While Microsoft Project certainly has its uses, a few shortcomings might prompt you to look elsewhere. Whether you’re looking for something more tailored to your needs or easier to use, one of the Microsoft Project alternatives we’re about to explore should do the trick.
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Why consider alternatives to MS Project?
MS Project is useful in several ways. However, Microsoft nudges you towards the rest of its 365 suite, which can be inconvenient.
Microsoft’s project management software is also not AEC-specific. Construction professionals often want features (such as resource management) geared toward their day-to-day tasks.
As you’ll see in the following list, it’s quite easy to assemble your own little suite of various productivity apps once you know each program’s strengths and limitations. You’ll rarely find a program offering everything you need for project management. With the following solutions, you’ll at least have some choice as to what programs you connect.
What to look for in a Microsoft Project alternative
Easy Collaboration
Construction is, of course, very collaborative by nature. A project management program should be conducive to collaboration. Software that allows collaboration even outside of itself (aka has robust integrations) gets bonus points.
Competitive Pricing
Project management software doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Some of the best alternatives to Microsoft Project don’t even charge you extra fees for more users, saving fast-growing companies from the hassle of constantly upgrading.
Solid Features
We’ve done our best to choose alternatives to MS Project that construction firms would find useful to run alongside other programs. Given how modular project management software can be, you should never feel like you’re settling with a program; you have to connect the right pieces of software together.
10 Microsoft Project alternatives
#1. Bridgit Bench
Pricing: Visit this page for details
If your impetus for reading about alternatives to Microsoft Project is to find something made specifically for the construction industry, Bridgit Bench is for you. It plays nicely with other industry-standard software (namely, Procore), offers an Open API, and comes with tools that simplify your workforce management and project scheduling flow.
The program’s user interface is also much more intuitive than that of Microsoft’s construction scheduling software, which can have high CPU usage.
Lastly, Bridgit doesn’t twist your arm into purchasing additional software to unlock Bridgit Bench’s full potential. Microsoft Project, however, works best when you have the full 365 suite, and it does not work on Mac OS X.
Construction Estimating Software FAQ
What is digital construction estimating software?
Construction estimating software is used by estimating teams to calculate and predict costs for a construction project. These digital tools help streamline the estimation process from bid creation to cost analysis to ensure proposals are as precise as possible and help put forward successful bids. Getting estimates right up front is a key part of managing project scope creep in construction.
How does construction estimating software work?
Construction estimating software works by allowing users to input project details and then use built-in databases to forecast expenses. Advanced estimating software may use algorithms and machine learning to help forecast expenses. It’s important that when you evaluate your construction estimating software, you consider how it integrates with your process. You will want to pull in data from tools, like your CRM and workforce planning software, as well as information from project documents.
What is estimating in construction?
Estimating in construction involves calculating the costs for a project including items like materials, wages, equipment, and real-estate costs. Forecasting line-by-line expenses accurately is key to creating successful bids that win contracts and also ensuring your project is profitable. Estimating is an important skill in construction, as it’s a balance act between what you think will happen and what will happen.
#2. Procore
Pricing: Starts at $375/mo
Procore is a very viable Microsoft Project alternative for many reasons. Firstly, it offers many integrations with everything from Zapier, to Outlook, and Bridgit Bench.
This far-reaching compatibility makes Procore a fantastic program to consider as the centerpiece of your entire software suite. The intuitiveness of those integrations will also make you very quickly forget that Procore doesn’t have scheduling and resource management functionality. Rather, its core features are bidding, budgeting, and — of course — project management.
#3. Workzone
Pricing: Starts at $24/mo per user
Workzone offers a much simpler user experience than Microsoft’s construction scheduling software. The software is designed to help any company (not just construction firms) maximize its productivity. That generalized approach is worth considering, but Workzone still has enough features to be useful for construction professionals.
However, Workzone’s strongest suit is the company’s unparalleled onboarding and support process. It offers monthly productivity “coaching” beyond merely showing you how to use its software.
#4. ActiveCollab
Pricing: Starts at $6.25/mo per user
Among the biggest gripes many people have with Microsoft’s construction scheduling software is that collaboration becomes difficult when your team members aren’t all using the various programs in 365.
ActiveCollab is a great alternative to Microsoft Project if you’ve had teamwork issues with your other project management software. It integrates with over 750 applications, allowing you to build a custom project management suite with ActiveCollab at the center.
Another great advantage of ActiveCollab is that it operates in the cloud but can also be set up on your company’s own server.
#5. LiquidPlanner
Pricing: Starts at $9.99/mo per user
LiquidPlanner is another great generalized (not specific to any one type of business) alternative to MS Project. Perhaps the software’s greatest asset is its predictive scheduling capability; as you adjust variables (i.e. delay a task or finish ahead of schedule), the software will adjust your estimated completion date to give you a clearer picture.
#6. Project Insight
Pricing: $35/mo per user at the enterprise level
If you want customization, Project Insight is an alternative to Microsoft Project worth considering. You’ll receive JavaScript and CSS customization at the enterprise level, allowing you to create almost anything you need, provided you have the development expertise and budget.
However, Project Insight is still very good out of the box with features such as time tracking and project budgeting. If you want something ready-made for the construction industry, you’d be better off with Bridgit. Otherwise, Project Insight is great.
#7. Merlin Project
Pricing: $149/yr
If you don’t mind the Apple-only functionality, Merlin Project is a great alternative to MS Project. It works with iMac, iPad, and iPhone. ProjectWizards bills the program as a great solution for firms in the construction and creative fields.
Merlin Project’s mind map feature is also very useful and unique among Microsoft Project alternatives. There’s also a nice Kanban board feature, which is quite helpful for organizing your ideas and tasks.
#8. Basecamp
Pricing: $99/mo
Basecamp is another general alternative to MS Project. Its pricing model (just a flat $99/mo) will relieve companies frustrated with having to pay exorbitant per-user fees.
Basecamp combines many features you’d typically only get via a full suite of programs like Dropbox, Asana, and Slack. The program’s all-in-one nature has made it one of the most popular productivity tools in the entire world.
Construction professionals will still benefit from a more tailored program, but Basecamp is worth considering for document and task management.
#9. Monday.com
Pricing: Free option available
Monday.com shines when managing your company’s marketing, IT, and sales departments. The program’s project management tool is great for general applications, but again, you’ll want something better if you’re looking to manage a construction project.
Monday.com is cheap enough that you should have no problem combining it with a program like Bridgit Bench. Features like automation (which is Zapier-like but much more intuitive) mean Monday.com will never seem redundant when used alongside a more focused management suite.
#10. Asana
Pricing: Starts at $10.99/mo
Last but certainly not least, we have Asana, another popular alternative to Microsoft Project for people needing general project management software. You’ll still miss out on some construction-specific features like resource management. However, the paid version of Asana still offers many useful features, including a Gantt chart view.
Once again, Asana is an ideal alternative to Microsoft Project for those who don’t mind doing the bulk of their construction-specific work in another application. Asana works very well for managing your sales and marketing flow.
Michel Richer
Michel Richer is the Manager of Content and Product Marketing at Bridgit. He started in the construction industry early on with a local restoration company. Michel is driven to propel the construction industry forward by helping to eliminate outdated, ineffective processes.
