Asana vs Smartsheet Comparison: Is Asana or Smartsheet Best?

Are you tired of juggling tasks and projects without a proper system in place?

Well, we’ve got some exciting news for you! In this article, we’re comparing two popular work management tools: Asana vs Smartsheet.

In this detailed Asana vs Smartsheet comparison, we’ll explore the features, strengths, and limitations of both tools to help you figure out which one reigns supreme for your team.

Without further ado, let’s find out which one comes out on top.

What is the Difference Between Asana and Smartsheet?

The main difference between Smartsheet and Asana is in the focus of the apps. Asana has an intuitive interface and robust project management features, while Smartsheet relies on a spreadsheet-style interface. Asana is known for its excellent collaboration capabilities, while Smartsheet emphasizes data organization and analysis through its spreadsheet-like structure. 

Imagine planning a marketing campaign. With Asana, you can create tasks for each step and assign them to team members. In Smartsheet, you can make a sheet to plan the campaign’s timeline and see how tasks progress.

Both tools have their strengths, so it depends on what you need.

Asana is great for simple task management and collaboration, while Smartsheet is your go-to for detailed planning and tracking.

If you want to explore more about Asana’s cool features, check out our Asana review.

And for Smartsheet, head to our Smartsheet review. These reviews will help you decide which tool suits you best.

Asana vs Smartsheet Comparison Chart

Here’s a quick and simple comparison chart for Smartsheet and Asana, highlighting key points of both tools and their rating:

Asana vs Smartsheet Pricing

So, when it comes to pricing, let’s break it down for Asana and Smartsheet.

Winner: Tie

Asana has three plans: Basic, Premium, and Business. The Basic plan is free, but it has some limitations.

If you want more features, you can go for Premium, which costs around $13.49 per month or $10.99 per month if you pay annually.

And for even more advanced stuff, there’s the Business plan, which costs around $30.49 or $24.99 monthly on the annual plan.

On the other hand, Smartsheet offers four plans: Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Advance. The Pro plan is around $9 per user per month; if you pay annually, it’s $7.

Then there’s the Business plan, which costs around $32 per user per month or $25 per user per month if you choose the annual plan.

You need to contact their sales team for the Enterprise and Advance plans to get the pricing details.

As for the winner in terms of pricing, it depends on what you need.

Asana’s Basic plan is a good choice if you want a free option with some basic features. But if you’re looking for more advanced features, Smartsheet’s Pro plan might be more budget-friendly.

Ultimately, it all comes down to your desired features and how much you’re willing to spend. So, check out the plans and see which suits your needs and pocket best!
 

Smartsheet vs Asana Free Versions

Now, let’s compare the free versions of Asana and Smartsheet.

Winner: Asana

Asana has a free plan that’s pretty good for smaller teams.

You can access three of four project views and integrate Asana with Slack, Google Workspace, and other apps. However, it has a user limit of 15 and doesn’t include some cool features like Automation and Forms.

On the other hand, Smartsheet doesn’t have a free plan, just a 30-day trial. But they have four subscription levels.

The Pro plan is for up to 10 users and has cool stuff like Gantt charts and templates. The Business plan adds more features like forms with conditional logic and integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.

So, the winner for the better free version is Asana, as it does have a free plan with useful features, while Smartsheet only offers a trial, and you need to go for a paid plan.

But remember, the choice ultimately depends on your team’s needs and what features you want the most.
 

Customer Support

Regarding customer support, both Asana and Smartsheet offer some helpful resources.

Winner: Smartsheet

Asana’s customer support gets praise from many users because they have self-help guides, tutorials, and a cool Asana Academy with courses to learn all about the software. They also have handy forums with tips from experienced users and Asana staff.

On the other hand, Smartsheet also has various levels of support. They offer online web support with self-service help and a customer support portal.

You can also connect with other users in the Smartsheet community to exchange tips and tricks. Plus, they have a learning center with articles, tutorials, and webinars.

So, the winner for better customer support depends on your needs.

