Creative teams managing campaign approvals, asset versioning, and cross-departmental feedback loops require specialized workflow orchestration that extends far beyond basic project management. Lytho addresses the complex intake-to-delivery pipeline with integrated proofing and digital asset management, making it particularly effective for teams handling high-volume creative requests across multiple brand guidelines. If you're managing enterprise-scale campaigns with strict approval hierarchies, then Smartsheet's FedRAMP authorization and HIPAA compliance become operationally critical, though users consistently report performance degradation when tracking sheets grow complex with nested formulas and extensive automation rules.
Workamajig's three-decade market presence shows in its comprehensive agency-focused feature set, including native integrations with media buying platforms like Strata and Mediaocean that directly streamline campaign execution workflows. However, the platform's reliance on responsive web interfaces rather than native mobile applications creates friction for teams requiring field access to approval workflows. If your creative operations involve extensive documentation and knowledge sharing alongside project execution, then Confluence's enterprise security certifications make it suitable for regulated industries, though content creators frequently encounter formatting issues during copy-paste operations that disrupt collaborative editing workflows.Creative teams managing campaign approvals, asset versioning, and cross-departmental feedback loops require specialized workflow orchestration that extends far beyond basic project management.Creative teams managing campaign approvals, asset versioning, and cross-departmental feedback loops require specialized workflow orchestration that extends far beyond basic project management. Lytho addresses the complex intake-to-delivery pipeline with integrated proofing and digital asset management, making it particularly effective for teams handling high-volume creative requests across multiple brand guidelines. If you're managing enterprise-scale campaigns with strict approval hierarchies, then Smartsheet's FedRAMP authorization and HIPAA compliance become operationally critical, though users consistently report performance degradation when tracking sheets grow complex with nested formulas and extensive automation rules.
Workamajig's three-decade market presence shows in its comprehensive agency-focused feature set, including native integrations with media buying platforms like Strata and Mediaocean that directly streamline campaign execution workflows. However, the platform's reliance on responsive web interfaces rather than native mobile applications creates friction for teams requiring field access to approval workflows. If your creative operations involve extensive documentation and knowledge sharing alongside project execution, then Confluence's enterprise security certifications make it suitable for regulated industries, though content creators frequently encounter formatting issues during copy-paste operations that disrupt collaborative editing workflows.
The operational reality centers on whether your team prioritizes specialized creative workflow depth versus broader collaboration capabilities, with enterprise security requirements and mobile accessibility needs often determining which platform limitations become acceptable tradeoffs.
Lytho is an innovative SaaS solution designed to streamline the workflow of creative and marketing teams. Focusing on strategy over manual tasks, Lytho eliminates time-consuming content chasing and resizing, and helps in centralizing brand assets. Its comprehensive features are designed to address the unique needs of creative professionals, including digital asset management, brand management, and content creation.
Lytho is an innovative SaaS solution designed to streamline the workflow of creative and marketing teams. Focusing on strategy over manual tasks, Lytho eliminates time-consuming content chasing and resizing, and helps in centralizing brand assets. Its comprehensive features are designed to address the unique needs of creative professionals, including digital asset management, brand management, and content creation.
BRAND ASSET GURUS
CONTENT CREATION MASTERS
BRAND ASSET GURUS
Best for teams that are
Marketing teams specifically needing integrated Digital Asset Management (DAM)
Mid-to-large enterprises with high-volume creative production and approval needs
Teams prioritizing a user-friendly interface and strong support over financial tools
Skip if
Small businesses or startups with limited budgets due to high entry costs
Teams needing built-in agency financial, billing, or media buying modules
Users looking for a generic project management tool without creative focus
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Lytho stands out by effectively merging Project Management, Digital Asset Management (DAM), and Online Proofing into a single cohesive environment. Unlike generic tools, it is purpose-built for in-house agencies, offering deep Adobe Creative Cloud integrations that allow designers to stay in their native tools. Research indicates that while mobile functionality has limitations, the platform's ability to streamline complex creative lifecycles makes it a top-tier choice for marketing teams.
Pros
Unified DAM and workflow platform
Deep Adobe Creative Cloud integration
Intuitive and user-friendly interface
Excellent customer support responsiveness
Robust online proofing tools
Cons
Mobile app functionality issues
Search requires exact naming
Opaque custom pricing model
Limited workflow customization options
Steep learning curve for admins
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.8/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Marketing Workflow Tools for Creative Teams. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.9
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the completeness of creative workflow tools, including intake forms, project tracking, online proofing, and digital asset management (DAM) capabilities.
What We Found
Lytho unifies creative operations by combining project management, online proofing, and DAM into one platform. Key features include automated workflows, customizable intake forms, version control, and 'smart templates' that allow non-designers to create on-brand assets. It supports complex review cycles with markup tools for video, images, and web.
Score Rationale
The score reflects a robust all-in-one solution for creative teams, though minor limitations in customization prevent a perfect score.
Supporting Evidence
Features include online proofing for images, PDFs, videos, and websites with annotation tools. Image, PDF, Video, Web, & Email Annotation
— g2.com
Platform combines automated workflows, brand governance, and digital asset management (DAM) in one hub. The platform combines automated workflows, brand governance, digital asset management (DAM), and smart templates in one intuitive hub.
— g2.com
Comprehensive content creation tools are outlined in the platform's feature set.
— lytho.com
Digital asset management and brand management features are documented in Lytho's official product documentation.
— lytho.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess the vendor's industry standing, customer base size, years in operation, and adoption by enterprise-level creative teams.
What We Found
Lytho is a well-established player in the creative operations space, trusted by over 600 in-house agency teams and enterprise customers. The company actively publishes industry research, such as the 'Creative Management Report,' positioning itself as a thought leader. High user ratings across review platforms further validate its reliability.
Score Rationale
With over 600 enterprise customers and strong industry recognition, Lytho demonstrates high market credibility and trust.
Supporting Evidence
Lytho publishes quarterly research reports on in-house agency evolution. Lytho conducted the poll, which is part of a quarterly research initiative
— prweb.com
Trusted by over 600 in-house agency teams globally. Trusted by 600+ in-house agency teams.
— lytho.com
Recognized by MarTech Series as a notable player in creative workflow management.
— martechseries.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We analyze user feedback regarding interface intuitiveness, ease of navigation, and the quality of the mobile experience.
What We Found
Users consistently praise the platform's intuitive interface and ease of use, noting it is simpler to navigate than many competitors. However, there are documented complaints regarding the mobile application's functionality and glitches. The 'Review' interface is generally well-regarded but can be confusing for new stakeholders.
Score Rationale
While the desktop experience is highly rated for intuitiveness, persistent issues with the mobile app and search precision slightly lower the score.
Supporting Evidence
Mobile app functionality is a reported weakness. Users find Lytho's app difficult to use on mobile, encountering glitches and restrictions that hinder functionality.
— g2.com
Users highlight the intuitive interface as a primary advantage. Users highlight Lytho's intuitive interface, making navigation simple and enhancing overall efficiency
— g2.com
Intuitive user interface praised in user experience reviews on MarTech Series.
— martechseries.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We examine pricing transparency, model flexibility (per user vs. flat fee), and perceived return on investment.
What We Found
Lytho operates on a custom pricing model typical for enterprise software, with tiers like 'Business' and 'Enterprise.' Public sources suggest pricing may start around $79/user/month, but official pricing is not transparently listed. Users generally report good value due to efficiency gains, though the lack of public pricing is a barrier.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted by the lack of transparent public pricing, although the perceived value and ROI for enterprise teams remain high.
Supporting Evidence
Third-party analysis suggests starting pricing around $79 per user/month. Lytho Workflow pricing starts at $79 (Per User, Monthly).
