Free & Freemium Gantt Chart Software
Here’s a shortlist of the best free Gantt chart software:
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Zoho ProjectsBest for customization options
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PaymoBest for its clear progress bars in the Gantt view
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OpenProjectBest for Linux or Mac users
- TeamGantt
Best for planned VS actual reporting
- dotProject
Best for DIY community support
- ProjectLibre
Best for MS Project users
- Tom’s Planner
Best free Gantt chart software for individuals or freelancers
- GanttProject
Best for robust export options
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AganttyBest for small and medium-sized teams
- ClickUp
Best for creative teams
While free Gantt chart software is great for small teams or low-budget projects, investing in paid Gantt chart tools can be worth it. It can give you access to more features and projects, as well as include more team members on the platform.
Free versions of Gantt chart software often limit features, projects, and/or team members. Completely free tools, such as open-source or community tools, are also limited in the sense that they often don’t have the same knowledge bases and support teams that paid tools have.
In the rest of this article, I explain which free Gantt chart tools have limitations to their functionality and what the limitations are. I also go over what to look for in a tool and what each program does best, so it’s easy for you to find the right fit.
How I Picked The Best Free Gantt Chart Software
I evaluated and compared free Gantt chart software on the market that includes Gantt chart functionality as a primary project planning feature. Then I weighed factors that make this kind of software a good option for anyone looking for a free tool, such as the ones that follow.
- User Interface (UI): Is the Gantt chart creator aesthetically pleasing, interactive, and easy to use? The UI plays an important part in the user experience and could be a big detractor if it's not properly designed.
- Usability: Are there Gantt chart templates, drag-and-drop features, and point-and-click simplicity when it comes to building a chart? Do they offer a mobile app, iOS and Android, for workflow charting on the go? Does the project management solution come with adequate (free) training and tutorials?
- Integrations: Does the Gantt tool connect with other common online project management or online team collaboration workplace software? For example, Microsoft Project, Bitrix24, Redbooth, Google Docs, Slack, Asana, Jira Agile, and so on.
- Pricing: Some of the items on this list are free versions of paid software. Therefore, I try to see if the free version is feature-rich enough to justify onboarding your team.
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Overviews Of The Best Free Gantt Chart Software
Here’s a brief description of each of the free Gantt chart software on my list showing what it does best, plus screenshots to showcase some of the features.
Zoho Projects
Best for customization options
Zoho Projects is a cloud-based project management software that helps plan projects, track them, and collaborate along the way.
Why I picked Zoho Projects: When you use the Gantt charts, the tool color codes tasks to let you know of critical ones and their dependencies. It will also flag as soon as your actuals deviate from your planned progress. Zoho Projects is hugely customizable, if you don’t mind putting in the time and effort, and will allow users to create personalized fields, layouts, statuses, and workflows with minimal fuss.
Zoho Projects Standout Features & Integrations
Features include task management, blueprints, automation, time and issue tracking, and a built-in chat for collaboration.
Integrations include all the Zoho ecosystem apps like Desk & Invoice. It also integrates with Google & Microsoft apps, Slack, Dropbox, repository tools, and Zapier.
Zoho Projects Plans & Pricing
The free version includes up to 3 users and has a 2-project limit. Pricing starts at $5/user/month and offers a 10-day free trial.
Pros
- An intuitive, interactive calendar view
- Easy to set and track milestones
- Great CRM integrations
Cons
- Sharing charts requires Zoho Analytics integration
- User interface takes some time getting used to
Paymo
Best for its clear progress bars in the Gantt view
Paymo is a work management tool designed to help creative and marketing teams own their entire project cycle.
Why I picked Paymo: Within Gantt charts, users can click and drag on the timeline to estimate a task duration, then pinch its ends to extend or shorten it. Apart from the standard dependencies, you can set lead and lag time to account for overlaps or delays, and even auto-schedule tasks based on those dependencies and constraints.
When finished, click the Export button to save the project timeline and send it over to a client or team member. There’s also a Portfolio Gantt Chart available, which acts as a pipeline with all project timelines united on a single screen.
Paymo Standout Features & Integrations
Features include invoicing and estimates, file proofing, online payments, team scheduling, task management, and time tracking.
Integrations are available natively with apps such as Slack, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Drive, QuickBooks Online, Xero, JotForm, and Shift, to name a few. Other integrations are available through Zapier or by syncing with their fully-documented API.
Paymo Plans & Pricing
Paymo’s free plan includes a 10-user limit. They have 3 plans and pricing starts at $5.95 /user/month.
OpenProject
Best for Linux or Mac users
OpenProject is an open-source project management software for classic, agile, or hybrid project management.
Why I picked OpenProject: This software is completely customizable and can be adapted to your operation. OpenProject has a free community edition that includes most features you need from a project management software. The platform is secure, GNU GPL v3 licensed, and GDPR compliant. Finally, they have on-premise and cloud licenses if you have the budget for them.
