If you’re looking for the best Gantt chart software for Mac, you don’t necessarily need a full-blown project management platform.
While many project management tools include Gantt charts as one of dozens of features, dedicated Gantt software usually offers better scheduling, dependency management, critical path analysis and Microsoft Project compatibility.
Whether you’re managing software development, construction projects, marketing campaigns or freelance work, the right Gantt chart application can make planning projects significantly easier.
We tested more than 30 Mac-compatible applications and shortlisted the nine that deliver the best combination of usability, scheduling features, Apple compatibility and overall value.
Unlike many roundups that simply list project management software with Gantt views, we’ve focused primarily on applications where Gantt charts are a core part of the experience.
Quick Picks
- 🏆 Best Overall: GanttPRO
- 🍎 Best Native Mac App: OmniPlan
- 💼 Best Professional Solution: Merlin Project
- 💰 Best Value Native App: Project Office X
- 🤖 Best AI-Powered Gantt Software: Ingantt
- 🆓 Best Free Gantt Software: GanttProject
- 👥 Best for Teams: TeamGantt
- 🏢 Best Enterprise Platform: ProjectManager
- 📊 Best Spreadsheet Alternative: Smartsheet
Comparison Table
| Software | Native Mac App | Offline | Microsoft Project Support | Free Version | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GanttPRO | Web | No | ✅ MPP | Trial | Best overall |
| OmniPlan | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Trial | Professional Mac users |
| Merlin Project | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Trial | Apple devicese |
| Project Office X | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 14-day trial | Individuals & SMBs |
| Ingantt | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ MPP | Trial | AI-assisted scheduling |
| GanttProject | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Free | Best free option |
| TeamGantt | Web | No | Limited | Limited | Collaborative teams |
| Project-Manager | Web | No | ✅ | Trial | Enterprise PM |
| Smartsheet | App + Web | Limited | ✅ | Free plan | Spreadsheet users |
1. GanttPRO – Best Overall
Why we picked it: GanttPRO is purpose-built for Gantt chart planning rather than treating it as just another project view. It offers the best combination of ease of use, powerful scheduling features, Microsoft Project compatibility and value, making it the best choice for most Mac users.
If your primary goal is creating professional Gantt charts rather than buying an all-in-one project management suite, GanttPRO is the best software we’ve tested for Mac.
Unlike many competitors that treat Gantt charts as just another project view, GanttPRO is built around project scheduling. The interface is clean, intuitive and easy to learn, yet it includes enough advanced functionality for experienced project managers.
Although it runs entirely in your browser, GanttPRO works flawlessly on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs and requires no installation.
Creating projects is quick thanks to an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to add tasks, define dependencies and reorganize schedules. Changes automatically cascade through dependent tasks, making it simple to update complex project plans without manually adjusting every milestone.
We were also impressed by its support for:
- Critical path analysis
- Baselines
- Resource workload management
- Time tracking
- Budget management
- Custom calendars
- Team collaboration
- PDF, PNG and Excel exports
For users migrating from Microsoft Project, GanttPRO imports native MPP files, making the transition surprisingly straightforward.
It’s not designed to replace large enterprise project management platforms, but for planning and managing projects visually with Gantt charts, it’s currently our favourite solution.
Read our full GanttPro Review for more.
Best for: Freelancers, consultants, agencies and project managers who want dedicated Gantt software.
Pricing: Free trial. Paid plans start from around $8/user/month.
Pros
- Purpose-built for Gantt charts
- Excellent Microsoft Project compatibility
- Easy to learn
- Beautiful interface
- Excellent value
Cons
- Browser only
- Advanced reporting isn’t as comprehensive as enterprise tools
2. OmniPlan – Best Native Mac App
Why we picked it: OmniPlan is the most capable native Gantt chart application available for macOS. Its advanced scheduling engine, critical path analysis and deep Apple integration make it ideal for professional project managers who want desktop software.
If you prefer desktop software over cloud services, OmniPlan remains the benchmark for professional Gantt chart software on macOS.
Developed exclusively for Apple devices, OmniPlan feels completely at home on macOS, with a polished interface that integrates naturally with Apple devices.
Its Gantt charts are among the most advanced available, supporting:
- Critical path analysis
- Resource leveling
- Multiple baselines
- Earned value tracking
- Resource allocation
- Multi-project management
Task dependencies are easy to create and modify, while the scheduling engine automatically recalculates timelines whenever changes are made.
OmniPlan is particularly well suited to engineering, construction and IT projects where scheduling accuracy is essential.
Support for Microsoft Project files also makes it one of the strongest alternatives available for Mac users who need to exchange plans with Windows colleagues.
