Instagantt vs. Tom’s Planner: Which Gantt Chart Tool is Right for You?

When it comes to project management, Gantt charts are one of the most effective ways to visualize project timelines, track dependencies, and manage resources. Instagantt and Tom’s Planner are two tools that provide Gantt chart functionality, but they cater to different user needs. In this article, we’ll compare these two tools to help you decide which one is the best fit for your project planning. We’ll also determine whether they offer a built-in RACI matrix for responsibility tracking.

Overview of Instagantt

What is Instagantt?

Instagantt is a Gantt chart-based project management tool designed to help teams plan, visualize, and manage projects efficiently. Built as an extension of Asana, it provides advanced timeline tracking, making it ideal for users who need structured scheduling and task dependencies.

Key Features:

• Gantt Chart Visualization: Drag-and-drop functionality for easy project scheduling.

• Task Dependencies: Helps teams manage workflows and avoid bottlenecks.

• Workload Management: Distributes tasks evenly to optimize team efficiency.

• Collaboration & Assignments: Allows real-time task updates and comments.

• Asana Integration: Extends Asana’s task management with powerful Gantt chart capabilities.

• RACI Matrix Support: No built-in RACI matrix, but users can manually assign responsibilities within task settings.

Best For:

• Teams needing detailed Gantt charts for project tracking.

• Asana users who require a more advanced timeline view.

• Project managers focusing on task dependencies and workload balancing.

Limitations:

• No built-in RACI matrix, requiring manual role assignments.

• Limited functionality outside Gantt-based project planning.

• No offline access since it is a cloud-based tool.

Overview of Tom’s Planner

What is Tom’s Planner?

Tom’s Planner is a lightweight, online Gantt chart tool designed for individuals and small teams who need an intuitive way to create and manage project timelines. Unlike Instagantt, which is geared toward structured project management, Tom’s Planner offers a simplified drag-and-drop Gantt experience.

Key Features:

• Simple Gantt Chart Creation: Intuitive, color-coded task scheduling.

• Collaboration & Sharing: Allows teams to collaborate on projects in real-time.

• Drag-and-Drop Editing: Easy to adjust project timelines without complexity.

• Exporting Options: Allows users to save plans as PDFs, images, or Excel files.

• Cloud-Based Access: Available from any device with an internet connection.

• RACI Matrix Support: No built-in RACI matrix, but users can manually assign roles using task descriptions.

Best For:

• Freelancers and small teams looking for a simple Gantt chart solution.

• Individuals needing basic project scheduling without complex dependencies.

• Teams that require an affordable, easy-to-use Gantt tool.

Limitations:

• No built-in RACI matrix, requiring manual responsibility tracking.

• Lacks advanced workload management and dependency tracking.

• Not ideal for teams managing large-scale or complex projects.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Instagantt if:

• You need a structured Gantt chart tool with task dependencies.

• Your team relies on Asana and requires advanced timeline tracking.

• You prioritize workload balancing and project collaboration.

Choose Tom’s Planner if:

• You need a simple and intuitive Gantt chart solution.

• You’re a freelancer or a small team that doesn’t need advanced dependencies.

• You prefer affordable and lightweight project scheduling.

Final Thoughts

Both Instagantt and Tom’s Planner offer Gantt chart functionality, but they serve different audiences. Instagantt is ideal for teams looking for structured project management, task dependencies, and workload tracking, particularly Asana users. Tom’s Planner, on the other hand, is great for individuals or small teams needing an easy-to-use, lightweight Gantt chart tool. However, neither tool includes a built-in RACI matrix, meaning teams needing responsibility tracking will need to create manual workarounds.

Disclaimer: At ezRACI, we embrace competition and innovation in the project management space. This article is for informational purposes only and does not claim any affiliation with or endorsement from Instagantt, Tom’s Planner, or their respective companies. All product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. If you represent one of these companies and have any concerns, please contact us directly.