20 Best Free & Paid Microsoft Project Alternatives

Microsoft Project has long been the go-to software for structured project planning, especially in engineering, construction, and enterprise environments. However, as workflows become more collaborative, cross-functional, and fast-paced, traditional tools like MS Project are struggling to keep up.
Today’s teams – especially in engineering, product development, and technical project management – need more than static Gantt charts. They need agile-friendly project management software that supports:
- Kanban boards for sprint planning and task prioritization
- Real-time collaboration across distributed teams
- Automation, time tracking, and resource planning in one place
- Custom workflows tailored for design-build, R&D, or multi-phase industrial projects
In this guide, we’ve compiled the top Microsoft Project alternatives for 2026 – free and paid – with a clear breakdown by use case. Whether you’re:
- a project engineer managing concurrent product lines,
- a PMO leader migrating off legacy tools,
- or an agile team lead needing hybrid planning tools…
…you’ll find the best-fit solution below. Each platform is reviewed based on collaboration features, usability, pricing, and how well it handles complex technical workflows.
Top Microsoft Project Alternatives Compared (2026 Edition)
| Teamhood | Jira | Ganttic | GanttPro | Rational Plan | Wrike | Monday | Asana | Team Gantt | Smartsheet | Trello | Project Libre | Open Project | Agantty | Gantt Project | Planner | Clarizen One | Redmine | Toggl Planner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||||
| Capterra rating | 4.9⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.4⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.2⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.8⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.4⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.2⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.6⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.5⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.6/5⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.5⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.5⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.4⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.3⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.6⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.1⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.3⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.2⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.3⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Free Plan | No, start a free trial | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Business Pricing | Paid at $6 | Paid from $7 | Paid from $2 | Paid from $8.50 | Paid from $4 | Paid from $9.80 | Paid from $9 | Paid from $10.99 | Paid from $24.95 | Paid from $7 | Paid from $5 | Free | Paid from $8.50 | Free | Paid from $5 | Paid from $12.50 | N/A | Paid from $25 | Paid from $8 |
| Task management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sub-task management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||||||||||
| Task dependencies | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||||||||
| Multiple dependency types | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||||||||||
| Team management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||
| Portfolio management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||||||
| Time tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||||||||
| Gantt chart | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||
| Agile features | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||||||||||
| Budget and cost tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |||||||||||||||
| Custom dashboards | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ||||||||||||||
| Workload view | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Teamhood — planning power, minus the complexity
If you want the planning depth of Microsoft Project in a modern, collaborative tool your team learns in a day: Teamhood pairs a real Gantt (dependencies, critical path, baselines) with deep Kanban, native time tracking and project profitability. EU-hosted, with no Microsoft 365 lock-in.
- Real Gantt + deep Kanban in one tool
- Project profitability built in
- EU-hosted, with on-premise option
- Quick to learn, no steep curve
Using Project Online? Microsoft retires it on September 30, 2026, and data in the service becomes unreachable after that date — see the honest options (including the non-Teamhood ones) in our Project Online alternative guide.
What is Microsoft Project?
Microsoft Project is a comprehensive project management software developed by Microsoft. It is designed to support planning, scheduling, and project monitoring. Key features include task scheduling through Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars, which help users visualize project timelines and manage task dependencies effectively.
How to choose an alternative to Microsoft Project?
Explore alternatives to Microsoft Project. Focus on what truly matters for your project’s success. Instead of rushing into quick wins or big tasks first, consider key factors:
- Task management – crucial for organizing, assigning, and tracking tasks efficiently within a project.
- Ease of use – facilitates productivity by providing an intuitive interface that minimizes learning curves.
- Adoption time impacts project timelines and productivity, making choosing alternatives with quick integration important.
- Team collaboration – fosters productivity and teamwork by facilitating seamless communication and file sharing.
- Integrations – streamline project management processes by allowing seamless data sharing and workflow automation.
Fancy features may catch your eye. But focus on what aligns with your team’s needs and workflow. By considering these, you’ll make a better choice about your project.
Best Microsoft Project Alternatives
1. Teamhood – best for overall project management

