The Smartsheet alternative built for recurring workflows and SOPs Save 56%
Smartsheet is powerful for enterprise project management, portfolio planning, Gantt-heavy work, and resource management. Manifestly is purpose-built for recurring SOP execution: structured workflow runs, step by step SOP guidance, role based assignments, automatic scheduling, Slack and Teams actions, and searchable run history at $8.33 per user per month. Save 56% compared with Smartsheet Business annual pricing. Start free for 14 days, no card required.
Smartsheet features teams use for recurring SOPs, built directly into Manifestly
- Sheets -> Structured workflows for repeatable processes
- Rows -> Steps with embedded SOP guidance
- Sheet templates -> Native scheduled recurring runs
- Role based step assignments with notifications
- Built in conditional logic at the step level
- Unlimited built in reminders and notifications
- Real-time dashboards and summary views
- Searchable compliance run history on every plan
- Core workflow features included at no add-on cost
Many teams keep Smartsheet for project portfolio management and use Manifestly for recurring operational SOPs, checklists, assignments, reminders, and audit-ready run history.
| Smartsheet Feature | Manifestly Workflow Execution |
|---|---|
| Sheets and grids | Structured workflows for repeatable processes |
| Rows as tasks | Steps with embedded SOP guidance |
| Sheet templates (duplicated manually) | Native scheduled recurring runs |
| Cell-level assignments | Role based step assignments with notifications |
| Conditional formatting and formulas | Built in conditional logic at the step level |
| Attachments and descriptions | SOP content embedded per step |
| Automated alerts (250 per month on Pro) | Unlimited built in reminders and notifications |
| Report builder | Real-time dashboards and summary views |
| Activity log (Enterprise only) | Searchable compliance run history on every plan |
| Premium apps at extra cost | Core workflow features included at no add-on cost |
Why teams switch from Smartsheet for recurring SOPs
The 56% savings comparison is against Smartsheet Business at $19 per user per month annually. Smartsheet Pro is close in price, but the issue brief notes the 10-editor and 250-automation monthly limits make Business the better comparison for workflow-capable teams.
| Manifestly Business $8.33 per user / month, annual |
Smartsheet Business $19 per user / month, annual |
|
|---|---|---|
| Native recurring scheduled workflow runs | Yes | Template duplication can help, but it is not a purpose-built recurring run model |
| SOP guidance embedded per step | Yes | Cell descriptions and attachments can hold guidance, but SOP execution is not step-level |
| Automation runs included | Unlimited | Business includes unlimited automations; Pro has a 250 per month cap |
| Per-run compliance audit trail | Every plan | Activity log and audit features are Enterprise-only |
| Conditional logic at step level | Yes | Formulas and conditional formatting, not step-level workflow logic |
| Premium features included | Yes | Dynamic View, Control Center, Bridge, and other premium apps can add 20 to 50% to contract cost |
| Free plan or trial | 14-day free trial, no credit card required | 30-day trial only, no permanent free plan |
| Price per user / month, annual | $8.33 | $19 |
When Smartsheet is more platform than recurring SOPs need
Where Smartsheet is strong for enterprise work management, and where Manifestly fits better for recurring operational workflows.
Spreadsheet interface creates friction for ops teams
Smartsheet's power comes from its spreadsheet-like grid. For project managers and analysts who live in spreadsheets, that is an asset. For operations teams who just need recurring checklists to run reliably, it can add cognitive overhead. Manifestly presents each run as a focused, step-by-step checklist with no grid, no formulas, and no spreadsheet context required.
Pro plan caps automations at 250 per month
Smartsheet Pro limits automations to 250 runs per month. Teams running daily or weekly recurring processes across multiple workflows can burn through this quickly. Upgrading to Business raises the price to $19 per user. Manifestly includes unlimited built-in reminders, notifications, and workflow logic on every plan at $8.33 per user.
Premium features cost significantly more than the base price
Smartsheet's advanced workflow capabilities, including Dynamic View, Control Center, DataMesh, Bridge, and WorkApps, are sold as separate premium apps that can add 20 to 50% to total contract value. Manifestly's core workflow execution features are included in the base price with no add-on costs or surprise line items.
No per-run compliance audit trail without Enterprise
Smartsheet's searchable audit logs are an Enterprise-only feature. For operations, HR, and compliance teams that need to show who completed each step in a recurring process, the Business plan at $19 per user does not deliver that capability. Manifestly ships per-run compliance history on every plan at $8.33 per user.
No permanent free plan for evaluation
The issue brief notes that Smartsheet discontinued its free tier in 2025 and now offers a 30-day free trial. Teams evaluating workflow execution tools before committing to a contract may have less room to test. Manifestly offers a full-featured 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Recurring runs require template duplication
Smartsheet does not have a native model for automatically launching a recurring workflow on a schedule. Teams using Smartsheet for recurring operations often duplicate sheet templates, reset cells, and redistribute each time. Manifestly treats scheduled recurring runs as a core feature, launched automatically on any cadence and pre-assigned to the right roles.
Features for recurring workflow and SOP execution
Manifestly focuses on the recurring SOP and checklist execution use cases that Smartsheet was not purpose-built to handle.
