Microsoft Project Alternative — Move Off Before Sept 30, 2026
Microsoft Project Online retires September 30, 2026. LoopGantt is the free Microsoft Project alternative built for the move — critical path analysis, 4 dependency types, baselines, and WBS in a browser-based tool you can learn in an afternoon. Plus AI generation that drafts a full dependency-linked schedule from one description.
Try It Free — No Credit CardWhy People Leave Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project Pain Points
- $10-30 per user per month adds up fast for teams
- Steep learning curve — weeks of training to be productive
- The full desktop app is Windows-only — Mac users are limited to the leaner web plans
- Overwhelming interface with hundreds of features you never use
- No AI — every task, dependency, and estimate is manual
LoopGantt Advantage
- Free for up to 3 projects — Pro is just $5/month total
- Productive in minutes — intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Browser-based — works on Windows, Mac, tablet, and phone
- Clean interface focused on what project managers actually need
- AI generates your schedule from a text description in 60 seconds
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | LoopGantt | MS Project |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Path Method (CPM) | Yes | Yes |
| 4 Dependency Types (FS, SS, FF, SF) | Yes | Yes |
| Project Baselines | Yes (Pro) | Yes |
| Work Breakdown Structure | Yes | Yes |
| Kanban Board | Yes | Limited |
| AI Schedule Generation | Yes | No |
| Browser-Based | Yes | Web version limited |
| Price | $0 (Free tier) | $10-30/user/mo |
| Training Required | Minimal | Substantial |
Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t
The Same Scheduling Method (CPM)
LoopGantt runs the same Critical Path Method Microsoft Project uses — forward pass, backward pass, float calculation, critical path identification — on your project’s working-day calendar, recalculating live as you drag tasks around. To be clear about the limits: LoopGantt does not yet model task constraints, per-resource calendars, or resource leveling, so a complex MS Project plan can land on different dates after import.
Baselines & Variance
Save a baseline snapshot of your schedule and track variance as your project evolves. See which tasks have slipped, which are ahead, and how the current schedule compares to your original plan. Baseline comparison is available on the Pro plan — the same capability that MS Project charges $10/user/month for.
AI Does the Setup
The biggest advantage over MS Project: LoopGantt can generate your entire schedule from a text description. Instead of spending hours creating tasks, estimating durations, and linking dependencies manually, describe your project and let AI handle it. Then fine-tune with drag-and-drop. It’s the fastest way to go from idea to schedule.
Three Views, One Project
Every project in LoopGantt includes a Gantt chart, a Kanban board, and a WBS diagram — all synchronized. Move a task to “In Progress” on the Kanban board and the Gantt chart updates. Nest tasks under phases in the WBS tree and see the hierarchy reflected in your timeline. Modern MS Project has board and timeline views too — what it lacks is a visual WBS diagram synced to the same plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate my projects from Microsoft Project to LoopGantt?
Yes — LoopGantt imports Microsoft Project XML directly. In MS Project, choose File → Save As and pick XML Format (*.xml), then drop the file into LoopGantt’s import dialog. Task hierarchy and phases, all four dependency types with lead/lag, durations, milestones, percent complete, and notes come across, and an import report lists anything that needed approximation. CSV and JSON import are also available, and you can alternatively describe your existing project to the AI and have it recreate the schedule structure. See the Project Online migration guide for the step-by-step walkthrough.
How does LoopGantt compare to Microsoft Project feature-by-feature?
LoopGantt matches MS Project on the core scheduling features most project managers use daily: CPM analysis, all 4 dependency types, project baselines with variance tracking, WBS hierarchy, and interactive Gantt chart visualization. LoopGantt adds AI-powered schedule generation, a synced Kanban board, and a visual WBS diagram — features MS Project lacks or requires add-ons for. MS Project has deeper resource management, earned value analysis, and resource leveling. For the majority of project managers who primarily need scheduling and timeline management, LoopGantt covers what they actually use.
Can LoopGantt open .mpp files?
LoopGantt does not read Microsoft Project’s proprietary .mpp binary directly — but MS Project saves any .mpp as XML in one step (File → Save As → XML Format), and LoopGantt imports that XML with full task hierarchy, dependencies, lags, milestones, and progress. Exporting to XML once and then managing in LoopGantt going forward is the smoothest migration path.
How much does LoopGantt cost compared to Microsoft Project?
LoopGantt’s free tier includes CPM analysis, Gantt charts, dependencies, AI generation (2/day), and cloud storage — at no cost, no credit card required. The Pro plan is $5/month (or $45/year). Microsoft Project Plan 1 (web only) costs $10/user/month, and Plan 3 (desktop + web) costs $30/user/month. For a team of 5 people, that’s $50-150/month for MS Project vs. $25/month on LoopGantt Teams ($5 per member/month, two-member minimum) — or $5/month flat if one person plans and the rest just read the exported schedule.
Is there a learning curve when switching from MS Project?
If you already know Microsoft Project, you will find LoopGantt intuitive because it uses the same scheduling concepts — CPM, dependency types, baselines, and WBS. The main difference is the interface: LoopGantt is simpler, more visual, and requires no training. Tasks are created inline, dependencies are drawn by clicking between task bars, and the critical path is always visible. Most MS Project users are fully productive in LoopGantt within minutes, not the weeks it takes to learn MS Project itself.
Make the Switch Today
The core scheduling power of Microsoft Project — CPM, dependencies, baselines, WBS — free, browser-based, and quick to learn.
Get Started Free