Smartsheet vs. Workfront: Comparison & Expert Reviews For 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview
Why Trust Us
Pricing Comparison
Features
Integrations
Security
Ease of Use
Pros & Cons
Best Use Cases
Differences
Similarities

Smartsheet offers a flexible work management platform to help you manage projects with ease, while Adobe Workfront provides a solution tailored for enterprise-level project management. While both tools are designed to enhance your workflow, Smartsheet stands out with its user-friendly interface, whereas Workfront offers a comprehensive set of features tailored for larger teams.

In this article, we'll compare the tools and their features, pros and cons, pricing, and more, to help you decide which project management software best suits your needs.

Smartsheet vs. Adobe Workfront: An Overview

Why You Can Trust Us

Smartsheet vs. Adobe Workfront Pricing Comparison

	Smartsheet	Adobe Workfront
Free Trial	30-day free trial	Free demo available
Pricing	From $9/user/month (billed annually)	Pricing upon request

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Smartsheet vs. Workfront Pricing & Hidden Costs

Smartsheet pricing follows a tiered subscription model, which may include additional costs for premium features and integrations. For small businesses, this model can provide flexibility by allowing access to essential features without paying for enterprise-level services.

In contrast, Workfront pricing is customized based on your organization's specific needs, with potential additional charges for advanced capabilities and support.

To select the tool with the right pricing for your projects, evaluate the features you truly need and consider the scalability of each option to ensure you’re not paying for unnecessary extras.

Smartsheet vs. Adobe Workfront Feature Comparison

Smartsheet allows you to attach files directly to sheets, rows, or comments, which makes it invaluable for project managers handling extensive documentation. It also supports Gantt charts to help visualize timelines, dependencies, and progress. This is especially beneficial for managing complex project schedules and understanding how task changes impact overall delivery.

Meanwhile, Workfront’s resource management features enable visualization of team allocations and workloads, which is beneficial for enterprises needing to optimize resource use across large teams. Workfront also includes real-time dashboards that display performance metrics, resource allocation, and task status to enable better decision-making during project planning.

Both platforms support collaboration tools that allow team members to comment, update, and tag each other, ensuring everyone stays informed. These features improve communication and simplify how a team works together, whether they’re in the same office or spread across time zones.

	Smartsheet	Adobe Workfront
API
Budgeting
Calendar Management
Contact Management
Dashboards
Dependency Tracking
Document Sharing
Expense Tracking
External Integrations
File Sharing
Gantt Charts
Kanban Boards
Project Management
Resource Management
Task Scheduling/Tracking
Time Management
Workflow Management

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Smartsheet vs. Workfront Integrations

Integration	Smartsheet	Workfront
Microsoft Teams	✅	✅
Slack	✅	✅
Google Workspace	✅	✅
Salesforce	✅	✅
Jira	✅	✅
Microsoft Power BI	✅	❌
Tableau	✅	❌
Adobe Creative Cloud	✅	✅
Microsoft SharePoint	❌	✅
HubSpot	✅	❌
API	✅	✅
Zapier	✅	✅

Both Smartsheet and Workfront offer a wide range of integration options. Smartsheet’s integration with Microsoft Teams enables real-time updates and notifications that enhance communication, especially in remote or hybrid settings. Meanwhile, Workfront’s compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud supports creative collaboration and asset reviews directly within the platform.

Smartsheet vs. Workfront Security, Compliance & Reliability

Factor	Smartsheet	Workfront
Data Encryption	Smartsheet uses AES-256 encryption to protect data both at rest and in transit.	Workfront also employs AES-256 encryption to ensure data security across its platform.
Regulatory Compliance	Smartsheet complies with standards like GDPR and offers HIPAA-ready plans.	Workfront meets industry standards like ISO 27001 and is GDPR compliant.
Access Controls	Smartsheet provides role-based access controls to manage user permissions effectively.	Workfront offers customizable role-based permissions for detailed access control.
Uptime Reliability	Smartsheet guarantees 99.9% uptime to ensure consistent access to your projects.	Workfront provides a similar 99.9% uptime guarantee for reliable service.

Security and compliance are essential components of any project management platform. Smartsheet and Workfront both offer strong security and compliance features, including enterprise-grade access controls, encrypted environments, and audit logs, but their specific certifications and controls may appeal to different organizational needs.

To evaluate these tools, examine your team's specific compliance requirements and potential security risks, focusing on how each platform's certifications and access controls align with your organizational policies.