OpenProject Standout Features & Integrations
Features include Gantt charts, agile boards, scheduling, calendar, time tracking, reports, budgeting, bug tracking, and templates.
Integrations are included in all plans. These include GitHub, NextCloud, and custom integrations you can build using its API.
OpenProject Plans & Pricing
The community plan is free. Upgrading to other plans will give you access to premium features, and their enterprise cloud product offers a 14-day free trial.
Pros
- Highly configurable for the needs of different departments
- No limit on the number of projects or team members
- Great level of organization with sub-projects and sub-tasks
Cons
- No resource availability percentage
- Technical knowledge is required to install
- No mobile app available at this time
TeamGantt
Best for planned VS actual reporting
Team Gantt is an online Gantt chart maker with a freemium plan available for smaller teams.
Why I picked Tema Gantt: Team leads will be able to manage resources, stay on budget, and ensure everyone is working but not overloaded with an easy-to-access availability tab. Gantt charts can be easily compared between planned and actual timelines with a baseline report, which helps with future forecasting.
Team Gantt Standout Features & Integrations
Features include a drag-and-drop UI, multiple Gantt chart display, workloads and team availability, portfolio views, calendar and task views, and a dedicated app.
Integrations include Trello, Basecamp 2, Slack, Dropbox, and Zapier. You can use this last one to connect to thousands of additional apps.
Team Gantt Plans & Pricing
There is a free plan with a one-project limit. There are 3 paid plans, and the top tier is for enterprise support.
Pros
- Can track how much time is spent on each task
- Regular emails for upcoming/coming due tasks
- Thorough permissions and assigning tasks
Cons
- The timeline is fixed in the free version
- Sharing via URL is read-only
- More third-party app integrations would be welcome
dotProject
Best for DIY community support
dotProject is a free, volunteer-supported project management application that is completely developed and managed by its community.
Why I picked dotProject: It is completely free and volunteer supported, support is given by the community, and it is constantly updated. The core product has many of the features that you would expect from a project management tool, and it is completely customizable.
dotProject Standout Features & Integrations
Features include user administration, file management, Gantt charts, budget management, task management, calendar view, and dependencies.
Integrations are not available at the moment, but there is a mods repository where users can upload add-ons. If the add-ons prove useful to the community, they can be included in the core product.
dotProject Plans & Pricing
The tool is free to download.
Pros
- Many add-on modules for additional functionality
- Easy movement of a task from one project to another
- Granular task management and details available
Cons
- No default export or print functionality for Gantt charts
- No rich-text (bold, italics, etc.)
ProjectLibre
Best for MS Project users
ProjectLibre is an open-source Microsoft project alternative with both a cloud (beta) and desktop version.
Why I picked ProjectLibre: The software has been around since 2012, and is a global provider of project management software in almost 200 countries. Besides being platform agnostic, it can import MS Project files with ease. Their Gantt charts are fully functional with everything you would expect and then some, like resource usage indicators and a histogram.
ProjectLibre Standout Features & Integrations
Features include network diagrams, compatibility with MS Project, WBS and RBS charts, earned value costing, and histograms.
Integrations are planned for future release, and there are forums gathering suggestions on what people want. One suggestion included Procore for the construction industry.
ProjectLibre Plans & Pricing
The desktop software is completely free. The cloud version will have a monthly subscription and a 14-day free trial soon.
Pros
- Easy to shift the whole timeline back and forth if due dates change
- Streamlined, no-fluff interface
- Usable in 27 languages
Cons
- No client portal
- Desktop version is free, cloud is paid (at this time)
- Cloud version currently in beta
Tom’s Planner
Best free Gantt chart software for individuals or freelancers
Tom's Planner is an online Gantt chart software that is super quick and easy to use and lets you create and share professional Gantt charts in minutes.
Why I picked Tom's Planner: You can easily drag and drop color-coded time blocks, stretch and contract individual task bars, and zoom in and out from hourly to monthly views. This software is intuitive and can help you quickly build a Gantt chart without prior experience. Finally, the website has a collection of useful training videos.
Tom's Planner Standout Features & Integrations
Features include free updates, email support, a drag-and-drop interface, white labelling, printing and exporting schedules, and a resource manager.
Integrations include imports from MS Project, Excel, Word tables, Google Calendar, and Outlook.
Tom's Planner Plans & Pricing
Tom’s Planner is free for 1 schedule.
Pros
- Track status with percentages, traffic lights, icons, or colored time blocks
- Has chart templates for construction, web design, business, and events
- Very quick and simple to build a basic chart
Cons
- Only 1 user can edit a document at a time
- Lack of 3rd-party integrations available
GanttProject
Best for robust export options
GanttProject is a free open-source project management application distributed under GPL3 license.
