Download and install the best free apps for Project Management Software on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android from CNET Download.com, your trusted source for the top software picks. Dec 18, 2019 A few project management software systems have free versions, but they are generally quite limited. The primary limitation is the number of projects you can.
You’re probably here because you’re looking for Microsoft Project for Mac. Unfortunately Microsoft Project, also known as MS Project, wasn’t designed for Mac computers, so it won’t work on any version of Mac OS. But there is a workaround that can solve your problem.
It’s not complicated, and in fact, it’s easier to use than the MSP interface. Best of all, it’s free (well, for 30 days, but after that you’ll be convinced of its value).
If you’re forced to use MS Project, and you don’t want to stop using your Mac, there are workarounds that make ProjectManager.com the perfect solution. With ProjectManager.com, you can import Microsoft Project Plan (MPP) files and work on them in a more user-friendly platform.
How to Get Your Mac Working with MS Project Files
ProjectManager.com is free for 30 days, so you can test out the software and determine for yourself if it’s a good fit for you. Viewing and editing MPP files online is simple. Just follow these steps.
Sign Up for a Free Trial
In order to use ProjectManager.com and edit MS Project files on your Mac, you must first sign up for a free trial. Visit the pricing page and choose your plan. All plans provide compatibility with Microsoft Project. Once you choose a plan, ProjectManager.com is free for 30 days, no strings attached!
Import MPP Files
Once you’ve created your account and started your first project, switch to the Gantt view. In the Gantt view, click the “Import” button in the ribbon menu. Next, choose which Microsoft Project file you want to import. Your entire MPP file will then be imported into ProjectManager.com. That’s it!
View & Edit MPP Files
After you import the MPP file, it opens in the online Gantt chart feature. All of your columns, tasks, resource data, etc., will remain intact and appear how it did in MS Project. Plus, the MPP file in ProjectManager.com is not view-only. You can update the tasks, deadlines and resources online, and you can invite team members to collaborate on the MPP file as well.
Real-Time Dashboard
The data from your imported MPP file is instantly populated across the charts and graphs of the ProjectManager.com real-time dashboard, where you can see the project’s progress, team productivity, task status, budget, etc., in real time.
1-Click Project Reports
Now that your plan has been imported into ProjectManager.com, you can take advantage of our easy-to-use, yet detailed, project reports. We provide 10 different types of project reports, including expense reports, task reports, workload reports and more. Use our powerful tools to really examine the progress of your project.
Export & Share
Once you’re done viewing, editing and analyzing your Microsoft Project Plan, seamlessly export your data with one click. All of your updates will be reflected on the file you export. You can then share this file with your colleagues who are using MS Project, and they’ll be able to see all the changes that you made.
Why MS Project Is a Problem
MS Project is the standard project management tool for many project managers, but the expense of the software makes it an unrealistic solution for many industry professionals. The desktop license for one user is often over $1,000, and that cost only grows exponentially as you add more people.
While there is MS Project Online that gives the software more flexibility than the desktop version, it adds another steep subscription fee for access. That hit is compounded by the fact that you’re not managing your projects fully online.
Beyond the financial impact, there are hurdles to clear in terms of just learning how to use the program, which is complex and not at all intuitive. It’s also hard to share files online, even when using Microsoft’s expensive and required Sharepoint software. What’s more, there isn’t even a real-time dashboard to help you see the progress of your project.
Of course, all this is moot when you’re working on a Mac, which doesn’t work with MS Project at all. Apple products are more commonplace in some industries, such as publishing and design firms, so there’s not even an option of using a PC. With ProjectManager.com, clearing the hurdles of MS Project is easy, even more so for Mac users.
Too Many Versions of MSP
Another problem you might encounter is finding compatibility for the numerous different versions of Microsoft Project. Fortunately, ProjectManager.com is compatible with every version of Microsoft Project, including:
And, since ProjectManager.com is an online software, it’s always up to date. You never have to worry about buying the latest version because our software team is regularly releasing updates and improvements.
What Can ProjectManager.com Do that MS Project Can’t?
If you’re not wedded to an antiquated software like Microsoft Project, there are many reasons to change to ProjectManager.com. First and possibly foremost, at least to your chief financial officer, is the price tag. Because ProjectManager.com is online and subscription-based, it’s a much less expensive solution to project management.
Real-Time Data
ProjectManager.com, being cloud-based, provides real-time data. You’re not looking at project progress from yesterday or even an hour ago, but as it happens. You can monitor and track any metric through the real-time dashboard, which translates the live data into easy-to-read charts and graphs, which can be filtered to reflect just the information you want, and then shared or printed with a keystroke.
Timesheets
Timesheets are also online, which means that team members can update their timesheets anywhere and at any time. Managers receive alerts when the timesheets are ready for approval, so that process is swift and efficient. Given the range of ProjectManager.com’s features, you’ll be able to ditch other resource management tools and keep all your project management under one roof.
Collaborative Environment
As noted, one of the biggest benefits of using ProjectManager.com over MS Project is that it fosters collaboration among team members. They can add files and comment at the task level on the online Gantt chart. Discussions are facilitated either one-on-one or at the group level, created by the team, and used either on the desktop or mobile devices.