The only real downside is the price, but professionals will quickly appreciate the depth of functionality.
Read our full OmniPlan review for more.
Best for: Professional project managers and organisations committed to macOS.
Pricing: Free trial. From $199.
Pros
- Outstanding native Mac application
- Extremely powerful scheduling engine
- Excellent Microsoft Project support
- Professional reporting
Cons
- Expensive
- More features than many users require
3. Merlin Project – Best for Apple Device Users
Why we picked it: Merlin Project strikes an excellent balance between professional project management features and an intuitive Mac-first interface. It’s one of the closest alternatives to Microsoft Project for users that use only Apple devices.
If you’re heavily invested in all things Apple, then Merlin Project is one of the most capable project planning applications available.
Long regarded as one of the closest alternatives to Microsoft Project on macOS, Merlin combines powerful Gantt charts with resource planning, Kanban boards, mind mapping and detailed reporting.
Its Gantt view strikes an excellent balance between simplicity and depth. Beginners can quickly create timelines, while experienced project managers have access to sophisticated scheduling tools, resource allocation and risk management features.
We also like how well Merlin integrates with macOS, iCloud and other Apple services, making it feel like software designed specifically for Mac users rather than a cross-platform application.
It’s particularly popular among architects, consultants and creative agencies managing multiple long-term projects.
Read our Merlin Project review for more.
Best for: Users who want a professional native Mac application with broader project management capabilities.
Pricing: 30-day free trial. From $19.99/month.
Pros
- Excellent native Mac application
- Beautiful interface
- Strong reporting
- Great Apple integration
Cons
- Subscription only
- Collaboration features aren’t as extensive as cloud-first platforms
4. Project Office X – Best Value Native Mac App
Why we picked it: Project Office X delivers many of the advanced scheduling tools found in much more expensive software at a significantly lower price. It’s an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses that prefer a native Mac application.
If you’re looking for an affordable native Mac alternative to Microsoft Project, Project Office X offers an impressive range of project planning features without the high price tag of some professional competitors.
Designed exclusively for macOS and iOS, it includes everything most individuals and small businesses need to build and manage detailed project schedules. Creating Gantt charts is straightforward thanks to a clean interface, drag-and-drop editing and support for task dependencies, milestones and critical path analysis.
Project Office X also includes network diagrams, custom calendars, resource management and cost tracking, making it suitable for everything from client projects to software development and construction planning.
We particularly like that projects can be synchronized between Mac, iPhone and iPad, allowing you to update schedules whether you’re in the office or on-site.
While it doesn’t offer the same level of collaboration or third-party integrations as browser-based platforms like GanttPRO or ProjectManager, it’s one of the strongest native Mac applications available for users who prefer working locally.
Best for: Individuals, consultants and small businesses looking for a capable native Mac planning tool.
Pricing: Free 14-day trial. Available from the Mac App Store.
Pros
- Native Mac and iOS application
- Excellent value
- Easy to use
- Critical path and resource management
- Microsoft Project compatibility
Cons
- Limited integrations
- Smaller user community than leading competitors
5. Ingantt – Best AI-Powered Gantt Software
Why we picked it: Ingantt brings AI-assisted planning to traditional Gantt chart software without sacrificing offline working or native Mac performance. It’s one of the most innovative project planning tools we’ve tested and is well worth watching as it continues to evolve.
One of the newest entrants in this category, Ingantt combines traditional Gantt chart planning with AI-powered scheduling to help users create project plans more quickly.
Unlike many cloud-based project management platforms that have simply added AI assistants, Ingantt integrates AI directly into the planning process. It can help generate project schedules, organise tasks, estimate timelines and simplify project setup, making it particularly appealing for users starting projects from scratch.
As a native macOS application, Ingantt also works entirely offline while supporting Microsoft Project (.MPP) files for organisations that still exchange plans with Windows users.
Alongside AI-assisted planning, you’ll find all the features expected from modern Gantt software, including task dependencies, milestones, resource management, progress tracking and baseline comparisons.
Although it doesn’t yet have the plugins or market presence of more established competitors, Ingantt is evolving quickly and is one of the most innovative Mac project planning applications we’ve tested.
Best for: Users who want AI to speed up project planning while keeping their data stored locally.
Pricing: Free trial available.
Pros
- Native Mac application
- AI-assisted project planning
- Works offline
- Microsoft Project support
- Clean, modern interface
Cons
- Relatively new platform
- Fewer integrations than cloud-based competitors
6. GanttProject – Best Free Gantt Chart Software
Why we picked it: GanttProject proves you don’t need to pay for capable Gantt chart software. Despite being completely free and open source, it includes features like task dependencies, resource management and Microsoft Project compatibility that many paid tools charge for.
