Looking for a Smartsheet alternative tailored for Hospitality & Tourism? Clever Ops builds custom project management solutions that fit your exact hospitality & tourism workflows. No monthly fees, no feature restrictions — just powerful tools you own.
Smartsheet is a capable tool, but it comes with limitations that may not suit your business.
Spreadsheet interface can be confusing for non-spreadsheet users
Per-user licensing costs add up quickly
Automation features limited on lower-tier plans
Steep learning curve for complex sheet structures
Mobile experience is significantly limited
Collaboration features are less intuitive than modern tools
See how a custom-built project management solution compares to Smartsheet.
| Feature | Smartsheet | Clever Ops Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | From $7/user/month (Pro) to $25/user/month (Business) | One-time investment — you own it |
| Per-user pricing | Yes — costs scale with team size | Unlimited users included |
| Customisation | Limited to Smartsheet's configuration options | 100% custom-built for your workflow |
| Integration flexibility | Smartsheet marketplace and approved partners | Direct API connection to any tool |
| Data ownership | Hosted on Smartsheet's servers under their terms | You own the code, data, and infrastructure |
| Vendor lock-in | Difficult to leave once embedded | No lock-in — portable and open |
| Australian support | Global support — timezone challenges | Local Australian team based in Gippsland, Victoria |
| Workflow automation | Smartsheet's automation builder (limited by plan) | Unlimited custom automations with no restrictions |
| Resource management | Basic or requires higher tier on Smartsheet | Custom resource allocation built for your team structure |
| Client-facing portals | Limited or not available on Smartsheet | Branded client portal built to your requirements |
Why mid-market Australian businesses choose custom-built over Smartsheet.
We handle every aspect of the transition — data migration, team training, and parallel running — so there is zero operational disruption. Most migrations complete within 2-4 weeks.
Unlike Smartsheet's one-size-fits-all approach, we build project management solutions for Hospitality & Tourism that match how your business actually operates. Every feature, field, and automation is tailored to your processes.
Smartsheet limits integrations to their marketplace. Custom solutions connect directly via API to any tool in your stack — including industry-specific and legacy systems common for Hospitality & Tourism.
Our Harvard-educated team brings 12+ years of experience building custom solutions for mid-market Australian businesses. We understand what $1M–$50M annual revenue businesses actually need.
No vendor lock-in, no data hostage situations. You own the source code, the database, and the infrastructure. Your business data stays under your control permanently.
Smartsheet's roadmap serves their shareholders, not your business. A custom project management solution adapts to your strategy — add features, change workflows, or pivot entirely without waiting for a vendor.
Smartsheet's subscription costs compound year after year while a custom solution is a one-time investment
Smartsheet's product roadmap prioritises their largest customers, not mid-market Australian businesses
Per-user and tier-based pricing penalises business growth on Smartsheet
Your data inside Smartsheet is subject to their terms, their pricing, and their continued existence
Custom solutions integrate seamlessly with every tool in your stack, not just Smartsheet's approved partners
Your business processes in Hospitality & Tourism are unique — Smartsheet's generic features cannot fully accommodate them
Explore other custom alternatives in Project Management.
Join 50+ Australian businesses already using custom solutions built by Clever Ops.