SimpleGantt vs Microsoft Project

SimpleGantt is a focused Gantt chart tool built for teams that want to start planning immediately. Microsoft Project is an enterprise-grade platform designed for professional project managers handling complex, resource-intensive projects. Here's how they compare.

Quick summary

FeatureSimpleGanttMicrosoft Project
Best forSmall teams, startups, consultantsEnterprise project management
Learning curve⭐ Easy⭐⭐⭐⭐ Steep
Interactive Gantt chart
Task dependencies
Milestones
Team assignments
Project status (On Track / At Risk / Delayed)
Templates
Multi-project Gantt✅ Enterprise
Critical path
Baselines
Resource management
Budget & cost management
Portfolio management
Grid / Board / Timeline views✅ (Planner plans)
Desktop application
Unlimited users✅ Premium❌ Per-user subscription for cloud plans

Simple Gantt at a glance

Simple Gantt is built for teams that want to create project timelines without spending hours learning project management software. It focuses on:

  • Visual Gantt charts
  • Task management
  • Dependencies
  • Milestones
  • Clear project status
  • Fast onboarding

The goal is simple: create your first project in minutes and keep your team on schedule.

Microsoft Project at a glance

Microsoft Project (now part of the Microsoft Planner family for cloud plans) is designed for professional project managers and large organizations managing complex projects. Depending on the plan, it includes:

  • Gantt charts
  • Critical path analysis
  • Baselines
  • Resource management
  • Portfolio management
  • Cost and budget tracking
  • Advanced dependencies
  • Multiple project views
  • Integration with Microsoft 365 and Teams

It is widely used for construction, engineering, IT, and large enterprise projects.

The biggest difference

Simple Gantt

Built around one philosophy:

“Project planning should be simple enough that your whole team actually uses it.”

Instead of dozens of project management features, it focuses on creating clear timelines that help small teams stay organized.

Microsoft Project

Built for organizations that require advanced scheduling, resource optimization, portfolio planning, and detailed project control.

It offers multiple task, resource, and assignment views, including Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Tracking Gantt, Resource Sheet, and more.

Pricing comparison

Simple Gantt

  • Free plan
  • Fixed monthly pricing
  • Unlimited users on Premium
  • No per-user pricing

Microsoft Project

Microsoft offers several plans:

  • Planner Plan 1: $10/user/month
  • Planner & Project Plan 3: $30/user/month
  • Planner & Project Plan 5: $55/user/month
  • Higher-tier plans add baselines, resource management, portfolio management, budgeting, and the desktop app

Which tool should you choose?

Choose Simple Gantt if you want:

  • A clean, intuitive interface
  • Fast onboarding
  • Visual project planning
  • Fixed pricing
  • Unlimited users
  • A lightweight solution for small teams

Choose Microsoft Project if you want:

  • Enterprise project management
  • Critical path analysis
  • Resource and portfolio management
  • Budget and cost tracking
  • Deep Microsoft ecosystem integration
  • Advanced scheduling capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SimpleGantt an alternative to Microsoft Project?

Yes. If your primary goal is creating visual project timelines and collaborating with a small team, SimpleGantt offers a simpler alternative. Microsoft Project is designed for organizations with more advanced scheduling and project management requirements.

Which tool is easier to learn?

SimpleGantt is intentionally designed around a focused feature set so teams can get started quickly. Microsoft Project offers extensive scheduling and planning functionality, which typically requires more time to learn and configure.

Which tool is better for small businesses?

If your business mainly needs to plan projects, assign tasks, and track progress visually, SimpleGantt is a strong fit. If you manage large, complex projects with advanced resource allocation, budgeting, or portfolio requirements, Microsoft Project is likely the better choice.

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