Best Smartsheet alternatives in 2026
The best Smartsheet alternatives in 2026 are Google Sheets, Wrike, Microsoft Excel. Zoho Sheet is the strongest free option. Google Sheets costs less, from $8.40/mo versus $12/mo for Smartsheet.
Why people look for Smartsheet alternatives
Smartsheet is used by enterprises and PMOs, and it is known for spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt charts, dashboards and governance controls. Blackstone and Vista Equity Partners took the company private in January 2025. Plans start at $12 a user, but costs rise as you move to enterprise tiers.
Other reasons to look elsewhere: the interface feels dated, it is less flexible than database tools such as Airtable, and advanced features have a learning curve. When choosing a replacement, decide whether you need project management or just a shared spreadsheet or database, then weigh governance, per-seat cost at your team size, AI features, and data location or self-hosting.
- Dated UI
- Costs rise at enterprise
- Less flexible than Airtable
- Learning curve for advanced
- Smartsheet starts at $12/mo (Paid).
Best Smartsheet alternative by need
| # | Tool | Pricing | Starts at | Best for | Platforms | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Google Sheets Free cloud spreadsheet with real-time collaboration and Gemini AI | Freemium | $8/mo | Small businesses, Freelancers, Enterprise | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 2 | Wrike Configurable work management for enterprise, agency and PMO teams | Freemium | $10/mo | Enterprise, Agencies, Small businesses | web, macos, windows, ios, android | 0 |
| 3 | Microsoft Excel The standard spreadsheet for analysis, modeling and reporting | Freemium | $10/mo | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | web, macos, windows, ios, android | 0 |
| 4 | Zoho Sheet Free collaborative spreadsheet with Zia AI and built-in data cleaning | Free | $0 | Small businesses, Freelancers, Enterprise | web, windows, macos, ios, android | 0 |
| 5 | Airtable Spreadsheet-database hybrid with apps | Freemium | $24/mo | Small businesses, Enterprise | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 6 | Quadratic AI spreadsheet with Python, SQL and JavaScript in the cells | Freemium | $20/mo | Developers, Small businesses, Enterprise | web | 0 |
| 7 | Coda Docs that work like apps | Freemium | $15/mo | Small businesses, Enterprise | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 8 | DeepCell Linked spreadsheet, report and slides in one file, built by AI agents | Freemium | — | Freelancers, Small businesses, Enterprise | web, macos, windows, linux | 0 |
| 9 | SeaTable EU-hosted spreadsheet database and no-code app builder, self-hostable | Freemium | — | Small businesses, Enterprise, Developers | web, linux | 0 |
| 10 | Equals Spreadsheet connected to your database and Stripe | Paid | $2000/mo | Small businesses, Developers | web | 0 |
10 Smartsheet alternatives compared
- 1
Google Sheets
Free cloud spreadsheet with real-time collaboration and Gemini AI
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Google Sheets has a free version and starts at $8.40 a user within Workspace. It suits teams whose Smartsheet use is mostly shared lists and trackers that a familiar, real-time spreadsheet can handle.
- 2
Wrike
Configurable work management for enterprise, agency and PMO teams
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Wrike starts at $10 a user, below Smartsheet's $12, and offers configurable workflows, proofing and resource planning. It suits PMOs and agencies that want work management with a task-based rather than grid-based interface.
- 3
Microsoft Excel
The standard spreadsheet for analysis, modeling and reporting
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Excel starts at $9.99 a month and remains the standard for modeling and analysis. It suits finance and analyst teams that used Smartsheet mainly as a shared grid and need deeper formulas and the .xlsx format.
- 4
Zoho Sheet
Free collaborative spreadsheet with Zia AI and built-in data cleaning
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Zoho Sheet is free and offers a collaborative spreadsheet with Zia AI and data cleaning. It suits small businesses that only need shared sheets and do not want to pay for Smartsheet's project features.
- 5
Airtable
Spreadsheet-database hybrid with apps
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Airtable starts at $24 a month, twice Smartsheet's $12, but offers a more flexible relational database with interfaces and automations. It suits ops and content teams who found Smartsheet's grid too rigid.
- 6
Quadratic
AI spreadsheet with Python, SQL and JavaScript in the cells
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Quadratic starts at $20 a month and lets analysts write Python, SQL and JavaScript in cells with AI help. It suits technical users who need analysis power more than Smartsheet's project tracking.
- 7
Coda
Docs that work like apps
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Coda starts at $15 a month and turns docs into interactive apps with tables, buttons and automations. It suits ops and product teams that want trackers inside their documents rather than in separate Smartsheet sheets.
- 8
DeepCell
Linked spreadsheet, report and slides in one file, built by AI agents
Why pick it over Smartsheet: DeepCell links a spreadsheet, report and slides in one file built by AI agents. It suits analysts and consultants who need models and decks to stay consistent, a job outside Smartsheet's work management.
- 9
SeaTable
EU-hosted spreadsheet database and no-code app builder, self-hostable
Why pick it over Smartsheet: SeaTable is an Airtable-style database hosted in Germany or on your own servers, with a no-code app builder. It suits European teams that want self-hosting, an option Smartsheet does not provide.
- 10
Equals
Spreadsheet connected to your database and Stripe
Why pick it over Smartsheet: Equals costs $2,000 a month and connects a spreadsheet live to your database and Stripe. It suits startup finance teams building revenue reports, a different need from Smartsheet's project tracking.
Smartsheet alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to Smartsheet?
Based on features, audience and market presence, the strongest Smartsheet alternatives are Google Sheets, Wrike, Microsoft Excel. Google Sheets is the closest match for most teams.
Is there a free alternative to Smartsheet?
Yes. Zoho Sheet can be used for free. Other free or freemium alternatives to Smartsheet include Google Sheets, Wrike, Microsoft Excel.
What is cheaper than Smartsheet?
Google Sheets starts at $8.40/mo, while Smartsheet starts at $12/mo. Prices are checked on each vendor's own pricing page.