Looking for Microsoft Project Alternatives is becoming a popular trend over time and therefore we created a list of all possible alternatives that we have found over the internet.
But what is actually an MS Project Alternative and why companies would choose some of the solutions below?
The answer seems to be quite simple where the Microsoft Project alternative is any PM solution that lowers the cost per user and being less dependent on Microsoft as a big market player. On average the listed cloud-based solutions would cost less than 200$/year.
Before going into the listed Microsoft Project alternatives, companies should reconsider the option of combining an environment where Project Managers would still keep their Microsoft Project Professional license as the ultimate solution for creating project plans and license the other team members with project mpp viewer cost less than 39$/lifetime.
1. Workzone
Workzone is a cloud-hosted document and project management application, which supports collaboration on a great scale.
The software exist since 2000 on the market and could be classified as one of the most mature tools solutions for project management.
It’s a secure and reliable system for large enterprises, mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, and small businesses.
2. Active Collab
Active Collab has 10 years of experience and they begin as open-source software.
The successful work allowed them to grew into a commercial product, which is Active Collab we know today.
With this project management software, you can stay on top of your work.
Having Task Management, Team Collaboration, Time Tracking, and Invoicing, this tool can ease your work supporting better organization of your project.
3. Celoxis
Celoxis is more than a Microsoft Project alternative.
It is an all-in-one project management solution with project scheduling, project tracking, resource management, time tracking, issue tracking, risk management, and superb reporting all rolled into one, together with great collaboration capabilities. One of the standout features is the automatic RAG indicators that warn of task and project slippages well in advance.
Celoxis is easy to use, quick to deploy, and extremely customizable. Celoxis also integrates with many popular tools like Salesforce, QuickBooks, and JIRA. It is available on the cloud or on-premise.
4. Basecamp
Basecamp is amongst the most popular PM tools out there and it allows people to handle their projects amongst a large group in a convenient and comprehensive manner.
It is definitely one of the best Microsoft Project alternatives on the market.
It is a solution that is perfectly suited towards a growing business as everything is going to be in one organized place and everyone is kept conveniently on the same page.
Furthermore, projects are going to get off the ground a lot quicker and you will definitely know the ins and outs of what you are doing.
This is definitely something worth accounting for. It also has a 30-day trial.
5. Clarizen
Another web-based project management software that will help you connect your organization.
Clarizen is a collaborative work management solution with robust planning features to let you scope, size, estimate, schedule, and staff a project in detail.
It integrates with third-party tools such as SharePoint, Drive, Box, SalesForce, Microsoft Excel, and many others.
6. Liquid Planner
Dynamic project management software is the second name of Liquid Planner.
This software solution provides real-time visibility of your projects, focuses on priorities, adapts to change, and visualizes the impact. To be even better, their free diagnostic tool will find out if your current project management software is letting you down.
7. Seavus Project Viewer
Seavus Project Viewer is not exactly an Microsfot Project alternative – it is the most complete Microsoft Project viewer for files built on MS Project. But still, people perceive it as an MS Project alternative and therefore we included it in this list.
It is intended to be a PM software solution and it is designated to empower team members as well as employees which need to view files that come in .mpp file format.
The product supports all sorts of files that are available in MS Project and it comes with the included graphical reports and different sharing options.
It is a cost-effective solution that would provide you with a nearly identical experience to MS Project at a fraction of the total price.
This is definitely something that you ought to account for.
8. Mavenlink
If you search for a project management platform for the new age, then Mavenlink is definitely the right one for you. You can forecast your resource needs by volume, skill, and permanency, take advantage of advanced analytic and see what’s working and what does not, collaborate, and generally improve project performance.
9. Project Plan 365
Project Plan 365 is the perfect MS Project Alternative, and another convenient and particularly flexible scheduling software which alternates MS Project.
With this solution, users can create Gantt charts, and modify existing project schedules in the same intuitive way as MS Project.
Saving and sharing .mpp files from storage and cloud is also a useful feature to consider.
Works well on both Mac and Windows PCs.
10. Teamwork
Teamwork is help-desk, project management, and chat software suitable for creative teams.
This software will help you meet your deadlines by providing your team with focus and real-time visibility into the project status and progress of their projects.
11. ProjectLibre
ProjectLibre is an open-source Microsoft Project alternative.
It features resource histograms, earned value costing, WBS/RBS charts, Network Diagram, Gantt Chart, and is compatible with MS Project .mpp files of 2010 and above. Works on Mac OS, Linux, and Windows.
