RationalPlan

Overview

RationalPlan is project management software for scheduling work, assigning resources, tracking progress and costs, and managing budgets. It suits project managers who need Gantt-based planning alongside workload and portfolio tools, with cloud collaboration or desktop and server options.

Its breadth is a strength, but the right fit depends on how many projects and users you need to support: the free Cloud tier is capped, while several paid options require custom pricing.

Key features

Scheduling includes Gantt charts, task dependencies, and critical-path detection, giving teams tools to map project sequences and identify tasks that can affect delivery. Resource leveling and workload analysis help managers assess competing demands; cost tracking, project cost estimation, and budget management extend that planning to spend.

Portfolio management, reports, document management, calendars, and a Kanban board cover work beyond the schedule itself. RationalPlan also says it can open and edit Microsoft Project files; its Single Project product imports MS Project files, a practical advantage for teams moving existing plans across.

RationalPlan Cloud works in a browser and supports concurrent work with different access rights. Its listed supported browsers are Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Chrome; Edge does not support all functionality. The Cloud service uses AWS for hosting and processing. For organizations that want data on their own network, Project Server can be installed privately, and the company says its administrators cannot access hosted customer data.

A license includes one year of upgrades and priority technical support. The company says it answers support questions within 24 working hours. Single and Multi trials have full functionality but stop at 20 tasks, with no stated time limit; the Server trial lasts 30 days without functional limits. Free Cloud accounts are disabled after 30 days of inactivity and deleted after 60.

Pricing

The free Cloud plan costs nothing and includes 2 projects, 100 tasks, 10 MB of storage, and 2 users. Those caps make it suitable for a small project or initial evaluation, but restrictive for larger teams or growing portfolios. Inactivity also matters: leave the account unused for 30 days and it is disabled; after 60 days it is deleted.

Single Project costs $145, paid once (billed $145) and supports independent projects on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. Linux is listed as free. Its one-time price makes it the focused desktop choice for someone planning separate projects rather than sharing resources across a portfolio. The trial is limited to 20 tasks.

Multi Project costs $288, paid once (billed $288), runs on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and supports multiple projects sharing common resources. It costs more than Single Project, but that shared-resource capability is the reason to choose it when projects compete for the same people or assets. Its trial also has a 20-task limit.

Cloud’s BEGINNER, MASTER, and PRODUCTION plans have custom pricing. BEGINNER allows 20 projects, 700 tasks, and 7 GB of storage; MASTER allows 50 projects, 2,000 tasks, and 15 GB; PRODUCTION allows unlimited projects and tasks with 20 GB. Volume discounts are shown separately. These tiers provide a path beyond the free account’s user and storage caps, but the per-user monthly cost is custom pricing.

Project Server is also custom pricing, on request. It offers concurrent controlled access plus web and desktop access, with a 30-day trial. It is the fit for organizations that need a centralized server option rather than a free Cloud account or standalone desktop license.

Platforms

RationalPlan is available on Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. Cloud browser use comes with the browser support limitations above; Project Server combines web and desktop access.

Who it's for

RationalPlan is best for project managers who need dependencies, critical-path planning, resource allocation, and cost oversight in one product. The desktop editions suit independent projects or projects sharing resources; Cloud suits individuals and companies seeking browser-based concurrent work. Organizations requiring private-network installation should consider Project Server. It is less compelling for a small team that needs more than two Cloud users but cannot justify custom-priced plans.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Gantt scheduling, dependency and critical-path tools sit alongside resource leveling, workload analysis, and budget management, making it useful for planning both timelines and capacity.
• Pro: Single Project and Multi Project have one-time prices, with the latter explicitly supporting shared resources across projects.
• Pro: Cloud collaboration supports concurrent users with different access rights, while Project Server provides a private-network deployment option.
• Con: The free Cloud plan’s 2-user, 2-project, and 100-task limits can quickly constrain a team, and inactivity leads to account deletion after 60 days.
• Con: The Single and Multi trials cap projects at 20 tasks, which limits how well a large plan can be evaluated.
• Con: Cloud support for Edge is incomplete, and the cost of the larger Cloud tiers and Project Server is custom pricing.

Alternatives

Agantty is worth considering if mobile access matters: it supports Android and iOS as well as desktop and web platforms, and its free plan allows one project but excludes teams and support.

ProjectLibre may suit readers seeking a paid monthly option with Microsoft Project import and Gantt and WBS tools; its Core plan is $9.99 a month, billed annually.

GanttProject is a straightforward alternative for those who want a free desktop application on Linux, macOS, or Windows rather than a paid project-management product.

Open Planner Studio is a free, open-source choice with Gantt charts, critical-path analysis, and resource planning, and no subscription or per-seat license fees.

Tom’s Planner may fit an individual who needs one schedule with up to 200 rows and accepts that its free plan cannot print or export.

Ganttic is an option for resource planning with a free tier that allows up to 10 resources and includes unlimited users and projects, Gantt charts, reports, and Kanban boards.

TaskJuggler is a free and open-source option for readers who prefer software licensed under GNU GPL version 2.

Instagantt is an alternative for web-only users; its free version is for Instagantt for Asana and allows up to 3 projects and 1 user.

Browse Gantt Chart Software or Project Management Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose RationalPlan if you need structured scheduling tied to resource and cost management, especially when you can use a one-time desktop license or need Cloud collaboration with access rights. Look elsewhere if the free tier’s two-user ceiling is too low and custom-priced Cloud or Server plans do not suit your budget.