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Smartsheet vs OnTheClock Comparison

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Smartsheet

4.6(2,444 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…

OnTheClock

4.4(542 reviews)

Starting at $2.95 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Individuals
  • Freelancers / Consultants

OnTheClock keeps track of time worked as employees are away from a desk. It's employee time tracking software that integrates with your database, payroll and reporting applications. With OnTheClock you can watch in real…

Smartsheet leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 2,444 reviews.

Smartsheet vs OnTheClock — at a glance

FeatureSmartsheetOnTheClock
Rating4.6 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews2,444542
Starting price$9 /month$2.95 /User/Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessIndividuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises
CategoryProject Management SoftwareTime Tracking Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001GDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Smartsheet and OnTheClock

  • Pricing: Smartsheet starts at $9 /month, while OnTheClock starts at $2.95 /User/Month.
  • Target audience: Smartsheet is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while OnTheClock targets Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants.
  • User satisfaction: Smartsheet scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: Smartsheet supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; OnTheClock supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

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

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

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.

OnTheClock

Best for real-time, mobile-friendly employee time tracking with payroll integration.

Choose if
  • You need simple, streamlined time tracking for 1-500 employees.
  • You want real-time GPS tracking and geofencing for accurate location-based clock-ins.
  • You require seamless payroll integration with Excel and QuickBooks exports.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your company has unreliable or weak internet connectivity affecting tracking accuracy.
  • You need highly customizable or complex multi-employee setup workflows.

Smartsheet: Best for teams needing customizable, spreadsheet-style project management with automation. OnTheClock: Best for real-time, mobile-friendly employee time tracking with payroll integration.

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

OnTheClock keeps track of time worked as employees are away from a desk. It's employee time tracking software that integrates with your database, payroll and reporting applications. With ... Read More about OnTheClock

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $9 , yearly
  • Starts from $2.95

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.8/10

9.4/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.57

(2444)

Best Company Size

50-500 employees501-5,000 employees
1-50 employees51-500 employees
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.

Strengths

Key strengths

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.

OnTheClock

  • Effortless Time Tracking: OnTheClock simplifies the process of tracking employee hours, allowing managers to focus on strategic initiatives rather than getting bogged down in administrative tasks.
  • Streamlined Payroll Processing: With accurate time records automatically compiled, you can say goodbye to payroll discrepancies. This feature ensures that your employees are paid accurately and on time, boosting morale and trust.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed with both employees and administrators in mind, OnTheClock offers an intuitive interface that makes clocking in and out a breeze. You’ll appreciate how quickly your team adapts to it.
Best fit

Best fit

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.

OnTheClock

  • 1 to 500 employees
  • SaaS, Consulting, Retail, Hospitality, and Healthcare
  • HR Managers, Payroll Administrators, Operations Managers, and Team Leaders
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

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.

OnTheClock

  • Users may seek alternatives if they find OnTheClock’s pricing structure to be less competitive compared to other time tracking solutions that offer similar features at a lower cost.
  • Some businesses might require more advanced reporting capabilities or integrations with other software that OnTheClock does not support, prompting a search for more comprehensive options.
  • Users experiencing frequent technical issues or unsatisfactory customer support may look for alternatives that provide more reliable performance and responsive assistance for their time tracking needs.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Smartsheet and OnTheClock Compare on Features?

Total Features

21 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Smartsheet and OnTheClock 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

      • $9 , yearly
      • $2.95

      Pricing Plans

      • Pro

        $12

        /month

        • Unlimited free Viewers

        • Gantt, grid, board, and calendar view

        • Rich formulas

        Show more +

      • Business

        $24

        /month

        • Includes features of Pro plan, plus:

        • Unlimited free Guests

        • Timeline view

        Show more +

      • Enterprise

        Custom

        • Includes features of Business plan, plus

        • AI formulas, texts, and charts

        • SAML-based SSO

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Smartsheet pricing
      OnTheClock 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
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Mobile - BlackBerry
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Mobile - BlackBerry
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

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

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes
      ✗ No

      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
      🇺🇸 US

      Smartsheet User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      1840

      427

      95

      34

      18

      25

      7

      0

      0

      0

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Customizability
      • Automation capabilities

      Common complaints

      • Learning curve for advanced features
      • Limited offline functionality

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive user sentiment highlights ease of use and payroll integration, tempered by occasional technical issues and setup complexity.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Mobile accessibility
      • Payroll integration

      Common complaints

      • Technical glitches
      • Setup complexity

      Pros and Cons

      • 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

      • User-friendly interface accessible to both employees and administrators

      • Mobile app with geofencing for convenient clock-in/out from specific locations

      • Efficient payroll integration with export to Excel and QuickBooks

      • Occasional technical issues such as slow load times and app glitches

      • Setup for multiple employees can be cumbersome initially

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Pfizer

      Pfizer

      Whirlpool

      Whirlpool

      Western Digital

      Western Digital

      Century 21

      Century 21

      Holiday Inn

      Holiday Inn

      Servpro

      Servpro

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Select proven solutions

      7 Screenshots

      Time cards

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      4 Videos

      video-0

      4 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Smartsheet and OnTheClock in 2026

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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 OnTheClock?
      Smartsheet edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Smartsheet and OnTheClock offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Smartsheet and OnTheClock offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Smartsheet vs OnTheClock?
      Smartsheet starts at $9 /month. OnTheClock starts at $2.95 /User/Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Smartsheet?
      Top alternatives to Smartsheet include Quickbase , ClickUp, Jira, Microsoft PPM, Trello.
      What are the top alternatives to OnTheClock?
      Top alternatives to OnTheClock include OpenTimeClock, Time Clock Wizard, Timesheets.com, Timeclock 365, TimeCloud Time and Attendance.

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