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
Pros & cons
A balanced look at where each product shines — and where it falls short.
Microsoft Project
Strengths in greenPros
- Stronger on integrations
Cons
- Trails on automations
- Trails on ease of use
- Trails on automation & workflows
Best for
M365 standardised PMOs
Smartsheet
Trade-offs in redPros
- Stronger on automations
- Stronger on ease of use
- Stronger on automation & workflows
- Stronger on reporting
Cons
- Trails on integrations
Best for
Spreadsheet-native portfolios
Choose if…
Choose Microsoft Project if
- M365 standardised PMOs
- Traditional resource scheduling
Choose Smartsheet if
- Spreadsheet-native portfolios
- Cross-stack grid PM
Still unsure which fits?
Answer a few buyer questions and get a shortlist matched to your priorities.
Best project management softwareSome visit links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Comparison outcomes are never based on commission.