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Microsoft Planner vs Microsoft Project: Which Tool is Right for You?
Choosing the right project management tool within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem can be confusing. With Microsoft Planner available in both basic and premium versions, and Microsoft Project offering a powerful desktop application, it’s important to understand which solution aligns with your needs.
This guide compares the different options and helps you decide which one is most suitable—whether you're managing small team tasks or large-scale projects with complex resource requirements.
Microsoft Planner (Basic)
Best for: Simple task and team management
Included with: Most Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise plans
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use, board-based interface (like Trello)
- Task assignment and progress tracking
- Basic checklists and file attachments
- Integration with Teams and To Do
Limitations:
- No advanced scheduling
- No Gantt charts or timelines
- No resource management or cost tracking
Recommended for:
- Small teams managing daily or weekly tasks
- Non-technical users who prefer simplicity
- Teams already using Microsoft Teams
We offer a half-day course to help teams get started with Microsoft Planner (Basic).
Microsoft Planner (Premium)
Best for: Growing teams needing more control and visibility
Available via: Planner Plan 1, or combined with Microsoft Project Plans 3 or 5
Additional Features Over Basic:
- Timeline and Grid views
- Dependencies between tasks
- Goal setting and tracking
- Enhanced reporting and workload view
- Integration with Microsoft Project and Loop
Ideal For:
- Teams managing projects with multiple phases
- Department heads wanting oversight of resource capacity
- Businesses that want greater visibility without full-blown project management tools
Our one-day Microsoft Planner Premium course teaches these features and how to apply them in real-world projects.
Compare Microsoft Planner Basic vs Premium Plans
Microsoft Project (Desktop App)
Best for: Complex, large-scale project management
Available via: Microsoft Project Plan 3 and Plan 5
Key Features:
- Advanced project planning and scheduling
- Gantt charts, critical path analysis, baselines
- Resource allocation and levelling
- Time and cost tracking
- Custom fields and reports
Suitable For:
- Project managers, PMO teams, and consultants
- Organisations with structured project management processes
- Projects with dependencies, milestones, and budgets
We offer a comprehensive training pathway for Microsoft Project:
- Introduction (1 day): For those new to Microsoft Project
- Intermediate (1 day): For users familiar with the basics, ready to manage larger or more detailed projects
- Advanced (1 day): For experienced users needing to master resource management, reporting, and cost control
Plans and Pricing
To view the latest subscription plans and pricing available from Microsoft click here.
Need Help Choosing?
If you're still unsure which solution best fits your team or organisation, get in touch and we’ll be happy to provide guidance based on your goals and current setup.
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