MeisterTask vs Trello: which should you choose?
Quick answer: MeisterTask is built for kanban-focused teams, while Trello suits personal and small-team task boards. For most users MeisterTask is the stronger default, but Trello can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Both MeisterTask and Trello get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| MeisterTask | Trello | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | kanban task management | kanban board |
| What it's known for | Clean Kanban-style task management with automations and tight integration to MindMeister mind maps, part of the Meister suite. | Visual, drag-and-drop Kanban boards that are extremely easy to start with, extensible via Power-Ups and Butler automation; part of Atlassian. |
| Pricing | Free Basic plan; Pro from ~$7/user/mo; Business ~$12.50/user/mo; Enterprise custom (billed annually). | Free plan; Standard from ~$5/user/mo; Premium ~$10/user/mo; Enterprise ~$17.50/user/mo (billed annually). |
| Best audience | Kanban-focused teams, especially MindMeister/Meister suite users wanting simple visual task flows. | Individuals and small teams wanting visual Kanban boards and an easy start to project management. |
| Best for | Kanban-focused teams, MindMeister/Meister suite users, Simple visual task flows | Personal and small-team task boards, Visual Kanban workflows, Beginners to project management |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Clean, intuitive Kanban interface. | Easiest PM tool to start with; visual and intuitive. |
| Main caveat | Free Basic limited to 3 projects, no recurring tasks. | Free plan caps at 10 boards per workspace and 250 automation runs/mo. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
MeisterTask key features
- Kanban-style project boards with customizable sections
- Automations for recurring workflow steps
- Agenda personal dashboard (pin tasks across projects)
- Subtasks, timeline, custom fields (Business)
Trello key features
- Drag-and-drop Kanban boards with cards, lists and checklists
- Butler automation (rules, buttons, scheduled commands)
- Premium views: Timeline, Calendar, Dashboard, Table and Map
- Power-Ups directory (200+ integrations) to extend boards
Pricing tiers side by side
MeisterTask plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Free) | $0 | Up to 3 projects, unlimited tasks, no recurring tasks |
| Pro | ~$14.49/user/mo (annual) | $17.49 monthly; unlimited projects, integrations, reporting |
| Business | ~$26.49/user/mo (annual) | $31.99 monthly; subtasks, timeline, roles, custom fields |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support, advanced controls |
Trello plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited cards, 10 boards/workspace, 250 automation runs/mo, 10 MB attachments |
| Standard | $5/user/mo (annual) | Unlimited boards, advanced checklists, card mirroring, 1,000 automations |
| Premium | $10/user/mo (annual) | Timeline/Calendar/Dashboard/Map views, AI, unlimited automation |
| Enterprise | $17.50/user/mo (annual) | 50-seat minimum; SSO, org-wide permissions, 24/7 support |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where MeisterTask wins
Clean Kanban task management tightly integrated with MindMeister mind maps in the Meister suite.
- Clean, intuitive Kanban interface.
- Tight integration with MindMeister mind maps.
That makes it the stronger pick for kanban-focused teams, especially MindMeister/Meister suite users wanting simple visual task flows.
Where Trello wins
The simplest on-ramp to Kanban, extensible via 200+ Power-Ups and Butler automation.
- Easiest PM tool to start with; visual and intuitive.
- Generous free plan for personal and small-team use.
That makes it the stronger pick for individuals and small teams wanting visual Kanban boards and an easy start to project management.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose MeisterTask if you fit its core audience — kanban-focused teams, especially MindMeister/Meister suite users wanting simple visual task flows.
- Choose Trello if you fit its core audience — individuals and small teams wanting visual Kanban boards and an easy start to project management.
FAQ
Is MeisterTask better than Trello?
MeisterTask is the stronger default for most users, but Trello can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between MeisterTask and Trello?
MeisterTask is clean Kanban task management tightly integrated with MindMeister mind maps in the Meister suite. Trello is the simplest on-ramp to Kanban, extensible via 200+ Power-Ups and Butler automation.
Which is cheaper, MeisterTask or Trello?
Both MeisterTask and Trello offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for MeisterTask and Trello: