How to Choose a Project Viewer to Download for Microsoft Project Files.
Why Download a Project Viewer for Microsoft Project and why would you need one?
Microsoft Project Viewers are software applications that can open and view Microsoft Project files. If someone sends a project file to you, and you don't have Microsoft Project, they provide a much less expensive alternative for opening the file, as long as you don't need to make changes to the file. Common features that project viewers should have can be found on our Why Download a Project Viewer page.
Why are project viewers a smart purchase for your company? They have two great benefits:
- Cost Savings. When they survey their users, companies find that they are purchasing Microsoft Project for users who could use a viewer instead. Because viewers are a fraction of the cost, there are great cost savings.
- Controlled Access. Because a project viewer cannot modify the project file, project managers can distribute their project files to users of viewers without fear that the files will be altered.
Free Project Viewers vs. Commercial Project Viewers
One choice you'll want to make early on is whether to use a free viewer or purchase a commercial product.
The following factors should be considered in this decision:
| Funds available? |
Free project viewers are recommended only when it is impossible to obtain funds to purchase a product and your need extends beyond the trial period offered by commercial vendors. In all other cases, you're better off with a commercial viewer. |
Length
of Need |
If you only need to view a file today and you're sure you won't need one in two weeks, we recommend that you download a project viewer. Download a trial version of a project viewer and use it for free during the trial period. |
| Support |
Your organization will (from time to time) require technical support, installation assistance, etc., which is another reason why we recommend that you download a project viewer. |
Number
of Users |
If you are evaluating for more than one user, the 5 project viewer essentials (see sidebar on right) become even more important. Compare project viewers to see which is the best choice for you. |
| Frequency of Need |
If you think you'll be using the software frequently (more than once a week), you'll want the features offered by Steelray project viewer. |
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Project Viewer Download Resources
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5 Project Viewer Essentials
These are the 5 things that every project viewer must have:
- Compatibility. The file format for Microsoft Project is not published. The best project viewers will open all of your project files.
- Ease of Use. Most people who need a project viewer are not comfortable using Microsoft Project, so a great viewer should be easier to use.
- Installed Base. If you don't have the time to evaluate project viewers, go with the leader, the one chosen by companies that did extended evaluations.
- Great Features. Project Viewers should have a core set of features, and the best ones should add innovative features. Put simply, the viewer should be great software.
- Support. Your company may use a project viewer for decades. Will the authors still be improving the viewer in ten years? Will the company still be supporting the viewer in ten years?
If you are evaluating project viewers, take a look at the comparison chart on the compare project viewers page.
There are some options available for free project viewers, but we make this recommendation:
Is There a Free Project Viewer from Microsoft?
Microsoft does not offer a free viewer, and there are no acceptable free viewers. However, viewers like Steelray Project Viewer are low-cost and better for viewing project files in many cases.
Why Doesn't Microsoft Make a Project Viewer?
A significant number of Microsoft Project purchases are for people who could use a viewer instead. This is just a guess, but why would Microsoft want to lose that business by releasing a free or low cost viewer? They would see their sales drop sharply, moreso than the sales they lose to viewer customers.
Are There Any Free Viewers That Come With Tech Support?
Technical support costs money to staff, which is why the companies that offer free viewers do not offer technical support.
Why Aren't There Any Decent Free Viewers?
It's expensive to develop and maintain quality business-class software. If project viewers were inexpensive to develop and maintain, there would be many free options.
Some of the free viewers we found were "defeatured" editions of the company's commercial viewers. In each case, it was obvious that the company is using the free version to entice you to upgrade and pay for one of the paid versions. The version was stripped down to the point of being unusable.
Should I Buy the Cheapest Commercial Viewers?
No. All viewers are not alike. There is a huge difference in quality and features between viewers.
Beware the cheapest viewers: because long-term stability is a big concern when customers buy at an enterprise level,
price slashing and "sales" are a sign of instability in an organization. There is such a thing as too cheap.
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