Smartsheet is a specialized project management and work automation platform built on spreadsheet-like grids with advanced Gantt charts and resource management, while Notion is a versatile all-in-one workspace combining databases, documents, wikis, and task management in a flexible block-based interface. Smartsheet excels for enterprise teams needing detailed project tracking, while Notion is better for cross-functional teams wanting a unified knowledge hub.
Smartsheet vs Notion — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Smartsheet if your team needs enterprise-grade project management with sophisticated Gantt charts, critical path analysis, resource allocation, and workflow automation for complex work coordination. Choose Notion if you want a flexible, affordable workspace for documentation, knowledge management, task tracking, and cross-functional collaboration without requiring advanced project scheduling features.
Enterprise work management platform built on grid-based sheets with advanced project tracking and automation.
Flexible all-in-one workspace combining databases, documents, wikis, and task management in an intuitive block-based interface.
Structured comparison data for Smartsheet vs Notion with 477 attributes.
Starting Monthly Cost (per user, annual)
Average Onboarding Time (Non-Technical User)
Free Tier Monthly Recording/Creation Limit
Monthly Subscription Cost (Personal Plan)
Maximum Database Rows (optimal performance)
Real-time Simultaneous Collaborators (unlimited tier)
Native Data Visualization (charts, pivots)
Max Database Items Before Performance Degradation
Starting Price per User/Month (Annual Billing)
Base Monthly Cost Per User (Annual Billing)
Monthly Cost Per User (Team Plan, Annual Billing)
Maximum Concurrent Users Per Board/Workspace
Total Cost of Ownership (50 Users, Annual)
Smartsheet vs Notion — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Smartsheet vs Notion.
Which is better for managing multiple concurrent projects with dependencies?
Smartsheet is significantly better for this use case. It offers native critical path analysis, dependency tracking, resource leveling, and advanced Gantt chart features specifically designed for portfolio and program management. Notion's timeline view is suitable only for simple sequential projects without complex resource constraints.
Can I use Notion as my only project management tool?
Notion can work as a project management tool for small teams with straightforward workflows, but it lacks sophisticated features like Gantt charts, critical path analysis, and resource allocation. For complex project portfolios or enterprise PMO needs, Smartsheet is more purpose-built. Notion excels as a complementary knowledge management layer alongside project tools.
What's the total cost difference for a 10-person team?
At standard pricing: Smartsheet costs $140/month (10 users × $14), while Notion costs $100/month (10 users × $10), saving $480 annually with Notion. However, if your team needs Smartsheet's advanced automation and project features, the extra cost provides significant value versus paying for a separate tool.
Which platform is easier to learn for non-technical team members?
Notion has a significantly lower learning curve due to its intuitive block-based interface, drag-and-drop functionality, and minimal setup required. Smartsheet requires more familiarity with spreadsheet concepts and configuration. Most users can be productive in Notion within hours, while Smartsheet typically requires 2-3 days of training.
Can both platforms integrate with my existing tools?
Both integrate with popular tools via Zapier and have APIs, but Smartsheet has more native connectors and higher API rate limits (10 req/sec vs Notion's 3 req/sec), making it better for complex automation scenarios. Notion focuses on external integrations through embed and database sync features rather than native connectors.