Microsoft Venture and Smartsheet are two widespread venture administration software program platforms which have a extra conventional consumer interface design. Whereas they could appear comparable at first look, as soon as I began reviewing each software program, the variations turned obvious:
- Microsoft Venture is a better option for energy customers who’re comfy with extremely superior options. It largely integrates with different Microsoft merchandise and depends on a few of them for key performance, so it’s greatest utilized by groups which can be already dedicated to the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Smartsheet is an efficient possibility for groups which can be managing their initiatives in spreadsheets and want an improve to devoted venture administration software program. It additionally affords greater than 100 integrations with third-party software program, making it a better option for groups with a extra numerous software program stack.
Microsoft Venture vs. Smartsheet: Comparability desk
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| Communication instruments | ||
| Time monitoring | ||
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Microsoft Venture vs. Smartsheet pricing
Microsoft affords way more pricing plans to select from than Smartsheet, in addition to on-premises choices. Nevertheless, Smartsheet is extra reasonably priced than Microsoft Venture total. Each software program supply a 30-day free trial for sure plans.
Microsoft Venture pricing
Cloud-based subscriptions:
- Microsoft Planner: A part of Microsoft 365, which begins at $8 per consumer monthly.
- Planner Plan 1 (previously Venture Plan 1): $10 per consumer monthly.
- Venture Plan 3: $30 per consumer monthly.
- Venture Plan 5: $55 per consumer monthly.
On-premises options:
- Venture Customary 2021: $679.99 for a license for one PC.
- Venture Skilled 2021: $1,129.99.
- Venture Server Plan: Contact for customized pricing quote.
For extra data, learn the full Microsoft Venture assessment and think about our listing of Microsoft Venture options.
Smartsheet pricing
- Free: $0 for one consumer and as much as two editors.
- Professional: $7 per consumer monthly, billed yearly, or $9 per consumer monthly, billed month-to-month.
- Enterprise: $25 per consumer monthly, billed yearly, or $32 per consumer monthly, billed month-to-month.
- Enterprise: Quotes can be found upon request.
For extra data, learn the full Smartsheet assessment and think about our listing of Smartsheet options.
Function comparability: Microsoft Venture vs. Smartsheet
Venture administration
Winner: Smartsheet
Microsoft Venture ranked 3.9/5 for options total on our scoring rubric. It affords three important venture views: grid, board and timeline (Gantt) view. The design is much like different Microsoft merchandise, however I didn’t discover the interface significantly intuitive to make use of, and the sheer variety of options might be overwhelming and make it troublesome to search out what you want. The instrument offers you the choice to get very detailed with useful resource administration, similar to monitoring prices of supplies over the course of a venture or seeing how a lot time a person has spent on a activity.
Smartsheet ranked considerably higher, scoring 4.6/5 for options total. It affords 4 venture views: grid, card (kanban), calendar and Gantt. It’s not probably the most colourful or interesting interface, however it’s simpler to navigate than Microsoft Venture, for my part. You possibly can both begin with a clean sheet or use a template to assist information the method. Conditional formatting guidelines pace up the method even additional, and you may also create automation guidelines to chop down on guide work. Smartsheet does supply a paid add-on for useful resource administration, but it surely’s not as sturdy as Microsoft Venture.
Doc administration
Winner: Tie
You possibly can add paperwork to a web site in Microsoft Venture, however modifying and updating capabilities are restricted as a result of the idea is that you’re already utilizing SharePoint or OneDrive for doc storage and administration. Microsoft Venture additionally doesn’t actually combine with different apps, so you’ll be able to’t use an outdoor platform like Google Docs both. This is among the the reason why Microsoft Venture is greatest utilized by groups which can be already dedicated to the Microsoft ecosystem.
Smartsheet additionally means that you can add recordsdata to a venture, and it hyperlinks to a number of widespread doc administration options, together with Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive. The Enterprise and Enterprise plans additionally supply a proofing function that permits groups to visually mark up content material, together with movies, throughout the Smartsheet instrument to maintain every thing centralized in a single place. If you happen to’re not already utilizing SharePoint or OneDrive, then I’d advocate Smartsheet as the higher alternative for doc administration.
