Smartsheet vs Hive
Smartsheet is enterprise work management platform with spreadsheet interface, automations, and dashboards, while Hive is project management with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and integrated email within the platform. The biggest difference up front: Hive is free, while Smartsheet starts at $7/user/mo. Smartsheet is built for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-style project management, whereas Hive targets teams wanting project management with built-in email.
| Feature | Smartsheet | Hive |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | — | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Analytics | — | ✓ |
| Automations | ✓ | — |
| Dashboards | ✓ | — |
| Email Integration | — | ✓ |
| Forms | — | ✓ |
| Gantt Charts | — | ✓ |
| Resource Mgmt | ✓ | — |
| Spreadsheet UI | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Hive is completely free (Free for up to 10 users), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. Smartsheet starts at $7/user/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.
Feature gaps: Smartsheet offers Automations, Dashboards and Resource Mgmt that Hive lacks. Hive brings Analytics, Email Integration and Forms that Smartsheet does not have.
Team fit: Smartsheet is geared toward enterprise teams, while Hive is aimed at mid-size teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Where each tool shines: Smartsheet's biggest strengths are: spreadsheet-style interface is familiar to anyone who has used excel. built-in automations handle repetitive tasks like status changes and assignments. Hive's biggest strengths are: gantt charts visualize project timelines with task dependencies at a glance. includes email integration as a core feature, purpose-built for project management workflows.
Watch out for: With Smartsheet, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay $7/user/mo from day one to use it. With Hive, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose Smartsheet if
- You need a tool built for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-style project management
- You specifically need Automations and Dashboards
- You care about built-in automations handle repetitive tasks like status changes and assignments
- Your team size fits the enterprise profile Smartsheet is designed for
choose Hive if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting project management with built-in email
- Budget is a hard constraint — Hive is free, Smartsheet is not
- You specifically need Analytics and Email Integration
- You care about includes email integration as a core feature, purpose-built for project management workflows
- Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Hive is designed for
frequently asked
What is the difference between Smartsheet and Hive?
Smartsheet is enterprise work management platform with spreadsheet interface, automations, and dashboards, while Hive is project management with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and integrated email within the platform. The biggest difference up front: Hive is free, while Smartsheet starts at $7/user/mo. Smartsheet is built for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-style project management, whereas Hive targets teams wanting project management with built-in email.
Should I use Smartsheet or Hive?
Hive is the free option; Smartsheet charges $7/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Smartsheet over Hive?
Choose Smartsheet if You need a tool built for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-style project management; You specifically need Automations and Dashboards; You care about built-in automations handle repetitive tasks like status changes and assignments; Your team size fits the enterprise profile Smartsheet is designed for.
When should I choose Hive over Smartsheet?
Choose Hive if Your profile matches its sweet spot: teams wanting project management with built-in email; Budget is a hard constraint — Hive is free, Smartsheet is not; You specifically need Analytics and Email Integration; You care about includes email integration as a core feature, purpose-built for project management workflows; Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Hive is designed for.
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