Efficient project management is pivotal to success. Whether you're a small start-up, a growing business, or a large enterprise, the ability to effectively plan, organise, and execute projects can determine whether you achieve your goals or fall short. This is where project management software comes in, offering a digital toolkit that empowers teams to seamlessly collaborate, meticulously track progress, and achieve objectives with precision.

Let’s dive right in to three solutions that help businesses to manage projects; Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid.

At a glance: Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid

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Feature comparison: Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid

Each of these platforms presents a unique set of features and capabilities, adding a touch of individuality. They cater to a diverse range of projects and organisations, so let's delve into the details of the features they have in store. 

Pipedrive:

1. Pipeline management: Pipedrive reigns supreme in the sales realm, but when it comes to project management, it doesn’t really join the others. It's a sales wizard, a great CRM tool for helping teams track leads, deals, and customer interactions.

2. Kanban boards: Map out project tasks with the use of Kanban boards. The familiar view makes it easier to track tasks

3. Collaboration tools: features to keep the project team in sync to focus on deliverables.

Trello:

1. Kanban boards: Probably classed as Trello's signature feature are the Kanban boards. A visual for effectively managing tasks and projects, great for the agile working.

2. Card-based organisation: Tasks take the form of movable cards, making it easy to visualise progress and prioritise work across boards.

3. Checklists and attachments: Attach files, create checklists, and add due dates to cards, for efficient task management.

Fluid:

1. Comprehensive project management: All-in-one project management solution. Fluid has you covered for project planning, task management, collaboration, and reporting.

2. Visual Gantt charts: Visual Gantt charts that offer a crystal-clear timeline view of tasks and dependencies.

3. Resource management: Fluid includes nifty resource management features to optimally allocate and track resources across projects.

4. Customisable workflows: Flexibility is the name of the game with Fluid. Customise workflows to match your project's unique needs, ensuring a smooth ride.

Feature comparison verdict:

In the end, the choice between Pipedrive, Trello and Fluid really boils down to your unique project management needs. At the top level, Pipedrive takes the crown in sales-focused glory but doesn’t compete as an to all-encompassing project management solution. Trello is great for visual management, but its appeal of simplicity does show in its lighter features too. For effective project management of all project sizes, Fluid comes in as champion with a great set of comprehensive features.

Integrations: Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid

Seamless integration with software tools is a vital factor of project management. It empowers teams to effortlessly connect their project management software with the existing applications they rely on daily. It also means you can get the most out of all your platforms as they essentially ‘talk’ to each other. Let's delve into the integration capabilities offered by Pipedrive, Trello, and Fluid.

Pipedrive integrations:

Pipedrive offers extensive sales integrations, allowing you to connect with various sales-related tools like email marketing platforms, customer support systems, and accounting software. While it also provides limited project management integrations with software such as Asana and Trello, its project management features may not be as comprehensive as dedicated project management tools.

Trello integrations:

Trello Power-Ups provide a variety of integrations, connecting with popular tools like Google Drive, Slack, and Evernote. These integrations enhance task management and team collaboration. Automation with Butler allows for custom rules and integrations, streamlining workflow.

Fluid integrations:

Fluid offers comprehensive integrations with popular tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, and Slack. It also provides an API for businesses to develop custom integrations with their own software. With connectors for applications like Google Workspace, Dropbox, QuickBooks, and more, Fluid ensures smooth data exchange, enhancing collaboration and productivity. Teams can work on platforms best suited to their style, thanks to integrations with Jira and DevOps.

When assessing these tools, take into account the specific integration requirements of your team. Pipedrive could be a fitting choice if you place a high priority on sales-related integrations. On the other hand, Trello offers a user-friendly approach for basic task management needs. Fluid stands out as a comprehensive project management solution that excels in its robust integration capabilities across a wide range of business applications.

Customer support: Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid

Customer support has an important role in any software platform, ensuring users can efficiently resolve issues and maximise the value of their tools.

Pipedrive

1. Email support: Pipedrive provides email support, allowing users to send their queries, issues, or requests directly to their support team.

2. Knowledge base: Pipedrive maintains a comprehensive knowledge base that includes articles, tutorials, and guides. This self-help resource empowers users to find answers to common questions and learn how to effectively use the platform.

3. Community forum: Pipedrive hosts a community forum where users can ask questions, share insights, and engage with other Pipedrive users. It serves as a valuable platform for learning from others' experiences.

Trello

1. Help centre: Trello offers a Help Centre that provides a wide range of articles, FAQs, and guides to assist users in navigating the platform. It serves as a valuable self-service resource.

