Smartsheet vs Monday.com: Which Is Best for Your Team in 2025?
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Quick Verdict
| Criteria | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Monday.com | Better UI, faster adoption, lower pricing |
| Easiest to Use | Monday.com | Visual and intuitive interface |
| Best for Enterprise | Smartsheet | Advanced security, spreadsheet power |
| Best Value | Monday.com | Lower starting price, free plan |
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Smartsheet | Monday.com |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14/user/month | $9/user/month |
| Free Plan | 14-day trial only | ✅ Up to 2 users |
| Best For | Spreadsheet users | Visual teams |
| Learning Curve | 1-2 weeks | 2-3 days |
| Overall Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Executive Summary
After extensive testing, we found that Smartsheet and Monday.com serve different market segments well. Monday.com excels for teams wanting visual simplicity and rapid adoption, while Smartsheet shines for organizations needing spreadsheet-like power with enterprise security. The choice depends heavily on whether your team thinks in spreadsheets or kanban boards.
Key Takeaways:
- 🏆 Monday.com wins on ease of use and affordability
- 💼 Smartsheet excels in enterprise environments with complex workflows
- 💰 Monday.com's $9/user/month beats Smartsheet's $14/user/month
- ⚡ Monday.com onboards teams in days vs Smartsheet's weeks
- 🔒 Smartsheet offers superior enterprise security and compliance
For most growing companies and teams, Monday.com's superior user experience and affordability make it the better choice. However, organizations with existing Excel-heavy workflows or strict compliance requirements should evaluate Smartsheet carefully.
Smartsheet Overview
What is Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is an enterprise-grade work management platform that brings spreadsheet functionality to cloud collaboration. Founded in 2005 and now serving Fortune 500 companies, Smartsheet appeals to users who think in rows, columns, and formulas. It's positioned as a digital project delivery platform rather than a visual work management tool.
Key Features
- Spreadsheet Interface: Familiar grid-based layout with formulas, conditional formatting, and data validation
- Gantt Charts: Integrated project timelines with dependencies and resource leveling
- Advanced Automation: Workflow automations, alerts, and custom forms
- Portfolio Management: Multi-project tracking with resource allocation
- Enterprise Security: SAML SSO, two-factor authentication, advanced permissions
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 14 days | Full feature access for evaluation |
| Pro | $14/user/month | Core project management, Gantt, 200MB storage per workspace |
| Business | $25/user/month | Everything in Pro + Portfolio management, resource management |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom configurations, dedicated support, unlimited storage |
Who Should Use Smartsheet?
✅ Best for:
- ✅ Enterprise organizations with Excel-heavy workflows
- ✅ Construction and engineering teams needing Gantt charts
- ✅ Finance teams requiring formula-driven planning
- ✅ Regulated industries needing audit trails and compliance
Monday.com Overview
What is Monday.com?
Monday.com is a visual work operating system that makes project management accessible to non-technical users. Since 2012, it has grown into one of the most beloved project management tools, serving startups to mid-market enterprises with its colorful, intuitive interface. Teams love Monday.com for its combination of visual appeal and functional depth.
Key Features
- Visual Boards: Kanban, timeline, calendar, and grid views
- Automations: 300+ pre-built workflows and custom automations
- Templates: 200+ industry-specific templates
- Integrations: 200+ integrations including Slack, Google Drive, HubSpot
- Mobile Apps: Full-featured iOS and Android applications
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 2 users, basic features, 5GB storage |
| Basic | $9/user/month | Everything in Free + unlimited users, 100GB storage, automations |
| Standard | $12/user/month | Everything in Basic + timeline, Gantt, portfolio management |
| Pro | $19/user/month | Everything in Standard + advanced reporting, API, priority support |
Who Should Use Monday.com?
✅ Best for:
- ✅ Marketing and creative teams that think visually
- ✅ Growing startups wanting fast setup
- ✅ Non-technical teams needing intuitive software
- ✅ Organizations prioritizing user adoption over features
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose Smartsheet or Monday.com?
Choose Monday.com if you want visual simplicity, fast adoption, and affordable pricing. Choose Smartsheet if your team uses spreadsheets heavily and needs enterprise security. Monday.com wins for 80% of organizations; Smartsheet for those with Excel expertise and compliance needs.
Which has better integrations?
Both offer 200+ integrations. Monday.com's integrations feel more polished and consumer-friendly. Smartsheet's integrations are more enterprise-focused with Workday, Salesforce, and NetSuite connections.
Can I use Smartsheet or Monday.com offline?
Neither works fully offline. Monday.com allows viewing previously cached boards offline on mobile. Smartsheet requires internet connection for most features. Both sync when connection is restored.
Which is better for resource management?
Smartsheet's resource management is more powerful with capacity planning and leveling. Monday.com's resource management is more visual. For complex resource allocation, Smartsheet wins. For simple team workload tracking, Monday.com suffices.
What about customer support?
Smartsheet offers phone support on all paid plans. Monday.com offers email support on paid plans. Smartsheet's enterprise support is superior. Monday.com's community support is more active.
Final Recommendation
Overall Winner: Monday.com
For most teams, Monday.com's superior user experience, lower pricing, and faster adoption make it the better choice. It's easier to learn, more affordable, and gets teams productive within days rather than weeks.
Best for:
- Teams wanting visual project management
- Organizations with non-technical users
- Budget-conscious companies
- Marketing and creative teams
Smartsheet: For Enterprise
Choose Smartsheet if your organization needs spreadsheet-like power, Gantt chart expertise, or enterprise security compliance. It's ideal for construction, engineering, and finance teams.
Best for:
- Excel-heavy workflows
- Enterprise organizations
- Construction and engineering
- Finance and compliance-heavy teams
Quick Decision Guide
Choose Monday.com if visual simplicity and ease of use are priorities
Choose Smartsheet if your team uses spreadsheets and needs Gantt charts
Try both with their free offerings before committing