Trello: A Comprehensive Review of the Project Management Tool

You may be wondering what project management tool to use, so we have created this comprehensive Trello review.

Trello is a robust project management service known for its flexibility and user-friendly interface. 

It is a visual collaboration tool that helps teams to organize and manage their tasks and projects more efficiently. Trello uses the Kanban board system, which enables users to organize their tasks into boards, lists, and cards. 

In this review of Trello, we’ll take a closer look at the features of Trello, its pros and cons, collaboration capabilities, the Trello app, pricing plans, alternatives, and our final verdict.

Features of Trello

Trello has a range of features that make it a valuable project management tool. Let’s take a closer look at these features:

1. Trello Boards

Trello is centered around boards, representing projects or work areas users want to manage. Each board consists of lists, which represent the stages or phases of a project, and cards, which represent tasks or items to be completed.

Users can create new boards by clicking the Create new board button on the Trello homepage. They can then add lists and cards to the board, either by clicking on the Add a list or Add a card buttons, or by using drag-and-drop functionality.

Trello boards provide a visual and intuitive way to manage projects and tasks. Users can easily see the progress of a project by looking at the lists and cards on the board and can move cards between lists to reflect status changes.

Additionally, they are highly customizable. Users can add labels and due dates to cards, assign cards to team members, and add attachments and comments. They can also customize the background color and image of the board to reflect the project or team.

Trello boards also support collaboration and communication among team members. Users can add team members to a board, allowing them to view and edit cards, and can use the comments and notifications features to keep everyone informed and up-to-date.

2. Trello Lists

Trello lists represent the stages or phases of a project and can be used to track work progress from start to finish.

Users can create new lists by clicking the Add a list button on the Trello board and adding cards to each list to represent individual tasks or items to be completed.

One of the benefits of using Trello lists is that they provide a clear and organized way to manage work. You will see the different stages of a project by looking at the lists.

Also, users can customize each list’s name and color to reflect the project’s stage or phase. Lastly, Trello lists also support collaboration and communication among team members.

3. Trello Cards

Trello cards represent individual tasks or items to be completed and can be added to each list on a Trello board. You may create new cards by clicking the Add a card button on the list and can add details to each card to track its progress.

Trello cards provide a flexible and intuitive way to manage tasks. You may add labels and due dates to cards, assign cards to team members, and add attachments and comments. You may also move cards between lists to reflect changes in status or use the drag-and-drop functionality to reorganize the board.

Cards also offer a range of additional features to help users manage tasks and projects. For example, users can add checklists to cards to break down tasks into smaller sub-tasks or use the due dates feature to set deadlines and reminders.

Lastly, you may add attachments to cards, such as files or images, to provide additional context or information.

4. Trello Calendar

One of the most useful features of Trello is its built-in calendar view, which allows users to view their tasks and deadlines in a calendar format. With the calendar view, you can quickly see all of your upcoming tasks and deadlines and any cards that have been assigned due dates.

To access the calendar view in Trello, click on the Calendar button in the top-right corner of the board. This will display a calendar view that shows all of the cards on the board with due dates. You may then click on a specific date to see the tasks due that day.

The calendar view in Trello allows users to get a quick overview of their tasks and deadlines, making it easier to prioritize their work and manage their time effectively. They can also add due dates to cards directly from the calendar view, making it a convenient way to manage tasks and deadlines.

Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other calendar tools, such as Google Calendar and iCal. So, users can sync their Trello calendar with their other calendars, allowing them to view their Trello tasks alongside their other appointments and events.

5. Trello Activity log

The Trello activity log is a feature that allows users to track all the activity on their boards, including changes made to cards, comments added, and cards moved between lists.

The activity log can be accessed by clicking the Menu button on the top right-hand side of the board and selecting Activity.

This log provides a clear and detailed record of all the changes made to a board. This can be useful for tracking progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made. For example, if a card has been moved between lists multiple times, it may indicate that the task is not managed effectively.

You can see who changed a card or added a comment, allowing you to follow up with team members if necessary. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that work is being completed effectively.

Lastly, Trello also allows users to filter the activity log by date, member, or type of activity, allowing them to focus on specific areas of interest. For example, users can filter the activity log to show only the changes made by a specific team member or to focus on a specific date range.

6. Automations in Trello

Trello offers a powerful automation tool called Butler, which allows users to automate repetitive tasks and create custom workflows. With Butler, users can create rules that trigger actions based on certain conditions, such as when a card is moved to a specific list or when a due date is added to a card.

Butler comes with many pre-built actions, including moving cards to specific lists, assigning members to cards, adding due dates, and sending notifications. Users can also create custom actions using a simple scripting language.

One of the advantages of using Butler is that it can help to streamline workflows and reduce manual tasks, saving time and increasing productivity.

For example, users can create a rule that automatically assigns a specific member to a card when moved to a certain list or sends a notification to a team member when a card is overdue.

Another advantage of using Butler is that it can help to improve consistency and accuracy in project management. By automating repetitive tasks, users can reduce the risk of errors and ensure that tasks are completed consistently and on time.

7. Other important features of Trello

Some other important features of Trello include the following:

• Checklists: Checklists can be added to each card, making it easy to break tasks into smaller sub-tasks. Each checklist item can be checked off once completed, helping you to keep track of your progress.
• Attachments: Attachments can be added to each card, allowing you to upload files, images, and documents. This feature is especially useful for collaborating with team members.
• Comments: Comments can be added to each card, allowing team members to communicate with each other within the context of a task or project.
• Notifications: Notifications can be set up for each card or board, keeping team members updated with any changes or updates.
• Power-Ups: Power-Ups are additional features that can be added to Trello boards. There are over 100 Power-Ups available, including integrations with other tools such as Google Drive, Slack, and Jira.

