Is Microsoft Project too pricey or heavy? Ganty vs Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is powerful — down to resource and portfolio management — but it's priced per user with a steep learning curve. An honest comparison for web-first, smaller, cost-conscious teams.
About Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is Microsoft's full-featured project management tool and a long-time gold standard for Gantt management — native Gantt, dependencies, critical path, resource and portfolio management, integrated with Microsoft 365.
Pricing comparison
Based on publicly available info as of April 2026. Check vendor sites for the latest.
| Item | Ganty | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 5 members, 5 projects | None |
| Entry plan (monthly) | JPY 980/workspace (JPY 780 yearly) | Plan 1 ~US$10/user (annual) |
| Higher tiers | Pro JPY 2,980 / Business JPY 9,800 per workspace | Plan 3 ~US$30 / Plan 5 ~US$55 (per user) |
| Billing model | Per workspace (doesn't scale with team size) | Per user |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Ganty | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Native Gantt chart | Supported | Supported |
| Automatic dependency rescheduling | Supported | Supported |
| Critical path visualization | Supported | Supported |
| Resource & portfolio management | Basic | Supported |
| Feature | Ganty | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| AI task generation | Supported | AI scheduling (rolling out) |
| Claude / MCP integration | Supported | Not supported |
| Feature | Ganty | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time web co-editing | Supported | Limited |
| Presence indicator | Supported | Limited |
| Feature | Ganty | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Excel export | Supported | Supported |
| PDF export | Standard+ | Supported |
| Read-only share link | Supported | Limited |
| Feature | Ganty | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to learn | Supported | Steep |
| Japanese UI | Supported | Supported |
| Compliant with Japanese laws | Supported | Not supported |
4 reasons to choose Ganty
Flat workspace pricing as you grow
Microsoft Project runs ~US$10–55 per user per month, so cost scales linearly with headcount. Ganty is workspace-based (from JPY 980/mo), so the base cost is the same whether you have 5 or 100 people.
Web-native, real-time collaboration
Microsoft Project often assumes the desktop app and the Microsoft ecosystem, so casual real-time web co-editing isn't its strength. Ganty runs entirely in the browser with live multi-user editing.
Usable in minutes
Microsoft Project's depth comes with a learning curve. Ganty's minimal, Gantt-focused UI lets a first-time member edit a schedule within minutes.
AI and Claude (MCP) built in
Ganty generates a schedule from a short description and lets you operate tasks from Claude in natural language (MCP). Available on every plan, including free.
When Microsoft Project may be a better fit
For an honest comparison, here are cases where the competitor may suit you better.
When you need heavy resource & portfolio management
If you need resource leveling, cost management, or enterprise portfolio management — the deep capabilities Microsoft Project has built over decades — Project is the better fit. Ganty focuses on Gantt charts and AI operation.
When deep Microsoft 365 integration matters
If your workflow is deeply tied to Teams, Power BI, and SharePoint, the first-party Microsoft Project is the natural choice.
Migration
Export Project (.mpp) to Excel/CSV and import into Ganty. Large PMOs that need resource/portfolio management can keep Project and use Ganty for day-to-day schedule sharing — a hybrid setup works well.
Bottom line
Microsoft Project is the gold standard for Gantt depth, but it's per user (~US$10–55/mo) with a steep learning curve. For web-first, smaller, cost-conscious teams, Ganty's workspace pricing is a practical alternative.
From Microsoft Project to Ganty — try it free
Free for up to 5 members. No credit card required.