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Microsoft Planner is the better fit for teams already organized around Microsoft 365, especially when they need plans inside Teams and advanced project-planning features. Trello is a strong choice for teams that want visual boards, a free starting tier, and integrations through Power-Ups. The deciding factors are the Planner license your team needs, Trello’s workspace limits and billing, and the controls and integrations you actually use. Prices and features below reflect vendor pages reviewed October 7, 2026; confirm current terms for your region before buying.
Microsoft Planner vs. Trello at a glance
| Consideration | Microsoft Planner | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Teams using Microsoft 365 that want plans integrated with Microsoft apps and, with the right license, advanced project planning. | Teams that prefer visual boards, want a free starting point, or need to connect varied tools through Power-Ups. |
| Free or included option | Basic Planner is included with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions; eligibility depends on the subscription. Microsoft licensing FAQ | Free tier lists up to 10 collaborators and 10 boards per Workspace. Trello pricing |
| Advanced planning | Premium adds Timeline (Gantt), dependencies, workload view, critical path, goals, and other project-planning features. Microsoft feature comparison | Premium adds Timeline and other views, including Calendar, Table, Dashboard, and Map; these labels do not establish feature parity with Planner’s project-planning tools. Trello pricing |
| Price examples | Microsoft’s US page lists Planner Plan 1 at $10 per user/month and Planner and Project Plan 3 at $30 per user/month, both billed yearly. These are displayed US prices, not global quotes. Microsoft pricing | Trello lists Standard at $5 per user/month and Premium at $10 per user/month with annual billing; Enterprise is listed at $17.50 per user/month annually. Standard and Premium monthly billing are shown as $6 and $12.50 per user/month. Trello pricing |
| Integrations | Fits into Microsoft 365 workflows, including Teams, Outlook, Loop, and Power Automate, with availability depending on plan and capability. | Power-Ups connect boards to outside apps; some partner Power-Ups may require a separate subscription. Atlassian Power-Ups documentation |
Which is better for your team?
Choose Planner if Microsoft 365 is already your workplace
Planner is a natural shortlist choice if your team works in Microsoft 365 and wants task plans embedded in familiar workflows. Basic Planner is included with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions, while access to advanced Premium capabilities depends on the user’s license and the plan. Some users can edit a Premium plan without having access to every advanced feature, so check the licensing FAQ rather than assuming every collaborator has the same tools. Microsoft licensing FAQ
Choose Trello if board-first work and flexibility matter most
Trello centers work on boards, lists, and cards, with Power-Ups for connecting tools such as Slack, Google Drive, and Salesforce. It is worth considering if your team wants to start on a free plan or works across a varied app stack. Check each connector’s availability and cost: a partner Power-Up may carry its own subscription. Trello pricing Power-Ups documentation
What do Planner Basic and Premium include?
Planner is tiered, so the product name alone does not tell you which features a user can use. Microsoft’s comparison lists Grid, Board, and Charts views in both Basic and Premium, along with task notes, filtering and grouping, Excel export, and access to assigned tasks. The same comparison lists several capabilities as Basic-only, including Schedule view, Outlook calendar, SharePoint integration, Teams Mobile tasks, recurring tasks, and adding plans to Loop. Check the current comparison for the specific capability and license you need. Microsoft Planner feature comparison
#1 Best Overall
- COOPERATIVE STRATEGY: Work as a team against the game itself in Pandemic. Players combine their roles and actions to contain four global outbreaks, share knowledge, and race to complete all four cures before time runs out.
- SPECIALIST ROLES: Play as the Medic, Scientist, Researcher, Operations Expert, and more. Each role has distinct abilities that shape team strategy and make every player's decisions important from start to finish.
- TEAMWORK GAMEPLAY: Pandemic rewards planning, card management, and coordinated moves. This cooperative strategy game creates tense decisions each round as players balance immediate threats with long-term progress.
- SERIES ENTRY POINT: Pandemic is the base game that introduces the wider series, including Pandemic Legacy Season 1. Learn the core systems here, then build on that experience in future campaign play.
- GROUP GAME NIGHT: For 2-4 players ages 8 and up, Pandemic plays in about 45-60 minutes. It fits family game nights at home, family vacations, adult board game groups, and players looking for a teamwork-focused tabletop challenge.
