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Looker vs Runn vs Smartsheet Comparison

Last updated:

Looker

4.5(613 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Looker is a business intelligence platform that combines the power of SQL with a new user experience to deliver data that users can interact with, explore and understand. Looker's business analytics software helps compan…

Runn

4.5(1 reviews)

Starting at $8 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Revamp the way your company manages resources with Runn: an intuitive Resource Planning and Forecasting Software. This innovative tool offers comprehensive visibility across sales, projects, and the required personnel. S…

Smartsheet

4.6(2,318 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…

Looker leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 613 reviews.

Looker vs Runn vs Smartsheet — at a glance

FeatureLookerRunnSmartsheet
Rating4.5 / 54.5 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews61312,318
Starting priceContact for pricing$8 /User/Month$9 /month
Free trial Yes Yes Yes
Free version No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryBusiness Intelligence SoftwareResource Management SoftwareProject Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001GDPRSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalUSUS

Key differences between Looker and Runn

  • Pricing: Runn starts at $8 /User/Month. Looker pricing is not publicly listed.
  • User satisfaction: Looker scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: Looker supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows; Runn supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Looker vs Runn 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 Business Intelligence 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.

Looker - Business Intelligence Software
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Runn - Resource Management Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Looker

Best for SQL-powered, user-friendly BI with strong collaboration features.

Choose if
  • You need a flexible BI tool for data analytics teams in medium to large enterprises.
  • Your team values easy data exploration with seamless integration of multiple data sources.
  • You want strong collaboration capabilities to support cross-functional teamwork.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization requires highly customizable or advanced visualizations beyond Looker's limits.
  • You handle very large datasets needing rapid loading and high performance.

Runn

Best for real-time resource planning and project workload management.

Choose if
  • You need dynamic resource allocation to adapt to changing project priorities.
  • Your team size ranges between 50 and 500 employees in consulting or SaaS sectors.
  • You want up-to-the-minute visibility into project progress and team performance.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require highly customizable project management features tailored to specific workflows.
  • Your organization prioritizes integrated communication tools like chat or video conferencing.

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.

Looker: Best for SQL-powered, user-friendly BI with strong collaboration features. Runn: Best for real-time resource planning and project workload management.

Description

Looker is a business intelligence platform that combines the power of SQL with a new user experience to deliver data that users can interact with, explore and understand. Looker's business ... Read More about Looker

Revamp the way your company manages resources with Runn: an intuitive Resource Planning and Forecasting Software. This innovative tool offers comprehensive visibility across sales, ... Read More about Runn

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

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $8 , Billed Yearly
  • Starts from $9 , yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available
  • Free Trial available

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.4/10

Not Available

9.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.53

(613)

4.5

(1)

4.56

(2318)

Best Company Size

51-500 employees1000+ employees
50 to 500 employees
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

Looker

No key benefits available yet.

Runn

  • Project Management: With Runn, you can easily visualize and manage your team's workload. It helps managers allocate resources effectively, confirming that no one is overburdened while maximizing productivity.
  • Real-Time Insights: Runn provides up-to-the-minute data on project progress and team performance. Executives appreciate having these insights at their fingertips, letting them make informed decisions that drive organizational success.
  • Flexible Resource Planning: Whether you're scaling up for a big project or adjusting to changing priorities, Runn allows you to adapt your resource allocation dynamically. Administrators love how this flexibility helps meet deadlines without compromising quality.

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

Looker

No best-fit guidance available yet.

Runn

  • 50 to 500 employees
  • Consulting, SaaS, Marketing Technology (Martech), and Professional Services
  • Project Managers, Resource Managers, Operations Directors, and Team Leads

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

Looker

No alternatives guidance available yet.

Runn

  • Lacks customizable project templates — teams needing industry-specific workflows often switch to Monday.com or Asana
  • Pricing starts at $25/user/month — smaller agencies under 10 people typically choose Toggl Plan or Harvest instead
  • No native chat or video — teams relying on real-time communication integrate Slack separately or move to Basecamp

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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How do Looker, Runn and Smartsheet Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

11 Features

21 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Looker, Runn 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

        • Not Available
        • $8 , Billed Yearly
        • $9 , yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Not Available
        • Startup

          • Resource Scheduling

          • Project Planning

          • Capacity Management

          Show more +

        • Pro

          • Resource Scheduling

          • Project Planning

          • Capacity Management

          Show more +

        • Enterprise

          • Concierge onboarding.

          • Dedicated account management.

          • Additional security arrangements.

          Show more +

        • 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

        Pricing information not available

        Runn pricing
        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
        • Available
        • Available
        Get help choosing
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

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

        SOC 2

        ✓ Yes

        HIPAA

        ✓ Yes
        ✗ No

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        ISO 27001

        ✓ Yes

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes

        Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

        ✓ Yes

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes

        Audit Logs

        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🌐 Global
        🇺🇸 US

        Looker vs Runn User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        Rating Distribution

        479

        151

        14

        0

        3

        1

        0

        0

        0

        0

        1840

        427

        95

        34

        18

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and strong data visualization, tempered by concerns over performance and customization limitations.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Data visualization
        • Data integration

        Common complaints

        • Loading speed with large datasets
        • Limited customization

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

        What buyers like

        • Real-time planning updates
        • Comprehensive visibility
        • Intuitive interface

        Common complaints

        • May lack advanced features
        • Requires user training
        • Limited offline access

        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

        • User-friendly interface enabling easy data exploration

        • Powerful data visualization for compelling reports and dashboards

        • Seamless integration with multiple data sources

        • Slow loading times with large datasets

        • Limited customization options for visualizations

        • **Streamlined Project Management:** With Runn, you can effortlessly visualize and manage your team's workload. I’ve seen how it helps managers allocate resources effectively, ensuring that no one is overburdened while maximizing productivity.

        • **Real-Time Insights:** Runn provides up-to-the-minute data on project progress and team performance. Executives appreciate having these insights at their fingertips, enabling informed decision-making that drives organizational success.

        • **Flexible Resource Planning:** Whether you're scaling up for a big project or adjusting to changing priorities, Runn allows you to adapt your resource allocation dynamically. Administrators love how this flexibility helps meet deadlines without compromising quality.

        • May not have all advanced features.

        • Requires training for optimal use.

        • 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 Looker, Runn, or Smartsheet? Tell buyers what actually differs.

        List of Customers

        Customers

        Twilio

        Twilio

        King

        King

        Carta

        Carta

        Silverstripe

        Silverstripe

        Ralabs

        Ralabs

        Somardigital

        Somardigital

        Pfizer

        Pfizer

        Whirlpool

        Whirlpool

        Western Digital

        Western Digital

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        Business Intelligence

        3 Screenshots

        Time Tracker

        4 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        3 Videos

        video-0

        3 Videos

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        Add another option to compare side by side

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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, Looker or Runn?
        Looker edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do Looker and Runn offer a free trial?
        Yes, both Looker and Runn offer a free trial.
        What is the starting price of Looker vs Runn?
        Looker starts at Contact for pricing. Runn starts at $8 /User/Month.
        What are the top alternatives to Looker?
        Top alternatives to Looker include Qlik Sense, Sisense, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, Dundas BI.
        What are the top alternatives to Runn?
        Top alternatives to Runn include Smartsheet, RationalPlan, Saviom Enterprise Resource Management, Retain, eResource Scheduler.