7 Best Smartsheet Alternatives for Project Management in 2026

Why look beyond Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a work management platform utilized for project management, task tracking, and workflow automation. It offers a spreadsheet-like interface combined with features like Gantt charts, dashboards, and reporting to manage various initiatives.

While Smartsheet is suitable for organizations requiring a flexible, configurable solution for complex projects and cross-functional collaboration, some users may seek alternatives for specific reasons. Organizations prioritizing a more visual, Kanban-style approach to task management, or those deeply embedded in specific ecosystems like Microsoft 365, might find other platforms more aligned with their existing workflows. Teams focused on agile software development may also require tools with more specialized features for sprint planning and backlog management. Furthermore, pricing structures or the extent of integration capabilities with specific third-party applications can influence the decision to explore other work management solutions.

Top alternatives ranked

1. 1. monday.com — Customizable Work OS with visual dashboards

   monday.com is a Work OS (Operating System) designed to manage projects and workflows across various teams. It provides customizable boards, visual dashboards, and automation capabilities to streamline operations. The platform supports a range of use cases, from marketing campaigns and CRM to software development and HR management. Its interface is designed for visual project tracking, offering multiple views such as Kanban, Gantt, and calendar. monday.com emphasizes flexibility, allowing users to build custom workflows and integrate with a variety of third-party applications to centralize work management.

   • Best for: Teams seeking a highly visual and customizable platform for diverse project types, marketing operations, and general work management.

   Read more: monday.com platform profile

   Source: monday.com official site

2. 2. Asana — Task and project management for team collaboration

   Asana is a work management platform focused on helping teams organize, track, and manage their work. It provides features for task assignment, deadline tracking, and project progress monitoring. Asana supports various project methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban, and offers different views like list, board, timeline, and calendar to visualize work. The platform facilitates collaboration through comments, file attachments, and direct messaging, aiming to centralize communication and task-related information. Asana integrates with other business tools, allowing teams to connect their existing applications and streamline workflows.

   • Best for: Teams requiring robust task management, collaborative project planning, and clear visibility into project progress across departments.

   Read more: Asana platform profile

   Source: Asana official site

3. 3. Jira — Agile project management for software development

   Jira, developed by Atlassian, is a project tracking tool primarily used by agile software development teams. It offers features for issue tracking, sprint planning, and backlog management, supporting methodologies like Scrum and Kanban. Jira provides customizable workflows, allowing teams to define their specific development processes. It integrates with other Atlassian products and a broad ecosystem of third-party add-ons, extending its functionality for various development and operations tasks. While primarily used for software development, Jira is also adaptable for other types of project management where structured task tracking and workflow automation are required.

   • Best for: Software development teams practicing agile methodologies, IT service management, and organizations requiring customizable issue tracking and workflow automation.

   Read more: Jira platform profile

   Source: Jira official site

4. 4. ServiceNow — Enterprise-grade workflow automation and IT service management

   ServiceNow is a cloud-based platform that provides a suite of tools for IT service management (ITSM), IT operations management (ITOM), and IT business management (ITBM). It is designed to automate enterprise workflows, consolidate IT operations, and enhance digital transformation initiatives. The platform enables organizations to develop custom applications, manage employee workflows across departments, and deliver digital experiences. ServiceNow's capabilities extend beyond IT to areas like HR, customer service, and security operations, offering a unified platform for managing complex enterprise processes and improving operational efficiency through automation.

   • Best for: Large enterprises seeking comprehensive IT service management, cross-departmental workflow automation, and custom application development on a unified platform.

   Read more: ServiceNow platform profile

   Source: ServiceNow documentation

5. 5. Microsoft Teams — Integrated communication and collaboration within Microsoft 365

   Microsoft Teams is a communication and collaboration platform that integrates chat, video meetings, file storage, and application integration. It is a core component of Microsoft 365 and is designed to support teamwork across various organizational functions. Teams allows users to create channels for specific projects or departments, share documents, and co-author files in real-time. It integrates with other Microsoft applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and supports a wide range of third-party apps through its app store. The platform facilitates both synchronous and asynchronous communication, aiming to centralize team interactions and productivity tools for organizations already utilizing the Microsoft ecosystem.

