Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Trello VS NotePlan

Compare Trello VS NotePlan and see what are their differences

Trello logo Trello

Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

NotePlan logo NotePlan

Make plans inside an individual markdown note for every day in your calendar. Use it as a journal for your daily tasks and plan todos in advance. For Mac, iPhone and iPad.
  • Trello Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-23
  • NotePlan Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-25

Trello

Website
trello.com
$ Details
freemium $12.5 / Monthly (Per user - Business Class)

Trello features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Trello's drag-and-drop interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
  • Collaborative Features
    Trello allows for real-time collaboration, with features like comments, mentions, and attachments, making team communication seamless.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize boards with different backgrounds, labels, and stickers. Additionally, Trello offers Power-Ups to extend functionality.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Trello is available on iOS, Android, and web, allowing users to stay connected and manage tasks from multiple devices.
  • Integration Support
    Trello integrates with a variety of other tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Jira, enhancing its functionality and adaptability.
  • Free Tier
    Trello offers a robust free tier that includes many essential features, making it a cost-effective option for individuals and small teams.

Possible disadvantages of Trello

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Some advanced project management features, like Gantt charts and time tracking, are not available or require third-party integrations.
  • Notification Overload
    Users can receive a high volume of notifications, especially in larger teams, which can become overwhelming and reduce productivity.
  • Scalability Issues
    While suitable for small to medium-sized projects, Trello may struggle with more complex project management needs, particularly for large-scale enterprises.
  • Storage Limitations
    The free version of Trello has storage limitations, which can be restrictive for teams that need to share and store large files.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Integrations
    Many advanced features and functionalities depend on third-party integrations, which can lead to additional costs and potential security concerns.
  • Limited Reporting and Analytics
    Trello lacks comprehensive reporting and analytics features, making it difficult for teams to gain insights into their productivity and project performance.

NotePlan features and specs

  • Markdown Support
    NotePlan supports Markdown, allowing users to write notes in a clean and easy-to-format manner.
  • Calendar Integration
    It integrates seamlessly with your calendar, providing a consolidated view of notes, tasks, and events.
  • Task Management
    Users can manage tasks and to-do lists directly within the app, making it great for productivity.
  • Cross-Platform Sync
    NotePlan offers cross-platform syncing, enabling access to notes on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS devices.
  • Daily Notes
    The concept of daily notes helps in journaling and keeping track of daily activities.
  • Tagging System
    An efficient tagging system helps in organizing and finding notes quickly.
  • Quick Capture
    The quick capture feature enables jotting down thoughts and tasks swiftly.

Possible disadvantages of NotePlan

  • Price
    NotePlan is not free and may be considered expensive for casual note-takers.
  • Learning Curve
    The extensive features might require some time for new users to learn and adapt.
  • Limited Platform Availability
    It’s only available on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, leaving out Windows and Android users.
  • No Web Access
    There is no web access, which can be a limitation for some users who prefer browser-based tools.
  • No Collaboration Features
    NotePlan lacks robust collaboration features, which makes it less suitable for team projects.

Analysis of NotePlan

Overall verdict

  • Overall, NotePlan is a good choice for those who prefer a minimalist yet powerful tool for managing notes and tasks. It effectively caters to individuals looking for a cohesive system that integrates note-taking with scheduling, making it a viable option for personal and professional productivity needs.

Why this product is good

  • NotePlan is a well-regarded productivity tool because it combines the functionalities of note-taking, to-do lists, and a calendar in a single application. Its strengths include seamless integration with macOS and iOS, Markdown support for note formatting, and an intuitive interface that makes it easy to manage tasks and notes. Users appreciate its focus on personal productivity and the ability to link notes with tasks and calendar events, which aids in organizing projects and daily plans efficiently.

Recommended for

    NotePlan is particularly recommended for users who are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and prefer using apps that offer robust integrations with iOS and macOS. It is ideal for people who like using Markdown for note-taking and those who want a lightweight app that can manage tasks and notes simultaneously in a linked manner. Additionally, individuals who value a clean, distraction-free interface for productivity will likely find NotePlan to be a good fit.

