Fatigued spreadsheet, projects in limbo? 11 alternatives to Smartsheet that will revive project management in 2025
Are you using Smartsheet to manage your projects and getting a bit fed up with its spreadsheets? Then you're in luck! We've put together a ranking of the software's best alternatives.
So, who's going to win the title of best project management tool? Jira? Clickup? Basecamp or monday.com?
📌 We've listed all the advantages, disadvantages, prices and features of each software for you.
All you have to do now is choose the one that's right for you.
What is Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is cloud software dedicated to project management. Thanks to its advanced functionalities, it helps businesses to plan, organise, execute and track all the stages of a project.
Smartsheet offers a spreadsheet-based interface to optimise the management of complex projects with multiple views: grid, Kanban board, calendar, Gantt chart.
The tool also incorporates :
- real-time collaboration
- resource management
- automated reporting.
These are very rich options, but they can be a turn-off for employees used to less extensive navigation menus.
Smartsheet offers integration with over 100 third-party applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and Slack.
💰 The software is available in 3 packages:
-
Pro: €8 per user per month.
-
Business: €17 per user per month.
-
Enterprise: personalised pricing.
Smartsheet
Why consider an alternative to Smartsheet?
What makes Smartsheet unique in the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) ecosystem is that it comes in the form of a spreadsheet, like Excel. What's in it for you? It allows a large volume of data to be processed and advanced customisation of the tasks and activities to be monitored.
But where the tool gains in performance and flexibility, it loses in legibility. Its rigid interface and wide range of configurations can put off some employees, who are used to tools that are easier to use.
Another disadvantage often cited when talking about Smartsheet is its price. Prices start at €8 per user per month (Pro version) and can go up to €17 (Business version). That's at the high end of the market.
👉 Relatively high prices, a steep learning curve and an unattractive interface, that's enough to make you want to change, isn't it?
The top 11 Smartsheet alternatives comparison table
Let's get down to business with our top Smartsheet alternatives. Who will come out on top? Airtable? Asana? Jira? monday.com? To find out, check out our ranking of the 11 competitors to Smartsheet that we recommend.
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| Smartsheet |  Airtable |  Asana |  ClickUp |  Google Workspace |  Jira |  monday.com |  Wrike |  Zoho Projects |  Basecamp |  Microsoft 365 |  ONLYOFFICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies | For companies with more than 50 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For all companies | For all companies |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about Smartsheet | Learn more about Airtable | Learn more about Asana | Learn more about ClickUp | Learn more about Google Workspace | Learn more about Jira | Learn more about monday.com | Learn more about Wrike | Learn more about Zoho Projects | Learn more about Basecamp | Learn more about Microsoft 365 | Learn more about ONLYOFFICE |
The 8 best alternatives to Smartsheet
1. Airtable
Airtable is an excellent alternative to Smartsheet. And why is that? Because it uses the same spreadsheet-style interface. What sets it apart, however, is its more intuitive way of creating projects. You start from a 100% blank database and simply add :
- tasks
- tables
- resources
- collaborators...
In short! All the data you need to monitor your projects.
As for the rest (automation, customisation, collaboration), the two applications remain neck and neck.
The only area where Smartsheet has the edge is in reporting and analysis, which are much more advanced.
👉 Discover the most intuitive spreadsheet project software on the market.
Airtable
2. Asana
Asana is a management dashboard that focuses on the clarity and legibility of projects.
It offers a full range of functions for :
- task tracking
- organisation
- internal collaboration.
It's particularly popular for its variety of display modes: list, Kanban board, timeline and calendar.
The only downside is that managing access from outside the project is not one of the tool's strong points.
But if you're looking for solid project management software, this is an option to consider.
👉 Gain clarity for project tracking with Asana.
Asana
3. ClickUp
ClickUp is ultra-complete, with :
- integrated document management
- advanced automation rules,
- infinitely customisable dashboards,
- file exchanges,
- intelligent notifications,
- real-time chat...
There's plenty to do!
If you're looking for a simpler alternative to Smartsheet, forget ClickUp. The tool is fairly complex to get to grips with because of its many features.
A tool that does everything, but requires work to master all the nuts and bolts.
👉 Test Clickup now to explore all its features.
ClickUp
4. Google Workspace
Google Workspace is not project management software in the strict sense of the word. It's a suite of collaborative tools developed by Google to optimise team productivity:
- With Google Sheets, you can create customised workflows and track your tasks simply, in much the same way as with Excel ;
- With Google Drive, you organise and share files related to each project.
The big advantage of the suite is, of course, that it's free. But if you need to manage complex projects, you'll quickly be limited.
👉 Create your collaborative space with Google Workspace for free.
Google Workspace
5. Jira
Jira is the darling of tech teams and developers.
Its ticket system is particularly popular for handling the various tasks involved in a project. It's simple and allows you to track every action taken.
Perfect for tracking the progress of projects, as well as responsibilities and dependencies.
👉 Opt for Jira and its agile project management.
Jira
6. monday.com
monday.com is 100% focused on visualisation and UX. With this software, everything is super simple:
- the rows represent tasks and projects
- while the columns include attributes (status, person responsible, deadline).
Creation is intuitive and requires no prior training.
monday.com offers an attractive alternative to Smartsheet with its modern, colourful interface and simplified project tracking.
👉 Create projects easily with monday.com.
monday.com
7. Wrike
If you feel limited by Smartsheet's capabilities, Wrike can be an excellent alternative.
Although the tool may seem to have a slightly rigid interface at first, it is particularly useful for managing lots of tasks at the same time.
Wrike is packed with features and offers optimum flexibility. If you need to manage successive different projects, its customisation capabilities will be a great help.
👉 Boost your multitasking projects with Wrike.
