BambooHR vs Smartsheet
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
BambooHR
BambooHR is an HR software platform focused on employee data management, onboarding, and performance tracking. It is widely used by small to mid-size companies for its intuitive interface and strong reporting tools. BambooHR excels at centralizing employee records and streamlining HR workflows.
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
- ✓Clean, intuitive interface that HR teams love
- ✓Excellent onboarding tools with e-signatures and task management
- ✓Strong analytics and customizable reporting
- ✓Good mobile app for employees and managers
Cons
- ✗Payroll is a US-only add-on that costs extra
- ✗Limited functionality for international teams
- ✗Performance management module is basic compared to dedicated tools
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
BambooHR vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | BambooHR | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $6/employee/mo | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Small to mid-size US businesses focused on HR | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
BambooHR Features
- ✓Employee records
- ✓PTO tracking
- ✓onboarding
- ✓performance reviews
- ✓reporting
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose BambooHR if small to mid-size us businesses focused on hr. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
Small to mid-size US businesses focused on HR
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Also Consider
If neither BambooHR 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 BambooHR and Smartsheet?
BambooHR is best for small to mid-size us businesses focused on hr. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, BambooHR or Smartsheet?
Choose BambooHR if small to mid-size us businesses focused on hr. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does BambooHR cost?
BambooHR starts at $6/employee/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use BambooHR?
Small to mid-size US businesses focused on HR
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation