Best Microsoft Project Alternatives: Free & Paid Options (2024)

Microsoft Project is a project management software that’s commonly used by 35,000+ companies around the globe, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best tool. This forces some to seek a Microsoft Project alternative for effective collaboration and lower prices.

As projects grow in complexity and workforces expand globally, the need for online project management tools is no luxury. There is no lack of MS Project alternatives to choose from, with varying degrees of usefulness and project management features. Microsoft has thrown its considerable weight into the ring with Microsoft Project. While MS Project has become an industry standard in project management, it comes with problems, leaving people to search for the best Microsoft Project alternative.

Why People Seek a Microsoft Project Alternative

Microsoft Project can do much of what you need when planning and managing a project, but it’s not a perfect tool. There are many reasons why people who use it are searching for Microsoft Project alternatives. Thankfully, many other project management solutions on the market offer users a great alternative to Microsoft Project. We’ll get to those in a moment, but first, let’s outline the reasons people are dissatisfied with MS Project.

Steep Learning Curve for Users

Microsoft Project is not for beginners. The software is very technical and not user-friendly. That might be fine if you have an advanced degree in project management, but for the rest of us, it’s going to require a lot of work, time and training to get a handle on how to use the tool. Why do that when you can simply use one of the best MS Project alternatives?

No Microsoft Project Mobile App on Android or iOS

It’s hard to imagine a project management software in 2024 without a mobile app, but somehow Microsoft Project still doesn’t have one. This is going to severely limit your team’s ability to update tasks from the field. This may be reason enough to find an MS Project alternative for some.

Poor Team Communication, Even on Microsoft 365

Microsoft Project falls short in this category. You can’t easily message your team in the app, which means you’re going to have to jump onto one of the messaging tools that Microsoft offers, such as Teams, Outlook or Skype. Why do you want an add-on when it’s so much more efficient to choose a Microsoft Project alternative?

Microsoft Project Doesn’t Integrate Outside MS Tools

While MS Project works okay with other Microsoft products, that’s not the case if you want to use a tool outside of the Microsoft family of apps. So, if you’re looking to integrate with Salesforce, Slack or other tools, you’re probably going to find yourself frustrated and looking for MS Project alternatives.

Microsoft Project Pricing is Confusing and Expensive

If money is your bottom line, then Microsoft Project’s price tag will be a tough pill to swallow. What makes matters worse is that you have to pay for each license. You may have to selectively license MS Project to your team. Luckily there are low-cost and even free Microsoft Project alternatives in the market.

It’s Hard to Share Data with Other Project Management Software

It’s almost as if Microsoft Project doesn’t want your team to work together. If anyone on your team works on an Apple product, they’re out of luck. It’s such a problem that a cottage industry of online tools has emerged that offer ways to take MPP files, convert them into friendlier formats to edit and share and then convert them back to MS Project files. That’s not very efficient!

Which MS Project Alternative Is Right For You?

Microsoft Project is clunky, expensive and difficult-to-use project management software. Although it’s the default option for many, it doesn’t cater to every team’s needs.

Construction teams, for example, may feel limited by MS Project’s weak scheduling features, leaving them to find a Microsoft Project alternative with dynamic Gantt charts and resource allocation features. Marketing teams may look for an alternative with great integrations that go beyond the Microsoft umbrella, while students may seek a free or open-source Microsoft Project alternative that better fits their budget and workflow.

20 Best Microsoft Project Alternatives of 2024

There are many Microsoft Project alternatives in the market, each of which has key features and characteristics that make them unique. The following list includes free, freemium, cloud-based or open-source options. Look through them and decide the best Microsoft Project alternative for you.

1. ProjectManager

ProjectManager is online project and portfoilo management software that tops our list for its incredibly rich project data, competitive pricing and compatibility with Mac. This MS Project alternative helps you plan and schedule projects while delivering real-time updates with live dashboards and powerful reporting tools to continuously improve analysis and performance. And there’s a free 30-day trial so you can try it out, risk-free.

