17 Best Free Gantt Chart Software of 2024 (Honest Reviews)
The best free Gantt chart software provides the ideal way to stay organized and plan projects, whether you’re alone or with a team. Here are our top five free Gantt chart software tools:
ClickUp
TeamGantt
Monday.com
Wrike
There are a lot of free Gantt chart software tools out there for those who don't want to spend a lot on costly software. Many modern Gantt chart tools come with a free version or don't require you to pay, giving you all you need to manage a small team or take care of low-budget projects.
You can access a free-forever Gantt chart or opt for the free plan of a paid Gantt chart generator. Keep in mind that these free software still provide full-service features that would improve your productivity and help you stay on top of projects.
We have compiled a list of the best free Gantt chart software in this guide.
Best Free Gantt Chart Software of 2023
Here is the best free Gantt chart software of 2023:
- ClickUp
- TeamGantt
- Monday.com
- Wrike
- Smartsheet
- GanttPRO
- Zoho Projects
- OpenProject
- Online Gantt
- Canva
- ProjectLibre Cloud
- Toggl Plan
- Gantter
- Agantty
- Tom's Planner
- Instagantt
- RationalPlan
1. ClickUp
Best Free Gantt Chart Software Overall
ClickUp is a free Gant chart tool with simple-to-use and efficient features. You can easily customize your Gantt chart and use multiple views. The platform is feature-rich, with all the features arranged without giving you a cluttered interface.
In addition to this, there are tools for resource and budget management. ClickUp has impressive Gantt chart functionality, but more features are unlocked when you pay.
Key Features
Automated Gantt Chart
ClickUp offers a highly customizable and automated Gantt chart view with other views, including calendars, lists, and boards. You can assign tasks to team members, and project scheduling is a breeze. The charts are flexible.
Progress Percentage and Milestones
Although a Gantt chart allows you to visualize project progress, ClickUp calculates how far you've gone in percentage form. This is based on your completed tasks. Furthermore, you can create milestones in your project.
Seamless Critical Path Calculations
ClickUp's Gantt chart comes with a critical path. This shows you the tasks you need to complete to finish your project and makes it easy to reschedule and prioritize without falling behind on schedule.
2. TeamGantt
Best Free Gantt Chart Software for Small Teams
TeamGantt is next on our list, offering a 30-day free trial and a free plan. Even in the free plan, the software still offers a sizeable number of features.
The free Gantt chart tool is used by major brands like Netflix, Nike, and Amazon and is customized using a simple drag-and-drop interface.
Asides from the chart, you can set up to-do lists, calendars, capacity planning, and manage resources with TeamGantt.
Key Features
Timeline Tracking
TeamGantt has a unique feature in its Gantt chart that allows you to view the planned timeline and the actual timeline if you're falling behind schedule. The Gantt chart is easy to make and can be zoomed in or out to view your project plan and timeline fully.
Team Management Tools
You can efficiently work within your small team or startup with team availability and resource management tools. Stay on budget, ensure no one is overloaded with work, and more.
Dedicated Mobile App
TeamGantt allows you to monitor your projects and team while moving with their mobile app. The Gantt chart is well-designed to be readable and easy to understand on a small screen.
3. Monday.com
Best Free Gantt Chart Software for Customization
Monday.com is well-known as one of the best Gantt chart tools, and it offers a free plan that lasts forever. There is a 14-day free trial on all the paid plans.
The software is a multi-functional platform with a powerful Gantt chart that you can customize to every little detail.
Plus, it has an extensive range of project management tools, including time tracking, task management, and automation.
Key Features
Import From Excel
Asides from being easy to customize, Monday.com allows you to import plain spreadsheets from Excel into the Gantt chart. After turning excel files into smart boards, you can view them as Gantt charts without any hassle.
Multiple Views for Efficiency
You can view your Gantt charts in Kanban, Timeline, Workload, and other views with the simple push of the button. So, you and your project team can keep track of the progress efficiently.
