Smartsheet is a powerful work management and collaboration platform that blends spreadsheets with project management tools. However, it can be expensive and complex for small teams or freelancers. If you’re looking for free tools that offer similar functionality—like task lists, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and real-time collaboration—these Smartsheet alternatives will help you stay organized and productive without the cost.
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1. Trello
Trello is a popular project management tool that uses a Kanban board layout to help you visualize workflows. It supports task cards, checklists, deadlines, and team assignments. The free plan includes unlimited boards and users with basic automation.
Best for: Teams that prefer visual task tracking and simple project flows.
2. ClickUp (Free Plan)
ClickUp offers an incredibly feature-rich free plan with unlimited tasks and members. It includes task lists, timelines, Gantt charts, calendars, and goal tracking. You can also switch between views like board, list, and calendar—just like Smartsheet.
Best for: Teams and individuals needing an all-in-one task and project hub.
3. Asana (Free for Small Teams)
Asana provides project and task management with timeline view, due dates, and collaboration tools. The free version supports up to 15 users, and includes list view, board view, calendar, and task dependencies.
Best for: Small teams that need structured workflows and tracking.
4. Airtable (Free Plan)
Airtable combines the power of a spreadsheet with database features. You can create tables, link records, and switch views (grid, Kanban, calendar, gallery). The free plan includes 1,000 records per base and unlimited bases.
Best for: Users who love spreadsheets but need more powerful data organization.
5. Notion
Notion is a flexible workspace that combines notes, wikis, databases, and project management tools. You can create customizable tables, task boards, calendars, and more—all for free.
It supports real-time collaboration, templates, and third-party integrations.
Best for: Freelancers and teams who want flexibility in how they organize work.
6. Wrike (Free Plan)
Wrike offers a streamlined free plan for teams with task management, real-time activity stream, and file sharing. It includes board and table views, great for users who prefer Smartsheet-style interfaces.
Best for: Teams looking for lightweight Smartsheet functionality with scalability.
7. ProjectLibre (Open Source)
ProjectLibre is a free, open-source desktop project management tool similar to Microsoft Project. It includes Gantt charts, task dependencies, and resource management—perfect for traditional project managers.
Best for: Desktop users and those needing offline project planning tools.
8. Bitrix24 (Free Plan)
Bitrix24 offers a suite of business tools, including project management, CRM, team communication, and file sharing. The free plan includes up to 5GB of cloud storage and Kanban, Gantt, and time tracking.
Best for: Teams that want project tools combined with business collaboration.
9. Zenkit (Free Plan)
Zenkit lets you manage tasks with Kanban, Gantt, calendar, and spreadsheet-style views. It includes collaboration features and custom fields. The free version offers up to 3 users and 500MB storage.
Best for: Solo users or small teams seeking customizable views.
10. TeamGantt (Free for Limited Projects)
TeamGantt offers a dedicated Gantt chart tool for managing project timelines. The free version supports 1 project and up to 3 users, with drag-and-drop scheduling and task dependencies.
Best for: Visual project planners focused on Gantt timelines.
Choosing the Best Free Smartsheet Alternative
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Prefer spreadsheet-style views? → Try Airtable, Wrike, or Zenkit
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Need Gantt charts and timelines? → Go with ClickUp, TeamGantt, or ProjectLibre
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Want visual boards and ease of use? → Use Trello or Asana
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Looking for an all-in-one flexible tool? → Choose Notion or Bitrix24
