Two strong scheduling tools, one architectural fork
Onplana vs Smartsheet
Both ship enterprise Gantt with critical path. The differences are around AI architecture, native .mpp import, and free-tier access.
Smartsheet is the right call for spreadsheet-fluent teams that want to model project work in rows-and-columns, it's the strongest in market for that posture. Onplana is the right call when you need native .mpp import (Smartsheet only accepts the XML export, requiring a Project Desktop intermediate), dual-provider AI bundled into the seat price, or a free starting tier. On core scheduling primitives (Gantt, all four dependency types, baselines, critical path) both are at parity.
Feature-by-feature comparison
11 dimensions. Where they're at parity, we say so.
| Feature | Smartsheet Spreadsheet-native PM | Onplana AI-native PM with .mpp |
|---|---|---|
| Native .mpp import | Microsoft Project XML only (no .mpp) | Direct .mpp + MSPDI XML + OData feed |
| Desktop app that opens .mpp files | Not offered | Onplana Schedule: free Windows and Mac app, opens, edits and reschedules, saves back to Project XML |
| AI billing model | Smartsheet AI as paid add-on | Bundled into every plan, Free included |
| AI provider transparency | Single Microsoft-stack provider | Claude (Anthropic) + Azure OpenAI, both disclosed |
| Stage-gate governance | Configurable via Control Center (Premium) | 12-stage pipeline + multi-reviewer gates + audit |
| Free tier | Limited free trial only | ✓ Free plan with full Gantt + critical path |
| Critical path on Gantt | ✓ Native (Project Plan template) | ✓ Native, all plans |
| Dependency types | FS, SS, FF, SF | FS, SS, FF, SF + lag/lead |
| Saved baselines | ✓ Native | ✓ Multiple baselines, Gantt overlay |
| Spreadsheet-native UI | ✓ Strongest in market | List view + Kanban + Gantt; not spreadsheet-first |
| Cloud-agnostic deploy | AWS-hosted SaaS | AWS / Azure / GCP / self-host (ENTERPRISE_PLUS) |
| Pricing at PMO scale (50) | ~$25-32/seat for Business/Enterprise | $20/seat BUSINESS, $29/seat ENTERPRISE |
| Result | Spreadsheet-native PM | Wins 7/12 on differentiated criteria |
No export step in the middle
A .mpp opened directly, dependencies intact
Smartsheet needs the file opened in Project Desktop and saved as XML first. This is the same file uploaded as .mpp, with dependency types, custom fields, baselines and calendars mapped before anything is committed.
When Smartsheet fits
- •Your team is Excel-fluent and wants to model project work in a spreadsheet grid with formulas.
- •You don't have
.mppfiles to migrate (or you have Project Desktop available for the XML export). - •You're already paying for Smartsheet seats and want to consolidate scheduling into the same surface.
- •Microsoft-stack AI is acceptable; you don't need Claude or provider choice.
When Onplana fits
- •You have
.mppfiles and don't want a Project Desktop intermediate step. - •You want AI bundled into the seat price (not a Smartsheet AI add-on).
- •You want a dual-provider AI engine (Claude + Azure OpenAI), both disclosed with automatic failover.
- •You want a free starter tier without a trial expiry.
- •You want cloud-agnostic deployment (AWS / Azure / GCP / self-host).
Frequently asked questions
Doesn't Smartsheet import Microsoft Project files?▾
Only via XML export. To get an MPP into Smartsheet you have to open it in Microsoft Project Desktop, save as XML (MSPDI format), and upload the XML. That's an extra hop that requires a Project Desktop license and breaks the pre-cutover migration window for orgs that no longer have Project Desktop installed. Onplana parses .mpp directly via its MPXJ-based binary parser, no intermediate format, no extra license.
How does AI billing compare?▾
Smartsheet AI is a paid add-on (per-seat). Onplana bundles AI into the seat price on every plan, including Free. Beyond cost, Onplana runs both AI providers (Claude + Azure OpenAI) with per-endpoint routing and automatic failover, and publicly discloses both, Smartsheet's AI is single-provider Microsoft-stack with no disclosed provider choice.
Where does Smartsheet clearly win?▾
Spreadsheet-native UI. If your team is fluent in Excel and prefers to model project work as rows and columns with formulas, Smartsheet's grid is the strongest experience in market. Onplana's primary views are List, Kanban, and Gantt, not a true spreadsheet. For spreadsheet-fluent teams, Smartsheet's native grid is a real benefit Onplana doesn't replicate.
Are scheduling primitives at parity?▾
Yes, both ship Gantt with critical path, all four dependency types, and saved baselines, on every plan including Free in Onplana, on paid plans in Smartsheet. Onplana adds lag/lead on dependencies; Smartsheet doesn't have first-class lag support. The bigger differences are around .mpp import, AI architecture, and the free-tier story.
Can I run a parallel pilot of both?▾
Onplana: yes, sign up free, import a .mpp, evaluate. Smartsheet: requires a free trial that expires; full evaluation needs sales engagement. The cycle-time difference matters when you're running a 6-month migration window.
Try Onplana with a real schedule
Free plan, no credit card, no trial expiry.