Project Management by Team · Researched comparison

Best Milestone Tracking Software for Project Teams

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The short answer

TeamGantt is the top pick for milestone tracking because its Gantt charts put milestones, deadlines, and dependencies on one timeline that a team can read at a glance, with the Standard plan at $19 per user per month billed annually adding workload views, time tracking, and guest access for clients and partners.

On this page

Key takeaways

  • TeamGantt leads for milestone tracking, with a timeline built around milestones and dependencies.
  • GanttPRO suits teams that want a low cost Gantt chart with milestone views.
  • Monday.com and ClickUp fit teams that want milestones beside boards and docs.
  • Microsoft Project suits formal projects with strict phases and baselines.
  • Check which plan holds Gantt charts, since many tools lock them above the free plan.

Comparison

How these compare
ToolBest forPrice rangeFree plan
TeamGanttMilestone timelines and workload$19 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
GanttPROLow cost Gantt charts$7.99 per user/month (billed annually)Free trial (14 days)
Monday.comMilestones on visual boards$9 per seat/month (billed annually)Yes
ClickUpMilestones beside goals and docs$9 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
SmartsheetMilestones in grid plans$9 per user/month (billed annually)Free trial (30 days)
AsanaMilestones across portfolios$13.49 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
WrikeMilestones with approvals$10 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
Zoho ProjectsLow cost milestone tracking$5 per user/month (billed annually)Yes
Microsoft ProjectFormal plans and baselines$10 per user/month (billed annually)Free trial (30 days)
ProjectManager.comLive Gantt charts and dashboards$13 per user/month (billed annually)Free trial (30 days)

How we choose

We compared vendor pricing pages, product docs, and feature lists for each tool, focusing on milestone markers, Gantt charts, dependencies, baselines, and workload views. We reviewed what each plan includes, where Gantt and milestone features sit in the plan ladder, and how the free plan or trial limits them. We did not claim hands-on testing. Prices come from the vendor pricing pages listed in Sources, checked on 2026-11-13, and a tool with no public price is shown as quote only.

Our full method

The shortlist

★ Best overall

TeamGantt

Best for Milestone timelines and workload

  • Gantt charts built around milestones
  • guest access for clients on Standard
Price$19 per user/month (billed annually)
See TeamGantt pricing

TeamGantt puts milestones at the center of the timeline, so a manager can see every key date, dependency, and owner in one view. The Standard plan adds workload views, time tracking, and guest access, which suit teams that share progress with clients. Drag and drop editing lets a manager move a milestone and see the effect on later dates at once. The free plan covers up to three users with basic Gantt charts, which is enough for a small team to test the layout. The main limit is that workload views and advanced permissions need the Standard plan. TeamGantt fits teams that plan by dates and want milestones to stay visible.

Price: $19 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: teamgantt.com

Watch out for

  • Higher starting price than simpler board tools
2

GanttPRO

Best for Low cost Gantt charts
$7.99 per user/month (billed annually)

GanttPRO offers a focused Gantt chart with milestones, dependencies, and progress bars at a lower price than most rivals. The Basic plan covers the core timeline features, while higher plans add workload views and time tracking. The interface stays simple, which helps teams that want a timeline without a full project suite. A 14 day trial lets a team test the timeline before buying, though there is no free plan. The main limit is that GanttPRO does less outside the timeline than all in one tools, so teams that need docs or chat will pair it with another app. It fits teams that want a clear Gantt chart first.

Price: $7.99 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Free trial (14 days)

Website: ganttpro.com

What we like

  • Clean Gantt charts at a low price
  • milestones and dependencies included

Watch out for

  • No free plan, only a 14 day trial
3

Monday.com

Best for Milestones on visual boards
$9 per seat/month (billed annually)

Monday.com shows milestones on boards, timelines, and Gantt views, so a team can track key dates in the same place it manages daily tasks. The Pro plan adds private boards, time tracking, and formula columns, which help managers shape milestone reports. The visual style suits teams that scan for status marks during a weekly meeting. The free plan covers up to two seats with basic boards, which is enough to test the layout. The main limit is that Gantt and timeline views need a subscription plan. Monday.com fits teams that want milestones beside everyday task boards.

Price: $9 per seat/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: monday.com

What we like

  • Timeline and Gantt views on boards
  • color coded milestone status

Watch out for

  • Gantt view needs a subscription plan
4

ClickUp

Best for Milestones beside goals and docs
$9 per user/month (billed annually)

ClickUp treats milestones as a task type, so they appear on Gantt charts, calendars, and dashboards beside goals and docs. The Core plan adds unlimited Gantt charts, custom fields, and goals, which suit teams that link milestones to quarterly targets. Time tracking and docs sit in the same workspace, so a milestone review can pull in the context around it. The free plan covers unlimited tasks and docs with basic views, which is enough for a small team to learn the layout. Limits appear when a team needs private views or the full automation allowance. ClickUp fits teams that want milestones inside one workspace for tasks, docs, and goals.

Price: $9 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: clickup.com

What we like

  • Unlimited Gantt charts on Core
  • goals link milestones to targets

Watch out for

  • Full automation allowance needs higher plans
5

Smartsheet

Best for Milestones in grid plans
$9 per user/month (billed annually)

Smartsheet builds milestone plans as grids with a Gantt view, so a manager can set dates, dependencies, and owners in rows and see the timeline beside them. The Business plan adds proofing, activity logs, and resource views that suit teams tracking budgets and timelines. Formulas and conditional formatting give managers control over how dates appear. There is no free plan, though a 30 day trial lets a team test the Gantt view before buying. The Pro plan covers the core grid and Gantt features, while larger teams need Business for deeper controls. Smartsheet fits teams that plan in rows and columns.

Price: $9 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Free trial (30 days)

Website: smartsheet.com

What we like

  • Gantt view on grid plans
  • formulas shape milestone dates

Watch out for

  • No free plan, only a 30 day trial
6

Asana

Best for Milestones across portfolios
$13.49 per user/month (billed annually)

Asana marks milestones on timelines and lists, so a manager can see key dates beside the tasks that lead to them. The Starter plan adds timeline, dashboard, and reporting features, while portfolios show milestone health across many projects. Goals link daily work to quarterly targets, which helps teams that plan in phases. The free plan covers up to ten collaborators with basic project views. Reporting depth grows on the Advanced plan, which adds portfolios, workload, and approvals. Asana fits teams that want clean milestone views across a program, though large portfolios need the higher plan.

Price: $13.49 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: asana.com

What we like

  • Milestones mark key dates in timelines
  • portfolios show many projects at once

Watch out for

  • Workload and advanced reporting need the Advanced plan
7

Wrike

Best for Milestones with approvals
$10 per user/month (billed annually)

Wrike pairs milestones with Gantt charts, dependencies, and approval steps, so a manager can trace a missed date back to the task or review that caused it. The Business plan adds custom workflows and real time reports that suit marketing and product teams with formal review steps. Request forms feed new work into the same timeline view. The free plan covers basic task management, while the Team plan adds Gantt charts and shared dashboards. Wrike asks for more setup time than simpler tools, since folders and custom fields need care to get right. Teams that accept that setup gain milestone plans that match their process.

Price: $10 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: wrike.com

What we like

  • Gantt charts with dependencies
  • approvals sit beside milestones

Watch out for

  • Setup takes longer than simpler tools
8

Zoho Projects

Best for Low cost milestone tracking
$5 per user/month (billed annually)

Zoho Projects offers milestone tracking at a low price, with Gantt charts, milestones, and time tracking on the Premium plan. The tool connects with other Zoho apps for teams already using that suite, and the layout is plain, which keeps the learning curve short. Milestones appear on the timeline beside tasks and deadlines. A free plan covers up to three users with basic project features, which suits a tiny team or a trial run. The main limit is that advanced reporting, including custom dashboards and resource utilization, sits on the higher plans. Zoho Projects fits budget conscious teams that want solid milestone views.

Price: $5 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Yes

Website: zoho.com

What we like

  • Lowest starting price in this guide
  • Gantt charts and milestones included

Watch out for

  • Advanced reporting sits on higher plans
9

Microsoft Project

Best for Formal plans and baselines
$10 per user/month (billed annually)

Microsoft Project is built for formal planning, with baselines that compare the original plan against actual dates, so a manager can show exactly where a milestone slipped. Plan 1 covers grid, board, and timeline views, while higher plans add portfolio and resource management. The tool suits teams that run strict phases with clear gates. A 30 day trial lets a team test the planning views before buying, though there is no free plan. The learning curve is steeper than board based tools, since scheduling controls need time to learn. Microsoft Project fits teams that need formal baselines and deep scheduling.

Price: $10 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Free trial (30 days)

Website: microsoft.com

What we like

  • Baselines compare plan with actual dates
  • deep scheduling controls

Watch out for

  • Steeper learning curve than board based tools
10

ProjectManager.com

Best for Live Gantt charts and dashboards
$13 per user/month (billed annually)

ProjectManager.com centers on live Gantt charts and dashboards, with data that updates as tasks change, so a milestone review always starts from current dates. Managers can build custom reports on task status, workload, and cost, then share them with stakeholders who do not use the tool daily. The Team plan adds the Gantt and dashboard features most teams need. A 30 day trial covers the full feature set, though there is no free plan. The layout favors managers who run formal projects with clear phases and milestones. Teams that want strong Gantt charts beside their milestone reports will find the tool a good match.

Price: $13 per user/month (billed annually)

Free plan: Free trial (30 days)

Website: projectmanager.com

What we like

  • Live Gantt charts update as tasks change
  • custom reports for stakeholders

Watch out for

  • No free plan, only a 30 day trial

What to check before you buy

Check which plan holds the Gantt chart, since many tools lock it above the free plan. Confirm how dependencies work, and whether moving a milestone shifts later dates on its own. Test the timeline on a real project before buying, since a layout that looks good in a demo may hide the dates your team checks each week. Ask who owns timeline setup, and how long it takes to build a plan that matches your projects.

FAQ

What is milestone tracking software?

Milestone tracking software marks key dates in a project, such as a signed brief, a review gate, or a launch, and shows them on a timeline with the tasks that lead to each one. It helps a manager see whether the project is on track without reading every task.

How much does milestone tracking software cost?

Entry plans in this guide run from $5 to $19 per user per month billed annually. Free plans cover small teams, while Gantt charts and workload views usually need a subscription plan. Always check the vendor pricing page, since list prices change.

Can a small team track milestones for free?

Yes, a small team can start on a free plan from TeamGantt, Monday.com, ClickUp, Asana, Wrike, or Zoho Projects. These plans cover basic timelines and milestone markers, which is enough for weekly checks. A team can move to a subscription plan when it needs workload views or baselines.

What is the difference between a milestone and a task?

A milestone marks a key date or outcome, such as a launch, while a task is a unit of work that leads to it. Milestones usually take no time on their own, and they sit on the timeline as diamonds or flags. Tasks have owners and due dates, and they sit below each milestone.

Do I need dependencies to track milestones?

Dependencies help, since they link a milestone to the tasks that must finish first, and moving one date can shift the rest. Tools like TeamGantt, GanttPRO, and Microsoft Project handle this well. A simple board can track milestones without dependencies, though the timeline will need manual updates.

Sources we checked

How we score

Need the method behind these picks?

We publish the criteria and the weights, so you can disagree with them.

TeamGantt#1 PICK
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