Alternatives · Project Management
Merlin Project alternatives
Merlin Project compared with 5 alternatives: OmniPlan, Microsoft Project, GanttProject, ProjectLibre and GanttPRO.
Merlin Project is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99. 2 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 3 more offer a free trial.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merlin ProjectThis tool | Free trial · from $6.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| OmniPlan | Free trial · from $199.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Microsoft Project | Free trial · from $30.00/mo | Trial only | Windows |
| GanttProject | Free plan · from €1/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| ProjectLibre | Free plan · from $9.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| GanttPRO | Free trial · from $8/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Merlin Project
- Free trial · from $199.99 one-time
OmniPlan
Gantt-chart project scheduling for Mac, iPad and iPhone
- OmniPlan starts at $199.99 one-time for a v4 Standard license, or $199.99 per year by subscription. Merlin Project starts at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99.
- OmniPlan can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- OmniPlan also covers reports.
- Merlin Project also covers kanban boards and mind mapping.
Suits: Project managers on Apple devices who prefer to buy a license once
- Free trial · from $30.00/mo
Microsoft Project
Desktop project scheduling for Windows with Gantt charts
- Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024). Merlin Project starts at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99.
- Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
- Only Merlin Project lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Microsoft Project also covers templates, tasks and reports.
Suits: Project managers who build detailed schedules with dependencies and baselines
- Free plan · from €1/mo
GanttProject
Free, open-source desktop Gantt chart app for Windows, macOS and Linux
- GanttProject starts at €1 per active team member / month for the optional Cloud service; desktop app is free. Merlin Project starts at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99.
- GanttProject has a free plan. Merlin Project does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only GanttProject lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Merlin Project lists an iOS app.
- GanttProject is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Small and medium businesses that want Gantt charts at no cost
- Free plan · from $9.99/mo
ProjectLibre
Microsoft Project-compatible scheduling: free desktop app, paid cloud
- ProjectLibre starts at $9.99 per user / month, billed annually. Merlin Project starts at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99.
- ProjectLibre has a free plan. Merlin Project does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only ProjectLibre lists a web app.
- Only ProjectLibre lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Merlin Project lists an iOS app.
Suits: Teams moving schedules off Microsoft Project or Project Online
- Free trial · from $8/mo
GanttPRO
Online Gantt chart maker for planning and tracking projects
- GanttPRO starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually ($7 from 20 users). Merlin Project starts at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99.
- Only GanttPRO lists a web app.
- Only GanttPRO lists an Android app.
- Only Merlin Project lists a macOS app.
- GanttPRO also covers tasks and time tracking.
Suits: Project managers who plan with dependencies, baselines and a critical path
Limits worth knowing in Merlin Project
- Runs only on Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Vision Pro; the vendor lists no Windows, Android or browser version.
- The Mac app and the iPad and iPhone app need separate subscriptions; the vendor offers no bundle.
- Subscription only: the vendor no longer sells a one-time or perpetual license.
- Merlin Project Express, the $6.99 edition, leaves out Kanban, mind maps, baselines, earned value and team features.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Merlin Project?
The alternatives to Merlin Project in this directory are OmniPlan, Microsoft Project, GanttProject, ProjectLibre and GanttPRO. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Merlin Project.
Is there a free alternative to Merlin Project?
Yes. GanttProject and ProjectLibre have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Merlin Project alternatives work on Windows?
The Merlin Project listing does not include a Windows app. Microsoft Project, GanttProject and ProjectLibre list one.
Which Merlin Project alternatives work on Linux?
The Merlin Project listing does not include a Linux app. GanttProject and ProjectLibre list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Merlin Project?
GanttProject and ProjectLibre are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 5, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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