ClickUp vs Smartsheet: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Alex Chen, SaaS & Productivity Analystยท8 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing ClickUp and Smartsheet in 2026, ClickUp is the stronger choice for teams wanting one platform to replace multiple tools due to feature-rich free plan. Smartsheet excels for operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools with familiar spreadsheet feel. ClickUp offers Multiple views, Time tracking, Goals & OKRs starting at $7/user/mo with a free plan. Smartsheet provides Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards from $9/user/mo. For teams prioritizing value, ClickUp delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 85/100. ClickUp and Smartsheet compete in the project management segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading project management tools include Asana, Monday.com, Jira. ClickUp serves 10M+ users globally (founded 2017) while Smartsheet reports 90K+ orgs active users (founded 2005).

ClickUp vs Smartsheet at a Glance

ClickUp
Smartsheet
Starting Price
$7/user/mo
$9/user/mo
Free Plan
Yes
No
User Rating
4.7/5
4.4/5
Best For
Teams wanting one platform to replace multiple too...
Operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-styl...
Users
10M+
90K+ orgs
Founded
2017
2005
hiltonsoftware Score
85/100
71/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
โšก
ClickUp
Project Management
85
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ“Š
Smartsheet
Project Management
71
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between ClickUp and Smartsheet?

ClickUp and Smartsheet differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. ClickUp leads in 7 of 7 categories.

ClickUpSmartsheet
90Ease of Use78
82Features80
74Value for Money60
71Customer Support69
73Integrations63
72Scalability64
79Learning Curve67

What are the pros and cons of ClickUp vs Smartsheet?

ClickUp
+Feature-rich free plan
+Highly customizable views
-Overwhelming for new users
-Occasional bugs
Smartsheet
+Familiar spreadsheet feel
+Powerful automation
-No free plan
-Learning curve for advanced features

Which is better, ClickUp or Smartsheet?

After evaluating ClickUp and Smartsheet across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, ClickUp earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 85/100 versus Smartsheet at 71/100. ClickUp stands out for "feature-rich free plan" and "highly customizable views". Smartsheet delivers competitive advantages in "familiar spreadsheet feel", making Smartsheet a viable alternative.

On pricing, ClickUp offers a free plan for SMBs and startups. Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo with no free tier, but justifies the cost with grid, gantt & card views and automation workflows and enterprise-grade scalability.

Bottom line: Choose ClickUp for teams wanting one platform to replace multiple tools. Choose Smartsheet for operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools. Both ClickUp and Smartsheet are established project management platforms.

CHOOSE CLICKUP IF:

Teams wanting one platform to replace multiple tools.

CHOOSE SMARTSHEET IF:

Operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools.

ClickUp vs Smartsheet: Frequently Asked Questions

Is ClickUp better than Smartsheet in 2026?
ClickUp outperforms Smartsheet in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 85/100 compared to 71/100. ClickUp excels in Multiple views, Time tracking, Goals & OKRs, making ClickUp the better choice for Teams wanting one platform to replace multiple tools. Smartsheet is the stronger option for Operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools due to familiar spreadsheet feel. For teams needing multiple views, hiltonsoftware.co recommends ClickUp.
How does ClickUp pricing compare to Smartsheet in 2026?
ClickUp starts at $7/user/mo and includes a free plan. Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo without a free plan. ClickUp includes features like Multiple views, Time tracking, Goals & OKRs. Smartsheet provides Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards. ClickUp serves 10M+ users while Smartsheet serves 90K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between ClickUp and Smartsheet?
ClickUp specializes in Multiple views, Time tracking, Goals & OKRs, earning a 85/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Smartsheet focuses on Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards, scoring 71/100. ClickUp is best for Teams wanting one platform to replace multiple tools. Smartsheet is best for Operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools. Both ClickUp and Smartsheet serve the Project Management market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from ClickUp to Smartsheet?
Migrating from ClickUp to Smartsheet is possible since both operate in the Project Management space. Export data from ClickUp and verify Smartsheet import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Multiple views, Time tracking, Goals & OKRs (ClickUp) versus Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards (Smartsheet). Running both ClickUp and Smartsheet in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is ClickUp or Smartsheet better for small business?
For small businesses, ClickUp offers a free plan with multiple views. ClickUp scores 85/100 on hiltonsoftware.co. Smartsheet (starting at $9/user/mo) is worth the investment for businesses needing Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards. Both ClickUp and Smartsheet support SMB and startup teams.

Reviewed by Alex Chen, SaaS & Productivity Analyst. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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