Freelancer
Freelancer is a global crowdsourcing marketplace that connects you with millions of independent professionals to complete projects in software development, writing, design, engineering, and data entry services.
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 | Freelancer | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Website | freelancer.com | smartsheet.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Bellevue, USA |
Overview
Freelancer
Freelancer is a massive online marketplace where you can hire expert help for any project imaginable. Whether you need a website built, a mobile app developed, or a logo designed, you can post your requirements and receive competitive bids from professionals worldwide within minutes. You can browse portfolios, chat with candidates in real-time, and select the best fit for your specific budget and timeline.
The platform simplifies remote work by providing tools to track progress and manage communications in one place. You only release payments when you are 100% satisfied with the work delivered through their milestone system. It serves everyone from solo founders needing a quick task finished to large enterprises looking to scale their technical teams quickly without the overhead of traditional hiring.
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
Freelancer Features
- Milestone Payments Release funds only when you are satisfied with the completed work to ensure your project stays on track.
- Real-time Chat Communicate directly with your freelancers through instant messaging to clarify requirements and share feedback immediately.
- Time Tracking Monitor hourly work with the desktop app that captures screenshots and logs active hours for accurate billing.
- Contest Hosting Crowdsource your creative projects by letting multiple freelancers submit designs so you can pick your favorite entry.
- Mobile Management Manage your projects and message freelancers on the go using the native iOS and Android mobile applications.
- Bid Management Compare quotes, reviews, and portfolios from multiple experts side-by-side to find the perfect match for your budget.
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
Freelancer Pricing
- Post projects for free
- Receive bids from freelancers
- 6 bids per month
- Unlimited project bookmarks
- Basic profile features
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 15 bids per month
- Monthly rewards
- Free project extensions
- Custom profile cover
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
Freelancer
Pros
- Access to a massive global pool of diverse talent
- Fast turnaround times with bids arriving in minutes
- Milestone system protects your payments until work is done
- Affordable options for small tasks and simple projects
Cons
- High volume of low-quality automated bids to filter
- Fees apply to both clients and freelancers
- Customer support response times can be slow
- Steep learning curve for navigating the complex interface
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