Integrate with Different Tools
Monday.com has a wide range of integrations to save time juggling between different applications. These include Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Slack, Dropbox, Zoom, Google Calendar, Excel, LinkedIn, and more. It comes with a downloadable Gantt chart app.
4. Wrike
Best Free Gantt Chart Software for Team Collaboration
Wrike is the best way for teams to stay connected while working on a project. The Gantt chart software offers a 14-day free trial and a free plan and is highly flexible to support scalability.
Companies like Google, Walmart, and Dell use Wrike, as it combines its Gantt chart and team collaboration tools with a wide range of project management features.
Key Features
Control Multiple Projects in One Place
You can manage and monitor different projects on the free Gantt chart maker, using their features like critical path analysis, baselining, and snapshots. It allows users to import MS Project and Excel files into the Gantt chart.
Team Collaboration Tools
The highlight of this free Gantt tool is its collaboration features and automated reporting system. Team members can receive real-time updates using the approval system, time tracking, and shareable Kanban boards.
400+ Integrations
Besides having different Gantt chart diagrams at your service, Wrike comes with over 400 integrations for project management and teamwork. They allow you to copy data from these apps into the Gantt chart. Wrike has integrations for CMS, CRM, emails, software/IT, business intelligence, file storage, messaging, export/import, business intelligence, and more.
5. Smartsheet
Best Online Gantt Chart Software for Team Management
Smartsheet is a free Gantt chart tool that seamlessly works with your existing system and reduces the onboarding process. It is well-known for its essential task management tools and offers a wide range of Gantt chart templates to assist you in making your project roadmap.
Although it doesn't have a free plan, it offers a 30-day free trial.
Key Features
Team Administration Tools
Smartsheet offers different features for project managers to track team availability, task completion, and project progress. Using the Hierarchy feature, they can create sub-tasks and assign team members to them. They can edit the due date, task duration and details, and color-code tasks, which the team members see as real-time updates.
Easy Onboarding for Gantt Chart
Although the Gantt chart is easy to create, Smartsheet provides instruction videos and templates, cutting the onboarding time drastically. It can be shared with clients and stakeholders outside the Gantt chart app.
Automate Repetitive Tasks
With Smartsheet, you can save time on your repetitive tasks through automation. The intuitive visual editor allows you to combine different actions and conditional paths once; for example, you can set up B to happen whenever you do A. Alerts, requests, and updates are automated.
6. GanttPRO
Best for Intuitive UX and UI
GanttPRO is the ideal free Gantt chart creator for anyone looking for usability and an intuitive user experience. It does not have a free plan but offers a 14-day free trial, making it ideal for short-term projects.
After the trial, you can either purchase a paid plan or cancel your account. The Gantt chart software is visually attractive and allows you to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Key Features
Multiple Workspaces
GanttPRO allows you to create multiple workspaces, whether for a personal or team project. You can assign workspaces to your team members and ensure that only they have access to it or set up a shared workspace for everyone to stay in the loop. The Gantt chart can be shared with those outside the app.
Resource Planning Tools
With this free online Gantt chart tool, you can properly manage and plan your resources. The tool allows you to assign resources to particular tasks on the chart's timeline. You can instantly calculate the entire project costs based on the cost per hour and working hours and relocate resources to stick to the budget.
Critical Path and Auto Scheduling
The Critical Path feature makes it easy to prioritize your project tasks and sets up the shortest road to completing your project. The chart automatically adjusts with the auto-scheduling function on GanttPRO whenever you change the date, timeline, or dependencies. You don't have to adjust every little feature after making one change.