2. Community support: Trello maintains an active community forum where users can discuss issues, share tips, and seek advice from other Trello enthusiasts. The community provides valuable insights and support.

3. Contact support: Trello offers a contact form on its website, allowing users to reach out to their support team. However, it's important to note that Trello's support primarily operates via email.

Fluid

1. Dedicated support: Fluid provides dedicated support to its users, offering direct contact through various channels, including email.

2. Knowledge base: Fluid maintains a knowledge base with a wealth of articles, tutorials, and documentation to help users navigate the software. It covers various aspects of project management.

3. Live chat: Fluid offers live chat support during business hours, providing real-time assistance to users with their questions or issues.

4. Custom training: Depending on the subscription level, Fluid may offer custom training sessions to help users and their teams optimise their utilisation of the software.

Pricing plans: Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid

When considering a project management software solution, understanding the pricing plans is a big step in making the right choice for your organisation. Each platform offers a range of plans, which will range in their suitability to your business. Let's dive into the details to find the one that suits your needs.

Pipedrive pricing plans

Pipedrive’s plans are a little trickier to compare because they’re not actually plans that change the level of project management features you get. Pipedrive comes in 5 different plan types, but they’re all centred around the CRM software. Prices range from £14.90 per user/month, up to £79.90 per user/month

Trello pricing plans

Fluid pricing plans

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Ease of use: Pipedrive vs Trello vs Fluid

When choosing project management software, the ease of use is so important. It directly affects how effectively a team can embrace and make the most of the platform. On top of how effectively you can use a platform, it also determines how quickly a team can adopt a new software for regular use.

1. Pipedrive

• Intuitive interface: Pipedrive boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Its dashboard provides a clear overview of your sales pipeline, making it easy for teams to manage their tasks, leads, and deals.
• Customisable: Users can customise the interface to suit their specific needs. This adaptability allows teams to tailor the platform to their unique workflows.
• Mobile app: Pipedrive offers a mobile app that enables users to manage their tasks and sales activities on the go.

• G2 Ease of Use Score: 8.8 (again, this score is based on the CRM system as a whole as opposed to the Project add-on)

2. Trello

• Simplicity: Trello is known for its simplicity. Its card-based system is easy to grasp, making it an ideal choice for teams new to project management software.
• Visual boards: Visual boards simplify task management and progress tracking. Users can quickly understand the status of projects at a glance.
• Drag-and-drop: The drag-and-drop functionality is an intuitive feature, making it straightforward to move tasks and cards across boards.

• G2 Ease of Use Score: 9.0

3. Fluid:

• User-centric design: Fluid is designed with the user in mind. Its interface is clean and user-friendly, offering an intuitive experience for managing projects.
• Customisable Views: Teams can tailor their project views to suit their preferences, enabling effective project tracking and management.

• Minimal learning curve: The streamlined approach means that users quickly grasp features and functionality. This makes it an excellent choice for teams looking for a hassle-free project management solution.
• G2 Ease of Use Score: 9.5

Alternatives to Pipedrive, Trello and Fluid

It’s always a good idea to look at a few project management software options to ensure you get the best for your business needs. Remember to try demos and free trials to get a real first-hand experience. Here’s a few alternatives to the ones we’ve outlined in this article. 

Asana: A widely embraced platform for project and task management, Asana is purpose-built for team collaboration. It empowers users to create projects, delegate tasks, establish priorities, and monitor progress effectively.

Microsoft Project: Microsoft Project stands as a robust project management solution with a long-standing presence. It equips users with an array of tools for project planning, scheduling, resource management, and reporting.

Smartsheet: Smartsheet merges the user-friendly and familiar interface of spreadsheets with project management features. It caters to businesses in need of planning and proficient data handling.

Selecting project management software

Choosing the right project management software is crucial for smooth operations, effective collaboration, and successful project outcomes. Follow these steps to find the best fit for your business: 

1. Define your requirements: Identify your needs, team size, project complexity, and budget. Determine essential features like task management, resource allocation, time tracking, and reporting.

2. Explore available options: Research and create a list of potential project management software. Read reviews, request demos, and compare features. Look for industry-specific tools.

3. Evaluate user-friendliness: Test the software's interface for ease of use. Consider your team's adaptability and training requirements.

4. Check for integrations: Assess compatibility with existing tools. Look for integration options with email, document management, or CRM platforms.

5. Review support and training: Check customer support channels and available training resources.