11 Best Software to Create Beautiful Gantt Charts for Your Projects

Gantt charts are invaluable project management tools that provide a visual representation of project tasks, timelines, and dependencies. With an effective Gantt chart, project managers can plan, schedule, track, and manage projects more efficiently.

But creating an accurate and easy-to-understand Gantt chart takes time and effort. That‘s why specialized Gantt chart software has become so popular among project teams. The right software takes the hassle out of building Gantt charts while offering advanced features for task management, collaboration, and real-time updating.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explain what Gantt charts are, why they‘re useful for project management, and how to choose the best Gantt chart software for your needs.

What is a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart that illustrates project schedules visually. Gantt charts show the start and end dates of project tasks, milestones, and deliverables over a timeline.

The key components of a Gantt chart include:

• Task Names: The name of each project task listed vertically on the left side of the chart.

• Task Duration: The length of each task shown as horizontal bars spanning the timeframe when the task should be worked on. Longer bars represent tasks that take more time.

• Dependencies: Lines or links between bars indicating dependencies where one task relies on other tasks being completed first.

• Milestones: Important dates and deliverables highlighted on the timeline.

• Current Date: A vertical "Today" line showing the current date in relation to the full project timeline.

• Timeline: The horizontal axis representing the total time span of the project, shown in days, weeks, or months.

By presenting this information visually in one consolidated view, Gantt charts make it easy to coordinate tasks, spot potential scheduling conflicts, track progress, and reshuffle workloads as needed.

Benefits of Using Gantt Charts

There are many advantages to using Gantt charts for project planning and scheduling:

• Improved Task Organization: Gantt charts provide an overview of all tasks that need to be completed with clear start and end dates. This makes it easy to sequence tasks logically.

• Resource Management: By showing task assignments and durations, Gantt charts help optimize resources by ensuring team members aren‘t over or under utilized.

• Task Prioritization: Tasks can be prioritized based on dependencies with critical path tasks clearly identified.

• Progress Tracking: Task progress is visualized so teams can monitor whether work is on schedule. Milestones indicate if major deliverables are on target.

• Change Management: Adjusting tasks, timelines and dependencies is simple with drag-and-drop functionality. This enables agile responses to changing project requirements.

• Communication: Gantt charts offer a common view of the project plan for all stakeholders. They facilitate updates and alignment across teams.

• Planning: Gantt charts enable scenario planning through what-if analysis to model different task sequences or resource allocations.

By providing a detailed yet intuitive roadmap of project objectives over time, Gantt charts lead to better project execution, delivery, and team collaboration.

Who Uses Gantt Charts?

Gantt charts are used across virtually every industry by professionals responsible for coordinating project delivery. Typical users include:

• Project Managers: Project managers rely on Gantt charts as their central project planning and scheduling tools to direct team tasks.

• Program Managers: For overseeing multiple related projects and cross-project dependencies.

• Product Managers: To plan roadmaps and release schedules for product development.

• Construction Managers: For scheduling construction projects with interdependent phases.

• Event Planners: For coordinating events with many moving parts happening on a tight timeline.

• Marketing Managers: To orchestrate campaigns with creative assets, launches, and initiatives.

• HR Managers: For planning major initiatives like technology rollouts or staff hiring and onboarding.

• Executives/C-Suite: For high-level oversight of key strategic programs and objective-setting.

Across all of these roles, Gantt charts keep everyone aligned on the sequence of work required to hit targets and deadlines.

Key Features to Look for in Gantt Chart Software

Specialized Gantt chart software makes it easy for anyone to create, update, and share Gantt charts for better project control. When evaluating solutions, here are some of the most important features to look for:

Interactive Task Scheduling – The ability to define, sequence, and prioritize tasks visually via drag-and-drop on the Gantt chart interface. This should allow for quickly modeling different scenarios.

Task Dependencies – Connect dependent tasks that have predecessor/successor relationships to automatically shift scheduling when changes occur.

Milestones – Mark major milestones and flag them on the Gantt chart to track progress toward critical events.