Award-winning Gantt Charts for Precise Project Schedules

ProjectManager’s Gantt chart software is unmatched: no other Microsoft Project alternative offers four types of dependencies, baseline tracking, real-time workload data, critical path filtering and more. Of course, not everyone works the same, which is why you get access to five different project views including Gantt, kanban, task list, spreadsheet and calendar. As teams execute tasks, even on the mobile app, data is updated instantly across the software offering reliable dashboards and reporting.

Get All the Robust Features, Plus Mac Compatibility

ProjectManager not only works on all Mac products but it does nearly everything that MS Project does, faster, easier and at a lower price point, which puts it at the top of the best Microsoft Project alternatives list. You can collaborate without jumping through hoops and manage schedules, resources, workload and much more. Plus, ProjectManager has real-time dashboards that compile data instantly, streamlining analysis and reporting tasks.

Dashboard in ProjectManager, best Microsoft Project Alternative

Intuitive Resource Management

In addition to best-in-class project planning features, ProjectManager also offers a painless resource management experience. When scheduling tasks, real-time resource availability appears, so the workload is always balanced. When the project gets underway, you can use the team page to see all the tasks your team is working on in one place. Filter by team type, project and date range to stay on top of your team’s progress. Click on a task to make updates, or reallocate work instantly. You can’t get that level of team management and collaboration in Microsoft Project.

As a bonus, ProjectManager offers a seamless import and export of MPP files. If some team members still use Microsoft Project, it’s never been easier to collaborate on MPP files and project plans. It’s so simple that you might just convince them to make the switch to this Microsoft Project alternative, too. There isn’t a more powerful, yet easy-to-use software in this Microsoft Project alternatives list. See for yourself with a free 30-day trial.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Project Management

ProjectManager Pros & Key Features

Multiple project management views
Robust project planning, scheduling, tracking and resource management features
Mac-friendly, cloud-based project management software with unlimited file storage
Can be used to view and edit Microsoft Project files (MPP files)
Great alternative for project, program and portfolio management offices (PMOs)
Free trial
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS

ProjectManager Cons & Limitations

Limited customization features
Fewer integrations than other Microsoft Project alternatives in this list
No free plan

Pricing

Team: $13.00 user/month
Business: $24.00 user/month
Enterprise: contact sales for a custom quote

ProjectManager Reviews

G2 review: 4.4 / 5
Capterra review: 4.1 / 5

2. Wrike

Wrike is an MS Project alternative that makes our list because it’s easier to use than Microsoft when planning, tracking and analyzing projects. It’s far more collaborative than MS Project, but then almost all the Microsoft Project alternatives on this list are too. You can easily invite freelancers, contractors, clients and teams from other departments into the tool for free, which is a nice touch.

Wrike, Best Microsoft Project alternative for planning

Those planning and collaborative features are great, but you’ll need a good deal of time to get comfortable using them. Don’t forget to add training time to your projects to get everyone up to speed with using Wrike. That doesn’t mean it’s hard to use, just difficult to know which is the right plan for you to move forward with. There are the pricing tiers we outline below, but then they have industry-specific versions of the software that add to the confusion. It’s an expensive project management tool, with user minimums, which might stop users from even exploring it as an option.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Project Planning

Wrike Pros & Key features

Allows non-Wrike users to visualize projects, which helps share projects with users without a Wrike license
Gantt charts, calendars and task management boards
Free trial
Mobile project management for Android and iOS

Wrike Cons & Limitations

Its feature set focuses more heavily on work management than project management
Gantt charts lack important project management features such as cost and resource tracking
Limited project tracking and reporting features compared to Microsoft Project
High user minimums

Pricing

Professional plan: $9.80 user/month
Business plan: $24.80 user/month

Wrike Reviews

G2 review: 4.2 / 5
Capterra review: 4.3 / 5

3. Smartsheet

Smartsheet is an online MS Project alternative that functions like a spreadsheet but adds collaborative features that connect teams. Its focus on collaboration means that the scheduling and task management features are lighter than some might want, but they’re not absent from the tool. It’s powerful like MS Project but more customizable, supporting automation.

