Project management · Head to head
ClickUp vs Smartsheet: which is better?
Short answer
ClickUp costs less in the first year ($420 vs $540 for 5 users). Pick ClickUp for all-in-one project work platform; pick Smartsheet for spreadsheet-style project and portfolio work.
| Fact | ClickUp | Smartsheet | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | All-in-one project work platform | Spreadsheet-style project and portfolio work | — |
| Free plan | Yes, Free Forever | No | ClickUp |
| Entry plan | Unlimited: $7 / seat / mo | Pro: $9 / seat / mo | ClickUp |
| Mid plan | Business: $12 / seat / mo | Business: $19 / seat / mo | ClickUp |
| Top plan | Business: $12 / seat / mo | Business: $19 / seat / mo | ClickUp |
| 1st year, 5 users | $420 | $540 | ClickUp |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, ClickUp or Smartsheet?
ClickUp costs less in the first year ($420 vs $540 for 5 users).
| 1st year, 5 users | ClickUp | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $420 | $540 |
| Mid | $720 | $1,140 |
| Top | $720 | $1,140 |
Which has the better free plan, ClickUp or Smartsheet?
ClickUp: Yes, Free Forever.
Should you pick ClickUp or Smartsheet?
Pick ClickUp if
- you want all-in-one project work platform
- the free plan is enough (Free Forever)
Pick Smartsheet if
- you want spreadsheet-style project and portfolio work
- you can pay $9 / seat / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| ClickUp pricing | clickup.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Smartsheet pricing | smartsheet.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare