Smartsheet vs. Excel: Is Smartsheet Better than Excel?

We’ll help you make an informed decision

Smartsheet and Microsoft Excel are two spreadsheet programs worth testing. However, the two platforms differ substantially in functionality, pricing, and ease of use.

So, which is better for you? Let’s find out.

Smartsheet vs. Excel: Which Is Better?

Microsoft Excel is a traditional spreadsheet program ideal for crunching numbers, analyzing and visualizing data, and managing projects. Smartsheet, on the other hand, is primarily aSaaS project management softwarethat helps track timelines and streamline workflows in real-time.

Excel is a powerful statistical tool with project management capabilities, and Smartsheet focuses on collaborative task management.

However, both programs have many overlapping features, so let’s look at how they differ.

Features

While Excel and Smartsheet share several features, both programs “excel” in different areas. Depending on your needs, workflow, and organizational structure, one may suit you over the other.

Excel outperforms Smartsheet when analyzing large amounts of data, using complex formulas, filtering, or running macros. Smartsheet, on the other hand, is the clear winner when it comes to project management capabilities.

However, it’s now possible to export data from Smartsheet to Excel and back again. The best resource management software may combine the two — Smartsheet for project tracking and Excel for data-intensive activities.

Integrations and Compatibility

Smartsheet is available online via the web-based app and as an Android/iPhone app. Also, it integrates with around130 professional services, including Box, Dropbox, Zapier, Salesforce, Jira, DocuSign, Google, and more.

Excel is available as a web-based app and on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It integrates with nearly 800 other apps, including Power Bi and Azure – over six times the amount that Smartsheet integrates with, though this gap is constantly narrowing.

Pricing

Smartsheet and Excel are similarly priced, though Excel is more flexible in purchasing options.

Excel Online is free, but it’s a heavily slimmed-down version of the desktop app. The desktop app costs $159.99 as a one-off fee or $6.99 per month as part of Microsoft 365.

Smartsheet is available at $7 per month for Pro users and $25 per month for businesses.

Ease of Use

Both Excel and Smartsheet are relatively easy to use, though to get the most out of either app, they both have a substantial learning curve.

Smartsheet has a simple, modern user interface that makes it very easy to learn. It’s similar to Excel, so if you have experience with other spreadsheet programs, you should pick up Smartsheet quickly.

In terms of collaboration, Smartsheet is far easier to use. Multiple users can make changes to a document without the headache of having multiple versions floating around. It’s also easier to access the program from different devices.

However, Excel remains more or less ubiquitous, meaning that overall functionality and integrations are much broader. A side-effect of this is that there are endless Excel templates, how-to guides, and detailed tutorials on the internet you can tap into.

Smartsheet vs. Excel: Which Is Better?

Smartsheet and Excel are powerful tools in their own rights, but they have different primary functions.

If you’re looking for a project management tool, then Smartsheet will likely be more useful than Excel. However, start with Excel if you need a powerful data visualization and analysis tool. If you need resource management and a powerful statistical tool, you might consider investing in both programs and combining their capabilities.

Keep in mind thatmany project management solutionsmay be great Smartsheet alternatives for you, including Google Sheets, Jira, MS Project, Asana, Trello, and Wrike.

Jake Harfield is an Australian freelance writer whose passion is finding out how different technologies work. He has written for several online publications, focusing on explaining what he has learned to help others with their tech problems. He’s an avid hiker and birder, and in his spare time you’ll find him in the Aussie bush listening to the birdsong.Read Jake’s Full Bio

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Smartsheet vs. Excel: Is Smartsheet Better than Excel?#

Smartsheet vs. Excel: Which Is Better?#

Features#

Integrations and Compatibility#

Pricing#

Ease of Use#

Smartsheet vs. Excel: Which Is Better?#