Monday.com vs Smartsheet – Compare Features, Pricing & Use Cases

Published: 11 Aug 2025

In the world of project and work management, choosing the right platform can transform how your team collaborates, executes, and delivers results. Two leading contenders in this space are Monday.com, a flexible, visually-driven work OS, and Smartsheet, a powerful, spreadsheet-style tool tailored for enterprise-level project and process management.

Both platforms help businesses plan projects, track work, and automate tasks—but their design, workflows, pricing, and user experience differ significantly.

Whether you’re a start-up, marketing team, operations manager, or IT lead, choosing between Monday.com vs Smartsheet depends on your team size, project complexity, and integration needs. Let’s explore how these two tools compare across key categories.

Table of Content

📊 Quick Comparison Table: Monday.com vs Smartsheet
Key Differences between Monday.com and Smartsheet
🏆 Which is Better: Monday.com or Smartsheet?
1. ✅ Why Monday.com is better:
2. ✅ Why Smartsheet Better:
🔚 Conclusion
❓FAQs About Monday.com vs Smartsheet

📊 Quick Comparison Table: Monday.com vs Smartsheet

Here’s a quick comparison table of Monday.com vs Smartsheet:

Feature	Monday.com	Smartsheet
Platform Type	Visual work OS	Spreadsheet-style work management
Collaboration	Task updates, file sharing, tagging	Cell comments, permissions, real-time edits
Offline Access	Limited via mobile app	Available via desktop app
Pricing	Starts at $9/user/month	Starts at $7/user/month
Task Views	Kanban, Timeline, Gantt, Calendar	Grid, Gantt, Card, Calendar
Automation	Built-in no-code automation rules	Advanced workflows, triggers & actions
Integrations	Slack, Zoom, Google, Excel, and more	Office 365, Salesforce, Jira, DocuSign
User Interface	Visual, modern, drag-and-drop	Spreadsheet-like, technical
Best For	Creative teams, small-to-mid businesses	Operations, PMO, enterprise workflows

Key Differences between Monday.com and Smartsheet

Let’s break down the key differences and help you decide which is the right platform for your team.

🧭 1. Definition and Purpose

When comparing Monday.com and Smartsheet, it’s important to understand their core purpose and design philosophy. Both aim to manage workflows—but in very different ways.

✅ Definition and Purpose of Monday.com

Let’s explore what Monday.com is and what it aims to solve.

A cloud-based work operating system that enables teams to build, visualize, and manage workflows using customizable boards.
Designed to simplify project tracking through visual tools like timelines, status labels, and automation rules.
Offers flexibility across use cases—project management, marketing campaigns, CRM, HR pipelines, and more.
Emphasizes collaboration, real-time updates, and ease-of-use for cross-functional teams.

✅ Definition and Purpose of Smartsheet

Now let’s see what Smartsheet is and how it differs in its focus.

A spreadsheet-style work management platform designed for structured planning, data-driven execution, and enterprise collaboration.
Offers powerful tools for project tracking, task automation, resource management, and reporting.
Ideal for teams already familiar with Excel and looking for scalable project planning capabilities.
Strong fit for operational teams, IT departments, and organizations needing complex workflows.

🎨 2. User Interface & Learning Curve

Monday.com and Smartsheet both provide robust web-based experiences, but their design and usability differ significantly.

✅ User Interface & Learning Curve in Monday.com

Let’s explore how Monday.com performs in terms of usability and ease of onboarding.

Clean, colorful interface designed for fast onboarding and visual thinkers.
Tasks are displayed as “items” on customizable boards with drag-and-drop functionality.
Users can get started with minimal training—ideal for non-technical teams.
Offers visual status indicators, file attachments, and embedded dashboards.
Beginner-friendly with templates and a modern UI.

✅ User Interface & Learning Curve in Smartsheet

Let’s see how Smartsheet compares when it comes to configuration and complexity.

The spreadsheet-style grid resembles Excel but with added project management features.
Requires more training, especially for users unfamiliar with formulas or dependencies.
Suitable for experienced project managers or data-focused teams.
Offers deep customization—conditional formatting, formulas, cell linking, etc.
Steeper learning curve but powerful for experienced professionals.

🤝 3. Collaboration & Team Features

Both platforms offer robust collaboration features—but their approach and depth vary.

✅ Collaboration & Team Features in Monday.com

Here’s how Monday.com enables teamwork and communication.

