Forecast vs Smartsheet: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Forecast and Smartsheet comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Forecast wins this matchup. Our overall Project Management pick is Jira. Our free Project Management pick is MantisBT. Pick Smartsheet if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Forecast
Unify project management, resource planning, and financials with AI for profitable growth.
Best for you if:
- • You want resource planning
- • You want aI scheduling
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
Best for you if:
- • You want spreadsheet-like PM
- • You want good for Excel users
| At a Glance | Forecast | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | $9/moPro |
Best For | Project Management | Project Management |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Forecast or Smartsheet?
Choose Forecast if
Unify project management, resource planning, and financials with AI for profitable growth.
- You want resource planning
- You want aI scheduling
Choose Smartsheet if
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
- You want spreadsheet-like PM
- You want good for Excel users
| Feature | Forecast | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 117 reviews | ★4.1/5 26,330 reviews |
| Categories | Project ManagementResource Planning | Project ManagementProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Forecast
Unify project management, resource planning, and financials with AI for profitable growth.
Forecast's pricing is custom, making it difficult to assess fairness without specific quotes.
Watch out
Potential high minimum seat count
Strengths
- +Resource planning
- +AI scheduling
- +Good for agencies
- +Time tracking
- +Project management
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Learning curve
- -Per-seat pricing
- -Complex setup
- -Enterprise focus
Key features
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
Smartsheet's pricing is on the higher side, especially for smaller teams, with the Pro tier at $9/member/month and Business at $24/member/month.
Watch out
Business tier requires 3+ members minimum
Strengths
- +Spreadsheet-like PM
- +Good for Excel users
- +Automation features
- +Enterprise ready
- +Good templates
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Can be confusing
- -Less flexible than others
- -Mobile app limited
- -Learning curve
Key features
Pricing: Forecast vs Smartsheet
| Plan | Forecast | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Custom Custom | $9 Pro |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $24 Business |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Advanced Work Management |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Forecast pricing and Smartsheet pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Forecast
Want the highest-rated option?
Forecast: 4.2/5 (117 reviews). Smartsheet: 4.1/5 (26,330 reviews).
Go with: Forecast
Value user reviews?
Forecast: 117 reviews (4.2/5). Smartsheet: 26,330 reviews (4.1/5).
Go with: Smartsheet
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are project management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Forecast is rated higher: 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5.
Key Takeaways
Forecast
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Smartsheet
- Larger review base (26,330 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Forecast wins this matchup. Our overall Project Management pick is Jira. Our free Project Management pick is MantisBT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forecast or Smartsheet better?
Forecast is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Forecast and Smartsheet used for?
Forecast: Unify project management, resource planning, and financials with AI for profitable growth.. Smartsheet: Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows.
What does Forecast cost vs Smartsheet?
Forecast is a paid tool. Smartsheet is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.