Deel vs Smartsheet
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Deel is our recommended pick for most teams — companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors.
Try Deel →Read our full Deel review →Deel
Deel is a global payroll and contractor management platform that enables companies to hire anyone, anywhere. It handles compliance, local contracts, tax forms, and payments in 150+ countries. Deel is the go-to solution for companies building international teams without setting up local entities.
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
- ✓Hire and pay employees or contractors in 150+ countries compliantly
- ✓Fast onboarding — new hires can be set up in minutes
- ✓Handles local tax forms, contracts, and compliance automatically
- ✓Equity management tools for global teams
Cons
- ✗Expensive for large teams with many international employees
- ✗HR features beyond payroll and compliance are limited
- ✗Customer support response times can vary by region
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
Deel vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | Deel | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $49/contractor/mo | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Deel Features
- ✓International payroll
- ✓contractor payments
- ✓compliance
- ✓equity management
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Deel
PaidStarts at $49/contractor/mo
Contractors: $49/contractor/mo · EOR: $599/employee/mo · Global Payroll: custom
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Deel
- →Companies hiring international contractors
- →Startups building remote-first global teams
- →Businesses expanding into new countries without local entities
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Deel is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies hiring only domestic US employees
- ✗Small businesses with simple payroll needs
- ✗Teams that only need basic HR without global compliance
Integrations
Deel
QuickBooks, Xero, BambooHR, Workday, Slack, Greenhouse, Lever, NetSuite, Rippling
Our Take
Choose Deel if companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
Companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Also Consider
If neither Deel 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 Deel and Smartsheet?
Deel is best for companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, Deel or Smartsheet?
Choose Deel if companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does Deel cost?
Deel starts at $49/contractor/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Deel?
Companies hiring internationally or managing global contractors
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation