Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project: Which is Better? (2026)
Choosing between Smartsheet and Microsoft Project for your team? Both are powerful project management platforms, but they excel in different areas. This comprehensive comparison breaks down pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases to help you decide.
Last updated: January 2026
⚡ Quick Verdict
Choose Smartsheet if:
Teams who love spreadsheets but need project management features
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Excellent for data-heavy projects
From $/user/mo
Try Smartsheet Free →Choose Microsoft Project if:
Traditional project managers using Microsoft ecosystem
- Industry standard for traditional PM
- Powerful scheduling and resource tools
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration
From $/user/mo
Try Microsoft Project Free →📊 Smartsheet vs Microsoft Project: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Smartsheet | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $undefined/user/mo | $undefined/user/mo |
| Best For | Teams who love spreadsheets but need project management features | Traditional project managers using Microsoft ecosystem |
| Ideal Team Size | 10-500 people | 10-1000+ people |
| User Rating | ⭐ 4.4/5 | ⭐ 4/5 |
| Free Plan | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Key Integrations | Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce | Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Power BI |
💰 Pricing Comparison
Smartsheet Pricing
- Pro: $7/user/month
Microsoft Project Pricing
✅ Pros & Cons
Smartsheet
✅ Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Excellent for data-heavy projects
- Strong enterprise features
- Great reporting and dashboards
❌ Cons
- No free plan available
- Can be expensive for small teams
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Mobile app less intuitive
Microsoft Project
✅ Pros
- Industry standard for traditional PM
- Powerful scheduling and resource tools
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- Excellent for waterfall projects
- Desktop app is very powerful
❌ Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive for full features
- Not ideal for agile workflows
- Web version less capable than desktop
🏆 Final Verdict
Both Smartsheet and Microsoft Project are excellent tools. Choose Smartsheet if you prioritize teams who love spreadsheets but need project management features, while Microsoft Project excels at traditional project managers using microsoft ecosystem.