Smartsheet is a popular project management software that offers powerful features for project tracking and collaboration. However, in the ever-evolving market of project management software, there are several competitors and alternatives that provide similar functionalities with their own unique advantages. In this article, we will explore the top Smartsheet competitors and alternatives in 2024, comparing their features and capabilities to help you make an informed decision for your project management needs.
Pros and Cons of Smartsheet
When evaluating Smartsheet competitors and alternatives, it is vital to consider the pros and cons of this popular project management software.
Pros of Smartsheet
- Forever free plan: Smartsheet offers a forever free plan, allowing users to access basic features without any cost.
- Affordable pricing: For more advanced features and increased capacity, Smartsheet offers pricing plans starting at just $7 per user per month, making it an affordable option for teams of all sizes.
- Highly customizable: Smartsheet provides a wide range of customization options, enabling users to tailor their projects and workflows to specific needs and preferences.
- Powerful analytics and reporting: Smartsheet offers robust analytics and reporting tools, allowing users to track project progress, analyze data, and generate insights for informed decision-making.
Cons of Smartsheet
- Steep learning curve: Smartsheet can have a steep learning curve, especially for users who are new to project management software. It may require some time and effort to fully understand and utilize all the features.
- Add-ons for time tracking and resource management: While Smartsheet offers extensive project management capabilities, some users may find it necessary to rely on additional add-ons or integrations for specific functionalities like time tracking and resource management.
- Limitations of the free plan: The forever free plan provided by Smartsheet has limitations, including the restriction of only two sheets. If users require more sheets or advanced features, they need to upgrade to a paid plan.
When considering Smartsheet as a project management solution, it’s important to weigh these pros and cons against the specific needs and requirements of your team or organization for optimal decision-making.
Smartsheet Cost and Pricing Plans
When considering project management software options, it’s essential to assess the cost and pricing plans of each platform. Smartsheet offers a range of options to suit different business needs and budgets.
Forever Free Plan
For those who have basic project management requirements or want to try out Smartsheet without committing to a paid plan, the forever free plan is a great starting point. This plan allows users to create and collaborate on up to two sheets and provides 500MB of attachment storage. While it has limited features compared to the paid plans, it can still be beneficial for small teams or personal projects.
Paid Plans
Smartsheet offers paid plans starting at $7 per user per month. These plans provide unlimited sheets, dashboards, and reports, allowing for expanded project management capabilities. Additionally, the paid plans offer additional features and automations to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. With the paid plans, users can take full advantage of Smartsheet’s robust project tracking and collaboration tools.
Smartsheet recognizes that every business is unique, and as such, they offer multiple tiers of paid plans to cater to diverse needs. Whether you are a small team or a large enterprise, there is a pricing plan that aligns with your requirements.
30-Day Free Trial
Before making a long-term commitment, it’s important to evaluate a project management software to ensure it meets your specific needs. Smartsheet offers a 30-day free trial for users to test out the features and functionalities of the platform. This trial period allows you to explore the various tools and determine if Smartsheet is the right fit for your team and projects.
Reasons to Choose a Competitor Over Smartsheet
While Smartsheet is a popular project management software, there are several reasons why you might consider choosing one of its competitors. Let’s explore some of the key factors:
1. Integrations
Integration capabilities are essential for streamlining workflows and maximizing productivity. Although Smartsheet integrates with about 100 popular applications, some software platforms offer a wider range of integrations. For example, Asana boasts over 200 integrations, while ClickUp offers an impressive selection of over 1,000 integrations. The ability to seamlessly connect with your preferred tools can significantly enhance your project management experience.
2. One-on-One Support
Having access to personalized support can make a significant difference in your software journey. Smartsheet offers self-service help and community support for its free and Pro accounts. However, if you require dedicated one-on-one support, Smartsheet might not be the best fit. In contrast, some competitors, like Monday.com and Wrike, offer more comprehensive customer support options, including direct interaction with support representatives.
3. Premium Add-Ons
For users who need enhanced features and services, premium add-ons can be a crucial consideration. While Smartsheet provides robust functionality in its base plans, if you’re looking for 24/7 global phone support and additional premium features, you’ll need to opt for a Smartsheet Business plan. On the other hand, alternative project management software, such as Wrike, offers premium add-ons that include features like advanced resource management and budget tracking, providing greater flexibility to tailor the software to your specific needs.
