Project management tools help you assign tasks, track deadlines, and stay organized. Smartsheet and ClickUp are popular options with similar features, but each has its own pros and cons. Below, we’ll compare Smartsheet and ClickUp to help you choose the right tool.
Featured Partners
Smartsheet vs. ClickUp: At a Glance
Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) tool that pairs the familiarity of Excel or Google Sheets with automated workflows, timeline management, communication and more. It’s an all-in-one project management solution that’s designed to help you manage tasks and work pipelines.
ClickUp is another SaaS tool that advertises itself as a project management app that will replace other apps, such as monday.com, Jira and Asana. You can choose from ClickUp’s workflow templates or create and save your workflow layouts. The tool comes with countless features, such as time tracking, reporting and integrations. Let’s explore both options further.
Smartsheet
On Smartsheet's Website
Pros & Cons
ClickUp
On ClickUp's Website
Pros & Cons
How Smartsheet and ClickUp Stack Up
Let’s dive deeper into the similarities and differences between Smartsheet and ClickUp.
Smartsheet ClickUp
Free Plan
No, 30-day free trial
Yes
Available Views
Grid, Gantt, Calendar and Card views
Custom, list, board, calendar, table, map, mind map Gantt and form
Templates
Yes
Yes
Time Tracking
Yes
Yes
Integrations
300-plus
100-plus
In-App Video Recording
No
Yes
Free Plan
Smartsheet doesn’t offer a free plan but you can test it out for 30 days to decide whether it’s worth the investment. Meanwhile, ClickUp has a free plan that may be all you need, especially if you’re a solopreneur or manage a very small team. With the free plan, you can expect 100MB of storage, unlimited tasks, whiteboards, collaborative docs, in-app video recording, 24/7 support and more.
Available Views
Both Smartsheet and ClickUp offer a variety of views to accommodate different project types and preferences. Smartsheet’s views include calendars, cards, Gantt and grids. ClickUp’s lineup of views consists of list, board, calendar, table, map, mind map Gantts and forms. You can also create your own custom views.
Templates
Smartsheet offers hundreds of prebuilt spreadsheet templates. You can use its template library to sort by industry and find exactly what you’re looking for. If you don’t see what you need, you’re welcome to create your own. ClickUp also has a large library with more than 1,000 prebuilt templates for various use cases.
Time Tracking
Time tracking and resource management are add-ons with Smartsheet. ClickUp, however, has these features built-in. There’s a timer you can use when you initiate a task and complete it. There’s also an option to assign time-tracked tasks as “billable.” Plus, you may estimate how long a task will likely take and compare it to the actual time that was spent on it.
Integrations
Integrations can make it easier to streamline your processes. Fortunately, Smartsheet integrates with “over 300 connectors and integrations,” such as Google Drive, Zapier and Slack. ClickUp offers more than 1,000 integrations with popular tools, such as Google Drive, Microsoft Outlook, Salesforce and HubSpot.
In-App Video Recording
In-app video recording is a unique feature you’ll only find in ClickUp. Even with the free plan, it will allow you to explain concepts or ideas quickly within a task via a video recording. The only downside is that external guests won’t be able to record videos and the clips may eat into your storage space. Also, recordings are only available in Chrome and Firefox and not the mobile app.
Cost of Smartsheet vs. ClickUp
Smartsheet offers a 30-day free trial plus three paid plans: Pro, Business and Enterprise. The Pro and Business plans are $7 per month, per user, and $25 per month, per user, respectively. If you’re interested in the Enterprise plan, you’ll need to reach out to the company directly for a custom quote.
With ClickUp, you can choose from the Free Forever plan and three paid plans: Unlimited, Business and Enterprise. The Unlimited plan costs $7 per user, per month, while the Business plan will run you $12 per user, per month. The Enterprise plan comes with custom pricing.
ClickUp is the more economical choice thanks to its free plan for unlimited users and lower-priced paid plans. However, the extra cost of Smartsheet may be worth it if you’re a larger team or prefer the spreadsheet-style format.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
ClickUp scored high on G2 with a 4.7 out of 5 stars based on more than 9,000 reviews. The positive reviews were mainly about the free plan and variety of useful features, while the negative reviews focused on poor customer service and the confusing refund policy. On Trustpilot, ClickUp earned 3.2 out of 5 stars out of 271 reviews.
On G2, Smartsheet scored 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 14,000 reviews. Most of the praise was about the automations and robust workflows, while the complaints pointed out glitches in the system.
Smartsheet received 2.2 out of 5 stars out of 67 reviews on Trustpilot.
Top Smartsheet and ClickUp Alternatives
Smartsheet and ClickUp are two solid options for project management software. However, there are countless other platforms on the market. If you decide that neither Smartsheet nor ClickUp meet your needs, it’s a good idea to consider other tools. Below, we dive deeper into Trello, Notion and Asana, three alternatives that may be a better fit.
Free Plan iOS and Android App Available Views Starting Price
Bottom Line
There’s no denying that Smartsheet and ClickUp are two reputable, feature-rich project management tools. No matter which one you choose, you’ll be able to manage and organize your project in one place, from anywhere. If you have a larger team or feel comfortable with spreadsheets, Smartsheet may be a good fit. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, all-in-one solution for your small team, ClickUp is likely the way to go.
Smartsheet is best for:
- Larger teams that are seeking a comprehensive project management tool
- Financial small businesses with extensive databases that prefer a spreadsheet-style format
ClickUp is best for:
- Solopreneurs, entrepreneurs and smaller teams who want an affordable yet robust project management platform
- Small businesses in the market for a highly customizable, cost-effective project management tool
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is better: Smartsheet or ClickUp?
Should I use Smartsheet or ClickUp if I’m on a budget?
Why do I need a project management system, such as Smartsheet or ClickUp?
Most Popular
Comments / 0