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Alternatives · Project Management

Microsoft Project alternatives

Microsoft Project compared with 11 alternatives: Microsoft Planner, Smartsheet, ProjectLibre, OmniPlan, Merlin Project and 6 more.

Microsoft Project is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024). 4 of the 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 7 more offer a free trial.

11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Microsoft ProjectThis toolFree trial · from $30.00/moTrial onlyWindows
Microsoft PlannerFree trial · from $5.40/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
SmartsheetFree trial · from $9/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ProjectLibreFree plan · from $9.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux
OmniPlanFree trial · from $199.99 one-timeTrial onlymacOS, iOS
Merlin ProjectFree trial · from $6.99/moTrial onlymacOS, iOS
GanttPROFree trial · from $8/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
GanttProjectFree plan · from €1/moYesmacOS, Windows, Linux
OpenProjectFree plan · from $7.25/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
ProjectManagerFree trial · from $15/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
TeamGanttFree plan · from $59/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
TeamhoodFree trial · from $6/moTrial onlyWeb

How each one differs from Microsoft Project

  1. Microsoft Planner

    Task and project planning app built into Microsoft 365

    • Microsoft Planner starts at $5.40 per user / month, paid yearly (Microsoft 365 Business Basic, no Teams). Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only Microsoft Planner lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Planner lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Organizations already paying for Microsoft 365

    Microsoft Planner vs Microsoft ProjectMicrosoft Planner pricing and details

  2. Smartsheet

    Spreadsheet-style project and work management for teams

    • Smartsheet starts at $9 per Member / month, billed yearly ($12 billed monthly). Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only Smartsheet lists a web app.
    • Only Smartsheet lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Smartsheet also covers calendar, kanban boards and workflow automation.

    Suits: Teams that are comfortable working in spreadsheets

    Smartsheet vs Microsoft ProjectSmartsheet pricing and details

  3. ProjectLibre

    Microsoft Project-compatible scheduling: free desktop app, paid cloud

    • ProjectLibre starts at $9.99 per user / month, billed annually. Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • ProjectLibre has a free plan. Microsoft Project does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only ProjectLibre lists a web app.
    • Only ProjectLibre lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • ProjectLibre is open source, according to its own site.

    Suits: Teams moving schedules off Microsoft Project or Project Online

    ProjectLibre vs Microsoft ProjectProjectLibre pricing and details

  4. 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. Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only OmniPlan lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Project also covers templates and tasks.

    Suits: Project managers on Apple devices who prefer to buy a license once

    OmniPlan vs Microsoft ProjectOmniPlan pricing and details

  5. Merlin Project

    Offline Mac and iPad project planner with Gantt, Kanban and mind maps

    • Merlin Project starts at $6.99 per user / month for the Express edition; full Mac app $22.99, iPad $9.99. Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only Merlin Project lists macOS and iOS apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Merlin Project also covers kanban boards and mind mapping.

    Suits: Project managers on Mac who want Gantt scheduling with baselines and earned value

    Merlin Project vs Microsoft ProjectMerlin Project pricing and details

  6. GanttPRO

    Online Gantt chart maker for planning and tracking projects

    • GanttPRO starts at $8 per user / month, billed annually ($7 from 20 users). Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only GanttPRO lists a web app.
    • Only GanttPRO lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Project managers who plan with dependencies, baselines and a critical path

    GanttPRO vs Microsoft ProjectGanttPRO pricing and details

  7. 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. Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • GanttProject has a free plan. Microsoft Project does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only GanttProject lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • GanttProject is open source, according to its own site.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Small and medium businesses that want Gantt charts at no cost

    GanttProject vs Microsoft ProjectGanttProject pricing and details

  8. OpenProject

    Open-source project management for classic and agile teams

    • OpenProject starts at $7.25 per user / month, billed yearly (5-user minimum). Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • OpenProject has a free plan. Microsoft Project does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only OpenProject lists a web app.
    • Only OpenProject lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.

    Suits: Organizations that want to self-host an open-source project tool

    OpenProject vs Microsoft ProjectOpenProject pricing and details

  9. ProjectManager

    Gantt-based project and portfolio management with resource planning

    • ProjectManager starts at $15 per user / month, billed annually. Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only ProjectManager lists a web app.
    • Only ProjectManager lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: Teams that plan with Gantt charts, dependencies and critical path

    ProjectManager vs Microsoft ProjectProjectManager pricing and details

  10. TeamGantt

    Web-based Gantt chart scheduling priced by project, not seat

    • TeamGantt starts at $59 per month, or $590 billed yearly (flat rate, 5 projects). Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • TeamGantt has a free plan. Microsoft Project does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only TeamGantt lists a web app.
    • Only TeamGantt lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.

    Suits: Teams that plan around a schedule and want the Gantt chart first

    TeamGantt vs Microsoft ProjectTeamGantt pricing and details

  11. Teamhood

    Project management with capacity planning in a single plan

    • Teamhood starts at $6 per user / month, billed yearly (minimum 3 users). Microsoft Project starts at $30.00 per user / month, paid yearly (Plan 3), or $679.99 one-time (Standard 2024).
    • Only Teamhood lists a web app.
    • Only Microsoft Project lists a Windows app.
    • Microsoft Project can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Teamhood also covers kanban boards, workflow automation and time tracking.

    Suits: Engineering, architecture and agency teams that share people across projects

    Teamhood vs Microsoft ProjectTeamhood pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Microsoft Project

  • Project desktop's requirements list only Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, and no Mac or mobile version appears on the pricing page.
  • Project for the web was retired in August 2025 and Project Online's retirement date was September 30, 2026; browser-based plans now live in Microsoft Planner.
  • Project Standard 2024 and Project Professional 2024 are each licensed for one user on one PC.
  • Project Server Subscription Edition has no list price and needs SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, which is not included.
Microsoft Project pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Microsoft Project?

The alternatives to Microsoft Project in this directory are Microsoft Planner, Smartsheet, ProjectLibre, OmniPlan, Merlin Project, GanttPRO, GanttProject, OpenProject, ProjectManager, TeamGantt and Teamhood. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Microsoft Project.

Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Project?

Yes. ProjectLibre, GanttProject, OpenProject and TeamGantt have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Microsoft Project alternatives work on macOS?

The Microsoft Project listing does not include a macOS app. Smartsheet, ProjectLibre, OmniPlan, Merlin Project and GanttProject list one.

Which Microsoft Project alternatives work on Linux?

The Microsoft Project listing does not include a Linux app. ProjectLibre and GanttProject list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Microsoft Project?

ProjectLibre, GanttProject and OpenProject 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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