Smartsheet a Microsoft project alternative for project management spreadsheets

However, because of its limited reach in terms of managing projects, users will have to spend extra to get such tools as time tracking, budgeting and resource management. There are no real-time updates, and autosave can be a little slow, which is frustrating if you lose data before it has been saved. If you need advanced project management features, you’ll need to look for other MS Project alternatives.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Spreadsheets and Templates

Smartsheet Pros & Key Features

Ideal for switching from Excel spreadsheets to project management software
Files can be exported to Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project
Mac-friendly
Free trial
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS

Smartsheet Cons & Limitations

Simple project management tools lack the functionality Microsoft Project offers
Some features require spreadsheet formulas which add a steep learning curve to implementation
Lack of resource management tools are a disadvantage when compared to other Microsoft Project alternatives
Dashboards and reports aren’t detailed enough for project, program or portfolio management
No free plan

Smartsheet Pricing

Pro plan: $7 user/month
Business plan: $25 user/month

Smartsheet Reviews

G2 review: 4.4/5
Capterra review: 4.5/5

4. Primavera P6

Primavera P6 is project management software developed by Oracle and used for enterprise portfolio management. It’s a Microsoft Project alternative that is best suited for large-scale and complex projects, often found in construction, engineering and manufacturing. It’s useful for projects that require extensive scheduling, resource management and detailed reporting. In terms of scheduling, there are Gantt charts, critical path analysis and more. For resource management, the software offers resource leveling, allocation and cost management.

Primavera P6, a microsoft project alternative for large construction projects

The trouble with this Microsoft Project alternative is that it’s complicated and has a steep learning curve, especially for new users. Be prepared to devote time for significant training before doing any project work. On top of this, the price of entry is high. This Microsoft Project alternative is more expensive than most project management software when extra licenses and implementation are required. It’s also resource-intensive. Expect substantial computing resources and infrastructure to support it, plus maintenance.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Businesses

Primavera Key Features & Benefits:

Offers specialized features for enterprise project portfolio management
On-premise and online project management software solutions
Has an online version, Oracle Primavera Cloud
Mobile app for Android and iOS

Primavera Cons & Limitations:

There’s no customer support from Oracle
User interface feels outdated compared to most project management software in this list
The software is complex and hard to use
It’s difficult to find product documentation online
Very expensive project management solution for small teams

Primavera Pricing

You may acquire a desktop license or pay a monthly subscription for the online service for any of these and other versions of Primavera.

Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management: $2,750
Primavera P6 Progress Reporter: $950
Primavera P6 Professional Project Management: $2,500

Primavera Reviews

G2 review: 4.4
Capterra review: 4.3

5. Monday.com

Monday is a Microsoft Project alternative that is fun to use, which makes it nearly the polar opposite of Microsoft Project. Monday is a project management software that doesn’t feel like a project management software. It is easy to start customizing workflows, and it has automation to keep users aligned and updated on due dates. Agile users will love the kanban boards for task management and the custom dashboard that tracks progress in real time.

Monday.com, a Microsoft project alternative for task management

If all this sounds like a good MS Project alternative and you want to check it out, you’ll only have two weeks to play around with the trial version or use the free edition, which is limited to two users. That’s not really enough time to get a handle on an app. More a collection of customized spreadsheets than project management software, Monday might fall short of your management needs. For example, there’s no Gantt chart. The timeline they offer is a lightweight attempt to match the power of the Gantt. There are no dependencies, for one, which is sure to cause headaches as you execute your project. But if you’re looking for simple MS Project alternatives, this could be it.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Ease of Use

Monday.com Pros & Key Features

Ideal for beginner project managers and team leaders across industries
Easy-to-use team collaboration features
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS
Free trial

Monday.com Cons & Limitations

Its feature set is not robust enough for project, program or project portfolio management
Project reports and dashboards are limited compared to Microsoft Project
Limited project planning features, more geared towards task and workflow management

Monday.com Pricing

Basic: $8/user/month, billed annually
Standard: $10/user/month, billed annually
Pro: $16/user/month, billed annually
3-seat minimum

Monday.com Reviews

G2 review: 4.7/5
Capterra review: 4.6/5

6. Asana

Asana is a great Microsoft Project alternative that organizes work across all your teams and makes sure everyone is always productive. It’s highly collaborative and tracks tasks and workflows, which makes it an ideal tool for task management. It’s flexible in that regard, and it has some of the best communication tools on this list, including video messaging that can be shared with the team. There are also multiple project views, including kanban boards, lists and calendars.

