OpenProject vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet Comparison
OpenProject
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
OpenProject is a collaborative project management software for planning, tracking, and reporting on projects. It emphasizes usability – before users start a project, they need a tool that enables them to start working ef…
Microsoft Project
Starting at $10 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps streamline business processes so that…
Quickbase
Starting at $35 /user/month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables users to create custom applicatio…
Smartsheet
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…
OpenProject leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 61 reviews.
OpenProject vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet — at a glance
| Feature | OpenProject | Microsoft Project | Quickbase | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 61 | 3,603 | — | 8,464 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $10 /User/Month | $35 /user/month | $9 /month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Project Management Software | Project Management Software | Project Management Software | Project Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Online, Business Hours | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2 | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global | US |
Key differences between OpenProject and Microsoft Project
- Pricing: Microsoft Project starts at $10 /User/Month. OpenProject pricing is not publicly listed.
- User satisfaction: OpenProject scores higher with a 4.2-star average.
- Deployment: OpenProject supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Mac; Microsoft Project supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows.
Compare OpenProject vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase vs Smartsheet — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Best for building custom no-code workflows in medium to large enterprises.
- You need to rapidly create tailored project management apps without coding.
- Your team requires strong workflow automation to reduce manual tasks.
- You want seamless integration with tools like Salesforce and Slack.
- You are a freelancer or very small team needing simple task management.
- You prefer out-of-the-box project management without customization or complexity.
Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation.
- 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.
- 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.
OpenProject typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. Microsoft Project tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | OpenProject is a collaborative project management software for planning, tracking, and reporting on projects. It emphasizes usability – before users start a project, they need a tool that ... Read More about OpenProject | Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps ... Read More about Microsoft Project | Quickbase is a no-code project management platform that empowers teams to build, automate, and optimize workflows without complex coding. Designed for businesses of all sizes, it enables ... Read More about Quickbase | 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 |
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Free Trial Availability | ||||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | 10 to 500 employees | 50 to 500 employees | 50-1,000 employeesMedium to Large 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.
Key strengths
- Comprehensive Project Management Features: OpenProject offers a wide range of tools, including Gantt charts, task management, time tracking, and agile boards, supporting various project management methodologies.
- Open-Source Flexibility: As an open-source platform, OpenProject allows organizations to customize the software to meet their specific needs, providing flexibility in workflows and integrations.
- Collaborative Tools: The platform includes features like forums, wikis, and document sharing, fostering effective team collaboration and knowledge sharing throughout the project lifecycle.
- Advanced Project Scheduling and Planning: Microsoft Project offers detailed Gantt charts, task dependencies, and critical path analysis, enabling precise project scheduling and planning.
- Comprehensive Resource Management: The platform provides tools for resource allocation, workload balancing, and cost tracking, ensuring efficient utilization of resources across projects.
- Robust Reporting and Analytics: Microsoft Project includes built-in reporting features that facilitate data-driven decision-making and project performance analysis.
- Empower Your Team: Quickbase allows teams to build custom applications without needing extensive coding skills, enabling them to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. I’ve seen firsthand how this democratizes app development, letting everyone contribute.
- Rapid Deployment: With Quickbase, you can quickly create and deploy applications tailored to your business needs. This means you can respond to changing market conditions or internal requirements faster than ever before, ensuring you stay ahead of the competition.
- Seamless Integration: The platform integrates effortlessly with existing tools and systems, allowing your organization to maintain its current infrastructure while enhancing capabilities. This flexibility ensures that users can leverage their favorite tools without disruption.
- Streamlined Collaboration: With Smartsheet, teams can easily collaborate in real-time, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. I’ve seen how this fosters transparency and accountability within projects, making it easier for managers to keep track of progress.
- Customizable Dashboards: Smartsheet offers customizable dashboards that allow you to visualize project data at a glance. This feature empowers executives to 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
- 10 to 500 employees
- Construction, Engineering, IT Services, Education, Nonprofit Organizations
- Project Managers, Team Leads, Operations Managers, IT Project Coordinators, Construction Managers
- 50 to 500 employees
- Construction, Engineering, IT Services, Manufacturing, Consulting
- Project Managers, Program Managers, Resource Managers, Operations Directors, Portfolio Managers
- 50 to 1,000 employees
- SaaS, Consulting, Fintech, and Revtech
- Project Managers, Business Analysts, Operations Managers, and IT Administrators
- 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.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Organizations seeking dedicated customer service and guaranteed uptime may opt for commercial project management solutions that offer 24/7 support and service level agreements.
- Teams relying on a diverse set of tools might prefer platforms that offer a wide range of pre-built integrations with third-party applications to streamline workflows.
- Companies managing large teams and complex projects may look for software that provides advanced resource allocation, forecasting, and utilization tracking capabilities.
- Teams seeking intuitive and user-friendly interfaces might opt for tools like Trello or Asana, which offer straightforward task management and collaboration features without the complexity of advanced project management functionalities.
- Organizations practicing Agile methodologies may find tools like Jira or Monday.com more aligned with their workflow, as these platforms offer robust support for sprints, backlogs, and iterative development processes.
- Teams emphasizing real-time collaboration and communication might prefer platforms like Slack or ClickUp, which integrate messaging, file sharing, and task management in a single interface.
- Users may seek alternatives to Quickbase due to its pricing structure, which some find to be on the higher side compared to other low-code platforms that offer similar functionalities at a more competitive rate.
- Organizations requiring advanced features or integrations might explore alternatives that provide more robust capabilities, particularly in areas like data analytics or third-party software connectivity.
- Teams looking for a more user-friendly interface may consider other options, especially if they find Quickbase's learning curve steep for non-technical users or new team members.
- Users may seek alternatives to Smartsheet due to budget constraints, as some organizations find more cost-effective project management solutions that fit their needs without compromising essential features.
- Teams looking for specialized tools might consider alternatives that offer specific functionalities tailored for industries like construction or software development, which may not be as robust in Smartsheet.
- Some users may desire a more intuitive user interface and simpler navigation, leading them to explore alternatives that prioritize ease of use and require less training for team members.
Software Demo
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How do OpenProject, Microsoft Project, Quickbase and Smartsheet Compare on Features?
Total Features | 22 Features | 15 Features | 10 Features | 21 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare OpenProject, Microsoft Project, Quickbase 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.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | — |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
OpenProject vs Microsoft Project vs Quickbase User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |||
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Rating Distribution | No reviews available for this product | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 17 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 1526 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Quickbase's flexibility and automation, though some users note usability challenges. What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  Bahn  Suelzle Kopf  Nokia | No Customers information available. |  Amazon  P and G  Fresenius |  Pfizer  Whirlpool  Western Digital |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  5 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  3 Videos |  1 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Related Blogs and Articles for Project Management Software
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, OpenProject or Microsoft Project?
- OpenProject edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do OpenProject and Microsoft Project offer a free trial?
- Yes, both OpenProject and Microsoft Project offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of OpenProject vs Microsoft Project?
- OpenProject starts at Contact for pricing. Microsoft Project starts at $10 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to OpenProject?
- Top alternatives to OpenProject include Quickbase , Smartsheet, ClickUp, Freshbooks, Jira.
- What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Project?
- Top alternatives to Microsoft Project include Quickbase , Smartsheet, ClickUp, Freshbooks, Jira.