OpenProject alternative: FlexiProject compared

As many as you need, because you nest tasks without a level limit. In the project schedule software, phase and project progress is calculated from the tasks underneath. Milestones are a separate object type, and delayed ones show highlighted on the chart. OpenProject also nests work packages without a limit. In FlexiProject, project products and budget lines linked to tasks complete the structure.

All four: finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish. In the Gantt chart tool you add a fixed lag in days to a dependency, and you see the critical path. OpenProject’s documentation describes setting a predecessor or successor, which is a finish-to-start relation. In FlexiProject, moving a task recalculates dependent task dates automatically, also across projects.

You submit a change request with a reason. In FlexiProject the change request shows the planned and requested end date and budget, and decision makers approve it through approval workflow software. The path can have several steps, including parallel ones. You can compare every approved plan version later.

The FlexiProject baseline is an approved schedule version. The Gantt chart shows the deviation from it, and you keep every approved version for comparison. OpenProject’s Baseline feature shows changes since yesterday or since a chosen date, with no reference to an approved plan. You discuss deviations later in project review software, with data from the schedule, budget and risks.

In the budget management module you plan costs and revenues together, so you also see the project’s profit. Next to the plan and actual costs, you get a forecast to completion. OpenProject plans budgets from unit costs and labour cost. In FlexiProject, budget lines link to tasks, so moving a task moves its spending date in the cash flow. You approve every budget change as a new version.

Yes. The task list, Gantt chart and Kanban board are three views of one schedule in FlexiProject. When the team moves a card on the board, you see the change in the schedule right away. A manager plans on the chart, and the team moves cards, with no data rewritten. OpenProject has boards and backlogs too. Read more on the Kanban board software page.

Yes. FlexiProject is a good OpenProject alternative for portfolio management, because you pick portfolio projects from a score. In the project scoring software you set your own criteria and weights, and send the survey to several raters. You repeat the score during delivery. In a portfolio simulation you switch a project off and see how the numbers change.

In the program management software you link the schedules of several projects into one shared plan. In FlexiProject, dependencies tie tasks across projects, so moving one date recalculates the following ones automatically. You check the effect before you approve the change. One project can belong to several programs.

In the strategy management software every goal carries a baseline, a target and a current value. OpenProject has no strategic goal object. Goals form a tree with subgoals, and you link projects to a goal with a level of impact. Leadership sees goals, KPIs and linked projects on one screen.

You start planning from each person’s daily availability, with leave and part-time contracts. In FlexiProject, the resource planning module shows workload across the whole organization and by department, also on the Gantt chart. You get a warning when an assignment exceeds availability. You can import leave from Outlook.

You log hours against a schedule task in the time tracking tool. OpenProject records time and unit cost against work packages. In FlexiProject, planned and actual time sit in one row for each task. You can also log time from the mobile app, away from the office. You turn on time tracking only for the projects that need it.

You add a comment to a task, a risk, a product or a budget line, so the discussion stays with the matter it concerns. OpenProject uses work package comments, a wiki and a forum. In FlexiProject, a person tagged with @name gets a notification right away. Read more on the team communication tool page, where the project chat is archived with the project.

Yes. You import a schedule from MS Project directly from an .mpp file, or from Excel with column mapping. OpenProject’s guide describes import from Excel and through the API, with no MS Project file. You import a schedule from a template into an existing project. Document patterns your PMO needs sit in the knowledge base module, next to project templates.

In the project reporting tool you build reports in a wizard, without coding. OpenProject reports cover work packages, costs and time. In FlexiProject you also report on risks, products and plan changes. Excel export keeps the filters you set, and you build dashboards from configurable widgets. You can prepare separate report sets for departments and roles.

Yes. For companies that keep data in-house, FlexiProject is an OpenProject alternative on your own servers too, with no feature limits. In the cloud, data is stored in the European Economic Area. OpenProject also installs on your own servers, and its Community edition is free. In FlexiProject you get an unlimited number of free users, and licence rates are on the pricing page.