Asana, a Microsoft Project alternative with project timelines

But, even with all its features and integrations, it still doesn’t mean Asana is a fully equipped Microsoft Project alternative. There are big holes in the platform. For example, there are no resource management tools, no budgeting and expense tracking and other things that project managers have come to expect in project management software. Projects that involve a lot of design work are not going to be happy that you can’t markup or proof visuals. But many will be won over by the design and flexibility when looking for Microsoft Project alternatives.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Task Management

Asana Pros & Key Features

Friendly user interface and easy-to-use tools
Ideal for team collaboration
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS
Microsoft project alternative with a free plan
Free trial

Asana Cons & Limitations

Its timeline view mimics a Gantt chart but lacks cost management and resource tracking features
Limited project management tools compared to Microsoft Project
Overly simplistic features fall short of project planning, scheduling and tracking

Asana Pricing

Premium plan: $10.99/user/month, billed annually
Business plan: $24.99/user/month, billed annually

Asana Reviews

G2 review: 4.3/5
Capterra review: 4.5/5

7. Jira

Jira is a Microsoft Project alternative used for project management and issue tracking. It is mostly used in software development but can fit into other types of projects. It is not an apples-to-apples comparison with MS Project, but has similar capabilities, such as task tracking, workflow management and project planning. It can be customized and integrated with other tools and services. It is especially useful for teams working in an agile environment. It also has robust reporting and dashboards.

Jira, a Microsoft Project alternative with project timelines

This Microsoft Project alternative is not ideal for projects run in a waterfall methodology. That’s because there are no Gantt charts, which are the tool of choice for traditional project management. The interface and many of its features, such as the kanban, are not easy to use. Cost can also be an issue if there are going to be multiple team members licensed to the product. Users have reported some performance issues, as well, when managing large projects. That can negatively impact productivity.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Software Development

Jira Pros & Key Features

Good for tracking issues
Plugins available on marketplace
Mobile app available for Android and iOS
7-day free trial

Jira Cons & Limitations

Doesn’t have Gantt charts which is a big disadvantage compared to other MS Project alternatives
User interface is hard to navigate, kanban boards are not easy to use
The feature set is designed for agile software development teams, so it’s not a great fit for teams using other project management methodologies

Jira Pricing

Standard: $7.75 per user
Premium: $15.25 per user
Enterprise: Contact sales

Jira Reviews

G2 review: 4.3
Capterra review: 4.5

8. Microsoft Planner

If you love Microsoft software but feel that Microsoft Project is too much for you, then try Microsoft Planner. Glaringly there are no Gantt charts, but if that’s not an issue, then this might be worth a try. This Microsoft Project alternative is a lightweight task management tool that specializes in kanban boards and task lists. And to help grease the wheels of collaboration, there are email notifications and calendars for those who need a work management solution.

Microsoft Planner, Best Microsoft Project alternative for Microsoft fans

However, it’s a limited tool compared to Microsoft Project, and you’re certainly not going to get the planning and scheduling features of MS Project, much less its resource management and portfolio management features. But, if you just need an online space to manage tasks with your team and you live in the Microsoft universe, try Microsoft Planner instead.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Microsoft Fans

Microsoft Planner Pros & Key Features

Simple team collaboration tools for effective communication
Basic task management features, easy to grasp by most users
Mobile app available for Android and iOS
Free trial

Microsoft Planner Cons & Limitations

Doesn’t offer Gantt charts, only kanban boards and task lists
No workflow automation features
Limited project management feature set

Microsoft Planner Pricing

Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50 user/month
Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00 user/month

Microsoft Planner Reviews

G2 review: 4.2/5
Capterra review: 4.3/5

9. Zoho Projects

Zoho Projects is a Microsoft Project alternative with kanban boards that organize tasks, a social feed that captures updates on those tasks and forums for lengthier discussions. It connects teams to foster productivity and even has a timesheet feature for managers to see how much time each team member spends on their tasks. It offers issue tracking and a Gantt project view.

