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Merlin Project
What Merlin Project is
Merlin Project is a project management app for Mac and iOS that organizes work through Gantt, Kanban, mind map, and workload views from one data source. The maker presents the Mac edition for individuals and teams, while Merlin Project Express targets personal or small projects. Features remain available offline, with changes syncing when a device reconnects. Project files stay on your devices or, if enabled, personal cloud storage; the maker says its servers do not process project data. MagicSync reconciles updates across users and devices without conflict files, according to the maker. Integrations and file exchange include Apple Calendar, Contacts, iCloud Drive, Mail and Reminders, Dropbox, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Project. Imports cover MPP, MPX, XML, CSV, iCalendar, MindManager, FreeMind, OmniPlan, and OPML; exports include PDF and images. Plans include Express at US$6.99/month, iPad at US$9.99/month, and Mac at US$22.99/month. A 30-day trial follows with a read-only viewer after expiry.
Who it suits
Merlin Project suits individuals and teams managing structured projects on Mac or iOS. Express is aimed at personal or small projects, while the Mac edition includes teamwork controls.
What it does well
- Gantt, Kanban, mind map, and workload views
- Offline use with automatic resynchronization
- Files stored on devices or personal cloud
- Broad project import and export formats
- Teamwork, resource pools, rights, annotations, and comments
What to know first
- Mac minimum is macOS Ventura 13
- iOS minimum is iOS 16
- Trial becomes read-only without editing or export
- Mac plan costs US$22.99 per month
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Merlin Project for Mac | US$22.99 / month · Professional project management for individual users and teams on Mac | $22.99 a month |
| Merlin Project for Mac | US$229.99 / year · Professional project management for individual users and teams on Mac | $229.99 a year |
| Merlin Project Express | US$6.99 / month · Small version for personal or small projects on Mac | $6.99 a month |
| Merlin Project Express | US$69.99 / year · Small version for personal or small projects on Mac | $69.99 a year |
| Merlin Project for iPad | US$9.99 / month · For iPad, Apple Vision Pro or iPhone | $9.99 a month |
| Merlin Project for iPad | US$99.99 / year · For iPad, Apple Vision Pro or iPhone | $99.99 a year |
As projectwizards.net lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Merlin Project offers multiple planning views, offline operation, file-format exchange, and team controls across Mac and iOS. Its separate Express, iPad, and Mac plans provide clear options, but the trial’s post-expiry viewer cannot edit or export.
Facts from Merlin Project's own pages
- Data storage
- Project files are stored on the user's devices and, if enabled, personal cloud storage; the maker says its servers do not process project data. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Enterprise
- Enterprise benefits are available only through the maker's PW Store and include volume discounts from 10 licenses and central license management. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Express availability
- Merlin Project Express is included at no extra cost with a Setapp subscription. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2004 · projectwizards.net, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Melle, Germany · projectwizards.net, 28 Sept 2026
- Import and export
- Supported formats include Microsoft Project MPP, MPX and XML, CSV, iCalendar, MindManager, FreeMind, OmniPlan and OPML, with exports including PDF and images. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists integrations and file exchange with Apple Calendar, Contacts, iCloud Drive, Mail and Reminders, Dropbox, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents the Mac edition for individual users and teams and the Express edition for personal or small projects. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline use
- The maker says all features are available offline and changes sync automatically when the device is back online. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says the app is fully GDPR-compliant and does not require a data processing agreement. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Merlin Project is a project management app with Gantt, Kanban, mind map and workload views using one data source. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker provides email support, a community forum, manuals, FAQs, templates and live or recorded trainings. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Sync
- Patented MagicSync reconciles changes from multiple users and devices without producing conflict files, according to the maker. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The stated minimums are macOS Ventura 13 on Mac and iOS 16 on iPhone or iPad. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Team features
- The Mac and iOS versions list teamwork, a central resource pool, user passwords, feature-oriented access rights, annotations and comments. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Trial and viewer
- The download page lists 30-day trials for Merlin Project and 14 days for Express; after the full-featured trial, the app becomes a free viewer with read access but no editing or export. · projectwizards.net, 11 Oct 2026
Where Merlin Project stands on Freedom251
- Project Planning Software#8 of 25
- Gantt Chart Software#17 of 46