TaskSpot vs Trello: Simple Task Management vs Kanban Boards
Trello and TaskSpot take different approaches to task management. Trello uses Kanban boards with cards and columns. TaskSpot uses simple lists organized by time (Today, Tomorrow, Backlog). Which workflow fits you better?
Comparison Summary
TaskSpot is a minimalist, free-forever task manager built for daily planning. Five views—Today, Tomorrow, Backlog, Done, and Deleted—keep you focused without distractions, with the core workflow centered on Today and Tomorrow.
Trello is a Kanban-based task management tool using boards, lists, and cards. It's visual and flexible, great for project management but can feel complex for simple daily tasks.
Quick verdict: Choose TaskSpot if you want simple daily planning without board complexity. Choose Trello if you prefer visual Kanban workflows or need project management features.
Who This Is For
This comparison helps:
- Daily planners deciding between list-based and board-based workflows
- Anyone overwhelmed by Trello's board setup
- People who want simple task management without Kanban complexity
- Users seeking a free alternative to Trello's paid features
- Project managers comparing focused vs. visual approaches
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Workflow Approach
TaskSpot: List-based workflow organized by time. Today, Tomorrow, Upcoming, Backlog, Done, and Deleted views help you focus on immediate priorities. Features priorities, urgency flags, due dates, keyboard shortcuts (j/k/x/e), drag-and-drop, daily streaks, bulk actions, and morning briefings. Simple and linear.
Trello: Kanban board workflow with cards moving through columns. Visual and flexible, great for projects but can feel complex for daily tasks.
Winner: TaskSpot for simple daily planning; Trello for visual project workflows.
Daily Planning Focus
TaskSpot: Built specifically for daily planning. Today and Tomorrow views help you focus on immediate priorities. The Backlog captures everything else without cluttering your daily view. Done and Deleted views help you track completed tasks.
Trello: Kanban boards aren't designed for daily planning. You can create "Today" lists, but the board structure adds complexity. Better suited for project management than daily task planning.
Winner: TaskSpot for dedicated daily planning workflow.
Simplicity and Learning Curve
TaskSpot: Start immediately. No tutorials needed. The five-view structure (Today, Tomorrow, Backlog, Done, Deleted) is intuitive from the first use.
Trello: Visual but requires understanding Kanban concepts. Setting up boards, lists, and cards takes time. More complex than simple task lists.
Winner: TaskSpot for immediate usability.
Pricing and Free Features
TaskSpot: Free forever with all essential features. No credit card required, no limitations on core functionality.
Trello: Free plan available with limitations. Advanced features like unlimited boards, power-ups, and team collaboration typically require a paid plan. Pricing varies by plan.
Winner: TaskSpot for complete free access to core features.
Visual Organization
TaskSpot: Simple list-based organization. Clean and minimal, focused on tasks rather than visual boards.
Trello: Visual Kanban boards with cards and columns. Great for seeing workflow and project status at a glance.
Winner: Trello for visual organization; TaskSpot for simplicity.
Project Management
TaskSpot: Designed for personal task management. No project management features like boards, cards, or team collaboration.
Trello: Built for project management with boards, cards, checklists, attachments, and team collaboration. Great for managing projects and teams.
Winner: Trello for project management features.
Team Collaboration
TaskSpot: Designed for individual use. No team collaboration features.
Trello: Supports team collaboration with shared boards, comments, mentions, and team features. Great if you need to collaborate on projects.
Winner: Trello for team collaboration.
Setup and Configuration
TaskSpot: Zero setup. Sign up and start adding tasks immediately.
Trello: Requires setting up boards, lists, and cards. Setup time varies depending on how you organize your workflow.
Winner: TaskSpot for instant start.
Attachments and Rich Content
TaskSpot: Simple task management. No attachments or rich content features.
Trello: Supports attachments, checklists, due dates, labels, and comments on cards. Great if you need to attach files or add details to tasks.
