Overhead Crane vs Gantry Crane vs Jib Crane: What’s the Difference?

In industrial production, logistics handling, and shipbuilding, cranes play a key role in efficient lifting. Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, and Jib Cranes are the three most common types, each offering distinct structures and advantages. Selecting the right crane affects workflow efficiency, space use, operating cost, and safety. Poor selection may cause higher energy use, limited operations, or safety risks. Understanding the differences among these cranes is essential for planning production lines or material-handling systems. The following sections compare their structures, functions, and applications to help you identify the best option for your needs.

Overhead Crane

Concept: An Overhead Crane is installed above the workshop and moves loads through a bridge and trolley running on rails.

Structure: It includes a bridge, runway rails, hoisting system, and control units. The bridge spans the workshop, while the trolley moves horizontally to provide full three-axis coverage.

Applications:

Indoor production workshops

Automated assembly lines

Steel, foundry, and machinery plants

Warehousing and heavy-duty processing areas

Advantages:

No floor space required

Large lifting height and efficient vertical space use

Ideal for high-frequency heavy lifting

Limitations:

Requires strong building support

Higher installation and building modification costs

Gantry Crane

Concept: A Gantry Crane uses support legs on ground rails, requiring no building structure, making it common for outdoor heavy lifting.

Structure: It consists of a main girder, legs, ground rails, and a hoisting trolley. The legs support the girder, while both rails allow wide-area movement.

Applications:

Shipyards and docks

Logistics yards and large warehouses

Container handling and outdoor material transport

Advantages:

Independent of building structures

Wide outdoor lifting coverage

Flexible layout for various sites

Limitations:

Affected by wind, rain, and outdoor conditions

Requires large ground space

Jib Crane

Concept: A Jib Crane uses a rotating arm fixed to a wall or column, ideal for localized material handling.

Structure: It includes a column or wall mount, rotating arm, hoisting system, and controls. The arm rotates to cover a sector-shaped work area.

Applications:

Workstations and assembly points

Maintenance and parts handling

Precision positioning with larger cranes

Advantages:

Small footprint and flexible installation

Low investment and easy maintenance

Works well with Overhead and Gantry Cranes

Limitations:

Lower lifting capacity

Limited coverage by rotation radius

Core Comparison of Overhead Crane vs. Gantry Crane vs. Jib Crane

How to Choose the Right Crane for Your Facility

Do You Have Building Structure Support?

The first step is to confirm whether the facility can support crane runways. If the workshop has strong beams and suitable spacing, an Overhead Crane is ideal. It uses overhead space and leaves floor routes unobstructed, perfect for indoor heavy lifting.  If the building cannot support tracks, choose a Gantry Crane or Jib Crane, both of which operate independently from workshop structures and work well in open or outdoor areas.

Indoor or Outdoor Application?

Crane selection depends heavily on the working environment. Indoor operations suit Overhead Cranes and Jib Cranes, which ensure stable high-frequency lifting in controlled spaces. Outdoor work favors Gantry Cranes, especially when covering large open yards such as shipyards, steel yards, or logistics terminals. Outdoor cranes must also consider wind load, track foundations, and corrosion protection.

Lifting Frequency and Load Requirements

Equipment should meet 80–100% of long-term average demand to avoid excessive wear.

Space Utilization vs. Flexibility

If maximizing floor space and keeping aisles clear is the priority, an Overhead Crane is the best choice. It operates above ground and covers a large area without occupying floor space. When mobility and flexible layout matter, the Gantry Crane provides greater adaptability and can operate across different zones. A Jib Crane is ideal for workstation-based layouts, offering compact installation and efficient material handling at specific points.

Investment Cost Consideration

Overhead Crane: Higher initial investment, ideal for stable long-term production lines.

Gantry Crane: Medium to high cost, suitable for fast-deployment projects without building dependence.

Jib Crane: Lowest cost, high value, minimal maintenance.

Beyond the purchase price, evaluate long-term factors such as service life, maintenance cost, and operational efficiency.

Core Advantages of HSCRANE Lifting Equipment

Extensive Engineering Experience & Customization Capability: HSCRANE has decades of industry experience and a deep understanding of lifting standards across multiple countries and regions. With strong engineering and solution-design capabilities, our team provides fully customized lifting solutions based on your facility structure, workflow, site conditions, and load requirements.

High Reliability & Strict Manufacturing Standards: HSCRANE utilizes high-grade steel structures, industry-leading electrical components, and precision manufacturing processes to ensure long-term, efficient, and stable operation. Each product undergoes rigorous fabrication and quality inspection before delivery. All equipment is optimized for high-frequency, heavy-duty applications, providing longer service life and lower failure rates.

Complete Product Range Covering All Application Scenarios: From indoor heavy-industry production lines, large outdoor logistics yards, shipyards, and precision manufacturing stations to specialized sectors, HSCRANE provides a full range of lifting equipment—including Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, Jib Cranes, light-duty modular cranes, shipyard cranes, girder transporters, and yacht hoists. With extensive project experience, we help customers quickly identify the optimal lifting solution for their environment.

Advanced Electrical Protection & Intelligent Control: HSCRANE offers significant advantages in electrical safety and automation, including waterproof electrical systems, overload protection, variable-frequency control, anti-sway technology, remote monitoring, operation data logging, and fault-diagnosis functions. These intelligent features enhance operational safety, reduce equipment wear, lower maintenance costs, and improve overall efficiency.

Strong Export Experience & Comprehensive Global Support: As a global crane supplier, HSCRANE has extensive experience with customs processes, certifications, and installation standards across different countries. We provide overseas installation guidance, remote technical support, and after-sales service to ensure fast commissioning and long-term stable operation worldwide.

Exceptional Cost-Performance & Long-Term Maintenance Advantages: While ensuring product quality, HSCRANE lifting equipment delivers competitive pricing through standardized manufacturing, optimized structural design, and global supply-chain integration. Our equipment is engineered for durability and easy maintenance, with highly compatible spare parts that significantly reduce long-term operating costs.

Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, and Jib Cranes each offer unique strengths in terms of structural design, application environment, and operational performance.

Overhead Cranes excel in indoor, high-frequency, heavy-duty operations.

Gantry Cranes are ideal for large outdoor handling tasks.

Jib Cranes provide flexible, efficient lifting for workstation-level operations.

By evaluating your facility structure, working intensity, environment, and investment plan, you can select the most suitable lifting equipment for your production needs.

Feel free to contact HSCRANE for a professional assessment and fully customized crane solution. We will provide you with a complete equipment configuration that delivers high safety, high efficiency, and the best fit for your on-site operational requirements.

If you are still evaluating which type of lifting equipment is most suitable for your business—whether due to space constraints, operational needs, or investment considerations—this article will help you make a clearer and more confident decision:

Overhead Crane vs. Gantry Crane: Which One Fits Your Business Best?