Allows real-time updates on tasks with comment threads and @mentions.
Supports file uploads, activity logs, and notifications.
Integrates with Slack, Teams, and email for seamless team communication.
Simple role-based permissions across boards and dashboards.
Great for cross-functional and remote teams.

✅ Collaboration & Team Features in Smartsheet

Let’s explore Smartsheet’s team collaboration tools.

Users can comment directly on rows, attach files, and set notifications.
Offers granular permission controls—view-only, editor, admin, etc.
Supports sharing with external stakeholders and contractors.
Enables large-scale collaboration with audit trails and approval workflows.
Ideal for enterprise teams managing cross-department projects.

🧪 4. Task Management & Workflow Automation

Both tools help teams manage tasks—but differ in automation power and flexibility.

✅ Task Management & Automation in Monday.com

Here’s how Monday.com handles workflow management.

Provides multiple views: Kanban, Timeline, Calendar, Workload, Gantt.
Drag-and-drop task management with progress tracking.
Offers no-code automation (e.g., “When status changes, notify manager”).
Pre-built templates for marketing, HR, software development, and more.
Great for repetitive task management and cross-team tracking.

✅ Task Management & Automation in Smartsheet

Let’s see how Smartsheet enhances complex task flows.

Grid-based task lists with dependencies, predecessors, and hierarchy.
Automation rules for approval workflows, reminders, and alerts.
Advanced formulas and conditional logic for process automation.
Ideal for large-scale projects requiring structured oversight.
Strong reporting and dashboard capabilities.

📶 5. Platform Support & Accessibility

Both tools are cloud-based and offer mobile access—but usability differs by platform.

✅ Platform Support & Accessibility in Monday.com

Here’s how Monday.com works across devices.

Available on web, iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac.
Offers mobile apps with task tracking and collaboration features.
Works best with internet access—limited offline use.
Responsive design and intuitive UI for all screen sizes.

✅ Platform Support & Accessibility in Smartsheet

Let’s examine how Smartsheet handles access.

Accessible via browser and mobile apps (iOS, Android).
Desktop app allows offline editing with auto-sync upon reconnecting.
Designed for power users—spreadsheet UX works well on large screens.
Offers admin controls for enterprise device management.

🔌 6. Integrations & Plugins

Integration capabilities determine how well each platform fits into your existing toolset.

✅ Integrations & Plugins in Monday.com

Let’s explore Monday.com’s connectivity.

Connects with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, Outlook, Teams, Dropbox.
Offers Zapier integration and public API for custom workflows.
Built-in apps and templates for CRM, recruiting, IT, and content creation.
Ideal for creative and marketing teams needing quick tool connections.

✅ Integrations & Plugins in Smartsheet

Let’s look at Smartsheet’s enterprise-level integrations.

Native integrations with Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Jira, DocuSign, Tableau.
Compatible with Zapier and Power Automate for extended workflows.
Offers premium add-ons like Data Shuttle, Pivot App, and Control Center.
Strong fit for IT teams and operational leaders managing complex systems.

💰 7. Pricing & Licensing

Pricing structure differs: Monday.com uses tiered subscriptions; Smartsheet also offers user-based pricing with enterprise features.

✅ Pricing & Licensing in Monday.com

Here’s how Monday.com charges users.

Basic Plan – $9/user/month: Unlimited boards, 5GB storage.
Standard Plan – $12/user/month: Timeline view, automation, integrations.
Pro Plan – $19/user/month: Time tracking, charts, private boards.
Free plan available for up to 2 users.
Affordable and scalable for small teams.

✅ Pricing & Licensing in Smartsheet

Let’s examine Smartsheet’s pricing.

Pro Plan – $7/user/month: Up to 10 users, basic collaboration tools.
Business Plan – $25/user/month: Advanced automation, dashboards, integrations.
Enterprise – Custom pricing: Advanced compliance, security, support.
No permanent free plan, but 30-day free trial available.
Better value for enterprise-scale use cases.

🌍 8. Community & Ecosystem

Support, documentation, and user community shape the long-term success of any tool.

✅ Community & Ecosystem of Monday.com

Here’s how Monday.com supports users.

Active online community, help center, and video tutorials.
Offers onboarding, certification, and live webinars.
Marketplace with ready-to-use apps, templates, and widgets.
Popular with agencies, startups, and creative teams.

✅ Community & Ecosystem of Smartsheet

Let’s look into Smartsheet’s enterprise network.

