Notion vs. Smartsheet vs. Trello – Detailed Comparison

Quick Verdict

Smartsheet is ideal for businesses needing robust reporting and integrations. Trello is best for teams prioritizing ease of use and visual task management. Notion is a versatile option for advanced users who need a highly customizable workspace.

Smartsheet offers robust reporting and analytics, while Notion requires external tools for advanced tracking.
Trello is the most beginner-friendly option with its Kanban-style boards, while Notion and Smartsheet have steeper learning curves.
All three platforms offer collaboration features, but Smartsheet stands out with real-time editing, commenting, and file sharing.

Key Specs – Side-by-Side

Metric	Notion	Smartsheet	Trello
Price	$10/user/month (billed annually) for Plus, $15/user/month (billed annually) for Business, Custom for Enterprise	Pro: $9 per user/month (billed annually), Business: $19 per user/month (billed annually), Enterprise: Custom pricing	Standard: $5/user/month (billed annually), Premium: $10/user/month (billed annually), Enterprise: $17.50+/user/month (billed annually)
Features	Combines notes, wikis, databases, and task management; highly customizable; requires external tools for advanced tracking.	Spreadsheet-like grid with robust reporting, task automation, and 175+ integrations.	Kanban boards, task assignment, and extensive integrations; excels in visual task management.
Rating	Not available	4/5	Not available

Overall Comparison

Notion: Versatile, highly customizable all-in-one workspace with a steeper learning curve.
Smartsheet: Robust reporting and data insights with a spreadsheet-like interface, but pricier.
Trello: Intuitive Kanban boards, easy to use, and cost-effective for small teams.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Notion: Versatile
Notion: Highly customizable
Notion: Integrates various functions into one platform
Notion: All-in-one workspace
Smartsheet: Versatile project management and team workflow processes.
Smartsheet: Robust reporting and data insights.
Smartsheet: Scalable features to fit unique needs.
Smartsheet: Improved collaboration and communication.
Smartsheet: Task automation and workflow management.
Smartsheet: Integrates with many popular business tools.
Trello: Intuitive and easy to use
Trello: Flexible with numerous integrations
Trello: Cost-effective for small teams
Trello: Native, fast, and fluid Kanban boards

Disadvantages

Notion: Steeper learning curve
Notion: Requires external tools for advanced tracking
Notion: Requires setup, ideal for advanced users
Smartsheet: Steep learning curve, especially for spreadsheet novices.
Smartsheet: Pricier than some other project management tools.
Smartsheet: Add-on costs for certain advanced features.
Smartsheet: Limited sheet options (maximum of 500,000 cells, 20,000 rows, and 400 columns).
Smartsheet: Some users report stability and uptime issues.
Trello: Limited advanced project tracking
Trello: Relies on Power-Ups for extended functionality

User Experiences and Feedback

Overall User Sentiment

What Users Love

Notion: Versatile
Notion: Highly customizable
Smartsheet: Easy to use compared to other tools.
Smartsheet: Helps in creating detailed and dynamic reports.
Smartsheet: Excellent for project management and event management.
Smartsheet: Makes it easy to stay on top of multiple competing priorities and work collaboratively with a team.
Trello: Easy to use
Trello: Quick setup

Common Complaints

Notion: Steeper learning curve
Smartsheet: Lacks native time tracking and invoicing tools.
Smartsheet: Limited features compared to other project management tools.
Smartsheet: No centralized management of resources.
Smartsheet: Security and uptime issues reported by some users.
Trello: Limited reporting
Trello: Basic automation with Butler

Value Perception

Notion: Combines note-taking, project management, wikis, and databases
Smartsheet: ROI is incredible, and the ease of rolling it out through an organization is simple due to the intuitive UI.
Trello: Cost-effective for small teams