Which tool is better for managing your projects – Trello or Smartsheet? This blog post will examine these two popular tools and help you decide which fits your needs best.
First, let’s get to know these tools a little better. Trello is a visual project management tool that uses cards and boards to help you organize your tasks and collaborate with your team. Smartsheet, on the other hand, is a powerful project management and collaboration tool similar to Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets but with advanced project management features.
You may be wondering why these two tools are often compared. Trello and Smartsheet are designed to help you manage your projects more efficiently and collaboratively. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses that may make one a better fit for your particular use case.
This blog post aims to help you understand the differences between Trello and Smartsheet and decide which tool is right for you. So, let’s dive in and compare these two popular tools!
What is Trello?
Trello is a project management tool that’s been around for quite some time. However, one main thing that sets it apart from other tools is its Kanban board view. This lets users visualize their tasks and projects, making prioritizing and organizing everything easy.
Now, when it comes to the unique features of Trello, a few things come to mind. For one, Trello has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes moving tasks and projects on the board easy. This can be a huge time-saver, especially if you like experimenting with different project layouts and workflows.
Another feature that Trello has is the ability to add custom fields to cards. This can be incredibly helpful if you need to track specific data points for your projects or tasks. For example, you could create a custom field for “deadline” or “priority” and quickly sort and filter your board based on those fields.
Finally, Trello has robust power-ups to add to your boards. These range from integrations with other tools (like Google Drive or Slack) to more advanced features like custom automation and rule-based triggers. These power-ups can help you tailor Trello to your specific needs and make it an even more powerful tool for managing your projects and tasks.
What is Smartsheet?
Let’s talk about Smartsheet, a project management tool that’s gained popularity due to its resemblance to familiar spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
Smartsheet’s user-friendly interface draws many people to it, especially those needing more project management software experience. It’s easy to understand and navigate, saving you time and effort.
One unique feature of Smartsheet is its ability to automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows. This can be a significant time-saver for you and your team, allowing you to focus on more critical tasks.
Another great feature of Smartsheet is its extensive integration with various business applications. This means you can connect your Smartsheet account to other tools you’re already using, improving your workflow and making your life easier.
Finally, Smartsheet’s reporting and analytics capabilities are top-notch. You can quickly create custom reports and dashboards to track your team’s progress and identify areas for improvement. This data can help you make informed decisions and optimize your team’s performance.
Overall, Smartsheet is a great option if you’re looking for a tool that combines the power of spreadsheets with advanced project management features. Its ease of use, automation capabilities, integrations, and reporting features stand out from other project management tools.
Trello vs. Smartsheet: Feature Comparison
- Project Management & Tracking
Trello offers agile project management features such as customizable workflows, progress tracking, and due date alerts.
Smartsheet, on the other hand, offers Gantt charts, calendar views, and resource allocation for project management. Smartsheet may be better.
- Visual Organization
Trello’s Kanban board layout allows users to visualize tasks and progress efficiently.
Smartsheet, on the other hand, offers spreadsheet-like views for organizing data. In addition, Smartsheet provides more customization options for collecting data and adding colors and icons to increase visibility.
- Getting Started (Training & Onboarding)
Trello offers a straightforward user interface with an intuitive drag-and-drop functionality that requires minimal training.
Smartsheet requires more learning time but provides a broader range of project management, data organization, and collaboration features. In addition, both platforms offer online tutorials, webinars, and a knowledge base for onboarding.
- Integrations
Trello has many integrations with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Salesforce.
Smartsheet also offers integrations with other tools but has more limited options than Trello.
- Collaboration & Communication
Trello provides a collaborative environment where team members can share updates, attach files, and leave comments.
Smartsheet offers a similar environment of cooperation but with more advanced features such as automated workflows, approval processes, and task dependencies.
- Customer Support
Trello and Smartsheet offer support through a knowledge base, email, and community forums. Smartsheet provides an additional option of live chat support.
- Security
Trello and Smartsheet comply with industry-standard security protocols, including data encryption and regular security audits. Smartsheet offers more advanced security features like two-factor authentication and customizable access permissions.
- Pricing
Trello and Smartsheet offer tiered pricing plans based on the features offered. Trello is generally more affordable, with a free and lower-priced entry-level plan.