Zoho Projects, a low-cost Microsoft Project alternative

What it lacks as an MS Project alternative are resource management tools and reporting. In a sense, a manager is flying blind if they can’t generate status reports and then reallocate resources to keep their teams working at capacity. There is also no function for managing more than one project at a time, leaving the tool limited in what it can do for users.

Verdict: Best Low-cost Microsoft Project Alternative

Zoho Projects Pros & Key Features

Good fit for basic project management
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS
Free trial
Free plan available

Zoho Projects Cons & Limitations

User interface could be improved for better navigability
Gantt chart project tracking features are limited compared to Microsoft Project
Lack of resource management features
Hard to integrate with

Zoho Projects Pricing

Premium: $4/user/month, billed annually
Enterprise: $9/user/month, billed annually

Zoho Projects Reviews

G2 review: 4.3/5
Capterra review: 4.4/5

10. Airtable

Airtable is a cloud-based Microsoft Project alternative that combines elements of a spreadsheet with the functionality of a database. User-friendly and customizable, users can manage projects across multiple views, such as grid, calendar, kanban and gallery. Those already familiar with spreadsheets will find adapting to this tool easy, there are several pre-built templates for project management, content planning and CRM to help get teams started. It’s also collaborative, has automation for repetitive tasks and a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Airtable, one of the best Microsoft Project alternatives

While there are multiple project views, there is no Gantt chart, which is a foundational project planning and scheduling tool, on any but the top-tier subscription accounts. In fact, its scheduling tools are generally limited. Even though it has some automation, this, too, is limited and might require third-party apps. Even its task management is problematic as setting up tasks and subtasks can be complicated. The Microsoft Project alternative also lacks resource leveling and can link all dependencies, which can create costly delays, and detailed reporting features. This tool simply isn’t suitable for large projects and those who do try it will find the cost prohibitively expensive.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Building Apps

Airtable Pros & Key Features

User-friendly interface
Real-time collaboration
Record linking
Pre-built templates
Multiple views: grid, kanban, calendar, gallery

Airtable Cons & Limitations

Expensive per-user pricing
Data entry limitations
Storage constraints
Limited customization
Lack of scalability

Airtable Pricing

Team: $20 per seat/monthly (billed annually)
Business: $45 per seat/monthly (billed annually)
Enterprise: contact sales

Airtable Reviews

G2 review: 4.6
Capterra review: 4.7

11. Notion

Notion is a workspace tool that can be a strong Microsoft Project alternative depending on one’s needs. It’s an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, task management, database management and collaborative features. It has a more user-friendly interface than Microsoft Project, which is designed to be intuitive and doesn’t require a great deal of training.

Users who are looking for a Microsoft Project alternative with detailed Gantt charts, resource leveling and automated scheduling will be disappointed. Notion has limited advanced project management features. It’s also going to be a better fit for smaller teams or even individual use. Those looking to scale up to larger projects will become frustrated by Notion’s flexibility and look for a more specialized project management tool instead.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Notetaking

Notion Pros & Key Features

All-in-one workspace
Task management
Notetaking
Database creation
Customizable
User-friendly interface

Notion Cons & Limitations

Limited advanced project management features
Limited offline access
No built-in time tracking
Not good for large teams or projects
Expensive to get more advanced features
Customization is complicated

Notion Pricing

Personal Pro Plan: $10/month, billed monthly
Team Plan: $12/month, billed monthly
Enterprise: contact sales

12. Procore

Procore is a Microsoft Project alternative that is used in larger construction projects. It’s not a direct replacement for MS Project, as it’s focused on construction project management. However, it does have robust tools for managing project timelines, tasks and documentation, including scheduling, budgeting and resource management. Real-time collaboration keeps communication between general contractors, subcontractors and stakeholders, which reduces risks of misunderstandings and delays. There’s also a mobile app and integration with third-party tools.

