Looking for the best free Gantt chart maker to visualize your project timelines without spending a dime? Whether you’re managing solo tasks or coordinating across a full team, choosing the right free Gantt chart maker can make a huge difference in productivity, time management, and collaboration.
Besides that, a well-designed free Gantt chart maker makes it easy to see who’s doing what and when, helping your team stay on track and aligned. Here’s a definitive list from the least feature-rich to the most powerful and user-friendly options to help you make the right choice.
Using a free Gantt chart maker isn’t just for professional project managers. It’s also a powerful tool for students, especially those preparing academic tasks like a research proposal. Visualizing tasks and deadlines helps students stay organized, manage their time, and meet submission timelines more effectively. In fact, creating a Gantt chart for your proposal can clarify your research schedule and demonstrate proper planning to supervisors. If you’re a student working on research, check out this guide on using a Gantt chart for a research proposal to get started with confidence.
Beyond academics, a free Gantt chart maker is also beneficial for freelancers, startup founders, and even individuals planning personal projects. It simplifies task breakdowns, tracks progress visually, and improves time allocation, all without needing expensive software. Whether you’re managing client work, launching a side hustle, or planning an event, a well-structured Gantt chart helps keep everything on track and stress-free.
Best for: Quick visual timelines without complexity
Yes, it’s possible to use Microsoft Word as a free Gantt chart maker although it’s not designed for it. By using a stacked bar chart, you can mimic the look of a traditional Gantt chart. However, the process is entirely manual and editing timelines or tasks can become frustrating quickly. Word lacks any built-in project tracking features and you won’t find task dependencies or collaborative tools here. It’s best for very simple visuals used in reports or presentations rather than for real project planning. If you’re looking for an entry-level project timeline creator, Word might be a quick fix. This can be useful when you need a quick Gantt chart example without complex software.
Pros:
• Available to most users
• Works well for basic visualizations
Cons:
• No project management features
• Very manual and time-consuming
Best for: DIY project planners with spreadsheet skills
Excel offers more flexibility than Word when it comes to Gantt charts. You can either build one from scratch using a bar chart or download a pre-made Gantt chart template for Excel. With conditional formatting and formulas, you can simulate dependencies and progress tracking. However, Excel is still not a dedicated free Gantt chart maker. It’s not intuitive for beginners and it’s easy for charts to break when you edit them. As a Gantt chart Excel-based tool, it’s best suited for individuals managing short-term projects. Many teams also explore Gantt chart Excel examples for easy import or export.
Pros:
• High flexibility
• Templates available
Cons:
• Not designed for collaboration
• Lacks automation and dynamic features
Best for: Visual timelines for reports and presentations
Canva provides a free Gantt chart maker tool that is perfect for creating visually appealing timelines. While it doesn’t support dynamic task dependencies or live collaboration like some tools, it’s ideal for static Gantt charts. You can choose from a variety of pre-designed Gantt chart templates in Canva, customize colors, and export visuals for reports or slide decks. For those who prioritize design and simplicity over advanced functionality, the Canva Gantt chart is a stylish and user-friendly solution.
Pros:
• Easy drag and drop interface
• Many free templates available
Cons:
• Not suitable for live project management
• Some templates and features require Canva Pro
Best for: Small teams needing basic project visualization
Plaky is a newer project management software that offers a clean and user-friendly interface. It includes templates that can be adapted into Gantt-style timelines. While not a traditional free Gantt chart maker, Plaky supports task organization and time tracking in a basic visual format. Its simplicity is both its strength and limitation. If you’re after a lightweight Gantt chart creator tool, this is a good place to start. You can even try it as a basic online Gantt chart creator for personal projects.
Pros:
• Easy to use
• Free forever plan
Cons:
• Gantt chart features are limited
• Not suitable for complex projects
Best for: Teams wanting a broad project management suite with Gantt support
ClickUp is a comprehensive work planning platform with a robust free plan. Among its many views is a Gantt chart, which is great for managing dependencies and timelines. It offers a wealth of features such as task assignments, subtasks, time tracking, and integrations but this can also make it overwhelming for first-time users. Still, as a free Gantt chart maker, it’s incredibly generous. It’s an excellent choice if you want your Gantt chart tool integrated with other productivity systems, especially for those searching for an online Gantt chart maker. You can even use it like a Gantt chart online free Google-style solution if you’re transitioning from Google Sheets.
