Free Alternative Comparison · 2026
GanttFather vs Google Sheets
Choose Google Sheets if your plan sits next to formulas and data, you need to work offline, or your team already uses a Google Workspace edition that includes the timeline view. Choose GanttFather if you want a free Gantt chart with task dependencies, critical path and parent tasks that roll up dates and progress.
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What's the difference between GanttFather and Google Sheets?
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 | Google Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free for one project you own, with 2 editors and unlimited free viewers; US$5 a month per extra project (US$2.50 a month billed yearly) | Free with a Google Account; Business Starter, which includes the timeline view, is $7 USD per user per month on the annual plan ($8.40 on the flexible plan) |
| Timeline on a free account | Gantt chart on the free plan | The timeline view is listed for Google Workspace editions; Google said in 2023 it is not available with personal Google Accounts |
| Dependencies and critical path | Four dependency types with lag and lead in days; a critical path toggle in the Gantt and List views | Not described in Google's timeline view help |
| Summary tasks | Parent tasks roll up dates, progress and status | Cards can share one timeline row, grouped by a column |
| Formulas and data | Excel (.xlsx) import and export when you need spreadsheet work | A full spreadsheet, with formulas and data around the plan |
| Offline work | No offline mode | Create, view and edit spreadsheets without an internet connection |
| Mobile | No mobile apps; web app only | Free iOS app; the timeline view can be viewed on Android and iOS |
| Editing together | Changes from others appear live; 2 editors and unlimited viewers for free | Several people can work on the same spreadsheet at the same time |
| Getting started | 100 project templates in 20 categories | Insert > Timeline on a data range with at least one date column |
| Print and export | PDF and PNG reports, including a Gantt schedule; no print button | The timeline view can be printed and downloaded |
| Size limits | No cap on tasks per project; 5 MB per attachment | Up to 20 million cells or 100 MB per spreadsheet; 15 GB of free storage shared with Gmail, Drive and Photos |
Sources: Google Sheets · GanttFather. Checked on 18 October 2026.
Figures and their sources
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sheets itself | Free with a Google Account; 15 GB of storage shared with Gmail and Drive | Google One help: storage |
| Timeline view | Listed for Google Workspace editions only | Google Docs Editors help: timeline view |
| Cheapest Workspace plan | Business Starter, $7 per user per month on the annual plan | Google Workspace business editions |
| Size limit | 20 million cells per spreadsheet | Google Drive help: file limits |
Checked on .
When is Google Sheets the better choice?
Google Sheets is the better choice when the plan is mostly data and your team already works in Google's tools.
- You need formulas and data around the plan, in spreadsheets of up to 20 million cells.
- You need to keep working without an internet connection.
- You want a free mobile app, and the timeline view can be viewed on Android and iOS.
- Your organization already uses a Google Workspace edition, and those editions include the timeline view.
- Anyone with a Google Account can open Sheets at no cost, and several people can edit at the same time.
When is GanttFather the better choice?
GanttFather is the better choice when dates depend on each other and you want the schedule to follow.
- Four dependency types with lag and lead in days, and auto-scheduling as a project setting.
- A critical path toggle in the Gantt and List views.
- Parent tasks roll up dates, progress and status from their subtasks.
- Working calendars with project non-working weekdays, team days off and per-person days off.
- The Gantt chart is on the free plan; Google lists the timeline view for Workspace editions, not personal accounts.
- You can start from 100 project templates, and move data in and out with Excel (.xlsx).
Frequently asked questions: GanttFather vs Google Sheets
Does Google Sheets have a Gantt chart?
Google Sheets has a timeline view (Insert > Timeline) that places cards from a data range with at least one date column. Google lists it for Workspace editions such as Business Starter, Standard and Plus, Enterprise, Education and Essentials.
Is the Google Sheets timeline view free?
Sheets itself is free with a Google Account. Google's 2023 announcement said the timeline view is not available with personal Google Accounts. Business Starter, which includes it, costs $7 USD per user per month on the annual plan or $8.40 on the flexible plan.
Can Google Sheets track task dependencies?
Google's help pages for the timeline view do not describe dependencies or a critical path. GanttFather supports finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish dependencies with lag and lead, and shows the critical path with a toggle.
Can I move a spreadsheet plan into GanttFather?
Yes, if it is an Excel (.xlsx) file: GanttFather imports and exports .xlsx in the browser. Dependencies, priority and descriptions are not part of the Excel round trip, so you add dependencies after the import.
Does Google Sheets work offline?
Yes. Google says you can create, view and edit spreadsheets without an internet connection. GanttFather is a web app with no offline mode.
How much does GanttFather cost?
GanttFather is free for one project you own, with 2 editors and unlimited free viewers. Each extra project costs US$5 a month, or US$2.50 a month billed yearly. No feature is locked to a paid plan.
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