Capterra score: 4.9/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Mid-to-large teams seeking scalability and flexible methodology support.
Teamhood is the go-to Microsoft Project alternative for ease of use and flexibility. This project management tool is the least opinionated. It supports many methodologies, like Classic, Agile, Kanban, or Hybrid. Teamhood is for teams with more than 3 people. Only larger teams will appreciate its valuable collaboration features and daily use focus.
Teamhood is more flexible and scalable than Microsoft Project. As discussed, Microsoft Project is better for traditional project management. Plus, Teamhood has a full Kanban board. It has statuses, sub-statuses, and swimlanes. In contrast, Microsoft Project lacks the flexibility and features needed for good Kanban.
Why is Teamhood one of the best alternatives to MS Project?
Teamhood offers simplicity and strong flexibility. It connects traditional and modern project management styles. Its Kanban features and easy collaboration let teams adapt quickly. This ensures full visibility and helps streamline workflows. You can achieve project success without the complexity of Microsoft Project.
Key features
- Gantt charts
- Workload view
- Dependency management
- Powerful Kanban Board
- Templating
- Project Portfolio

Pros:
- One of the easiest-to-use but still powerful Gantt charts on the market
- Most flexible Kanban structure for visual project management
- Integrated time tracking and ability to generate cost reports per project or portfolio
- Workload and team collaboration features
Cons:
- Some of the popular integrations can be done only via a no-code platform such as Zapier.
Price: Free for max 10 users. Business plans start at $9.5 per user/month.
I appreciate Teamhood’s seamless integration of Kanban and Gantt chart functionalities. As a freelance R&D consultant, the platform allows me to initiate collaborative Kanban sessions with clients and smoothly transition into developing Gantt charts. The software not only meets but exceeds my expectations by offering all the necessary features, ensuring a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Jorg D., Small Business Owner
2. RationalPlan – best for resource management

Capterra score: 4.4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Experienced PMs and organizations prioritizing data security and precise control.
Rational Plan is a professional Gantt tool tailored for experienced project managers. It allows one to plan projects, track resources, and manage finances meticulously. Its main advantage as an alternative to MS Project is that it can be deployed on-premises. Thus, it is more suited for users with sensitive data.
The one drawback of Rational Plan is the user interface. Innovative users won’t like it. Rational Plan is more complex, and some documentation is lacking. It is less user-friendly than other project management tools like Teamhood.
Key features
- Gantt Chart
- Milestones
- Dependencies
Pros:
- Easy Milestones
- Available on-premise
Cons:
- Limits usage per project number
- Outdated user interface
- Complex to use
Price: Starting from $4 per user/month
My dream is to have a single screen dashboard for all the components of Outlook so that I can see at a glance for a single project who is involved in it and in what capacity, that tasks that they have to do and the timescale, the e-mails associated with the project and the calendar entries for upcoming actions. It is really a cross between PM and CRM. Rational Plan comes close to the PM side of it.
Howard G
3. Wrike – best for workflow automation

Capterra score: 4.2/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Marketing and e-commerce teams seeking flexible views and centralized collaboration.
Wrike is a project collaboration tool tailored for marketing and e-commerce teams. It is a good alternative to MS Project due to its various integrated views—Kanban, Gantt, and Table. Team members can also enjoy automated reports, visualize the process with colors, and have a smoother work environment with all information in one place.
The entry-level plans of Wrike lack robust security features, which can be a concern for teams handling sensitive data. Also, Outlook integrations can delay notifications by over an hour. This delay requires constant monitoring. I’ve also found that Wrike lacks a built-in chat. This may force users to rely on third-party tools.
Key features
- Gantt Chart
- Proofing
- Personal tasks
- Kanban
Pros:
- Gantt dependencies
- Annotation of images
- Different views
Cons:
- Not flexible Kanban structure
- Takes time to learn
Price: Offers a free plan. Business plan starts from $9.80 per user/month
The user experience in Wrike is clunky. Managing the system from the backend is frustrating. Blueprint templates don’t always work. Dashboarding is incredibly difficult and not intuitive. All of the features I’ve wanted to use have all had issues and errors.
Sage R, Small business owner
4. GanttPRO – best for visual project planning

