MPP Studio vs Project Plan 365
Both apps open, edit and save Microsoft Project .mpp files on Mac and iPad. They differ in platforms, approach and price model.
Updated 17 October 2026
Quick answer
Both edit and save .mpp files. Project Plan 365 runs on almost every platform with a Project-style interface, on subscription. MPP Studio is a native Mac and iPad app focused on editing and daily progress tracking.
The short answer
Choose Project Plan 365 if you need the same .mpp editor on Windows, Android or iPhone as well as Apple devices.
Choose MPP Studio if you work on a Mac or iPad and want a native app that edits the .mpp and makes daily progress tracking quick.
Side by side
| MPP STUDIO | PROJECT PLAN 365 | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens and saves .mpp | Yes (Project 2010 to Microsoft 365) | Yes |
| Platforms | Mac and iPad | Mac, iPad, iPhone, Windows, Android, web |
| App design | Native Mac and iPad app (SwiftUI, Metal-drawn Gantt) | Same Project-style interface across platforms |
| Tracking workflow | Lock Plan, daily actuals, forecast vs baseline | Project-style baselines and tracking fields |
| Works offline | Yes, everything on device | Yes, for local files |
| Account | None | Needed for some plans and cloud features |
| Price model | App Store (announced at launch) | Subscription; about $130/yr Standard on the Mac App Store |
Where Project Plan 365 is stronger
Platform reach: if your team mixes Windows PCs, Android tablets and Macs and wants one app everywhere, Project Plan 365 covers them all. It has been around since 2013 and mirrors many of Microsoft Project’s views and dialogs, which helps people who know Project well.
Where MPP Studio is stronger
MPP Studio is built only for Mac and iPad, so it behaves like an Apple app: a fast Metal-drawn Gantt, keyboard editing on Mac, touch on iPad, light and dark appearance, and Lock Plan for recording progress on site. There is no account, and your files are never uploaded.
Switching from Project Plan 365
There is nothing to convert: both apps use .mpp files. Open the same files in MPP Studio and keep saving them where they are.
Questions people ask
Do both apps save real .mpp files?
Yes. Both open and save the Microsoft Project .mpp format.
Which is cheaper?
Project Plan 365 is a subscription; check its current prices. MPP Studio’s price will be shown on the App Store at launch.
Try it with your own file
Open a programme you already have and see it exactly as Project saved it.
Related
Microsoft and Microsoft Project are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. MPP Studio is not affiliated with Microsoft. Other product names are trademarks of their owners. Competitor details are taken from their own websites and App Store listings in October 2026; check with the vendor for current prices.