GanttPRO
Online Gantt chart software for planning and tracking work.
Alternatives · 2026
Alternatives to Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style project and work management at scale.
16 hand-curated alternatives from MintedSaaS's directory. See the Smartsheet listing →
Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-style project and work management platform designed for large teams and enterprises running complex, cross-functional initiatives. It combines familiar spreadsheet grid layouts with Gantt charts, dashboards, and resource planning tools, making it particularly popular with program managers, product teams, and operations groups who need to track hundreds of tasks across multiple workstreams. The platform anchors itself on the idea that non-technical users shouldn't need specialized training to manage projects at scale.
Teams typically adopt Smartsheet when they've outgrown lighter tools and need more sophisticated dependency tracking, automated workflows, and visibility across interconnected work streams. It's a natural fit for companies managing regulatory or compliance-heavy projects, managing budgets tied to project deliverables, or running portfolio-level planning across multiple teams. The visitor base here is usually comparing Smartsheet against other grid-based or Gantt-focused competitors to find a tool that strikes a different balance between simplicity and capability, or costs less for their team size.
What we offer that competes
Instagantt
Gantt chart layer for Asana projects and standalone use.
Targetprocess
Visual platform for SAFe and scaled-agile portfolios.
Pivotal Tracker
Story-based agile planning tool with velocity tracking.
TeamGantt
Drag-and-drop Gantt chart tool for project schedules.
Wrike
Enterprise project management with custom workflows and dashboards.
Shortcut
Project management built specifically for software teams.
ClickUp
All-in-one work hub for tasks, docs, and dashboards.
Height
Autonomous project tool with AI built into the workflow.
Monday.com
Visual work OS with customizable boards and workflows.
Basecamp
Simple project and team communication tool from 37signals.
Jira
Atlassian's enterprise issue and project tracker.
Asana
Work-management platform for cross-functional teams.
Linear
Fast, opinionated issue tracker for software teams.
Airtable
Spreadsheet-database hybrid with views, automations, and apps.
What to look for
- Whether the tool displays project timelines as Gantt charts alongside grid views without switching screens
- Whether the product offers a free tier or free trial with full Gantt and dashboard functionality, not just task lists
- Whether you can grant permissions at the task or row level rather than just sheet or project level
- Whether the tool can ingest a CSV or Excel export from Smartsheet with task hierarchies and custom fields preserved
- Whether the product's API is documented with published rate limits and supports two-way sync via webhooks
- Whether the pricing scales by team size or by feature tier, and what happens when you exceed 50 concurrent users
FAQ
What are the best alternatives to Smartsheet?
GanttPRO and Instagantt prioritize Gantt visualization, Wrike and ClickUp add automation and timeline tracking at lower costs, while Airtable suits teams who want spreadsheet flexibility with custom workflows instead of pre-built project templates.
Are there free alternatives to Smartsheet?
Trello and Asana both have generous free tiers covering small teams, though neither offers the Gantt and resource-planning depth of Smartsheet. Linear is free for unlimited users on a single project, ideal for open-source projects and small squads.
How do I choose a project management tool for a large team?
Evaluate whether your team needs Gantt charts or timeline views over task lists, whether automated workflows reduce manual updates, whether the tool can import from your existing spreadsheets, and whether permissions and reporting scale to 50+ team members without slowdown.
Which spreadsheet-based project tools work best for portfolio management?
Smartsheet, Wrike, and ClickUp all support multi-project dashboards and cross-team visibility, but Wrike and ClickUp offer these at a fraction of Smartsheet's enterprise pricing. Airtable works if you're comfortable building custom portfolio views instead of using pre-built templates.
Can I use Gantt charts in free project management tools?
Trello and Asana's free plans don't include Gantt views. GanttPRO, Instagantt, and TeamGantt offer limited-feature free tiers with Gantt charts, while Wrike's free plan includes basic timeline views.
What happens if my team outgrows a free or mid-market project tool?
Most tools like Asana, Monday.com, and Wrike scale smoothly with seat-based pricing, but ClickUp and Linear are built to handle large teams more cost-effectively. Smartsheet stays competitive for enterprise teams handling 500+ tasks across multiple projects simultaneously.
Do alternatives to Smartsheet support API-driven integrations?
Wrike, ClickUp, Jira, Linear, and Airtable all expose documented REST APIs with rate limits and webhook support. GanttPRO and Instagantt focus on UI-based integrations instead.
Which tools let you import data from Smartsheet?
Airtable, ClickUp, and Wrike can ingest CSV or Excel files exported from Smartsheet, though manual task-to-row mapping is usually needed. Jira and Linear work better for teams already deep in those ecosystems.