Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading construction solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Smartsheet if you need Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views and prefer a free starting option. Choose Microsoft Project if you prioritize Gantt charts and want plans starting at $10/month. Smartsheet has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.2).
Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project: At a Glance
| Criteria | Smartsheet | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Pricing | Free | $10/month |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android, Api | Web, Windows, Api |
| Category | Construction | Construction |
| Founded | 2005 | 1975 |
Feature Comparison: Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project
| Feature | Smartsheet | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views | ||
| Automated workflows | ||
| Forms & data collection | ||
| Resource management | ||
| Dashboards & reporting | ||
| Proofing & approvals | ||
| Document generation | ||
| Integration platform | ||
| Microsoft Office 365 | ||
| Google Workspace | ||
| Slack | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| Jira | ||
| ServiceNow | ||
| Tableau | ||
| Gantt charts | ||
| Budget tracking | ||
| Timeline views | ||
| Task dependencies | ||
| Critical path | ||
| Earned value analysis | ||
| Portfolio management | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| SharePoint | ||
| Power BI | ||
| Excel | ||
| Outlook | ||
| OneDrive | ||
| Power Automate |
Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project: Pricing Breakdown
Smartsheet Pricing
Model: per-user
- 1 user and up to 2 editors
- Up to 2 sheets
- Basic features
- 500MB attachments
- Up to 10 users
- Unlimited sheets
- Automations
- Forms
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited automations
- Document builder
- Resource management
- Advanced security
- SAML-based SSO
- Phone support
- Success programs
Microsoft Project Pricing
Model: per-user
- Web-based project management
- Grid, board & timeline views
- Collaborate with Teams
- Coauthoring
- Everything in Plan 1
- Desktop client
- Resource management
- Portfolio management
- Everything in Plan 3
- Portfolio selection
- Enterprise resource planning
- Portfolio analytics
Pros and Cons
Smartsheet
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, Ios, Android, Api)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views functionality
- Strong Automated workflows functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Microsoft Project
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.2/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Windows, Api)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Gantt charts functionality
- Strong Resource management functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project?
Choose Smartsheet if you:
- Need Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Automated workflows
Choose Microsoft Project if you:
- Need Gantt charts
- Have a budget of $10/month+
- Work primarily on Web and Windows
- Value Resource management
Frequently Asked Questions: Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project
Is Smartsheet better than Microsoft Project?
It depends on your needs. Smartsheet has a 4.4/5 user rating while Microsoft Project has 4.2/5. Smartsheet excels in Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views and Automated workflows, while Microsoft Project stands out with Gantt charts and Resource management. Consider your budget (Free vs $10/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Smartsheet or Microsoft Project?
Smartsheet offers a free plan and starts at Free. Microsoft Project starts at $10/month. Smartsheet has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Smartsheet and Microsoft Project together?
While both are construction tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core construction needs.
What are the main differences between Smartsheet and Microsoft Project?
The key differences include: pricing model (per-user vs per-user), platform support (Web, Ios, Android, Api vs Web, Windows, Api), and feature focus. Smartsheet emphasizes Grid, card, Gantt & calendar views, Automated workflows, Forms & data collection while Microsoft Project focuses on Gantt charts, Resource management, Budget tracking. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.2 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Smartsheet and Microsoft Project.