Outline.co / vs Trello

Outline.co and Trello

Both are kanban boards: columns for the stages of the work, cards for the jobs, dragged across as they get done. The difference is what sits around the board.

Where Outline.co is different

• Notes in the same place. Notes with labels, to-dos and email reminders sit beside your boards — no second app for the thoughts that come before the work.
• A timeline from the dates. Every board is also a timeline (Gantt) view, drawn from the dates already on its cards.
• Free, with nothing to upgrade to. No paid tier, no seat count, no trial.
• Sign in with an email link. No password unless you want one.
• Built for a phone first. Cards drag with your thumb.
• Open to AI assistants. A Model Context Protocol endpoint lets Claude, ChatGPT and other clients read your boards and add cards, as you.

When Trello is the better choice

• You rely on its large catalogue of integrations (Power-Ups) and its rule-based automation.
• Your company already runs on Atlassian tools and wants the board inside them.
• You want native desktop and mobile apps rather than a web app.

In one line

It is smaller, and it is free. Notes and boards, a timeline from the dates, sharing by email, an assistant on your own AI account — and that is the lot. There is no plan to upgrade to, no seat count and no workspace to set up first. If you need portfolios, forms or automations, one of those is the better answer.