Critical Path Analysis – Highlight the critical path of tasks that directly impact the project finish date so these can be prioritized.

Gantt Views – Switch between different Gantt chart views (day, week, month, etc.) for different scheduling granularity.

Baselines – Save a snapshot of the original Gantt chart to compare against and measure schedule changes.

Progress Tracking – Track progress by percent completed or duration for tasks and milestones.

Resource Management – Assign resources and review capacity to avoid over or under allocation.

Collaboration – Share Gantt charts with other users and stakeholders to coordinate project plans.

Integrations & API – Sync Gantt data with other systems like schedules, task lists, or timesheets.

Import & Export – Import data from other project tools or export Gantt charts into shareable formats.

Customization – Tailor aspects like layouts, color-coding, and styling for each project‘s needs.

By automating the mechanics of building and updating Gantt charts, software makes it easier for project teams to realize the many benefits of this versatile project scheduling tool.

11 Best Gantt Chart Software Options

There are many excellent Gantt chart software tools available today. Here are 11 leading options that offer robust features for creating professional Gantt charts tailored to any project:

1. Monday.com

Monday.com is a highly visual project management platform that lets users build Gantt charts through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.

Key features include:

• Convert spreadsheet-style project plans into interactive Gantt charts
• Set task dependencies and track how changes impact downstream work
• Gain visibility into team capacity constraints
• Enable real-time collaboration within the Gantt chart
• Customize chart appearance with colors, fonts, shapes, and more
• Connect with 100+ other software tools

Monday.com offers a forever free plan for individuals as well as paid plans starting at $10 per seat/month for teams.

2. TeamGantt

TeamGantt makes it easy to create online Gantt charts for teams to plan and manage projects in real time.

Notable features include:

• Interactive drag-and-drop scheduling within the Gantt chart
• Visibility into team member availability and workload
• Progress tracking for tasks and milestones
• Critical path analysis
• Options to filter, rearrange, and customize charts
• Integrations with tools like Slack, Trello, Google Drive, and more
• File attachment and discussion capabilities

TeamGantt offers a free plan for up to 3 projects. Paid plans start at $24.95/month.

3. Project Schedule Excel Template by Vertex42

For those already using Excel for project management, Vertex42‘s Gantt chart template provides an easy way to create Gantt charts integrated with other project data.

Highlights include:

• Works within a familiar Excel spreadsheet format
• Pre-made columns for tasks, start/end dates, resources, progress, and more
• Formula-driven bar chart to visualize the Gantt chart
• Color coding and formatting options
• Customizable tasks list and timeline parameters
• Free download and no software installation needed

This template works best for smaller teams that want the simplicity of an Excel-based Gantt chart generator.

4. Wrike

Wrike‘s interactive Gantt charts make it easy to plan and adjust complex projects in real time.

Key features:

• Online interactive Gantt chart creation
• Drag-and-drop timeline scheduling
• Critical path identification
• Progress tracking with automatic updates
• Workload balancing based on team member availability
• Customizable views and layouts
  -Native mobile app for on-the-go access

Wrike offers free, professional, and business plans starting at $9.80 per user/month.

5. Smartsheet

Smartsheet‘s Gantt chart builder simplifies creating streamlined charts while offering deep functionality and customization.

Standout features:

• Interactive point-and-click Gantt chart building
• Pre-built chart templates
• Customizable styles and appearance
• Dynamic links between sheets, tasks, and charts
• Critical path management
• Resource workload visualization
• Multiple dependency options
• Progress tracking with automatic recalculation
• Advanced reporting and exporting

Smartsheet plans start at $7/user/month.

6. Sinnaps

Sinnaps offers online Gantt chart creation along with collaborative project management tools.

Notable capabilities:

• Import tasks from Excel, Trello, Asana, and more
• Interactive task scheduling by dragging and dropping items
• Assign resources and track capacity
• Set up dependencies and lag times
• Filter views by resource, status, priority, and more
• Progress oversight and baseline comparison
• Notes, file attachment, and comments on tasks
• Real-time team collaboration

Sinnaps starts with a free plan. Paid plans range from $8 – $18 per user/month.

