Microsoft Project Server vs Smartsheet comparison

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Microsoft Project Server

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 3, 2026

Microsoft Project Server and Smartsheet compete in the project management software category. Microsoft Project Server appears to have the upper hand due to its robust enterprise features, while Smartsheet stands out for its ease of use and collaboration.

Features: Microsoft Project Server offers detailed scheduling, resource allocation, and integration with Microsoft tools, making it suitable for comprehensive project oversight. Its SharePoint integration enhances collaboration, and it allows significant customization for enterprise needs. Smartsheet provides intuitive interfaces, Excel-like formulas, and dashboards. It focuses on user-friendly and flexible collaboration tools, which are beneficial for small to medium-sized teams.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Project Server needs better collaboration tools, simpler UI, and wider integration with tools like Teams. Its reporting features are seen as complex, and the cost is considered high. Smartsheet could improve real-time collaboration, strengthen API integrations, and enhance reporting functions. Its lack of advanced scheduling automation and potential infrastructure cost are noted areas for improvement.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Project Server supports on-premises, hybrid, and cloud deployments but requires technical setup and complex integration, affecting its customer support perception. Smartsheet, with its cloud-based nature, allows for straightforward deployment and user-friendly support, though users face issues with the consistency of their customer service.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Project Server has a high-cost and complex licensing model, requiring significant initial investment but offering meaningful ROI via its advanced features. Smartsheet competes with flexible pricing, including free versions, providing good value, particularly for smaller teams or projects, leading to quicker cost savings and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Project Server vs. Smartsheet Report (Updated: June 2026).

Microsoft Project Server vs. Smartsheet

June 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

5.1

Microsoft Project Server offers positive ROI, varying by organization type, with benefits of time savings and improved reporting.

Sentiment score

6.9

Smartsheet enhances productivity and collaboration, automates processes, manages timelines, and is cost-effective compared to Microsoft Project alternatives.

Microsoft Project provides significant return on investment through time savings, enhanced visibility, real-time reporting, and risk mitigation for projects.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Project Manager at Digital Research Alliance of Canada

Compared to Microsoft Project, which is more expensive, we save costs using Smartsheet.

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Project Manager at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

Customer Service

Sentiment score

4.4

Microsoft Project Server support is decent but inconsistent; users rely on external resources and partners for comprehensive assistance.

Sentiment score

6.8

Smartsheet's customer service feedback is mixed, with praise for responsiveness and resources but concerns over response delays and ticket management.

Their support tends to decline when not supporting cloud solutions.

Managing Director at Knights Innovation Support Centre

It's challenging to navigate, often making it necessary to search for solutions externally.

Project Manager at Digital Research Alliance of Canada

Help forums and online resources like YouTube are helpful.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Project Manager at Marvell Technology Group

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.5

Microsoft Project Server is scalable for large projects, though performance may vary based on version and infrastructure costs.

Sentiment score

7.4

Smartsheet is praised for scalability, integration features, and cost-effectiveness, with some concerns over task tracking in larger projects.

Microsoft Project Server is fully scalable and is widely used in many industries.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Project Manager at Marvell Technology Group

The desktop version does not have scalability.

Yasser_Anter

Independent Business Consultant at Freelance

Smartsheet is pretty flexible and scalable.

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Project Manager at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.1

Microsoft Project Server is stable and robust, with minor delays, improved in newer versions, especially the cloud version.

Sentiment score

7.9

Users find Smartsheet stable, with minor issues, high reliability ratings, and minimal disruptions enhancing overall satisfaction.

I have never had to reach out to their support because the product works as expected.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Project Manager at Digital Research Alliance of Canada

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Project Server requires better integration, customization, user-friendliness, cloud functionality, and agile methodologies to compete with alternatives.

Users want better data management, UI, integration, security, support, and Excel-like features in Smartsheet.

Exporting data from Microsoft Project, especially Gantt charts, is overly complex and not user-friendly.

Project Manager at Digital Research Alliance of Canada

The lack of collaboration capabilities on the desktop version, unlike the cloud version, is a limitation.

