Submittable vs Google Sheets: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Submittable and Google Sheets 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: Google Sheets wins this matchup. Pick Submittable if you need grants management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Submittable
Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.
Best for you if:
- • You want quick program launch, often within two weeks or less
- • You want no coding or technical background required for setup and management
Google Sheets
Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Submittable requires payment)
- • You want free and powerful
- • You want great collaboration
| At a Glance | Submittable | Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Grants Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 3.7/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Submittable or Google Sheets?
Choose Submittable if
Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.
- You want quick program launch, often within two weeks or less
- You want no coding or technical background required for setup and management
- Your work is grants management-shaped, not productivity-shaped
Choose Google Sheets if
Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free.
- You want a fully free tool (Submittable requires payment)
- You want free and powerful
- You want great collaboration
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not grants management-shaped
| Feature | Submittable | Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 566 reviews | ★3.7/5 997 reviews |
| Categories | Grants ManagementNonprofit Tools | ProductivitySpreadsheets |
In-Depth Analysis
Submittable
Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.
This lack of transparency often indicates higher-end solutions tailored to specific enterprise needs rather than SMBs.
Watch out
Potential user seat minimums
Strengths
- +Quick program launch, often within two weeks or less.
- +No coding or technical background required for setup and management.
- +Automations significantly reduce administrative busywork and human error.
- +Provides crystal clear budget oversight with real-time tracking.
- +Offers a great applicant experience with easy-to-navigate software and clear next steps.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing runs expensive for larger programs and growing teams, and reviewers report that capabilities pitched during sales calls turn out to require additional paid add-ons that are prohibitive for small organizations.
- -Reporting and analytics are limited, with users citing weak workflow automation and a hard cutoff that prevents pulling historical report data from before January 10, 2023, plus caps on how many times data can be exported per month on lower-tier plans.
- -The reviewer interface is widely described as overwhelming and hard to navigate once a submission is opened, forcing evaluators to scroll between the full application and scoring rather than viewing materials and scores side by side.
- -Customer support draws repeated complaints for slow or unhelpful responses, with response times worsening during high-volume application and judging windows when help is needed most.
Key features
Google Sheets
Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free.
Google Sheets itself is free, which is incredibly generous and makes it accessible to everyone.
Watch out
Storage limits on free tier can be hit quickly.
Strengths
- +Free and powerful
- +Great collaboration
- +Good formulas
- +Apps Script for automation
- +Integrates well
Weaknesses
- -Performance with large sheets
- -Privacy concerns
- -Less features than Excel
- -Offline mode limited
- -Some formatting issues
Key features
Pricing: Submittable vs Google Sheets
| Plan | Submittable | Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Book a Meeting Corporate Social Responsibility Platform | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | Book a Meeting Grant & Application Management Software | $6 user/month Business Starter |
| Tier 3 | Book a Meeting Enterprise | $12 user/month Business Standard |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $18 user/month Business Plus |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Submittable pricing and Google Sheets pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Google Sheets is free. Submittable is paid.
Go with: Google Sheets
Want the highest-rated option?
Submittable: 4.7/5 (566 reviews). Google Sheets: 3.7/5 (997 reviews).
Go with: Submittable
Value user reviews?
Submittable: 566 reviews (4.7/5). Google Sheets: 997 reviews (3.7/5).
Go with: Google Sheets
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Submittable is paid. Google Sheets is free. Go with Google Sheets if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Submittable is a grants management tool. Google Sheets is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Submittable is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 3.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Google Sheets
- Larger review base (997 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Submittable
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 3.7/5
- Better fit for grants management
The Bottom Line
Google Sheets wins this matchup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Submittable or Google Sheets better?
Google Sheets is rated in our evaluation. Submittable is paid and Google Sheets is free.
What are Submittable and Google Sheets used for?
Submittable: Run grant and CSR programs efficiently without compromising on people or processes.. Google Sheets: Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets online, for free..
What does Submittable cost vs Google Sheets?
Submittable is a paid tool. Google Sheets is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.