TaskJugglerLinux
vs
FastTrack ScheduleWindows
TaskJuggler as a Linux alternative to FastTrack Schedule
Updated
Our verdict
TaskJuggler can replace FastTrack Schedule for users who are comfortable with a text‑based workflow and don’t need a polished graphical UI. It covers the core scheduling, resource allocation and cost tracking functions, and it can generate Gantt‑style HTML reports. However, it lacks built‑in collaboration tools, native Excel/PDF export, and an interactive drag‑and‑drop Gantt editor, so teams that rely on those features will need work‑arounds or additional tools. For solo planners or technically‑savvy project managers who prefer scriptable definitions, TaskJuggler is a solid free alternative.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- —
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both handle task scheduling and dependency management
- Both support resource allocation and leveling
- Both can calculate project costs and budgets
- Both can produce Gantt‑style visualisations (TaskJuggler via HTML)
- Both run on Linux and Windows
What is different
- FastTrack offers a full GUI with drag‑and‑drop Gantt editing; TaskJuggler uses text files and command‑line generation
- FastTrack exports directly to PDF, Excel and XML; TaskJuggler only outputs HTML (PDF via browser)
- FastTrack includes built‑in collaboration and shared‑project features; TaskJuggler has none
- FastTrack provides integrated portfolio management; TaskJuggler focuses on single‑project planning
- FastTrack is commercial with support; TaskJuggler is discontinued and community‑maintained
Opening your FastTrack Schedule files
FastTrack Schedule uses a proprietary file format; there is no documented importer for TaskJuggler, so direct opening is not possible. You would need to recreate the project in TaskJuggler manually or export FastTrack data to a neutral format like CSV/Excel and then convert it to TaskJuggler’s text syntax. The exact feasibility depends on the complexity of the original file.
Switching from FastTrack Schedule to TaskJuggler, step by step
- Export your FastTrack project to CSV or Excel if the option exists
- Map the exported columns to TaskJuggler resource and task attributes
- Create a new .tjp file following TaskJuggler’s syntax and paste the mapped data
- Run the TaskJuggler command‑line engine to generate HTML reports
- Verify schedules, resource loads and costs; adjust the .tjp file as needed
- If collaboration is required, set up a shared version‑control repository for the .tjp files
Key features of TaskJuggler
- Text‑based project definition files
- Advanced resource allocation and constraint handling
- Command‑line engine that outputs HTML reports
- Built with Qt and KDE libraries
- Cross‑platform (Linux, Unix, Windows)
- Free and GPL‑licensed
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install a GUI for TaskJuggler?
No, the core engine works from the command line; the old KDE GUI is no longer maintained.
Can TaskJuggler import FastTrack Schedule files?
There is no native importer; you must export to a generic format and rebuild the project manually.
Is TaskJuggler still maintained?
The project is officially discontinued, but the last stable release still runs on modern Linux distributions and can be used for basic scheduling.
4 other alternatives to FastTrack Schedule
PlannerGNOME Planner is a free, lightweight project management tool for GNOME desktops, aimed at simple scheduling…Open sourceFreeDiscontinuedPlanner vs FastTrack Schedule
KPlatoKPlato is a KDE‑based project management and scheduling tool, formerly part of KOffice and now succeeded by…Open sourceFreeDiscontinuedKPlato vs FastTrack Schedule
GanttProjectGanttProject is a free, open-source tool for creating and managing project schedules using Gantt charts.Open sourceFreeDiscontinuedGanttProject vs FastTrack Schedule
OpenProjOpenProj is a free, open‑source project‑management tool that reads and writes Microsoft Project files.Open sourceFreeDiscontinuedOpenProj vs FastTrack Schedule