An unbiased, data-driven comparison for project management teams
| Feature | WrikeTop Pick | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $9.80/user/month | From $7/user/month |
| Free Trial | 14-day free trial | 30-day free trial |
| Best For | Complex project teams needing automation and collaboration | Data-centric teams preferring spreadsheet-style planning |
| Integrations | 400+ | 1,000+ |
| Support | 24/7 chat and email; phone for Business+ plans | Email and phone support; 24/7 for Enterprise |
| Try It Free | Start Free -> | Start Free -> |
Ready to try the winner? Start with a free trial and see the difference yourself.
Start Free TrialWrike is a cloud-based project management platform designed for teams needing robust task automation, real-time collaboration, and customizable workflows. It supports complex project tracking with Gantt charts, workload management, and AI-powered insights.
Pricing: Free plan available; Professional: $9.80/user/month (billed annually); Business: $24.80/user/month; Enterprise: custom pricing
Try Wrike Free ->Smartsheet combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with project management capabilities, offering grid, card, and Gantt views. It excels in data-driven workflows, approvals, and enterprise-scale automation.
Pricing: Free plan for up to 2 users; Pro: $7/user/month; Business: $25/user/month; Enterprise: custom pricing
Try Smartsheet Free ->Our free ROI calculator shows payback period & annual savings in seconds.
Wrike is better for teams prioritizing collaboration, real-time updates, and visual project tracking. Smartsheet wins for users who prefer spreadsheet-like control and enterprise data integration. The 'better' tool depends on your team's workflow preferences.
Smartsheet’s Pro plan starts at $7/user/month, making it slightly cheaper than Wrike’s Professional plan at $9.80/user/month. However, Wrike includes more collaboration features at entry tiers, so value depends on use case.
Yes, you can migrate from Smartsheet to Wrike using CSV exports or third-party tools like Zapier. Wrike offers import templates for tasks, timelines, and dependencies, though complex automations may require manual recreation.
Both offer free plans. Wrike’s free plan supports up to 5 users with basic task and folder management. Smartsheet’s free plan allows two users and includes core collaboration features but limits automation and reporting.
Wrike offers 24/7 chat and email support on all paid plans, with phone support for Business and Enterprise tiers. Smartsheet provides phone and email support, but 24/7 availability is limited to Enterprise. Wrike edges ahead in accessibility for mid-tier customers.
Small teams that value collaboration and visual planning should choose Wrike. Smartsheet works well for small, data-focused teams (e.g., operations or finance) already comfortable with spreadsheets. Wrike’s free plan is more team-oriented, while Smartsheet’s limits users to two.
There is no native two-way integration between Wrike and Smartsheet, but you can connect them via Zapier, Make (Integromat), or custom APIs to sync tasks, updates, or status changes for hybrid workflows or migration.
Smartsheet offers more integrations and formula-based data manipulation, while Wrike provides deeper project management features like real-time proofing, workload balancing, and AI-driven insights. Wrike has richer collaboration tools; Smartsheet excels in data automation.
Wrike stands out with features like Dynamic Request Forms, which automate intake processes, and Real-Time Proofing, allowing teams to annotate files directly. Its Gantt charts support dependencies and critical path analysis, while Workload view helps balance team capacity. Smartsheet counters with robust formula support, conditional formatting, and Control Center for enterprise governance. While Smartsheet’s Cell Linking and Cross-Sheet References enable powerful data rollups, Wrike’s automation rules and custom statuses offer more intuitive project flow management.
Wrike’s Professional plan starts at $9.80/user/month (billed annually) and includes custom workflows, time tracking, and 5GB storage. The Business plan ($24.80/user/month) adds resource management, analytics, and external integrations. Smartsheet’s Pro plan is $7/user/month with basic automation and reporting; Business ($25/user/month) adds resource management, control center, and advanced permissions. Both offer free plans, but Wrike’s is more suitable for small collaborative teams, while Smartsheet’s is limited to two users.
Wrike is ideal for marketing, product, and IT teams in mid-sized to large organizations that manage complex, deadline-driven projects. Teams with a need for visual planning, real-time collaboration, and automated workflows will benefit most. It suits companies with budgets for mid-tier SaaS tools and those prioritizing user engagement and transparency across departments.
Smartsheet is best for operations, finance, and project control offices that rely on data accuracy and structured reporting. Teams already using Excel for tracking will find Smartsheet’s interface familiar and powerful. It’s a strong fit for enterprises needing scalable automation and integration with ERP or CRM systems, especially when collaboration is secondary to data integrity.
Switching from Smartsheet to Wrike typically takes 1–3 weeks depending on data complexity. Both platforms support CSV import/export, and Wrike provides migration templates for tasks, folders, and timelines. Automation and custom fields may require manual setup. Onboarding is faster in Smartsheet due to its spreadsheet familiarity, while Wrike benefits from guided setup and in-app tutorials for new teams.
SaaSpare evaluated Wrike and Smartsheet over 80+ hours of hands-on testing, assessing 15 core project management criteria including usability, automation, reporting, and collaboration. We analyzed G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius reviews (1,200+ data points), consulted vendor documentation, and tested free trials with real-world project scenarios to ensure accuracy and buyer relevance.
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