Smartsheet Review
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Overview
Smartsheet is an enterprise work management platform that combines spreadsheet familiarity with project management, workflow automation, and reporting. Founded in 2005 by Mark Mader, it's used by 85% of Fortune 500 companies including Pfizer, Cisco, and American Airlines. Smartsheet positions itself as the bridge between Excel power users and dedicated PM tools. Rated 4.0/5 for its familiar interface and robust automation engine, though the dated UI and premium-only features limit appeal for smaller teams.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface with project management features
- Strong enterprise features (audit logs, user management, compliance)
- Built-in automation workflows
- Good reporting and dashboards
- Integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than modern alternatives
- Interface feels dated compared to Airtable
- No free plan (30-day trial only)
- Expensive for small teams
- Less flexible than Airtable for creative workflows
Features
Smartsheet's grid interface mirrors Excel with columns, rows, and formulas, but adds project management layers: Gantt charts, Card View (kanban), and Calendar View toggle from any sheet. Critical Path analysis identifies dependent tasks that could delay the project. Dependencies support finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, and start-to-finish relationships with lag/lead time. The Automation Engine creates multi-step workflows triggered by date, status change, or cell value — actions include row movement, alert emails, approval requests with routing logic, and document generation via DocuSign integration. Dynamic View enables secure row-level sharing without exposing the full sheet to external stakeholders. The Bridge integration platform connects Smartsheet to Salesforce, SAP, and other enterprise systems for bi-directional data sync. Resource Management (separate Smartsheet product) provides capacity planning, utilization tracking, and project allocation across teams. Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Slack, Tableau, Power BI, and Jira. Real limitations: the UI feels like a 2015 enterprise product, mobile app is limited compared to desktop, formula syntax differs from Excel causing friction, and many features (Dynamic View, Resource Management, DataMesh) cost extra as add-ons.
| Pricing | $14/mo (Pro), $25/mo (Business), Enterprise (custom) |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Key feature | Spreadsheet + project management + automation |
| Integrations | Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Tableau |
Pricing
Free: 2 sheets, 1 dashboard, 500MB storage, basic automation. Pro: $7/user/month (billed annually) — 10 sheets, 5 dashboards, 1GB storage, automated workflows, and mobile app. Business: $25/user/month — unlimited sheets, unlimited dashboards, 10GB storage, Dynamic View, DataMesh, advanced automations with conditional logic, and proofing. Enterprise: $38/user/month (custom quotes) — includes Resource Management, enterprise admin controls, SSO/SAML, SCIM provisioning, and unlimited automations. A 30-day free trial of Business plan is available without credit card. Smartsheet typically bills annually with quarterly options for Enterprise.
Final Verdict
4.0/5. Best for enterprise organizations migrating from Excel who need project management, workflow automation, and reporting in a familiar grid interface. Strengths: the automation engine is powerful for business users, Critical Path and dependencies rival dedicated PM tools, and enterprise integrations are extensive. Drawbacks: the UI is dated, smaller teams will find the per-user pricing steep for features locked behind Business tier, and the add-on pricing model inflates total cost significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smartsheet worth it in 2026?
For enterprise teams deeply rooted in spreadsheet workflows, yes. The automation engine and Critical Path analysis are strong. For smaller teams or startups, Asana and Monday.com offer better value and modern interfaces. Smartsheet's strength is bridging Excel habits with project management.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Free for 2 sheets. Pro at $7/user/month with 10 sheets. Business at $25/user/month with unlimited sheets and Dynamic View. Enterprise at $38/user/month with Resource Management and SSO. Resource Management and advanced add-ons cost extra.
What are the best Smartsheet alternatives?
Asana (modern UI, better collaboration), Monday.com (visual, more intuitive), Airtable (database-native, no-code interfaces), ClickUp (all-in-one, lower price), and Microsoft Project (enterprise-grade, tight Office 365 integration for existing Microsoft shops).
Does Smartsheet offer a free trial or free plan?
Yes. The Free plan includes 2 sheets and 1 dashboard permanently. A 30-day free trial of the Business plan is available without a credit card, providing access to unlimited sheets, Dynamic View, and advanced automations.