Smartsheet vs Microsoft Excel Comparison
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…
Microsoft Excel
Starting at $5
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
Microsoft Excel has helped make the world more productive and businesses more valuable to their owners by helping people analyze large sets of data. Developers have built a simple user interface that operates in the same…
Microsoft Excel leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 18,767 reviews.
Smartsheet vs Microsoft Excel — at a glance
| Feature | Smartsheet | Microsoft Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 8,464 | 18,767 |
| Starting price | $9 /month | $5 |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Project Management Software | Spreadsheets Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | GDPR |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel
- Pricing: Smartsheet starts at $9 /month, while Microsoft Excel starts at $5.
- Target audience: Smartsheet is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Microsoft Excel targets Individuals and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: Microsoft Excel scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
- Deployment: Smartsheet supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Microsoft Excel supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Smartsheet vs Microsoft Excel — 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 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
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
Best for familiar, powerful spreadsheet data analysis and visualization.
- You need robust financial analysis and reporting tools.
- Your team values a familiar Microsoft Office interface.
- You require spreadsheet access across desktop, mobile, and online platforms.
- Your team demands advanced real-time multi-user collaboration features.
- You work regularly with extremely large datasets causing performance issues.
Smartsheet: Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation. Microsoft Excel: Best for familiar, powerful spreadsheet data analysis and visualization.
Description | 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 | Microsoft Excel has helped make the world more productive and businesses more valuable to their owners by helping people analyze large sets of data. Developers have built a simple user ... Read More about Microsoft Excel |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.8/10 | Not Available |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 50-500 employees501-5,000 employees | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises |
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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
- 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.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- 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.
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
Software Demo
Demo |  Microsoft Excel has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel Compare on Features?
Total Features | 21 Features | 0 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No features |
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Compare Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel 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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Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✓ Yes | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Smartsheet User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| Buyer sentiment Users generally praise Excel for its powerful data handling and familiar interface but note limitations in collaboration and performance with very large files. 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 |
List of Customers
Customers |  Pfizer  Whirlpool  Western Digital | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  7 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  4 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel in 2026
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, Smartsheet or Microsoft Excel?
- Microsoft Excel edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Smartsheet vs Microsoft Excel?
- Smartsheet starts at $9 /month. Microsoft Excel starts at $5.
- What are the top alternatives to Smartsheet?
- Top alternatives to Smartsheet include Quickbase , ClickUp, Jira, Microsoft PPM, Trello.
- What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Excel?
- Top alternatives to Microsoft Excel include SpreadsheetWEB, Apple Numbers, Zoho Sheet, Google Sheets, Retable.