Smartsheet vs. Popular Tools: 5 Alternatives to Consider

Smartsheet has become a popular solution for complex project management needs and seamless collaboration. However, it's not the perfect fit for everyone.

Many users find that while Smartsheet offers powerful features, it also has limitations that make it less suitable for their specific needs. These facts lead users to consider other popular tools and seek alternatives that better align with their workflows, project management styles, and budgets.

Below I explore the best Smartsheet competitors & highlight their unique benefits to help you find the right tool.

Why users prefer various tools instead of Smartsheet

There are several reasons why users may decide to move away from Smartsheet:

• Complexity and learning curve. Despite its spreadsheet-like appearance, Smartsheet can be complex for new users. Many people find the tool challenging to navigate, especially those unfamiliar with advanced project management concepts.
• Pricing. Smartsheet can be expensive, especially for small businesses or teams on a tight budget. The pricing model is based on the number of users, which can quickly add up as the team grows.
• Limited customization and automation. While Smartsheet offers basic customization, it lacks the depth of customization that some businesses require. Additionally, its automation features are less robust compared to some competitors.
• User interface. Some users find Smartsheet's interface outdated or cluttered, which can hamper productivity and lead to user frustration.
• Limited integrations. Although Smartsheet offers integrations with popular apps and services, it may not integrate with every tool that businesses rely on.

Given these challenges, many users seek alternatives that offer a better fit for their specific needs.

Below are 5 of the best Smartsheet competitors available today.

Smartsheet vs. popular tools: what alternative to choose?

I’ve selected the leading PM solutions that can be considered good competitors to Smartsheet.

1. GanttPRO

GanttPRO is known as a powerful Gantt chart maker. It looks ideal for teams that rely on Gantt functionality to plan and manage their projects.

This Smartsheet alternative helps PMs create stunning timelines, place, and delegate tasks, allocate resources, and balance workload across projects of any complexity. It is also widely applied for team collaboration and deadline control.

Top 5 features and characteristics of GanttPRO:

• Intuitive Gantt chart. It provides an easy-to-use Gantt chart interface for detailed project planning and management.
• Strong resource management. It offers tools to manage team members and allocate resources effectively across projects.
• Task hierarchy and dependencies. It supports complex task hierarchies and dependencies to help teams organize work.
• Time tracking. It allows users to track time spent on tasks and projects to better manage workload and productivity.
• Powerful templates. It provides a range of templates to kickstart project planning across different industries.

2. TeamGantt

TeamGantt can also be a good alternative to Smartsheet, especially for teams that prioritize ease of use and intuitive project planning. It offers a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to create and manage Gantt charts.

Unlike Smartsheet, which can be more complex with its spreadsheet-like interface, TeamGantt focuses on straightforward PM tools without overwhelming users. However, while Smartsheet offers more advanced automation and reporting features, TeamGantt is often more cost-effective and accessible for smaller teams or those with simpler project management needs.

You can easily run your own Smartsheet vs Teamgantt comparison and test all their capabilities to define the leader.

Top 5 features and characteristics of TeamGantt:

• Reliable task management. It allows users to create tasks and subtasks, assign them to team members, set deadlines, and track progress.
• Collaboration. Team members can collaborate directly within the platform through comments, file attachments, and updates.
• Resource management. This feature helps manage team workloads by displaying each team member's tasks and availability, preventing over-assignments, and promoting balanced workloads.
• Integrated time tracking. It includes built-in time tracking that allows teams to log hours spent on tasks and projects directly.
• Customizable project views. Users can switch between Gantt charts, calendar views, and task lists, offering flexibility in how project data is viewed and managed according to team preferences.

3. Hive

The next solution can also be listed in this list of potential Smartsheet competitors.

Hive is a powerful project management and collaboration app designed to streamline workflow and improve productivity. It is especially suitable for teams that require a high level of customization and automation.

Top 5 features and Characteristics of Hive:

• Flexible project views. It allows users to view projects in multiple formats, including Gantt, Kanban, calendar, and table views.
• Advanced Automation. It features advanced automation tools to streamline workflow processes and reduce manual work.
• Comprehensive reporting. It offers in-depth reporting capabilities to track project progress and team performance.
• Integrated messaging. It includes built-in messaging and chat features to facilitate seamless team communication.
• Robust integrations. It integrates with a wide array of tools, such as Slack, Zoom, Google Drive, and Salesforce.

4. Monday.com

Monday.com is a versatile work operating system that offers a highly customizable environment for managing projects, workflows, and everyday work. It caters to teams of all sizes and industries with its broad feature set.

Top 5 features and characteristics of Monday.com:

• Customizable workflows. Its users can customize workflows to fit their specific project management style and needs.
• Visual PM functionality. It offers various views such as Kanban, Gantt, and a calendar to visualize project timelines and progress.
• Automation capabilities. It provides automation tools to eliminate manual repetitive tasks and reduce errors.
• Robust reporting. It delivers detailed reports and insights into project performance and team productivity.
• Wide range of integrations. It integrates with numerous third-party tools, including Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and more.

5. Orangescrum

Orangescrum is a comprehensive project management tool designed to enhance team collaboration, project planning, and resource management. It's an ideal choice for small to medium-sized businesses that need a cost-effective solution with a wide range of features.

Top 5 features and characteristics of Orangescrum:

• Advanced task management. It provides tools for easily managing tasks, projects, and teams.
• Time tracking and billing. It includes time-tracking capabilities along with invoicing features, making it suitable for businesses that bill clients based on time spent.
• Agile and Scrum support. It supports Agile and Scrum methodologies, allowing teams to manage sprints, backlogs, and releases effectively.
• Collaboration. It offers features like file sharing, discussion boards, and activity streams to facilitate team collaboration.
• Affordable pricing plans. It offers a variety of pricing plans that cater to the needs of different businesses, making it an affordable option for many teams.

Have you already chosen your best Smartsheet alternative?

While Smartsheet is a valuable tool for many, it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Some users find its pricing, complexity, and limited customization options problematic.

Fortunately, several excellent alternatives are available.

By assessing and trying out GanttPRO, TeamGantt, Hive, Monday, and Orangescrum, you can choose the project management tool that aligns best with your unique workflows, budget, and integration needs.