Retain vs Hub Planner vs Smartsheet Comparison
Retain
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Retain is a resource management tool that empowers teams to optimize workflow, increase productivity and ensure adherence to regulations. Integrate multiple systems such as employee timekeeping, payroll, talent acquisiti…
Hub Planner
Starting at $7 per resource / per month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Hub Planner's all-in-one tool allows businesses to simply manage daily workflows. Our resource management software helps you plan, schedule, and track employee time off, with Vacation & Annual Leave forms and real-time a…
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…
Retain leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 43 reviews.
SpotSaaS Analysis
RetainHub PlannerSmartsheet
The core difference between Retain and Hub Planner lies in their target user base and functionality focus; Retain is designed for large enterprises requiring comprehensive compliance management, while Hub Planner caters to medium businesses seeking efficient resource and leave management. Ideal buyers for Retain are large organizations needing robust integration and compliance, whereas Hub Planner is best suited for medium-sized companies in sectors like consulting and project management.
- Best for enterprises needing integrated resource and compliance management - Seamless integration with timekeeping, payroll, ERP, and talent acquisition systems - Ensures strict regulatory compliance across workflows - Suitable for medium to large businesses - Price not listed - Focus on complex organizational needs
- Best for medium businesses needing streamlined resource and leave management - Ideal for teams of 50-500 employees - Integrated vacation and annual leave tracking with approval forms - Suitable for roles such as Project Managers and Resource Managers - Price is $7 - Focus on simplicity and effectiveness in resource allocation
Retain vs Hub Planner vs Smartsheet — at a glance
| Feature | Retain | Hub Planner | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Reviews | 43 | 134 | 8,464 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $7 per resource / per month | $9 /month |
| Free trial | No | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Resource Management Software | Resource Management Software | Project Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 |
| Data residency | US | Global | US |
Key differences between Retain and Hub Planner
- Pricing: Hub Planner starts at $7 per resource / per month . Retain pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Hub Planner offers a free trial; Retain does not.
- User satisfaction: Retain scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Retain supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows; Hub Planner supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
Compare Retain vs Hub Planner 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 Resource 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.
Best for enterprises needing integrated resource and compliance management.
- 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.
- You are a startup or very small business with minimal resource management needs.
- You need standalone timekeeping or payroll software without complex integrations.
Best for medium businesses needing streamlined resource and leave management.
- You manage teams of 50-500 employees requiring simple, effective resource allocation.
- You want integrated vacation and annual leave tracking with approval forms.
- You need real-time dashboards for proactive project and workload monitoring.
- You are a very small team under 10 employees seeking lightweight tools.
- You require highly customized enterprise workflows or advanced process automation.
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.
Retain: Best for enterprises needing integrated resource and compliance management. Hub Planner: Best for medium businesses needing streamlined resource and leave management.
Description | Retain is a resource management tool that empowers teams to optimize workflow, increase productivity and ensure adherence to regulations. Integrate multiple systems such as employee ... Read More about Retain | Hub Planner's all-in-one tool allows businesses to simply manage daily workflows. Our resource management software helps you plan, schedule, and track employee time off, with Vacation & ... Read More about Hub Planner | 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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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | Not Available | Not Available | 9.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises | 50 to 500 employeesMedium Business | 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
No key benefits available yet.
- Streamlined Resource Management: Hub Planner allows managers to effortlessly allocate and track resources, ensuring that team members are optimally utilized and workloads are balanced, which in turn boosts productivity across projects.
- Real-Time Insights: With its intuitive dashboard, Hub Planner provides real-time data on project progress and resource availability. You can quickly spot potential bottlenecks or over-allocations, enabling proactive decision-making.
- Enhanced Collaboration: By fostering clear communication among teams, Hub Planner helps everyone stay aligned on project goals. You'll find that collaboration becomes more fluid, reducing misunderstandings and improving overall team morale.
- 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
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 50 to 500 employees
- Consulting, SaaS, Marketing Technology (Martech), and Project Management
- roles such as Project Managers, Resource Managers, Operations Managers, and Team Leaders
- 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
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Users may seek alternatives to Hub Planner if they find its pricing structure to be prohibitive, especially for smaller teams or startups with limited budgets looking for cost-effective project management tools.
- Some teams might require specific features that Hub Planner lacks, such as advanced reporting capabilities or integration with niche software that is crucial for their workflow and operational efficiency.
- Organizations with unique project management methodologies may prefer solutions that offer more customization options than Hub Planner, enabling them to tailor the software to their specific needs and processes.
- 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.
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How do Retain, Hub Planner and Smartsheet Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 20 Features | 21 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Retain, Hub Planner 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 | ✗ No |
GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | — | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | — | — |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | — | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Retain vs Hub Planner User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.6 (based on 43 reviews) | ||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users generally rate Retain highly for its integration capabilities and compliance features, though detailed user feedback is limited. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate Hub Planner for its ease of resource management and real-time insights, though some desire more pricing transparency and advanced customization. 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 |  Capgemini  Amgen  Bank Of America |  Adidas  Ogilvy  Motorola |  Pfizer  Whirlpool  Western Digital |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  7 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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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, Retain or Hub Planner?
- Retain edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Retain and Hub Planner offer a free trial?
- Hub Planner offers a free trial. Retain does not.
- What is the starting price of Retain vs Hub Planner?
- Retain starts at Contact for pricing. Hub Planner starts at $7 per resource / per month .
- What are the top alternatives to Retain?
- Top alternatives to Retain include Smartsheet, MRMcentral, Saviom Enterprise Resource Management, eResource Scheduler, Resource Guru.
- What are the top alternatives to Hub Planner?
- Top alternatives to Hub Planner include Smartsheet, Teamdeck, MRMcentral, Projectworks, eResource Scheduler.