Capterra score: 4.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Teams prioritizing an easy-to-use, web-based Gantt chart solution.
Another Microsoft Project alternative focused on the Gantt chart is GanttPro. This online tool allows you to build and track the ideal project path as the team gets to work. Dependencies are a great addition to this Gantt chart. They can be rescheduled based on their dependents.
Gantt Pro has an easy interface. But, the design looks old to a pro designer. And, the software seems to have bugs. Choose this tool if your main priority is the online Gantt chart.
Key features
- Gantt Chart
- Milestones
- Dependencies
Pros:
- Flexible structure
- Dependency auto-scheduling
- Offers individual user pricing
Cons:
- Higher price than competitors
- Mainly focused on classic project management
Price: $15 per month for 1 user or $8.50 per user/month for a team plan
To improve GANTTPRO it is suggested to focus on greater project customization, provide more advanced automatic scheduling functions, and offer a more complete mobile application. Additionally, incorporating predictive analytics capabilities and enhanced real-time collaboration would be beneficial.
David G., Small business owner
5. Jira – best for IT teams

Capterra score: 4.4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Agile-focused developer teams seeking robust integrations.
Jira is often referred to as the de facto standard tool for IT development teams and their projects. It offers integrations with many development tools and is a great MS Project alternative for such cases.
However, if you work with a mixed team of developers and non-developers, Jira may be too hard and cumbersome to be useful. This tool will work best for teams using Agile practices as it does not offer an out-of-the-box Gantt chart.
Jira’s live updates and integration sometimes have minor issues. But, its frequent updates show its commitment to improvement. However, the lack of built-in tools can achieve CI/CD goals within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). But, it is quite limiting. Also, Jira’s functionality lags in linking tasks or assigning multiple users to one task. This makes it less effective for teamwork.
Key features
- Agile Software Development
- Epics
- Sprints
Pros:
- Integrations to developer tools
- Popular among IT professionals
- Flexible
- Query language
Cons:
- Takes time to learn
- Complex to setup
- No Gantt Chart
Price: Offers a free plan. Paid plan starts at $7 per user/month
We cannot perform a post activity on the cases or records we are tracking. Once my tickets are closed I need to post-process them for that I have two options either integrate with Salesforce or move everything to Salesforce(tracking part also). The biggest drawback of JIRA is, it does not have automation tools built in.
Kartik C,. Senior Associate Consultant
6. Ganttic

Capterra score: 4.2/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Manufacturing and engineering teams focused on resource planning and collaboration.
Ganttic is an online resource planning software for portfolio and resource planning. As such, it is a good alternative to MS Project for manufacturing and engineering projects. Use this tool to visualize your strategy and plan according to the workflow.
The software also has visual project management. It also has collaborative planning features. These features help teamwork and communication. However, The software lacks some automation features, leading to manual workarounds and inefficiencies.
Key features
- Resource planning
- Scheduling
- Dependencies
- Time Tracking
Pros:
- Has integrated time tracking
- Flexible resource management
- Simple user interface
Cons:
- More for resources than for project management
- Limited Kanban view
- Limited Gantt Chart
Price: Offers a free plan. Pricing starts at $25 per month for 20 resources.
7. Monday

