10 Best Gantt Charts for Engineering Project (Free & Paid Software) | Friday.app

Find the Top 10 Gantt Chart Software for Engineering Project This Year

Posted by The Friday Team

Are you an engineering manager who needs to develop a project plan but aren't sure where to start? Using a Gantt chart software can help!

A Gantt chart is an incredibly useful tool for engineering managers because it helps:

  • Visualize your entire project from start to finish in one place
  • Break down your project into smaller chunks of tasks
  • Find and address dependencies across the whole timeline
  • Highlight the progress of various tasks and milestones
  • Easily reschedule tasks and manage deadlines

It's crucial to choose a great application that can achieve all of those benefits. That's why we've curated a list of the best Gantt chart software for engineering projects to help get you more productive. 

Let's dive in!

1. ClickUp

With ClickUp’s free Gantt charts, it's never been simpler to develop a project plan. ClickUp’s Gantt chart view enables you to quickly and easily visualize your project timeline. You can also see progress, prioritize tasks, assign resources, and set dependencies between them - all in one place.

The easy-to-use interface makes it simple to get an overview of the big picture and make adjustments on the fly. The ability to drag and drop tasks and set up reminders helps you stay on top of deadlines. Finally, enjoy the ability to monitor progress at a glance and collaborate with your team like never before.

Best Features

  • Easy-to-use and dynamic timeline
  • Get a complete overview of all tasks, projects, and deadlines
  • Quickly schedule multiple projects at once
  • Stay on top of project progress with color coding
  • Easily update projects with a simple drag-and-drop
  • See the critical path to identify potential bottlenecks and inefficiencies

Limitations

  • App interface, views, and features can be too complex for first-time users
  • Some features and views are not available for mobile view

Pricing

  • Free: Free forever
  • Unlimited: $5 per user per month
  • Business: $12 per user per month
  • Business Plus: $19 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Contact sales

User Ratings

G2: 4.7/5 (4800+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.7/5 (3100+ reviews)

Get started with ClickUp for free, no credit card required

2. Smartsheet

Smartsheet is a cloud-based work management platform for enterprises and organizations. This application helps teams plan, execute, and report on tasks and projects at a scale. The platform features a familiar spreadsheet interface and view to help project managers and their teams track and manage projects. Smartsheet offers project management through different views including Gantt, Calendar, Kanban, and more. Smartsheet is also a great way to collaborate with internal and external parties making it a great option for large scale projects.

Best Features

  • API allows users to develop their own programs and tools
  • Save time by automating repetitive tasks and processes
  • Flexible views and dashboards to suit your needs

Limitations

  • Learning curve due to customization features
  • Time tracking and resource management tools require purchase
  • No free plan

Pricing

  • Smartsheet doesn’t have a free plan
  • Pro: $7 per user per month
  • Business: $25 per user per month
  • Enterprise: Contact for pricing

User Ratings

G2: 4.4/5 (9100+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.5/5 (2500+ reviews)

3. TeamGantt

TeamGantt is an online project scheduling software solution with a top-rated Gantt chart maker. This cloud-based solution comes with project collaboration functions with collaborative Gantt charts, time tracking tools, and task-level communication features. Create a Gantt chart with a simple drag and drop interface. This is great for individuals who don’t have the time to train to be able to use the tool. This online collaborative tool is great for keeping remote teams aligned and on track with tasks and projects.

Best Features

  • Easily print timelines of your projects for meetings or reference
  • Stay updated on project progress through mobile-friendly interface
  • Track time spent on tasks and projects to better understand where time is being allocated
  • Create as many subgroups and tasks as you need to get the job done

Limitations

  • Limited integration abilities with third-party apps
  • Lacks functions to add multiple dependencies

Pricing

  • Lite: $19/month per manager
  • Pro: $49/month per manager
  • Enterprise: Starts at $99/month per manager

User Ratings

G2: 4.8/5 (840+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.6/5 (190+ reviews)

4. GanttPro

GanttPro is an intuitive, cost-effective tool that simplifies project management for engineering teams. With its drag & drop feature and comprehensive task setting, users can easily create workspaces and projects with varying levels of access given to different team members within each. 

