Quick Verdict
Choose Worklist if you need true end-to-end encryption for sensitive projects. Your data stays private, even from us. Choose Trello if you want a free, feature-rich kanban tool and don't handle confidential information. Trello is great for casual use; Worklist is built for privacy.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Worklist | Trello |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-End Encryption | ||
| Zero-Knowledge Architecture | ||
| Company Can Access Data | ||
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR Compliant | ||
| SOC 2 Certified | ||
| Open Source Crypto | ||
| Data Export | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Kanban Boards | ||
| Power-Ups/Integrations | ||
| Butler Automation | ||
| Starting Price | $12/seat/mo | Free - $10/mo |
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Worklist If:
- You handle sensitive or confidential data
- You need HIPAA-grade security
- Privacy is a core requirement
- You're in legal, healthcare, or finance
- You want a focused, distraction-free tool
Choose Trello If:
- You need a free tier for personal use
- You want Power-Ups and integrations
- Butler automation is important to you
- You're managing non-sensitive projects
- Your team already uses Atlassian tools
Security Architecture Comparison
Worklist: Zero-Knowledge Architecture
Worklist encrypts all data on your device using ChaCha20-Poly1305 before it reaches our servers. We use OPAQUE PAKE for authentication so we never see your password. The encryption keys are derived from your password—we don't have them.
Result: Even if our database is breached, attackers get encrypted blobs. We cannot comply with data requests because we cannot decrypt your data.
Trello: Standard Cloud Security
Trello (owned by Atlassian) uses encryption at rest and TLS in transit. Data is stored in AWS with Atlassian managing the encryption keys. This is standard cloud security but means Atlassian can access your data.
Result: A breach could expose both data and keys. Atlassian can and will comply with legal data requests by providing your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trello end-to-end encrypted?
No. Trello uses encryption at rest and in transit (TLS), but not end-to-end encryption. Atlassian (Trello's parent company) can access and decrypt your data. This is standard for cloud SaaS but not suitable for highly sensitive information.
Can Atlassian employees see my Trello data?
Yes, technically. Atlassian has access controls and policies, but their architecture allows server-side access to your data. With Worklist's zero-knowledge encryption, we cannot access your data—we don't have the encryption keys.
Is Trello free to use?
Trello has a generous free tier with unlimited cards and up to 10 boards per workspace. Worklist offers a 14-day free trial, then $12/seat/month. The trade-off is security: Trello is cheaper but can access your data.
Which is better for HIPAA compliance?
Worklist is better suited for HIPAA because our zero-knowledge encryption exceeds technical safeguard requirements. Trello Enterprise offers compliance features, but their servers can access your PHI. For healthcare, zero-knowledge is the higher standard.
References
- Atlassian Trust & Security — Official security documentation
- Worklist Security Architecture — Zero-knowledge encryption details
- RFC 8439: ChaCha20-Poly1305 — Encryption standard used by Worklist
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