Pros
- Extensive data import and chart export options
- Intuitive portfolio Gantt charts
- Access permissions for guests
- Simple and easy to use
- Ability to map task dependencies
- Document sharing and storage
Cons
- The mobile version needs improvement
- No freemium version
7. Zoho Projects
Best for Gantt Chart Automation
Zoho Projects is a free Gantt chart online tool that focuses on keeping you on track when managing a project. The Gantt chart functionality is highly responsive and automated, making it easy for you to create and make changes to your timeline and dependencies.
Zoho Projects offers time tracking features, workflow automation, and more. You can use the free plan, which allows for two projects and three users or take advantage of the 10-day free trial.
Key Features
Task Schedule Tracking
You can easily schedule tasks and track progress using the Zoho Projects Gantt chart. The automated chart keeps your critical task dependencies updated, so you and your team members are always in the loop. It has a unique feature that alerts you whenever you stray from the timeline in your chart.
Little to No Learning Curve
Anyone can start using the free Gantt chart on Zoho Projects, as it offers an intuitive user interface. Onboarding takes a concise time, and the charts are very colorful, making them more appealing and easy to understand. The software offers different color themes and dark or light modes based on your needs.
Multiple Integrations
Zoho Projects comes from a family of other project management tools, including Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, Zoho Mail, Zoho Recruit, and more. All these apps are available as integrations and third-party integrations like Google Calendar, Drive, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Jira, Box, Dropbox, Slack, Chrome, Zapier, and more.
Pros
- Color coding
- Multiple template options
- Drag and drop editing function
- Ease of use
- Fair pricing plans
- Responsive customer support
- Task and project tracking is efficient
Cons
- Poor dashboard functionality
- High learning curve
8. OpenProject
Best for Mac and Linux Users
OpenProject is one of the most highly efficient free Gantt chart software options for only Linux and Mac devices. The software comes with a Community plan offered for free with no limit on the users or projects.
There is a 14-day free trial. OpenProject allows you to set up project timelines on your Gantt chart, make them visible to team members, and share them with stakeholders.
Key Features
Open Source Software
OpenProject is an open-source Gantt chart tool, so you're required to download and install it to your system. You can operate the software on Linux, Mac, or Docker machines. The Community software comes with regular updates and new releases, all available for free. It is easy to use and reduces the onboarding time.
Highly Responsive Gantt Chart
The free Gantt chart on OpenProject is easy to configure and customize. Once you activate the chart, you can easily set task dependencies, set milestones and project goals, and manage tasks at once. Asides from setting dependencies, you can place predecessor and follower tasks on the chart. All of this is possible with the drag-and-drop interface.
Multiple Views and Zen Mode
The Zen Mode provides a bird's eye view of your Gantt chart by going into a full screen. It shows you an overview of your project timeline and progress. You can create project overarching timelines and subprojects, offering different views to your Gantt chart.
9. Online Gantt
Best Software for Instant Use
Online Gantt is a free-to-use Gantt chart tool and one of the best on our list. What sets this apart from others on our list is that it is entirely instant, with no download or signup required.
It is free forever, so you need to know how to open the online website and get started with your Gantt chart. The Gantt chart is easy to use, with a simplified website design and monotone colors.
Key Features
Easy to Use Gantt Chart
You can quickly start using Online Gantt by opening the website. The free Gantt chart might not have features to customize the design, but the template is already set up for you. All you need to do is name your project and set your task dependency. You can search for tasks, save them and create new ones.
Export Your Gantt Chart
Online Gantt allows you to export your Gantt chart to Excel. You can download it as an image or PDF file, making it easy to show the chart to team members and stakeholders outside of the website.
Multiple Views
Online Gantt allows you to view your project timeline in the form of the chart view and the edit resource list. You can manage the resources needed to complete your project with the resource list. It allows you to zoom in and out of your chart, providing a very close view or a bird's eye view of the chart.
10. Canva
Best for Non-Designers
Canva is another impressive online Gantt chart software, standing out from others with its visually aesthetic design. Canva is an excellent online designer, but the Gantt chart is set up with the non-designer in mind, easy to use with the drag-and-drop interface.