It also offers chart options beyond Gantt charts so you're able to experiment without sacrificing design or usability at a lower price than other platforms. While it doesn't include mobile capabilities or third party integrations like some competitors may offer, it's still an ideal choice for those looking for basic but efficient project organization tools

Best Features

  • Track time spent on tasks for better project organization
  • Engineering templates with Gantt Charts
  • Keep your business finances in check with performance control

Limitations

  • No free trial 
  • Learning curve due to number of features and tools

Pricing

  • Basic: $7.99 per user/month
  • Pro: $12.99 per user/month
  • Business: $19.99 per user/month
  • Enterprise: Contact sales for a quote

User Ratings

G2: 4.8/5 (80+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.8/5 ( 380+ reviews)

5. Instagantt

Instagantt is known for its user-friendly, drag & drop Gantt chart platform. Its comprehensive list of features and options are designed to aid even the most complex projects; from creating custom timelines to establishing task dependencies and milestones with ease. 

Not only can you create multiple workspaces that enable team collaboration through assignment notifications, but also customize your views with various color progress bars. You can also export versions in Excel, image or PDF formats, as well as share public snapshots.

Best Features

  • Kanban and board view to keep track of your team's workload 
  • Dashboard and reporting tools
  • Identify dependencies and manage risks
  • Baselines and change tracking let you stay on top of changes to your project schedule

Limitations

  • Lack of mobile and desktop application  
  • Collaboration features can be improved

Pricing

  • Single: $7 per user/month 
  • Team: $5 per user/month

User Ratings

G2: 4.6/5(10+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.3/5 (380+ reviews)

6. Agantty

Agantty offers a seamless project management experience, providing engineering managers with the opportunity to create limitless projects and tasks without cost. The software is equipped with powerful capabilities such as exporting tasks in PDF format for easy reference, rights management to grant access controls over your data, task reminders via email notifications - all of which are presented within an intuitive user interface. 

While Agantty does not currently have a mobile app available nor works on Safari browser (English version), it provides an accessible Gantt charting solution when those limitations aren't relevant factors.

Best Features

  • Filter and sort tasks to structure work
  • Drag & drop tasks, team members and projects just with moving them
  • Manager decides which team members have edit and view permissions
  • Export tasks as PDF or send reminders via email

Limitations

  • Lack of flexibility when sorting tasks 
  • User interface can be improved

Pricing

  • Pricing available upon request

User Ratings

G2: 4.0/5 (10+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.6/5 (80+ reviews)

7. Tom's Planner

Tom's Planner is an ideal solution for engineering managers looking to create professional-looking Gantt charts without breaking the bank. With a 500,000+ selection of free templates and easily customizable filter options, Tom's Planner lets you tailor tasks with drag & drop functionality plus task dependencies. 

You can even import projects from MS Project or Excel. But be aware that its visually outdated interface lacks collaboration features in their free plan - so maybe leave it at one project per program?

Best Features

  • Easily create professional Gantt charts
  • Flexible and easy to use – no learning curve
  • Zoom in and out of projects for a detailed or overall view
  • Drag and drop tasks to change on the fly

Limitations

  • Limited support for Agile methodologies
  • Does not offer idea and issue management features

Pricing

  • Free plan
  • Professional: $9.95/month
  • Unlimited: $19.95/month

User Ratings

G2: 4.4/5 (5+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.6/5 (5+ reviews)

8. GanttProject

GanttProject is an open-source project management tool that can be hosted locally. It provides a visually intuitive way to view tasks and dependencies while allowing users the flexibility of importing/exporting files, customizing source code for tailored solutions, grouping projects by colors or other elements such as cost — all free from any hidden costs. 

