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Best Free Merlin Project Alternatives — 12 Tools Compared in 2026

Explore 12 alternatives to Merlin Project — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

Best free Merlin Project alternatives, ranked and compared

Quick answer

The quick answer: the best Merlin Project alternatives are Smartsheet, ClickUp and Wrike. Smartsheet tops the list with a SpotScore of 9.8 and a 4.56★ rating. Compare all 12 on score, rating, and pricing below.

Not every team clicks with Merlin Project, and that's fine. These 12 project management software free alternatives give you real choices on price, features, and usability. We rank them by SpotScore, which combines real-user satisfaction with market presence, then layer in ratings and pricing. Scan the comparison table first, then read the detail for each pick.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
SmartsheetStreamline your projects with Smartsheet's powerful tools.9.8★★★★★ 4.56(2444)Freefrom $9/moteams of all sizes
ClickUpEffortlessly streamline your projects with ClickUp9.8★★★★★ 4.87(2889)Freefrom $7 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
WrikeEffortlessly manage projects and teams with Wrike.9.2★★★★★ 4.55(2062)Freefrom $10 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
ProjectManager.comElevate your projects with ease.9.2★★★★ 3.98(507)FreeFree Trial · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
OmniFocusStreamline your tasks and collaborate with ease.9★★★★★ 4.62(52)Freefrom $9.99/moteams of all sizes
Microsoft ProjectEfficient project management, from start to finish.8.8★★★★ 4.02(1526)Freefrom $10 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
OpenProjectStreamline your projects with ease.8.8★★★★ 3.74(17)FreeFree Trial · Freemium · Open-source · Subscriptionteams of all sizes
ProWorkflowStreamline teamwork, meet deadlines, choose your organization.8.8★★★★ 4.4(137)Freefrom $9 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
Microsoft PPMStreamline projects with Microsoft PPM.8.5★★★★ 4.02(1419)Freefrom $10 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
TeamworkEfficiently manage projects and teams with ease.8.2★★★★ 4.38(1103)FreeFree Trial · Freemium · Subscription · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
ProProfs ProjectEfficient project management made easy.8.2★★★★ 4.41(35)Freefrom $2 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
Project InsightEffortlessly manage projects with Project Insight.7.7★★★★ 3.57(15)Freefrom $9teams of all sizes

9.8

SpotScore

Smartsheet - Project Management Software

Smartsheet

RECOMMENDED

Streamline your projects with Smartsheet's powerful tools.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Smartsheet?

Smartsheet is a dynamic project management tool that simplifies tracking and planning for teams of all sizes. Offering a user-friendly interface, it’s designed to adapt to your unique workflows, whether you're managing simple checklists or complex project plans. Smartsheet’s intuitive platform ...

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Smartsheet offers custom pricing plan

9.8

SpotScore

ClickUp - Collaboration Software

ClickUp

RECOMMENDED

Effortlessly streamline your projects with ClickUp

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is ClickUp?

ClickUp is a versatile cloud-based project management platform designed to cater to both individual project needs and the complex demands of enterprise-level teams. Offering a customizable planning experience, it allows users to toggle between two distinct views, providing flexibility based on ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

ClickUp offers custom pricing plan

9.2

SpotScore

Wrike - Project Management Software

Wrike

Effortlessly manage projects and teams with Wrike.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is Wrike?

Wrike is a web-based project management software designed to enhance team collaboration, streamline workflows, and boost productivity. It provides real-time visibility into project progress, ensuring teams stay aligned with deadlines and objectives. Task management and prioritization tools help ...

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Free TrialTry Free →·

Wrike offers custom pricing plan

9.2

SpotScore

ProjectManager.com

ProjectManager.com

Elevate your projects with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is ProjectManager.com?

ProjectManager.com is project management software that helps you effectively and efficiently plan, execute and control your projects. It’s a flexible solution that delivers all the core capabilities of enterprise-grade project management systems while fitting seamlessly into the budget and ...

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ProjectManager.com offers custom pricing plan

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9.0

SpotScore

OmniFocus - Task Management Software

OmniFocus

Streamline your tasks and collaborate with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is OmniFocus?

OmniFocus is task management software from The Omni Group. With a guided tour for beginners and advanced features for experts, OmniFocus provides a flexible way to organize projects and tasks no matter what kind of project you're working on. It syncs with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch via ...

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Free Trial

8.8

SpotScore

Microsoft Project - Project Management Software

Microsoft Project

Efficient project management, from start to finish.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

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What is Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps streamline business processes so that your team can better focus on important project details and more ...

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Microsoft Project offers custom pricing plan

8.8

SpotScore

OpenProject

OpenProject

Streamline your projects with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is OpenProject?

OpenProject is a collaborative project management software for planning, tracking, and reporting on projects. It emphasizes usability – before users start a project, they need a tool that enables them to start working efficiently as quickly as possible. In OpenProject this is achieved by its ...

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8.8

SpotScore

ProWorkflow - Project Management Software

ProWorkflow

Streamline teamwork, meet deadlines, choose your organization.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is ProWorkflow?

ProWorkflow's project management software streamlines communications and documentation so small and mid-sized companies can coordinate teams, prioritize projects and meet deadlines on time. ProWorkflow puts a social element into project management software that allows your employees to choose ...

