Smartsheet vs. Asana – A Complete Comparison

Virtual tools have changed the way businesses operate, enabling them to adjust to the constantly evolving market. Smartsheet and Asana are two of the most popular project management programs users flock to because they’re a foolproof way of creating a more productive workspace. While they serve the same purpose, they offer different features, meaning that one may suit your goals better than the other.

This article will compare these tools and outline their benefits and drawbacks, helping you make an informed decision and upgrade your business practices.

Smartsheet vs. Asana: Similarities

Both Smartsheet and Asana are powerful programs that have been designed to provide businesses with numerous features that boost productivity and project success rates. Their purpose is to help employees keep track of multiple tasks and improve their time management. Additionally, project managers can monitor their progress using the tools’ interfaces and develop better work strategies that cater to the employees’ strong suits.

Additionally, the services come with several pricing plans to match the needs of different businesses. Whether you’re operating a small, medium, or larger company, Smartsheet and Asana have plans that will support your business vision.

Despite their wide range of complex features, both Smartsheet and Asana are user-friendly tools. Customers experiencing issues with the programs can rely on incredible customer support. Their teams are easy to reach through email or live chat. Also, the tools offer numerous online resources that help customers better understand how to make the most out of the services.

However, the final decision is up to you. To help you take your business to the next level, we’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using Smartsheet and Asana. Hopefully, the comparison will arm you with the necessary knowledge to improve your work environment.

The Advantages of Using Smartsheet

Let’s look at what makes Smartsheet a standout among its competitors.

Easy-to-Use Grid View

The program’s simple and powerful Grid View is made up of rows and columns that organize and compile data similar to a spreadsheet. The columns have many customizing options and can monitor specific project information like Contacts, Symbols, Dropdown Lists, and more. The rows enable users to prioritize tasks based on importance and keep each team member up to date through file and link sharing. Grid View also stores team conversations, so it’s easy to double-check any piece of information.

Users can use Grid View to go into Gantt or Calendar View, depending on the project’s demands. Calendar View is an incredible option for navigating how much time specific tasks require and how much overtime the employees have put in.

Better for Team Collaboration

While Smartsheet supports in-house collaboration, it also gives users the option of sharing attachments with collaborators that are not part of your team. The program displays data in sheets that are easy to navigate, reducing the amount of email correspondence between team members. Collaborators can be marked as Editors, meaning they can modify data and share files like charts and images. This minimizes miscommunication, as every team member will have access to the latest project developments. Additionally, the sheets have a proofing option, and members can leave feedback on specific data entries.

Real-Time Data Tracking

Smartsheet dashboards are incredibly customizable and allow you to highlight the most important aspects of a project. The dashboards enable team members to understand which tasks need more resources and track the ever-changing team statistics.

Smartsheet has developed Reports that you can pin to the dashboard for extra visibility and a more streamlined environment. The Reports analyze the spreadsheets and compile the data in a single sheet. These sheet summaries can be shared with partners and clients to make sure you’re making the best business decisions.

Great for Effective Resource Management

Project managers use Smartsheet to strengthen their teams, meet multiple deadlines and develop strategies to best scale the business. Thanks to the program’s resource management features, you can see which employees are best suited for specific projects. Additionally, you’ll be able to determine how much time employees will need to complete their tasks and predict the company’s hiring demands.

The tool also organizes team member information. It provides insight into their roles within the company, professional qualifications, and location, making it easy to assemble a perfect team for new projects. It helps managers avoid overworking their employees because they can see what everyone is currently working on and assign them tasks in advance.

The Disadvantages of Using Smartsheet

Unlike Asana, Smartsheet often represents a steep learning curve. Its impressive features require some time to get used to. Their sheets will elevate your workflow, but you’ll need to learn how to customize them to suit the needs of your projects. Additionally, each team member will have to become familiar with the ins and outs of the features to collaborate effectively.

While Asana has a free subscription plan, Smartsheet offers no such option. However, each plan comes with a free trial period you can use to see whether Smartsheet is the best fit for your business. The lack of a free subscription is a drawback, but you can consider other aspects of the program before making a final decision.

The Advantages of Using Asana

Asana is a go-to choice for many people, as it’s designed to help you achieve both personal and professional goals. Let’s look into some of its best features and determine whether it will serve your needs.

Effective at Identifying Glitches

Asana’s simple-to-navigate interface takes the guesswork out of identifying and removing bugs. Developers have no trouble using the program and save time when coming up with long-term solutions.

Also, the tool has a worksheet that keeps it operating even when team members encounter issues, so you’ll never lose your progress. Asana stores data regarding the problems you’ve faced, serving as a useful reference for future obstacles. This gives developers a better understanding of why they see recurring glitches.

Invaluable Kanban Boards

Asana’s Kanban-style work boards are invaluable in tracking all project stages. The boards are a visual organization feature, providing information like what tasks have been finished and how long they took to complete. Furthermore, it outlines tasks that are still due and those that the team is currently working on. This insight helps businesses design product launch strategies, more effective work practices, and content tracking plans.

Intuitive Interface

Asana boasts an enjoyable user experience that minimizes distractions to help you achieve your goals. Unlike other management tools, Asana can be used for personal plans since it doesn’t require any expert knowledge. It’s a perfect solution for companies big and small since the team members won’t waste time learning how to handle the program’s features. The clean and uncomplicated interface caters to tasks of varying complexity, ensuring that team members consistently turn in quality work.

The Disadvantages of Using Asana

While using Smartsheet requires some knowledge, you don’t have to integrate other apps to improve productivity. The rich features are more than enough to foster a goal-oriented approach. However, Asana offers straightforward features that don’t have the same complexity. To make the most out of your Asana subscription, you’ll need to integrate third-party apps geared towards supporting your business.

Additionally, Asana works better as a team coordination tool than a task management program. Scheduling and time tracking can be a challenge for users, while this is a non-issue with Smartsheet.

Level Up Your Business with the Best Tool

As the business world ups its demands, it’s essential to use the latest tools to stay one step ahead of your competitors.

Both Smartsheet and Asana will be formidable assets on your team, so the final choice will be a matter of preference. Some users lean towards Asana, as it doesn’t require any special knowledge to take advantage of its features.

However, Smartsheet carries more advanced options, and some people believe it’s well worth spending time to get used to the program.

Which tool is the perfect fit for your goals? Let us know in the comment section below.