Smartsheet review (2026): verdict, pros & cons
Spreadsheet-like interface scaled into enterprise work and project management, with Gantt, automation, dashboards and strong portfolio/PPM capabilities.
We sized up Smartsheet against the rest of the spreadsheet-based pm field on value and fit, and here is the short of it.
Verdict: For spreadsheet power users, Smartsheet is one of the safer bets among spreadsheet-based pm tools. Our editorial rating is 4.6/5 — an editorial assessment from sourced research and feature comparison, not an average of user reviews.
Who Smartsheet is for
Reach for Smartsheet first when your work centres on spreadsheet power users, enterprise ppm and operations and it project tracking. Match it against your own priorities: a clean fit means quick returns, a loose one usually means paying for range you won't touch.
Notable features
In practice, the features that define Smartsheet are concrete:
- Spreadsheet-style grid with Gantt, card (Kanban) and calendar views
- Automated workflows (alerts, approvals, update requests)
- Dashboards and reports for portfolio roll-ups
- Forms for data collection into sheets
- Resource Management and proofing as premium add-ons
A spreadsheet interface scaled into enterprise work management, Gantt and portfolio reporting.
Pros & cons
What we like
- + Familiar to spreadsheet power users; fast to adopt for Excel-heavy teams
- + Strong dashboards, reporting and PPM/portfolio capabilities
- + Free plan exposes grid, Gantt, card and calendar views
Trade-offs
- - Pro plan caps at 10 members and 250 automation runs/month
- - Best capabilities (Resource Management, connectors, support) are paid add-ons
- - Per-member pricing plus add-ons gets expensive at scale
Bottom line
The short version: Smartsheet rewards anyone whose work leans on spreadsheet power users, and paid plans start around $9/mo, so run a quick trial on a live project before committing.
Alternatives to consider
Not sure Smartsheet is the one? We compare the strongest options side by side in our Smartsheet alternatives roundup — useful if pricing or a specific feature is a sticking point.
FAQ
Is Smartsheet good?
In our assessment, yes for its core use case: spreadsheet power users. We rate it 4.6/5 editorially. For spreadsheet power users, Smartsheet is one of the safer bets among spreadsheet-based pm tools.
Is Smartsheet worth the money?
Paid plans start around $9/mo. For spreadsheet power users it generally justifies the cost; if that is not your main need, weigh it against cheaper alternatives first.
What are the downsides of Smartsheet?
Pro plan caps at 10 members and 250 automation runs/month; Best capabilities (Resource Management, connectors, support) are paid add-ons; Per-member pricing plus add-ons gets expensive at scale.
Sources
Our read on Smartsheet draws on these independent reviews and vendor pages: