Melio vs Smartsheet
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Melio
Melio is a business bill payment platform that simplifies accounts payable for small businesses. It lets you pay any vendor by bank transfer or card, even if they only accept checks, and syncs with QuickBooks and Xero.
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
- ✓Free to use for bank transfers
- ✓Pay vendors who only accept checks
- ✓Seamless QuickBooks and Xero sync
- ✓Good for managing AP workflows
- ✓Fast setup
Cons
- ✗Focused only on accounts payable, not full accounting
- ✗Card payments carry a fee
- ✗Limited reporting
- ✗Not a replacement for full accounting software
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
Melio vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | Melio | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Melio Features
- ✓Bill payments
- ✓invoicing
- ✓payment scheduling
- ✓vendor management
- ✓bank sync
- ✓approval workflows
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Melio if small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
Small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Also Consider
If neither Melio nor Smartsheet is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Melio and Smartsheet?
Melio is best for small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, Melio or Smartsheet?
Choose Melio if small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does Melio cost?
Visit Melio website for current pricing.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Melio?
Small businesses wanting a simple free tool to manage bill payments and accounts payable alongside their existing accounting software
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation