SmoothSheet vs Sheetgo: Which CSV Importer Is Better?

If you're searching for the right tool to handle CSV and Excel imports in Google Sheets, you've likely stumbled across both SmoothSheet and Sheetgo. Both tools promise to make spreadsheet data management easier, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Choosing the wrong one could mean overpaying for features you'll never touch or missing the one capability that would save you hours each week.

This SmoothSheet vs Sheetgo comparison breaks down what each tool actually does, where each one excels, and which makes the most sense for your workflow and budget.

Key Takeaways:Sheetgo automates spreadsheet-to-spreadsheet workflows; SmoothSheet specializes in large CSV/Excel file importsSmoothSheet processes files server-side, handling 100K+ rows without browser crashesSheetgo starts free but paid plans run $22 to $76+/month; SmoothSheet is a flat $9/monthChoose Sheetgo for multi-spreadsheet automation; choose SmoothSheet for heavy file imports

SmoothSheet vs Sheetgo at a Glance

What Is Sheetgo?

Sheetgo is a spreadsheet automation platform that connects Google Sheets, Excel, and other data sources to create automated workflows. Think of it as a bridge between your various spreadsheets. It can pull data from one sheet, transform it, and push it into another, all on a schedule.

Founded in 2015, Sheetgo has built a solid reputation in the spreadsheet automation space. It is available as a Google Workspace Marketplace add-on and also works with Microsoft Excel and other platforms.

What Sheetgo Does Well

Sheetgo core strength is creating automated data pipelines between spreadsheets. Here is where it genuinely shines:

• Spreadsheet connections: Link multiple Google Sheets or Excel files together so data flows automatically between them
• Scheduled transfers: Set up hourly, daily, or weekly data syncs without manual intervention
• Data consolidation: Merge data from multiple spreadsheets into a single master sheet
• Splitting workflows: Distribute data from a master sheet to individual team or department sheets
• Filter and transform: Apply basic filters and transformations as data moves between sheets
• Template workflows: Pre-built templates for common scenarios like budget consolidation and inventory tracking

If you manage a team where multiple people work in different spreadsheets and you need those spreadsheets to stay in sync, Sheetgo is genuinely useful. For instance, a regional manager could have each store submit data in their own sheet, and Sheetgo would automatically consolidate everything into a single report.

Sheetgo Limitations

That said, Sheetgo has notable limitations worth understanding:

• Not built for large file imports: Sheetgo connects spreadsheets to each other, but it does not specialize in importing raw CSV or Excel files into Sheets. Large file imports still rely on Google Sheets native capabilities, which means browser crashes remain a risk for big datasets.
• Row limits on lower tiers: Free and lower-paid plans cap the number of rows you can transfer per connection, which can be restrictive for data-heavy workflows.
• Complexity curve: Setting up multi-step workflows takes time. If your needs are straightforward (import a file, done) Sheetgo adds unnecessary complexity.
• Connection-based pricing: Each automated link between spreadsheets counts as a connection, and connections are the primary pricing lever. Costs scale as your workflows grow.

What Is SmoothSheet?

SmoothSheet is a Google Sheets add-on built for one specific job: importing large CSV and Excel files into Google Sheets without crashing your browser. Instead of making your browser do the heavy lifting, SmoothSheet processes everything server-side, which means files with 100,000+ rows import smoothly without the dreaded Page Unresponsive error.

The Server-Side Processing Advantage

When you try to import a large CSV through Google Sheets built-in tools, your browser has to load, parse, and transfer every cell. For files with tens of thousands of rows, that overwhelms the browser and causes crashes. If you have experienced this firsthand, you know how frustrating it is, especially when you are on a deadline.

SmoothSheet handles all that processing on its own servers. Your browser just displays the results. The difference is night and day for anyone working with large datasets. We covered this in detail in our guide on uploading large CSVs to Google Sheets without browser crashes.

