Motion vs Smartsheet
Compare Motion and Smartsheet on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Motion
AI calendar + task auto-scheduling (projects, docs, meetings) — Pro AI from $19/seat/mo annual.
Best for
- • Individuals/small teams buying AI auto-scheduling
- • Calendar + task unification
- • Buyers who want AI docs/projects bundled
Starting from $19.00/user/mo
No free plan
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Motion and Smartsheet. Choose Motion when Individuals/small teams buying AI auto-scheduling. Choose Smartsheet when Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Motion is better for
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ AI features
Smartsheet is better for
- ✓ Timeline / Gantt
- ✓ Collaboration
- ✓ Integrations
- ✓ Reporting
Choose Motion if: Individuals/small teams buying AI auto-scheduling
Choose Smartsheet if: Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
Best for
- • Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- • Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- • Structured program reporting
Starting from $9.00/user/mo
No free plan
Motion 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
Motion
Smartsheet
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Motion
Smartsheet
- Free planDepends
Motion
Smartsheet
- Ease of useMotion
Motion
Smartsheet
- Timeline / GanttSmartsheet
Motion
Smartsheet
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Motion
Best for ease of use
Motion leads on ease of use (8/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Motion
Best for automations
Motion leads on automations (9/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Motion
Best for ai features
Motion leads on ai features (9/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for timeline / gantt
Smartsheet leads on timeline gantt (7/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for collaboration
Smartsheet leads on collaboration (6/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Smartsheet
Best for integrations
Smartsheet leads on integrations (6/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsMotion
Motion researched starting price from $19/mo; Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Smartsheet
Motion researched starting price from $19/mo; Smartsheet researched starting price from $9/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsMotion
Check paid seat floors for Motion and Smartsheet on current vendor packaging.
Smartsheet
Check paid seat floors for Motion and Smartsheet on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
Smartsheet winsMotion
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on timeline gantt (7/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Automations
Motion winsMotion
Motion leads on automations (9/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Smartsheet
Trails Motion on this criterion
Integrations
Smartsheet winsMotion
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on integrations (6/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Reporting
Smartsheet winsMotion
Trails Smartsheet on this criterion
Smartsheet
Smartsheet leads on reporting (5/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Which should you choose?
Choose Motion if
- Individuals/small teams buying AI auto-scheduling
- Calendar + task unification
- Buyers who want AI docs/projects bundled
Choose Smartsheet if
- Excel/spreadsheet-native PMOs
- Ops teams needing Gantt + portfolios
- Structured program reporting
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
Asana
Cross-functional work management with goals, workflows and AI Studio — Starter from $10.99/user/mo annual.
ClickUp
All-in-one configurable Work OS (tasks, docs, dashboards, ClickUp Brain) — Unlimited from $7/user/mo annual.
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
Wrike
Enterprise/agency work management with proofing, intake and resourcing — Team from $10/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 Motion and Smartsheet?
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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