7 of the Best Microsoft Project Alternatives
Originally Published by The Capterra Project Management Blog
Microsoft Project is the behemoth of project management software options.
That’s no exaggeration. It is by far the most popular project management software. According to Capterra’s own project management software research, 67% of project managers use Microsoft Project. The next most popular system, Atlassian, would have to grow 3,726% to match Microsoft Project’s number of customers.
Microsoft Project sets the pace for the project management software industry. Many try to impersonate it, like the free and open-source platform ProjectLibre, but others, including the ones I’ve listed below, have tried to expand on Microsoft Project’s enticing feature list.
In order to qualify as one of the best Microsoft Project alternatives, these project management software options must have the following features:
- Detailed reports, including burn down charts and resource allocation
- Gantt charts
- Integrations with common third-party apps
- Real-time communication between team members
- Stakeholder communication
- Template options
The following list was created with these requirements in mind. By no means is this list comprehensive of all the MS Project alternatives, but it does include some of the best.
These options are listed alphabetically.
LiquidPlanner
Capterra named LiquidPlanner as one of the best project portfolio software optionsearlier this year. One reviewer notes,
We absolutely love the ability to layout a project plan with a finite set of resources without having to hardwire task dependencies to get a sense of schedule. We’re never going back to MS Project.
When facing Microsoft Project head on, LiquidPlanner is prepared. They have anentire PDF dedicated to comparing themselves to the leading project management solution. Some highlights include:
- LiquidPlanner ties together all your projects, so if you have a change, the rest of the projects are updated (in MS Project, this is done manually)
- LiquidPlanner forgoes MS Project’s manual scheduling functionality and instead offers priority-based scheduling
- LiquidPlanner offers PERT analysis
Unfortunately, unlike Microsoft Project, LiquidPlanner has users create their own templates, instead of having premade templates available.
Price: Starts at $29/user/month
Mavenlink
Want to join the likes of Vizeo, Aflac, and Goodwill? They all rely on Mavenlink, another alternative to MS Project. Reviewers love this software. As one happy user summed up at Capterra, Mavenlink is simply “Great. Instant. Live. Useful. Can there be any better review for support?”
Mavenlink gives Microsoft Project a good run for its money too.
- Mavenlink’s Gantt charts are dynamic, meaning that they update in real time (including dependencies and critical path)
- Its resource allocation tools make sure that no team member is overwhelmed (or under scheduled) with work
- Mavenlink also works as a project accounting software, where project managers can bill in a variety of ways (per hour, per project, etc), and in multiple different currencies
Mavenlink also includes integrations with Intacct, NetSuite, Quickbooks, Salesforce, Google Drive, PayPal, and more.
Price: Starts at $19 a month for up to five users
Merlin Project
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft Project does not have a software option for Mac users. Fortunately Merlin Project (and Omniplan, listed below) pick up the slack (you can find two more great Mac project management options on our blog). Merlin Project is chock-full of features and is true to Apple culture: it looks great.
Julie Baron, a project manager at Talent Partners, writes,
It has taken me literally 2 weeks to find a viable alternative to MS Project for a MAC [sic]. After extensively researching the more visible search results… I finally found Merlin–exactly the same logic as MS Project, but with a new looking UI and powerful tracking capabilities for high-level task tracking with just the right details for time variance, budget vs. actual reporting, and resource capacity planning.
Notable features include:
- A powerful cost planning tool that brings your Gantt charts to the next level
- A self-created “library” of projects that you can use as templates
- Beautiful mind mapping options
Merlin Project is also available on iOS.
Price: $299 for a single user license
OmniPlan
OmniPlan is another Microsoft Project substitute for Mac. Like Merlin 2, OmniPlan is gorgeous and an easy project management program to pick up. While OmniPlan is a popular software option, there are currently no reviews available on Capterra.
OmniPlan’s large collection of features includes:
- File integration with Microsoft Project
- Users can narrow down their task lists by date, resource, effort, priority, dependency claims, and more
- The latest update of OmniPlan allows for multiple-project dashboards, network diagrams, and Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
OmniPlan is also available on iOS.
Price: Starts at $149.99 per single user license
Smartsheet
Smartsheet is incredibly affordably priced especially when compared to the other options on this list. The software offers a unique approach to project management, where every single “sheet” can be customized to the project manager’s needs. For example, one review notes, “Creating a sheet is straightforward and can be done in a variety of ways. Once you are in a sheet, you can create as many columns as you like. Each column can be a text field, contact list, dropdown list, checkbox, or symbol. In short, they are whatever you want them to be, which is powerful.”
Users are largely impressed with the system–in fact, it has a perfect 5 stars on Capterra. This recent review from the CEO at First Choice Franchise Concepts sums it up:
Smartsheet has been a good investment for our company. It offers a very robust project management tool with an intuitive and clean interface. Our customers really like the layout and simplicity of the customer portal. The importing of existing files is extremely easy and the project template functionality is first rate. The gantt chart functionality is quite impressive offering multiple task levels, multiple constraints and even color coding. Smartsheet offers a significant improvement over other PM software we have used including MS project (cost), ProjectManager.com (limited constraint management), and ViewPath (non-intuitive interface, poor support). We looked at over two dozen project management software offerings before choosing Smartsheet. This is a serious project management tool that is very hard to beat.
Smartsheet’s features include:
- Ultimate customizability–no other product on this list compares to Smartsheet’s project management options
- Reports can manage multiple variables and project managers can edit the report directly
- Feature-filled Gantt-chart options, like conditional formatting and path dependencies
As with many other robust software options, Smartsheet can be difficult to learn. I wouldn’t recommend it for teams uncomfortable with spreadsheets.
Price: Starts at $10 per user per month
Teamwork
Teamwork, like the name implies, focuses on collaboration above all else. Team members update their statuses in real time so everyone is aware of who is working on what. Project managers can break down tasks into the nitty gritty so that, in their words, “Nothing gets overlooked — no excuses for a team member not knowing next steps on a project.”
Users have also been satisfied with Teamwork as their project management software of choice. For example, a project manager at ICorp advocates, “The platform look is outstanding in desktop and mobile. The email templates are beautiful.” He also adds the obvious: “It has Gantt Charts.”
Gantt charts aren’t the only feature that Teamwork uses to compete with Microsoft Project. Teamwork also has:
- Drag-and-drop Gantt chart planning
- A replacement system for email, so every message gets catalogued with its appropriate project
- A powerful document management system and file-version control
Like Smartsheet, Teamwork is a steal for its price point.
Price: Starts at $12 a month for 5 projects and 1GB of storage (unlimited users)
WorkZone
The final Microsoft Project substitution on this list is meant exclusively for larger teams who are serious about getting their projects done on budget and on time. WorkZone’s client list includes Verizon, Nike, and Time Warner Cable.
Having such a long list of notable customers typically leads to greater scrutiny, but not for WorkZone–they have continued to garner positive attention from reviewers. For example, the Director of Creative Operations at Samford University writes,
WorkZone is by far the best online project management tool I’ve found for creative teams. Its robust features track everything and are easy to use. The customer service and training are superb. WorkZone is responsive to its users and constantly works to improve the system with new features as a result of customer feedback. I wouldn’t want to run a team without WorkZone.
As implied, WorkZone is bursting with features. Some of them include:
- A ticket system for project requests (ideal for marketing teams)
- Secure file sharing and a layered permission system
- Robust calendar system that allows users to filter by department or client
WorkZone is particularly popular with marketing teams and college campuses.
Price: Starts at $200 a month
More?
There are plenty of other alternatives to Microsoft Project out there. Which should have made the list? Include your thoughts in the comments below!
