Choosing between Smartsheet and Zoho Projects is a common decision for project management buyers in 2026. Both Smartsheet and Zoho Projects are established players, founded in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Smartsheet serves 90K+ orgs users while Zoho Projects has 10M+ users globally. Smartsheet differentiates with grid, gantt & card views and automation workflows, while Zoho Projects leads with gantt charts and timesheets. In this head-to-head comparison, Smartsheet earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 88/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.
AI Verdict
After comparing Smartsheet and Zoho Projects across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, Smartsheet takes the lead with a score of 88/100 versus Zoho Projects's 86/100. Smartsheet's key advantages include "familiar spreadsheet feel" and "powerful automation". That said, Zoho Projects has its own strengths — particularly "very affordable pricing" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.
On pricing, there's a clear difference: Zoho Projects offers a free plan, making it more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring project management solutions. Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo with no free tier, but often justifies the cost with grid, gantt & card views and automation workflows.
Bottom line: Choose Smartsheet if you need operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools. Go with Zoho Projects if your priority is zoho ecosystem users wanting affordable project management. Both are strong project management tools — we recommend trying the free plan of each before committing.
CHOOSE SMARTSHEET IF:
Operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools.
CHOOSE ZOHO PROJECTS IF:
Zoho ecosystem users wanting affordable project management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smartsheet better than Zoho Projects in 2026?
Smartsheet scores 88/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Zoho Projects's 86/100. Smartsheet stands out for "familiar spreadsheet feel" and is best for Operations teams comfortable with spreadsheet-style tools. Zoho Projects is known for "very affordable pricing" and suits Zoho ecosystem users wanting affordable project management. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Smartsheet and Zoho Projects?
Zoho Projects offers a free plan while Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo, giving Zoho Projects a lower barrier to entry. When comparing value, consider that Smartsheet (founded 2005, 90K+ orgs users) includes features like Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards. Zoho Projects (founded 2006, 10M+ users) offers Gantt charts, Timesheets, Issue tracking. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Smartsheet and Zoho Projects?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Smartsheet excels at Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards, while Zoho Projects focuses on Gantt charts, Timesheets, Issue tracking. Smartsheet's main advantage is "familiar spreadsheet feel", though some users note "no free plan". Zoho Projects's strength is "very affordable pricing", but "ui feels dated" can be a drawback. Both serve the Project Management market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Smartsheet to Zoho Projects?
Switching between Smartsheet and Zoho Projects is possible since both operate in the Project Management space. Before migrating, export your data from Smartsheet and check Zoho Projects's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards (Smartsheet) vs Gantt charts, Timesheets, Issue tracking (Zoho Projects). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Smartsheet or Zoho Projects?
Zoho Projects's free plan makes it more accessible for small teams on a budget. It's best for Zoho ecosystem users wanting affordable project management. Smartsheet ($9/user/mo) is worth considering if you need Grid, Gantt & card views, Automation workflows, Dashboards and have the budget.