Smartsheet’s pricing plans are usually more expensive but offer more enterprise-level project management and data organization features.
Other Alternatives
Onethread is a project management tool that combines the best of both worlds from Trello and Smartsheet. It is an intuitive and user-friendly tool that allows teams to track tasks, manage projects, and collaborate seamlessly.
With Onethread, you can easily visualize your project on a Kanban-style board or in a Gantt chart, depending on your preference. It also has a familiar spreadsheet-like interface that makes it easy to use, especially for those already accustomed to using Google Sheets or MS Excel.
If you’re looking for a tool that has the best features of Trello and Smartsheet combined, Onethread might be the solution you’re looking for. It’s an all-in-one project management tool that can handle different project management methodologies and workflows.
Comparison chart:
| Feature | Trello | Smartsheet | Onethread |
| Project Management & Tracking | Kanban-style board view. | Familiar spreadsheet-like interface. | Both Kanban-style board and Gantt chart view. |
| Visual Organization | Kanban-style board view. | Familiar spreadsheet-like interface. | Both Kanban-style board and Gantt chart view. |
| Getting Started (Training & Onboarding) | Easy-to-use interface. | User-friendly interface that’s similar to Excel or Sheets. | User-friendly interface that combines the best features of Trello and Smartsheet. |
| Integrations | Wide range of integrations. | Integrates with various business applications. | Integrates with different tools like Slack, Zapier, and more. |
| Collaboration & Communication | Collaborate with team members on cards. | Share workspaces, sheets, and reports with team members. | Chat feature with real-time updates and comments. |
| Customer Support | Offers email support. | Offers email and phone support. | Offers email and phone support with a dedicated account manager for enterprise customers. |
| Security | Two-factor authentication and SSL encryption. | Two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, and SOC 2 Type II compliance. | Two-factor authentication, SSL encryption, SOC 2 Type II compliance, and GDPR and CCPA compliance. |
| Pricing | Free, Business Class, and Enterprise plans. | Individual, Business, and Enterprise plans. | Individual, Team, and Enterprise plans. |
Trello vs Smartsheet vs Alternatives: Which One Should You Use?
Choosing the right project management tool can be overwhelming. As we’ve discussed, Trello and Smartsheet have the unique features that make them stand out. However, one may be more suitable depending on your needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Use Trello if:
- You prefer a visual, intuitive, and easy-to-use tool
- You want a flexible and customizable system that can adapt to your project management style
- You need a tool that can support collaborative and agile project management
- You want an accessible or affordable option catering to a small team.
Use Smartsheet if:
- You need a tool supporting advanced project management features, such as Gantt charts, resource management, and dependencies
- You want a tool that integrates well with other business applications and tools
- You need a tool to handle complex workflows and automate repetitive tasks
- You prefer a spreadsheet-style interface similar to Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
If you want to get the best of both worlds, try OneThread. OneThread offers a visual and flexible project management platform with advanced features similar to Smartsheet, combined with the ease-of-use and intuitive interface of Trello. With OneThread, you can streamline your project management processes, collaborate seamlessly with your team, and achieve your project goals efficiently.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, choosing between Trello and Smartsheet depends on the user’s needs. Both tools have their unique features and advantages, as well as limitations. Trello is ideal for visual organization, flexibility, and ease of use, while Smartsheet is best for project management, advanced automation, and collaboration.
If you want the best of both worlds, we suggest trying Onethread. Onethread combines the visual appeal and user-friendliness of Trello with the project management features and automation capabilities of Smartsheet. Additionally, Onethread offers a more streamlined and efficient approach to team collaboration, making it a worthy alternative to Trello and Smartsheet.
We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision. Remember to consider your team’s specific needs before choosing a project management tool. You can also use the decision-making flowchart provided to further assist you in selecting the best tool for your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of Smartsheet?
There are a few disadvantages to using Smartsheet, including its limited customization options, lack of offline functionality, and the learning curve required for some of its more advanced features. Additionally, some users may find the pricing of Smartsheet to be on the higher side.
Does Trello work with Smartsheet?
Yes, Trello and Smartsheet can work together through integration tools such as Zapier or Unito. These integration tools allow you to connect Trello and Smartsheet, enabling you to sync data between the two platforms and automate workflows.