Procore schedule, one of the best Microsoft Project alternatives

While the Microsoft Project alternative has Gantt charts and project calendars, these are the only scheduling tools available. Users might expect more views, considering the high cost of the product, which only increases when more users are added. Needless to say, this is not the software one is going to choose to run projects outside of construction. It’s simply designed for construction project management and little else. Like other complicated software products, this has a steep learning curve. Smaller projects, even small construction projects, are not going to be appropriate for this software. It would be overkill. One reason is that the setup and integration of Procore with existing systems is time-consuming and complex.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Large Projects

Procore Pros & Key Features

Best for large projects
Document management features for construction management
Project cost tracking and budgeting tools
Time tracking features for managing the construction site
Compatibility with Microsoft Project and Primavera P6
Mobile app for Android and iOS

Procore Cons & Limitations

Procore only offers two project scheduling views, Gantt charts and project calendars
Complex construction scheduling tool with a steep learning curve
Limited resource planning tools for managing resource allocation
Gantt charts don’t track task costs

Procore Pricing

Procore requires a custom quote

Procore Reviews

G2 review: 4.6
Capterra review: 4.5

13. Paymo

Paymo is comprehensive project management software with time tracking and invoicing capabilities so business owners and project managers can track project success. Its automatic time tracker makes Paymo a tough contender in the project management ring.

Paymo, a Microsoft Project alternative for time tracking

Task management is straightforward, with multiple assignees, priorities, customizable statuses, and project views including list, table, kanban, calendar and Gantt. There’s also an extra meta-Kanban view for a bird’s-eye view of your team’s tasks. This MS alternative is a great PM tool, but it has its limitations with third-party applications and can be complex and difficult to use.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Project and Time Tracking

Paymo Pros & Key Features

Multiple project management views such as Gantt charts, task lists and kanban boards
Good fit for small businesses thanks to its invoicing and payment processing features
Mobile app for Android and iOS
MS Project alternative with a free plan
Free trial
Mobile project management for Android and iOS

Paymo Cons & Limitations

Limited project tracking and reporting features compared to Microsoft Project
Project files can only be exported as PDF or PNG, which makes it difficult to export them to other platforms
No workflow automation tools

Paymo Pricing

Starter plan: $5.9/user/month paid annually
Small Office plan: $10.9/user/month paid annually
Business plan: $16.9/user/month paid annually

Paymo Reviews

G2 review: 4.6 / 5
Capterra review: 4.8 / 5

14. ClickUp

ClickUp is a project management platform for teams across industries such as marketing, product planning and software development. It offers similar features to Microsoft Project, including Gantt charts, kanban boards, task lists and dashboards. Additionally, ClickUp offers document editing, instant messaging and email management tools. One of the main advantages of this software is the variety of integrations with third-party software, which allows users to customize the software to fit their needs.

ClickUp, one of the best Microsoft Project alternatives

However, unlike Microsoft Project, ClickUp wasn’t exclusively designed for project management. As a result, some of its features are limited. For example, ClickUp’s Gantt charts don’t allow you to track project costs or the percentage complete of each task, and they don’t track the four types of dependencies that are used in project management. So while ClickUp it’s a versatile tool that can help you manage tasks, teams and workflows, it might not be the best Microsoft Project alternative.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Team Productivity

ClickUp Pros & Key Features

Multiple team collaboration tools, including a built-in email solution
Flexible for teams across industries
Kanban boards and dashboards are a good fit for scrum and agile teams
Mobile project planning app for Android and iOS

ClickUp Cons & Limitations

Feature variety is often overwhelming for most users, especially when setting up the software and onboarding team members
Project management tools lack important features that Microsoft Project has
Files can be only be exported in PDF format
Missing project reports
No free trial

ClickUp Pricing

Unlimited: $5/user/month, billed annually
Business: $12/user/month, billed annually

ClickUp Reviews

G2 review: 4.7/5
Capterra review: 4.7/5

15. GanttPRO

If you’re a small team in need of a Microsoft Project alternative with Gantt charts, GanttPRO may be right for you. Like Microsoft Project, its primary feature is the Gantt chart, and you’ll find that it’s fairly robust when it comes to planning and scheduling. And, when compared to Microsoft Project, it’s quite easy to use. Plus, there’s a kanban board feature for those who aren’t comfortable using the Gantt.

