The best alternatives to Google Sheets for project management

Google Sheets is widely used as an online spreadsheet tool, valued for its simplicity and free availability in the Cloud. However, for project managers and businesses of all sizes, the limited functionality of Google Sheets can become a drag on productivity, especially when complex projects are involved. There are many options available to those looking for more robust software that allows users to collaborate better in real time, manage complex to-do lists and integrate project management tools.

The limitations of Google Sheets for project management

Google Sheets offers basic functionality that is sufficient for simple projects. However, users can quickly find themselves limited when it comes to managing projects requiring advanced coordination. For example, resource management, time tracking and collaboration on spreadsheets in real time can become difficult to manage. What’s more, the Google Sheets interface can lack flexibility, especially for companies of all sizes looking to customise their working tools. This is why many project managers are turning to software similar to Google, but offering features more suited to their needs.

Criteria for selecting an alternative to Google Sheet

When it comes to choosing software to replace Google Sheets, there are several criteria to consider. Advanced project management features are essential to enable users to track tasks, deadlines and resources efficiently. Integration with other software, such as company calendars, CRM or accounting tools, is also crucial to ensure continuity in the workflow. Finally, ease of use and the user interface are also important aspects, as is the pricing model, which must fit in with the company’s budget. Read our article on the best alternatives to Microsoft Excel.

The best alternatives to Google Sheets

Teambook, software for efficient work schedules

Teambook is resource management software designed to help project managers plan, allocate and track resources efficiently. Thanks to an intuitive, visual interface, Teambook enables users to view team member availability in real time, optimise resource use and better manage workloads. Key features

• Visual resource planning: Teambook offers a calendar view that makes it easy to see who is working on what, and when. This helps to avoid overloading team members and to anticipate resource requirements.
• Availability and capacity management: Teambook enables resource availability to be managed in relation to capacity, making it easier to assign the right people to the right tasks.
• Real-time project tracking: Project managers can monitor the progress of projects and adjust them in response to unforeseen changes.
• Detailed reporting: Automated reports on resource utilisation enable informed decision-making to improve productivity.

Advantages over Google Sheets: Teambook stands out for its ability to offer much more advanced resource management than Google Sheets can offer. Where Google Sheets is limited to static spreadsheets, Teambook offers a dynamic, integrated solution, enabling everyone’s calendars to be synchronised, a timesheet entry tool and proactive resource management. Pricing

• Offers a 30-day free trial of all features.
• Starter offer at $3 per month for planning up to 10 projects for small, growing organisations.
• Plans start from $45 per month for up to 40 projects, with sliding scale rates for larger teams.

Smartsheet

Smartsheet is an online project management and collaboration software that combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with advanced project management features. Smartsheet is particularly popular for its ability to manage complex projects. Key features :

• Gantt charts: Smartsheet lets you create and manage Gantt charts to visualise task dependencies and deadlines.
• Process automation: Users can set up automated workflows to manage repetitive processes, improving efficiency and reducing human error.
• Customisable dashboards: Smartsheet offers interactive dashboards to track KPIs and make decisions based on real-time data.
• Collaboration and sharing: Smartsheet facilitates collaboration between teams thanks to sharing and commenting features built directly into spreadsheets.

Advantages over Google Sheets: Smartsheet goes far beyond simple spreadsheets by offering a complete platform for project management. While Google Sheets offers basic collaboration features, Smartsheet enables advanced task management, with tools like Gantt charts and dashboards that are essential for large-scale projects.

Float.com

Float.com is resource management software designed specifically for team planning. It stands out for its ease of use and its ability to provide a clear overview of projects and available resources. Key features:

• Real-time resource planning: Float enables project managers to easily plan and readjust resources according to changing project needs.
• Leave and absence management: The tool enables availability to be tracked by taking account of leave and other absences, avoiding scheduling conflicts.
• Reporting and analysis: Float provides detailed reports on resource utilisation, enabling companies to optimise resource allocation.
• Integration with other tools: Float integrates with several other project management tools such as Asana, Trello, and Slack, making it easy to synchronise data.

Advantages over Google Sheets: Float.com focuses exclusively on resource management, providing an optimised user experience for this specific task. Unlike Google Sheets, which often requires complex formulas to manage schedules, Float offers a simple, straightforward interface for real-time planning.

