5 Min. Read

3 Best Microsoft Project Alternative

March 13, 2024

Project managers are always looking for the best tools. Being up to date is important, and having powerful software to manage projects is a must. When it comes to project management solutions, Microsoft Project is often the go-to. It offers a number of advanced features, and most people love it. However, it’s not the only project management software available. Check out some of the best alternatives to Microsoft Project here!

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

What You Should Be Looking For in Project Management Software

The Best 3 Microsoft Project Alternatives

Key Takeaways

What You Should Be Looking For in Project Management Software

When you’re looking for an alternative to Microsoft Project, there are a number of features you should be looking for. Some of these will be more advanced than others, but the basic features should still be present.

Software without a steep learning curve
Project timeline views
In-depth project planning options
Individual plans and a team plan
Time tracking for projects
Third-party integration
Resource management options
The ability to build a custom workflow
Comprehensive onboarding for new team members

The Best 3 Microsoft Project Alternatives

The best 3 Microsoft project alternatives range in scope. Some are free, while others have different plan levels, like premium plans and enterprise plans. Regardless, whatever you’re looking for is most likely below! Check them out!

1. FreshBooks Projects

FreshBooks provides excellent project management software. It allows for team collaboration for the entire team, not just the business using it. Using their project management tools allows small business owners to get everyone involved. The online project management software makes collaborating on the go easy, too!

All files and project details can be found within the program itself. That means no more reliance on an email notification to tell you when something is ready. They’ve got all of the bases covered.

The software allows for both time tracking and profit tracking for your projects! Detailed reports can be built from the data collected, making everything easy to understand and use. The best part? It’s highly user-friendly. This isn’t true of all project management software. In fact, one of the main complaints about Microsoft Project is its complexity.

If you’re looking for the best Microsoft Project alternative for team collaboration, you’ll want to use FreshBooks Projects.

2. Merlin Project

Even though it’s limited in scope, Merlin Project is an excellent project management tool. The main limitation you’ll find with the Merlin Project is its platform. It can only be used with Apple products. This means that to use the desktop version, you’ll need a Macbook or Mac computer. To use the app and get the most out of it, like app notifications, you’ll have to have an iPhone. If your business is using these products, then you’ll get a lot out of the Merlin Project.

Merlin allows teamwork projects to be built in the software with ease. Task management is a strong part of the software, as tasks and subtasks can be created. Both can also have task dependencies assigned to them, which lets everyone know exactly what needs to be done. When constraints and dependencies between tasks are completed, the project can move forward.

For the most part, the Merlin Project is straightforward and easy to use. This makes it an excellent alternative to Microsoft Project. Remember though, it’s made for people using Apple products exclusively.

3. Wrike

Wrike is often referred to as the best alternative to Microsoft Project. It allows for unlimited users, making it ideal for companies with large teams and large projects. With a single click, users can switch from Kanban boards to Gantt charts, making it suitable for all employees. Wrike focuses heavily on visual cues when it comes to project timelines, which you’ll see if you use the program.

Wrike allows for hundreds of third-party integrations. Some of the options include Microsoft Teams, the Google Suite, and Dropbox. This means that everything you need for your projects is in one place. Wrike, for the most part, is best for enterprise-level businesses. Because all businesses are trying to scale, though, we made sure to include it here. Over 20,000 organizations use Wrike, so you know it’s popular.

Wrike has a free plan available, with various plans available allowing more access above that. Be sure to review your needs before taking a look at Wrike, it may be too large for your needs!

Key Takeaways

Project management is no easy task. As such, a competent tool is a must. If you’re looking for an alternative to Microsoft Project, be sure to check out the 3 options listed here! If you need more information like this, though, be sure to visit our resource hub. We have plenty of relevant information for your small business housed there. Visit it today!