By considering these factors, such as integrations, one-on-one support, and premium add-ons, you can make an informed decision when selecting a project management software that aligns best with your organization’s unique requirements.
Monday.com – The Best Smartsheet Alternative
When it comes to finding the best alternative to Smartsheet, Monday.com is a top contender. With its comprehensive project management software and seamless team collaboration capabilities, Monday.com offers a range of features to enhance your project management experience.
One of the standout features of Monday.com is its single-page workspace, where team members can collaborate effectively. This collaborative environment allows for easy planning and scheduling of tasks, setting deadlines, and customizing the workspace to fit your team’s workflow.
While Monday.com does not provide a native spreadsheet option like Smartsheet, it does offer integration with Excel, making it suitable for users who require spreadsheet functionality. This integration allows you to leverage Excel’s capabilities while benefiting from Monday.com’s project management features.
The user interface of Monday.com is highly intuitive, making it easy for team members to navigate and use the platform effectively. Additionally, Monday.com’s customer support is known for being responsive and helpful, ensuring that you have the assistance you need when facing any challenges.
However, it’s worth noting that Monday.com’s premium plans can be pricey, depending on your team’s size and needs. Additionally, tracking billable hours can be a bit of a hassle, as it may require additional effort and tools.
Overall, Monday.com stands out as one of the best Smartsheet alternatives, providing a comprehensive project management software with seamless team collaboration capabilities. While there are some drawbacks to consider, the benefits of Monday.com make it a viable option for enhancing your team’s productivity and workflow.
ClickUp – Best for Task Management
ClickUp is a cloud-based task management software that serves as a great alternative to Smartsheet, particularly for its task management capabilities. It offers features such as unlimited guests, customizable workflows, and drag-and-drop task functions. ClickUp’s intuitive interface and user-friendly design make it easy for teams to organize and prioritize tasks efficiently.
Unlimited Guests and Collaborative Workspaces
One of the standout features of ClickUp is its unlimited guest capability. This means that you can invite clients, contractors, or stakeholders to collaborate on projects without any additional cost. ClickUp also offers collaborative workspaces, allowing teams to work together seamlessly and streamline communication.
Customizable Workflows and Kanban Boards
ClickUp provides customizable workflows that can be tailored to your team’s specific needs. You can create custom statuses, automate recurring tasks, and set up dependencies to ensure smooth workflow management. The software also offers Kanban boards, which allow you to visualize and track your tasks through different stages.
Time Tracking and Productivity Insights
ClickUp understands the importance of tracking time spent on tasks. It offers built-in time tracking features that help you monitor and analyze your team’s productivity. With ClickUp, you can generate reports and gain valuable insights into how time is being allocated across different projects and team members.
In summary, ClickUp is an excellent choice for organizations seeking a Smartsheet alternative with robust task management capabilities. Its unlimited guest feature, customizable workflows, and intuitive interface make it a powerful tool for teams to collaborate effectively and stay organized. While the mobile version and tracking billable hours can be improved, ClickUp’s strengths in task management set it apart in the market.
Asana – Best in Available Features
Asana, a widely-used project management software, is renowned for its extensive range of available features. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for team collaboration, automation, and project tracking. With Asana, you can streamline your workflow and ensure effective teamwork.
One of the notable advantages of Asana is its wide array of pre-built templates that can kickstart your projects. These templates are designed to facilitate various workflows, making it easier to get started and saving you valuable time and effort.
Asana is particularly well-suited for working with large teams. It offers features that enable seamless collaboration, ensuring that everyone stays aligned and up to date. Additionally, Asana provides detailed insights into milestones and team productivity, helping you monitor progress and identify bottlenecks.
However, it’s worth noting that the mobile app experience of Asana could benefit from improvements. While it allows you to access and manage your projects on the go, some users have reported issues with usability and customizability. Another consideration is the absence of an undo button, which can be inconvenient if you make accidental changes.
Asana offers a feature-rich project management solution with tools for team collaboration, automation, and project tracking. With its extensive range of available features and pre-built templates, Asana empowers teams to work more efficiently and achieve their goals.
Wrike – Best Customizable Features
When it comes to project management software, Wrike emerges as a formidable competitor to Smartsheet. As a cloud-based solution, Wrike offers a wide range of customizable features that cater to the diverse needs of businesses.