— selecthub.com
Pricing is custom-built based on team needs and budget. We create custom pricing based on your team's specific challenges and budget.
— g2.com
We evaluate the depth of integrations with creative tools (Adobe CC), storage providers, and other business applications.
What We Found
Lytho offers a robust plugin for Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), allowing creatives to access the DAM and manage proofs without leaving their design tools. It also integrates with major storage providers (Box, Dropbox, Google Drive) and offers an API for custom connections, making it highly compatible with creative workflows.
Score Rationale
The deep, native integration with Adobe Creative Cloud is a critical strength for this niche, justifying a high score.
Supporting Evidence
Supports integrations with major cloud storage providers. Streamline your file management process by connecting Lytho Workflow to Box, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
— support.lytho.com
Adobe CC plugin allows proofing and asset access directly within design apps. The Lytho Workflow Plugin for Adobe Creative Suite allows you to coordinate proof work within InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
— support.lytho.com
Listed integrations with major platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud in the official integrations directory.
— lytho.com
9.0
Category 6: Support, Training & Onboarding Resources
What We Looked For
We assess the quality of customer support, availability of training materials, and onboarding assistance.
What We Found
Customer support is frequently cited as a major pro, with users describing it as 'excellent' and 'responsive.' The company provides a structured onboarding program for administrators and offers extensive documentation, including API guides and workflow tutorials, ensuring teams can effectively adopt the platform.
Score Rationale
Consistently high praise for support responsiveness and structured onboarding programs drives this high score.
Supporting Evidence
Onboarding includes structured sessions and homework for admins. Lytho has a strong onboarding program for administrators, with several sessions over the course of several weeks.
— g2.com
Users praise the responsiveness and quality of the support team. What I appreciate most about Lytho is its excellent customer service and the responsive IT support team.
— g2.com
Comprehensive training resources and onboarding support documented on the official site.
— lytho.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Users note limited customization options for certain features, such as approval statuses and proofing workflows.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Workamajig is a specialized tool for creative and marketing teams, offering a comprehensive solution for managing creative workflows. Its robust set of features addresses the industry-specific needs of creative project management, resource allocation, and team collaboration, ensuring efficient and streamlined operations.
Workamajig is a specialized tool for creative and marketing teams, offering a comprehensive solution for managing creative workflows. Its robust set of features addresses the industry-specific needs of creative project management, resource allocation, and team collaboration, ensuring efficient and streamlined operations.
CREATIVE WORKFLOW CHAMPS
REAL-TIME VISIBILITY PROS
CREATIVE WORKFLOW CHAMPS
Best for teams that are
Creative agencies needing an all-in-one solution for projects, finance, and CRM
Mid-to-large teams requiring robust resource management and profitability reporting
Teams with 5+ users who want to consolidate accounting and workflow tools
Skip if
Small teams (under 5 users) or freelancers due to minimum user requirements
Non-creative teams finding the agency-specific financial features unnecessary
Users seeking a simple, low-learning-curve task manager
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Workamajig stands out as a true "Agency ERP" rather than just a project management tool. Research indicates it uniquely combines full general ledger accounting with creative project workflows, allowing agencies to replace disparate tools like QuickBooks and Trello. Based on documented features, its ability to handle complex media buying and retainer billing makes it a powerful, albeit complex, solution for growing agencies.
Pros
All-in-one agency management (PM + Accounting)
Includes free training and onboarding
Specialized media buying integrations (Strata)
SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR compliant
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Cons
Steep learning curve for new users
Interface can feel complex and outdated
No native mobile app (web-only)
Implementation takes 2-3 months
Search and navigation can be tedious
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Marketing Workflow Tools for Creative Teams. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.1
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate if the software offers a comprehensive suite of tools specifically designed for creative agency workflows, including project management, resource allocation, and financial tracking.
What We Found
Workamajig functions as a complete Agency Management System (ERP), combining project management, CRM, resource planning, media buying, and a full general ledger accounting system into a single platform.
