Smartsheet vs Paylocity

Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a work management platform that combines the familiarity of spreadsheets with powerful project management and collaboration features. It is widely used by enterprise teams for project tracking, resource management, and automated workflows. Smartsheet is particularly popular with teams comfortable with Excel who need more collaboration and automation capabilities.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

Paylocity

Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

Pros

• ✓Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces learning curve for Excel users
• ✓Powerful automation and workflow capabilities
• ✓Strong enterprise security and compliance features
• ✓Excellent for managing large portfolios of projects

Cons

• ✗Pricing is higher than many competitors
• ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern tools
• ✗No free plan — 30-day trial only
• ✗Less intuitive for teams unfamiliar with spreadsheet-style tools

Pros

• ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
• ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
• ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
• ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features

Cons

• ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
• ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
• ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost

Best For

Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation

Best For

Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees