Gantify vs Merlin Project: on Mac, Windows and Linux, free
Merlin Project is a native app for Mac and iPad, polished and powerful. Gantify works in any browser, on Windows, Mac or Linux, and is free for the whole team.
In this article
Merlin Project is a project management application native to the Apple ecosystem: available on Mac and iPad, carefully designed and fully functional offline. Gantify takes a different approach: it runs in the browser, so it works the same way on Windows, Mac and Linux, and it is free for everyone involved in the project.
The comparison below is based on data from ProjectWizards’ official pages.
Who Merlin Project and Gantify are for
Merlin Project is designed for professionals and teams that work on Mac and iPad and want a native application, with MagicSync synchronization across Apple devices[1].
Gantify is designed for those who work across different platforms:
- firms and companies with Windows, Mac and Linux workstations;
- teams that collaborate with external clients and suppliers;
- project managers who want to share the plan by link, without asking anyone to install an application.
Comparison at a glance
| Feature | Gantify | Merlin Project |
|---|---|---|
| Opening .mpp files | Available.mpp/ | Not statedNot stated |
| Export | AvailableMicrosoft Project XML, CSV, print/ | Not statedNot stated |
| Dependencies (4 types, with lag) | AvailableFS, SS, FF and SF, with lag | Availabledependencies presented as a core feature |
| Critical path | Availableon demand, with total float | Not statedNot stated |
| Baselines | Availablesaved automatically at first progress; slippage in days | Availablebaselines preserve the original plan |
| Calendars and holidays | Availableworking calendars with exceptions | Not statedNot stated |
| Date constraints | Availableconstraint dates and deadlines | Not statedNot stated |
| Resources and over-allocation | Availableproject members assigned to tasks, daily workload, over-allocation warnings | Availableworkload managed in the same data source |
| Costs and budget | Partialfixed and baseline costs from imported files; no budget view | Availableschedule and costs in a single plan |
| Earned Value Management (EVM) | Not availableNot available | Not statedNot stated |
| Automatic resource levelling | Not availableapplies the leveling delay from .mpp files; does not calculate it | Not statedNot stated |
| Views | AvailableSummary, Gantt, list, board, calendar, workload | AvailableGantt, kanban, mind map, workload |
| Collaboration | Availableowner, editor and viewer roles; comments with @mentions | PartialMagicSync between Apple devices |
| Public sharing | Availableread-only public link | Not statedNot stated |
| Interface languages | Available10 | Not statedNot stated |
| Self-hosting | Not availablemanaged service, EU servers (Germany) | Availablenative Apple app, fully usable offline |
| Entry price | Availablefree, ad-supported | Not availableUSD 22.99 per month (Mac); Express USD 6.99, iPad USD 9.99 |
| Free plan | Availableall features, no seat limit | Not available30-day trial only |
The data is the same as in our full comparison. “Not stated” means that ProjectWizards does not provide the information on the pages consulted, not that the feature is missing.
Scheduling
Merlin Project highlights dependencies, baselines and costs in the same plan[1]. Gantify offers a scheduling engine modeled on MS Project:
- FS, SS, FF and SF dependencies with lead and lag;
- date constraints and deadlines;
- project and resource calendars with holidays and exceptions;
- an automatic critical path and baselines with the variance of each task;
- multi-level subtasks created with Tab;
- Summary, Gantt, List, Board, Calendar and Workload views.
Example: a firm with Macs and PCs
An architecture firm has its designers on Mac, and its administration and external consultants on Windows. In Gantify, the construction plan is the same for everyone: designers update it from the browser on their Macs, administration checks deadlines from Windows, structural engineers comment on the tasks within their scope and the client follows progress through the read-only public link. No one needs to install software or buy a license.
Import, export and migration
Gantify reads .mpp, Microsoft Project XML and Primavera .xer files, with an import report, and exports to Microsoft Project XML, CSV for Excel and print/PDF. The ProjectWizards pages consulted do not list import and export formats[1].
Collaboration
Merlin Project synchronizes projects across Apple devices with MagicSync[1]. Gantify is designed for collaboration: link invitations with roles, tasks that can be assigned to several people, comments with mentions, unique task keys, a change history and a read-only public link, from any operating system.
Pricing
Merlin Project costs USD 22.99 per month on Mac; the Express version costs USD 6.99 and the iPad version USD 9.99; a 30-day trial is available[2]. Gantify is free, supported by advertising, with no limit on the number of users.
Languages, data and AI assistant
Merlin Project is native to Apple and also works offline[1]. Gantify hosts projects on servers in the European Union, in Germany, and is available in 10 languages. It includes an AI assistant that reads the plan, provides estimates and proposes changes for you to confirm, and an MCP server with API keys for integration with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor and VS Code.
How to move from Merlin Project to Gantify
- Export the project from Merlin Project to a Microsoft Project format or a spreadsheet, according to the options in your version.
- Create a free Gantify account.
- Import the Microsoft Project file, or paste the rows from Excel into the grid (names, durations, indentation).
- Check dependencies and calendars: dates and the critical path are recalculated.
- Save a baseline and invite your team, on any platform.
Try Gantify with your own plan
Create a free accountConclusion
Merlin Project is an excellent native application for those who work within the Apple ecosystem. Gantify makes scheduling with dependencies, critical path and baselines available on any device with a browser, free of charge and for the whole team, including clients and consultants.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gantify work on Mac?
Yes, in any modern browser on Mac, Windows or Linux, with nothing to install.
Does Merlin Project offer a free plan?
ProjectWizards offers a 30-day trial, not a permanent free plan[2].
Does Gantify work offline?
No. Gantify requires an internet connection. Merlin Project is fully functional offline[1].
Can the plan be shared with people who use Windows?
Yes. With Gantify, a link invitation or the read-only public link is all that is needed, from any operating system.
Sources
Every fact about the products mentioned comes from these official pages, checked in September 2026. Prices are list prices, in the currency and billing period shown by the vendor, and may change.
- Product pageprojectwizards.net
- Pricingprojectwizards.net
Try Gantify with your own plan
Create a free account, import your .mpp file or start from a template: within minutes you will see the Gantt chart with dependencies, calendars and the critical path.