Kantree, the best alternative to MS-Project

Kantree as the best alternative to MS-Project: the complete guide [updated March 25]

Finding the best agile project management tool can be complex, especially when researching the multitude of tools on the market. Popular solutions like MS-Project quickly appear in the results, but there are better-suited alternatives such as Kantree. This article provides an in-depth analysis of these two SaaS project management software solutions to help you make the best choice for your team.

For quick access to essential categories for any agile project management software, click on the tested categories:

1. Overview of Kantree
2. Overview of MS-Project
3. Card fields
4. Card settings
5. Card conversations
6. Filters
7. Kanban board
8. Automations
9. Views
10. Dashboards
11. Which project tool to choose finally?

Why choose Kantree over MS-Project?

TL;DR the summary table

Kantree: The flexible alternative for all types of projects

Its history

Kantree is a collaborative tool used as project management software. It allows easy collaboration on missions and improves the productivity and visibility of team work. It offers task management, real-time project tracking, or the execution of customized processes. Its name comes from the contraction of Kanban boards and the fractal tree whose branches (understand the cards) can multiply infinitely. The creation of Kantree dates back to 2016 and was born out of the observation of the multiplicity and complexity of the collaborative platform market. Kantree is a product managed by Digicoop, a French employee cooperative.

Advantages of Kantree:

• Fully modular card structure
• Customizable fields without limitation
• Highly configurable views and reports

MS-Project: The established choice for development teams

Its history

MS-Project for the web is the latest evolution of Microsoft’s project management suite, entirely cloud-based. Launched in 2019, this tool is part of the Microsoft 365 family and offers a simplified interface compared to previous versions of Project.

Advantages of MS-Project:

• Simple and familiar interface for developers
• Integration with other Microsoft tools
• Preconfigured reports tailored to software development

Functional comparison: MS-Project vs Kantree

MS-Project vs Kantree: card fields

TL;DR MS-Project offers to add a limited number of fields while Kantree offers more possibilities to add fields in terms of both form and substance.

Fields in MS-Project

Field creation is limited

When opening a card, the available fields are decided by the application. Therefore, it is only possible to add certain fields available among the 13 available.

Fields in Kantree

Field creation directly in the card

Adding a field in Kantree is easy since it can be done as soon as a card is opened, regardless of the view. Simply hover the mouse, and a dropdown menu appears immediately. There are a total of 28 different field possibilities.

MS-Project vs Kantree: card settings

TL;DR MS-Project offers simple setting operations while Kantree offers more sharing or modification possibilities.

Card settings in MS-Project

Card settings are very limited

When opening a card and clicking on the three dots for settings “…”, only 2 options are available to us.

Card settings in Kantree

Wide range of card setting possibilities

In the card settings, Kantree allows not only sharing with a URL or QR code but also changing its status, marking it as recurring, or submitting data via a form.

MS-Project vs Kantree: card conversations

TL;DR MS-Project offers to add an integration with MS Teams while Kantree offers a dedicated conversation space on each card.

Conversations in MS-Project

The only possibility is the integration with MS Teams

It is only possible to have a conversation in the card by adding Microsoft Teams, which requires the entire company to have Microsoft accounts.

Conversations in Kantree

A sub-card behaves like a card in Kantree

On each card, there is a dedicated space for conversation. It is thus possible to assign a colleague who will receive a notification, format text, add images, quotes, etc. The conversation is linked to the card and is not limited in terms of maximum capacity.

MS-Project vs Kantree: filters

TL;DR MS-Project offers a simple filter editor while Kantree additionally offers an advanced filter editor.

Filters in MS-Project

Limited number of filters in MS-Project

Filters in MS-Project are only possible from certain predefined elements in the application. These are simple filters that are only usable within this specific context. Therefore, they are difficult to adapt to a specific case.

Filters in Kantree

Multiple choices or query language depending on the user’s affinity

Filters in Kantree use the filter editor in the same way as MS Project, but Kantree offers much more modular advanced filters. Indeed, by using the KQL language, they allow greater precision in the information searched and the possible joins (and/or/if/…).

MS-Project vs Kantree: Kanban board

TL;DR MS-Project offers a Kanban board that displays cards in a very simple way, while Kantree allows more parameters.

Kanban board in MS-Project

No possibility to change the card display

MS Project only allows renaming the column, applying a color, and moving the column further in the Kanban board. There are no other available parameters.

Kanban board in Kantree

The display is designed to accommodate many visible cards

Kantree allows adjusting the density of the cards. Thus, Kantree can display 7 cards on the screen with a visual. For a Kanban without images, Kantree has a minimum of 8 cards per column. The Kanban view can display up to 6 columns, making it possible to view 6x8, i.e., 48 cards. Beyond that, it is possible to set a limit number of cards (Work In Progress) and apply automations or a different style.

MS-Project vs Kantree: automations

TL;DR MS-Project stands out by using third-party tools for its automations, while Kantree excels with its completely modular automations internal to the tool.

Automations in MS-Project

A schema of automation integration in MS-Project, provided in a Microsoft guide. Rights reserved to Microsoft.

Automations are possible but require the use of a third-party tool from the Microsoft family. The configuration requires some technical skill and is not the easiest.

Automations in Kantree

The automation editor in Kantree

Automations can be configured simply with the editor or by using the KQL language, making workflows much more complete for specific needs. There is the possibility to add conditional branches or very specific conditions when creating complex workflows.

MS-Project vs Kantree: views

TL;DR MS-Project stands out by using predefined views that are directly available, while Kantree excels with more views that can be mobilized by the user.

Views in MS-Project

Views in MS Project, no possibility to add more

Views are automatically displayed as-is in the application. When clicking on the three dots “…” to add settings, only one other option is available.

Views in Kantree

Views are available in an unlimited manner

Views in Kantree are called by the user who can choose between a view shared with other workspace members or a private view. It is possible to add as many views as the user wishes.

MS-Project vs Kantree: dashboards

TL;DR MS-Project stands out by using predefined views that are directly available, while Kantree excels with more views that can be mobilized by the user.

Dashboards in MS-Project

No settings at the dashboard level

In the dashboard section, which is a view already available by default, the dashboards are equally so. To go further in customization or filtering these dashboards, we quickly find ourselves blocked.

Dashboards in Kantree

Dashboards in Kantree are as customizable as filters thanks to KQL

Dashboards in Kantree allow very precise granularity of information. Thus, by using KQL, it is possible to create custom dashboards with precise data thanks to the AND, OR, NOT operators, etc.

Finally, which tool to choose for your agile team?

The choice between MS-Project and Kantree will largely depend on your specific needs:

• Kantree is better suited for multidisciplinary teams requiring flexible and adaptable project management software for various types of projects, used by multiple teams from different departments.
• MS-Project is your solution if you have an IT team that can configure your space according to your needs.

For agile teams looking to optimize their software development process, MS-Project remains a safe choice. However, for organizations seeking a versatile agile platform capable of managing different types of projects, Kantree represents an attractive and modular alternative to MS-Project.

Ultimately, the best agile management solution will be the one that best adapts to the customization of existing workflows while offering the flexibility needed to evolve with your team.