Best Gantt Chart Software (2026): 10 Tools Compared

A Gantt chart is a set of horizontal bars on a timeline, one for each task, so you can see what happens when and what depends on what. It's one of the oldest ways to plan a project, and it's still one of the clearest. The question is which tool you use to draw and update it.

Below you'll find ten Gantt chart software options in no particular order, sorted A to Z. Some are dedicated Gantt makers, some are wider project platforms with a Gantt view, and one turns plans into presentation slides. I've included plenty of smaller and independent tools. Descriptions and free plan details come from each tool's own website. If you work alone, my guide to project management software for solo workers is a useful companion.

Gantt chart software at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free plan or edition, even if it's limited. Trial only means a free trial with no ongoing free plan. Limits often apply to the number of charts, projects or users, so check the plan page before you build a big schedule.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Ganttic	Resource planner	Scheduling people, rooms and equipment	Yes
GanttPRO	Online Gantt tool	Dedicated Gantt planning for small teams	Trial only
Instagantt	Online Gantt chart maker	Adding Gantt timelines to Asana projects	Yes
monday.com	Work management platform	Teams wanting boards, dashboards and timelines together	Yes
Preceden	Timeline maker	Clear timelines for plans and presentations	Yes
Smartsheet	Spreadsheet-style platform	Planning in a grid then viewing as a Gantt	Trial only
TeamGantt	Online Gantt software	Drag-and-drop schedules a whole team can read	Yes
Timeline by Lucen Software	PowerPoint add-in and web app	Turning project plans into presentation slides	Yes
Tom's Planner	Browser Gantt chart maker	Quick, simple Gantt charts in a browser	Yes
Zoho Projects	Project management suite	Teams already using other Zoho apps	Yes

Ten Gantt chart tools in alphabetical order

Ganttic

Best for: Businesses that need to book people, rooms, vehicles or machines across projects on a Gantt-style resource plan.

GanttPRO

Best for: Small teams who want a tool built around the Gantt chart itself, with dependencies and a tidy timeline.

Instagantt

Best for: Teams already working in Asana who want a Gantt timeline on top, or a separate standalone chart maker.

monday.com

Best for: Teams who run lots of different workflows and want Gantt and timeline views on the higher plans.

Preceden

Best for: People who need a clean, readable project or history timeline more than a full scheduling engine.

Smartsheet

Best for: Spreadsheet fans who want to plan in rows and columns and switch the same sheet into a Gantt chart.

TeamGantt

Best for: Small businesses who want an easy, visual Gantt planner that clients and colleagues can follow without training.

Timeline by Lucen Software

Best for: Consultants and managers who present plans to clients or boards and want Gantt visuals inside PowerPoint.

Tom's Planner

Best for: Anyone who wants to sketch a simple Gantt chart fast, with no install and a gentle learning curve.

Zoho Projects

Best for: Businesses that already work in Zoho apps and want project management with Gantt charts on its premium tiers.

Features that matter in Gantt chart software

Most Gantt chart software looks similar in screenshots, so it's the everyday details that separate one from another. Think about the person who'll update the chart every week, because if it's fiddly for them, the plan won't stay accurate. These are the features worth checking on each tool's own feature pages before you sign up.

• Drag-and-drop bars. Moving a task should be as easy as dragging it along the timeline.
• Task dependencies. Linked tasks should shift automatically when an earlier one runs late.
• Milestones. You'll want a clear marker for key dates such as a launch or a client sign-off.
• Baselines or progress. Some tools let you compare the plan with what really happened.
• Sharing and export. Check whether you can share a read-only link, print or export to PDF or an image.
• The Gantt view on your plan. Several platforms keep their Gantt or timeline view for higher plans.

Matching Gantt chart software to the way you work

• Dedicated Gantt tools suit people whose work is mostly schedules with clear stages and dates.
• All-in-one work platforms suit teams who also need boards, forms and dashboards, with the Gantt chart as one view among several.
• Resource planners suit businesses where the hard part is who or what is free, such as staff, rooms or kit.
• Timeline and slide tools suit anyone who mostly needs to show a plan to clients or senior people.

It's fine to mix types. Plenty of small businesses keep the detailed schedule in one tool and turn the headline dates into a simple slide for clients, so nobody has to read a chart with dozens of rows.

If you're still deciding whether you need a dedicated app at all, my article on which productivity tools are used for project management explains the main types, and you can also build a Gantt chart in a spreadsheet for a very small project.

Setting up your first Gantt chart project

1. List the main stages of the project before you open any software.
2. Break each stage into tasks that one person can own.
3. Add rough durations, then link the tasks that depend on each other.
4. Mark the key milestones, such as approval dates or launch day.
5. Share the chart with everyone involved and agree who updates it.
6. Review it every week and drag tasks along when dates change, rather than letting the chart go stale.

Common Gantt chart software mistakes

• Adding every tiny task, so the chart becomes too long to read.
• Forgetting to link dependent tasks, so a delay doesn't ripple through the plan.
• Building the chart once and never updating it.
• Picking a tool your clients or colleagues can't open or view.
• Treating the chart as the whole plan and skipping conversations about risks and workload.

Do you make Gantt chart or timeline software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Choosing your Gantt chart software

Start with how you'll use the chart most: planning alone, coordinating a team, booking resources or presenting to clients. Shortlist two tools that match, rebuild the same small project in each and move a few dates around. Keep the one that feels quick to update, because a Gantt chart's only useful if it's kept current.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gantt chart software used for?

It's used to plan projects on a timeline, showing each task as a bar, how tasks depend on each other and when key milestones fall. Teams use it to spot clashes and keep everyone working to the same dates.

Is there free Gantt chart software?

Yes. Several tools on this list have a permanent free plan or free edition, usually with limits on charts, projects or users. Check each tool's own plans page for the details.

Can I make a Gantt chart without special software?

Yes, for a small project you can build one in a spreadsheet using shaded cells or a stacked bar chart. Dedicated tools become worth it once you need dependencies and frequent changes.

What's the difference between a Gantt chart and a timeline?

A timeline usually shows key events or phases along one line. A Gantt chart shows every task as its own bar, with start and end dates and links between tasks.

Which Gantt chart software is easiest for beginners?

Look for drag-and-drop editing, ready-made templates and a simple layout. Browser-based Gantt makers tend to be the quickest to learn.