Pros:
• Feature-rich for a free plan
• Real-time collaboration
Cons:
• Steep learning curve
• Interface may feel cluttered
Best for: Small businesses with a need for time tracking and task scheduling
Avaza combines project management with invoicing and time tracking. Its Gantt chart view allows you to drag and drop tasks, set dependencies, and track project timelines effectively. As a free Gantt chart maker, the free version supports up to 5 users and is ideal for small businesses or freelancers. Avaza strikes a balance between ease of use and feature depth. It doubles as a resource scheduling tool for service-based teams and is a viable online Gantt chart maker for tight-knit teams.
Pros:
• Built-in time tracking and invoicing
• Good UI for small teams
Cons:
• User limits on free plan
• Not ideal for large or complex teams
Best for: Teams who prefer simplicity and clarity
Toggl Plan is visually clean and incredibly easy to use. It’s not a traditional Gantt chart tool but offers a timeline view that serves a similar purpose. It supports color-coded tasks, team assignments, and visual planning. As a free Gantt chart maker, it’s great for fast-moving teams that want a minimal setup. While power users may find it lacks certain features, its low barrier to entry makes it ideal. It’s often chosen as a timeline project planner for creative teams and those looking for Gantt chart tools online. It can also serve as a lightweight online Gantt chart maker for freelancers.
Pros:
• Intuitive interface
• Excellent for quick planning
Cons:
• Limited advanced functionality
• Free plan has user caps
Best for: Real-time collaboration with no sign-up
Instagantt offers a clean and professional Gantt chart interface with drag and drop functionality, dependencies, milestones, and real-time updates. As a free Gantt chart maker, it stands out by allowing users to begin charting without even signing up which makes it incredibly fast to get started. It’s great for project scheduling and quick brainstorming sessions. Plus, it offers an online free Gantt chart maker alternative that’s practical for teams on the go. While not a Google product, it’s a top pick among users searching for Gantt chart online free Google-style tools.
Pros:
• No sign-up needed
• Full Gantt features even in free tier
Cons:
• Limited projects and users
• Not ideal for complex workflows
Best for: Creating Gantt charts instantly using natural language
Gantt Chart AI is a new and innovative free Gantt chart maker that allows users to generate Gantt charts simply by describing their projects in plain English. For instance, you can say, “Plan a website launch with 5 tasks over 2 weeks,” and it will build the timeline automatically. This is ideal for users with no background in workflow visualization or design. It’s a great pick if you’re looking for an AI-based Gantt chart creator. It’s also an alternative to manual tools like Canva Gantt chart templates for quick outputs.
Pros:
• AI-driven with no learning curve
• Super fast to use
Cons:
• Still evolving
• May lack complex customization
Best for: Best-in-class free Gantt chart experience
TeamGantt leads the pack as the most fully-featured and user-friendly free Gantt chart maker. Its interface is clean, drag and drop friendly, and optimized for team collaboration. The free plan supports small teams (up to 3 users and 1 project), making it perfect for startups, educators, or freelancers. Features like dependencies, workload management, and file attachments round out a powerful free package. If you’re looking for a visual project planner that’s easy to adopt but powerful enough to scale, this is it. You can even explore their Gantt chart example templates to get started quickly. It’s a great online Gantt chart maker alternative to Canva Gantt chart templates.
Pros:
• Clean and modern UI
• Excellent for teamwork
Cons:
• Limited to 1 project and 3 users on free plan
Choosing the right free Gantt chart maker depends heavily on your needs. If you’re working solo or on a simple timeline, tools like Excel, Word, or Canva might suffice as a basic free Gantt chart maker. But if you want real collaboration, task dependencies, and modern design, TeamGantt, Instagantt, or Gantt Chart AI are standout free Gantt chart maker choices. For those who want their Gantt chart integrated into a broader project tracking software, ClickUp and Avaza are excellent free Gantt chart maker options. Canva users might also explore Canva Gantt chart templates for lightweight project visualization.
Whichever platform you pick, you’re well on your way to more effective, organized, and successful projects with no cost involved, thanks to a reliable free Gantt chart maker.
