Best free option: GanttProject (Strong). Switching saves about $680 USD one-time.
$679.99 USDone-time
$849 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for simple Gantt planning with MS Project import
Free desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux. The stable 3.3 release dates from January 2024; 3.4 is in beta.
Best for planning single projects and opening MPP files
Desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux, with no release since 1.9.8 in April 2025. Shared resource pools and portfolio views belong to the paid ProjectLibre Cloud. Free version: ProjectLibre Desktop is free for single users. The hosted ProjectLibre Cloud for teams starts at US$9.99 per user per month.
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for teams planning projects in a browser
A web app for team project management. Needs a server (Community edition) or a hosted Enterprise plan. Does not open MPP files. Free version: Community edition is free to self-host. Enterprise add-ons such as team planner and SSO start at EUR 5.95 per user per month.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use Microsoft Project for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | GanttProject | ProjectLibre | OpenProject |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | |||
| MPP file compatibility | PartialNote 1Imports MPP and MS Project XML; exports XML, not MPP | PartialNote 2Opens existing MPP files; saving back to MPP is not documented | NoNote 3No MPP importer; the docs point to Excel sync |
| Scheduling | |||
| Gantt charts with task dependencies | YesNote 4Gantt chart with dependencies and a task tree | YesNote 5Gantt chart, WBS and network diagram views | YesNote 6Gantt view with work package relations |
| Critical path and baselines | PartialNote 7Critical path and baselines with fewer scheduling options | YesNote 8Critical path and baselines are listed on the desktop app | PartialNote 9Baselines compare to yesterday in Community; any date needs Enterprise |
| Resources | |||
| Resource, cost and workload management | PartialNote 10Resource allocation and load; cost tracking is basic | YesNote 11Resources, rates, costs, workloads and earned value | PartialNote 12Time tracking and costs; team planner and resource management are Enterprise |
| Collaboration | |||
| Multi-user collaboration | NoNote 13Single-user desktop app | NoNote 14The desktop app is designed for single users and single projects | YesNote 15Multi-user web app with roles and permissions |
| Output | |||
| Reports and dashboards | PartialNote 16Exports charts and data to PDF, PNG, HTML and CSV | PartialNote 17Built-in reports; no dashboards | PartialNote 18Reports are included; Gantt PDF export is Enterprise |
| Parity score | 50% | 67% | 58% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: MPP file compatibility, Reports and dashboards. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save Microsoft Project files?
| Format | GanttProject | ProjectLibre | OpenProject |
|---|---|---|---|
| .mpp | Opens onlyNote 1Imports MPP files; exports MS Project XML insteadPartial fidelity | Opens onlyNote 2Opens MPP files; saving back to MPP is not documentedPartial fidelity | NoNote 3No MPP importer; the docs point to Excel synchronization |
| .xml | Opens and savesNote 4Microsoft Project XML (MSPDI) import and exportFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 5Microsoft Project XML import and exportPartial fidelity | NoNote 6MS Project XML import is not documented |
Switching saves about $680 USD / $849 CAD one-time. Prices checked .
Based on Project Standard 2024, one-time purchase. Price source.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Microsoft Project is a product of Microsoft, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Microsoft Project: Windows, Web.