Feb 15, 2019 But thankfully we are in a new century, and there are tons of great Microsoft Project alternatives that you can use. You no longer need local access; instead, simple to use cloud-based project management reigns supreme. These Microsoft Project alternatives will keep you organized without getting a headache. Jun 23, 2018 5 of the Best Microsoft Project Alternatives By Robert Zak – Posted on Jun 23, 2018 Jun 23, 2018 in Windows Microsoft Project is a powerful tool for project management, whether you’re a business or a sole trader looking to keep all the plates spinning. So the ideal alternative to replace Microsoft Project for Mac needs to cover most if not all of these features and do it well. And maybe even have a few cards up its sleeve too. For example, Microsoft Project’s cost of $500–1500 per install or $30–60 per user a month is a likely target for other up-and-coming apps. Jul 19, 2019 Check out these Microsoft Project alternatives to keep your team and projects in check.Microsoft Project has some great features; but it's not suited for all businesses. Explore top five Microsoft Project alternatives. Microsoft Project is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The most popular Mac alternative is ProjectLibre, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Microsoft Project and loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement.
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Mac & PC Users Agree: We’re the Best Alternative to Microsoft Project on the Market
ProjectManager.com is the leading solution for those looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-use Microsoft Project alternative that works on Mac and PC.
Our 100% online project management software has the same powerful management features you need, plus collaboration tools your team will actually use. You can even import and export MPP files to view, edit and share project plans.
The Only True Alternative
ProjectManager.com is the only true Microsoft Project alternative because we are the only company to offer both a better user experience and a more powerful suite of tools, including our excellent interactive Gantt chart maker. But our Gantt chart is more dynamic than Microsoft Project’s, as it enables team collaboration on the task level, such as comments and file attachments.
It’s as if you modernized the best features of Microsoft Project, removed the headaches and put them online in a cloud-based, real-time, team-friendly environment that can be accessed from anywhere, even from Mac computers!
Project Management Software that Works on Mac
That’s right Mac users, sign up for ProjectManager.com and you can import MPP files and make edits and changes right on your Apple computer. You won’t find a more flexible, Microsoft Project alternative than ProjectManager.com. Microsoft business startup programs.
Why is Microsoft Project Considered a Legacy Tool?
Yes, Microsoft Project was the industry standard for many PMs and business managers, historically. And many people work with Microsoft Server, the site server installation that supports MS Project Desktop and Sharepoint, because their organizations have invested so much in the infrastructure costs and licenses.
In fact, there are so many various licenses and versions of Microsoft Project, along with confusing new online add-ons, that it can feel like a tentacled monster that won’t let you escape! But now, thanks to the advent of the online project management software industry, there are a number of alternatives to Microsoft Project.
Common Complaints About MS Project
Most Microsoft Project users are aware of its many shortcomings:
- There’s a steep learning curve
- It’s too complex
- It’s not Agile
- It’s expensive
- It’s desktop software (mostly)
- It doesn’t work in Mac environments
- It’s hard to share files online
- It’s not team friendly
- It requires Sharepoint to work
- No real-time dashboards
That’s just a few of the criticisms from those who have used Microsoft Project. It’s a great program for experienced project managers who are used to its pain points, but there are MS Project alternatives that allow you to plan just as well or better, and involve the entire team, too.
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ProjectManager.com offers software to help managers and their teams get more done together.
Why is ProjectManager.com the Best MS Project Alternative?
ProjectManager.com is cloud-based project management software that works on PC and Mac and offers all the same features as MS Project, but with a online interface, so it’s easy to share and collaborate with your team, unlike MS Project. Plus, you can seamlessly import and export any MPP or Excel file.
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Real-Time Dashboards For Better Tracking
One feature that we have, but isn’t available on MS Project, is real-time dashboards. That means your reporting is always up-to-date, and your data is always live. You don’t need to open other tools to “create” a dashboard.
In fact, you can import existing MS Project plans to populate dashboards instantly, too. The data flows as soon as tasks are updated or changes are put into the program. This way, you can see the performance of your product at a glance.
Timesheets & Workload Allocation Tools
There are also timesheets and workload management features to track time alongside the project, so you don’t need to buy a separate resource management tool. Plus, you and your team can collaborate at the task level or on a social interface that creates group or one-on-one chat.
Intuitive Collaboration Features
Yes, our collaborative features mean that you can actually get your team involved! As a manager, you’re able to attach documents and specific instructions to their project tasks. They can then update their tasks, their time, and their progress, all of which is readily visible to you. They even have an activity page where they will receive live project updates so they are always in the loop and staying productive.
Seamless Interoperability to Import, Edit and Export MPP Files
One of our most appreciated benefits is that if you use Microsoft Project, you can still use ProjectManager.com. Importing files is easy as a keystroke, all your formatting translates and then you can use all of ProjectManager.com’s features to work on your MS Project plan. Then export it back with all the changes intact. The interoperability is seamless.
ProjectManager.com is compatible with a number of versions of Microsoft Project, including:
- Microsoft Project 2019
- Microsoft Project 2016
- Microsoft Project 2013
- Microsoft Project 2010
We are even compatible with all the versions of MS Project from the 2000s.