If you need powerful Gantt chart software without spending anything, GanttProject remains one of the best free options available for Mac.
Unlike many free project management tools that restrict core features behind paid plans, GanttProject is completely open source and works entirely offline. Once installed, you can create unlimited projects, define task dependencies, assign resources and generate detailed project schedules without paying a subscription.
Despite its age, it still includes many professional features such as critical path planning, PERT charts, resource allocation and Microsoft Project file import and export.
The interface certainly isn’t as polished as commercial alternatives like GanttPRO or OmniPlan, but it’s functional, lightweight and performs well even on older Macs.
If you’re a student, freelancer or occasional project planner who simply needs a capable desktop Gantt application without ongoing costs, GanttProject is difficult to beat.
Best for: Students, freelancers and anyone looking for free offline Gantt chart software.
Pricing: Free.
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Works offline
- Microsoft Project compatibility
- Cross-platform
- No feature restrictions
Cons
- Interface feels dated
- Limited collaboration features
- Can slow down with very large projects
7. TeamGantt – Best for Collaborative Teams
Why we picked it: TeamGantt focuses on making collaborative project planning as simple as possible. Its intuitive interface and excellent multi-project views make it a great choice for teams that want to get up and running quickly.
As its name suggests, TeamGantt is built around helping teams plan and manage projects together through visual Gantt charts.
Rather than overwhelming users with enterprise-level features, TeamGantt focuses on simplicity. Creating timelines is quick, dependencies are easy to manage and project schedules can be updated simply by dragging tasks along the timeline.
One feature we particularly like is its ability to display multiple projects simultaneously, making it easy for managers to identify scheduling conflicts and resource bottlenecks across different teams.
Collaboration is another strength, with task comments, file sharing and workload management all integrated directly into project timelines.
While TeamGantt isn’t as feature-rich as larger project management platforms, it’s considerably easier to learn, making it an excellent choice for small and medium-sized businesses.
Best for: Marketing teams, agencies, construction firms and collaborative project planning.
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from around $49/month.
Pros
- Very easy to learn
- Excellent collaborative planning
- Attractive interface
- Multi-project management
- Strong workload visualisation
Cons
- Reporting tools are fairly basic
- Limited customisation compared to enterprise software
8. ProjectManager – Best for Enterprise Project Management
Why we picked it: ProjectManager combines enterprise-grade Gantt chart functionality with powerful reporting, resource management and collaboration tools. It’s the strongest option for organisations that need more than just project scheduling.
If you’re looking for enterprise-grade project management software with excellent Gantt chart capabilities, ProjectManager is one of the strongest cloud-based solutions available.
Although it’s a complete project management platform rather than dedicated Gantt software, its scheduling tools are among the best we’ve used. Gantt charts support task dependencies, critical path analysis, baselines, resource allocation and automatic schedule updates whenever project changes occur.
Unlike traditional desktop software, ProjectManager combines Gantt planning with Kanban boards, dashboards, workload management, time tracking and real-time reporting, making it particularly well suited to larger organisations managing multiple teams.
Microsoft Project users will also appreciate the ability to import and export MPP files, helping organisations transition away from Microsoft’s Windows-only application.
Its subscription pricing means it’s probably overkill for individuals, but for medium-sized businesses and enterprises it’s an excellent all-round solution.
Best for: Businesses that need full project management software with first-class Gantt charts.
Pricing: Free trial. Paid plans from around $14/user/month.
Pros
- Excellent Gantt functionality
- Microsoft Project compatibility
- Powerful reporting
- Real-time dashboards
- Great collaboration tools
Cons
- No offline mode
- More expensive than dedicated Gantt software
9. Smartsheet – Best Spreadsheet Alternative
Why we picked it: Smartsheet is the easiest upgrade for organisations still managing projects in spreadsheets. Its familiar interface and strong Gantt chart capabilities make it a natural stepping stone from Excel to modern project management.
For organisations that still manage projects in Excel but want something more powerful, Smartsheet offers one of the smoothest transitions to visual project planning.
Its familiar spreadsheet-style interface makes it easy to get started, while automatically transforming project data into interactive Gantt charts with task dependencies, milestones and critical path tracking.
Smartsheet also supports Microsoft Project imports, allowing existing schedules to be converted into collaborative cloud-based workspaces with minimal effort.
Beyond Gantt charts, the platform includes dashboards, workflow automation, reporting tools and resource management, making it a popular choice for operations, marketing and IT teams.
Although its Gantt functionality isn’t quite as specialised as GanttPRO or OmniPlan, it’s one of the best choices for businesses that already think in rows and columns but want far better project visibility.