Winner: Trello for attachments and rich content.
Mobile Experience
TaskSpot: Web-based and fully responsive. Works on any device with a browser—no downloads needed.
Trello: Native mobile apps for iOS and Android. If you prefer native apps, Trello has the edge.
Winner: Trello for native apps; TaskSpot for universal browser access.
Philosophy
TaskSpot: Minimalism and focus. Simple lists organized by time, helping you focus on what matters today and tomorrow.
Trello: Visual project management. Kanban boards help you see workflow and manage projects visually.
Winner: Depends on your philosophy—simplicity vs. visual project management.
When to Choose TaskSpot
Choose TaskSpot if you:
- Want simple daily planning: You prefer list-based workflows over Kanban boards
- Prefer minimalism: You're overwhelmed by Trello's board setup and want something focused
- Need free forever: You want all essential features without paying
- Focus on daily tasks: You plan your day each morning and want dedicated Today/Tomorrow views
- Want instant start: You don't want to set up boards, lists, and cards
- Work solo: You're managing personal tasks, not team projects
- Value simplicity: You prefer clean interfaces without visual complexity
When to Choose Trello
Choose Trello if you:
- Prefer Kanban boards: You like visual workflows with cards moving through columns
- Need project management: You're managing projects, not just daily tasks
- Require team collaboration: You need to share boards and collaborate with others
- Want attachments: You need to attach files or add rich content to tasks
- Prefer native mobile apps: You want dedicated iOS/Android apps
- Don't mind complexity: You're comfortable setting up and managing boards
- Manage multiple projects: You need to organize tasks across different projects visually
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | TaskSpot | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | ✅ Minimal | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Best For | Daily planning | Project management |
| Philosophy | Minimalism | Visual workflows |
| Setup Time | ✅ Zero | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Complexity | ✅ Low | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Free Features | ✅ All features | ⚠️ Limited |
| Workflow | List-based | Kanban boards |
| Team Collaboration | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TaskSpot really free?
Yes. TaskSpot offers all essential features for free, forever. No credit card required, no hidden limitations. You can manage tasks with priorities, urgency flags, and due dates; use Today/Tomorrow views; access your Backlog; and track completed tasks in Done and Deleted views without paying anything.
Can I use TaskSpot on my phone?
Yes. TaskSpot is web-based and fully responsive. It works seamlessly on smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Simply visit taskspot.app in your browser—no app download needed.
Does Trello have a free plan?
Yes, Trello offers a free plan, but it has limitations. Advanced features like unlimited boards, power-ups, and team collaboration typically require a paid plan. Pricing varies by plan.
Which is better for daily planning?
TaskSpot is designed specifically for daily planning with dedicated Today and Tomorrow views. Trello uses Kanban boards, which are better suited for project management than daily task planning.
Can I migrate from Trello to TaskSpot?
Yes. While there's no automatic import tool, you can manually move your tasks. Focus on migrating your "Today" tasks first, then add Tomorrow tasks, and finally move everything else to your Backlog.
Does TaskSpot have Kanban boards?
No. TaskSpot uses simple list-based workflows organized by time (Today, Tomorrow, Backlog). If you need Kanban boards, Trello is the better choice.
Which app is simpler?
TaskSpot is simpler by design. It focuses solely on task management with three clear views. Trello's board structure adds visual complexity, which is great for projects but may be overkill for daily tasks.
Can I use both apps?
Absolutely. Some people use TaskSpot for daily personal planning and Trello for project management and team collaboration. Choose the tool that fits each use case.
Try TaskSpot
If Trello feels like too much for simple daily tasks and you prefer list-based workflows over Kanban boards, TaskSpot might be exactly what you need. It's free, requires zero setup, and helps you focus on what matters today and tomorrow.
Get started with TaskSpot for free—no credit card required. See if simplicity beats visual complexity for your daily workflow.
Looking for more comparisons? Check out our TaskSpot vs other task managers guide.