Smartsheet Review 2025: The Best Spreadsheet-Style Project Management Tool?
About Smartsheet Review 2025: The Best Spreadsheet-Style Project Management Tool?
Spreadsheets are still one of the most used tools in business, but managing projects in Excel often creates chaos. That’s where Smartsheet comes in. Marketed as a work execution platform, Smartsheet blends the familiarity of spreadsheets with the structure of project management, collaboration, and automation.
In 2025, Smartsheet is widely adopted by enterprises, PMOs, and Fortune 500 companies, but is it the right fit for your business? Compared to ClickUp, Monday.com, and Asana, Smartsheet stands out with its grid-based approach and enterprise focus.
We tested Smartsheet across enterprise workflows to see how it performs against modern competitors. Here’s our full review.
Key Takeaways
- Best for enterprises and spreadsheet-native teams.
- Strong reporting, dashboards, and compliance features.
- Expensive compared to SMB tools.
- Less intuitive for small teams.
Features Breakdown
Spreadsheet Interface
Smartsheet mimics Excel but adds task dependencies, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars.
Dashboards & Reporting
Enterprise-ready dashboards with charts, KPIs, and portfolio views. Great for executive reporting.
Automations
Workflow automations include reminders, status updates, and approval requests.
Collaboration
Built-in comments, file sharing, and version history.
AI Features (2025 update)
Smartsheet AI auto-generates project plans, predicts delays, and summarizes progress reports.
Pricing
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Best For |
| Free | $0 (limited) | Testing |
| Pro | $7 | Individuals/small projects |
| Business | $25 | Growing teams |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Enterprises with compliance needs |
Plan
- Free
- Basecamp Pro
- Basecamp Flat
Price
- $0 (limited features)
- $15 per user/month
- $299/month flat rate
Best For
- Freelancers testing
- Small businesses
- Larger teams (unlimited users)
Smartsheet is cheaper than Monday.com for entry-level users, but the Business and Enterprise tiers are costly, reflecting its enterprise target.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Enterprise reporting & dashboards
- Strong compliance/security
Cons
- Overkill for small teams
- Higher cost at scale
- UI less modern than ClickUp or Monday
Who Should Use Each
Smartsheet is best for:
- Enterprises needing reporting and compliance.
- Teams that live in Excel but want automation.
- Project Management Offices (PMOs).
It’s not ideal for:
- Freelancers or startups (too expensive).
- Teams seeking modern, lightweight UI.
Comparisons
- Smartsheet vs ClickUp: ClickUp is cheaper and more modern; Smartsheet better for enterprise compliance.
- Smartsheet vs Monday.com: Both enterprise-ready, but Smartsheet feels like Excel; Monday has more visual polish.
- Smartsheet vs Asana: Asana is simpler; Smartsheet more powerful for executives.
Comparisons
- Smartsheet vs ClickUp: ClickUp is cheaper and more modern; Smartsheet better for enterprise compliance.
- Smartsheet vs Monday.com: Both enterprise-ready, but Smartsheet feels like Excel; Monday has more visual polish.
- Smartsheet vs Asana: Asana is simpler; Smartsheet more powerful for executives.
Frequently Ask Questions
Is Smartsheet just Excel?
No — it combines spreadsheet familiarity with project management features.
Is Smartsheet good for small businesses?
Not really — it’s designed for enterprises.
Does Smartsheet support AI?
Yes, Smartsheet AI helps generate plans and predict project delays.
Can Smartsheet replace Microsoft Project?
Yes, for many enterprises, Smartsheet is a more modern, collaborative alternative.
Final Verdict
Smartsheet is the best spreadsheet-style project management tool in 2025. It bridges the gap between Excel and modern PM platforms, making it ideal for enterprises that need reporting, compliance, and structure.
While it’s not the cheapest or most intuitive tool, Smartsheet excels where it matters most for large organizations — scalability, governance, and familiarity.