ADP Workforce Now vs Smartsheet
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform trusted by over 900,000 businesses worldwide. It covers payroll, benefits, talent management, time tracking, and compliance in one integrated suite. ADP is the industry standard for mid to large businesses that need enterprise-grade reliability.
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.
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading reliability and compliance expertise
- ✓Extensive integration ecosystem with 300+ third-party apps
- ✓Strong reporting and workforce analytics
- ✓Dedicated support and implementation resources
Cons
- ✗Expensive compared to modern cloud-native alternatives
- ✗User interface is complex and can require significant training
- ✗Long-term contracts with early termination fees
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
ADP Workforce Now vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | ADP Workforce Now | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $62/mo | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
ADP Workforce Now Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓HR
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent
- ✓time
- ✓analytics
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Also Consider
If neither ADP Workforce Now nor Smartsheet is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ADP Workforce Now and Smartsheet?
ADP Workforce Now is best for mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, ADP Workforce Now or Smartsheet?
Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does ADP Workforce Now cost?
ADP Workforce Now starts at $62/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use ADP Workforce Now?
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation