Smartsheet vs Asana
Smartsheet and Asana 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.
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style PM with enterprise features
Starting from
$9/mo
Asana
WinnerComprehensive project tracking for teams
Starting from
$10.99/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Starting Price | $9/mo | $10.99/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Users | 10 editors (Pro) | 15 (free) |
| Boards | ||
| File Storage | 20GB | 100MB/file |
| Views & Planning | ||
| Kanban View | ||
| Gantt Chart | ||
| Time Tracking | ||
| Features | ||
| Automations | ||
| Integrations | 100+ | 200+ |
| Mobile App | ||
| API Access | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
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
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
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?
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).
Asana
Choose Asana if you prioritize excellent task management, want to start with a free tier, need unlimited usage, or value multiple project views.
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 Smartsheet better than Asana?
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, Smartsheet or Asana?
Asana is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $9.00/mo. Asana offers 100% savings.
Smartsheet vs Asana: which should I choose?
Choose Smartsheet if you prioritize familiar spreadsheet interface. Choose Asana if you need excellent task management. Both are solid project management options.
What's the main difference between Smartsheet and Asana?
The main difference is Smartsheet offers spreadsheet-style pm with enterprise features, while Asana focuses on comprehensive project tracking for teams.