   • Best for: Organizations deeply invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, requiring integrated communication, collaboration, and document management capabilities.

   Read more: Microsoft Teams platform profile

   Source: Microsoft Teams documentation

6. 6. HubSpot — Integrated CRM platform for marketing, sales, and service

   HubSpot provides a comprehensive CRM platform that unifies marketing, sales, customer service, content management, and operations tools. It is designed to help businesses manage customer relationships, automate various business processes, and grow their operations. The platform includes tools for inbound marketing, sales engagement, service desk management, and website building. HubSpot's integrated suite allows for a unified view of customer interactions and data across different departments, aiming to improve efficiency and customer experience. Its modular approach allows businesses to start with specific hubs and expand functionality as their needs evolve.

   • Best for: Small to medium businesses seeking an integrated platform for marketing automation, sales pipeline management, and customer service, with a focus on inbound methodology.

   Read more: HubSpot platform profile

   Source: HubSpot Developer Docs

7. 7. Salesforce Sales Cloud — Comprehensive CRM for sales and customer relationship management

   Salesforce Sales Cloud is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to help businesses manage their sales processes, customer interactions, and sales team productivity. It offers features for lead management, opportunity tracking, forecasting, and quoting. The platform provides tools for automating sales tasks, analyzing sales data, and connecting with customers across various channels. Salesforce Sales Cloud is highly customizable and integrates with a vast ecosystem of third-party applications through the AppExchange. It supports mobile access, allowing sales teams to manage their activities on the go and gain real-time insights into their sales pipeline.

   • Best for: Large enterprise sales teams requiring extensive CRM functionality, complex sales process management, and deep integration with a broad business ecosystem.

   Read more: Salesforce Sales Cloud platform profile

   Source: Salesforce Help

Side-by-side

How to pick

Selecting an alternative to Smartsheet involves evaluating your organization's specific needs for project management, collaboration, and workflow automation. Consider the following factors:

1. Project Complexity and Methodology:
   • If your projects are highly complex, require detailed resource management, and benefit from a spreadsheet-like interface, Smartsheet's core offering might be suitable. However, if you prefer a more visual, board-based approach for diverse project types, monday.com offers extensive customization and visual dashboards.
   • For agile software development teams focused on sprints, backlogs, and issue tracking, Jira provides specialized tools tailored for these methodologies.
   • For general task and project management across teams, where clear task assignment and progress tracking are paramount, Asana offers robust features.
2. Integration Ecosystem:
   • Assess your existing software stack. If your organization is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams offers seamless communication and collaboration within that ecosystem.
   • For comprehensive IT service management and cross-departmental workflow automation, especially in large enterprises with complex existing systems, ServiceNow provides a unified platform.
   • If your primary need is an integrated CRM for marketing, sales, and customer service, HubSpot offers a full suite of tools. For large-scale, highly customizable sales operations, Salesforce Sales Cloud is a strong contender.
3. Scalability and Enterprise Features:
   • Consider the scale of your operations. Platforms like ServiceNow and Salesforce Sales Cloud are designed for large enterprises, offering extensive customization, robust security, and advanced compliance features.
   • For organizations that need to manage a broad range of work types with high customization, monday.com or Asana can scale across different departments and project sizes, though their enterprise features may differ from dedicated enterprise platforms.
4. User Experience and Adoption:
   • Evaluate the user interface and ease of adoption for your team. Some platforms, like monday.com and Asana, are known for their intuitive and visual designs, which can contribute to quicker team adoption.
   • More specialized tools like Jira or enterprise platforms like ServiceNow may have a steeper learning curve due to their extensive feature sets and configuration options, but offer deeper functionality for specific use cases.
5. Pricing and Licensing:
   • Review the pricing models of each alternative. Some platforms offer per-user pricing, while others may have tiered plans based on features or usage. Consider the total cost of ownership, including potential add-ons and integration costs, to ensure it aligns with your budget.