Smartsheet vs ActiveCollab (2024 Comparison)
Smartsheet offers a comprehensive project management platform with advanced automation and reporting tools. Its robust features make it ideal for managing complex projects and optimizing workflows.
- Comprehensive project management features.
- Advanced automation capabilities.
- Robust reporting tools.
- Steep learning curve for new users.
- Higher cost for advanced features.
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$9 per month per user
ActiveCollab provides a user-friendly project management solution with excellent time tracking and collaboration features. Its affordable pricing makes it a great choice for small teams.
- User-friendly interface.
- Excellent time tracking features.
- Affordable pricing for small teams.
- Limited advanced features.
- Fewer integrations compared to competitors.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$3.17 per month per userWhat is Smartsheet?
Smartsheet is a dynamic work management platform that empowers teams to plan, capture, manage, automate, and report on work at scale. It offers a familiar spreadsheet interface, making it easy for users to adapt quickly. With Smartsheet, you can streamline processes, improve collaboration, and gain real-time visibility into projects. It helps businesses of all sizes to enhance productivity and drive better outcomes by providing tools for project management, task tracking, and resource allocation.
What is ActiveCollab?
ActiveCollab is a project management and collaboration tool designed to help teams organize their work and improve productivity. It offers features like task management, time tracking, and invoicing, making it ideal for creative agencies and small businesses. ActiveCollab provides a centralized platform for team communication, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. It helps users manage projects efficiently, track progress, and deliver results on time, ultimately enhancing team collaboration and client satisfaction.
Pros and Cons of Smartsheet vs ActiveCollab
Pros & Cons of Smartsheet
- Smartsheet offers a wide range of project management features, including task tracking, resource allocation, and reporting, making it a versatile tool for managing complex projects.
- With Smartsheet's automation features, you can streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency, allowing your team to focus on more strategic activities.
- Smartsheet's reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into project performance, helping you make data-driven decisions and optimize your workflows.
- Smartsheet's extensive features may require a learning curve for new users, making it less accessible for those unfamiliar with project management tools.
- While Smartsheet offers a comprehensive set of features, its pricing may be higher for businesses seeking advanced capabilities, making it less affordable for smaller teams.
Pros & Cons of ActiveCollab
- ActiveCollab's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate and manage projects, ensuring a smooth user experience for teams of all sizes.
- ActiveCollab's time tracking capabilities provide detailed insights into how time is spent on projects, helping teams optimize their workflows and improve productivity.
- ActiveCollab offers competitive pricing plans, making it an affordable choice for small teams and businesses looking to manage projects without breaking the bank.
- While ActiveCollab provides essential project management tools, it may lack some of the advanced features offered by competitors, limiting its suitability for larger teams.
- ActiveCollab offers a limited number of integrations, which may be a drawback for teams that rely on multiple tools to manage their workflows effectively.
Smartsheet vs ActiveCollab: At A Glance
Value to Price
Smartsheet offers a robust set of features that justify its pricing, making it a valuable investment for businesses seeking comprehensive project management solutions. ActiveCollab, while slightly more affordable, provides essential tools for smaller teams. If you need a feature-rich platform, Smartsheet is the better choice.
Ease of Use
ActiveCollab shines in ease of use with its intuitive interface, making it accessible for users with varying technical skills. Smartsheet, while powerful, may require a learning curve for new users. If simplicity is your priority, ActiveCollab is the way to go.
Functionality
Smartsheet excels in functionality, offering advanced features like automation and reporting that cater to complex project needs. ActiveCollab provides essential tools but lacks some of the advanced capabilities. For comprehensive functionality, Smartsheet is the superior option.
Scalability
Smartsheet is designed to scale with your business, accommodating growing teams and projects effortlessly. ActiveCollab is suitable for smaller teams but may face limitations as your business expands. If scalability is crucial, Smartsheet is the better choice.
Integrations
Smartsheet offers a wide range of integrations with popular tools, enhancing its versatility. ActiveCollab provides essential integrations but may not match Smartsheet's extensive options. If you rely on multiple tools, Smartsheet's integrations are more comprehensive.
Customer Support
ActiveCollab provides responsive customer support, ensuring users receive timely assistance. Smartsheet also offers reliable support but may have longer response times. If quick support is essential, ActiveCollab is the better choice.
Security
Smartsheet prioritizes security with robust measures to protect your data, making it a reliable choice for businesses handling sensitive information. ActiveCollab also offers security features but may not match Smartsheet's level of protection. For top-notch security, Smartsheet is the preferred option.
Overall Rating
Smartsheet's overall rating reflects its comprehensive features and scalability, making it a top choice for businesses with complex project needs. ActiveCollab, while slightly lower in rating, is ideal for smaller teams seeking simplicity and affordability.