If you prefer a lot of self-learning resources, Asana might be your go-to. But if you want more personalized support, Smartsheet’s professional support and technical account manager options could be better.

So, consider what kind of support you’d like and check out both options to see which suits you best. That way, you’ll have a smooth experience with whichever tool you choose.
 

Knowledgebase & Learning

Learning is essential to make the most out of these tools. Luckily, they’re both equipped with tons of learning resources, such as the following:

Winner: Tie

Asana has a good knowledge base with many self-help guides and tutorials.

They even have the Asana Academy, which offers courses to help you learn everything about the software. Therefore, if you like learning independently, they’ve got you covered.

Conversely, Smartsheet also has a learning center with tons of resources. You can find helpful articles, tutorials, and webinars there.

They even have Smartsheet University, where you can earn credentials to show off your expertise. This could be the way to go if you’re into self-paced e-learning and want to attend instructor-led classes.

The choice here depends on your learning style.

If you prefer structured courses like the ones in Asana Academy, you might find Asana more to your liking. But if you want a mix of self-paced learning and instructor-led classes, Smartsheet University could be your best bet.

Smartsheet vs Asana Features & Functionality

Now, let’s look closely at Smartsheet and Asana’s features and what they can do so that you can find the best tool for you!

Asana or Smartsheet for Ease of Use?

Both tools have their strengths, but from what we’ve seen in the reviews, Asana seems to have a slight advantage with a quick and easy onboarding process and user-friendly interface. Let’s discuss the ease of use of both tools in detail.

Winner: Asana                                   

Asana has a really friendly design, so it’s simple to find your way around and get started quickly. People love how it reduces mistakes and makes them more productive.

Many switch from Trello to Asana because it offers great features like lists, calendars, and Gantt charts, which they find very useful. Plus, the fun animations when completing tasks add a little extra flair to the software.

On the other hand, Smartsheet is also great at being user-friendly and organized. Users really like the many collaboration features and automation options.

Some teams also find it familiar because it looks like Microsoft Excel.

But here’s the thing: Some users say it may take some time to get used to Smartsheet.

In the end, you should consider personal preference and what your team needs. Take a closer look at both tools and see which suits your team’s style better!
 

Smartsheet vs Asana Online Versions

Some people prefer using the online versions of such tools for various reasons. Luckily, both Asana and Smartsheet have online versions which perform excellently. Let’s learn more!

Winner: Tie

As we already mentioned, they’re both web-based tools. So, you can use them through your web browser without any downloads.

Asana’s online version is super easy to use. It has a simple and friendly design that helps you manage your tasks and projects effortlessly. You can collaborate with your team and access it from any device with an internet connection.

Now, Smartsheet’s online version is also pretty handy. It’s well-organized; you can keep all your team’s info and projects nicely structured. It’s great for collaboration; you can create workflows to make things run smoothly.

To make a final decision, check both online versions and see which layout and features you prefer better.
 

Asana vs Smartsheet Desktop Versions

Both Asana and Smartsheet now have special apps for Windows users that you can install on your desktop. Let’s see which one is better!

Winner: Tie

Asana’s desktop app is designed to keep you focused and on track so you won’t get distracted easily. Download it for your Windows computer, log in with your email, and use it like any other desktop application.

Smartsheet also offers a desktop app that you can download and install. It works seamlessly with your operating system, giving you smoother and faster performance.

Now that both tools have these desktop apps, it’s all about what you prefer and the user experience you like.
 

Mobile Apps

Having a user-friendly app matters a lot nowadays because everyone’s on their phones. Fortunately, Smartsheet and Asana have great mobile apps, which we’ll discuss in more detail below!

Winner: Tie

Both Asana and Smartsheet have mobile apps that make managing your tasks and projects super easy.

Asana’s mobile app is really user-friendly and easy to understand. You can create, assign, and track tasks right from your phone.

The app has a clean and organized interface, so staying on top of your work while away from your desk is a piece of cake.