Capterra score: 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Small teams and freelancers seeking task automation but not large-scale project management.
Monday is a task management tool for those looking to add some color to their projects. And those looking for the best free MS Project alternative that is good with automation, this tool may be the right one. Monday will allow you to automate daily work and collaborate on tasks with your team easily. However, this is not a project management tool, thus you should look further when managing larger projects.
Some users were frustrated that they can’t speak to customer service over the phone. Support agents have been late and unprepared. Additionally, not all key features are included in the standard plan, and the pricing structure is steep. As a freelancer, this would be too expensive. I’ve also found myself using other tools like Google Docs and Notion. But, they can be clunky and limit the ability to fully use Monday.
Key features
- Automation
- List view
- Flexibility
Pros:
- Has a flexible structure which is also complicated a bit
- Good automation engine
- Good integrations
Cons:
- Poor Gantt Chart
- Limited project management features
- Hard to maintain hierarchical tasks or work breakdown schedule
Price: Offers a free plan. Paid plan starts at $9 per user/month
8. Asana

Capterra score: 4.4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: Small marketing and e-commerce teams seeking straightforward task management.
Asana is a simple project management tool focused on marketing and e-commerce teams. This is the top MS Project alternative for Mac users. They want to visualize their process and work together on tasks in a handy interface. The tool is created for smaller teams and does get cluttered with more tasks in the mix. Also, it does not support a Gantt chart, thus planning larger projects is more difficult.
I liked Asana for its task notes, “My Tasks” view, and mobile app—great for quick updates and staying organized. But once I tried managing more complex workflows, it started to feel limited. It aims to be simple yet handle complexity, and that balance doesn’t always work.
Views like list, board, calendar, and timeline are helpful, but reporting is clunky unless you’re on a top-tier plan. Compared to MS Project, Asana is more user-friendly but lacks depth—no critical path support, and workflow automation feels basic.
Good for light task management, but not ideal for heavy-duty project planning.
Key features
- Kanban view
- Inbox
- Attachments
Pros:
- Good for collaboration
- Convenient inbox
Cons:
- No Gantt Chart
- Becomes cluttered very fast, does not fit bigger/complicated projects
- Expensive
Price: Offers a free plan. Paid plan starts from $10.99 per user/month.
9. TeamGantt

Capterra score: 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for: IT directors and project leads who prioritize workflow flexibility and long-term scalability.
Compared to the previous item on this list, Team Gantt is focused more on project managers. This MS Project alternative is a tool focused mostly on the Gantt chart. It allows you to plan projects and resources. You can then do the projects with some team features.
The system’s organization is still a work in progress. The layout can be overwhelming, especially when creating templates. Additionally, updates to the chart are slow to load.
Key features
- Gantt Chart
- Team collaboration
- Resource load and planning
Pros:
- Easy to use Gantt Chart
- Supports the majority of the platforms
- Microsoft project alternative for mac
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Mainly focused on the Gantt chart
Price: Offers a free plan. Paid plan starts at $24.95 per user/month.
The organization of the system still needs some work. The layout of the site can seem very overwhelming and can get very mundane when creating templates, copying those templates month after month, and adjusting the timestamps for each task. Can be very time consuming for large projects.
Melissa L,. Marketing Associate
Other Alternatives to MS Project
10. Smartsheet

Capterra score: 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Smartsheet is a flexible Excel-like alternative to Microsoft Project. It supports common data views and offers a few automated reports. This tool is quite straightforward and simple and can be used in a variety of industries.
I found Smartsheet to be a strong web-based alternative to MS Project—especially if you’re comfortable with Excel. It’s pretty user-friendly and flexible, with great visualization tools and handy form capture features that make managing tasks easier.
That said, I ran into some limitations with resource allocation since it mostly works only for licensed users, which can drive up costs. Also, compared to tools like ProjectManager.com, Smartsheet felt a bit tougher to pick up for new users. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want powerful, spreadsheet-style project management online but be ready for a bit of a learning curve.
Key features
- Flexible table structure
- Integrations to business tools
- Reports
Pros:
- Good integrations
- Similar to Excel
- Has Kanban, Gantt, List views
Cons:
- Takes time to setup
- Powerful and complex
Price: Starts at $7 per user/month.
11. Trello

