Is it time to skyrocket your collaborative efforts? Let’s take a look at the 5 best Microsoft Project alternatives currently on the market.
Good project management hygiene is imperative for most businesses these days. In fact, having a well-functioning project management software means so much more than simply keeping everyone in check and making sure each individual delivers on time. A good solution, it can be argued, will unite the client with the team, and ensure that everyone shares the same vision for success.
When it comes to project management solutions, it’s hard to ignore Microsoft Project.
This tool has practically all the features your team needs to properly facilitate and complete a project – complete with your favourite Microsoft Office tools built into the software. It also comes with additional features, such as
- Resource Management
- Project Scheduling
- Task Tracking
- Time Tracking
- Project Cost Analysis
Essentially, it’s an all-in-one tool that any business – regardless of size and industry – will benefit a lot from implementing. However, there is one downside though, especially for small and medium-sized businesses: MS Project costs can be rather high. Aside from the high costs, there are also a few other reasons why people might think twice about using MS Project.
Limited collaboration
It can be tricky to share insights with others who are not registered on MS Project. Data can only be passed on to another person on your MS Project plan.
Limited communication
This tool doesn’t allow users to comment on tasks. As such, there is no room for communication between the various team members. In addition, you’re also not allowed to update assigned tasks within the tasks of other members.
Limited progress tracking
Another downside of MS Project is that it doesn’t let you track tasks in real-time. This means that team members will not be able to see if another task is in progress, pending or already finished.
5 Top MS Project Alternatives
Luckily, there are plenty of project tracking tools on the market. Here are some recommended alternatives to Microsoft Project.
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ProofHub
This is a cloud-hosted project management tool equipped to its teeth with features.
Aside from the typical reports and analytics, notes, and online discussion, this solution also includes Gantt charts – which essentially makes planning and tracking projects easier through visual timelines. Other features include to do lists, time tracking, custom roles, chat, and multiple languages.
ProofHub makes it easier to collaborate without being in the same location. The various features bring teams together to seamlessly work on their projects – taking you all the way from the planning phase and to the on-time results delivery.
A free trial is available for those who wants to try before they buy. Once you’ve decided, there are two plans to choose from: the Essential Plan ($50 a month with annual billing) and the Ultimate Control Plan ($99 a month billed annually). The software is also available as an iOS and Android app.
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Zenkit
This is the ideal MS Project alternative for those who fancy an easy-to-use tool.
Some of Zenkit’s most useful features are My Calendar, checklists, comments and communications, notifications, a team inbox, rich text editing, and activity tracking. Another interesting features is its seamless integration with Zapier, as this means that users can incorporate the software with their ERP or CRM.
Like ProofHub, Zenkit also comes with a free trial. You may also want to choose the Personal Plan, which is available for free although with some limitations in terms of package inclusions. Other packages are the Plus Plan ($9 a month per user) and the Business Plan ($29 a month per user). They also offer an Enterprise Plan for those who wants a customised package – pricing is agree with the vendor.
· Asana
Asana is probably one of the most popular project management tools on the market.
The software comes with an online dashboard, which allow users to regularly check and update the progress of their projects – as well as manage documents, to-do lists and team calendars. Asana emphasizes the importance of communication in ensuring the success of a project, which is why users can get updates for every stage of a project or task. This helps teams determine where they are in terms of accomplishing their goals, as well as what needs to be done to keep the goal or goals in sight.
With Asana, it’s easy to identify challenges, and find ways to overcome them.
Some of the features Asana offers include custom calendars and views, updates done in real-time, activity feed, notifications/reminders, Gantt Charts, due date setting, goals and priorities settings, and task tracking. The fact that users can create their own visual project plan for mapping projects is enough reason for businesses to consider choosing Asana.
Asana offers a free trial for those who are yet undecided. Teams with a maximum of 15 users can avail of the free plan, which includes the basic dashboards in addition to unlimited projects, tasks, and conversations. The Asana Premium Plan is available for $9.99 for every member per month, while the Enterprise Plan is available by quote.
Asana is available for use on mobile browser and has apps for both iOS and Android.
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Basecamp
Now this is a project planner made especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
Like Microsoft Project, it has dashboards that teams can access when they want a quick update of the project or projects they are working on. The dashboards also help remind teams which projects or tasks are overdue and which ones are about to start.
When it comes to task management, Basecamp provides updates in real-time. Tracking project changes is convenient with Basecamp because of its highly functional collaboration features. Team members can keep track of the changes through conversation threads. The software also offers features like file sharing, in addition to project templates, calendar, scheduling, forums, task history, project hours tracking, and RSS feed.
Basecamp comes with a practical pricing scheme which can benefit those of you on a tight budget. Since its rate is not on a per user basis, businesses can put in as many team members as possible in one set up. After checking out the software using the free trial option, users can sign up for its flat fee of $99.
Basecamp is cloud-hosted and supports Windows, iPhone/iPad, Android, Windows Mobile, and Mac devices.
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Trello
Trello is a project management tool which is most known for using boards and cards for project tracking. We have previously written about the benefits of Trello here.
Trello allows users to easily search for and categorise cards with the help of tags, labels, and filters. Its best features include in-line editing, activity log, checklists, convenient uploading of files and attachments, drag-and-drop functionality, deadline reminders, email notifications and card records archiving.
Trello offers a free trial for those who want to check out its features. It also has a free package intended for start-ups and small teams. Its Business Class package, if paid on an annual basis, is worth $9.99 per month per user. The Enterprise package is pricier at $20.83 (or less) for every user per month if paid annually.