More Software Integrations, Plus Email Alerts
There’s easy integration of other software, too, if you want to incorporate your favorite applications. Plus, email alerts can be automated to yourself and keep team members on track, and project status can be updated anywhere and anytime with the mobile application.
Customer Service that Actually Calls You Back
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We also have the best customer support team in the project management space. How can we prove that? One question: Does Microsoft ever call you back? We do. We’re here to help you succeed with your projects, and we do it at a fraction of the cost of Microsoft Project.
The One, True Alternative to Microsoft Project
When you break it all down, it’s clear that we are the best choice for a Microsoft Project alternative. Once you try ProjectManager.com and see how easy and collaborative our online interface is, you’ll wonder why you, or any of your colleagues, used Microsoft Project in the first place!
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See why over 10,000 global teams use our online PM tools to get more work done on time and under budget.
Nowadays, project management is everywhere. Whether you have a team of one or 1,000 — you need to make sure everyone knows what to do, when to do it, and how much time to spend on it. Most companies employ a full-time project manager to oversee the work process, and the most essential tool they use in their work is some form of project management software.
Project management software helps teams plan, organize, and manage their work. There are lots of alternatives on the market: some are as simple as to-do lists and others include all the bells and whistles, like budget estimations, forecasting, and cost control. The most popular and widely used option by far is Microsoft Project.
Microsoft Project was first developed in 1984 as an MS-DOS application, even before there were graphical interfaces. Over the years, it has gained a loyal global following and has become the go-to tool for the majority of project managers.
Sadly, if you predominantly work on Macs, Microsoft hasn’t released a Mac-compatible version just yet, although the rest of the Microsoft Office 365 suite is available on Macs (short of Microsoft Access). So what’s the best Microsoft Project alternative for Mac?
What Is Microsoft Project On Mac Alternative?
Naturally, since Microsoft hasn’t been in a hurry developing an MS Project for Mac build, lots of Mac-specific players have entered the game, occupying all possible niches based on cost, features, tech support, and more. But to understand what makes a perfect competitor to Microsoft Project management software, we need to know what exactly Microsoft Project is revered for.
Microsoft Project supports all project management activities with:
Built-in customizable templates to quickly get up and running when new projects come in
Gantt charts to clearly see the timeline and the capacity for execution
Visual reports to evaluate progress on the go
Besides, Microsoft Project is a great tool for your business portfolio optimization and project evaluation to see where your organization is going and how it is doing. Finally, the software also does a continuous resource analysis, predicting bottlenecks and showing where resources are currently being underused.
So the ideal alternative to replace Microsoft Project for Mac needs to cover most if not all of these features and do it well. And maybe even have a few cards up its sleeve too. For example, Microsoft Project’s cost of $500–1500 per install or $30–60 per user a month is a likely target for other up-and-coming apps.
When we consider all available Microsoft Project alternatives, one stands out right away. In many ways similar to what Microsoft Project on Mac would be, it offers a more intuitive interface, easier onboarding process, and simpler cost structure. Meet Merlin Project Express.
Use Merlin Project Express as MS Project for Mac
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Merlin Project Express is an all-in-one planning software that doesn’t constrain you into any project management paradigm. Control multiple projects, resources, and budgets with ease in the way that streamlines your own workflow.
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Some notable features of Merlin Project Express include:
Outstanding planning tools. The app lets you create tasks, sort out dependencies, track progress, and schedule for the future — all on one screen.
By-the-minute tracking. See how much costs your project generates in real time. Check how busy and productive your team is, and how many hours a day get clocked in.
Custom templates. Create intuitive templates for all repetitive processes and have your colleagues fire up new projects in no time.
Precise resource management. Handle all information about your team, tools, and equipment in one secure place. Adding people is just as easy as dragging them from your Contacts, and the calendar view makes it effortless to see everything at once.
Accurate project timelines. When you have a large project on your hands, how do you predict its success? The best way to do it is to break everything down to smaller tasks, which don’t seem daunting and are much easier to keep track of.
Unlimited version-based attachments. Storing task-related information separately is a sure way to mismanagement on large projects. With Merlin Project Express, you just drop the required files right onto the task and it will keep it safe, including all the updated versions.
How to start with Merlin Project Express
The most special thing about Merlin Project Express is how intuitive it is. Everything you need to know is displayed on the main Gantt-like screen called Work Breakdown: the list of tasks goes top to bottom, and your timeline from left to right.
Additionally, you can add any extra information (e.g. activities, goals) by pressing the plus icon in the top left. And the activity panel on the right provides specific details about your plan and finances.
Clicking on the Work Breakdown, you can switch the screen to show Resources, which includes all the people in your team, their availability, rate, and accrued costs.
To add a task in Merlin Project Express:
Click on the dropdown beside the plus icon and choose Activity
Name the new activity
Drag it to the right line within the Gantt chart
Use the indentation icons beside the dropdown to properly place the task within the hierarchy
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Once you have all the tasks arranged, your project will begin to take shape. Next you just need to add timelines and people responsible. Finish up with a few milestones, so you know when it’s time to check in on the progress. And just like that your project will be on its way to completion, with no Microsoft Project management software involved.
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Best of all, Merlin Project Express is available to you on a free trial via Setapp, a platform of more than 150 Mac productivity tools and apps. And now when you know Microsoft Project for Mac is not needed, you can start substituting all the other Windows-only apps too!