Yasser_Anter

Independent Business Consultant at Freelance

Microsoft has become increasingly expensive, and there seems to be a push towards cloud solutions which can be challenging for some.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Managing Director at Knights Innovation Support Centre

I have a novice understanding of Smartsheet, so I sought a solution more suited to repeatable projects and process-oriented governance.

reviewer2678097

Strategic Programs Vice President, Project Management Office at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Setup Cost

Microsoft Project Server offers flexible pricing, with on-premise and cloud options, potentially costing enterprises $120,000 to $150,000 annually.

Smartsheet pricing is user-based, varies by plan, and advanced features can increase costs compared to competitors like Microsoft Project.

Microsoft Project Server is on the expensive side due to high licensing costs.

Project Manager at Marvell Technology Group

Microsoft's products are expensive for individuals.

Yasser_Anter

Independent Business Consultant at Freelance

Considering the infrastructure commitments to SharePoint and SQL, the implementation costs are low if already set up.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Managing Director at Knights Innovation Support Centre

Licensing might be cheaper per user.

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Project Manager at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

Valuable Features

Microsoft Project Server streamlines complex project management with resource allocation, integration, and robust tools for efficient collaboration and scheduling.

Smartsheet offers real-time collaboration, customizable dashboards, automation, and integration, making it ideal for efficient project management.

This setup allows for comprehensive reporting and management across multiple projects and portfolios.

Managing Director at Knights Innovation Support Centre

The dashboards are amazing for data crunching and provide a project focus with upcoming predictions, including burn-up and burn-down charts.

Project Manager at Marvell Technology Group

The Gantt chart is also a very powerful tool for a visual presentation of sequences, critical paths, and execution processes, which simplifies comprehension for users.

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Project Server report

Project Manager at Digital Research Alliance of Canada

Automation helps by simplifying some manual work, saving time and facilitating communication.

For more quotes and insights, download the Smartsheet report

Project Manager at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

We were looking for a tool that allowed for repeatable projects and process-oriented governance.

reviewer2678097

Strategic Programs Vice President, Project Management Office at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees

What I appreciate best about Smartsheet is the straight Gantt chart and its flexibility.

StevenThompson

Solution Architect at Think People

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Project Server

Ranking in Project Portfolio Management

5th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Smartsheet

Ranking in Project Portfolio Management

7th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Project Management Software (9th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the Project Portfolio Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Project Server is 5.0%, down from 6.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Smartsheet is 4.8%, down from 8.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Project Portfolio Management Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Project Server	5.0%
Smartsheet	4.8%
Other	90.2%

Project Portfolio Management

Featured Reviews

JorgeValenzuela

Owner at CPSTECH

Collaborative task management simplifies office work, but agile methodology features need enhancement

In order to improve Microsoft Project Server, collaborative features could be enhanced, as it is possible to improve it in a collaborative way similar to other office products, for example, using cloud drives like OneDrive. Another feature is Kanban or other features such as Scrum with agile methodologies. Microsoft Project Server is limited and falls short in using agile methodologies, which is the most important issue to improve. Microsoft Project Server is a good product; it is possible to improve regarding enabling agile features because the teams in my work are using Trello and Jira products due to the blackboards, Kanban, and Scrum. To do activities and stopping activities is more comfortable and easier to use, making it more practical in my teamwork. These features do not exist in Microsoft Project Server.

Read full review

Automation simplifies manual tasks and facilitates team communication

Project Manager at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

There are many useful features in Smartsheet. One can easily share plans with the entire team, and it functions similarly to Microsoft Project. Creating dependencies across all tasks is smooth, and team members can make adjustments if necessary. Automation helps by simplifying some manual work, saving time and facilitating communication.

Read full review

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Project Portfolio Management solutions are best for your needs.

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900,644 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Marketing Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	25
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	33

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	22

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Project Server?

The pricing for Microsoft Project Server is standard, around $200-$250, but I think it's actually $80 to $100 per year. The pricing for Microsoft Project Server is relative; I would say it is cheap.

What needs improvement with Microsoft Project Server?

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Project Server?

Today, the use cases for Microsoft Project Server are for office tasks, such as writing in Word processors, worksheets in Excel, Word processors with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft ...

