Microsoft Project Alternatives for Time Tracking and Project Management

Microsoft Project is one of the best-known project management tools, but it's not the right fit for every team. Many businesses look for alternatives that are easier to learn, more affordable, or better suited to modern collaboration.

In this guide, we'll compare some popular Microsoft Project alternatives and explain how time tracking fits into project management.

Why Look for an Alternative?

While Microsoft Project is a powerful platform, some teams prefer software that's:

• Easier to use
• Faster to set up
• More collaborative
• Better suited for smaller teams
• Available across multiple devices

The best choice depends on your team's size, workflow, and project management needs.

Popular Microsoft Project Alternatives

Several platforms have become popular alternatives.

ClickUp

ClickUp combines project management, documentation, dashboards, and automation in a highly customizable workspace.

Asana

Asana focuses on task management, timelines, and team collaboration with a clean, intuitive interface.

Trello

Trello uses Kanban boards to provide a simple visual approach to project management that's ideal for smaller teams.

Jira

Jira is designed primarily for software development teams and includes agile planning, sprint management, and issue tracking.

Notion

Notion combines notes, databases, documentation, and lightweight project management in a flexible workspace.

Why Time Tracking Matters

Project management software helps you organize work, but it doesn't always tell you how much effort each task requires.

Time tracking helps you:

• Measure project effort
• Improve future estimates
• Track billable hours
• Compare planned versus actual work
• Understand team productivity

Many organizations pair a dedicated time tracker with their project management platform.

Why Many Teams Use Toggl Track

Toggl Track integrates with many popular project management tools, allowing teams to record time without changing their existing workflow.

Its features include:

• One-click timers
• Detailed reports
• Project and client organization
• Cross-platform support
• Integrations with leading productivity tools

This makes it a flexible companion regardless of which project management software you choose.

Make Time Tracking More Convenient

If your team uses Toggl Track alongside your project management software, Toggl Lockscreen Widget makes it even easier to stay on top of your timers.

Using Live Activities, your active Toggl timer appears directly on your iPhone Lock Screen, allowing you to quickly check your elapsed time or stop your timer without opening the Toggl Track app.

It's a simple way to make project time tracking more convenient without changing the tools your team already relies on.