Filestage
Filestage is a specialized review and approval platform that helps you streamline feedback on documents, images, and videos by centralizing comments and automating your entire approval workflow.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a flexible work management platform that combines the familiar interface of a spreadsheet with powerful project management features to help you automate workflows and track complex projects.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Filestage | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Website | filestage.io | smartsheet.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 7 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2015 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Stuttgart, Germany | Bellevue, USA |
Overview
Filestage
Filestage is a dedicated review and approval platform designed to take the chaos out of getting feedback on your creative work. Instead of chasing stakeholders through endless email threads or chat messages, you can invite them to a centralized space where they can leave clear, time-stamped comments directly on your files. It supports everything from videos and PDFs to images and audio files, ensuring your entire team stays on the same page throughout the production cycle.
You can set up custom workflows to mirror your internal processes, moving files automatically from one review stage to the next as they get approved. This structure helps you eliminate bottlenecks and ensures no version of a project ever gets lost. Whether you are part of a small creative agency or a large marketing department, the platform helps you reduce manual follow-ups and get your projects across the finish line faster.
Smartsheet
Smartsheet gives you a dynamic workspace where you can manage projects, automate workflows, and build new solutions without writing code. You can switch between grid, card, Gantt, and calendar views to visualize your work exactly how you want. It bridges the gap between simple spreadsheets and complex project tools, allowing you to track individual tasks or manage massive enterprise portfolios in one centralized location.
You can eliminate manual data entry by setting up automated alerts, status updates, and approval requests. The platform scales with your needs, whether you are a small team organizing a launch or a large corporation managing global operations. It helps you increase transparency across your organization by sharing real-time dashboards and reports with stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays aligned on key goals and deadlines.
Overview
Filestage Features
- In-context Commenting Click anywhere on a document or image to leave precise feedback so your team knows exactly what to change.
- Video Time-stamping Add comments to specific frames in your videos to ensure your editors have clear, frame-accurate instructions for every revision.
- Automated Workflows Set up custom review steps that automatically notify the next group of stakeholders once a file receives approval.
- Version Control Keep all your file versions in one place and compare them side-by-side to verify that every requested change was made.
- One-click Approvals Give your stakeholders a clear 'Approve' button to finalize files, creating a documented audit trail for every project.
- External Reviewer Access Invite clients or external partners to review your work without requiring them to create an account or log in.
Smartsheet Features
- Flexible Work Views. Switch instantly between Grid, Gantt, Card, and Calendar views to manage your tasks from any perspective you prefer.
- Automated Workflows. Create visual automated actions to send alerts, request approvals, and update sheet rows without manual intervention.
- Real-time Dashboards. Build custom widgets and charts to give your team and executives a live look at project health and performance.
- Dynamic Reports. Consolidate information from multiple sheets into a single report to identify trends and risks across different departments.
- Proofing and Approvals. Streamline content reviews by uploading files directly to rows and collecting feedback through dedicated proofing workflows.
- Resource Management. Track team availability and allocate hours effectively to ensure your projects stay on schedule and under budget.
Pricing Comparison
Filestage Pricing
- Unlimited files
- Unlimited reviewers
- 2 active projects
- 2 GB storage
- Core review tools
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited active projects
- 250 GB storage
- Team management tools
- Standard support
Smartsheet Pricing
- 1 user and 2 editors
- Up to 2 sheets
- Gantt, Grid, Card views
- 500MB attachment storage
- 100 automations per month
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited viewers
- Up to 10 sheets
- Unlimited reports and dashboards
- 20GB attachment storage
- Forms and branding
Pros & Cons
Filestage
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface for non-technical clients
- Side-by-side version comparison saves significant time
- No login required for external reviewers
- Centralizes all feedback in one searchable location
Cons
- Mobile browser experience can be limited
- Higher tiers are expensive for small teams
- Lacks deep native video editing capabilities
Smartsheet
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface reduces the initial learning curve
- Highly customizable views for different project management styles
- Powerful automation engine saves hours of manual work
- Excellent reporting capabilities across multiple different sheets
- Strong mobile app for managing tasks while traveling
Cons
- Advanced features require a significant time investment
- Real-time collaboration lacks the speed of Google Sheets
- Pricing can become expensive as you add more members