Score Rationale
The product scores highly due to its exceptional breadth, replacing multiple disparate tools (CRM, PM, Accounting) with a single integrated solution tailored for agencies.
Supporting Evidence
Includes specialized features for media buying and insertion orders. Workamajig integrates with various media buying systems... This allows you to import data from media buys and include the details in client invoices.
— workamajig.com
Combines project management, CRM, and full accounting (GL, AP/AR) in one platform. Everything in one place — CRM, PM, finance, & more. End-to-end workflows from first touch to final invoice.
— workamajig.com
Documented in official product documentation, Workamajig offers features like project management, resource allocation, and team collaboration tailored for creative workflows.
— workamajig.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for evidence of long-term industry presence, adoption by major players, and a proven track record in the creative sector.
What We Found
Workamajig has been a market leader for over 30 years, serving more than 3,000 agencies and approximately 20% of Fortune 500 marketing departments.
Score Rationale
The score reflects its status as a legacy industry standard with significant enterprise adoption and a decades-long operating history.
Supporting Evidence
Established history serving the creative industry for over 30 years. Over 35 years ago, we started as a management consultancy... We pioneered the SaaS model for the creative industry.
— workamajig.com
Used by 20% of Fortune 500 marketing departments. Today, over 3,000 agencies and 20% of Fortune 500 marketing departments rely on us to scale their excellence.
— workamajig.com
Recognized by industry professionals for its comprehensive suite of tools tailored for creative workflows.
— workamajig.com
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We assess the user interface design, ease of navigation, and the learning curve required for teams to become proficient.
What We Found
While powerful, the platform is frequently described as having a steep learning curve and a user interface that can be non-intuitive or complex for new users.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower because user reviews consistently cite complexity and a difficult onboarding experience as significant hurdles compared to modern, lighter tools.
Supporting Evidence
Implementation typically takes 2-3 months due to system depth. The Traditional Implementation time is 2-3 months.
— workamajig.com
Users report a steep learning curve and non-intuitive interface. Reviewers indicate the user interface is often confusing, outdated, and not intuitive, making onboarding and daily use challenging.
— getapp.com
Outlined in product documentation, the platform offers extensive features that may require a learning curve for new users.
— workamajig.com
8.9
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We check for clear, public pricing structures and the inclusion of essential services like support and training without hidden costs.
What We Found
Pricing is transparently listed starting at $41/user/month, and uniquely includes training and onboarding support at no additional cost.
Score Rationale
The inclusion of implementation training in the base subscription price is a high-value differentiator in the ERP space, justifying a strong score.
Supporting Evidence
Training and support are included in the subscription cost. Check out our training & support options - included with every subscription.
— workamajig.com
Pricing is publicly listed, starting at roughly $41/user/month for smaller teams. Workamajig has 3 pricing edition(s), from $41 to $41.
— trustradius.com
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We examine the platform's ability to connect with essential industry tools, specifically media buying platforms, banks, and general productivity apps.
What We Found
The platform offers specialized native integrations for media (Strata, Mediaocean) and finance (Plaid, credit cards), alongside a Zapier integration for broader connectivity.
Score Rationale
Strong niche integrations for media and finance set it apart, though it relies on Zapier for some general connectivity, earning a solid but not perfect score.
Supporting Evidence
Connects with over 8,000 apps via Zapier. Workamajig integrates with 8000 other apps on Zapier
— zapier.com
Integrates with major media buying platforms like Strata and Mediaocean. Freewheel/Strata - Used for syncing national media buys... Mediaocean - enables brands and agencies to deliver impactful omnichannel marketing experiences.
— support.workamajig.com
Supports Single Sign-On (SSO) and Two-Factor Authentication. Workamajig supports single sign-on (SSO), API integration, 2FA, data import/export
— workamajig.com
The platform is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. SAS 70/SOC 2 compliance, SSO & API integration, 2FA, on-prem, & data export are all supported.