Premium planning features
Premium adds capabilities for managing project schedules and workloads, including Timeline (Gantt), People/workload view, task dependencies, milestones, custom fields, conditional coloring, critical path, colored buckets, backlogs and sprints, goals, custom calendars, and task history. Copilot in Planner is marked as a preview in Microsoft’s comparison table; do not treat that label as a general availability promise. Microsoft feature comparison
Limits and plan changes to check
Microsoft lists a limit of 9,000 tasks per Basic plan and 3,000 per Premium plan. It also warns that applications and workflows built for Basic plans need modification to work with Premium. Before moving a plan, identify any connected apps or automations and confirm what changes they need. Microsoft feature comparison
What does Trello offer at each tier?
Trello’s pricing page groups its features by plan. The Free tier is positioned for individuals or small teams and lists unlimited cards, Power-Ups, mobile apps, assignees and due dates, two-factor authentication, 10 MB per-file storage, and 250 Workspace command runs monthly. Its listed workspace limits are 10 collaborators and 10 boards per Workspace. Trello pricing
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- BUILD STRONGER BONDS AND TEAM SPIRIT: Break the ice and inspire meaningful conversation with our Team Building Chips! Designed especially for workplaces, these chips inspire laughter, stories, and shared insights. They’re ideal for fostering collaboration in meetings, work retreats, or casual office settings. There’s something for every team - whether you’re a new team that is just getting to know each other, or an established team that’s ready to delve into deeper conversations.
- 200 PROMPTS, 4 THEMES, 3 LEVELS: This game comes with 100 double sided chips for a total of 200 conversation prompts and endless opportunities for connection! Prompts cover the themes Work & Career, Goals, About You, and Favorites. And the questions are designed to meet everyone’s comfort level, offering a choice of Light, Medium, and Deep prompts.
- THREE WAYS TO PLAY: Enjoy adaptable gameplay with options like Group Sharing, Facilitator’s Choice, or Pick Your Question (see the included instructions booklet for details). Allowing participants to choose what level they feel comfortable sharing at creates an inclusive environment where introverts and extroverts alike can engage in meaningful ways.
- PORTABLE DRAWSTRING BAG: In addition to the sturdy storage box, the game comes with a convenient drawstring bag that makes it easy to transport the chips between meeting rooms or to offsite meetings. Each 2.25” diameter chip is the perfect size to draw out of the bag and read out loud. And the chips are made from thick, matte laminated cardstock to ensure they last for countless years of use!
- FUN AND WORK APPROPRIATE: The 200 thoughtfully curated questions in this game are designed to help coworkers have fun connecting and getting to know each other better. Whether laughing over embarrassing childhood fashion trends, or sharing deeper thoughts on how to grow as a team, you may be surprised at the fun insights and thoughtful discussions that unfold! Suitable for gifting, this game is a great choice for coworkers, teams, managers, and workplace celebrations.
| Trello plan | Displayed US price | Features and limits listed on Trello’s page |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 10 collaborators and 10 boards per Workspace; unlimited cards and Power-Ups; 10 MB per-file storage; 250 Workspace command runs monthly. |
| Standard | $5 per user/month billed annually; $6 per user/month billed monthly | Unlimited boards, advanced checklists, Custom Fields, card mirroring, and 1,000 monthly command runs. |
| Premium | $10 per user/month billed annually; $12.50 per user/month billed monthly | Calendar, Timeline, Table, Dashboard, and Map views; unlimited command runs; admin, security, and Workspace-level features. |
| Enterprise | $17.50 per user/month billed annually | Organization-wide permissions, organization-visible boards, public board management, multi-board guests, attachment permissions, Power-Up administration, and Atlassian Guard Standard. |
These are prices displayed on Trello’s page reviewed October 7, 2026; billing terms, availability, and pricing can change. Verify current terms for your region and team before committing. Trello pricing
How much will each product cost for your team?
Compare the license that supplies the features your team will use, not just the cheapest entry point. Microsoft’s US pricing page lists Planner Plan 1 at $10 per user/month billed yearly and Planner and Project Plan 3 at $30 per user/month billed yearly. Microsoft also says Planner is included with eligible Microsoft 365 subscriptions, so an organization that already has an eligible subscription may not need to buy a separate license for Basic Planner. Premium capabilities require an eligible paid Planner license. Microsoft pricing Microsoft licensing FAQ
For Trello, account for the chosen tier, annual versus monthly billing, Workspace limits, and any separately billed Power-Ups. The listed Free plan may suit a small team, but a team exceeding its collaborator or board limits will need to assess a paid plan. If guests or multiple workspaces are involved, check the applicable billing rules on the live pricing page. Trello pricing
Rank #3
- Play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board - when you have five in a row, it’s a SEQUENCE
- Each player or team tries to score the required number of five-card SEQUENCES before their opponents
- Easy enough for children, challenging for adults!