Read more about ProWorkflow
Free TrialTry Free →·

ProWorkflow offers custom pricing plan

8.5

SpotScore

Microsoft PPM - Project Management Software

Microsoft PPM

Streamline projects with Microsoft PPM.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is Microsoft PPM?

Microsoft Project is the market-leading project management software application, providing more powerful project management capabilities than other alternatives. It helps organizations of all sizes to improve resource allocation and better plan for new projects through innovative ...

Read more about Microsoft PPM
Free TrialTry Free →·

Microsoft PPM offers custom pricing plan

8.2

SpotScore

Teamwork

Teamwork

Efficiently manage projects and teams with ease.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is Teamwork?

Teamwork is the easy, visual way to manage projects and teams. From conceptualization to collaboration to completion, users can efficiently track their work using a powerful Gantt chart timeline. Teamwork profiles can be used to assign tasks in an organized manner across multiple individuals or ...

Read more about Teamwork
Free TrialTry Free →·

Teamwork offers custom pricing plan

8.2

SpotScore

ProProfs Project - Project Management Software

ProProfs Project

Efficient project management made easy.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is ProProfs Project?

ProProfs Project is a web-based project management software tool that connects to all essential Project Management process areas of the project cycle. It provides all the functionality needed to successfully run projects from inception, through planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, ...

Read more about ProProfs Project
Free TrialTry Free →

7.7

SpotScore

Project Insight - Project Management Software

Project Insight

Effortlessly manage projects with Project Insight.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

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What is Project Insight?

Project Insight is an acclaimed project and work management software that makes administering projects and tasks in one go a reality. It offers effective scheduling, budgeting, capacity planning, time and expense tracking, client rate management, project billing and so much more - all on a ...

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Project Insight offers custom pricing plan

What each tool does well

Smartsheet9.8Best for teams of all sizes

Customizable and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced professionals.

Watch for: Advanced features may require a learning curve, making onboarding somewhat challenging for new users.

ClickUp9.8Best for teams of all sizes

Versatile platform with constant updates and amazing customer support that prioritizes user feedback promptly.

Watch for: Steep learning curve initially, which may be challenging for newcomers without a technical background.

Wrike9.2Best for teams of all sizes

Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop functionality, providing seamless task management and organization.

Watch for: Difficult to navigate for beginners with a steep learning curve for mastering advanced functionalities.

ProjectManager.com9.2Best for teams of all sizes

User-friendly interface allows non-technical users to easily navigate and manage projects.

Watch for: Initial learning curve for new users can be steep, requiring time to fully utilize its capabilities.

OmniFocus9Best for teams of all sizes

Highly configurable for individual task and project management workflows.

Watch for: Available on Apple devices only — no Windows, Android, or web access.

Microsoft Project8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Customizable and flexible for various project types, including complex ones.

Watch for: High subscription cost; no longer available for outright purchase.

OpenProject8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Open-source and free in its standard version, making it accessible to users from all sectors.

Watch for: Frequent bugs despite regular updates, leading to occasional crashes and frustrations.

ProWorkflow8.8Best for teams of all sizes

Covers project management, time tracking, invoicing, and task scheduling in one platform.

Watch for: Search requires exact terms; broad or partial searches do not return results.

Microsoft PPM8.5Best for teams of all sizes

Offers Gantt charts, resource management, and task dependencies, with broad customization.

Watch for: Licensing costs deter smaller organizations compared to freemium or open-source alternatives.

Teamwork8.2Best for teams of all sizes

Visual project tracking

Watch for: Can be complex for beginners

ProProfs Project8.2Best for teams of all sizes

Provides project views like Gantt Charts, Kanban Boards, and Calendars, making project tracking and management straightforward.

Watch for: Reporting features are basic and lack advanced templates, which limits detailed analysis for project managers.

Project Insight7.7Best for teams of all sizes

Automates repetitive project management tasks, reducing manual effort and maintenance issues.

Watch for: Performance issues like glitches, slow functionality, and lag often hinder productivity.

Why teams look for a Merlin Project alternative

When teams go looking for a Merlin Project alternative, it's often because of issues like these:

  • Merlin Project is predominantly suited for desktop users and lacks broader mobile application support for on-the-go project management.
  • For users transitioning from simpler tools, Merlin Project might take some time to master due to its full capabilities and detailed interface.

What makes a good Merlin Project replacement

Here's what the data says about these 12 project management software free alternatives: 12 offer a free tier; paid plans run $2–$10, with ProProfs Project the cheapest entry point; and ClickUp is the highest rated at 4.87 across 2889 reviews.

What drives the order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The top-rated alternatives to Merlin Project are ClickUp (4.9★), OmniFocus (4.6★), Smartsheet (4.6★). Compare all 12 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to Merlin Project, prioritize: Timeline View, Project Templates, Idea Management, Kanban Board, Time & Expense Tracking, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Merlin Project starts from $5.83 /User/Month. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Merlin Project is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend shortlisting 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

The right Merlin Project alternative for your situation

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — Smartsheet, ClickUp and Wrike let you evaluate without paying upfront.
  • If real-user ratings matter most: ClickUp has the strongest star rating (4.87★) among the options with verified reviews.
  • Want the safest pick: Smartsheet has the highest Spotsaas Score (9.8) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

How to move on from Merlin Project

A safe move off Merlin Project starts with the basics: export your data and test the import into your new tool. Make sure the workflows you depend on are covered, run a short pilot, and keep Merlin Project active until the migration is finished. Free tiers above make trialing easy.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].