Workday Recruiting vs Smartsheet
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Workday Recruiting
Workday Recruiting is an enterprise-grade applicant tracking system built into the broader Workday HCM suite. It offers end-to-end recruiting from sourcing to offer management within a unified platform.
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
- ✓Seamlessly integrated with Workday HR and Payroll
- ✓Strong reporting and analytics
- ✓Excellent for large enterprises
- ✓Unified candidate and employee data
- ✓Configurable workflows
Cons
- ✗Very expensive for small businesses
- ✗Complex implementation process
- ✗Requires dedicated admin
- ✗Overkill for teams under 500 employees
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
Workday Recruiting vs Smartsheet: Side by Side
| Factor | Workday Recruiting | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $9/user/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data | Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Workday Recruiting Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓interview management
- ✓candidate sourcing
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance
Smartsheet Features
- ✓Spreadsheet-style project management
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓automation
- ✓dashboards
- ✓resource management
- ✓forms
- ✓integrations
- ✓reporting
- ✓enterprise security
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Best For
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Best For
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation
Also Consider
If neither Workday Recruiting nor Smartsheet is the right fit, Manatal is worth evaluating.
Manatal
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
From $15/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Workday Recruiting and Smartsheet?
Workday Recruiting is best for large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data. Smartsheet is best for enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
Which is better, Workday Recruiting or Smartsheet?
Choose Workday Recruiting if large enterprises already using workday hcm wanting unified recruiting and hr data. Choose Smartsheet if enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation.
How much does Workday Recruiting cost?
Visit Workday Recruiting website for current pricing.
How much does Smartsheet cost?
Smartsheet starts at $9/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Workday Recruiting?
Large enterprises already using Workday HCM wanting unified recruiting and HR data
Who should use Smartsheet?
Enterprise teams wanting spreadsheet-familiar project management with powerful automation