All Merlin Project Reviews
1-13 of 13 Reviews
Sort by
Kerushan
Verified reviewer
Computer Software, 2-10 employees
Used weekly for less than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
3
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed April 2019
Best project manager for Mac
For our business, as a consulting firm, we depend on Merlin Project and we are happy with our choice in PM software, considering that we have a wealth of options out there.
PROSThis is the only software I have found that allows the user to go from a mind map to gantt. This was my bare minimum requirement because this aligns perfectly to my project workflow.
CONSIt is very functional and thus can get a bit complex and overwhelming from time to time.
Dario
Computer Software, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
3
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed March 2020
The absolute best Project Planning software
As I said before, what I like the best about Merlin Project is that it allows me to build a plan almost as the request happens, and it's always a great process because building the plan always helps you visualize its length and complexity. Many other MS Project clones have the main features but none have the usability and experience that Merlin Project has. This is the best software I use regularly on my Mac.
PROSBeing a user of planning software since the 90s (Super Project Plus) and having used Microsoft Project, Primavera and a number of other tools like Asana, I've grown used to Merlin Project so bad that I can't get myself to use any other tool for this. Not only the looks are great, the features are thorough and it's possible to quickly sketch a project almost as it's being thought of, using keyboard shortcuts, and also create complex chronograms with assigned resources and budgets. Keeping control of projects is also very easy as it permits to move around tasks when everything starts not to happen as planned :)
CONSThe main problem is that it's Mac-only. Being able to export files for Microsoft Project is nice but it's not 100% compatible so I frequently end being the only user and maintainer of the plans.
Reasons for switching to Merlin Project
MS Project is Windows-only, so initially I ported to clones or online options like Trello, Monday and Asana, but when I found Merlin I knew I'd found the option I needed.
Vendor Response
Thanks for the flowers! I agree it is Mac only, but this is on the other side one of the reason why it is that good. Oh, did you tried the iOS version on an iPad. It is at least as good.
Replied March 2020
John
Used free trial
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
4
Reviewed January 2010
A simple but very powerful alternative
Since Merlin reads and writes MS Project files, I think it is a viable alternative for almost any project manager for almost any project. For additional information see our website (http://www.am-info.biz/Project%20Management/Merlin/merlin.html or http://www.merlin2.net)
PROSI believe that Merlin is the best project management software available today. It has a very clean and intuitive interface but it is also very feature rich. We have been so impressed with its performance that not only do we use it but we also offer Merlin training and consulting in North America.
CONSMerlin does not run on the Windows platform. Users in a Windows or mixed environment can, however, purchase the Merlin server edition which publishes project information in an html format. In this sense it is cross platform.
Gerrit
Computer Software, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed May 2017
Gantt charts at their best
Overall, Merlin Project is a very user friendly software. To me, it feels like I'm sketching out a project planning rather than calculating it. As a result, I can focus almost all of my attention to the planning itself - instead of figuring out the Gantt chart setup..
PROSMerlin Project allows you to either type in your project's phases or drag-n-draw them directly on the Gantt chart. This way, you'll have a good overview within moments. The Resources are nicely integrated into the project, leading to a very usable Assignments view to check critical days. I mostly use the export as an image, that produces a PDF vector image. Very good quality! In my next project planning, I seek to explore the Library. Looks like a powerful feature.
CONSThe interface can be confusing, p.e.: - clicking at the Resources button at the top right of the toolbar merely shows a list of resources. If you want more (like editing them), you have to click at the top left in the Views list. - the Inspector is quite hard to figure out. I find myself browsing through it almost constantly searching for that one setting. Everything seems to be pushed into this small area, including things that, in my opinion, could have been part of the app's Preferences pane. Merlin Project introduced some very dark gray areas in the interface (the Inspector part) that I'm not so fond of. Perhaps there could be a choice between a dark and a light interface.
Vendor Response
Hi Gerrit, thank you for your review. We appreciate it. The resources well is for fast creating resources and add them to the project. All information which should be more in details are in the views, so is the resources view, the utilization view etc. In Merlin Project you find a new and better project preferences settings Inspector.
Replied July 2018
Heather
Furniture, 51-200 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
4
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed November 2019
Merlin for Project Management
I primarily use Merlin to manage our catalog production projects. These are large, lengthy projects involving many stages and individuals across multiple departments. Merlin allows me to plan and adjust easily to ensure the productions are on-time and within budget. It has all the functionality I need to set and adjust dependencies and manage workloads as a project progresses and is a great solution for project management on the Mac. The only downside is that it does not play well with PC .
PROSEasy to learn and use, a great, affordable alternative to Microsoft Project. It has all the functionality and features I need to build project schedules and manage them from day-to-day to ensure they stay on time and on budget.
CONSThere's not much I don't like about Merlin. I'm a Mac user and needed a Mac software solution for project management, unfortunately I work with almost all PC users so not being able to share with PC users other than printing or issuing pdf versions of the schedules I develop and update constantly is a huge pain point.
