Smartsheet vs Papaya Global
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.
Papaya Global
Papaya Global is a cloud-based global workforce management and payroll platform that helps companies pay and manage employees in 160+ countries. It automates payroll processing, compliance, and workforce analytics for international teams. Papaya Global is designed for companies scaling globally who need a single platform for all workforce payments.
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
- ✓Covers payroll and compliance in 160+ countries from one platform
- ✓Powerful workforce analytics and real-time reporting
- ✓Strong integrations with major HRIS and ERP systems
- ✓Automated compliance updates for local labor law changes
Cons
- ✗Expensive for small teams or early-stage startups
- ✗Onboarding process can be slow for complex multi-country setups
- ✗Customer support quality varies by region
Smartsheet vs Papaya Global: Side by Side
| Factor | Smartsheet | Papaya Global |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $9/user/mo | $25/employee/mo |
| Best For | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation | Companies managing international payroll and compliance |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Papaya Global Features
- ✓Global payroll
- ✓EOR services
- ✓contractor payments
- ✓compliance
- ✓workforce analytics
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Choose Papaya Global if companies managing international payroll and compliance.
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Best For
Companies managing international payroll and compliance
Also Consider
If neither Smartsheet nor Papaya Global 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 Papaya Global?
Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Papaya Global is best for companies managing international payroll and compliance.
Which is better, Smartsheet or Papaya Global?
Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation. Choose Papaya Global if companies managing international payroll and compliance.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Papaya Global cost?
Papaya Global starts at $25/employee/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Who should use Papaya Global?
Companies managing international payroll and compliance