The best free Gantt chart software makes it easy to see project plans without having to pay for a software subscription. A Gantt chart is one of the most important tools for managing projects. It’s basically a bar chart that shows how a job is going to be done. Henry Gantt, an American engineer in the 1800s, made it famous, which is how it got its name. Gantt charts show not only the plan of a project but also how the different parts of the project depend on each other. You can draw a Gantt chart by hand, but it will take a lot longer than if you used software.
A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart used to keep track of jobs in project management. It shows a picture of the work schedule, which makes it easier for the management to plan and handle projects. The Free Gantt chart software is easy to use and can help your company save time and get more done. We did a lot of study to find the best Gantt chart software that you can use for free. When making our list, we thought about things like price, customer service, features, speed, etc.
What is Gantt chart software?
Gantt chart software is a type of project management tool that is used to make, handle, and see Gantt charts. A Gantt chart is a bar chart that shows the schedule or timeline of a project. Tasks or actions are listed along the vertical axis, and time is listed along the horizontal axis. It shows how long each project task will take, how it will affect other tasks, and the total project timeline. Gantt charts are often used to plan and handle projects because they help teams and other people keep track of progress and deadlines.
Benefits of using free Gantt chart software
🌟 Less expensive: There’s no need to buy expensive project management tools when you use free Gantt chart software. This makes it a good choice for people and small teams on a budget.
🌐 Accessibility: Most free Gantt chart software is online or can be downloaded, so it’s easy to use from anywhere with an internet link. This makes it easier to work together and from afar.
🤝 User-friendly: Many free Gantt chart tools have a simple interface that makes it easy for people with different levels of technical knowledge to build and manage project schedules.
📊 Basic project management: Free Gantt chart software often comes with basic project management tools that let users plan tasks, set dependencies, and track progress. This makes it perfect for small to medium-sized projects.
Best Free Gantt Chart Software Comparison Table
Free Gantt chart software gives project managers and teams a useful way to plan and keep track of projects without having to pay for it. Asana, Trello, and ClickUp are all user-friendly platforms that make it easy for users to build, share, and update Gantt charts. This makes it easier to organize projects, work together, and stay on budget.
| Feature | Instagantt | ClickUp | TeamGantt | dotProject | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Planning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gantt Charts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Resource Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Document Management | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Integration Options | Trello, Asana, etc. | Trello, Slack, etc. | Trello, Slack, etc. | Limited | Microsoft Office |
| Reporting and Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Instagantt
Features
- User-friendly interface for creating Gantt charts.
- Integration with popular project management tools.
- Collaborative features for team coordination.
- Basic free plan with essential Gantt chart functionalities.
Instagantt is cloud-based Gantt chart software that helps project managers and teams use Gantt charts to handle projects, make the best use of resources, and streamline workflows. The software can be used by itself or as a part of the Asana work management tool for people who already use Asana. Overall, this is one of the best free Gantt chart software you can consider now.
Pros
- User-friendly interface.
- Integration with popular project management tools.
- Good for small to mid-sized projects.
Cons
- Limited features in the free version.
- Not suitable for complex or large-scale projects.
ClickUp
Features
- Comprehensive project management suite with Gantt chart capabilities.
- Customizable Gantt charts to fit your project needs.
- Integration with various third-party apps.
- Free plan available with limited features.
ClickUp is the best free Gantt chart software in the world, and teams in both small and big companies that are very productive use it. ClickUp is the best tool for managing projects. It lets you plan and schedule jobs with estimated times and get high-level views of everything in your Workspace. For now, this is one of the best free Gantt chart software you can consider now.
Pros
- Comprehensive project management features.
- Customizable Gantt charts.
- Integration with various apps and services.
Cons
- Learning curve for new users.
- Free version has limitations on advanced features.
TeamGantt
Features
- Intuitive Gantt chart creation and editing.
- Team collaboration and task assignment features.
- Drag-and-drop functionality for easy project planning.
- Free plan for small teams with basic features.
TeamGantt is a tool that can help you lead projects on your own in many ways. With a waterfall timeline, you can see when jobs will begin and end. You can also make pretty PDFs to let others know about the project’s schedule and progress. It also gives you a baseline report that lets you compare the real timeline to an expected timeline. Overall, this is one of the best free Gantt chart software you can consider now.
Pros
- Simple and intuitive interface.
- Collaborative features for team planning.
- Free plan available.
Cons
- Limited features compared to paid plans.
- May not support very large projects.
dotProject
Features
- Open-source project management software.
- Gantt chart module for project planning.
- Task dependencies and resource management.
- Free to use and customizable for specific project requirements.
dotProject is different from the other tools on this list because it is free and open-source. This product is not made by a “company”; instead, it is taken care of by a global team of volunteers. Anyone can download it, or if they have the time, they can make changes and add new information. Thus, this is one of the best free Gantt chart software you can consider now.
Pros
- Open-source and customizable.
- Suitable for software development projects.
- Free and community-supported.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for setup and configuration.
- Limited user-friendly features compared to commercial options.
Smartsheet
Features
- Robust project management platform with Gantt chart capabilities.
- Collaboration tools for teams.
- Automated workflows and project reporting.
- Offers a limited free trial period.
Smartsheet can help you save time and get more done in your business. This tool lets you break up big jobs into smaller tasks that are easier to handle. It lets you see how long the job will take, send you alerts and reminders, and organize and plan your tasks. It can read JPG, PDF, GIF, and PNG files, and it can import and export files in Excel, PNG, and PDF forms. Overall, this is one of the best free Gantt chart software you can consider now.
Pros
- Versatile project management capabilities.
- Integration with various tools and services.
- Free trial available.
Cons
- Free version has limitations on users and features.
- Can become expensive for larger teams or complex projects.
How to choose the right free Gantt chart software
🔍 Set of Features: Look for free Gantt chart software that includes features like job dependencies, milestones, and resource allocation.
🎨 Interface that is easy to use: Choose software with an interface that is simple and easy to understand so that your team can change quickly and work well together.
🚀 Scalability: Make sure the program can handle your projects, no matter how big or complicated they are. Some free tools may have limits on the size or number of projects they can handle.
🔗 Integration: Check to see if the software works with other tools you use, such as calendar apps, job management tools, or cloud storage platforms.
🤝 Support from the community: Choose software with an active user community or good customer service to help you troubleshoot problems and find answers as you use the tool.
FAQs
monday.com, Toggl Track, TeamGantt, and Scopidea are all powerful free Gantt chart software options.
Microsoft Excel doesn’t have a Gantt chart form built in, which is a shame.