— workamajig.com
Listed in the company's integration directory, Workamajig integrates with various tools to enhance creative workflow management.
— workamajig.com
9.0
Category 6: Support, Training & Onboarding Resources
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
Outlined in published support resources, Workamajig provides comprehensive training and onboarding materials for new users.
— workamajig.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
The platform lacks a native mobile application, relying instead on a responsive web interface which some users find less convenient.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Confluence by Atlassian is a SaaS solution specifically designed to streamline the marketing workflow process for creative teams. Its robust AI-powered tools promote seamless cross-functional collaboration, enabling users to connect tools and automate workflows for efficient creative project management.
Confluence by Atlassian is a SaaS solution specifically designed to streamline the marketing workflow process for creative teams. Its robust AI-powered tools promote seamless cross-functional collaboration, enabling users to connect tools and automate workflows for efficient creative project management.
TEAM COLLABORATION STARS
AUTOMATION WIZARDS
TEAM COLLABORATION STARS
AUTOMATION WIZARDS
Best for teams that are
Marketing teams within tech companies already using the Atlassian (Jira) ecosystem
Teams focused heavily on documentation, content strategy, and knowledge sharing
Groups needing collaborative whiteboards for brainstorming and planning
Skip if
Creative teams requiring native, robust video/image proofing and approval workflows
Agencies needing financial management, time tracking, or resource scheduling
Non-technical users who find wiki-based permissions and formatting complex
Expert Take
Our analysis shows that Confluence excels at bridging the gap between creative planning and technical execution. Research indicates its deep integration with Jira and Figma allows teams to maintain a 'single source of truth' that connects design assets directly to development workflows. While it has a steeper learning curve than dedicated design tools, the inclusion of Whiteboards and enterprise-grade security makes it a powerful, consolidated workspace for scaling organizations.
Pros
Deep two-way integration with Jira
Live Figma file embedding
Whiteboards included in base price
Enterprise-grade security (SOC2, ISO)
AI-powered content summarization
Cons
Steep learning curve for creatives
Performance lags on large pages
Rigid formatting options
Complex permission management
Search can be difficult in cluttered spaces
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Marketing Workflow Tools for Creative Teams. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.0
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of creative tools, including whiteboarding, documentation, and content management features tailored for marketing and design workflows.
What We Found
Confluence offers a robust suite combining traditional documentation with visual Whiteboards, Databases, and AI-powered content generation.
Score Rationale
The product scores highly due to its comprehensive feature set that spans ideation to execution, though it is slightly held back by the complexity of managing large content repositories.
Supporting Evidence
Marketing-specific templates streamline campaign planning and persona definition. Confluence offers templates for every stage of the marketing workflow: Define your audience by outlining key personas.
— atlassian.com
Atlassian Intelligence provides AI-powered summarization and content generation capabilities. We are so excited to introduce the upgraded Confluence Whiteboards powered by Atlassian Intelligence.
— community.atlassian.com
Confluence Whiteboards allow teams to convert sticky notes directly into Jira issues and visualize projects. Convert stickies and shapes into Jira work items. Create relationships between work items from a whiteboard using smart connectors.
— atlassian.com
AI-powered automation tools enhance workflow efficiency, as documented in Atlassian's product resources.
— atlassian.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess the vendor's industry standing, adoption rates among creative enterprises, and reliability track record.
What We Found
Atlassian is a dominant market leader with extensive adoption across global enterprises, backed by a massive ecosystem and community.
Score Rationale
The score reflects Atlassian's status as an industry standard for collaboration software, reinforced by widespread adoption in Fortune 500 companies.
Supporting Evidence
The platform supports massive scalability, accommodating up to 150,000 users on a single site. Confluence scales from 10 users and 1 site to 150,000 users across 150 sites.