You only need to sign up on Canva and choose one of their templates to get started. The Gantt charts are colorful and easy to customize.
Key Features
Professionally Designed Gantt Charts
Even if you're not a designer, Canva offers you an impressive selection of over 20 templates that have been professionally designed to meet your project needs. You can easily find a Gantt chart template that matches what you're looking for and input your project and tasks.
Publish, Share, Download, and Embed
The free Canva Gantt chart diagram can be published or downloaded and shared with others outside the app. The chart is in very high resolution and presentable to your stakeholders and team members. You can embed the chart into your presentation and reports, and any other document to show to clients.
Versatile and Aesthetic Design
Canva offers you a well-designed, versatile Gantt chart design. You can change the color of your entire chart, different elements, and texts. It provides you with varying designs of arrows, which you can use to show interdependent tasks. The chart can be shared with others, and they can edit it on their computer or smartphone and send it back.
Pros
- Additional templates for slideshows, presentations, infographics, graphs, and emails, among others
- Integrations with multiple external social media and content creation platforms
- Free trial and free plans
- No learning curve required
Cons
- Limited templates
- Limited export settings
- Limited functionality of the free plan
11. ProjectLibre Cloud
Best Open Source Gantt Chart
ProjectLibre Cloud is a recently released free Gantt chart software that advertises itself as an alternative to Microsoft Project. It is an open-source project management software, and the Gantt chart offers a lot of room for customization.
ProjectLibre Cloud comes with a free desktop version, although keep in mind that the software is still in beta. You can sign up as an early user to get started with the free Gantt chart generator.
Key Features
Open Source Platform
ProjectLibre Cloud is an open-source platform, which makes it compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS devices. This is much better than MS Project since it does not support macOS devices, so you can open your MS Project files with ProjectLibre Cloud. The platform is available in multiple languages and is easy to download.
Wide Range of Customizable Tools
You can extensively customize your Gantt chart on ProjectLibre Cloud, which would fit the unique needs of your business and project. Although there are many customizable tools, keep in mind that this makes the learning curve very high. It might take a while to get the hang of this software.
Extra Features
This free online Gantt chart creator comes with a multi-project feature that allows you to manage different tasks and projects in one place. It comes with extra tools like resource pools, histograms, RBS and WBS charts, network diagrams, and project management.
12. Toggl Plan
Best Tool for Attractive Design
If you want a free Gantt chart creator with stunning visuals and top-notch project planning tools, Toggl Plan is ideal for you. The software comes with a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, suitable for those who need a free Gantt chart generator for the short term.
After the free trial, you can decide to pay for one of the two plans. Toggl Plan is designed similarly to MS Project and allows for collaboration within and outside the software.
Key Features
Flexible Gantt Chart Tool
Toggl Plan offers a highly flexible Gantt chart that anyone can easily set up and adjust with the drag and drop interface. You can modify one part whenever there's a change, and the rest of the chart will automatically be updated. It has a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, allowing you and your team to use it on the go.
Team Timelines
With Toggl Plan, project managers can view their team members' schedules and assign tasks based on availability. It makes it easy to distribute and balance the workload and prevent overworking. The tool provides notifications whenever someone changes the Gantt chart.
Collaborate Easily
Asides from collaborating within your team, Toggl Plan comes with a public access link that allows you to keep clients in the loop. You can send the link of your Gantt chart to other stakeholders outside of the app without signing up.
Pros
- Time tracking
- Great overview and clear timeline
- Simple user interface
- Extensive range of features for the free plan
Cons
- A bit of a learning curve
- Costly premium plans
13. Gantter
Best for Remote Collaboration
Gantter is an impressive, online Gantt chart software that makes it easy for those who work from home or are a part of remote teams to stay organized and productive.
The software is seamlessly integrated with Google and available in over 20 languages, which global teams find helpful.