Communication instruments
Winner: Tie
Much like doc administration, Microsoft Venture doesn’t comprise any native options for communication or collaboration. As a substitute, customers will likely be prompted to attach with colleagues utilizing one in all Microsoft’s many different communication instruments, together with Groups, Outlook and Skype. If you happen to aren’t already a part of the Microsoft ecosystem, then you have to to spend money on different software program that may take over this perform — and it gained’t combine with Microsoft Venture.
However, Smartsheet permits groups to have conversations through feedback on sheets and rows: People can tag one another in feedback to ship a notification. Feedback can be accessed through the cell app so you’ll be able to learn and reply on the go. Whereas it doesn’t supply a extra sturdy native chat perform, it does combine with some messaging platforms, similar to Slack, to complement the built-in remark function.
Ease of use
Winner: Smartsheet
Smartsheet ranked considerably higher than Microsoft Venture in terms of ease of use. Smartsheet rated 3.5/5, whereas Microsoft solely obtained 1.8/5, which is basically low! Smartsheet isn’t probably the most intuitive venture administration software program I’ve examined, but it surely was far simpler to determine issues out in comparison with Microsoft Venture because the format is extra logical. It was additionally a lot quicker to create and cargo new initiatives in Smartsheet, and the bigger variety of template choices helped pace up that course of additional.
Buyer help
Winner: Microsoft Venture
However, Microsoft Venture scored a bit higher than Smartsheet on the customer support entrance: Microsoft Venture obtained 4.2/5 and Smartsheet obtained 3.8/5. The rationale for that is that Smartsheet paywalls sure help options (similar to 24/7 cellphone help and a chat bot app) both to the costlier plans or to a paid help add-on that prices an extra price. Microsoft Venture doesn’t cost further for help, although some customers do say that the customer support may very well be improved.
Integrations
Winner: Smartsheet
With regards to integrations, Smartsheet beats Microsoft Venture by a landslide. Not solely does Smartsheet supply 100+ native integrations, it additionally connects to 1000’s of extra platforms via Zapier. In distinction, Microsoft Venture’s native integrations are largely restricted to different Microsoft merchandise, and it doesn’t connect with Zapier (in contrast to another Microsoft merchandise), so there isn’t even a workaround.
Microsoft Venture execs and cons
Microsoft Venture execs
- Very detailed venture planning instruments.
- Integrates effectively with different Microsoft merchandise.
- Many useful resource administration instruments are constructed into the software program.
Microsoft Venture cons
- Very lengthy studying curve as a result of all of the advanced options.
- Lack of integrations for non-Microsoft instruments.
- No native communication instruments.
Smartsheet execs and cons
Smartsheet execs
- Acquainted consumer interface as a result of spreadsheet base.
- Excessive stage of customization obtainable.
- A number of documentation and coaching assets.
Smartsheet cons
- Not as user-friendly and intuitive as different venture administration apps.
- No auto-saving modifications or loading venture updates in actual time.
- Should improve to Marketing strategy for time monitoring and analysis administration.
Ought to your small business use Microsoft Venture or Smartsheet?
Select Microsoft Venture if …
- You want extremely superior venture administration software program.
- Your group is made up of energy customers who aren’t intimidated by the upper studying curve.
- Your organization is already dedicated to the Microsoft ecosystem.
- You don’t want integrations with third-party software program.
- You need or want an on-premises deployment possibility.
Select Smartsheet if …
- You need a cheaper software program platform.
- You’re in search of an improve from spreadsheets and need a familiar-looking interface.
- You need a decrease studying curve than Microsoft Venture.
- You want integrations with third-party software program.
- You don’t want on-premises deployment.
If neither Microsoft Venture nor Smartsheet sounds best for you, don’t fear. There are many different venture administration options on the market, together with some with without end free plans. Take a look at our picks for the high venture administration software program of 2024 to see what your choices are.
Evaluation methodology
To check these venture administration instruments, I signed up without cost trials along with viewing demo movies, consulting venture documentation and studying consumer evaluations. I thought of options similar to activity administration, portfolio administration, doc administration and communication instruments. I additionally weighed different elements similar to ease of use, buyer help, integrations and pricing.