Trello videos

How to Organize Your Workflow - Trello Review!

More videos:

  • Review - Why I'm LEAVING Trello 😲 | Trello 2019
  • Review - Trello - A Quick Overview

NotePlan videos

NotePlan 3 Review

More videos:

  • Review - Noteplan 3 - Link your Notes with Apple's Reminder and Calendar App
  • Review - Walkthrough of NotePlan 3 — Notetaker, calendar, digital bullet journal all in one app
  • Review - The Best Bullet Journal App | NotePlan 3 Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Trello and NotePlan)
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Task Management
99 99%
1% 1
Productivity
97 97%
3% 3

User comments

Share your experience with using Trello and NotePlan. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Trello and NotePlan

Trello Reviews

  1. A handy tool for planning

    Trello excels as a task planning tool, and I appreciate its user-friendly interface, especially when using it on a smartphone. Its mobile app is incredibly convenient, allowing me to stay organized and connected on the go. I appreciate how it streamlines collaboration without unnecessary complexities.

  2. Been using it for over 5 years! Super effective!

    Incorporating Trello into my daily workflow has been a game-changer. It is an incredibly intuitive and versatile tool that has significantly boosted my productivity. What I particularly love about Trello is the visual aspect of its interface - the board and card system makes it easy to visualize my tasks and progress. The ability to create different boards for different projects or areas of work helps to keep everything organized and easy to manage. Adding, moving, and categorizing tasks are just a drag-and-drop away, making it straightforward and efficient. The flexibility to customize each card with due dates, labels, checklists, attachments, and even members has been beneficial in tracking the status of various tasks and deadlines.

    he collaborative features are another huge plus. Sharing boards and tasks with colleagues, and being able to comment directly on cards, makes team projects and communication a breeze. On the go, I have found the Trello mobile app to be just as user-friendly and functional as the desktop version, allowing me to stay on top of my tasks no matter where I am. Overall, Trello has proved to be an invaluable tool in managing my daily tasks and enhancing productivity. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to streamline their workflow.

    🏁 Competitors: Asana
  3. Simon
    · Working at Simon ·
    A Great Collaboration Tool, But There Are Better Options Out There

    I have been using Trello for a couple of years now and I must say, it's a great tool for organising tasks and collaborating with team members. It's simple to use, has a nice interface, and the mobile apps are great for on-the-go productivity.

    One of the best things about Trello is its flexibility. You can use it for almost any type of project, whether it's a personal to-do list or a complex team project. The ability to create multiple boards and add unlimited cards and lists makes it a great tool for keeping track of everything from the big picture to the minute details.

    However, while Trello is a good tool, I don't think it's the best option out there. For one thing, the free version is quite limited in terms of features and functionality. You'll have to upgrade to a paid plan to get access to things like integrations, power-ups, and more. Additionally, I've found that Trello can be a bit slow at times, especially when you have a lot of boards and cards.

    🏁 Competitors: Asana
    👍 Pros:    Flexible|Easy to use|Mobile app
    👎 Cons:    Expensive|Limited features on free plan|Little slow

The Top 7 ClickUp Alternatives You Need to Know in 2025
Benefits:Trello's straightforward design allows users to quickly adapt without extensive training. Recent updates have introduced features like card mirroring and integration with Jira lists, enhancing its capabilities.
How Tight-Knit Teams Get More Done with Innovative Project Management Tools
A small business might suddenly land a new client or product line. With a flexible approach, you can handle sudden expansions. For instance, if your Trello board becomes crowded, you can create additional boards or switch to something like Asana that manages more detailed sub-tasks. Meanwhile, short video demos via ScreenRec can ensure your new hires (or existing staff)...
Source: medium.com
25 Best Asana Alternatives & Competitors for Project Management in 2024
If this isn’t your first time on the project management software hunt, you’ve most likely come across Trello as one of the popular Asana alternatives. Trello organizes projects into boards inspired by Kanban, a workflow management method. A board is filled with task cards containing notes, attachments, images, documents, and other data to collaborate with teammates.
Source: clickup.com
The 10 best Asana alternatives in 2024
Trello also lets you create custom automations that run based on project activity, like an approaching due date or when a card is moved between lists. You can even set up custom buttons for cards and boards that run an automated sequence when clicked. Individuals and small teams that don't need Asana's advanced template library and team management might be happy to trade...
Source: zapier.com
11 Best Google Keeps Alternatives for 2024
Trello is renowned for its visual Kanban-style approach to project management. It’s a three-tier structure: boards, lists, and cards.
Source: upbase.io

