | No | Yes |
| Components | Yes | No |
| Custom fields | No | Yes |
| Custom workflows | Yes | No |
| Dashboard view | No | Yes |
| Due dates | No | Yes |
| Issue types | Yes | No |
| Kanban boards | Yes | Yes |
| Labels | No | Yes |
| Power-Ups | No | Yes |
| Reports and dashboards | Yes | No |
| Roadmaps | Yes | No |
| Scrum boards | Yes | No |
| Sprints | Yes | No |
| Timeline view | No | Yes |
| Versions and releases | Yes | No |
| Voting | No | Yes |
Jira offers 12 features while Trello provides 12. The features unique to Jira include Scrum boards, Backlog management, Sprints. Trello's unique features include Power-Ups, Automations (Butler), Checklists.
Integrations: Jira vs Trello
In today's software landscape, no tool exists in isolation. The integrations a project management tool supports determine how well it fits into your existing tech stack. Here is how Jira and Trello compare in terms of third-party integrations.
Shared integrations (5): Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Zapier. Both tools connect to these popular platforms, so if these are your critical integrations, neither tool has an advantage.
Unique to Jira: Bitbucket, GitLab, Trello, Figma, Miro.
Unique to Trello: Google Drive, Dropbox, Jira, Salesforce, Evernote.
Both platforms support Zapier or similar automation tools, which means you can build custom integrations even if a native connection is not available. When evaluating integrations, focus on the ones your team uses daily rather than the total count.
User Ratings and Community Sentiment
Real user reviews provide invaluable insight beyond feature lists. Here is how the community has rated Jira and Trello on G2, one of the most trusted software review platforms.
| Metric | Jira | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Total Reviews | 6,100 | 13,700 |
| Years on Market | 24 years (since 2002) | 15 years (since 2011) |
Trello leads with a 4.4/5 G2 rating compared to Jira's 4.3/5. The 0.1-point gap is meaningful given that both tools have thousands of reviews. Trello's rating is based on 13,700 reviews, providing strong statistical confidence in the score.
Which Tool Should You Pick? Use-Case Verdicts
The best project management tool is not universal -- it depends on your team size, budget, workflow requirements, and existing tech stack. Here are our recommendations for three common scenarios that cover most teams evaluating Jira and Trello.
Scenario 1: Small Teams and Startups (Under 20 People)
For small teams on a budget, Trello offers a more affordable entry point with its Free free tier. Trello may be easier to adopt quickly due to its more focused feature set, reducing onboarding time. However, Jira offers more room to grow as your team scales, with 12 features compared to 12.
Our pick: Trello -- Faster setup and lower complexity for small teams.
Scenario 2: Mid-Size Companies (20-200 People)
Mid-size teams need robust project management with good reporting and integrations. Jira offers integrations with Confluence, Bitbucket, Slack, Microsoft Teams, while Trello connects to Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, Confluence. For cross-functional teams, Jira provides stronger customization options. Both tools handle enterprise-grade workloads, but the Trello's higher G2 rating (4.4/5 from 13,700 reviews) suggests better overall satisfaction at scale.
Our pick: Trello -- Higher G2 rating (4.4/5) and stronger user satisfaction.
Scenario 3: Enterprise and Software Development Teams
At the enterprise level, integration depth, security, and workflow customization matter most. Jira's enterprise plan ($15.25/user/month) comes at a premium compared to Trello ($17.50/user/month). For development teams specifically, look at Git integrations: Jira integrates with GitHub Trello integrates with GitHub. Jira includes sprint/scrum support.
Our pick: Trello -- More extensive user base providing better community support and proven reliability.
Final Recommendation: Jira vs Trello
After analyzing pricing, features, ratings, integrations, and real-world use cases, here is our bottom line on the Jira vs Trello decision.
Choose Jira if: You want Scrum boards, Kanban boards, Backlog management, and your team values a focused tool that does fewer things well. Jira's Free (up to 10 users) entry point makes it accessible to try, and its 10+ integrations ensure it fits into most tech stacks. With 24 years on the market, Jira is the more established option.
Choose Trello if: You prioritize Kanban boards, Power-Ups, Automations (Butler), and your team needs a streamlined tool without unnecessary complexity. At $5/user/month per user per month (pro tier), Trello is the more affordable option. Though founded more recently in 2011, Trello has quickly built a strong reputation.
Whichever tool you choose, we recommend starting with the free plan or trial to evaluate how it works with your specific team's workflow. Run a two-week pilot with a small project before making a company-wide commitment. The right project management tool is the one your team will actually use consistently -- and that can only be determined through hands-on experience.
Switching Between Jira and Trello
If you are currently using one tool and considering switching to the other, here are some tips to make the migration smoother. Most project management tools support data export in CSV or JSON formats, and both Jira and Trello offer import functionality.
Start by exporting your current projects, tasks, and custom fields. Map your existing workflow to the new tool's structure before migrating data. Plan for a 2-4 week transition period where both tools run in parallel, and designate team champions to help with adoption. Consider using a third-party migration service if you have complex data structures or a large number of projects to transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jira better than Trello?
Trello has a higher G2 rating (4.4/5 vs 4.3/5 from 13,700 reviews), but the best tool depends on your needs. Jira stands out for Scrum boards, Kanban boards, Backlog management, while Trello excels at Kanban boards, Power-Ups, Automations (Butler).
How much does Jira cost compared to Trello?
Jira's pro plan costs $7.75/user/month while Trello's pro plan costs $5/user/month. Jira starts at Free (up to 10 users) and Trello starts at Free. Enterprise pricing is $15.25/user/month for Jira and $17.50/user/month for Trello.
Can Jira and Trello integrate with each other?
While direct integration varies, both Jira and Trello connect to common platforms including Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, GitHub, Zapier. Third-party tools like Zapier can bridge any gaps between the two.
Which tool is easier to learn, Jira or Trello?
Jira (founded 2002) and Trello (founded 2011) take different approaches to usability. Jira generally has a simpler learning curve with fewer features to master, while Trello offers more features but may take longer to fully adopt.
What are the main differences between Jira and Trello?
The key differences are: (1) Pricing -- Jira starts at Free (up to 10 users) vs Trello at Free. (2) G2 ratings -- Jira has 4.3/5 vs Trello at 4.4/5. (3) Features -- Jira focuses on Scrum boards, Kanban boards, Backlog management, while Trello emphasizes Kanban boards, Power-Ups, Automations (Butler). (4) Founded -- Jira (2002) vs Trello (2011).
How We Compared Jira and Trello
This comparison is based on publicly available data including G2 user ratings and review counts, official pricing pages, published feature lists, and integration directories. Ratings and pricing data are approximate and were last verified in 2026. We encourage readers to check each tool's official website for the most current information, as pricing and features may change.
Our analysis covers pricing (free, pro, and enterprise tiers), features (23 features compared), integrations (20 total across both tools), user ratings (combined 19,800 G2 reviews), and use-case suitability (small teams, mid-size companies, and enterprises). We aim to provide objective, data-driven comparisons to help you make informed decisions.
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