7. ProjectLibre

ProjectLibre is an open-source desktop app that provides robust project management including Gantt chart creation.

Key features:

• Create unlimited projects with unlimited tasks
• Full-featured desktop Gantt chart interface
• Resources, assignment, and capacity planning
• Timescale flexibility from minutes to months
• Dependencies, lag, leads, and deadlines
• Cost breakdown structure
• Earned value metrics
• HTML and PDF exporting

As open-source software, ProjectLibre is free to download and use.

8. LiquidPlanner

LiquidPlanner uses intelligent scheduling algorithms to help teams manage uncertainty and complexity.

It provides:

• Automated scheduling based on team capacity and task estimates
• Interactive Gantt charts
• Dynamic recalculation of schedules
• Flexible prioritization and scenario planning
• Robust analytics, reporting, and budget tracking
• Custom fields and access controls
• Integration with tools like Slack, Dropbox, and more

LiquidPlanner offers custom pricing starting at $45/month for up to 10 users.

9. Bryntum Gantt

Bryntum Gantt is a JavaScript component library for building interactive JavaScript/HTML5 Gantt charts.

It enables:

• Advanced Gantt chart visualization using web frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue
• Highly configurable features and functionality
• Data integration from JSON and REST APIs
• Grouping, filtering, annotations, and overlays
• Touch support, scrolling, and zooming interactions
• White-label embedding into any web app

Pricing starts at €589 per month. Volume and custom pricing available.

10. Bitrix24

Bitrix24‘s Gantt charts help plan and track tasks across individual and team project plans.

Notable features:

• Interactive online Gantt chart creation
• Task dependencies, lead/lag times, and scheduling
• Progress status, notifications, and history
• Work calendar management
• Resource workload tracking
• Time estimates and costs
• Highly visual reports
• Real-time updates and team collaboration

Bitrix24 offers a free plan for up to 12 users. Paid plans start at $99/month.

11. ActiveCollab

ActiveCollab‘s Gantt charts provide an intuitive way to visualize project timelines and task sequences.

Benefits include:

• Automated Gantt chart generation from tasks
• Interactive task rescheduling and alignments
• Critical path identification
• Task progress and status indicators
• Workload distribution across resources
• Priority highlighting and filtering
• Discussion threads and file attachments
• PDF export capability

ActiveCollab starts with a free plan then offers paid plans from $7 – $29 per user/month.

Key Considerations When Choosing Gantt Chart Software

With many excellent Gantt chart tools now available, here are some factors to consider when choosing the right solution for your needs:

Ease of Use – Look for a simple, intuitive interface that allows anyone to quickly build a Gantt chart without training. Drag-and-drop scheduling is ideal.

Collaboration Features – Ability for multiple users to access, edit, discuss, and update the Gantt chart in real time.

Integrations – Support for data connections with complementary systems for timesheets, tasks, resources, etc.

Customization – Options to tailor charts with fonts, colors, logos, and layouts for your brand and needs.

Reporting and Exports – Ability to generate, print, share, and export the Gantt chart in different formats.

Support and Learning – Training resources, help documentation, and responsive customer support.

Budget – Offers a free or low-cost plan option for smaller teams and projects.

User Reviews – Consistently positive user feedback on solution usability and reliability.

By researching these aspects of leading Gantt chart tools, you can determine which option best aligns with your specific project planning needs within your budget.

Get Started Creating Your Project Gantt Chart

Gantt charts provide immense value to any project by giving teams a shared, visual blueprint for coordinating complex workflows. Fortunately, purpose-built Gantt chart software makes it easy for anyone to create, update, customize, and share Gantt charts for streamlined project management.

The solutions covered in this guide represent the top Gantt chart tools available today. By choosing a solution aligned with your team‘s needs and capabilities, you can start enjoying the many benefits of improved task scheduling, resource management, progress oversight, and team alignment that Gantt charts provide.