— thedigitalprojectmanager.com
Confluence is used by thousands of companies including major global brands. Confluence whiteboards are trusted by thousands of companies. Europcar logo. Paypal logo. Decathlon logo.
— atlassian.com
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We examine the ease of adoption for non-technical creative teams, UI intuitiveness, and overall user satisfaction.
What We Found
While powerful, the platform suffers from a steep learning curve and a rigid UI that some creative professionals find restrictive.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower because documented research highlights significant friction for non-technical users and designers compared to dedicated creative tools.
Supporting Evidence
Designers have criticized the interface for being ineffective for expressing design decisions. Not only is it terribly ugly and from my perspective an ineffective tool for expressing design decisions and processes.
— reddit.com
Non-technical teams face a steep learning curve due to the product's complexity. Confluence can be challenging for new and non-technical users due to its complexity. Its rigid UI can feel restrictive.
— kolekti.com
Potential learning curve for new users due to feature richness, noted in user documentation.
— atlassian.com
Built-in templates simplify content creation, as outlined in Atlassian's user guides.
— atlassian.com
8.7
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze the pricing structure, free tier availability, and cost-effectiveness relative to features like whiteboarding.
What We Found
Confluence offers a competitive pricing model with a robust free plan and includes whiteboarding features that often cost extra in other tools.
Score Rationale
The inclusion of Whiteboards in the base subscription provides significant value, consolidating tools and reducing total cost of ownership.
Supporting Evidence
Whiteboards are included in Confluence subscriptions, offering cost savings over standalone tools. Maximize your budget with Confluence Whiteboards, already included in your Confluence subscription.
— atlassian.com
The Free plan supports up to 10 users with unlimited pages and spaces. The Free plan is a good starting point, allowing up to 10 users. It includes basic collaboration tools.
— appsdelivered.com
Offers a free plan and transparent pricing starting at $5/user/month, detailed on the official pricing page.
— atlassian.com
9.3
Category 5: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We evaluate the depth of integrations with creative tools like Figma and project management systems like Jira.
What We Found
Confluence excels with deep, native integrations for Jira and Figma, creating a seamless bridge between design and development.
Score Rationale
The score is exceptional due to the 'Smart Links' and widget capabilities that allow live embedding of Figma files and two-way Jira syncing.
Supporting Evidence
Whiteboards integrate natively with Jira for converting stickies to issues. All you have to do is highlight all the relevant sticky notes and a pop-up with a button to create Jira issues appears automatically.
— thejiraguy.com
Figma Live Embeds allow interactive design files to be placed directly within Confluence pages. Figma Live Embeds allow you to add live Figma files or prototypes into other websites or apps.
— help.figma.com
The Confluence for Figma widget allows embedding project documentation directly into design files. By pasting a Confluence page URL into Figma, designers and team members can instantly access essential project information.
— atlassian.com
Extensive integration capabilities with third-party applications, listed in the Atlassian Marketplace.
— marketplace.atlassian.com
9.5
Category 6: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We review the platform's adherence to enterprise security standards, certifications, and data protection protocols.
What We Found
Atlassian provides top-tier enterprise security with comprehensive certifications including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR compliance.
Score Rationale
This is a market-leading score reflecting the platform's rigorous compliance framework suitable for highly regulated industries.
Supporting Evidence
The platform undergoes regular SOC 2 Type II audits for security and availability. Atlassian undergoes rigorous independent third-party SOC 2 audits conducted by a reputable certified public accountant.
— atlassian.com
Confluence maintains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management. Confluence is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certified. ISO 27001 provides a globally recognized framework.
— confluence.com
SOC 2 compliance ensures data protection, as outlined in Atlassian's security documentation.
— atlassian.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Formatting can break during copy-paste operations, leading to frustration for content creators.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Smartsheet's solution is designed to streamline marketing and creative workflows specifically for creative teams. It offers tools to manage campaigns, foster collaboration, and increase efficiency, addressing the industry's need for seamless project management and team coordination.