Again, whether they’re using a PC or a Mac, ProjectManager.com allows your team to seamlessly import and export both MS Project and Excel files without losing any data.
Why Doesn’t Microsoft Project Run on Mac Computers?
As we’ve explained here, Microsoft Project doesn’t run on Mac computers by default. But why would Microsoft want to keep Apple users from running their project management software? It boils down to the fact that Microsoft wants more people using Microsoft computers and Microsoft operating systems. By keeping their software exclusively on the PC platform, Microsoft is betting that Apple users will come to the PC platform in order to use MSP.
This leaves many Mac users to seek new software options, since most “Mac people” would never switch to PC.
Tools like ProjectManager.com give teams flexibility to work on project plans, regardless of computer preference.
MS Project becomes so much more when it’s used in collaboration with ProjectManager.com, the cloud-based project management software for PC and Mac. But once you’ve tried out our software with this free 30-day trial, you’ll ditch MS Project if you can and use ProjectManager.com full-time. It’s less expensive, more user-friendly and keeps all your project management needs in one place for greater efficiency and productivity. Try it today!
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Gantt Charts
Gantt chart tools that help you and your team plan, schedule and update your projects in real-time.
Task Lists
Simple task lists with powerful features: assign tasks, add start & due dates, attach files, collaborate, and track time.
Free Project Software For MacKanban Boards
Manage work with drag-and-drop cards. Plan simple workflows or full agile sprints with our powerful Kanban boards.
Launch Your First Project in Minutes
ProjectManager.com’s cloud based software runs on both Windows and Mac computers with no downloads or complex installation needed. Launch your first project in minutes, then invite your team to join you and start collaborating today.
Improve the Way You WorkPlan
ProjectManager.com’s award-winning project management system combines powerful project planning and scheduling features with collaboration tools for teams. Plan large or small projects. Plan in sprints or plan waterfall projects on the interactive Gantt chart. Adjust due dates with easy drag and drop scheduling. Attach files and comments to collaborate on tasks with your team. ProjectManager.com takes project planning to a whole new level.
Manage Tasks
Task updates are easy for your team with our all-in-one task and project management solution. On desktop or by mobile, your team can view their tasks, update their progress and collaborate together. Plus anyone can add comments or files to tasks to keep important project communications together.
Collaborate
Chat with the whole team or create group discussions based on projects, departments, or any topic you choose. Teams can also collaborate at the task level via our mobile or tablet app. With our online project management and collaboration tools, teams of all sizes and industries and levels of expertise can easily get started communicating and collaborating to get work done.
Manage Teams
Get project and resource management in one, with ProjectManager.com’s powerful resource allocation and workload management tools. See who’s available and who is overloaded in one easy, color-coded view to track holidays and hourly availability. Plus, with integrated timesheets, you don’t need a separate platform for managing time and timesheet approvals with your team.
Track Time
Tasks are updated in real-time throughout the system, so your team can import their hours worked on individual tasks in one simple click. Timesheets can be submitted to managers for approval with automatic email alerts. No need to keep using two systems to manage your team’s time. Get task management, project management and timesheets in one.
Reporting
Real-time dashboards instantly show the status of all your current projects. Track costs and team progress across all your projects. Create one-click reports to track data on your projects, tasks and teams to print or share online in your next meeting. Say goodbye to time consuming reporting. Get real-time business intelligence anywhere, anytime.
For Industries, Just Like Yours
Our software is used by over 10,000 teams across these industries.
Integrate with over 1000 Business Apps
Here is just a sampling of the powerful software tools and apps that integrate with ProjectManager.com
Seamless importing and round-tripping of MS Project plans, Excel files & CSV files.
Manage task right in your Gmail inbox! Plus, sync to Google Drive & your Google Calendars.
Sync all your project files with the Dropbox folders you already use with your team.
Share all your project conversations in your favorite Slack channels.
Keep your data flowing where you need it when you connect with Salesforce via our Zapier integration.
Ranked Best Project Management Software
ProjectManager.com was recently ranked top 3 in GetApp's Best Project Management Software List, but don't just take our word for it... Here's what our customers are saying:
“It’s an all-encompassing PPM tool. It’s really improved our estimating, as we can record and reuse task data on our projects.”
– Andrew Chedzoy, Kantar
“It gives us the ability to track the hours of my team and see where we’re profitable, right down to the task level.”
– Chris Neilson, Allegiance
“It’s easy to use with no training. I simply logged in. It was very self-explanatory and user-friendly. It just works!”
– Jamie Walsworth, TenMast Software Apple Project Management Software
“ProjectManager.com offers fabulous tools that rival Microsoft Project and are indeed a better all round experience.”
Art Software For MacAnd Get Simply the Best Customer SupportProject Management Software For Macs
It’s easy to get started using ProjectManager.com when you have free onboarding, free training and help along the way. You can kick-off your first project in minutes!
Project Management Software Free MacSee Why ProjectManager.com is the leading PM Tool Comments are closed.
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