Google Sheets vs Smartsheet
The Winner
Too Close to Call
Both Google Sheets and Smartsheet are excellent choices. Your decision should be based on specific feature needs and use case.
Quick Comparison
| Criteria |  Google Sheets |  Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes Best | No |
| Starting Price | $8.4/mo Best | $12/mo |
| User Rating | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Review Count | 3,700,673 Best | 168,398 |
| Free Trial | 14 days | 30 days Best |
| Annual Discount | 17% | 25% Best |
| Best For | Teams collaborating on data in real time | Enterprise spreadsheet power users |
Feature Breakdown
Google Sheets Key Features
- Cloud-based spreadsheets
- Real-time collaboration
- Google Apps Script automation
- AI-powered features (Help me organize)
- 400+ built-in functions
- Pivot tables and charts
- Add-ons marketplace
- Offline editing support
Smartsheet Key Features
- Smart Assist - AI companion that creates projects from outlines and answers questions in real-time
- Smart Agents - AI project manager that monitors progress, flags risks, and recommends improvements
- Smart Flows - Build complex multi-step workflows using natural language prompts
- Smart Columns - AI-powered columns that categorize, translate, and analyze data automatically
- Knowledge Graph - Intelligent data foundation powering all AI features across the platform
- Advanced Gantt charts with drag-and-drop editing and automatic dependency updates
- Unlimited automations on Business+ plans (250/month on Pro)
- 175+ integrations including Microsoft, Adobe, Google, Salesforce, and Jira
Google Sheets
- Genuinely Free and Full-Featured
- Best-in-Class Collaboration
- Works Everywhere
- Massive Integration Ecosystem
- Performance Degrades at Scale
- Excel Still Wins for Power Features
- AI Features Lag Behind Copilot
Smartsheet
- Powerful Data Analysis
- Enterprise-Grade Automation
- Flexible Visualization
- Comprehensive AI Suite
- Steep Learning Curve
- Limited Free Plan
- AI Requires Enterprise
Google Sheets Overview
Google Sheets is the best free collaborative spreadsheet available. Real-time editing, 400+ functions, and Google Workspace integration make it the default choice for teams. Power users needing complex macros or massive datasets may still prefer Excel, but for 90% of spreadsheet work, Sheets delivers without costing a penny.
Best For:
- Teams collaborating on data in real time
- Small businesses tracking budgets and inventory
- Data analysts building lightweight dashboards
- Anyone needing free cloud spreadsheets
Smartsheet Overview
Smartsheet excels at enterprise-scale project management for teams comfortable with spreadsheet interfaces. The Pro tier offers Gantt charts, unlimited sheets, and 250 automations monthly, while Business unlocks unlimited automations at a higher tier. Best for organizations needing powerful data analysis alongside project tracking.
Best For:
- Enterprise spreadsheet power users
- Complex data analysis and financial modeling
- Organizations requiring advanced reporting and dashboards
- Teams needing Gantt charts with dependency management
- Companies wanting no-code workflow automation
- Large-scale resource planning and allocation
- Cross-functional collaboration with real-time updates
The Verdict
Both Google Sheets and Smartsheet are excellent choices for their respective strengths. Google Sheets is ideal for Teams collaborating on data in real time, while Smartsheet shines at Enterprise spreadsheet power users. Your final choice should depend on your specific requirements and budget.