Smartsheet's solution is designed to streamline marketing and creative workflows specifically for creative teams. It offers tools to manage campaigns, foster collaboration, and increase efficiency, addressing the industry's need for seamless project management and team coordination.
WORKFLOW SIMPLIFIERS
INTUITIVE INTERFACE CHAMPS
Best for teams that are
Marketing ops teams managing complex budgets, schedules, and resource allocation
Teams comfortable with spreadsheets who need Adobe Creative Cloud integration
Enterprises requiring scalable governance, reporting, and automation
Skip if
Creative teams who dislike spreadsheet interfaces and prefer visual tools
Small teams wanting a simple, 'out-of-the-box' tool without configuration
Users needing a dedicated DAM without paying for extra integrations like Brandfolder
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Smartsheet uniquely bridges the gap between rigid project management and flexible spreadsheets, making it ideal for marketing teams that need custom workflows. Research indicates its standout value lies in the seamless integration of native proofing and Brandfolder DAM, allowing teams to manage content lifecycles securely. Based on documented FedRAMP and HIPAA compliance, it is the superior choice for regulated industries requiring enterprise-grade governance.
Pros
FedRAMP and HIPAA compliant security
Native video and image proofing
Seamless Brandfolder DAM integration
Gartner and Forrester Market Leader
Strong resource management capabilities
Cons
Strict 20,000 row limit per sheet
Key features require paid add-ons
Steeper learning curve than simple tools
UI can be slow with large data
No free plan (only 30-day trial)
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.5/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Marketing Workflow Tools for Creative Teams. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.8
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of features for managing complex marketing workflows, including project tracking, automation, and scalability.
What We Found
Smartsheet offers robust project management with Gantt, grid, and calendar views, plus specialized marketing features like native proofing and automated workflows. However, it enforces strict data limits per sheet.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to versatile views and automation, but capped below 9.0 because of documented row and cell limits that restrict massive scale without architectural workarounds.
Supporting Evidence
Sheets are strictly limited to 20,000 rows, 400 columns, and 500,000 cells, which can be a constraint for large datasets. A sheet cannot exceed a total of 500,000 cells... For example, a sheet with 20,000 rows can only have 25 or fewer columns
— developers.smartsheet.com
Core features include Gantt, table, board, and calendar views with rich formulas and automation capabilities. Gantt, table, board, and calendar view. View your projects, programs, tasks and work in the format that works best for you.
— smartsheet.com
Documented in official product documentation, Smartsheet offers tools for managing campaigns and fostering collaboration.
— smartsheet.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess market dominance, analyst recognition, and adoption by major enterprises to gauge long-term viability.
What We Found
Smartsheet is a publicly traded company (NYSE: SMAR) recognized as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant and trusted by 85% of Fortune 100 companies.
Score Rationale
The score reflects top-tier market validation from major analyst firms and widespread enterprise adoption, establishing it as a dominant player in the space.
Supporting Evidence
The platform is used by approximately 85% of the 2024 Fortune 500 companies. Smartsheet empowers thousands of organizations worldwide, including approximately 85% of the 2024 Fortune 500 companies
— smartsheet.com
Smartsheet was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Collaborative Work Management. Smartsheet... announced it was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Collaborative Work Management
— smartsheet.com
8.6
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for user-friendly interfaces, ease of adoption, and the quality of support resources for diverse teams.
What We Found
Users appreciate the familiar spreadsheet interface ('Excel on steroids'), but reviews note a learning curve for advanced features and UI slowness with large datasets.
Score Rationale
While the spreadsheet interface is intuitive for many, performance lags on large sheets and the complexity of advanced features prevent a higher score.
Supporting Evidence
Reviewers find the interface familiar but acknowledge a learning curve for automation and complex reporting. While the basic interface is user-friendly, there is a learning curve for mastering Smartsheet's more advanced features like automation
— zoho.com
Users describe the platform as flexible but note performance issues when sheets grow large. The UI looks nice, but as soon as a sheet grows a bit, it becomes painfully slow compared to other tools.