Has anyone moved from Microsoft Project to Smartsheet? How has your experience been with Smartsheet?

Hi @Eire Zimmermann, I helped an organization evaluate both MS-Project and Smartsheet when they were conducting their PM tool RFP. The short of it is this, MS Project is not caught up with the mo...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Smartsheet?

Licensing might be cheaper per user. I rate it as seven or eight due to its demanding nature. For personal use, I have a monthly subscription, while the company uses an annual basis.

What needs improvement with Smartsheet?

Currently, I feel that Smartsheet fulfills all my needs. However, I need to investigate more about the product to identify specific areas for improvement.

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Product Reports

Download Microsoft Project Server product report

Microsoft Project Server

June 2026

Download Smartsheet product report

May 2026

Also Known As

MS Project Server

No data available

Overview

Microsoft Project Server streamlines project management with features like resource allocation, project scheduling, and SharePoint integration. It's valued for its intuitive interface and ability to provide comprehensive insights through advanced reporting and dashboards.

Designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency, Microsoft Project Server supports complex task management by integrating seamlessly with SharePoint. It offers tools like Gantt charts and timeline management for effective tracking. Users benefit from Excel and Power BI compatibility, enhancing analytical capabilities. Despite its powerful functionalities, users identify areas for improvement in tool integration, resource management, and collaboration features. There are calls for a modernized interface and more flexible pricing. While the cloud version boasts continuous updates, the on-premises model lags behind.

What are the main features of Microsoft Project Server?

Resource Allocation: Optimizes workload across projects.
Project Scheduling: Helps plan timelines effectively.
SharePoint Integration: Facilitates collaboration.
Gantt Charts: Visual timeline for task tracking.
Power BI Integration: Advanced data analytics capabilities.

What benefits should you look for in Microsoft Project Server reviews?

Intuitive Interface: Easy to navigate and learn.
Scalability: Adjusts to growing project demands.
Customization: Tailors to specific project needs.
Detailed Insights: Comprehensive project overviews.

Microsoft Project Server finds its application across industries by providing tools for planning IT infrastructure and managing enterprise-level projects. It helps organizations document projects and manage portfolios, enabling clear visibility into performance through milestones and KPIs.

Microsoft

Smartsheet offers a comprehensive platform for project management, featuring real-time sharing, cloud accessibility, and a user-friendly interface, which enhance workflow efficiency and project tracking capabilities.

Smartsheet stands out in the realm of project management by integrating robust tools like Gantt chart creation and seamless compatibility with products like Jira and Microsoft Teams. Its dashboards, intuitive design, and flexible customization options support efficient collaboration and centralized management. Enhancements such as real-time change visibility without refreshing, advanced automation capabilities, and improved integration with APIs address user needs. Sectors spanning from strategic initiatives to operational tasks benefit from this customizable, cloud-based platform.

What are the key features of Smartsheet?

Real-Time Sharing: Facilitates immediate collaboration across teams.
Cloud Accessibility: Work from anywhere with cloud-based tools.
User-Friendliness: Simplified project management through an intuitive interface.
Gantt Chart Creation: Offers dynamic timelines for project tracking.
Integrations: Seamless connectivity with Jira, Microsoft Teams, and more.

What benefits or ROI does Smartsheet provide?

Enhanced Efficiency: Streamline workflows for quicker project completion.
Improved Collaboration: Centralized tools support teamwork and communication.
Project Tracking: Real-time updates keep projects on schedule.
Customizable Solutions: Adaptable to meet diverse management needs.

In specific industries, Smartsheet is leveraged for creating project plans, managing tasks, and compiling statistics. Teams use dashboards for data visualization to monitor multiple projects efficiently. The platform supports resource management, approvals, and collaboration, integrating features like automation and data export for comprehensive project oversight.

Sample Customers

Magnachip, Gwinnett County Schools, CLEAResult, Medbit Oy, Intelbras S.A., ETS, CORE Construction, Keller Foundations

Sony Music, ESPN, Hilton, Unisource, Colliers, Extreme Networks, Groupon, Netflix