- Exciting gameplay develops STEM skills like strategy
- Includes 1 Folding Game Board (19.75" x 15.25"), 2 Decks of SEQUENCE Playing Cards (2.25" x 3.5"), 135 Playing Chips (50 Green, 50 Blue, 35 Red), and Complete Instructions
Neither vendor’s displayed plan prices alone establish the total cost for your organization. Compare the actual number of licensed users, required features, billing cadence, any existing Microsoft 365 entitlements, and connector costs before choosing.
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Microsoft 365 connections
Planner’s advantage is its place in Microsoft’s ecosystem: plans can be used alongside Teams, Outlook, Loop, and Power Automate, though a specific feature may depend on license or plan type. Microsoft retired Project for the web and the Project and Roadmap Teams apps in August 2025, transitioning users to Planner for web and Planner in Teams. Guides that direct users to those retired app names may therefore be out of date. Microsoft licensing FAQ
Trello Power-Ups
Trello describes Power-Ups as a way to connect external tools to boards. Its pricing page gives Slack, Google Drive, and Salesforce as examples, but connector availability and charges vary. Verify the exact Power-Up and any separate subscription before building a workflow around it. Atlassian Power-Ups documentation Trello pricing
Rank #4
- TENSE TEAMWORK – Work together to defend Castle Bravehold as monsters attack from all sides; trade cards, coordinate plans, and keep at least one tower standing to survive the siege as a united team.
- EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT EXPERIENCE – Face plagues, boulders, and boss monsters that disrupt your plans and force strategic choices; each turn adds suspense for both new and experienced players.
- CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE – Enjoy four modes: Co-op, Solo, Master Slayer competitive mode, and Overlord where one player controls the monsters; each option offers unique tension and replay value.
- TOWER DEFENSE THRILLS – Featuring 3D towers, vibrant monster tokens, and an illustrated board, this 45-minute adventure blends accessibility with satisfying strategic depth for 1–6 players.
- HEARTHSIDE HARMONY – Bring friends and family together with an easy-to-learn game that blends teamwork, excitement, and warm table energy; ideal for mixed-experience groups and repeat play.
Governance and security
Trello’s pricing page lists administrative and security features across paid tiers, with Enterprise adding organization-wide permissions and management controls. It also describes Trello as cloud-only, with web, desktop, and mobile access, and states certifications including SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001, and PCI-DSS. Those vendor statements are not a direct security comparison with Planner; assess each product against your organization’s requirements and review the exact plan’s controls. Trello pricing
Does Trello cost less than Planner for a small team?
Trello has a $0 tier with listed limits of 10 collaborators and 10 boards per Workspace, making it the clearest no-additional-plan-cost starting point in this comparison. Planner Basic may also be included if your organization already pays for an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription. The relevant comparison is therefore not simply Trello Free against a Planner list price: check whether your Microsoft subscription includes Planner, whether Trello’s free limits are sufficient, and whether either product’s required capabilities trigger another charge. Trello pricing Microsoft licensing FAQ
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How should you decide?
- List must-have features. Identify whether you need dependencies, Gantt-style scheduling, workload views, recurring tasks, sprints, reporting views, or simple board-based task tracking.
- Check the exact Planner license. Match each required Planner feature to Basic or Premium, and verify that each user who needs it has the appropriate license. Microsoft feature comparison Microsoft licensing FAQ
- Count users and workspaces. For Trello, compare your team’s needs with its per-Workspace collaborator and board limits and determine which paid tier is needed if you exceed them. For Planner, check task volume and the Basic-to-Premium transition implications.
- Map integrations and automations. Confirm the required Microsoft 365 connections or Trello Power-Ups are available, included, and compatible with your intended plan. Account for separate connector charges where applicable.
- Review governance and total cost. Compare billing cadence, user count, administration, guest access, and compliance requirements against the actual plans under consideration.
Verdict
For a Microsoft 365-centered organization that needs integrated work management or advanced project-planning features, Planner is the more natural fit, provided the necessary licenses are budgeted. For a team that values visual boards, a free entry point, and app connections through Power-Ups, Trello is likely the better starting choice. Choose by verified feature and license requirements rather than by assuming similarly named views behave the same way.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