Gantter offers an AI-powered Gantt chart that instantly suggests your project's risks, resources, and tasks. You can start using Gantter with the 30-day free trial, but you might have to pay for a paid plan after that.
Key Features
Google Integration
Gantter's design is inspired by Google, making it easy for any Google user to get the hang of it. It is integrated with different Google apps like Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Sheets, and Google Comments. This Google-inspired design allows real-time multi-user editing, keeping your schedule updated.
Tracking and Analytics
With this free Gantt chart maker, you can track the project status and progress, the resources being used for the project, and the workload of all your team members. Gantter has features for analyzing risk and features built-in analytics. You can quickly draw up reports with the tool.
Import and Save on Cloud
Gantter is cloud-based software, making it easy for you to save and access your Gantt chart. You can share the Gantt chart with other stakeholders and keep them in the loop of your project. Plus, if you have your file in MS Project, you can import it to Gantter and save it there.
14. Agantty
Best for Project Management
Agantty is a free-forever Gantt chart generator, giving you access to a wide range of premium features. Unlike other Gantt tools on our list, there is no paid plan, although the company releases paid extensions sometimes to improve your use.
Agantty thrives on its simple Gantt chart, with no learning curve. The Gantt chart offers a clear overview of your projects and tasks, preventing you from missing a deadline or milestone.
Key Features
Gantt Chart Simplicity
Using the drag-and-drop interface, you can easily set up your Gantt chart on Agantty. By moving them, you can organize tasks, projects, and team members. It allows a project manager to filter their tasks and that of their team members so that they are properly structured and easy to sort out. The software comes with a top-notch mobile app.
Rights Management
Agantty offers team managers complete control over the Gantt charts. So, they can control which team members see what and who is allowed to make corrections. They can assign global and project-based rights and assign tasks to those in the team. It allows for seamless collaboration between team members.
Reminders and Lists
Users can easily set reminders for themselves or send them to other team members via email, ensuring that everyone in the team is on the same page. You can export tasks for particular coworkers and timeframes as PDFs to send outside the app.
Pros
- Free to use and open source
- Peculiar chart export options
- Portfolio Gantt chart
- High security for your data
- Unlimited teams and guests
- Keyboard shortcuts
- High security
Cons
- No comment/chat feature on tasks
- Bit of a learning curve
15. Tom's Planner
Best for Personal Productivity
Freelancers and small teams can turn to Tom's Planner, another reliable online Gantt chart tool. Tom's Planner is super easy to use, eliminating the learning curve that comes with Gantt charts usually.
It offers a free plan, but it only supports one project with 200 activities or tasks. But to get access to unlimited projects, you need to pay for the tool.
Key Features
Thousands of Templates
Tom's Planner offers over 500,000 Gantt chart templates, so you can easily find one that matches the type of project you're working on. The Gantt charts are created with a drag-and-drop interface. Regardless of the template you choose, the charts allow you to track progress with icons, percentages, traffic lights, colored blocks, and more.
Easily Find Tasks
Gantt charts can get large, especially when working on a big project. But, you can easily find tasks on Tom's Planner by using the search filter, which includes filters like team, resource, and activity. Collaboration with other team members is possible with Tom's Planner, and everyone can watch the project status as it changes.
Import and Share Charts
If you were creating Gantt charts or project schedules on MS Project, Excel, Basecamp, or Trello, you can import them to Tom's Planner and continue working on them there. You can share your chart with others, including anyone outside the app, making it easy to keep others in the loop.
Pros
- No learning curve
- High-quality templates
- Easy to use and customizable
Cons
- The software design is a bit outdated
- No function to limit the calendar size
16. Instagantt
Best for Tracking Projects
Instagantt is a free Gantt chart software plugin built for Asana, the popular project planning platform. But, you can use the software outside of Asana, as it is a standalone tool. Instagantt comes with a seven-day free trial with no credit card required.
