The verdict
On the data we hold, Trello comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.
What the data says
- Both have a free plan, so you can try each before you pay.
- Trello starts lower, at $5/mo against $10/mo.
- In our Tech stack ranking, Trello places 37 and Mermaid 15 of 72.
Side by side
Plans and pricing
Mermaid
- BasicFree plan with up to 3 diagrams, limited diagram size and limited AI.Free
- PlusUnlimited diagrams and 300 AI credits a year; 10 per user per month billed annually.$120/yr/seat
- Premium2,000 AI credits a year, free viewer seats and unlimited teams; 20 per user per month billed annually.$240/yr/seat
Trello
- FreeFree for up to 10 collaborators per Workspace.Free
- StandardPer user; $6 monthly or $5 per month billed annually.$6/mo/seat
- PremiumPer user; $12.50 monthly or $10 per month billed annually; for teams up to 100.$12.50/mo/seat
- EnterprisePer user, $17.50 per month billed annually ($210 per user per year).$210/yr/seat
Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.
Who each is for
Choose Mermaid if…
Developers, technical writers and operations teams who keep diagrams as text next to their code and docs, so they stay versioned and never turn into stale screenshots.
Choose Trello if…
Small teams and founders who want a simple, visual kanban board for tasks and light projects, with quick setup and little training.
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