Pros and cons of Using Trello

Trello Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Trello has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and use. Its Kanban-style boards are intuitive and make it easy to visualize tasks and projects. This feature trickles down to the Trello app.
• Flexible and customizable: Trello’s Kanban-style boards are highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the service to specific needs. Users can create custom labels and color-coded cards and add custom backgrounds to their boards.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Trello is designed to support collaboration and communication among team members. Users can share boards, cards, and lists with team members and add comments, attachments, and checklists to cards.
• Integrations with other tools and services: Trello integrates with various tools and services, including Slack, Google Drive, and Zapier. This allows users to easily combine different platforms and tools, streamlining workflows and improving productivity.
• Wide range of features: Trello offers a range of features for managing tasks and projects, including due dates, checklists, attachments, comments, and labels. Users can create custom workflows and processes to fit their specific needs and can use Trello’s Power-Ups to add additional functionality.

All these pros are obtainable on the Trello app as well as the web-based service.

Trello Cons:

1. Limited Reporting: Trello’s reporting features are limited, making it difficult to generate detailed reports or track progress over time.
2. Lack of Time Tracking: While Trello offers time tracking Power-Ups, it does not have built-in time tracking features, which can be a drawback for some users.
3. Limited Customization: While Trello’s boards are highly customizable, there are some limitations to what users can customize. For example, there is no option to customize the font or font size.
4. Security Concerns: Trello’s free plan does not offer advanced security features, which may concern users who need to protect sensitive information.

Pricing and Plans

Trello offers four pricing plans: Free, Standard, Premium, and Enterprise. Let’s explore each of these plans and their features.

1. Trello Free Plan

The Free plan includes unlimited boards, cards, and members. It also includes basic features such as checklists, due dates, and attachments. However, it does not include advanced features such as Power-Ups, Butler, or calendar view.

2. Trello Standard plan

The Standard plan costs $5 per user per month (billed annually) and includes all the features of the Free plan, as well as advanced features such as Power-Ups and calendar view.

3. Trello Premium plan

The Premium plan costs $10 per user per month (billed annually) and includes all the features of the Standard plan, as well as additional features such as priority support, custom backgrounds, and unlimited integrations.

4. Trello Enterprise plan

The Enterprise plan is designed for larger teams and organizations and includes all the features of the Premium plan, as well as advanced security features and dedicated account management. Pricing for the Enterprise plan is available on request.

The Trello Mobile app

The Trello app is available for iOS and Android devices. Trello app allows users to access their boards, cards, and lists on the go, making it easy to manage tasks and collaborate with team members from anywhere.

The mobile app includes all the desktop version features, including adding cards, creating checklists, adding attachments, and more.

Best alternatives to Trello

Several other project management tools offer similar features to Trello. Some of the best alternatives include:

1. Asana

Asana is another robust project management tool that offers features similar to Trello. It uses a task-based approach to project management and allows users to create tasks, assign them to team members, and track progress.

Asana also offers a range of features, including a calendar view, time tracking, and project templates. Asana has a free plan as well as paid plans for teams and enterprises.

Do you want to learn more about Asana? Check out our comprehensive review of the Asana project management tool.

2. Monday.com

Monday.com is another popular project management tool offering a Kanban-style interface similar to Trello. It allows users to create boards, lists, and cards and offers a range of features, including time tracking, automation, and integrations with other tools.

The tool also offers a range of templates to help users get started quickly. Monday.com has a free trial period and paid plans for teams and enterprises.

Check out our comprehensive Monday.com review.

3. Jira

Jira is a well-developed project management tool designed specifically for software development teams. It offers a range of features for managing agile workflows, including sprint planning, backlog management, and release management.

It also integrates with other software development tools like GitHub and Bitbucket. Jira has a free plan for small teams and paid plans for larger teams and enterprises.

Check out our comprehensive Jira review article.

4. Basecamp

This project management tool offers a range of features for managing tasks, projects, and communication. It uses a project-based approach to project management, allowing users to create projects, add team members, and manage tasks and deadlines.

Basecamp also offers a range of communication features, including chat and message boards. Basecamp has a free trial period and paid plans for teams and enterprises.

5. ClickUp

ClickUp is another project management tool offering various features for managing tasks, projects, and collaboration. It uses a hybrid approach to project management, allowing users to create lists, boards, and calendars to manage their work.

ClickUp also offers a range of features, including time tracking, automation, and integrations with other tools. ClickUp has a free plan as well as paid plans for teams and enterprises.

Can you collaborate on Trello?

Yes, Trello is designed for collaboration. Team members can be added to boards and work together on cards, add comments, and share attachments.

Trello also offers integrations with other collaboration tools, such as Slack and Google Drive, making collaborating easier across different platforms.

The collaboration features are even more fascinating because they apply to users on the Trello app as well.

Why is Trello good for project management?

Trello is a great tool for project management because it is flexible and customizable. It allows users to organize their tasks and projects in the best way for them.

The Kanban board system is easy to understand and use, and Trello offers a range of features for managing tasks and collaborating with team members. Trello is also affordable and accessible, with a free plan available for users who want to try it out before committing to a paid plan.

Our verdict

Overall, Trello is a great project management tool that offers a range of features for organizing tasks and collaborating with team members.

Its user-friendly interface and flexible Kanban board system make it easy to use, and the ability to add Power-Ups and integrate with other tools makes it a versatile tool for managing projects.

However, it may not be suitable for larger projects that require more advanced reporting and analytics features. Nonetheless, Trello is a solid choice for smaller teams and individuals who want an easy-to-use and affordable project management tool.

We highly recommend it because of the perfectly built Trello app. This makes it easy to collaborate and plan on the fly.

Most of our readers have asked us to review Trello. We would love to know what other tool you want us to review. Drop your comments below.