Smartsheet vs. Workfront Ease of Use

Factor	Smartsheet	Workfront
User Interface	Smartsheet offers a clean, spreadsheet-like interface that's intuitive for new users.	Workfront's interface is feature-rich but can appear cluttered, requiring a learning curve.
Onboarding Experience	Smartsheet provides step-by-step guides and templates to simplify onboarding.	Workfront offers a knowledge base and comprehensive training sessions, which are thorough but can be time consuming.
Setup Process	Smartsheet has a straightforward setup with drag-and-drop functionality for quick project creation.	Workfront's setup involves more configuration due to its extensive customization options.
Customer Support	Smartsheet offers responsive chat and email support to assist with usability issues.	Workfront provides dedicated account managers for personalized support and guidance.

Smartsheet is easier to navigate due to its spreadsheet-based formatting, which aligns well with how many users already manage projects in Excel. This simplicity allows team members to onboard quickly and contribute meaningfully with little ramp-up time.

Workfront’s learning curve is balanced by its depth, which makes it ideal for teams that require configurable notifications, role-based workflows, and detailed time tracking. While setup is more involved, it supports a more mature project environment.

Smartsheet vs Adobe Workfront: Pros & Cons

Best Use Cases for Smartsheet and Adobe Workfront

Smartsheet

Marketing Teams You can manage campaign timelines, creative approvals, and content calendars in one place using built-in forms, reminders, and dashboards.
Construction Projects Smartsheet is great for tracking tasks, permits, and inspections across vendors and crews using Gantt charts and status columns.
PMO Departments You get a clear portfolio view of all your projects, timelines, and risks with built-in reports and resource views.
Healthcare Operations Smartsheet helps you track compliance tasks, training, and onboarding with audit-ready logs and approval workflows.
IT Teams Smartsheet is useful for managing system rollouts, support requests, and change logs with forms, automations, and sheet linking.
Mid-Sized Companies You get just enough structure to scale your operations without needing a full custom solution or enterprise buildout.

Adobe Workfront

Creative Agencies Your agency can manage multiple client projects efficiently with Adobe Workfront’s workflow customization and integrated communication tools.
Marketing Teams Your team can track campaign progress and collaborate effectively using Adobe Workfront’s reporting and task management features.
IT Departments If you’re handling complex IT projects, Adobe Workfront’s detailed tracking and resource management capabilities will keep your projects on track.
Product Development Your product team can benefit from Adobe Workfront’s ability to manage timelines and resources across various stages of development.
Large Enterprises For your large organization, Adobe Workfront can handle diverse project needs with its customizable workflows and strong reporting tools.
Project Managers If you’re overseeing complex projects, Adobe Workfront’s comprehensive feature set will support your project planning and execution efforts.

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Who Should Use Smartsheet, and Who Should Use Workfront?

Smartsheet is well-suited for small to mid-sized teams looking for a straightforward platform that's easy to pick up, particularly in industries like construction or education. Its real-time collaboration tools, visual dashboards, and Gantt charts provide enough depth for effective planning without overwhelming new users.

Workfront is ideal for large enterprises or creative agencies that need solid project management with extensive customization and integration capabilities. Its strength lies in managing complex workflows, task dependencies, and resource allocation across distributed team members.

If your team values simplicity and quick onboarding, Smartsheet is the way to go. If you need advanced features and are willing to invest time in setup, Workfront is your best bet.

Differences Between Smartsheet and Adobe Workfront

	Smartsheet	Adobe Workfront
Automation	Smartsheet lets you automate repetitive tasks with simple rules.	Workfront provides advanced automation for complex workflows and processes.
Integrations	Smartsheet integrates easily with Microsoft Office and Google Drive.	Workfront integrates deeply with Adobe Creative Cloud.
Onboarding	Smartsheet offers quick onboarding with templates and guides.	Workfront requires more in-depth training due to its extensive customization.
Pricing	Smartsheet uses a tiered subscription model with optional add-ons.	Workfront offers customized pricing based on enterprise needs and features.
User Interface	Smartsheet has a simple, spreadsheet-like interface that's easy for new users.	Workfront's interface is feature-rich but can be overwhelming at first glance.
	Visit SmartsheetOpens new window	Visit Adobe WorkfrontOpens new window

Similarities Between Smartsheet and Adobe Workfront

Cloud-Access	Both solutions are cloud-based, enabling you to access your projects and data from anywhere with an internet connection.
Collaboration	Each tool facilitates team collaboration, with Smartsheet providing shared sheets and Workfront offering collaborative workspaces.
Reporting	Both platforms provide powerful reporting tools that allow you to customize reports to gain insights into your projects and team performance.
Security	Smartsheet and Workfront both prioritize security with data encryption and compliance with industry standards like GDPR.
Task Management	Both Smartsheet and Workfront offer strong task management features that let you assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress efficiently.
Visit SmartsheetOpens new window Visit Adobe WorkfrontOpens new window

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