12. GanttProject
GanttProject is a convenient microsoft project alternative and it brings quite a few interesting opportunities.
Aside from the start date and duration of your tasks and milestones, you may put priority, cost, fill pattern, text notes, user-defined custom fields as well as different colors.
Additionally, you can also organize the tasks in a work breakdown structure, draw dependency constraints which is perfect for development projects, create baselines as well as optimize PERT charts.
All in all, you can manage the workflow of a project from the head to the toe without any issues whatsoever.
13. Trello
While Trello is a great project management tool, it is quite limiting and it is more like a starting phase.
As you grow, though, your tools should grow as well and this is where Zenkit comes into the pictures.
IT takes advantage of Kanban management systems and it offers a range of different perks, starting from comprehensive dashboards, Kanban re-grouping opportunities, 2D Kanban, member-based views, aggregations, flexible cards just like in Trello, multi-selection of different items, changing popup views, and others of the kind.
It’s a flexible tool, introducing a convenient alternative to Microsoft Project.
14. ToDoList
ToDoList is what you may expect when you read the name – a to-do list.
Of course, with its updates and comprehensive advancement, the platform has become a lot more than just a yellow legal pad, even though sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
ToDoList allows aggregating different projects and tasks, assigning priority, time, date, deadlines, colors and a range of other things.
It supports a myriad of team members that could easily assign tasks to each other, making it one of the most preferred alternatives to Microsoft Project.
It’s also incredibly light and has a very quick mobile version.
15. 2-plan
2-plan is an open-source project software that is pretty much designated to be a convenient PM tool for those of you who are seeking a free MS-Project alternative.
T comes with great tools to empower project management and it allows for complete navigation of the entire workflow.
While the focus is on project execution, it could easily be used for management as well.
It has quite a lot of portable applications and it is used to plan milestones, schedules, deliverables, and a lot more than that.
It is available in a few different languages and it is absolutely free – this is definitely something to consider.
16. Open Workbench
Open Workbench is a convenient desktop application which is specifically designated for project management as well as scheduling.
You are enabled to define a comprehensive work breakdown structure, to set dependencies as well as certain resource constraints to incentivize sensitive spending.
Additionally, you can also allocate resources to certain tasks, auto-schedule and monitor the progress as well as a range of different capabilities.
It is a very prominent and affordable Microsoft Project alternative and that’s something that you most certainly ought to take into consideration.
17. FunctionFox
FunctionFox is a project management platform which is a convenient alternative to the old-school Microsoft Project.
The desktop app allows you to conveniently track time, expenses as well as to keep to estimates and to manage your projects and clients in a very convenient and a user-friendly manner.
This is definitely something that you ought to take into account.
It allows you to customize your own personal dashboard and use all the favorite features that you find appropriate and usable – this is definitely something that you might want to take into account.
It’s a convenient way to manage your projects and it has an abundance of interesting features to benefit from.
18. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is going to enable you to automate and manage collaborative work through their trusted platform, used by some of the most productive companies in the world.
This is a leading SaaS platform that enables collaboration, visibility, and security to coexist in a user-friendly environment.
It offers high-value solutions, rich data integrations alongside compliance and auditability which are beyond imagination.
The product is flawless and it’s definitely amongst the most integral Microsoft Project alternatives that you ought to take into consideration.
19. TeamGantt
TeamGantt allows beautiful and intuitive planning of your projects.
It is designated to be a refreshing solution that brings project scheduling to a whole new level.
You will be able to plan and manage your projects with incredibly user-friendly software.
You can invite your teammates, friends, and co-workers to edit your Gantt chart which is quite interactive and resourceful.
It offers quick drag and drop scheduling and there is nothing complex or complicated about it.
Jump in and start adding tasks – it’s that easy.
Of course, there are far more integral components that you could benefit from under each task such as prioritization, deadlines, scheduling, resource allocation and others of the kind.
20. WorkFront
WorkFront is designated to empower teams to complete the best work and deliver it in the shortest amount of time.
The platform enables you to centralize your projects and to manage your digital working processes conveniently.
It also offers the ability to review and approve digital work, deliver client-facing services, and govern different compliance workflows which is simply outstanding when it comes to it.
It’s online-based and it is easy to integrate. It’s one of the more convenient Microsoft Project alternatives.
21. Wrike
Wrike needs no introduction as it is one of the most comprehensive and popular PM tools out on the market.