One of the standout capabilities of Wrike is its robust budget tracking functionality. With Wrike, teams can easily set and monitor project budgets, ensuring financial transparency and accountability throughout the process. In addition, Wrike’s resource management feature enables efficient allocation and optimization of resources, maximizing productivity and minimizing bottlenecks.
For teams that require detailed time tracking, Wrike provides comprehensive time logs that offer insights into project progress and resource utilization. This feature allows managers to have real-time visibility into the time spent on each task, ensuring accurate project tracking and efficient resource allocation.
Wrike’s strength lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with other tools and applications. By connecting Wrike with your existing ecosystem of software solutions, you can streamline your workflow and synchronize data effortlessly. This versatility sets Wrike apart from its competitors, making it an ideal choice for organizations with diverse software needs.
Challenges and Considerations
While Wrike offers an array of customization options, it is important to note that the software may experience occasional lags. Although these instances are infrequent, they can pose a temporary inconvenience to users. However, Wrike’s strong support system promptly addresses any technical issues, ensuring minimal impact on project operations.
Cost can be a consideration when evaluating Wrike as a Smartsheet competitor. While Wrike offers various pricing plans to suit different business sizes and needs, teams with limited budgets might find the premium plans to be at a higher price point compared to other project management software options.
The Verdict: Wrike as a Smartsheet Challenger
For businesses seeking a highly customizable project management software that excels in budget tracking and resource management, Wrike is a compelling contender. Its ability to integrate with other tools, coupled with its intuitive interface and powerful features, make Wrike an attractive choice for organizations of all sizes. Despite the occasional lags and higher price point, Wrike’s flexibility and extensive customization options make it a top competitor to Smartsheet in the project management software landscape.
Zoho Projects – Best in Data and Documents Management
Zoho Projects is a project management software that offers robust data and documents management capabilities, making it an excellent alternative to Smartsheet. With Zoho Projects, you can easily assign tasks, track time, and create custom fields to efficiently manage your project data.
One of the standout features of Zoho Projects is its ability to seamlessly integrate with other Zoho apps and third-party software, allowing for enhanced collaboration and optimized workflows. By integrating Zoho Projects with other tools, you can streamline your project management processes and ensure smooth data synchronization across different platforms.
Although Zoho Projects excels in data and documents management, it’s important to note that the free plan comes with certain limitations. However, the paid plans offer advanced features and enhanced functionality to meet the needs of larger teams and more complex projects.
While Zoho Projects is undoubtedly powerful in terms of its data management capabilities, some users have provided feedback regarding the user interface, suggesting that it could be improved for better usability.
Trello – Best for Team Collaboration
Trello is a popular task management and team collaboration tool that offers a simple and intuitive interface. It is a great alternative to Smartsheet for its focus on team collaboration and visual project management using kanban boards.
Trello allows users to tag specific team members, share ideas, and track progress on assigned tasks. With its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality, Trello makes it easy to visualize and organize workflows.
By utilizing kanban boards, teams can efficiently manage tasks and monitor project progress. Trello’s flexible board structure allows for customization based on specific project needs, making it suitable for various industries and team sizes.
Trello also provides seamless integration with various other tools, including communication platforms like Slack and file storage services like Google Drive. This enables a seamless collaboration experience, ensuring that all relevant information is easily accessible within Trello.
However, it’s worth noting that Trello’s free plan has certain limitations, such as a cap on the number of boards and Power-Ups available. For advanced features and added functionality, users can opt for Trello’s paid plans, which offer enhanced collaboration tools and additional integrations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Smartsheet has gained popularity as a reliable project management software. However, it’s important to note that there are several alternatives and competitors in the market that offer similar functionalities and unique advantages. When considering the best alternative to Smartsheet, it’s crucial to evaluate your specific business needs and requirements.
After careful analysis, it is evident that Monday.com emerges as the best alternative overall, offering comprehensive project management features and seamless team collaboration capabilities. If task management is a priority, ClickUp excels in this area with its customizable workflows and intuitive task functions.
For those seeking a wide range of available features, Asana stands out with its extensive toolset and pre-built templates. Alternatively, Wrike provides highly customizable options, making it a strong competitor in terms of flexibility.
If data and documents management are of utmost importance, Zoho Projects offers excellent features in this area, while Trello is an exceptional choice for streamlined team collaboration using visual boards. Ultimately, the choice of the best Smartsheet competitor will depend on your specific business needs and preferences.