With GanttProject you have simple setup capabilities and full control over your timeline visualization for improved clarity when managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Best Features

  • Work Breakdown Structure for logical structuring of project tasks
  • Baselines for direct comparison between planned and actual project development
  • PERT charts (currently only in view mode) 
  • Translated into +25 languages

Limitations

  • Reporting features lack functions and capabilities
  • Exporting and integration can be improved

Pricing

  • GanttProject packages are available for free

User Ratings

G2: 4.2/5 (50+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.2/5 (130+ reviews)

9. Zoho Project

With Zoho Projects, engineering managers can stay organized and on-schedule with an intuitive Gantt chart creator. These charts include four types of task dependencies to efficiently manage dates and also allow for quick rescaling when needed. 

Additional features such as drag & drop capabilities between task bars and the ability to hover over a task name in order to gain additional details further simplify project management tasks. This helps move you closer towards achieving desired outcomes by set deadlines!

Best Features

  • Easily visualize your project's progress with the Gantt chart maker
  • Set up dependencies and reschedule tasks using the simple drag and drop function
  • Create and edit dependencies between tasks
  • Use baselines to stay on schedule

Limitations

  • User experience and interface can be improved
  • Limited options for integrations with third-party apps

Pricing

  • Zoho is available for free for one user
  • Basic: $49 per organization per month
  • Standard: $99 per organization per month
  • Professional $249 per organization per month
  • Enterprise: Contact for pricing

User Ratings

G2: 4.3/5 (300+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.2/5 (270+ reviews)

10. Backlog

Backlog is a collaboration and project management software that also features code management, bug tracking, and other task managenent tools. It supports various teams and businesses to help them stay productive as they scale when working on multiple projects at once. Backlog is a visual tool that features Kanban-style boards, Gantt charts, and Burndown charts. Users can also take advantage of Backlog's task hierarchy, custom fields, issue templates, and more to improve their overall workflow.

Backlog can be integrated with popular apps like Excel and Slack but has limited integrations which can make it difficult for teams using various tools and software to sync their work and databases.

Best Features

  • Keep your projects on track with automatically generated Gantt charts
  • Prioritize by urgency to get the right things done first
  • See upcoming deadlines and quickly spot tasks that may require more time or teamwork
  • Drag and drop the timeline bar to change dates or update task details in bulk

Limitations

  • Limited selection for integration options
  • Parent-child task creation limited to two levels

Pricing

  • Free basic plan for up to 10 users
  • Starter(up to 30 users): $35/month
  • Standard(unlimited users): $100/month
  • Premium(unlimited users and projects): $175/month

User Ratings

G2: 4.5/5 (160+ reviews)

Capterra: 4.5/5 (70+ reviews)

Why Use Gantt Chart Software to Develop A Project Plan

Many people create Gantt charts in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to develop a project plan.

After all, keep it simple, right?

But, with these spreadsheet tools, you can't calculate your critical path or create automations easily. Additionally, working with various teams and stakeholders becomes a pain as there's no clear visibility or communication.

With project management software like ClickUp made specifically to help engineering project, you can see critical insights about the state of the project, as well as re-map deadlines and set milestones.

Additionally, working with teams gets easier with ClickUp's Chat, threaded and assigned comments, as well as brainstorming tools.

Manage Your Engineering Project Successfully with ClickUp Gantt Charts

There are so many tools that offer advanced features to help you develop a project plan and achieve your goals. 

But, one tool tops them all. If you’re looking for a great Gantt chart for engineering project that can offer exactly what you're looking for, as well as unlimited flexibility and options, your search ends now!

ClickUp is an all in one project management application with hundreds of powerful tools that you can access all under one platform. 

These features can be customized to work according to any project goals and requirements. Start from scratch or choose from a variety of templates for every use case, including for engineering project, to break out your projects and tasks. 

Try ClickUp for free today and discover how you can tackle any type of work with increased productivity and efficiency.

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