Capterra score: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trello is a simple Kanban tool. This Microsoft Project alternative is best suited for tracking simple projects involving up to five people. The true strength of Trello lies in its personal usage and free version. It has great features, but larger teams will find it cluttered and hard to navigate with large projects.
Key features
- Kanban Board
- Kanban Cards
- Attachments
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Visual Kanban cards
Cons:
- Limited functionality
- Gets cluttered fast
- Does not have a Gantt chart
Price: Starts from $5 per user/month, free plan for basic features
Now fully on board with Atlassian products like Confluence and Jira, Trello can be used but isn’t necessarily the best option when most of the company uses Jira. It is ideal for personal work management and tracking, though.
Dave B,. Senior Manager of Documentation Computer Software
12. ProjectLibre

Capterra score: 4.4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Project Libre is a professional open-source MS Project alternative. It is best suited to complex projects that require advanced planning features. Project Libre supports a variety of diagrams; however, the interface will leave most users wanting more.
Key features
- Advanced scheduling features
- Gantt Chart
- Drawing Diagrams for detailed plans
Pros:
- Desktop App for Windows
- Feature-rich
- Open Source version available
Cons:
- Complex to use
- Takes time to learn
- Outdated technically
Price: Free / Open Source
13. OpenProject

Capterra score: 4.3/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This Microsoft Project alternative is for teams that need Agile workflows. Open project is simple to use and has a Gantt chart with work packages. This tool is a great option for cases such as bug tracking.
Key features
- Work packages
- Agile backlogs
- Bug tracking
- Gantt chart
Pros:
- Supports classical and Agile workflows
- Can be used for different use cases, including bug tracking
- Has BIM integration
- Open Project
Cons:
- Very limited Kanban view
- Limited collaboration features
- Becomes easily cluttered in larger projects
- Minimum 5 users
Price: Starts from $8.50 per user/month.
14. Agantty

Capterra score: 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Agantty is a visual Gantt chart tool. This free MS Project alternative is great for visualizing data. However, it lacks additional project management features. While additional functionality is available for purchase, the main strength of this tool is the Gantt chart.
Key features
- Gantt chart
- Tasks
- Assignments
Pros:
- Free for basic use
- Visual
Cons:
- A lot of features are missing like API, time tracking, workload management
Price: Free.
Many of the functionality you may want only available via third party add-ons that cost extra. Need to have someone who understands query writing to pull additional reporting.
Andrei N,. Information Technology Specialist
15. GanttProject

Capterra score: 4.1/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gantt Project is a Microsoft project alternative for Mac users, Windows, and Linux. This open source ms project alternative has the largest database of traditional project management reports. It has Gantt, PERT chart, and resource load. Thus, it is a great Microsoft Project alternative if you are looking for such features. The biggest drawback of this tool – is an outdated interface.
Key features
- Gantt Chart
- PERT Chart
- Resources load
Pros:
- Has professional features
- Runs on multiple platforms, including macOS
- Has dedicated desktop apps on all platforms
Cons:
- No web version
- Outdated interface
- Complex to use
Price: Starts from $5 per user/month.
16. Microsoft Planner

It would not be a full list of Microsoft Project alternatives. This is because it lacks Microsoft Planner. This is a simple task management tool that visualizes tasks on a Kanban board. Great for personal use or teams of just a few people. However, lacking if you need project management features or run larger projects.
Key features
- Kanban Board
- Task List
- Assignments
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Clean interface
- Comes with Office365
Cons:
- No Gantt chart
- No dependencies
- Very limited for project management
Price: Part of the Office365 package starts at $12.50 per user/month.
17. ClarizenOne

Capterra score: 4.2/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clarizen One is a classical resource, project, and workflow management tool. This Microsoft Project alternative has many advanced features, like resource load diagrams and Portfolio management. However, more tech-advanced teams will find the interface to be quite outdated.
Key features
- Workflow management
- Gantt chart
- Resource load diagram
- Portfolio management
Pros:
- Feature-rich
- Good for multiple project management
Cons:
- Outdated from the interface and technical standpoint
- Hard to learn
- Complex
- Only enterprise pricing
18. Redmine