Key SmoothSheet Features

• Server-side processing: Handles 100K+ row files without browser crashes
• Smart column mapping: Automatically maps incoming columns to your existing sheet structure with a visual preview
• Formula preservation: Detects existing formulas in your sheet and extends them to cover new rows so your calculations stay intact
• Automatic backups: Creates a snapshot of your sheet before every import, so you can roll back if something goes wrong
• CSV and Excel support: Works with CSV, XLSX, and XLS files seamlessly

Free Tools Ecosystem

Beyond the Google Sheets add-on, SmoothSheet offers 20 free browser-based CSV tools that process data entirely client-side (no server uploads, complete privacy). Tools like the CSV Merger for combining files and the CSV Splitter for breaking oversized datasets into manageable chunks are genuinely helpful for data prep before importing.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

CSV/Excel Import Capabilities

This is where SmoothSheet and Sheetgo diverge most clearly.

SmoothSheet was designed from the ground up for file imports. You drag a CSV or Excel file into the add-on, preview the column mapping, and hit import. The server-side engine handles the rest. It supports CSV, XLSX, and XLS formats natively, and the smart column mapping means you spend less time manually aligning data.

Sheetgo can import data from CSV files and external spreadsheets, but this is not its primary design goal. Sheetgo import capabilities are more focused on connecting one spreadsheet to another. If you need to bring in a standalone 200MB CSV file, Sheetgo does not offer the same kind of optimized, crash-proof import experience that SmoothSheet provides.

Winner: SmoothSheet, decisively. This is its entire reason for existing.

Large File Handling

For files under 10,000 rows, both tools (and even Google Sheets native import) work just fine. The real test comes with larger datasets.

SmoothSheet server-side processing means there is effectively no browser-side bottleneck. Files with 100K, 200K, even 500K rows import without your browser breaking a sweat. Your tab does not freeze, you do not lose work in other tabs, and you do not have to babysit the import.

Sheetgo operates within Google Sheets standard environment. While it does server-side work for scheduled transfers, the import of raw files into sheets is still subject to the same browser-based limitations that cause crashes with large files.

Keep in mind that Google Sheets itself has a 10 million cell limit regardless of which tool you use. If your data exceeds that, you will need to split it first. SmoothSheet free CSV Splitter handles that nicely.

Winner: SmoothSheet. Server-side processing is a genuine advantage here.

Data Mapping and Transformation

SmoothSheet offers smart column mapping with a visual preview before each import. You can see exactly how your incoming columns align with your existing sheet, adjust mappings if needed, and confirm before any data moves. It also preserves your existing formulas, a feature that is surprisingly rare.

Sheetgo offers more extensive data transformation options within its workflow builder. You can apply filters, merge data from multiple sources, split data into separate destinations, and even create calculated fields within the pipeline. For complex multi-step data processing, Sheetgo transformation capabilities are more flexible.

Winner: Depends on your needs. SmoothSheet wins for import mapping and formula preservation; Sheetgo wins for multi-step data transformation workflows.

Automation and Scheduling

This is Sheetgo home turf. You can set up connections to run automatically on hourly, daily, or weekly schedules. Once configured, data flows between your spreadsheets without any manual intervention. For teams that need regular, hands-off data consolidation, this is powerful.

SmoothSheet is a manual import tool. You initiate each import yourself: drag, map, import. There is no scheduling or automated recurring imports. If you need the same file imported every Tuesday at 9 AM, you will have to do it yourself each time.

Winner: Sheetgo, clearly. Automation is its core value proposition.

Free Tools and Extras

SmoothSheet comes with 20 free CSV/Excel tools at smoothsheet.com/tools. These include a CSV Analyzer, Validator, Encoding Fixer, Delimiter Converter, and more. All tools run entirely in your browser with no server uploads, so your data stays completely private. These tools are useful for data prep work regardless of which import tool you end up choosing.

Sheetgo offers some built-in templates and workflow presets but does not provide a comparable suite of standalone free tools.

Winner: SmoothSheet. Twenty free tools is a genuine value-add.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing is often the deciding factor, so let us lay it out clearly.

Sheetgo Pricing

Sheetgo uses a tiered model based on connections (each link between spreadsheets counts as one connection):

The free tier is genuinely useful for testing, but the 1,000-row limit per connection means most real workflows will require a paid plan. The Professional plan works for small teams, but the row limits can become a bottleneck as datasets grow. Business-tier pricing covers most needs but at a significant monthly cost.

SmoothSheet Pricing

SmoothSheet keeps it simple: $9/month flat. That is it. No tiers, no connection limits, no per-row caps, no per-user fees. You get unlimited imports, server-side processing for large files, smart column mapping, formula preservation, and automatic backups.