GanttPRO, Best Microsoft Project alternative with a Gantt for small teams

However, the Gantt is about all it does well. When it comes to tracking and reporting, it falls behind the pack. Furthermore, if you need to do billing or invoicing, you’ll have to rely on integrations to get it done. Unforutnately, its integrations aren’t very robust either, so you may find yourself using other tools in addition to this Gantt-heavy Microsoft Project alternative.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative with a Gantt for Small Teams

GanttPRO Pros & Key Features

Files can be downloaded in a variety of formats
Easy to view, share and edit files in other software
Cost and budget tracking features
Has a free 14-day free trial
Has a mobile app available on iOS and Android

GanttPRO Cons & Limitations

No timesheets, but there are time tracking features
Limited project reporting features, no project health reports
Few of integrations
No free plan

GanttPRO Pricing

Basic: $7.99/user/month
Pro: $12.99/user/month
Business: $19.99/user/month
Enterprise: Contact sales

GanttPRO Reviews

G2 review: 4.8/5
Capterra review: 4.7/5

16. Trello

Trello is a tool that manages projects and helps teams collaborate. This software uses a kanban board interface that allows users to visualize their workflow. It provides transparency and fosters collaboration. It has real-time updates, which is a plus and has easy onboarding for teams. It’s a fun and easy-to-use MS Project alternative, which is why it made it number five on our list.

Trello, a Microsoft Project alternative for kanban boards

But, as a fully-fledged Microsoft Project alternative, Trello falls short. It has a project bar chart instead of a Gantt. While that feature might try to mimic the usefulness of a Gantt it doesn’t set a baseline to track your actual progress against your planned effort, there are no inter-project dependencies and it can’t filter for the critical path in your schedule. Since it’s not the best project management software, Trello is recommended only for basic project management features.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Kanban Boards

Trello Pros & Key Features

Mac-friendly
Works for agile and scrum teams
Wide variety of integrations
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS
Microsoft Project alternative with a free plan
Free trial

Trello Cons & Limitations

Limited feature set compared to most Microsoft Project Alternatives
Lack of project management tools, only offers kanban boards and project calendars
Most users need to purchase add-ons and integrations to get project management tools that are included in Microsoft Project
Not suitable for project management offices (PMOs) or project portfolio management

Trello Pricing

Standard: $5/user/month, billed annually
Premium: $10/user/month, billed annually
Enterprise: $17.50/user/month, billed annually

Trello Reviews

G2 review: 4.4/5
Capterra review: 4.5/5

17. Basecamp

Basecamp is a Microsoft Project alternative that has team collaboration and is simple to use, two benefits that the notoriously uncollaborative and difficult MS Project can’t touch. Teams looking for a more straightforward and user-friendly solution to Microsoft Project will be attracted to this Microsoft Project alternative. It has task management features and communication tools, such as message boards, team chat and automatic check-ins. It creates a centralized hub for project collaboration.

Basecamp timeline, a Microsoft Project alternative

However, it falls short of being a holistic project management tool. That’s because it lacks Gantt charts and resource management features and can’t handle complex dependencies. This Microsoft Project alternative is not suited for projects with detailed scheduling and resource planning. Reporting is limited, which reduces the analytic capabilities that help guide project managers in their decision-making.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Managing Everyday Work

Basecamp Pros & Key Features

Simple tools for assigning, scheduling and tracking tasks
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS
No user limits for Pro Unlimited
Collaborative

Basecamp Cons & Limitations

Overly basic task management tools and features
Lack of resource planning and management features
No Gantt charts
Limited advanced project management features, such as reporting
No time tracking

Basecamp Pricing

Basecamp: $15 user/month
Pro Unlimited: $299/month, unlimited users

Basecamp Reviews

G2 review: 4.1
Capterra review: 4.4

18. Teamwork

Teamwork is an easy-to-use Microsoft Project alternative. It organizes tasks and subtasks, labeling priorities and identifying dependencies to avoid bottlenecks. There are messages at the task level to connect teams as they work on their tasks and time tracking for managers to monitor progress. Like many Microsoft Project alternatives, it also features a Gantt chart view.