Smartsheet University with live and on-demand courses.
Large user forum, expert partners, and customer success teams.
Extensive documentation for IT, security, and automation.
Enterprise-focused ecosystem with professional consulting options.

🛡️ 9. Security & Privacy

Both platforms are secure—but built for different levels of compliance.

✅ Security & Privacy in Monday.com

Let’s see how Monday.com protects user data.

SOC 2 Type II compliant, GDPR and HIPAA-ready.
Offers 2FA, SSO, data encryption in transit and at rest.
Admin tools for user management and board access.
Great for small to mid-sized businesses needing secure collaboration.

✅ Security & Privacy in Smartsheet

Here’s how Smartsheet handles enterprise data needs.

SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, FedRAMP compliance.
Offers data governance, access auditing, and user provisioning tools.
Supports SAML, SSO, and SCIM integrations.
Ideal for organizations in regulated industries (healthcare, finance, government).

🏆 Which is Better: Monday.com or Smartsheet?

Both Monday.com and Smartsheet offer exceptional work management features—but they’re built for different teams and goals.

✅ Why Monday.com is better:

Why Monday.com Might Be Better for You:

Easy to use and visually appealing.
Ideal for teams with little to no project management experience.
Quick setup with colorful boards, statuses, and automations.
Great for marketing, content, and creative operations.
Affordable and flexible for growing businesses.

✅ Why Smartsheet Better:

Why Monday.com Might Be Better for You:

Spreadsheet-style system for structured workflows.
Designed for project managers, analysts, and operations leaders.
Enterprise-ready with strong governance and compliance.
Excellent for resource planning and complex project tracking.
Best for IT, finance, and enterprise PMO teams.

🔚 Conclusion

When comparing Monday.com vs Smartsheet, your decision should be based on your team’s technical familiarity, workflow complexity, and project volume.

Monday.com shines for startups, agencies, and cross-functional teams looking for visual simplicity, fast adoption, and team-friendly collaboration.

Smartsheet, on the other hand, is the go-to for enterprises and operations leaders managing structured, high-volume projects with rigorous security needs.

Both are leaders in their space—choose the one that fits your workflow.

❓FAQs About Monday.com vs Smartsheet

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Monday.com and Smartsheet:

What is the main difference between Monday.com and Smartsheet?

Monday.com is a visual, intuitive work management platform ideal for creative and collaborative teams. Smartsheet uses a spreadsheet-style interface suited for structured, data-heavy workflows. The choice depends on how your team prefers to work—visually or through detailed grids.

Is Monday.com good for beginners?

Yes, Monday.com is beginner-friendly with a drag-and-drop interface and colourful design that’s easy to understand. Users can quickly build boards and track tasks without prior experience. It’s perfect for teams just getting started with project management.

Does Smartsheet support automation?

Absolutely. Smartsheet includes powerful automation features for setting up approval flows, notifications, and task triggers. It’s well-suited for teams that rely on repeatable processes and complex workflows.

Which tool is better for enterprises?

Smartsheet is better for enterprise users, offering advanced features like data governance, compliance, and secure user management. It supports large-scale operations and integrates well with enterprise systems. This makes it ideal for IT, finance, and regulated industries.

Can Monday.com handle resource management?

Yes, Monday.com offers resource tracking through its Workload and Timeline views. Teams can visualize capacity and manage assignments in real-time. It’s useful for balancing workloads and improving team efficiency.

Is there a free plan for either?

Monday.com has a free plan for up to 2 users with basic features included. Smartsheet offers a 30-day free trial to explore its full capabilities. Both platforms let you try before committing to a paid plan.

Which platform is easier to integrate?

Monday.com integrates quickly with tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Workspace, making it great for smaller teams. Smartsheet connects with enterprise tools like Jira, Salesforce, and Microsoft 365. The right choice depends on your existing tech stack.

Which one is more visual?

Monday.com is more visual with colourful boards, status tags, and intuitive layouts. Smartsheet is more technical, presenting data in grids and charts. If your team prefers a visual-first interface, Monday.com is the better fit.

Can both tools work for remote teams?

Yes, both platforms are cloud-based and offer mobile apps for iOS and Android. They support real-time updates, task tracking, and collaboration from anywhere. This makes them ideal for remote and hybrid work environments.

Which tool is better overall?

Monday.com is better for creative, fast-moving teams who need flexibility and ease of use. Smartsheet is stronger for structured, enterprise-level project management. Ultimately, the best tool depends on your team’s size, workflow complexity, and integration needs.