Smart Workflows and SOPs
- Conditional logic reveals the right steps
- Relative due dates and automatic reminders
- Sub-tasks for granular guidance
- SOPs with links, images, and video
Assign and Schedule
- Role-based assignments
- Daily, weekly, or quarterly scheduled runs
- See tasks on a shared calendar
- Organize work with tags and departments
Workflow Automations
- Trigger one workflow from another
- Zapier links Manifestly to 5,000+ apps
- Custom email or SMS on step completion
- Bulk import runs via CSV or spreadsheet
Collaboration
- Workflows inside Slack and MS Teams
- Inline comments and @mentions in context
- Guest user access without full accounts
- One-click bulk reminders
Progress and Reporting
- Bird's-eye summary view of every run
- Customizable dashboards and widgets
- Real-time reports and CSV/PDF exports
- Searchable audit history of every action
Data Collection and Exports
- Collect files, images, signatures, and more
- Due dates driven by collected data
- Export detailed run data to BI-ready CSV
- PDF snapshots for client or audit needs
Integrations and API
- Native Slack Integration
- Native Microsoft Teams Integration
- Zapier, Salesforce, Notion, and more
- Webhooks and full Open API
Security and Permissions
- SAML SSO with Okta, Azure AD, and more
- Manifestly is SOC 2 Certified
- Searchable activity logs for every action
- Data encrypted in transit and at rest
Inbox and Prioritization
- Consolidates all assignments and tasks
- Surfaces overdue and high-priority work
- QuickLists for personalized ad hoc tasks
- Share ad hoc task lists with teammates
Switching from Smartsheet for recurring operations? Easy.
Move your recurring Smartsheet templates to Manifestly in three guided steps, no downtime.
Export Your Templates
Share your recurring Smartsheet templates in any format. Our team identifies which sheets are recurring operational processes ready to move into Manifestly workflows with step level SOP guidance and scheduling.
Our Team Imports
Our success team rebuilds your recurring Smartsheet processes as Manifestly workflows, complete with role based assignments, conditional logic, and automated scheduling. Your Smartsheet account stays available for project portfolio work.
White Glove Help
We QA every workflow and train your team so you launch in days. Smartsheet for project management. Manifestly for recurring operational SOPs.
Loved by teams worldwide
Thousands of users trust Manifestly to run their critical processes every day.
Ethan Rogge
Systems Lead | Compass
"Manifestly's webhook and testing function was the simplest I've ever used. Major kudos!”
Alejandro Perez
Owner | Komet Sales
"There's no other product out there as good as Manifestly for companies to effectively use checklists.”
Richard Tubb
IT Consultant/Owner | Tubblog
"Manifestly was the easiest SOP Workflow system to deploy and hit the ground fast and the Manifestly team is a great partner.”
Integrations & Ecosystem
Manifestly fits right into your existing tool stack for seamless integrations and communication.
Enterprise-grade Security
Your data is protected every step of the way.
Manifestly is SOC 2 Type II audited, GDPR-ready, and built on Salesforce/Heroku. We encrypt all data using TLS 1.2+ in transit and AES-256 at rest, with daily backups and continuous vulnerability scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not for every team. Smartsheet is a strong platform for enterprise project planning, portfolio management, Gantt-heavy work, and resource management. Manifestly is a better fit when your main need is recurring workflows, SOPs, step level accountability, role based assignments, and audit-ready process history. Many teams use both.
Manifestly Business is $8.33 per user per month on annual billing. Smartsheet Business is $19 per user per month with a 3-seat minimum. That is a 56% saving for teams whose primary need is recurring SOP and checklist execution. Smartsheet Pro at $9 per user is close in price but limited to 10 editors and 250 automations per month.
Smartsheet does not have native recurring workflow run scheduling. Teams use template duplication as a workaround, but manually duplicating a sheet is not a workflow run. There is no automatic launch with pre-assigned roles, step level progress tracking, and per-run history. Manifestly treats scheduled recurring runs as a core feature.
Smartsheet’s activity log and audit features are available at Enterprise pricing only. Manifestly ships searchable, exportable per-run compliance history on every plan at $8.33 per user.
Yes. Manifestly requires no spreadsheet knowledge, no formulas, and no grid navigation. Every run presents as a focused step-by-step checklist. Most teams are running their first workflow within an hour of signing up.
Yes. Manifestly has built-in conditional logic at the step level. Show or hide steps, set dynamic due dates, and route assignments based on data collected during the run. No formulas, no conditional formatting, no spreadsheet expertise required.
Yes. Manifestly offers a full-featured 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Smartsheet offers a 30-day trial only.
Yes. Manifestly has native Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations letting team members launch runs, complete steps, and manage assignments directly inside those platforms.
Yes. Many teams use Smartsheet for project portfolio management and campaign tracking, and Manifestly for the recurring operations layer such as onboarding, monthly close, IT procedures, and compliance checklists.
Yes. Manifestly is SOC 2 Type II audited annually. Smartsheet audit logs and governance features require Enterprise pricing.
No. Manifestly Business starts at a single seat. Smartsheet Business requires a minimum of 3 seats.
Run recurring workflows with SOPs, assignments, and audit-ready history.
With Manifestly, your team will Never Miss a Thing.