Resource Guru

Resource Guru is a resource management platform that helps teams optimise their time and productivity. It is particularly useful for companies that manage several projects simultaneously and need to ensure that resources are used efficiently. Key features:

• Resource planning: Resource Guru allows you to view and plan resources across several projects, avoiding conflicts and work overloads.
• Absence and leave management: The tool allows you to manage absences to ensure that planning remains realistic.
• Dashboards and reports: Interactive dashboards allow you to monitor resource allocation and identify potential problems before they become critical.
• Easy to use: The user interface is designed to be intuitive, making it quick for new teams to learn.

Advantages over Google Sheets: Resource Guru offers a more specialised and powerful resource management solution than Google Sheets. While Google Sheets can be time-consuming to set up complex schedules, Resource Guru offers an out-of-the-box approach that delivers immediate productivity improvements.

Zoho Sheet

Zoho Sheet is an online spreadsheet that is part of the Zoho suite, offering powerful features and seamless integration with other Zoho applications. It is positioned as an alternative to Google Sheets, with additional features that can be particularly useful for businesses. Key features :

• Real-time collaboration: like Google Sheets, Zoho Sheet allows users to collaborate on spreadsheets in real time, but with additional features such as revision history and contextual comments.
• Advanced functions: offers a wide range of functions for calculations, graphing and data management, with the ability to create custom automations.
• Integration with Zoho Suite: integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, and Zoho Analytics, providing a complete solution for businesses.
• Security and access control: offers advanced access control options to protect sensitive data, which is particularly important for companies working on confidential projects.

Advantages over Google Sheets: Zoho Sheet offers a more customisable and integrated alternative to Google Sheets. Companies already using other Zoho products will find the tool particularly beneficial thanks to its seamless integration with the Zoho suite. What’s more, the software ‘s security and access management features make it a solid option for businesses concerned about data protection.

Comparison of alternatives for better productivity

Here’s a comparison of the main alternatives to Google Sheets, including Teambook, Smartsheet, Float.com, Resource Guru and Zoho Sheet :

Tool	Key features	Integration	Ease of use	Cost
Teambook	Visual resource planning, skills management, real-time tracking, detailed reporting	Integration with major calendars, various project management and CRM tools, public API	Very easy to use, intuitive visual interface	Affordable, with unlimited users depending on the number of projects
Smartsheet	Gantt charts, process automation, customisable dashboards, real-time collaboration	Numerous integrations with tools such as Jira, Salesforce and other management software packages	Medium, steep learning curve	High, suitable for large companies and complex projects
Float.com	Real-time resource planning, absence management, integration with project management tools	Integration with Asana, Trello, Slack and other platforms	Easy, good GUI but only available in English	Moderate, with flexible pricing options
Resource Guru	Resource planning, leave management, interactive dashboards	Integrations available with various project management and communication tools	Easy, with a sometimes surprising design	Affordable, with plans to suit teams of all sizes
Zoho Sheet	Real-time collaboration, advanced features, integration with Zoho Suite, enhanced security	Full integration with Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects and other Zoho tools	Average, similar to Google Sheets with additional features	Affordable, mainly for users of the Zoho suite

Strengths and weaknesses of each tool

• Teambook: Ideal for companies looking to optimise resource management with an intuitive visual interface. Its ease of use makes it an excellent choice for medium-sized teams. Excellent value for money.
• Smartsheet: A complete solution for complex projects requiring advanced project management features. Its higher cost and more pronounced learning curve mean that it is reserved for large companies or projects requiring advanced capabilities.
• Float.com: Designed for simplified resource management, Float is suitable for teams looking for a fast, efficient solution without excessive complexity. Its intuitive user platform, available only in English, makes it an attractive option.
• Resource Guru: Offers solid resource management, suitable for teams of all sizes, with good ease of use. Its absence tracking functionality is a particular strength.
• Zoho Sheet: A more customisable alternative to Google Sheets, particularly advantageous for companies already using other Zoho tools. Its value for money is very competitive for users of the Zoho suite.

How do you choose the right alternative for you?

In 2024, more and more companies and project managers are looking to optimise their resource management and improve the productivity of their teams. While Google Sheets remains a popular tool, it is essential to explore Google-like software to find solutions that are better suited to the specific needs of project management. Such software not only allows you to collaborate in real time, but also to plan and allocate resources more effectively. If you’re looking to improve your project management in 2024, it’s crucial to include these alternatives to Google Sheets in your research. Discover alternatives to Google that can transform the way you manage your projects and teams, and adopt a tool that perfectly matches your organisation’s needs. To make the choice easier, here’s a table comparing the key features of each tool in 2024 :