Smartsheet vs monday.com: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Smartsheet and monday.com 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:
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
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
| At a Glance |  Smartsheet |  monday.com |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $9/moPro | Free tier + paid plansFree tier available |
Best For | Project Management | Project Management |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Smartsheet or monday.com?
Choose Smartsheet if
Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows
- Spreadsheet-like PM
- Good for Excel users
- Automation features
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
| Feature | Smartsheet | monday.com |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 27,013 reviews | ★4.7/5 16,800 reviews |
| Categories | Project ManagementProductivity | Project ManagementProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Smartsheet vs monday.com
| Plan | Smartsheet | monday.com |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $9 Pro | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $24 Business | N/A |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom Advanced Work Management | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Smartsheet pricing and monday.com 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: Smartsheet
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: monday.com
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Smartsheet is paid. monday.com is freemium. 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 Smartsheet or monday.com better?
monday.com is rated in our evaluation. Smartsheet is paid and monday.com is freemium.
What are Smartsheet and monday.com used for?
Smartsheet: Spreadsheet-based project management for complex enterprise workflows. monday.com: Organize work, automate tasks, and connect tools for team clarity.
What does Smartsheet cost vs monday.com?
Smartsheet is a paid tool. monday.com is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.