Read our full Smartsheet review for more.
Best for: Teams moving beyond Excel into collaborative project management.
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from around $9/user/month.
Pros
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Excellent Microsoft Project compatibility
- Strong workflow automation
- Good reporting and dashboards
- Easy collaboration
Cons
- Can become expensive for larger teams
- Better suited to organisations than individual users
FAQ
What is the best Gantt chart software for Mac?
The best Gantt chart software for most Mac users is GanttPRO thanks to its intuitive interface, excellent scheduling tools, Microsoft Project compatibility and affordable pricing.
If you prefer a native macOS application, OmniPlan is our top recommendation for professional users, while Merlin Project is another excellent choice for those invested in Apple devices.
If you’re looking for a free solution, GanttProject offers an impressive range of features without requiring a subscription.
Does Apple make a Gantt chart app?
No. Apple doesn’t offer a dedicated Gantt chart application for macOS.
However, you can create basic Gantt charts in Apple Numbers using stacked bar charts, although this is better suited to simple projects than professional project management.
For advanced scheduling, dependencies and resource planning, dedicated applications such as GanttPRO, OmniPlan or Merlin Project are much better options.
Can I use Microsoft Project on a Mac?
No. Microsoft Project is still not available for macOS.
If you need to work with Microsoft Project files, several Mac-compatible alternatives support importing and exporting MPP files, including:
- GanttPRO
- OmniPlan
- Merlin Project
- Project Office X
- Ingantt
- GanttProject
- Smartsheet
- ProjectManager
These allow you to collaborate with Windows users without needing Microsoft Project itself.
For more suggestions, check out our guide to the best Microsoft Project alternatives for Mac.
You can also run Microsoft Project on a Mac using a virtual machine.
What features should I look for in Gantt chart software?
The best Gantt chart software should include more than just a timeline view. Key features to look for include:
- Task dependencies
- Milestones
- Critical path analysis
- Resource management
- Baseline tracking
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Team collaboration
- Microsoft Project compatibility (if required)
- PDF and Excel export options
If you’re managing large or complex projects, workload balancing and reporting tools are also worth considering.
Is there any free Gantt chart software for Mac?
Yes. There are several free options available.
GanttProject is our favourite free desktop application because it’s open source, works offline and supports Microsoft Project files.
Some cloud-based project management platforms also offer free plans with Gantt charts, although these usually restrict the number of users or projects.
Which Gantt chart software works offline on a Mac?
If offline access is important, we recommend choosing a native desktop application such as:
- OmniPlan
- Merlin Project
- Project Office X
- Ingantt
- GanttProject
These allow you to continue working without an internet connection, making them ideal for consultants, engineers and users who regularly travel.
Which Gantt chart software is best for teams?
For collaborative teams, TeamGantt and ProjectManager are excellent choices thanks to their shared project timelines, resource management and real-time collaboration features.
If your organisation also needs broader project management capabilities, Smartsheet provides a good balance between spreadsheet-style planning and collaborative Gantt charts.
Which Gantt chart software is best for small businesses?
For most small businesses, GanttPRO offers the best balance of price, usability and functionality.
If you prefer desktop software with a one-time purchase rather than a subscription, Project Office X is another excellent option.
Which Gantt chart software is best for large projects?
For large or complex projects involving multiple teams, OmniPlan and ProjectManager are our top recommendations.
Both support advanced scheduling features such as critical path analysis, resource allocation, baseline tracking and reporting, making them suitable for engineering, IT and construction projects.
Can I import Microsoft Project (.MPP) files into Gantt chart software?
Yes. Many Mac-compatible applications support Microsoft Project file formats, allowing you to open, edit and share project plans created in Microsoft Project.
The best options include GanttPRO, OmniPlan, Merlin Project, Project Office X, Ingantt, GanttProject, Smartsheet and ProjectManager.
Support varies slightly between applications, so it’s worth checking whether they offer full editing or import-only compatibility.
Do I need a full project management platform to create Gantt charts?
Not necessarily.
If your main goal is creating project schedules and timelines, dedicated Gantt chart software such as GanttPRO, OmniPlan or Project Office X is often simpler and more affordable.
However, if you also need task management, team collaboration, workflow automation and reporting, a broader project management platform like ProjectManager or Smartsheet may be a better fit.
What’s the difference between a Gantt chart and a timeline?
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they’re not quite the same.
A timeline simply shows events or tasks in chronological order.
A Gantt chart goes much further by displaying task durations, dependencies, milestones, progress and resource allocation, making it a far more powerful tool for planning and managing projects.
For more, check out our guide to the best timeline software for Mac.