Capterra score: 4.3/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Redmine is an old-school tool with Agile support. However, one big advantage it offers is the ability to use it with both – classical and Agile project management. Thus, it is a Microsoft Project alternative that will fit hybrid project management practices. The biggest drawback of Redmine is the hard-to-learn interface.
Key features
- Gantt chart
- Sprints
- Kanban
Pros:
- Supports Agile workflows
- Can be used for bug tracking
- Feature-rich via plugins
Cons:
- Outdated interface
- Hard to learn
- Complex
- Missing modern collaboration features
- Can be costly if more features used
Price: Plans start at $25 per month.
19. Toggl Plan

Capterra score: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Toggl Plan is a visually pleasing tool for small projects. It allows to coordinate teams and set plans via an easy-to-learn interface. However, this Microsoft Project alternative lacks project management tool functionality. Use it for smaller projects and teams as a visual collaboration platform.
Key features
- Timeline
- Teams
- Collaboration features
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Visually appealing
Cons:
- Limited project management functionality
- No proper Gantt
- Can be pricey as it is monetized by feature usage
Price: Paid plans cost around $8 per month/feature.
20. Project Plan 365
Project Plan 365 offers a user-friendly interface similar to Microsoft Project, making it easy to transition for those familiar with the platform. It’s more affordable, starting at $8.99 per month compared to Microsoft Project’s $55 per user. Additionally, it supports cross-platform use, working on both Mac and PC, and offers easy import/export with Microsoft Project files. However, it lacks some of the advanced features, like portfolio management and in-depth reporting, that come with Microsoft Project.
Key Features:
- Cross-Platform: Windows, Mac, mobile.
- .mpp Compatibility: Opens and saves files.
- Gantt Charts: Visual project timelines.
- Collaboration: Real-time teamwork.
- Resource Tracking: Manage allocations easily.
- Templates: Quick project setup.
- Reporting: Detailed project reports.
Pros:
- Cost-Effective: Lower pricing.
- User-Friendly: Intuitive design.
- Flexible: Desktop and web options.
- Comprehensive Tools: Robust features.
Cons:
- Limited Features: Fewer advanced tools.
- Subscription Costs: Ongoing fees.
- Smaller Community: Less support.
Why even consider MS project alternative?
Microsoft Project is powerful but complex, lacking key collaboration features. As project management evolves, teams need user-friendly tools with Kanban boards, Gantt charts, and real-time collaboration. Its high cost and steep learning curve make it less ideal for small teams and short projects. In an AI-driven era, why hasn’t Microsoft Project adapted?
Microsoft Project is primarily designed for large-scale projects with complex requirements. For small-scale projects or those with simpler workflows, Microsoft PPM might feel overly complex and feature-heavy. It can be challenging to customize the software to fit the specific needs of smaller projects, leading to unnecessary complexities.
Mohammed Badruz Z., Project Manager
Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Project alternatives
What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Project?
It depends on what you need. For free, open-source scheduling there are options like ProjectLibre, GanttProject and OpenProject (all covered above). For teams that want a modern Gantt plus Kanban, collaboration and a free tier to start on, Teamhood is a strong all-round pick — you can run a small team free and upgrade only when you need capacity planning and profitability.
Does Microsoft Project have a free version?
No. Microsoft Project is subscription-only — the cloud plans (Project Plan 1, 3 and 5) and the on-premise editions are all paid, with no permanent free tier. That is one of the main reasons teams look for an alternative that offers a free plan or a longer trial.
Is there a Microsoft Project alternative for Mac?
Microsoft Project has no native macOS app, which is a common reason Mac users need an alternative. Every web-based tool in this guide — Teamhood included — runs in the browser, so it works the same on macOS, Windows and Linux, with no Windows-only desktop client required.
What is the best open-source Microsoft Project alternative?
The established open-source choices are ProjectLibre, GanttProject and OpenProject — all reviewed above. They are free to self-host and cover core Gantt scheduling, though they typically ask for more setup and lack the real-time collaboration, Kanban and reporting that hosted tools like Teamhood provide out of the box.
