Trello vs Jira: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Trello and Jira.
Visual project management with boards, lists, and cards
Issue and project tracking for software teams
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Trello | Jira |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $5/mo ✓ Cheaper | $8.15/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| G2 rating | 4.4/5 ↑ | 4.3/5 |
| Capterra rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2002 |
Trello: pros & cons
- ✓Easiest tool to learn
- ✓Great free plan
- ✓Intuitive drag-and-drop
- ✓Good mobile apps
- ✗Limited for complex projects
- ✗No Gantt or dependency tracking
- ✗Scales poorly for large teams
Jira: pros & cons
- ✓Industry standard for dev teams
- ✓Extremely powerful
- ✓Huge integration ecosystem
- ✓Scales to enterprise
- ✗Steep learning curve
- ✗Can be slow and bloated
- ✗Complex configuration
- ✗Overkill for non-dev teams
Choose Trello if...
Trello is the better choice if you need kanban boards or cards & checklists, or want to start for free. It scores 4.4/5 on G2.
Read Trello review →Choose Jira if...
Jira is the better choice if you prioritise scrum boards or kanban boards, or need a free plan. It scores 4.3/5 on G2.
Read Jira review →Our verdict
Trello edges ahead on user ratings (4.4/5 on G2). Trello is the cheaper option. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team — use the comparison table above to decide.
Trello vs Jira: frequently asked questions
Is Trello better than Jira?
Trello has a higher G2 score (4.4/5 vs 4.3/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Trello or Jira?
Trello is cheaper, starting at $5/mo.
What is the main difference between Trello and Jira?
Trello focuses on kanban boards, cards & checklists, labels & filters. Jira focuses on scrum boards, kanban boards, backlog management. Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.