ToolStack

Smartsheet vs Basecamp

Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026-03-30

Our VerdictSmartsheet wins overall

By G2 score and review volume, Smartsheet has the edge. 21,000 reviews at 4.4/5 puts it ahead of Basecamp (4.1/5). That said, the right pick depends on your methodology and team size.

Choose Smartsheet if…

Choose Smartsheet if your team focuses on project tracking and resource management and fits a scaleup, enterprise profile. Starting at $9/user/mo/user/mo with a free tier. Spreadsheet-familiar interface makes adoption easy for teams transitioning from Excel — minimal training needed for basic use

Choose Basecamp if…

Choose Basecamp if your team focuses on team communication and project tracking and fits a startup, scaleup profile. Usage-based pricing — contact for a quote. Flat-rate pricing with unlimited users — dramatically cheaper for large teams compared to per-seat tools like Jira or Asana

Smartsheet
by Smartsheet
4.4
out of 5 · 21k+ G2 reviews
Visit Smartsheet ↗
Basecamp
by Basecamp
4.1
out of 5 · 6k+ G2 reviews
Visit Basecamp ↗

Feature Comparison

FeatureSmartsheetBasecamp
Category
work_management
project_management
G2 Score
4.4 / 5.0Better
4.1 / 5.0
G2 Reviews
21000
5600
Free Tier
Starting Price
$9/user/mo
—
Mobile App
AI Features
API Access
SSO / SAML
SOC 2
Learning Curve
moderate
easy
Platforms
web, mac, windows, ios, android
web, mac, windows, ios, android, linux

Pros & Cons

Smartsheet

Pros
✓ Spreadsheet-familiar interface makes adoption easy for teams transitioning from Excel — minimal training needed for basic use
✓ Extremely powerful Gantt chart and dependency tracking capabilities, ideal for traditional project management and waterfall methodologies
✓ Robust automation engine with conditional logic, approval workflows, and automated notifications that scale across the organization
✓ Strong portfolio-level dashboards and reporting allow PMOs to aggregate data across dozens or hundreds of projects
Cons
✗ Not designed for agile/Scrum teams — lacks native sprint planning, backlog management, and velocity tracking
✗ Pricing can escalate quickly at scale since every collaborator who edits needs a licensed seat
✗ Sheet-based architecture creates data silos — cross-sheet references and formulas become complex and brittle at scale

Basecamp

Pros
✓ Flat-rate pricing with unlimited users — dramatically cheaper for large teams compared to per-seat tools like Jira or Asana
✓ Extremely easy to learn — most teams are productive within hours, not weeks, with an intentionally simple interface
✓ Built-in communication tools (message boards, Campfire chat, automatic check-ins) reduce dependence on Slack or email
✓ Hill Charts provide a unique, intuitive way to track project progress beyond simple percentage completion
Cons
✗ No roadmapping, sprint planning, or backlog management — engineering and product teams requiring agile workflows will need a separate tool
✗ Very limited reporting and analytics — no dashboards, burndown charts, or velocity tracking out of the box
✗ No custom fields or custom workflows — teams with complex processes will find Basecamp too rigid

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your needs. Smartsheet scores 4.4/5 on G2, while Basecamp scores 4.1/5. Smartsheet is better for project_tracking and resource_management, while Basecamp excels at team_communication and project_tracking.
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo per user/month with a free tier. Basecamp starts at N/A per user/month.
Smartsheet supports 150 integrations, while Basecamp supports 75.
Full Smartsheet Review →Full Basecamp Review →
Data verified 2026-03-30. Some links may be affiliate links — see disclosure.