Free Alternative Comparison · 2026
GanttFather vs Microsoft Project
Choose Microsoft Project if you need classic desktop scheduling with baselines, resource leveling or timesheets, because Project Standard 2024 ($679.99) and Professional 2024 ($1,129.99) are one-time purchases for one PC, and the desktop app also comes with Planner and Project Plan 3 at $30 per user a month. Choose GanttFather if your team needs a shared plan in the browser now that Project for the web and Project Online are retired, because all four dependency types and critical path are free for 1 project you own with 2 editors and unlimited free viewers.
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What's the difference between GanttFather and Microsoft Project?
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 | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Project Standard 2024 $679.99 or Professional 2024 $1,129.99, one-time, for one PC; or the desktop app with Planner and Project Plan 3, $30 per user a month |
| Platform | Web app in any modern browser; nothing to install | Desktop app for Windows |
| Cloud version | The whole product runs in the browser | Project for the web retired on 1 Aug 2025 and Project Online on 30 Sep 2026; Microsoft now points to Planner or Project Server Subscription Edition |
| Working together | 2 editors and unlimited viewers share 1 project for free; changes from others appear live | Each desktop licence is for one user on one PC; Professional connects to Project Server Subscription Edition |
| Task dependencies | Finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish, with lag and lead in days, between tasks under the same parent | The same four types, with lead and lag; finish-to-start by default |
| Critical path and milestones | Yes | Yes |
| Baselines | No | Yes, in Standard and Professional |
| Resources | People on tasks; workload is a count of active tasks per person; no costs | Resource leveling (Standard); full resource management and timesheets (Professional) |
| Views | Gantt, List, Board (Kanban) and Reports, with PDF and PNG reports | Calendar, Gantt Chart, Network Diagram and Task Sheet |
Sources: Microsoft Project · GanttFather. Checked on 18 October 2026.
Figures and their sources
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Project Standard 2024 | $679.99 one-time, for one PC | Microsoft Project plans and pricing |
| Project Professional 2024 | $1,129.99 one-time, for one PC | Microsoft Project plans and pricing |
| Desktop app by subscription | Comes with Planner and Project Plan 3, $30 per user per month paid yearly | Microsoft Planner plans and pricing |
| Project Online | Retired on 30 September 2026 | Microsoft lifecycle: Project Online |
Checked on .
When is Microsoft Project the better choice?
Microsoft Project is the better choice for detailed desktop scheduling with baselines and resource management.
- You need baselines to compare the live plan with a saved one; GanttFather has none.
- You level resources (Standard) or manage resources and timesheets in depth (Professional).
- You want Calendar and Network Diagram views as well as the Gantt chart.
- You prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription, for one user on one PC.
- Your organization runs Project Server Subscription Edition, which Professional connects to.
When is GanttFather the better choice?
GanttFather is the better choice when a team needs one shared plan in the browser.
- Your team was on Project for the web or Project Online and wants a shared plan in the browser.
- Nothing to install: GanttFather runs in any modern browser.
- 2 editors and unlimited viewers share 1 project you own for free, and changes from others appear live.
- All four dependency types with lag and lead in days, critical path, milestones and auto-scheduling.
- AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor can read and edit the plan through the GanttFather MCP server.
- Extra projects cost US$5 a month (US$2.50 billed yearly) and extra editor seats US$2 a month (US$1 billed yearly); viewers and AI agents stay free.
Frequently asked questions: GanttFather vs Microsoft Project
Is Project Online still available?
No. Microsoft retired Project Online on 30 September 2026, and its users can no longer access their projects there. New customers could not buy Project Online-only plans from 1 October 2025. The retirement does not affect the Project desktop app, Project Server or Planner.
What happened to Project for the web?
Microsoft retired it on 1 August 2025 and moved its features into Planner. Its users are sent to Planner for the web and Planner in Teams, which have the same premium plans. Roadmaps did not move over, and Microsoft suggests re-creating them as Planner portfolios.
I was on Project Online or Project for the web. What can I do now?
Microsoft offers three paths: Planner with Plan 3 ($30 per user a month, paid yearly) or Plan 5, which has baselines, dependencies, critical path and portfolios; Project Server Subscription Edition, sold through a partner; or the Project desktop app, which is not affected. If you want a shared plan in the browser instead, and you have your plans as Excel files exported from Microsoft Project, import them into GanttFather: task names, dates, % complete and resources come across. Dependencies do not, so you link tasks again in the Gantt.
Can I open .mpp files in GanttFather?
No. GanttFather does not open .mpp or XML files. Export the plan to Excel from Microsoft Project, then import that file: task names, dates, % complete and resources come across. Dependencies are not part of the Excel import, so you link tasks again in the Gantt.
Does GanttFather have baselines like Microsoft Project?
No. Microsoft Project Standard and Professional include baselines, milestones and critical path. GanttFather has milestones and critical path, but no baselines.
How much does Microsoft Project cost?
Project Standard 2024 is $679.99 and Project Professional 2024 is $1,129.99, each a one-time purchase licensed for one PC. The desktop app also comes with Planner and Project Plan 3, at $30 per user a month paid yearly. Microsoft supports Project 2024 until 10 October 2029. GanttFather is free for 1 project you own, with 2 editors and unlimited free viewers; each extra project is US$5 a month (US$2.50 billed yearly).
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