Value Analysis

If your primary need is importing large CSV and Excel files into Google Sheets, SmoothSheet at $9/month delivers exactly what you need at a fraction of Sheetgo cost. Even Sheetgo most affordable paid plan costs more than double SmoothSheet price, and it is not optimized for the same use case.

If you need Sheetgo automation and multi-spreadsheet workflow capabilities, its pricing is reasonable for what it offers. Automated data pipelines save significant manual labor, and the cost can easily pay for itself if you are consolidating data from dozens of sources regularly.

For teams that need both capabilities, using SmoothSheet for file imports ($9/month) and Sheetgo for automation workflows ($22+/month) together can still be more cost-effective than trying to force one tool to do both jobs.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Sheetgo If...

• You need automated data flows between multiple Google Sheets or Excel files
• Your workflow involves consolidating data from many team members individual spreadsheets
• You need scheduled, hands-off data transfers (daily, weekly)
• You distribute data from a master sheet to individual department or team sheets
• Multi-step data transformation workflows are central to your process

Sheetgo is a solid tool for spreadsheet automation. If connecting sheets to each other and automating recurring data flows is your primary challenge, it delivers real value.

Choose SmoothSheet If...

• You regularly import large CSV or Excel files (50K+ rows) into Google Sheets
• Browser crashes during imports are a recurring frustration
• You need to preserve existing formulas when adding new data to a sheet
• You want a simple, affordable tool without complex workflow configuration
• You work with data exports from systems that produce files (ERP reports, database exports, analytics CSVs)

SmoothSheet is the better choice when your core problem is getting big files into Google Sheets reliably. It does this one thing exceptionally well at a price that is hard to argue with.

The Verdict

These tools solve different problems. Sheetgo excels at automated spreadsheet-to-spreadsheet workflows. SmoothSheet excels at importing large files into Google Sheets without crashes. Comparing them head-to-head on the same criteria misses the point. It is like comparing a delivery truck to a conveyor belt. Both move things, but the use cases are different.

That said, if your specific need is importing large CSV or Excel files, SmoothSheet at $9/month is the more specialized and more affordable option. For multi-spreadsheet automation, Sheetgo is genuinely worth considering.

You might also want to check our SmoothSheet vs Coupler.io comparison if you are evaluating multiple options, and our guide to importing Excel into Google Sheets for broader context on the import landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sheetgo free?

Sheetgo offers a free plan with up to 3 connections and a limit of 1,000 rows per connection. This is enough for basic testing or very small workflows, but most real-world use cases will require the Professional plan at around $22/month or higher. Annual billing typically saves 15 to 20 percent on paid tiers.

Can Sheetgo handle large CSV files?

Sheetgo can import CSV data, but it is not specifically optimized for large file imports. Its row limits per connection (1,000 on free, 20,000 on Professional, 100,000 on Business) constrain how much data you can move in a single transfer. For large CSV imports that exceed 50,000 rows, SmoothSheet server-side processing is a more reliable choice.

What is the best Google Sheets CSV importer?

For large file imports specifically, SmoothSheet is the best option. It processes files server-side so your browser never crashes, handles 100K+ rows seamlessly, and preserves existing formulas. For automated data pipelines between spreadsheets, tools like Sheetgo or Coupler.io serve different needs. The best tool depends entirely on whether you are importing files or automating data flows.

Does SmoothSheet work with Excel files?

Yes. SmoothSheet supports CSV, XLSX, and XLS file formats. It handles the conversion and import process seamlessly, preserving your data structure and automatically extending existing formulas to cover new rows. You can learn more about Excel workflows in our guide to importing Excel into Google Sheets.

Conclusion

Choosing between SmoothSheet and Sheetgo is not about which is better overall. It is about which problem you are actually trying to solve. Sheetgo is a capable automation platform for connecting spreadsheets and creating scheduled data workflows. SmoothSheet is a focused, powerful import tool that handles large CSV and Excel files without breaking your browser.

If large file imports are your pain point, SmoothSheet $9/month flat pricing and server-side processing make it the clear choice. If spreadsheet-to-spreadsheet automation is what you need, Sheetgo has you covered. And if you need both, using them together is a perfectly sensible approach and still costs less than many single-tool alternatives.