Now, Smartsheet’s mobile app is also very handy. It allows you to access and edit your sheets and project info on the go.

You can view Gantt charts, update task statuses, and collaborate with your team from your mobile device.

They both offer great mobile experiences, so try them and see which one feels more comfortable and suits your needs better.
 

Email Tracking

Some individuals and business owners pay attention to the email tracking of such tools. Both Asana and Smartsheet offer different email services that suit different needs. Let’s learn more!

Winner: Tie

Asana is great when working with people outside your organization, like contractors or customers.

With Asana’s Gmail or Outlook apps, you can easily turn emails into tasks, assign them, and set due dates without leaving your email inbox. It’s super convenient!

Asana can also send you emails about new notifications so that you can take action on tasks directly from your inbox.

On the other hand, Smartsheet offers email tracking through automation. It’s a bit different. When you receive a new email, Smartsheet automatically adds it to a list, creating a record of all incoming emails.

This way, your team can reference and share them throughout your projects, making things well-organized.

So, both tools have email tracking features, but it’s about what you prefer.

Asana’s integration with Gmail and Outlook allows you to seamlessly turn emails into tasks and manage them within the app. Meanwhile, Smartsheet’s automation keeps a record of emails for easy reference.

Think about your team’s needs and workflow to decide which option suits you better.
 

Integrations

Regarding integrations, both Smartsheet and Asana have got some great options to make your work easier.

Winner: Asana

Smartsheet offers integration with over 100 third-party apps, which is pretty cool. You can connect Smartsheet with Microsoft 365, Teams, Google Workspace, Slack, and Dropbox; it depends on your chosen plan.

The Business plan even adds integrations with Brandfolder, Adobe Creative Cloud, Tableau, and PowerBI. If you’re on the Enterprise plan, you can connect with DocuSign, and with Zapier, you can link up with thousands of other apps.

On the other hand, Asana takes it a step further with over 200 third-party app integrations. That’s even more! You can connect Asana with Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, Zapier, Zoom, and others.

These integrations extend the app’s functionality and make your work processes smoother. For example, if you integrate Asana with Slack, you’ll get task update notifications directly in Slack.

Both tools make it easy to work with the apps you love. So, if you want a wide range of integrations, Asana might have the edge with the 200+ options.

But don’t forget, Smartsheet also has a solid lineup of integrations to streamline your work life. Look at both and see which suits your team’s needs and favorite tools best.

A Note on Asana Smartsheet Integration

Although there isn’t a built-in integration between these two, you can integrate Asana and Smartsheet using Asana’s CSV importer or Zapier.

With the Smartsheet Asana integration, you can have the best of both worlds.

For instance, you can use Asana for task and project management and connect it with Smartsheet to access more advanced project planning and tracking features.

Likewise, if you’re using Smartsheet for complex spreadsheets and project management, you can integrate it with Asana to benefit from the tool’s collaboration and task organization capabilities.
 

Product Limitations

Remember, no tool is perfect, but finding the one that suits your team’s workflow best is what matters. Let’s learn more about the limitations of these popular tools.

Winner: Tie

Smartsheet has some limitations you should be aware of.

Firstly, Smartsheet’s user interface looks outdated, and it might take time for your team to get used to it. Also, the learning curve can be steep, so be prepared to invest some time in onboarding.

One downside is buying separate add-ons for time tracking, budgeting, and resource management.

If you prefer working with agile methodologies like Kanban and Scrum, Smartsheet might not be the best fit. While it does offer Kanban boards, tools like Asana or Jira handle them better. The spreadsheet view is Smartsheet’s biggest strength.

Another drawback is that Smartsheet lacks an autosave function, so you must manually click the Save button after making changes. That could be a bummer if you’re used to the autosave feature in Google Sheets.

As for Asana, it’s not a traditional full-scale project management tool. It might lack some features in traditional tools, like resource management and budgeting.

Also, Asana has slightly higher monthly fees than some competitors.

