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Celoxis vs Retain vs Smartsheet Comparison

Last updated:

Celoxis

4.1(91 reviews)

Starting at $25 /month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Celoxis is a project management software that connects your team and simplifies your day-to-day work on shared projects. Its revolutionary time-tracking system automatically logs start and end times to every task, while…

Retain

4.6(43 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Retain is a resource management platform for operations and HR teams that need to coordinate workforce planning across timekeeping, payroll, talent acquisition, and ERP systems. It centralizes scheduling and capacity dat…

Smartsheet

4.6(2,444 reviews)

Starting at $9 /month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique workflows, whether you're managing s…

Retain leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 43 reviews.

Celoxis vs Retain vs Smartsheet — at a glance

FeatureCeloxisRetainSmartsheet
Rating4.1 / 54.6 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews91432,444
Starting price$25 /monthContact for pricing$9 /month
Free trial Yes No Yes
Free version No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryProject Management SoftwareResource Management SoftwareProject Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsGDPRSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyUSUSUS

Key differences between Celoxis and Retain

  • Pricing: Celoxis starts at $25 /month. Retain pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Celoxis offers a free trial; Retain does not.
  • User satisfaction: Retain scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: Celoxis supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Retain supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.

Compare Celoxis vs Retain vs Smartsheet — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Project Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Celoxis - Project Management Software
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Retain - Resource Management Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Celoxis

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Retain

Best for enterprises needing integrated resource and compliance management.

Choose if
  • You require seamless integration with timekeeping, payroll, ERP, and talent acquisition systems.
  • Your team must ensure strict regulatory compliance across workflows.
  • You want to optimize resource allocation to boost productivity across departments.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a startup or very small business with minimal resource management needs.
  • You need standalone timekeeping or payroll software without complex integrations.

Smartsheet

Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation.

Choose if
  • You require flexible workflows adaptable to complex project plans and diverse teams.
  • You want strong project management features like Gantt charts, dashboards, and resource tracking.
  • You value automation to reduce manual errors and save time in project execution.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your team needs extensive offline functionality due to unreliable internet access.
  • You prefer simple, ready-to-use workflows without investing time in customization or training.

Celoxis typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Retain tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Celoxis is a project management software that connects your team and simplifies your day-to-day work on shared projects. Its revolutionary time-tracking system automatically logs start and ... Read More about Celoxis

Retain is a resource management platform for operations and HR teams that need to coordinate workforce planning across timekeeping, payroll, talent acquisition, and ERP systems. It ... Read More about Retain

Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique ... Read More about Smartsheet

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $25 , yearly
  • Not Available
  • Starts from $9 , yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.9/10

Not Available

9.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.1

(91)

4.6

(43)

4.57

(2444)

Best Company Size

50-500 employees.
Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
50-500 employees501-5,000 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Celoxis

  • Project Management: Celoxis is an all-in-one platform that integrates project planning, resource allocation, and team collaboration. It simplifies your workflow so you can focus on delivering results.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Celoxis builds a collaborative environment where teams can communicate effectively. Your team can share updates and feedback in real-time, keeping everyone aligned and informed.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Gain deeper insights into your projects with Celoxis's powerful reporting tools. You can customize reports to fit your needs, allowing you to make data-driven decisions that move your organization forward.

Retain

No key benefits available yet.

Smartsheet

  • With Smartsheet, teams can collaborate in real-time, keeping everyone aligned. This builds transparency and accountability within projects, making it easier for managers to track progress.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Smartsheet offers customizable dashboards that let you visualize project data at a glance. This feature helps executives make informed decisions quickly, as they can monitor key metrics without digging through extensive reports.
  • Automation Capabilities: By automating repetitive tasks, Smartsheet saves time and reduces errors. Administrators will appreciate how this feature allows them to focus on higher-value activities rather than getting bogged down with manual processes.
Best fit

Best fit

Celoxis

  • 50-500 employees.
  • Celoxis is well-suited for industries such as Consulting, IT Services, Marketing Agencies, Software Development, and Project Management. Typical users include Project Managers, Resource Managers, Portfolio Managers, and Operations Managers.

Retain

No best-fit guidance available yet.

Smartsheet

  • 50-5,000 employees.
  • Industries include Project Management, IT Services, Marketing Technology (Martech), Financial Technology (Fintech), Consulting, and SaaS.
  • Typical users are Project Managers, Operations Managers, Marketing Coordinators, IT Directors, and Business Analysts.
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Celoxis

  • Steep learning curve — teams unfamiliar with complex project management tools often switch to Monday.com or Asana for simpler interfaces
  • Higher pricing than Jira, Monday.com, or Smartsheet for equivalent features drives cost-conscious teams to alternatives
  • Limited industry-specific templates — manufacturing and healthcare teams often need specialized workflows Celoxis doesn't provide out-of-the-box

Retain

No alternatives guidance available yet.

