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DynamoDB vs Smartsheet

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Software

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Smartsheet logo

Smartsheet

Software

The platform for dynamic work

From
$9/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins; Smartsheet formulas lack Excel robustness; complex data manipulation hits performance limits
  • They diverge on capability: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Smartsheet covers Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DynamoDB and Smartsheet actually diverge.

Attributes where DynamoDB and Smartsheet differ
AttributeDynamoDBSmartsheet
Starting priceOn request$9/month
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
PlatformsAWSWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20062005

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

Only in Smartsheet

  • Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views
  • Automated workflows
  • Forms & data collection
  • Resource management
  • Dashboards & reporting
  • Proofing & approvals
  • Document generation
  • Integration platform

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot Smartsheet
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot Smartsheet
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot Smartsheet
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot Smartsheet

Smartsheet

  • Project portfolio managementnot DynamoDB
  • IT project managementnot DynamoDB
  • Marketing campaignsnot DynamoDB
  • Product launchesnot DynamoDB
  • Process automationnot DynamoDB

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

Smartsheet

  • Formulas lack Excel robustness; complex data manipulation hits performance limits
  • Gantt chart customization is limited with poor handling of part-time resource allocation
  • Expensive pricing compared to other project management tools; collaboration features are paid-only
  • Limited offline access and minimal mobile functionality compared to modern competitors

Pricing, plan by plan

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Smartsheet

$9/month
  • Pro$9/month
    • Core project management
    • Automation
    • 1-10 members
  • Business$19/month
    • Advanced automation
    • Portfolio management
    • 3+ members

Which should you pick?

Choose DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB review

Choose Smartsheet if

  • You need grid, card, gantt & calendar views.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want automated workflows.
Smartsheet review

Questions people ask

Is DynamoDB or Smartsheet better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and Smartsheet at $9/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or Smartsheet?
DynamoDB starts at On request and Smartsheet at $9/month.
Does DynamoDB or Smartsheet run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. Smartsheet runs on Web, iOS, Android.
What is DynamoDB best used for?
DynamoDB is most often used for high-scale, variable-workload applications, mobile and iot device backends, real-time analytics and dashboards, multi-region, globally distributed applications. Of those, high-scale, variable-workload applications and mobile and iot device backends are not what Smartsheet is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that Smartsheet cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Smartsheet covers Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views, Automated workflows, Forms & data collection, Resource management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Smartsheet: What is Smartsheet pricing for a construction team?

Smartsheet Pro starts at $9 per user per month (annual billing) for 1-10 members. A construction company can deploy Business plan for 18 licensed users at $19 per user plus unlimited free collaborators (subcontractors, clients) for a typical monthly cost around $576.

Source
Smartsheet: Does Smartsheet work offline?

No. Smartsheet has minimal offline access and requires internet connectivity for full functionality.

Source
Smartsheet: What integrations does Smartsheet support?

Smartsheet integrates with Slack, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Jira, Salesforce, Dynamics 365, Tableau, Power BI, DocuSign, Box, Dropbox, plus Zapier and Make for no-code automation.

Source
Smartsheet: Can I use Smartsheet formulas like Excel?

Smartsheet formulas lack the robustness of Excel. Complex nested functions or large-scale data manipulation often hit performance limits, requiring multiple helper columns.

Source
Smartsheet: Does Smartsheet have a free plan?

No. Smartsheet Pro starts at $9 per user per month (annual billing). There is a free trial available, but no perpetual free plan.

Source
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