Reasons for switching to Merlin Project
I was having to use Microsoft Project via a Remote Desktop or by moving to sit at a PC. I was the only one in the company using it and it was costly. Merlin offered a function-rich, Mac solution at a very affordable price.
Christopher
Construction, 11-50 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed February 2019
Merlin Delivers on Apple platforms
I used this program to handle scheduling multiple construction crews across multiple regions in the country and found that it was very simplistic and powerful. Helped me track Macro budgets and was key in helping determine how to assign the proper labor to the right project.
PROSThis application is extremely customizable and very easy to use. It offers multiple ways to track job related tasks and budgets. The application is greatly suited for making schedule changes on the fly and updates entire project when changes are made.
CONSI wish I could come up with a better Con, than this, but here goes... Why is this available only for Apple systems? IF this application were cross platform, or independent of operating system it would be able to compete with some of the best out there.
Stephen
Management Consulting, 10,000+ employees
Used daily for less than 12 months
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed June 2016
They can finally sync between Mac and iPhone
I started using Merlin 3 some months ago and was eagerly waiting for the sync between projects on Mac and iPhone. Since two weeks the beta of Merlin Project 4 is available and they really nailed it. Now you have the power of one of the best PM apps on Mac (if not _the_ best) and a nice little iPhone app. I completely switched to that solution. I'll checked as well the support and they replied super fast and very helpful.
PROSI like the flexibility, the ease of use and the beauty of any output. These guys really care for high quality software.
CONSThe iOS app is optimized for iPhone and therefore not perfect on iPad. But if you use the side-multitasking-mode (whatever this called) you emulate an iPhone on the iPad and then it works fine.
Anonymous
2-10 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed March 2019
Fantastic, professionell, easy and quick
Very usefull and cheap, all good !
PROSThe handling and the prize - and the Layout
CONSI don´t know exactly - and i don´t want to search for something!
Anonymous
51-200 employees
Used weekly for less than 2 years
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed September 2018
The best project management software for my mobile work style.
The best part about this software is being able to create charts and graphs to print and show to clients.
CONSI loved Merlin Project and would use it again any time!
Tomislav
Used free trial
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
3
VALUE FOR MONEY
4
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
3
FUNCTIONALITY
4
Reviewed April 2017
MS Project for Mac
Ever since I switched to Mac I was looking for a viable alternative for MS Project and I finally found it in Merlin Project.
Vendor Response
Hello Tomislav, thank you for your review. Could you please tell us, what do you miss in "Ease of Use" and "Customer Support" Thanks.
Replied July 2018
Bruno
Security and Investigations, 2-10 employees
Used daily for less than 12 months
OVERALL RATING:
4
EASE OF USE
3
VALUE FOR MONEY
5
FUNCTIONALITY
5
Reviewed May 2023
Une formule 1 a bien prendre en main....
Une sérénité d'emploi face aux événements et aux projets sur mesures à créer
PROSLe fait de pouvoir concentrer toutes infos d'un projet, sans bugs, avec une excellente synchronisation entre les devices.Cet outil à remiser les énormes feuilles excel, permet d'exporter une partie des evenements dans des calendriers partagés...Etc
CONSLa prise en main du logiciel fut longue pour etre en mesure de connaitre et de "maitriser" les multiples fonctions que cet outil nous propose. Par exemple: 1 Apprentissage :Que les tutos soient en langue francaise.Si vous pouviez augmenter les illustrations par des cas concrets, notamment sur les couts fonanciers, ou l'emploi des outils de ressources.2/ Finance : a/d'avoir la possibilité de différencier les couts HT et TTC avec la possibilité de différents taux de TVA.b/Dans la partie cout de l'inspecteur, que le tableau des couts de base , soit modifiable par l'ajout de la fonction "Nouvelle colonne"
Reason for choosing Merlin Project
Sa fiabilité, et ses capacités nombreuses d'adaptabilité, son prix et son ancienneté
Julie
Used free trial
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
4
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
3
Reviewed November 2014
Best Mac Alternative for real Project Managers (veterans of MS Project)
It has taken me literally 2 weeks to find a viable alternative to MS Project for a MAC. After extensively researching the more visible search results: Omniplan, Wrike, AtTask, Libreproject, Openproject, harvest, etc.. I finally found Merlin--exactly the same logic as MS Project, but with a new looking UI and powerful tracking capabilities for high-level task tracking with just the right details for time variance, budget vs. actual reporting, and resource capacity planning. I'm really looking forward to continuing to use this tool--especially since I just downloaded Merlin Project (beta version). Really awesome!
Erich
Used free trial
OVERALL RATING:
5
EASE OF USE
5
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
5
Reviewed October 2015
The coolest thing since sliced bread
I searched a long time for a decent project management app on OS X und eventually I found Merlin Project. This is not only a pm app, it is also a mind mapping app, a reporting app and much more! All view are configurable in any detail. It offers the widest range of pm functions wich are needed and used in actual management. And if you have a question, you will get a world class support: fast and super good!