As such, it is also a very convenient alternative to MS Project.
This is a leading solution which is designated to scale the processes across different teams in different businesses.
The product provides you with the ability to view real-time reports as well as statuses for the projects of your teams.
It is capable of turning strategy into actionable planning in no time, it enables full collaboration and allows you to quickly streamline the workflow throughout the entire enterprise.
22. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a part of the entire Zoho Corporation and it offers a lot more than just simple project management.
The product itself is a comprehensive project management tool that comes with all the regular perks.
However, the Zoho Apps are numerous and they are easily integrated within each other.
Therefore, you could round the entire administration of your company in a comprehensive, well-rounded, and uniform manner which is particularly easy to work with.
This will save you time, money, and a lot of effort at the same time.
It is capable of replacing not only PM tools but also a lot of different accounting software and others of the kind.
23. Version One
Version One is a simple, scalable, and easy-to-use software that is designated to accelerate your deliveries with nothing but confidence.
It is simple for all kinds of teams and it is easy to engage all the stakeholders as well.
The product allows planning, tracking, and transparent reporting across different programs, projects, and portfolios.
It would enable developers and other teams to deliver quicker, with higher quality, and to reduce the risk of miss-deployments and others of the kind. It’s truly a solution to consider.
24. Target Process
Target Process is a Kanban-based PM tool that adapts to processes and it scales perfectly.
This is a comprehensive all-in-one work management software that would enable you to set the right strategic goals, delegate goals to the right teams and conduct cutting-edge track execution, accumulate feedback, and draw prominent conclusions from all that.
It comes with all the necessary integrations and it is easy to scale.
The product has a Kanban execution board which is known to be overly comprehensive and easy to use.
25. Podio
Podio enables you to structure your workflow in a smarter and far more effective manner.
This is a work management solution that is entirely customizable and trusted by a range of industry-leading companies.
The software is a very convenient alternative to MS Project and it combines a range of comprehensive tools.
It would enable you to quickly get everyone on the same page and tighten up the collaboration to achieve flawless workflow and durability.
You can clearly define all of the roles throughout the PM tool and allocated the resources necessary for the quick completion of every single project.
26. JIRA
JIRA is, needless to say, the #1 software development tool which is incorporated in the workflow of teams who prefer to use Agile.
It allows you to comprehensively plan and track the entire flow of the working process which is quite precious.
JIRA is built for every single member of the team, from Senior App Developers to junior QAs.
This is a product that enables you to deliver flawless projects on time without any complications and, on top of that, it provides you with the ability to comprehensively report in real-time throughout every single step of the way.
27. Scoro
Scoro is another comprehensive alternative to MS Project and it is claimed to be amongst the most convenient work management solutions out there.
Geared towards professional and creative services, the software enables you to be a lot more organized in every single aspect of your work and to manage it in a far more effective and efficient manner.
You can plan, work, and track an indefinite number of projects, manage contacts, quotes, and invoices in a seamless manner, track time and bill simultaneously, manage the entire flow with one seemingly comprehensive solution – yes, it’s that easy.
28. Redmine
Redmine is an easy-to-use alternative to MS Project and it’s quite flexible.
It is written on Ruby on Rails and it’s a cross-database and cross-platform solution.
It supports multiple projects and allows flexible role-based access control.
The product allows issue tracking and has an integrated Gantt chart and calendar.
It allows for documents, files and news management and it has a very easy-to-work-with time-tracking system.
29. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 allows convenient project management in a quite comprehensive and interactive manner at the same time.
This makes it a very preferable alternative to MS Project and that’s certainly something you ought to account for.
It comes with really interactive badges, like buttons, conversations and pretty much everything you’d expect from the conventional working environment without actually being in the office.
It aims to transition the experience from the conventional to the digital and it manages to do so flawlessly.
30. Tom’s Planner
Tom’s Planner, being one of the preferred MS Project alternatives, offers a truly user-friendly capability of handling your projects.
It’s easy to use, it’s scaling and it is quite enticing, to be honest.
It boasts a range of different features – you can invite others to collaborate on your projects, add links, embed schedules, publish charts, drag and drop simplicity, literally no learning curve required, and no installation.
You can export all of the data conveniently and without any issues.
31. OmniPlan
OmniPlan is a great Microsoft Project alternative because it comes with quite a lot of features and it is a lot easier to get a hang on.