Wrike
8. Zoho Projects
The major advantage of Zoho Projects lies in its native integration with the Zoho suite (CRM, accounting, HR). You benefit from a complete set of tools dedicated to analysing and optimising your business performance.
Zoho Projects offers all the key features of a project dashboard:
- task planning using the Gantt chart,
- real-time monitoring
- and plenty of automation.
It's a heavyweight tool that will appeal above all to IT and engineering teams.
👉 Exploit the full potential of the Zoho suite with its project management tool.
Zoho Projects
The 3 behemoths that need no introduction
Let's move on to the final podium of Smartsheet alternatives. The 3 must-haves that are really a cut above the competition. 360° solutions to manage all your projects.
1. Basecamp
Basecamp is one of the veterans of project management, and despite its age (it was created in 1999), it has managed to stay at the top! How has it managed to achieve this feat? It's simple: it offers the essentials for project management without drowning teams in superfluous features.
The interface is uncluttered and intuitive. You don't need any previous project management experience to get to grips with the tool.
The suite of tools includes :
- schedules
- to-do lists
- group discussion options
- a file and document storage system, etc.
However, it is important to note that Basecamp is based on a compartmentalised approach to collaboration. In concrete terms, you can't communicate or exchange files directly on a project page (as you can on Asana, for example). You gain in clarity, that's for sure, but you lose (a little) in responsiveness.
👉 Simplify your project management processes with Basecamp.
Basecamp
2. Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is the benchmark for a classic approach to corporate project management. Microsoft's famous office suite gives your teams everything they need to collaborate effectively on a variety of tasks.
With Microsoft Planner, you can manage small projects by creating and sharing task lists and files. It's as easy to use as it is enjoyable.
Microsoft Project takes things a step further by offering you all the functions you need to manage your activities:
- Gantt chart,
- a complete roadmap of the various projects
- various display formats (grid, timeline, table)...
...nothing is missing.
Share your progress with customers using Microsoft Power BIand its interactive dashboards.
Communicate effectively with your team thanks to Teams and its meeting, discussion and document sharing system.
A resolutely classic project management tool, but super powerful.
👉 Take advantage of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and its project management tools.
Microsoft 365
3. Onlyoffice Workspace
OnlyOffice Workspace breaks away from traditional project management to offer an all-in-one digital workspace philosophy:
- document management,
- CRM,
- calendar,
- projects.
Everything is connected to boost team productivity.
For project management specifically, the dedicated module includes a variety of functions, including :
- hierarchical project management
- Gantt chart progress tracking,
- a time tracking function.
You'll be hard pressed to find anything more comprehensive.
Take a 360° approach to project management with OnlyOffice Workspace.
ONLYOFFICE
How do I choose an alternative to Smartsheet?
Summary table of the best alternatives to Smartsheet
|
Tool |
Pricing |
Key features |
|---|---|---|
|
Airtable |
Free Team: €17.02 / licence / month Business: €38.30 / licence / month Enterprise Scale: customised pricing |
|
|
Asana |
Free Starter: €9.35 / user / month Advanced: €21.27 / user / month Enterprise: on request |
|
|
Basecamp |
Free Plus: €12.77 / user / month Pro unlimited: €254.48 / month |
|
|
ClickUp |
Free Unlimited: €8.51 / user / month Business: €10.21 / user / month Enterprise: customised pricing |
|
|
Google Workspace |
Free |
|
|
Jira |
Free Standard: €6.81 / user / month Premium: €11.92 / user / month Enterprise: Custom pricing |
|
|
monday.com |
Basic: €9 / user / month Standard: €12 / user / month Pro: €19 / user / month Company: personalised pricing |
|
|
Microsoft 365 |
Basic: €5.60 / user / month Standard: €11.70 / user / month Premium: €20.60 / user / month |
|
|
OnlyOffice Workspace |
Enterprise: €2,200 / server (lifetime) Enterprise Plus: €3300 / server (lifetime) Enterprise Premium: €4450 / server (lifetime) |
|
|
Wrike |
Free Team: €10 / user / month Business: €25 / user / month |
|
|
Zoho Projects |
Free Team: €8.51 / user / month Business: €21.28 / user / month Enterprise: on request |
|
Our advice for the best choice
To choose the best alternative to Smartsheet, you need to ask yourself a number of essential questions. We've put together a short list to help you find the ultimate project management software.
What are your project management needs?
Always analyse your needs carefully before investing in project management software. You need to have a clear idea of :
- the volume of tasks to be included
- the degree of customisation you are looking for
- the type of visualisation you want
- and the desired level of integration with other tools.
This is a complex stage, but it's essential if you want to invest in a dashboard that's right for your business.
What's your budget?
Take a close look at the prices on offer and the associated features to ensure you get a good return on your investment. To help you do this, we've included a comparison table earlier in the article, where you'll find all the key software offers and features. Nice, isn't it?
What is the key element that interests you?
What's the number 1 criterion for choosing your future project management software?
- Ease of use, to ensure an ultra-fast learning curve?
- a wealth of functions to take the customisation of tasks to an advanced level?
- Do you want to focus on communication, with fast, fluid exchanges?
Every software package has its strengths and weaknesses. So it's up to you to choose what really counts.
Alternatives to Smartsheet: in a nutshell
There's something for everyone when it comes to project management software.
In our opinion, the best is Basecamp. It strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and performance.
After that, if you're looking for a more feature-rich solution, turn to Clickup, for example.
For simplicity, go for monday.com.
To make your final choice, don't hesitate to try out the free versions of the software. Theory is good, but practice is better. The important thing is to choose a tool that will be adopted by the whole team. The best software in the world won't do you any good if nobody uses it.
Article translated from French