Wrike vs Smartsheet
Wrike is enterprise work management with Gantt charts, resource management, and proofing tools, while Smartsheet is enterprise work management platform with spreadsheet interface, automations, and dashboards. The biggest difference up front: Wrike is free, while Smartsheet starts at $7/user/mo. Wrike is built for professional services teams needing resource management, whereas Smartsheet targets enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-style project management.
| Feature | Wrike | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Automations | — | ✓ |
| Custom Workflows | ✓ | — |
| Dashboards | — | ✓ |
| Gantt Charts | ✓ | — |
| Proofing | ✓ | — |
| Resource Management | ✓ | — |
| Resource Mgmt | — | ✓ |
| Spreadsheet UI | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Wrike is completely free (Free for basic use), 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: Wrike offers Custom Workflows, Gantt Charts and Proofing that Smartsheet lacks. Smartsheet brings Automations, Dashboards and Resource Mgmt that Wrike does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target enterprise teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: Wrike's biggest strengths are: gantt charts visualize project timelines with task dependencies at a glance. includes resource management as a core feature, purpose-built for project management workflows. 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.
Watch out for: With Wrike, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Smartsheet, the main complaint is that no free plan — you need to pay $7/user/mo from day one to use it.
choose Wrike if
- You need a tool built for professional services teams needing resource management
- Budget is a hard constraint — Wrike is free, Smartsheet is not
- You specifically need Custom Workflows and Gantt Charts
- You care about includes resource management as a core feature, purpose-built for project management workflows
- The free tier works for you: free for basic use
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
frequently asked
What is the difference between Wrike and Smartsheet?
Wrike is enterprise work management with Gantt charts, resource management, and proofing tools, while Smartsheet is enterprise work management platform with spreadsheet interface, automations, and dashboards. The biggest difference up front: Wrike is free, while Smartsheet starts at $7/user/mo. Wrike is built for professional services teams needing resource management, whereas Smartsheet targets enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-style project management.
Should I use Wrike or Smartsheet?
Wrike is the free option; Smartsheet charges $7/user/mo but may offer more polish. Here is how they compare.
When should I choose Wrike over Smartsheet?
Choose Wrike if You need a tool built for professional services teams needing resource management; Budget is a hard constraint — Wrike is free, Smartsheet is not; You specifically need Custom Workflows and Gantt Charts; You care about includes resource management as a core feature, purpose-built for project management workflows; The free tier works for you: free for basic use.
When should I choose Smartsheet over Wrike?
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.
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