Smartsheet vs Ceridian Dayforce
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
Ceridian Dayforce
Ceridian Dayforce is an enterprise HCM platform with real-time payroll processing at its core. Unlike batch-processing payroll systems, Dayforce calculates pay continuously as data changes throughout the pay period.
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
Pros
- ✓Real-time continuous payroll calculation
- ✓Strong compliance engine
- ✓Excellent for complex pay rules
- ✓Good workforce management integration
- ✓Trusted by large enterprises
Cons
- ✗Expensive enterprise pricing
- ✗Complex implementation
- ✗Requires dedicated HR admin
- ✗Overkill for smaller organizations
Smartsheet vs Ceridian Dayforce: Side by Side
| Factor | Smartsheet | Ceridian Dayforce |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $9/user/mo | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation | Large enterprises needing real-time payroll processing with complex compliance and workforce management needs |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Ceridian Dayforce Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓time and attendance
- ✓workforce management
- ✓compliance tools
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Choose Ceridian Dayforce if large enterprises needing real-time payroll processing with complex compliance and workforce management needs.
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Best For
Large enterprises needing real-time payroll processing with complex compliance and workforce management needs
Also Consider
If neither Smartsheet nor Ceridian Dayforce is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Smartsheet and Ceridian Dayforce?
Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Ceridian Dayforce is best for large enterprises needing real-time payroll processing with complex compliance and workforce management needs.
Which is better, Smartsheet or Ceridian Dayforce?
Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Choose Ceridian Dayforce if large enterprises needing real-time payroll processing with complex compliance and workforce management needs.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Ceridian Dayforce cost?
Visit Ceridian Dayforce website for current pricing.
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Who should use Ceridian Dayforce?
Large enterprises needing real-time payroll processing with complex compliance and workforce management needs