After this, you can cancel the plan or pay for their individual or team subscriptions. This online Gantt chart maker is best for setting task relationships and tracking projects. It has essential features like critical path and baseline.
Key Features
Workload Management
Instagantt comes with a workload management tool that shows how many resources or tasks a user has on hand. This feature prevents overworking and helps with team management. The software offers the resources you have left in the project timeline and allows you to assign workload with the drag-and-drop interface.
Extensive Tracking
The free Gantt chart tool allows you to track progress for every project task and subtask. You can track the changes to the schedule and team member availability in real-time. The Gantt chart maker allows you to track risks and ensures you're on schedule.
Multiple Views and Dashboard
Instagantt comes with two other views if you don't want to use the Gantt chart view. These are the board and Kanban views. There is a very detailed dashboard that shows the evolution curve of your project and compares it to the ideal curve. It is updated automatically.
Pros
- Uncommon undo actions in case of mistakes
- Exports in PDF, PNG, or CSV formats
- Instant snapshots
- Baselining for expense management
Cons
- Difficult to integrate with Asana
- Lack of support for moving multiple tasks at once
17. RationalPlan
Best for Quick Onboarding
Finally, on our list is RationalPlan, which is the best free Gantt chart software option for speedy onboarding.
The free project management software is designed for teams and project managers and makes it easy to track work progress, manage budgets and allocate resources.
You can use the RationalPlan Cloud plan for free, although it limits you to two projects, two users, and 100 tasks. All the paid plans come with a free trial.
Key Features
Project Management Tools
RationalPlan comes with a wide range of project management and collaboration tools. It allows you to track workload and resource availability, manage projects, set milestones and recurrent tasks, and portfolio management.
Finance Management Features
The software allows you to estimate project costs and budgets, to prevent wasting and properly use resources. You can measure finances through standard and overtime rates and project performance.
Multiple Gantt Chart Features
You can set up a structure of projects and sub-projects with inter-project dependencies using RationalPlan. You can set milestones, connect tasks to resources, upload documents, and set access rights. RationalPlan allows users to create reports and deliver them to stakeholders and clients.
FAQ
A Gantt chart is a tool that shows the visual timeline and progress of a particular project. It looks like a bar chart and allows you to plan projects, assign tasks, and review progress. Rather than making your Gantt charts yourself, you can use software online and set it up with a few clicks.
You can create Gantt charts for free by using free Gantt chart tools. We have recommended the top free Gantt chart makers in the review, and you can check out our top choices like ClickUp, TeamGantt, Monday.com, Wrike, and Smartsheet.
First, sign up on a free Gantt chart software, although some instant platforms don't require signing up. Some software requires downloading on your system. After creating your account, you can name your project and start setting task dependencies.
Excel does not have a fixed Gantt chart template. But, you can create one by creating a stacked bar chart and customizing it to show the start and due date of your project. You can then input the tasks and dependencies in the bar chart. Although you can use it for free, using a dedicated online Gantt chart creator is easier.
Microsoft Office 365 does not have a Gantt chart, but you can get a Gantt chart maker under Microsoft Projects. It features a critical path function and other workflow management features. The software is loaded with project management features.
Try These Free Gantt Chart Software Tools and Apps
Individuals, small teams, and startups who cannot afford a Gantt chart tool can resort to the free software instead. Whether the software is always free, comes with a free plan, or offers a free trial, there are different ways to use a Gantt chart without breaking the bank.
While you can try these free Gantt chart software tools, the paid Gantt chart makers usually come with more features and fewer limits. For even better project management, you can purchase project management tools online instead.
But just because it's free doesn't mean it's low-quality. That's why we compiled only the best and trusted free Gantt chart software tools, so start improving your productivity today.
With that said, here are our top five free Gantt chart software:
ClickUp
TeamGantt
Monday.com
Wrike
Smartsheet
You might find these links useful if you need more resources before choosing a Gantt chart maker.