How much do Microsoft Project alternatives cost?
Most are priced per user per month, commonly in the ~$9–$25 range, and many offer a free tier or trial. Pricing scales with scheduling depth, resource/capacity planning and reporting — see Teamhood pricing for a concrete example.
Can an alternative import my existing Microsoft Project (.mpp) files?
Support varies by tool, so confirm it before you switch. Several alternatives let you import from Microsoft Project or from Excel/CSV so you can move existing plans across rather than rebuilding them by hand; check each vendor’s import options for the formats your team uses.
Discover the Top Microsoft Project Alternative for Your Team
All of the listed tools are great in some areas, while the top ones are good in multiple areas. So, if you are looking for an easy start and the best alternative to MS Project, try Teamhood.
The MS Project alternatives mentioned focus on Gantt Charts. Teamhood adds full collaboration to the Gantt Chart, including Kanban, List view, Workload, and more. Combining methodologies achieves hybrid project management integration.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key feature gaps in Microsoft Project?
The most limited view in MS project is a Kanban Board. Traditional project management has forced focus on features around classical waterfall planning and that has influenced Kanban project management to be the lower piority for most software vendors. Luckily that is the opposte in Teamhood case as Teamhood is a true Kanban Project Management system.
How much does Microsoft Project cost?
Microsoft Project costs between $10 and $55 per user per month, with prices depending on the plan and features needed.
What are some alternatives to Microsoft Project for Mac?
Here are some recommended alternatives to Microsoft Project for Mac:
Merlin Project: Offers Gantt charts and task management, supports .mpp file imports, and operates on a subscription model.
OmniPlan: Designed for macOS, it supports .mpp file imports (up to 2016) and features an intuitive interface for project visualization.
ProjectLibre: A free, open-source tool with basic functionality similar to MS Project, though users report some bugs.
iTaskX: Handles .mpp files and offers various project management features, though it has mixed reviews for performance.
Seavus Project Viewer: Ideal for viewing .mpp files without editing, it’s a straightforward option for basic needs.
RationalPlan: A paid option that provides Gantt charts and resource allocation features.What are some alternatives to Microsoft Project for Linux?
Here are some notable alternatives to Microsoft Project for Linux:
GanttProject: Another free, open-source option with a simple interface for basic project management and Gantt chart capabilities.
OpenProject: A web-based tool that supports collaboration with features like Gantt charts and agile boards, available for self-hosting or cloud use.
Redmine: An open-source web application with issue tracking and Gantt chart features, customizable with plugins for various project needs.
TaskJuggler: A powerful, text-based input tool effective for complex project scheduling, suitable for users who prefer a technical approach.What are some Microsoft Project alternatives with integrations?
Here are some strong Microsoft Project alternatives with excellent integration capabilities:
Teamhood: A top choice for project management with built-in collaboration tools and integrations.
Smartsheet: Offers robust integrations with tools like Salesforce, Jira, and Microsoft 365.
ClickUp: MS Project works great for solo planning and detailed dependency mapping. But for team collaboration, ClickUp is more flexible and intuitive. Its dependency features aren’t as powerful yet, and automatic date calculations are still in the works. ClickUp can be overwhelming at first, and the time tracker feels clunky, but it’s a strong choice if you need an agile, team-focused tool.
Wrike: Integrates with Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams, making it versatile for managing various projects.
Monday: Known for its wide range of integrations and user-friendly interface.Can MS Project data be reported in Power BI?
Yes, MS Project data—especially from Project for the web (Planner with Premium features)—can be reported in Power BI. Since it’s built on Microsoft Dataverse within your Microsoft 365 tenant, you can automate and customize visually rich reports directly from your project data using Power BI.