Why I picked GanttProject: The application lets you break down your daily and weekly work, build a Gantt chart timeline, assign resources, calculate project costs, and then export the results easily to PDF, CSV, or PNG. You can import and export data directly into/out of MS Project and Excel, as well. GanttProject serves over 25 languages at this time.
GanttProject Standout Features & Integrations
Features include filtering of completed tasks, dependencies, task management by WBS, a resource chart, and PERT charts to help you identify critical path routes.
Integrations are not mentioned, but workarounds might be available using its API.
GanttProject Plans & Pricing
This application is free, regardless of the package. There is a paid version, but it's just a way for you to donate as much as you want to the team working on the software.
Pros
- Offers resource management with conflict checks
- Can export to CSV, PDF, HTML, and PNG
- Reads and writes MS Project files
Cons
- Zooming and scrolling across large projects can be jumpy
- Reporting could be more customizable/editable
- You can only open one project at a time
Agantty
Best for small and medium-sized teams
Agantty is a free Gantt chart project management tool where you can plan an unlimited amount of projects and organize tasks and teams.
Why I picked Agantty: You can create unlimited projects, create tasks, teams, and share information with external users. It is safe and encrypted, and has a mobile app for iOS & Android. You will appreciate being able to administer an unlimited number of teams and tasks with a single account, as well as look up your to-dos on a clean, comprehensive dashboard.
Agantty Standout Features & Integrations
Features include drag and drop to organize tasks, task management, milestone handling, dependencies, user permissions, and sharing functionality for both internal and external collaborators.
Integrations are not on their roadmap at the moment, but their is an API which could mean custom integrations in the future.
Agantty Plans & Pricing
Agantty is completely free.
Pros
- Easy to share and distribute charts
- Easy to view the chart by team member, calendar date, etc.
- Super clear delineated responsibilities and milestone dates
Cons
- No autosave for the Notes feature
- Better for long-term goals, not daily/weekly tasks
- Lacks a native mobile app
ClickUp
Best for creative teams
ClickUp is a project management app that has a robust feature set, thousands of integrations, and is highly customizable.
Why I picked ClickUp: It offers Gantt charts along with Kanban boards, calendars, conversations, and reminders in a bright, user-friendly interface that you will enjoy. The UI has drag-and-drop gestures and even offers a dark mode if you are into that. Users can create Spaces dedicated to certain departments or projects (customer service, graphic design, marketing, etc.) and get a bird's eye view of what's going on at all times.
ClickUp Standout Features & Integrations
Features include app customization, more than 15 views, collaborative documents, reports, whiteboards, time tracking, and real-time chat so you can have conversations over specific tasks.
Integrations are divided into native (built by ClickUp) and other integrations (built by other companies), and custom (you build using their API). The native ones include Tableau, Miro, Twilio, Clockify, and thousands of additional apps through Zapier.
ClickUp Plans & Pricing
Pricing starts at $9/user/month.
Pros
- Ability to attach tasks to emails
- Task creation is super flexible/customizable
- Easily tag or assign comments within tasks
Cons
- Frequent app updates may require ongoing support/training
- Emails send the entire chat history, not streamlined data
- Starting a new project has a bit of a learning curve
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The Best Free Gantt Chart Software Summary Chart
| Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zoho Projects Best for customization options | 10-day free trial | From $5/user/month | Visit Website |
| 2 |  Paymo Best for its clear progress bars in the Gantt view | Free plan available | From $5.95/user/month | Visit Website |
| 3 |  OpenProject Best for Linux or Mac users | 14 days free trial | Free version + starts at $7.25/user/month | Visit Website |
| 4 |  TeamGantt Best for planned VS actual reporting | 30-day free trial | From $24/manager/month | Visit Website |
| 5 |  dotProject Best for DIY community support | Free open source software | Visit Website | |
| 6 |  ProjectLibre Best for MS Project users | Not available | Free open source software | Visit Website |
| 7 |  Tom’s Planner Best free Gantt chart software for individuals or freelancers | 14-day free trial | From $9.95/user/month (1 project for free) | Visit Website |
Other Gantt Chart Options
Need more options for Gantt tools? Here’s a few more fuller-featured, paid Gantt software options:
- ClickUp
Best for creative teams
- RationalPlan
Best for fast onboarding
- GoodDay
Best timeline management for its customizability
What Features Should I Look For When Evaluating Free Gantt Chart Software?
- Clearly designated milestones (easily movable/adjustable)
- Task dependencies using vertical line markers or another method
- Task progress indicators or task health status
- Drag-and-drop project items for easy chart building and later adjustments
- Collaboration with at least 2 users (and more is preferred)
- Gantt chart templates so that you don’t have to start each document from scratch
What's Next?
You can find out more about what is Gantt chart software and read 4 use cases on what a Gantt chart is used for.
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