— reddit.com
Outlined in user guides, Smartsheet's intuitive design aids in improving project turnaround times.
— smartsheet.com
8.4
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate the clarity of pricing tiers and the inclusion of essential features versus hidden add-on costs.
What We Found
Base plans are competitively priced ($9-$19/user), but critical marketing features like Resource Management and Brandfolder are separate, often unlisted add-on costs.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted by the 'hidden costs' model where essential enterprise marketing capabilities require separate purchases beyond the standard license fees.
Supporting Evidence
Key features like Resource Management and Brandfolder are separate add-ons, increasing the total cost of ownership. Add-ons like Resource Management, Brandfolder, or Dynamic View are separate purchases.
— stackby.com
Standard plans start at $9 (Pro) and $19 (Business) per user/month. Smartsheet pricing starts at $9 per user, per month for the Pro plan, while the Business plan costs $19 per user, per month.
— tech.co
We examine niche features for creative teams, such as proofing, digital asset management (DAM), and approval loops.
What We Found
Smartsheet excels with native proofing for video/images and deep integration with Brandfolder DAM, allowing seamless content creation, review, and publishing cycles.
Score Rationale
The integration of robust proofing tools and a market-leading DAM (Brandfolder) directly into the workflow merits a high score for this niche category.
Supporting Evidence
The Brandfolder integration allows two-click publishing of approved assets directly from Smartsheet. Two-click publish to Brandfolder from a completed proof in Smartsheet.
— businesswire.com
Native proofing supports images, videos, and PDFs with annotation and version control capabilities. Anyone can easily review, edit, and approve images, videos, documents, and PDFs. ... Reviewers can pin comments, make annotations
— help.smartsheet.com
Listed in the company's integration directory, Smartsheet integrates with platforms like Salesforce and Slack.
— smartsheet.com
9.6
Category 6: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We verify compliance with strict industry standards like HIPAA, FedRAMP, and SOC2, which are critical for enterprise marketing teams.
What We Found
Smartsheet offers industry-leading security with FedRAMP authorization, HIPAA compliance (with BAA), and SOC2 Type II certification, surpassing most competitors.
Score Rationale
This is a standout category; achieving FedRAMP authorization and HIPAA compliance places it in the top tier for secure enterprise and government use.
Supporting Evidence
The platform supports HIPAA compliance and offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for Enterprise plans. Customers are only permitted to upload PHI into the Subscription Services if... they have executed a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with Smartsheet.
— help.smartsheet.com
Smartsheet Gov is FedRAMP authorized and meets DISA IL-4 requirements. Smartsheet Gov is a new Smartsheet environment with FedRAMP authorized status
— smartsheet.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Users report performance degradation and UI slowness when sheets become large or contain complex formulas.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
The 'How We Choose' section for marketing workflow tools for creative teams outlines a comprehensive evaluation process grounded in objective research and analysis. Key factors considered include product specifications, essential features for collaboration and project management, customer reviews, and overall ratings. Particular attention was given to aspects critical to creative teams, such as integration capabilities, usability, workflow automation, and support resources. Rankings were determined by analyzing data from user feedback and reviews, comparing specifications across the evaluated products, and assessing the price-to-value ratio to ensure each tool meets the unique demands of creative workflows.
Overall scores reflect relative ranking within this category, accounting for which limitations materially affect real-world use cases. Small differences in category scores can result in larger ranking separation when those differences affect the most common or highest-impact workflows.
Verification
Products evaluated through comprehensive research and analysis of user ratings and expert insights.
Selection criteria focus on key features and functionalities that enhance team collaboration and efficiency.
Rankings based on a thorough analysis of specifications, customer feedback, and industry expert reviews.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners.
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Score Breakdown
0.0/ 10
Deep Research
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