Trello vs. ClickUp: For faster ramp-up and easy configuration, the choice is clear

It seems like there’s a new project management software tool or a novel productivity mobile app released every day. But new isn’t always better. You don’t want the newest collaboration tool; you want the best. Two options you may be considering are Trello and ClickUp.

Trello Enterprise is a straightforward and easy-to-use work and project management tool. Trello’s user-friendly environment is not only a favorite among small teams but also for large corporations. Don’t just take our word for it: 80% of Fortune 500 companies use Trello for collaboration.

ClickUp is a more complex platform that may provide additional advanced functionality that some teams would find handy. However, the extra features may create a tradeoff in the form of additional expense and ramp-up time that could lead to a delayed return on investment (ROI) for some enterprises.  

Let’s take a look at Trello vs. ClickUp and discuss the four ways Trello Enterprise may be able to provide your company with a faster ROI.

1. Quick and easy setup time

Whether you’re using a free or Enterprise plan, Trello is one of the most user-friendly work management tools users can adopt. ClickUp’s start-up process is slightly more complicated.

Trello setup

• Trello is so easy to use that most people are able to master the basics in a matter of minutes. There are  four simple steps to get started:
       1. Sign up for an account
       2. Create a Workspace for your team
       3. Add a few of your team members.
       4. Begin assigning tasks and subtasks via cards.
• Trello’s streamlined Kanban-style work management tool is easy for just about any team to adopt, whether they’re a tech team or a business unit. 
• Trello has a powerful dashboard with intuitive features that are appropriate for all levels of user experience (UX).

ClickUp setup

• ClickUp’s plethora of features makes it impossible for the platform to provide a fast setup experience. Your team leads should be prepared to spend significant time onboarding with the software before they’re able to put it to use.  
• ClickUp’s dynamic, customizable project management platform is so robust that some users may experience a steep learning curve.
• The high-lift technical aspects of using ClickUp may mean that non-tech teams under-utilize the platform if they’re unable to get appropriate internal support.

Considering all the factors of product onboarding and implementation, Trello’s simple Kanban boards, task management, natural UX, and drag-and-drop workflow make it inherently easier to use.

2. Unlimited automation

Automation can be a big time saver if you can configure it properly.

Trello Enterprise has a built-in feature, Butler Automation, that helps users not only figure out how to automate tasks, but also which tasks to automate. Butler detects real-time repetitive actions team members make on a Workspace board and suggests one-click automations based on those actions.

Trello’s Butler Automation lets you create rules, buttons, and commands to automate workflow actions.

ClickUp strives to be the “one app to replace them all.” It offers more advanced automation and extensive customization capabilities, but it does require a lengthier time investment to set up.

Trello automation

• Trello Enterprise’s Butler automation lets users create unlimited automations and even suggests automations based on your team’s usage. 
• Butler only needs one trigger to create automations such as rules, buttons, due date commands, and calendar commands.
• Trello uses natural language throughout—and a straightforward approach to automation that means users have a flatter learning curve. They can begin using Butler to find and create rules and commands in a matter of minutes. 

ClickUp automation

• ClickUp limits Enterprise users to a fixed number of automations per month—which could present a barrier as your company scales and multiple teams onboard to the platform.
• Automation options in ClickUp include: Shortcut menu, templates, custom automations, and integrations. 
• Integrations require nine conditions to be set up before a trigger can be activated.

Automation in Trello essentially only requires two bits of information: A trigger (which activates the process) and an action (which happens following the trigger). Setting up Trello Enterprise automation with Butler is easy and doesn’t require any coding or software programming knowledge.

3. 200+ Trello Power-Ups that overpower ClickUp’s integrations

Most integrations do just that: Integrate services. With Trello Enterprise’s Power-Ups, users get much more than just compatible tools. Some Power-Ups, like Voting or Card Repeater, provide more advanced functionality within their board features.

GetApp.com shows that Trello is compatible with nearly five times as many integrations as ClickUp.

Trello Power-Ups

• Trello Enterprise allows users to create the workflow of their dreams with more than 200 Power-Ups, including Gmail, Slack, Asana, checklists, time tracking, Gantt charts, and more.
• As shown on the software comparison site GetApp.com, Trello is compatible with a total of 577 integrations.
• Trello offers your team 11 Power-Ups for importing data from a variety of external sources.

ClickUp integrations

• ClickUp has around 50 native integrations and nine external tools that work alongside the platform. 
• GetApp.com shows that ClickUp can work with 116 integrations altogether.
• ClickUp offers users seven tools from which you can import your work and information automatically.  

“Integration” may be a more recognizable buzzword, but it doesn’t fully capture the potential of what your team can do with Trello Enterprise’s “Power-Ups.”

4. User provisioning and SSO to secure accounts

User provisioning and single sign-on (SSO) are not only more convenient for team members but also lessen security risks for companies. Both Trello and ClickUp offer SSO, but with some significant differences. 

Trello security

• SSO for Trello Enterprise is configured freely and natively through Atlassian Access, which provides visibility and security across all your company’s Atlassian accounts and products. 
• With Atlassian Access, administrators can manage user permissions and enforce security measures like SSO and multi-factor authentication.
• With Trello Enterprise, user provisioning is simple through Atlassian Access—administrators can create, edit, or deactivate a Trello account in your organization.

ClickUp security

• ClickUp also offers SSO, but users must have a Google, Microsoft, or Okta account.
• If you’re a Microsoft or Okta user, you will have to have a ClickUp Enterprise plan to use SSO with these accounts. SSO with Google will only work for Business Plans and above.
• ClickUp offers user provisioning through third-party apps only, which may increase exposure to security risks.

When users are finished working within a Trello Workspace, they’re not logged out—which is convenient. However, they will be required to follow any security requirements from your company’s authentication policy upon their next login—which is secure. Trello provides the best of both worlds. 

Do what you do best with Trello

Trello is one of many products—along with Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and more—in the Atlassian family of best-in-breed tools. Trello is just part of a whole, rich ecosystem of software that allows teams of all sizes to work together, even when they work differently. 

When it comes to Trello vs. ClickUp, Trello Enterprise isn’t designed to be everything to everyone—but it is designed to be the best at what it does. The Trello team is happy to provide your business with a simple yet sophisticated platform for all your work management and team collaboration needs. And if there’s another functionality you require from a product outside of Trello, check out Atlassian’s entire lineup.

Ready to join tens of millions of users around the world? Contact Trello for a demo today and get a faster return on your workflow investment.