Which is better, Retain or Smartsheet?

Retain edges out Smartsheet based on user ratings across 43 reviews. That said, the best pick depends on your workflow — Smartsheet may be a stronger fit for specific team sizes or use cases. Review the full comparison to decide.

What are the main differences between Retain and Smartsheet?

Key differences between Retain and Smartsheet include pricing (Retain starts at undisclosed vs Smartsheet at $9); target audience (Retain targets Large Enterprises while Smartsheet serves Freelancers / Consultants); free trial availability (Smartsheet offers one, Retain does not). Use the Spotsaas comparison table to evaluate each dimension before deciding.

Do both Retain and Smartsheet offer a Free trial?

Smartsheet offers Free Trial, but Retain does not.

Who are the typical users of Retain?

Retain is designed for Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

Who are the typical users of Smartsheet?

Smartsheet is designed for Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

What is the starting price of Retain and Smartsheet?

The starting price of Smartsheet is $9/month. Pricing for Retain is unavailable.

What are the best alternatives to Retain?

Some top alternatives to Retain include Smartsheet, MRMcentral, Saviom Enterprise Resource Management, eResource Scheduler, Resource Guru.

What are the best alternatives to Smartsheet?

Some top alternatives to Smartsheet include Quickbase , ClickUp, Jira, Microsoft PPM, Trello.

Retain vs Smartsheet Comparison

Last updated: May 22, 2026

Retain

4.6(43 reviews)

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…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Smartsheet

4.1(8,464 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…

View Pricing Read Reviews

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

Retain vs Smartsheet — at a glance

Feature	Retain	Smartsheet
Rating	4.6 / 5	4.1 / 5
Reviews	43	8,464
Starting price	Contact for pricing	$9 /month
Free trial	No	Yes
Free version	No	No
Best for	Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business	Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Category	Resource Management Software	Project Management Software
Platforms	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
API	—	Available
Support modes	Online	Business Hours, Online
Certifications	—	SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residency	US	US

Key differences between Retain and Smartsheet

Pricing: Smartsheet starts at $9 /month. Retain pricing is not publicly listed.
Free trial: Smartsheet offers a free trial; Retain does not.
Target audience: Retain is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while Smartsheet targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
User satisfaction: Retain scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
Deployment: Retain supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows; Smartsheet supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Retain vs Smartsheet — find the better fit before you commit.

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

	Retain Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	Smartsheet (2414) Visit website Visit Website *sponsored

Biggest differences

Affiliate Disclosure

Start here before you go deeper into features.

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.

Retain: Best for enterprises needing integrated resource and compliance management. Smartsheet: Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation.

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	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 $9 , yearly
Free Trial Availability	No free trial	Get Free Trial
Spotsaas Score What's this? ↗	Not Available	9.8/10
User Ratings Based on verified Spotsaas reviews	4.6 (43)	4.1 (8464)
Best Company Size	Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises	50-500 employees501-5,000 employees
	Get pricing help	Visit website

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

Retain

No key benefits available yet.

Smartsheet

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

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

Retain

No alternatives guidance available yet.

Smartsheet

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

Demo

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Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do Retain and Smartsheet Compare on Features?

Total Features	12 Features	21 Features
Unique Features	No unique features	No unique features
	Get Quote	Visit website

Compare 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	Not Available	$9 , yearly
Pricing Plans	Not Available	Pro $12 /month Get Started Unlimited free Viewers Gantt, grid, board, and calendar view Rich formulas Show more + Business $24 /month Get Started Includes features of Pro plan, plus: Unlimited free Guests Timeline view Show more + Enterprise Custom Get Started 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
	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported	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)
Modes of support	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online
API Support	Not Available	Available
	Get help choosing	Visit Website

Security & Compliance

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

SOC 2	—	✓ Yes
HIPAA	✗ No	✓ Yes
GDPR	—	✓ Yes
ISO 27001	—	✓ Yes
Single Sign-On (SSO)	—	✓ Yes
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)	—	✓ Yes
Data Encryption	—	✓ Yes
Audit Logs	—	✓ Yes
Data Residency	🇺🇸 US	🇺🇸 US

Retain User Reviews & Rating Comparison

User Ratings	4.6 (based on 43 reviews)	4.1 (based on 8464 reviews)
Rating Distribution	0 0 0 0 0	1840 427 95 34 18
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 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	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
	Read reviews	Read reviews

List of Customers

Customers	Capgemini Amgen Bank Of America	Pfizer Whirlpool Western Digital

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots	No screenshots available.	7 Screenshots
Videos	1 Videos	4 Videos

Top Alternatives to Retain and Smartsheet in 2026

Alternatives	Smartsheet 4.1 MRMcentral 4.7 Saviom Enterprise Resource Management 4.5	Quickbase 4.2 ClickUp 4.4 Jira 4.4

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Retain or Smartsheet?: 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 Retain and Smartsheet offer a free trial?: Smartsheet offers a free trial. Retain does not.
What is the starting price of Retain vs Smartsheet?: Retain starts at Contact for pricing. Smartsheet starts at $9 /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 Smartsheet?: Top alternatives to Smartsheet include Quickbase , ClickUp, Jira, Microsoft PPM, Trello.

Retain vs Smartsheet Comparison

Retain

Smartsheet

Retain vs Smartsheet — at a glance

Key differences between Retain and Smartsheet

Retain vs Smartsheet — find the better fit before you commit.

Retain

Smartsheet

Biggest differences

Description

Entry Level Pricing

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

User Ratings

Best Company Size

Where each option fits best

Key strengths

Best fit

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Software Demo

Demo

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

How do Retain and Smartsheet Compare on Features?

Compare Retain and Smartsheet on pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported

Platforms Supported

Modes of support

API Support

Security & Compliance

Retain User Reviews & Rating Comparison

List of Customers

Customers

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots

Videos

Top Alternatives to Retain and Smartsheet in 2026

Related Blogs and Articles for Resource Management Software

Frequently asked questions