Teamwork, a Microsoft Project alternative for team management

There’s a free version that has limited features. Reviewing all these apps shows the shortcomings of MS Project when it comes to teamwork, hence the name of this product. However, the tool isn’t great for every type of collaboration. For example, you can’t mark up files, which is a problem if teams are working on visual materials. But it’s still miles ahead of MS Project and other Microsoft project management software.

Verdict: Best Microsoft Project Alternative for Team Collaboration

Teamwork Pros & Key Features

Great for basic task management
Timesheet and invoicing features
Free trial
Mobile project management app for Android and iOS

Teamwork Cons

Gantt chart features are good for basic task management but not ideal for project management
Limited project reporting tools
Designed for professional service providers, which is a disadvantage when compared to versatile Microsoft Project alternatives
Paid versions have a 3-user minimum

Teamwork Pricing

Starter $5.99/user/month, billed annually
Deliver $9.99/user/month, billed annually
Grow $19.99/user/month, billed annually

Teamwork Reviews

G2 review: 4.4 / 5
Capterra review: 4.4 / 5

19. GanttProject

GanttProject has one giant advantage over MS Project and even most of the Microsoft Project alternatives—it’s free. Gantt charts are the heavy lifters in project management and a free one is sure to be attractive. Especially one that’s easy to use and that can export documents to MS Project. That means this could prove a major asset to MS Project users.

GanttProject a Microsoft Project alternative for Gantt chart users

That is also its deterrent. You’re still wedded to MS Project. Though, perhaps you’d use GanttProject all by itself to manage your project. After all, Gantt charts are great tools. The problem is that this Gantt is limited in what it can do. For this free MS Project alternative, you’re going to have to use a suite of other apps to get the project management features that MS Project offers.

Verdict: Best Free Microsoft Project Alternative for Gantt Charts

GanttProject Pros & Key Features

Open source Microsoft Project Alternative
Easy-to-use Gantt chart
Good for project planning
Free plan

GanttProject Cons & Limitations

Has a very limited feature set compared to most Microsoft Project alternatives in this list
Lacks many project management features such as dashboards, kanban boards, workload charts, among others
It’s a desktop-based software
No mobile app

GanttProject Pricing

Free downloadable software

GanttProject Reviews

G2 review: 4.5 / 5
Capterra review: 4.5 / 5

20. ProjectLibre

ProjectLibre is a free project management software that offers simple project management tools such as task lists, Gantt charts, project dashboards and resource management spreadsheets. Some of its key features include work breakdown structure (WBS) charts, resource histograms and network diagrams. It’s a downloadable open-source software that works on Windows, Mac and Linux computers, and it’s available in over 20 languages. One of its key advantages is that it can be used to view and edit Microsoft Project files without a Microsoft Project license.

ProjectLibre, an open-source microsoft project alternative

However, while ProjectLibre promotes itself as the best Microsoft Project alternative, it lacks many of the tools that Microsoft Project offers such as timesheets, kanban boards or project management reports. On top of that, its project management features are limited and its user interface is outdated compared to the vast majority of Microsoft Project alternatives.

Verdict: Best Open-source Microsoft Project Alternative

ProjectLibre & Key Features

Available in over 20 different languages
Works on Mac computers
Free plan

ProjectLibre Cons & Limitations

Outdated user interface makes it hard to use and navigate the software
Very limited feature set compared to Microsoft Project and most Microsoft Project alternatives in this list
Limited spreadsheet-based resource planning tools
Desktop-based software

ProjectLibre Pricing

Essential: $45 per month, flat pricing
Ultimate Control: $89 per month, flat pricing

GanttProject Reviews

G2 review: 4.5 / 5
Capterra review: 4.5 / 5