Microsoft Project vs Smartsheet
Compare Microsoft Project and Smartsheet on starting price, seat minimums, free plans, timelines, automations, integrations, and reporting. There is no universal winner — choose by job-cluster fit.
Microsoft Project
Microsoft 365 project / Planner ladder for Gantt, resources and portfolios — Planner Plan 1 from ~$10/user/mo.
Best for
- • M365 standardised PMOs
- • Traditional resource scheduling
Starting from $10.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
Smartsheet is the stronger overall fit. Choose based on which criteria matter most for your team.
Microsoft Project is better for
- ✓ Integrations
Smartsheet is better for
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Automation & workflows
- ✓ Reporting
Tie
- • Timeline / Gantt
- • Work planning depth
- • Collaboration
Choose Microsoft Project if: M365 standardised PMOs
Choose Smartsheet if: Spreadsheet-native portfolios
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
Best for
- • Spreadsheet-native portfolios
- • Cross-stack grid PM
Starting from $9.00/user/mo
No free plan
Microsoft Project vs Smartsheet at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Microsoft Project
Smartsheet
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Microsoft Project
Smartsheet
- Free planDepends
Microsoft Project
Smartsheet
- Timeline / GanttTie
Microsoft Project
Smartsheet
- AutomationsSmartsheet
Microsoft Project
Smartsheet
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for integrations
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (9/10 vs 8/10) from vendor documentation as of the research date — not lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for automations
Stronger automations workflows availability
- → Smartsheet
Best for ease of use
Smartsheet leads on ease of use (6/10 vs 7/10) from approved product scores grounded in vendor documentation.
- → Smartsheet
Best for automation & workflows
Smartsheet leads on automation & workflows (6/10 vs 8/10) from approved product scores grounded in vendor documentation.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Planner Plan 1 ~$10/user/mo; Smartsheet Pro $9/member/mo annual — similar entry, different ecosystems.
Smartsheet
Microsoft Planner Plan 1 ~$10/user/mo; Smartsheet Pro $9/member/mo annual — similar entry, different ecosystems.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsMicrosoft Project
Both per-user/member seats on published plans.
Smartsheet
Both per-user/member seats on published plans.
Timeline / Gantt
TieMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project and Smartsheet have the same researched availability on timeline gantt (Microsoft Project: supported; Smartsheet: supported).
Smartsheet
Microsoft Project and Smartsheet have the same researched availability on timeline gantt (Microsoft Project: supported; Smartsheet: supported).
Work planning depth
TieMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project and Smartsheet are close on work planning depth (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved product scores grounded in vendor documentation.
Smartsheet
Microsoft Project and Smartsheet are close on work planning depth (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved product scores grounded in vendor documentation.
Automations
Smartsheet winsMicrosoft Project
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Stronger automations workflows availability
Integrations
Microsoft Project winsMicrosoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (9/10 vs 8/10) from vendor documentation as of the research date — not lab testing.
Smartsheet
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Which should you choose?
Choose Microsoft Project if
- M365 standardised PMOs
- Traditional resource scheduling
Choose Smartsheet if
- Spreadsheet-native portfolios
- Cross-stack grid PM
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Alternatives to consider
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
Asana
Cross-functional work management with goals, workflows and AI Studio — Starter from $10.99/user/mo annual.
Wrike
Enterprise/agency work management with proofing, intake and resourcing — Team from $10/user/mo annual.
Airtable
Flexible database / app platform with interfaces and light project apps — Team from ~$20/user/mo annual.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
Still deciding between Microsoft Project and Smartsheet?
Use Best project management software for a shortlist matched to your priorities, or build another side-by-side comparison.
- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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