Asana vs Smartsheet
Asana and Smartsheet represent two popular approaches to project management. My team has used both for real projects, and we've learned that the "best" tool often depends on your team's working style. Asana scores 9/10, but team adoption matters more than features.
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Quick Answer
Asana beats Smartsheet for most users. It scores 9/10 vs 8.6/10 and excellent task management. Choose Smartsheet if you need familiar spreadsheet interface.
Asana
WinnerComprehensive project tracking for teams
Starting from
$10.99/mo
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style PM with enterprise features
Starting from
$9/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.0/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Starting Price | $10.99/mo | $9/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Users | 15 (free) | 10 editors (Pro) |
| Boards | ||
| File Storage | 100MB/file | 20GB |
| Views & Planning | ||
| Kanban View | ||
| Gantt Chart | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Features | ||
| Automations | ||
| Integrations | 200+ | 100+ |
| Mobile App | ||
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Asana
- Excellent task management
- Multiple project views
- Powerful workflow builder
- Goals and portfolio tracking
- Great free tier
- Strong mobile apps
- Can be overwhelming at first
- Advanced features are pricey
- Limited time tracking
Smartsheet
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Multiple views (Grid, Gantt, Card, Calendar)
- AI-powered automation (2025)
- Enterprise security (HIPAA, GDPR)
- Powerful reporting and dashboards
- Resource management add-on
- Extensive integrations (Salesforce, Jira)
- No free plan (30-day trial only)
- Add-ons can get expensive
- Pro plan limited to 10 editors
- Learning curve for advanced features
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. Asana offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($0.00/mo), while Smartsheet ($9.00/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
Asana
Choose Asana if you prioritize excellent task management, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value multiple project views.
Smartsheet
Choose Smartsheet if you prioritize familiar spreadsheet interface, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value multiple views (grid, gantt, card, calendar).
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, Asana is our winner with a rating of 9/10 compared to Smartsheet's 8.6/10. Asana stands out for its excellent task management and multiple project views. Asana also offers better value at its price point. However, Smartsheet remains an excellent choice if familiar spreadsheet interface is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Switching project management tools affects your whole team. Most tools offer data export, but workflows and automations won't transfer. Plan for a transition period where you might run both systems briefly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asana better than Smartsheet?
Asana scores higher in our testing (9/10 vs 8.6/10). Asana excels at excellent task management, while Smartsheet is better for familiar spreadsheet interface.
Which is cheaper, Asana or Smartsheet?
Asana is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $9.00/mo. Asana offers 100% savings.
Asana vs Smartsheet: which should I choose?
Choose Asana if you prioritize excellent task management. Choose Smartsheet if you need familiar spreadsheet interface. Both are solid project management options.
What's the main difference between Asana and Smartsheet?
The main difference is Asana offers comprehensive project tracking for teams, while Smartsheet focuses on spreadsheet-style pm with enterprise features.