Smartsheet

  • Pricing exceeds $25/month per user for most teams — competitors like Monday.com and Asana offer similar features at $10–15/month
  • Lacks native construction and software development templates — teams in these industries typically layer in specialized tools like Procore or Jira
  • Steep learning curve requires 4–6 weeks of training for new users — alternatives like Trello and ClickUp have faster onboarding

Software Demo

Demo

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Step 1 of 4

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How do Celoxis, Retain and Smartsheet Compare on Features?

Total Features

16 Features

12 Features

21 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Celoxis, Retain and Smartsheet on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

        Starting From

        • $25 , yearly
        • Not Available
        • $9 , yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Not Available
        • Not Available
        • Pro

          $12

          /month

          • Unlimited free Viewers

          • Gantt, grid, board, and calendar view

          • Rich formulas

          Show more +

        • Business

          $24

          /month

          • Includes features of Pro plan, plus:

          • Unlimited free Guests

          • Timeline view

          Show more +

        • Enterprise

          Custom

          • Includes features of Business plan, plus

          • AI formulas, texts, and charts

          • SAML-based SSO

          Show more +

        • Browse all pricing plans

        Pricing Page

        Celoxis pricing

        Pricing information not available

        Smartsheet pricing

        Other Details

        Organization Types supported

        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals

        Platforms Supported

        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Browser Based (Cloud)

        Modes of support

        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online

        API Support

        • Available
        • Not Available
        • Available
        Get help choosing
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

        Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

        SOC 2

        HIPAA

        ✗ No
        ✗ No

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes

        ISO 27001

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes

        Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes

        Audit Logs

        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🇺🇸 US
        🇺🇸 US

        Celoxis vs Retain User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        4.6

        (based on 43 reviews)

        Rating Distribution

        63

        32

        4

        0

        1

        0

        0

        0

        0

        0

        1840

        427

        95

        34

        18

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is positive across 100 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

        What buyers like

        • Configurable to fit diverse team and project requirements with role-based resource management.
        • Reporting includes interactive dashboards, detailed resource tracking, and customizable views.
        • Covers Gantt charts, task dependencies, and team workload visibility for project tracking.

        Common complaints

        • Administrator settings are complex, with a steep learning curve due to the volume of advanced features.
        • Limited integration with external systems like ERP and no built-in support for bug tracking.
        • No mobile app, and missing features like drag-and-drop file sharing, quick to-do lists, and auto-save.

        Buyer sentiment

        Users generally rate Retain highly for its integration capabilities and compliance features, though detailed user feedback is limited.

        What buyers like

        • Integration with multiple enterprise systems
        • Regulatory compliance support
        • Productivity improvement

        Common complaints

        • Lack of pricing transparency
        • Complex setup process

        Buyer sentiment

        Overall positive sentiment highlights Smartsheet’s flexibility, collaboration features, and powerful project management tools, tempered by concerns about learning curve and offline limitations.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Customizability
        • Automation capabilities

        Common complaints

        • Learning curve for advanced features
        • Limited offline functionality

        Pros and Cons

        • Highly customizable and adaptable to fit diverse team and project requirements, enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

        • Impressive reporting capabilities with interactive dashboards, detailed resource tracking, and customizable views.

        • Facilitates comprehensive project management and tracking, including Gantt charts, task dependencies, and team workload visibility.

        • The administrator settings can be complex, and there is a steep learning curve due to the abundance of advanced features.

        • Lack of seamless integration with external systems (e.g., ERP) and limited built-in support for bug tracking.

        • Strong integration capabilities with timekeeping, payroll, ERP, and talent acquisition systems

        • Helps ensure regulatory compliance across workflows

        • Improves productivity by optimizing resource allocation

        • Pricing is quotation-based, which may limit upfront cost transparency

        • Limited publicly available information on specific features and use cases

        • Customizable and user-friendly interface accessible to beginners and experienced users

        • Strong project management features including Gantt charts, dashboards, and resource tracking

        • Automated workflows that save time and reduce manual errors

        • Advanced features have a learning curve that can challenge new users

        • Limited offline functionality can hinder use in poor internet conditions

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        Used Celoxis, Retain, or Smartsheet? Tell buyers what actually differs.

        List of Customers

        Customers

        Adobe

        Adobe

        Mandiri

        Mandiri

        Biomin

        Biomin

        Capgemini

        Capgemini

        Amgen

        Amgen

        Bank Of America

        Bank Of America

        Pfizer

        Pfizer

        Whirlpool

        Whirlpool

        Western Digital

        Western Digital

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        Dashboard screenshot

        11 Screenshots

        No screenshots available.

        Videos

        video-0

        4 Videos

        video-0

        1 Videos

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        Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

        Frequently asked questions

        Which is better, Celoxis or Retain?
        Retain edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do Celoxis and Retain offer a free trial?
        Celoxis offers a free trial. Retain does not.
        What is the starting price of Celoxis vs Retain?
        Celoxis starts at $25 /month. Retain starts at Contact for pricing.
        What are the top alternatives to Celoxis?
        Top alternatives to Celoxis include Quickbase, Smartsheet, ClickUp, Jira, Basecamp.
        What are the top alternatives to Retain?
        Top alternatives to Retain include Smartsheet, MRMcentral, Saviom Enterprise Resource Management, eResource Scheduler, Resource Guru.