monday.com vs Smartsheet: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between monday.com 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: monday.com is our overall pick for project management workflows. 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:
monday.com
Organize work, automate tasks, and connect tools for team clarity
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Work management platform
- • Customizable boards
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
Best for you if:
- • Smartsheet is a work management platform with spreadsheet-like interface
- • It provides project management, automation, and collaboration features
| At a Glance |  monday.com |  Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free tier + paid plansFree tier available | $9/moPro |
Best For | Project Management | Project Management |
Rating | - | - |
Choose monday.com or Smartsheet?
Choose monday.com if
Organize work, automate tasks, and connect tools for team clarity
- Highly visual
- Very customizable
- Good automations
- You want a free tier before you commit
Choose Smartsheet if
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
- Spreadsheet-like PM
- Good for Excel users
- Automation features
| Feature | monday.com | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 16,800 reviews | ★4.4/5 27,013 reviews |
| Categories | Project ManagementProductivity | Project ManagementProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
monday.com
Organize work, automate tasks, and connect tools for team clarity
Strengths
- +Highly visual
- +Very customizable
- +Good automations
- +Multiple view options
Weaknesses
- -Can be expensive
- -Minimum 3 seats
- -Learning curve
Key features
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
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: monday.com vs Smartsheet
| Plan | monday.com | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $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 monday.com pricing and Smartsheet pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
monday.com has a free tier. Smartsheet is paid only.
Go with: monday.com
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: monday.com
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: monday.com
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
monday.com is freemium. Smartsheet is paid. monday.com lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are project management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
monday.com
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Smartsheet
- Larger review base (27,013 reviews)
The Bottom Line
monday.com is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is monday.com or Smartsheet better?
monday.com is rated in our evaluation. monday.com is freemium and Smartsheet is paid.
What are monday.com and Smartsheet used for?
monday.com: Organize work, automate tasks, and connect tools for team clarity. Smartsheet: Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows.
What does monday.com cost vs Smartsheet?
monday.com is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Smartsheet is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.