Comparison · 5 shared capabilities
Microsoft 365 vs Smartsheet
They overlap on 5 things. Microsoft 365 has a higher editorial fit rating for 1 of them, Smartsheet at 1, and they have the same fit rating on 3. If you pay for both, check whether you use the parts that don't overlap.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft's business suite of Office apps, email and file collaboration, with eligible Copilot Chat access; Teams depends on the selected subscription.
Verified plan: $7/seat/mo Verified
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, board and calendar views, automations and reports, priced per member.
Verified plan: $9/seat/mo Verified
Capability by capability
| Capability | Microsoft 365 | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Automate simple app-to-app workflows | PartialPremium connectors and advanced flows need separate Power Automate licences | Partial250 automations per month on Pro |
| Build dashboards from spreadsheets and data | PartialPower BI is sold separately | PartialPortfolio-level views need Enterprise |
| Collect information with forms and surveys | StrongLimited branding and advanced survey logic | PartialIntake forms, not a full survey tool |
| Manage projects and tasks | PartialBasic compared with dedicated project management tools | Core featurePro is capped at 10 members |
| Store structured data in a shared database or spreadsheet | StrongLists is simpler than Airtable for relational data | StrongBuilt for work tracking rather than general-purpose analysis |
| Write documents and notes | Core featureBusiness Basic has web and mobile apps only | — |
| Analyse data and spreadsheets | StrongDesktop Excel (best for analysis) needs Business Standard or above | — |
| Create presentation decks | Core featureFull desktop PowerPoint needs Business Standard or above | — |
| Hold video meetings | Core featureNot included in 'no Teams' versions or Apps for business | — |
| Transcribe and summarise meetings | PartialTeams intelligent recap requires Teams Premium or a Microsoft 365 Copilot license in addition to an eligible Teams license; some recap features require Microsoft 365 Copilot specifically | — |
| General-purpose AI assistant | StrongBaseline grounding includes supplied content and supported app context; eligible Outlook access adds bounded organizational content. Broader access to organizational data requires an appropriate Microsoft 365 Copilot license | — |
| Write marketing and business copy | PartialIn-app access depends on the account, client and tenant; verify the available drafting experience before removing another writing tool | — |
| Proofread and improve writing | PartialOnly inside Microsoft apps | — |
| Run an internal knowledge base / wiki | PartialSharePoint is powerful but hard for non-experts to structure well | — |
| Ask questions across company documents | PartialBroader access to organizational data requires an appropriate Microsoft 365 Copilot license; supported baseline experiences can use a narrower set of organizational content | — |
| Build internal tools and lightweight apps | PartialPremium connectors need separate Power Apps licences | — |
| Edit videos | PartialSimple edits only | — |
Pick Microsoft 365 if…
- You prioritise Store structured data in a shared database or spreadsheet: reliability is rated 5/5 versus 4/5 in our editorial scores.
- You prioritise Collect information with forms and surveys: ease is rated 5/5 versus 4/5, reliability is rated 5/5 versus 4/5 in our editorial scores.
- You prioritise Manage projects and tasks: ease is rated 4/5 versus 3/5 in our editorial scores.
Pick Smartsheet if…
- You prioritise Automate simple app-to-app workflows: ease is rated 4/5 versus 3/5 in our editorial scores.
Related
Fit levels are editorial judgements based on each product's documented features. See each tool page for sources and verification dates.