Wrike vs Smartsheet: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Wrike and Smartsheet.
Versatile project management for enterprise teams
Enterprise work management platform built on a spreadsheet
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Wrike | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9.8/mo | $9/mo ✓ Cheaper |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Pricing model | freemium | paid |
| G2 rating | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Founded | 2006 | 2005 |
Wrike: pros & cons
- ✓Powerful for complex projects
- ✓Strong enterprise features
- ✓Good request management
- ✓Flexible views
- ✗Steep learning curve
- ✗Can feel heavy for small teams
- ✗UI not as modern as monday.com
Smartsheet: pros & cons
- ✓Familiar spreadsheet interface
- ✓Powerful Gantt views
- ✓Strong enterprise features
- ✓Good for operations teams
- ✗Looks and feels dated
- ✗No free plan
- ✗Less intuitive than monday.com
- ✗Expensive at scale
Choose Wrike if...
- →Your marketing or creative team needs structured intake via request forms that route briefs into the right project automatically
- →You're running a PMO with multiple concurrent projects and need cross-tagging, portfolio dashboards, and resource load balancing
- →You manage work across departments where the same task appears in multiple project contexts and cross-tagging keeps everything linked
Choose Smartsheet if...
- →Your operations or PMO team lives in spreadsheets and needs Gantt charts and automations without retraining staff on a new interface
- →You're running construction, manufacturing, or event projects that require resource management and portfolio-level Gantt views
- →Your team needs to collect structured data via forms that feed directly into project sheets with automated approval workflows
Our verdict
Smartsheet scores higher on G2 (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5), suggesting stronger overall user satisfaction. Smartsheet is the more affordable option. Wrike offers a free plan — a lower-risk way to test before committing. The right pick depends on your team size and workflow.
Wrike vs Smartsheet: frequently asked questions
Is Wrike better than Smartsheet?
Smartsheet has a higher G2 score (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Wrike or Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is cheaper, starting at $9/mo.
What is the main difference between Wrike and Smartsheet?
Wrike focuses on gantt charts, cross-tagging, request forms. Smartsheet focuses on spreadsheet-style grid, gantt chart, automations. Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.
Can I migrate from Wrike to Smartsheet?
Most teams migrate between Wrike and Smartsheet within a day or two. Export your data from Wrike (typically as CSV or via API), then use Smartsheet's import wizard to bring it across. Check each tool's help centre for a step-by-step migration guide before switching.