NotePlan Reviews

We have no reviews of NotePlan yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Trello should be more popular than NotePlan. It has been mentiond 242 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Trello mentions (242)

  • Outsourcing Node.js Development: A Smart Choice for Modern Businesses
    Communication & Collaboration Tools: Communication must be clear as crystal. AI-based project management tools such as Jira and Trello facilitate real-time collaboration with outsourced developers. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Mastering the Money Matters of Open Source: Navigating the Financial Landscape
    Budgeting and Planning: Setting a realistic budget that aligns with the project’s goals is an essential first step. Tools such as Trello and Asana can help project teams organize tasks and track financial planning efforts. Detailed budget management strategies are also discussed within the open source project budget management guides. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • The Best 100 Free UI/UX Resources for Every Designer & Developer
    Trello Trello.com Project management tool. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Time management: Learn how to make a huge difference in your productivity
    Write down your daily tasks in a notebook. After completing each task, put a tick next to it. This gives you a great sense of reward like you’ve accomplished something. If there’s something you cannot work on during the day, record it in a task-management app like Trello or Todoist. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Ask HN: How do I consolidate all my messaging services into ont big dashboard?
    Trello? I haven’t used it in … years, so I don’t know if it supports everything you need, though that was its original intended purpose https://trello.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
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NotePlan mentions (35)

  • Ask HN: What Process/Applications Do You Use for Todo/Knowledge Management?
    I'm using NotePlan (https://noteplan.co) and loving it. It's a macOS/iOS app (there's a somewhat limited Web version). IMO, the best balance between PKM and task manager/calendar management. I've also tried Amplenote (https://amplenote.com) that has some of the features you want but the tagging concept lost me. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Ask HN: How do you manage ideas, tasks, notes and other stuff?
    I've been using NotePlan (https://noteplan.co) with the Projects + Reviews plugin. It's been a game changer for me. The (almost) perfect combination of tasks + notes. I also manage my personal stuff with it. It's a paid macOS app but, IMO, worth every penny. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Information flow - how I capture the notes
    Noteplan and Plume - not a Markdown, more Apple notes competitors. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Twenty, a modern CRM alternative to Salesforce
    Consider https://legendapp.com/ or https://noteplan.co/ for nice note integration with your calendar. You could easily create a list of contacts in these systems and trigger various events (singular and recurring). - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Show HN: I built a note-taking app integrated with calendar and to-do list
    Https://noteplan.co is a very similar app. Unfortunately I couldn't use it because it was limited to iOS devices (a web version is in development). - One thing missing in craftnote is search. That is a must-have feature for me. - I also like being able to publicly share notes with a (short) URL. See https://simplenote.com for an example of how this is done. Nice job with allowing your app to be usable without... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Trello and NotePlan, you can also consider the following products

Asana - Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

Obsidian.md - A second brain, for you, forever. Obsidian is a powerful knowledge base that works on top of a local folder of plain text Markdown files.

Basecamp - A simple and elegant project management system.

Mochi - Write notes and flashcards with Markdown and study them with spaced repetition.

Wrike - Wrike is a flexible, scalable, and easy-to-use collaborative work management software that helps high-performance teams organize and accomplish their work. Try it now.

Notion - All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.