Jira vs Trello: Which Project Management Tool Is Better in 2026?
Jira
From $7.53Trello
From $5Quick verdict
Overall pick: Tie
Pick Jira if you run software teams or agile sprints and need native time tracking, Gantt views, and workflow automations, accepting a higher starting price of $7.53 per seat and no guest access. Pick Trello if you want simpler visual Kanban boards for small teams or personal task boards at a lower $5 per seat and need guest or client access, accepting that native time tracking is missing. Both include Kanban, Gantt, automations, an AI assistant, and a public API.
- Trello's entry plan ($5) is 34% cheaper than Jira's ($7.53).
- Both offer a free plan, so you can test them side by side at no cost.
- Only Jira offers: native time tracking.
- Only Trello offers: guest / client access.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Jira · per user | $37.65 | $452 |
| Trello · per user | $25.00 | $300 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Software team running agile sprints | Jira | Jira is best for software teams and agile sprints and includes native time tracking, which Trello lacks. |
| Small team needing client or guest access | Trello | Trello offers guest access while Jira does not. |
| Budget-conscious buyer comparing per-seat cost | Trello | Trello starts at $5 per seat versus Jira at $7.53 per seat, both billed per seat. |
| Team that needs to log billable hours in the tool | Jira | Jira has native time tracking; Trello does not. |
| Personal task boards | Trello | Trello lists personal task boards among its best-for uses and has a free plan. |
Feature comparison: Jira vs Trello
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ✅ |
| Starting price | $7.53 /user/mo | $5 /user/mo |
| Kanban boards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gantt / timeline view | ✅ | ✅ |
| Native time tracking | ✅ | — |
| Built-in docs / wiki | — | — |
| Workflow automations | ✅ | ✅ |
| Guest / client access | — | ✅ |
| AI assistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Public API | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Jira
- Native time tracking, which Trello lacks
- Best suited to software teams and agile sprints
- Includes Kanban, Gantt, automations, AI assistant, and public API
- Free plan available
- No guest or client access
- No built-in docs or wiki
- Higher starting price at $7.53 per seat versus Trello's $5
Trello
- Lower starting price at $5 per seat
- Guest or client access, which Jira lacks
- Best suited to small teams and personal task boards
- Includes Kanban, Gantt, automations, AI assistant, and public API
- No native time tracking
- No built-in docs or wiki
- Billed per seat, so cost scales with team size
At a glance
Issue and project tracking for software teams.
Founded 2002 · From $7.53 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: software teams, agile sprints
See Jira alternatives →Simple, visual Kanban boards.
Founded 2011 · From $5 · 6/8 tracked features
Best for: small teams, personal task boards
See Trello alternatives →FAQ
Is Jira cheaper than Trello?
No. Jira starts at $7.53 per seat and Trello at $5 per seat, both billed per seat.
Does Trello have native time tracking?
No. Trello does not offer native time tracking, while Jira does.
Can I give clients guest access in Jira?
No. Jira does not include guest or client access; Trello does.
Do both tools have free plans?
Yes. Both Jira and Trello offer a free plan.
Do both tools include Kanban boards and a public API?
Yes. Both include Kanban boards, Gantt views, workflow automations, an AI assistant, and a public API.
Related comparisons
Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Project Management tools →