RationalPlan vs Runn vs Smartsheet Comparison
RationalPlan
Starting at $4 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
RationalPlan Project Management Software is a simple and easy to use project planning software for small organizations. It is easy to learn, affordable, and includes powerful features to plan, manage and report projects.…
Runn
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
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…
RationalPlan leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 51 reviews.
RationalPlan vs Runn vs Smartsheet — at a glance
| Feature | RationalPlan | Runn | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | — | 4.6 / 5 |
| Reviews | 51 | — | 2,444 |
| Starting price | $4 /User/Month | $8 /User/Month | $9 /month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Project Management Software | Resource Management Software | Project Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | — | US | US |
Key differences between RationalPlan and Runn
- Pricing: RationalPlan starts at $4 /User/Month, while Runn starts at $8 /User/Month.
- Target audience: RationalPlan is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Runn targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- Deployment: RationalPlan supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Runn supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare RationalPlan vs Runn 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 |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Best for real-time resource planning and project workload management.
- 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.
- You require highly customizable project management features tailored to specific workflows.
- Your organization prioritizes integrated communication tools like chat or video conferencing.
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.
RationalPlan typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. Runn 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 | RationalPlan Project Management Software is a simple and easy to use project planning software for small organizations. It is easy to learn, affordable, and includes powerful features to ... Read More about RationalPlan | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | Not Available | 9.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 10 to 500 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.
Key strengths
- Multi-Project Management: RationalPlan allows users to manage multiple projects simultaneously, providing a centralized view of all ongoing tasks and resources.
- Gantt Chart and Kanban Views: The software offers both Gantt chart and Kanban board views, catering to different project management preferences and methodologies.
- Resource and Cost Management: RationalPlan provides tools for resource allocation and cost estimation, helping organizations stay within budget and optimize resource utilization.
- 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.
- 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
- 10 to 500 employees
- Construction, Engineering, Consulting, Software Development, Healthcare
- Project Managers, Operations Managers, Resource Planners, Portfolio Managers
- 50 to 500 employees
- Consulting, SaaS, Marketing Technology (Martech), and Professional Services
- Project Managers, Resource Managers, Operations Directors, and Team Leads
- 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
- RationalPlan's collaboration capabilities are relatively basic compared to other project management tools. Users have noted that it lacks advanced collaboration features, which can be a drawback for teams that require real-time communication and file sharing.
- Some users have reported that the software's user interface is not as intuitive as other project management tools. This can lead to a steeper learning curve and potentially slower adoption by team members.
- RationalPlan's mobile and web versions may not offer the full functionality available in the desktop application. This limitation can hinder users who need to access project data on the go.
- 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
- 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
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How do RationalPlan, Runn and Smartsheet Compare on Features?
Total Features | 15 Features | 11 Features | 21 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare RationalPlan, 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.
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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 | — | — |
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HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | — |
Data Encryption | — | — |
Audit Logs | — | — |
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
RationalPlan vs Runn User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | ||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 25 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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 |
List of Customers
Customers |  Cisco  IBM  Toyota |  Silverstripe  Ralabs  Somardigital |  Pfizer  Whirlpool  Western Digital |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Related Blogs and Articles for Resource 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, RationalPlan or Runn?
- RationalPlan edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs -1.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do RationalPlan and Runn offer a free trial?
- Yes, both RationalPlan and Runn offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of RationalPlan vs Runn?
- RationalPlan starts at $4 /User/Month. Runn starts at $8 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to RationalPlan?
- Top alternatives to RationalPlan include Quickbase , Smartsheet, ClickUp, Microsoft PPM, Wrike.
- What are the top alternatives to Runn?
- Top alternatives to Runn include Smartsheet, RationalPlan, Saviom Enterprise Resource Management, Retain, eResource Scheduler.