Microsoft Project continues to thrive. Project planning, task management, deadline tracking, collaboration, reporting, and many other useful features of this popular tool have become a guarantee of successful project completion.
However, the market is evolving. Many companies choose to eliminate unnecessary or too technical features and expensive pricing plans.
Small and medium-sized businesses operate in different environments than large corporations. For example, many developers, renovation teams, or property managers look for more affordable solutions.
The good news is that there are many MS Project substitutes available today. You may find solutions that are objectively better suited for your specific tasks.
This article is dedicated to such programs.
7 robust alternatives to Microsoft Project that suit small developers, renovation teams, and property managers
There are dozens of effective PM solutions out there, but it's very difficult to find the perfect one.
You can trust your intuition or study detailed sources about an appropriate Microsoft Project alternative, for example, read the article here.
The main thing is to experiment and explore various options.
Below are seven tools that deserve attention, each for its own reasons.
Let's take a look.
1. GanttPRO
Let's start with GanttPRO.
This powerful tool, based on an intuitive Gantt chart, can be considered one of the best Microsoft Project alternatives. Its users get a set of advanced project management features, an intuitive interface, and reach integration capabilities.
You don't need special skills or talents to learn this platform.
It perfectly suits small developers, renovation teams, and property managers who strive to succeed in project management. They use a timeline that allows them to create tasks and subtasks, set dependencies, allocate resources, track progress, manage finances, and much more.
GanttPRO users see the big picture of their projects and drill down to every tiny detail. They always know who is responsible for what and where delays may occur. It's possible to share project plans with third parties by exporting them or by using a private link.
Alternative project views are also available. They include lists, boards, calendars, and dashboards.
2. Celoxis
The next tool in this list is built on basic capabilities for classic workflow and communication management. It also offers powerful analytics.
All this makes Celoxis a good substitute for MS Project for real-world project management.
Companies that need to constantly monitor deadlines and budgets often choose this tool. It’s quite easy to plan projects and manage tasks here. You’re allowed to allocate resources, track time, and communicate in real time.
They also get a flexible reporting system. Detailed analytical data is just a few clicks away.
The platform is natively cloud-based, so it doesn't require a separate IT infrastructure.
3. Teamwork
Teamwork is a mature project management tool with a reasonable price and a focus on service businesses.
Any company working with clients appreciates the advantages and strengths of this platform. It offers a unified ecosystem where all projects, tasks, deadlines, finances, and clients are under complete control.
Teamwork users can track project time. They can easily record labor costs for every single activity and then use this data for invoicing.
The tool is known for its simplicity and accessibility compared to the complex MS Project. It is often chosen by small developers, property managers, and renovation teams.
4. Businessmap
You've probably heard of the project management tool called Kanbanize. Its new name is Businessmap.
This program can be considered a successful replacement for MS Project because it also offers extensive workflow management capabilities.
Businessmap is based on the Kanban methodology, but with a significantly expanded interpretation. You can use convenient boards with cards that link strategic goals to specific tasks.
For example, this program allows any development or maintenance team to simultaneously monitor the status of each job and the entire project portfolio.
Detailed planning with task dependencies makes Businessmap a reliable competitor in a segment where the famous Microsoft product was previously the only option.
Built-in analytics and reporting are also available.
5. TaskFord
TaskFord is also simpler and less functional than Microsoft Project, but many teams rely on its innovation and accessibility for basic work management.
This project management program is initially aimed at small businesses and service companies. It is available in both a browser and a mobile version. It serves well for construction companies, renovation teams, and remote workers in other fields.
You get the ability to create and track tasks, convenient checklists, attachments, status tracking, and other useful features.
6. Planisware Orchestra
This is another PM solution that can replace a popular Microsoft product.
Planisware Orchestra is ideal for resource planning and comprehensive project portfolio management. It is chosen by businesses for which task and process management is a core business process, not additional functionality.
For example, a mid-sized renovation team chooses this solution for its scenario planning tools. The program helps understand the workload of individual employees, the feasibility of the current plan, resource availability, and so on.
Planisware Orchestra helps predict risks and make timely decisions to minimize them. It integrates with many available services.
7. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a product of Zoho, a company that offers many systems and powerful solutions.
This tool comes with a visual Gantt chart, which allows you to quickly plan projects on a simple timeline.
Users appreciate time tracking, resource management, and basic analytics in this tool. These features are often used by managers of renovation companies and small developers.
You can use ready-made templates for various project management scenarios. They can be applied with a single click.
The program is less expensive than Microsoft Project. Its mobile app allows you to monitor tasks and time directly from the project site.
All of the above programs cover a specific range of tasks and, in their own way, replace the extensive capabilities of Microsoft Project.
The choice of an alternative depends on the size of your team, the specifics of your business, and your current needs.
Choosing the right tool is the key to business success
The modern project management software market offers mature and feature-rich alternatives to Microsoft Project. They are suitable for any business size and any budget.
There are many solutions available for small developers, renovation teams, and property managers. These users don't want to overpay for extra features or spend time training when using MS Project.
If you need such a tool, start with free trials. Explore available features and test them with your colleagues.
An appropriate PM tool will beneficially change the way your team thinks about workflows and project outcomes.