Smartsheet vs ActiveCollab: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Task Management
Smartsheet offers a comprehensive task management system that allows you to create, assign, and track tasks with ease. Its intuitive interface and customizable templates make it a powerful tool for managing complex projects. ActiveCollab also provides robust task management features, but Smartsheet's advanced capabilities give it an edge for larger teams. If you need a feature-rich task management solution, Smartsheet is the better choice.
Time Tracking
ActiveCollab excels in time tracking, offering detailed insights into how time is spent on projects. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to log hours and generate reports. Smartsheet also provides time tracking features, but ActiveCollab's focus on this aspect makes it a preferred choice for teams that prioritize accurate time management. If time tracking is crucial, ActiveCollab is the way to go.
Collaboration Tools
Both Smartsheet and ActiveCollab offer excellent collaboration tools, but ActiveCollab's emphasis on team communication and file sharing makes it stand out. Smartsheet provides collaboration features, but ActiveCollab's user-friendly interface and real-time updates make it ideal for teams that rely heavily on collaboration. If seamless collaboration is your priority, ActiveCollab is the better option.
Reporting
Smartsheet's reporting capabilities are top-notch, allowing you to generate detailed reports and gain valuable insights into project performance. Its customizable dashboards and data visualization tools make it a powerful choice for data-driven decision-making. ActiveCollab offers reporting features, but Smartsheet's advanced options make it the preferred choice for businesses that require in-depth reporting. If reporting is essential, Smartsheet is the superior option.
Automation
Smartsheet excels in automation, offering powerful tools to streamline repetitive tasks and improve efficiency. Its automation features allow you to create workflows and automate processes with ease. ActiveCollab provides basic automation capabilities, but Smartsheet's advanced options make it the better choice for businesses looking to optimize their workflows. If automation is a priority, Smartsheet is the preferred option.
Resource Management
Smartsheet offers robust resource management features, allowing you to allocate resources effectively and track their utilization. Its intuitive interface and customizable templates make it a powerful tool for managing resources. ActiveCollab also provides resource management features, but Smartsheet's advanced capabilities give it an edge for larger teams. If resource management is crucial, Smartsheet is the better choice.
Pricing Comparison of Smartsheet and ActiveCollab
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Smartsheet and ActiveCollab. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your projects.
Smartsheet Pricing Plans
- Gantt, grid, board, and calendar view for versatile project management.
- Rich formulas to enhance data analysis and reporting.
- Unlimited sheets, forms, and reports for comprehensive data management.
- 250 automations per month to streamline workflows.
- Timeline view for detailed project tracking.
- Team workload tracking to optimize resource allocation.
- Admin capabilities for enhanced control and management.
- Unlimited automations for efficient process management.
- SAML-based SSO for secure access management.
- WorkApps for custom application development.
- Work Insights for comprehensive data analysis.
- Unlimited attachment storage for extensive data handling.
- Dynamic View for secure request management.
- Data Shuttle for seamless data integration.
- Salesforce and Jira connectors for enhanced integration.
- Premium Support for prioritized assistance.
ActiveCollab Pricing Plans
- 10 GB storage for project files and documents.
- Unlimited projects, tasks, and discussions for seamless workflow.
- Task dependencies to manage task relationships effectively.
- Mobile & Desktop Apps for on-the-go access.
- App integrations for enhanced productivity and connectivity.
- Expense tracking to monitor project costs efficiently.
- Time reports for detailed time management insights.
- Advanced reporting for comprehensive project analysis.
- User availability to plan team schedules effectively.
- Time estimates for accurate project planning.
- Company-wide timesheet for comprehensive time tracking.
- Invoicing and online payments for streamlined billing.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each project management tool, focusing on key aspects like functionality, ease of use, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and conducting hands-on testing, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to deliver a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Smartsheet or ActiveCollab: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Smartsheet If You Need ...
- Comprehensive project management solution
If you need a comprehensive project management solution with advanced features like automation and reporting, Smartsheet is the ideal choice. Its robust capabilities make it suitable for managing complex projects and optimizing workflows.
- Scalable for growing teams
If your business is expanding and you need a tool that can scale with your team, Smartsheet is the better option. Its scalability ensures it can accommodate increasing project complexity and team sizes.
Choose ActiveCollab If You Need ...
- User-friendly interface
If you prioritize a user-friendly interface and ease of use, ActiveCollab is the way to go. Its intuitive design makes it accessible for users with varying technical skills, ensuring a smooth user experience.
- Affordable for small teams
If you're a small team looking for an affordable project management solution, ActiveCollab is the better choice. Its competitive pricing plans make it a cost-effective option for managing projects without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for large teams, Smartsheet or ActiveCollab?
Is ActiveCollab suitable for creative agencies?
Does Smartsheet offer automation features?
Which tool provides better reporting capabilities?
Is ActiveCollab more affordable than Smartsheet?
Which tool offers more integrations, Smartsheet or ActiveCollab?
Anastasia Belyh
Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.