Asana might fall short if you deal with heavyweight projects with many moving parts. It excels in handling ongoing work, but heavyweight projects might need more coordination.

One limitation of Asana is that tasks can only be assigned to one user. Therefore, you must use workarounds like task collaborators or subtasks to assign tasks to multiple team members.

Both tools have pros and cons, so consider your team’s needs before deciding.
 

Smartsheet or Asana for Small Businesses?

Most smaller businesses need something simple, easy to master, and affordable. Asana fits this description better. Here’s why:

Winner: Asana

For small businesses, Asana might be the better choice. The user-friendly interface and emphasis on task and project management make it ideal for smaller teams.

Asana’s collaboration features, communication tools, and easy onboarding process can help small businesses stay organized and productive without overwhelming them with complex functionalities.

Smartsheet is still a viable option if the business heavily relies on spreadsheets and requires more advanced project planning capabilities.

However, the steeper learning curve and the need for separate add-ons might not be as suitable for smaller teams with limited resources.
 

Asana or Smartsheet for Larger Enterprises?

Most large enterprises require something more advanced to help them execute complex projects, such as Smartsheet. Here’s why it’s better than Asana for bigger businesses:

Winner: Smartsheet

Smartsheet could be a more fitting solution for larger enterprises due to the extensive project planning and tracking features.

Enterprises often deal with complex projects and might find Smartsheet’s spreadsheet view and advanced integrations beneficial for managing their operations.

Although viable, Asana might have limitations for larger enterprises, especially if they require heavyweight project coordination and resource management tools.

Asana’s focus on task and team collaboration might not provide the depth and sophistication that large enterprises need for their expansive projects.
 

Smartsheet or Asana for Freelancers?

Freelancers already have a lot on their plate and don’t like complicated and costly tools with steep learning curves. That’s why they usually prefer Asana over Smartsheet.

Winner: Asana

Asana is perfect for freelancers because it has a user-friendly interface and excellent task management capabilities. It helps individual freelancers stay organized, keep track of their work, and collaborate smoothly with clients and team members.

The best part? Asana offers a free plan that’s perfect for freelancers. You don’t need to pay for a subscription to manage your tasks effectively.

The free plan includes essential features and project views; they’re usually enough for freelancers with smaller projects.

Asana also plays well with other apps like Slack, Google Workspace, and Dropbox. This integration enhances freelancers’ workflow and frees communication with clients and collaborators.

On the other hand, Smartsheet offers more advanced project planning and spreadsheet-based features, which might be too much for most freelancers who need a simple and efficient task management tool.

Also, keep in mind that Smartsheet’s pricing and steeper learning curve could be less appealing for individual freelancers who have limited budgets and time to invest in learning a new tool.

Is Asana Better Than Smartsheet? Key Takeaways

Overall, Asana is a great choice if you want robust project management software.

It’s good for teams that must collaborate, stay organized, and communicate effectively, especially if your team is smaller and works on ongoing tasks and projects.

On the other hand, if your team deals with complex project planning and relies a lot on spreadsheets, Smartsheet might be more suitable. It has advanced features for project management, but it could be a bit harder to learn.

Regarding pricing, Asana has a free forever plan with some limitations, while Smartsheet offers a 30-day free trial but no free plan. Both have different subscription levels with different prices and features.

Asana has more integrations with other apps (over 200!), which can be helpful if your team uses many different tools for work. Smartsheet also has integrations (over 100), but Asana wins in this department.

Both Asana and Smartsheet have mobile apps, so you can manage tasks and projects on the go, which is pretty cool. But neither is perfect!

Smartsheet’s interface might look a bit old-fashioned, and it doesn’t have real-time autosave, which could be annoying.

Asana might not be the best for really big and complicated projects, and it has some limitations when assigning tasks to multiple users.

In a nutshell, if your team is smaller and needs a task management and collaboration tool, go with Asana. If you need more advanced project planning and rely on spreadsheets, Smartsheet might be a better fit.

Just think about your team’s needs, how you work, and what’s important to you to pick the best tool.