Free Alternative Comparison · 2026
GanttFather vs GanttProject
Choose GanttProject if you plan on your own computer and want free, open-source software, because the desktop app is free under GPL-3.0, works offline on Windows, macOS and Linux, and includes baselines, a resource load chart and Microsoft Project file import. Choose GanttFather if several people need to edit the same plan in a browser, because 1 project you own with 2 editors and unlimited viewers is free, changes from others appear live, and there is nothing to install.
Want to skip the comparison?
GanttFather is free forever — start in 30 seconds.
What's the difference between GanttFather and GanttProject?
Side-by-side feature comparison of the two tools across pricing, dependencies, real-time collaboration, AI integration, and platform support. Bold rows highlight the dimension where one tool clearly leads.
| Feature | GanttFather | GanttProject |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for 1 project you own, with 2 editors and unlimited free viewers; US$5 a month per extra project (US$2.50 billed yearly) | Free, every feature included, with no limit on projects, tasks, resources or users; an optional $5+ support download |
| Platform | Web app in any modern browser; no desktop app and no offline mode | Desktop app for Windows, macOS and Linux; works offline |
| Account | Required; sign in with Google, GitHub, or email and password | No account, registration or email needed |
| Working together | 2 editors and unlimited viewers share 1 project for free; changes from others appear live | Optional GanttProject Cloud, paid as you go: €10 for 10 credits, 1 credit = 1 active user for 1 month |
| Dependencies | Finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish, with lag and lead in days | The same four types, with automatic scheduling |
| Critical path | Yes | Yes |
| Baselines | No | Yes |
| Resources | People on tasks; workload is a count of active tasks per person | Assign people and review a resource load chart |
| Views and reports | Gantt, List, Board (Kanban) and Reports; PDF and PNG reports (6 types, including a Gantt schedule) | Gantt chart, resource load chart and PERT chart |
| Microsoft Project files | Imports an Excel file exported from Microsoft Project; no .mpp or XML | Imports MPX, MPP and XML (MSPDI); exports XML |
| Open source | No | Yes, GPL-3.0 |
Sources: GanttProject · GanttFather. Checked on 18 October 2026.
Figures and their sources
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop app | Free, every feature included; no limit on projects, tasks or users | GanttProject |
| Microsoft Project files | Imports MPX, MPP and XML; exports XML | GanttProject |
| Latest stable version | 3.3, released 15 January 2024; 3.4 Beta VI on 14 September 2026 | GanttProject home page |
| Rating | 4.2 out of 5 from 175 reviews | Capterra UK |
Checked on .
When is GanttProject the better choice?
GanttProject is the better choice when one person plans on their own computer and wants classic scheduling tools for free.
- You want every feature free, with no limit on projects, tasks or users.
- You need baselines to track progress against the plan; GanttFather has none.
- You open Microsoft Project files (MPX, MPP or XML) directly.
- You work offline, with no account, on Windows, macOS or Linux.
- You want open-source software under GPL-3.0.
- You use a resource load chart or a PERT chart.
When is GanttFather the better choice?
GanttFather is the better choice when several people need to see and edit the same plan in a browser.
- Nothing to install: it runs in any modern browser.
- 2 editors and unlimited viewers share 1 project you own for free, and changes from others appear live.
- The same tasks show as Gantt, List, Board (Kanban) and Reports, with PDF and PNG reports.
- AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor can read and edit the plan through the GanttFather MCP server.
- You can start from one of 100 project templates in 20 categories.
- If you work in Azure DevOps, you can pull work items into a plan and push selected fields back after you review them.
Frequently asked questions: GanttFather vs GanttProject
Is GanttProject really free?
Yes. Every feature of the desktop app is free, with no limit on projects, tasks, resources or users, and no account. You can pay $5 or more for a support download, but you do not have to. It is open source under the GNU General Public License (GPL-3.0).
Can a team work together in GanttProject?
The desktop app runs on one computer. For shared online work there is GanttProject Cloud, paid as you go with no subscription: a pack of 10 credits costs €10, and one credit is one active user for one month. In GanttFather, 2 editors and unlimited viewers share 1 project you own for free and see changes from others live.
Does GanttProject open Microsoft Project files?
Yes. It imports MPX, MPP and XML (MSPDI) files and exports XML. GanttFather does not open .mpp or XML files; it imports an Excel file exported from Microsoft Project, with task names, dates, % complete and resources.
Does GanttFather have baselines like GanttProject?
No. GanttProject includes baselines for tracking against the plan, and GanttFather has none. Both have critical path and all four dependency types.
Can I move a GanttProject plan to GanttFather?
If you have your plan as an Excel (.xlsx) file, GanttFather imports it in the browser. Dependencies, priority and descriptions are not part of the Excel import, so you link tasks again in the Gantt after importing.
Is GanttProject still maintained?
Yes. It has been in development since 2003. The current stable version, 3.3, was released on 15 January 2024 and last updated on 30 January 2025, and 3.4 Beta VI came out on 14 September 2026.
Try GanttFather free
Every feature is free. No credit card. 1 project you own with 2 editor seats and unlimited free viewers — extra projects from $5/month.
Get started free