There are quite a lot of different features included in the tool, such as elapsed duration, multiple baselines, critical path, friendly interface, easy task management, split task, resource load sharing, stunning timelines, and others of the kind.
You can easily integrate a range of different tools within it and this is something that you ought to take into account.
32. Merlin Project 5
Merlin Project 5 has become one of the high-end solutions and a convenient Microsoft Project alternatives specifically geared towards iOS and macOS users.
It boasts all of the necessary features that you might need for a successful PM experience and it offers a lot more than that.
The app is lightning fast and it is particularly easy to use.
This allows people from different advancement environments to take advantage of it quickly without any hassle.
This is an invaluable quality that a lot of teams are looking forward to because it is getting harder and harder to onboard larger groups of team members.
33. Creately
Creately stems from a new generation of project management tools and it is specifically designated to enable you to manage each and every project without any hassle whatsoever.
The creative interface makes it stand on top of the others but it’s so much more than just pretty.
The product allows you to draw your project in a comprehensive manner through 1-click create functionalities.
You can use it to collaborate with anyone anywhere as it has a comprehensive app for smartphones.
Also, it has an easy drag and drop capabilities and preset connectors to enhance your initial functionalities.
34. Ganttology
Ganttology has quickly become one of the most common MS Project alternatives mainly because of the fact that it brings the visual representation of data to a whole new level.
It allows you to make incredibly interactive Gantt charts in your browser in order to easily visualize projects and the progress on each one of them.
There are complete design templates, capabilities to present different proposals to clients and partners, and whatnot.
The tools are abundant and there’s nothing that’s missing.
35. Project Insight
Project Insight is a software suitable for team members, project managers, and executives.
It’s an enterprise, web-based project management software helping organizations achieve better productivity, and efficiency.
Project Insight is excellent for prioritizing and rating projects, ideal for those who manage multiple projects concurrently or those looking to improve efficiency and revenue by making better project management choices.
36. Asana
Asana is amongst the well-known names in the world of project management and it is regarded as a great entry-level choice among the Microsoft Project alternatives.
It scales perfectly but it is geared towards SMBs which is something that you want to account for.
Enterprise solutions are complicated while Asana provides seamless project management, time tracking, billing, and reporting.
There is nothing that you wouldn’t be able to monitor with the software and it is undoubtedly amongst the most reliable solutions out there.
37. EasyRedmine
EasyRedmine is optimized for flawless performance and it is designated to boost productivity, enhance your profits, and comprehensively streamline processes.
The product provides enhanced experience and efficiency, an overly improved user experience as it is particularly optimized in comparison to the basic Redmine that we reviewed above.
The tool also promises an improvement of your productivity alongside easy tracking and comprehensive transparent reporting.
38. BrightPod
BrightPod enables you to take the complete chaos that project management could be and save time and optimize your processes.
It is a web-based PM and time tracking software that is designated for digital marketing teams.
It would allow you to get clarity on your projects and on your workflows, campaigns, tasks, deadlines, and discussions.
The product is trusted by a range of different social media marketing, digital marketing, and other agencies throughout the industry in the entire world.
39. GanttPro
GanttPro is another web-based project management software which is predicated on chart creation and close management of the processes.
It is amongst the most convenient Microsoft Project alternatives and it allows you to comprehensively plan your projects online in order to manage every step of the project.
You can also split your projects into different groups as well as in different subtasks.
You can organize schedules, set durations, dependencies, resource allocation, and others of the kind.
It is a great piece of software designed to streamline your processes in a powerful and effective manner.
It is also light and quick and user-friendly – something that a lot of products out there simply lack.
40. TeamWeek
TeamWeek is designated to empower project managers with one incredibly functional resource planning calendar.
It stems from the predication that the most important part of the project is the closeness to the timeline.
It allocates resources along the way and it provides the PM with an overview of the entire process, allowing comprehensive resource management, enhanced flexibility when it comes to rescheduling and others of the kind.
It has a free trial and it is amongst the well-received products on the market which resonate well within the PM community.
Microsoft Project Alternatives – Bottom line
Looking into Microsoft Project alternatives and moving away from MS Project is an option but companies need to be quite careful and take into account the following aspects:
- Which of the solutions is supporting .mpp files in order to open old projects or migrate the current ones.
- Listen to the recommendation of the PMO office, since they need to work with the solution; and they need to have employees on their side.
- Allow SAM to check the software technical support and how stable the solution is.
- Read user reviews carefully as they can be some fake profiles putting positive aspects.
