The Microsoft Project Alternative You’ve Been Looking For
LoopGantt gives you the scheduling features you actually use from Microsoft Project — critical path analysis, 4 dependency types, baselines, and WBS — in a free, browser-based tool that requires zero training. Plus AI-powered schedule generation that MS Project doesn’t have.
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
- Desktop app requires Windows (no Mac, no mobile)
- Overwhelming interface with hundreds of features you never use
- No AI — every task, dependency, and estimate is manual
LoopGantt Advantage
- Free for up to 5 projects — Pro is just $5.99/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 | None | Weeks |
Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t
Same CPM Engine
LoopGantt uses the same Critical Path Method as Microsoft Project. Forward pass, backward pass, float calculation, critical path identification — it’s all there. The difference is that LoopGantt calculates and displays it in real time as you drag tasks around, without requiring you to click “Calculate” or run a report.
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. MS Project requires add-ons for this kind of multi-view workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate my projects from Microsoft Project to LoopGantt?
LoopGantt supports JSON and CSV import, so you can export your MS Project data and bring it into LoopGantt. While there is no direct .mpp file import, you can export from MS Project to CSV format and then import that into LoopGantt. The import wizard maps columns to LoopGantt fields. Alternatively, you can describe your existing project to the AI and have it recreate the schedule structure — this works well for projects where you want to start fresh with a clean dependency chain.
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 directly open Microsoft Project’s proprietary .mpp file format. However, you can export your MS Project data to CSV format (File > Save As > CSV) and then import it into LoopGantt. You can also use the AI generation feature to describe your project and recreate the schedule in seconds. For ongoing projects, exporting to CSV 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 (10/day), and cloud storage — at no cost, no credit card required. The Pro plan is $5.99/month (or $49.99/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. $0-5.99/month total for LoopGantt. There is no per-seat pricing in LoopGantt.
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
Same scheduling power as Microsoft Project — free, browser-based, and no training required.
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