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Microsoft Project

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Detailed project scheduling, tracking, and portfolio management

From $10/moVisit Website
Tracked since2026

The Bottom Line

Price
From $10/mo. Compare plans

Key facts

  • Microsoft's project management and Gantt-chart software, sold as cloud Planner/Project subscription plans or one-time-purchase on-premises editions
  • Cloud plans offer multiple tiers, billed yearly
  • On-premises editions are one-time purchases

Pros

  • Choice of cloud subscription or one-time-purchase on-premises licensing
  • Deep integration with Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem
  • Advanced scheduling features (critical path, baselines, resource leveling) suited to complex projects

Cons

  • On-premises editions require a large upfront one-time payment
  • Enterprise-scale portfolio management (Project Server Subscription Edition) requires a partner and custom-managed infrastructure

What is Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project is Microsoft's project management software for scheduling, tracking, and reporting on projects and portfolios. It offers Calendar, Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Task Sheet, and Timeline views, along with baselines, milestones, critical path analysis, task dependencies, and resource leveling. It is sold both as one-time-purchase on-premises editions (Project Standard and Project Professional) and as cloud subscription plans bundled with Microsoft Planner (Planner Plan 1 and Planner and Project Plan 3), which add web and Microsoft Teams apps, portfolios, sprints, and advanced dependencies. Project Professional additionally supports resource management, timesheets for payroll and invoicing, and connection to Project Server Subscription Edition for enterprise portfolio and resource management. It is used by project managers and teams that need detailed scheduling and portfolio-tracking capabilities within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Key Features

  • Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Calendar, and Timeline views
  • Task scheduling with dependencies, lead/lag times
  • Baselines, milestones, and critical path tracking
  • Resource leveling and resource management (Professional)
  • Timesheets for payroll, tracking, and invoicing (Professional)
  • Portfolios and advanced dependencies (Project Plan 3)
  • Web and Microsoft Teams apps (cloud plans)
  • Connection to Project Server Subscription Edition for enterprise portfolios

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Sep 25, 2026

Microsoft Project plans and prices, checked September 2026
PlanPriceDetails
Planner Plan 1

$10/month

  • Web and Teams apps
  • Structured project planning
  • Premium plans and sprints
+1 more
  • Finish-to-start dependencies
Planner and Project Plan 3

$30/month

  • Everything in Planner Plan 1
  • Portfolios
  • Baselines and critical path
+1 more
  • Advanced dependencies
Project Standard 2024

$679.99

  • One-time on-premises purchase
  • Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Task Sheet views
  • Baselines, milestones, critical path
+1 more
  • Resource leveling
Project Professional 2024

$1,129.99

  • One-time on-premises purchase
  • Everything in Project Standard 2024
  • Resource management
+1 more
  • Timesheets for payroll/invoicing

Is Microsoft Project worth the price?

Good value

Microsoft Project's pricing is fair for organizations already in the Microsoft ecosystem, but the $30/month Planner and Project Plan 3 offers strong value for cloud-based portfolio management, while the $679.99 and $1,129.99 one-time on-premises purchases are expensive for small teams.

The $10/month Planner Plan 1 is generous for basic task planning but lacks advanced scheduling features. Best for enterprises needing deep integration with Microsoft 365.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Project Professional 2024 is $1,129.99 one-time

How Microsoft Project's pricing compares

At $10/mo, billing unit not specified, Microsoft Project is mid-range of its 3 comparable direct competitors ($3 to $18/mo across the set).

Microsoft Project
$10
$10.99

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Sep 25, 2026.

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Microsoft Project FAQ

How does Microsoft Project help track project progress against baselines and milestones?

Microsoft Project includes baseline and milestone tracking features that let project managers compare planned performance against actual performance. These tools are integrated into views like the Gantt Chart and Task Sheet, making it easy to monitor schedule deviations.

Compared to monday.com, how does Microsoft Project differ in its scheduling capabilities?

Microsoft Project offers advanced scheduling features such as critical path analysis, resource leveling, and task dependencies, which are built directly into the tool. These capabilities are designed for complex project timelines and are more detailed than what monday.com typically provides out of the box.

What kind of upfront investment is required for the on-premises edition of Microsoft Project?

The on-premises editions of Microsoft Project require a large one-time purchase payment rather than a recurring subscription. This upfront cost can be a significant trade-off for teams that prefer lower initial expenses.

Which teams get the most value from using Microsoft Project?

Project managers and teams that need detailed scheduling, portfolio tracking, and integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem benefit most from Microsoft Project. It is especially suited for organizations managing complex, multi-phase projects with strict deadlines and resource constraints.

Does Microsoft Project include a free tier?

No, Microsoft Project is a paid product and does not include a permanently free tier. It is offered through subscription plans (such as Planner and Project Plan 3) and one-time-purchase on-premises editions (Project Standard and Project Professional).

Can Microsoft Project integrate with Microsoft Teams for project collaboration?

Yes, Microsoft Project integrates deeply with Microsoft Teams and the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Cloud subscription plans include web and Microsoft Teams apps, enabling team collaboration directly within Teams.

Which project views does Microsoft Project offer to visualize project data?

Microsoft Project provides Calendar, Gantt Chart, Network Diagram, Task Sheet, and Timeline views. These views allow project managers to visualize schedules, dependencies, and resource allocations in different formats.

Does Microsoft Project's enterprise portfolio management require additional setup beyond the standard product?

Yes, enterprise-scale portfolio management through Project Server Subscription Edition requires a partner and custom-managed infrastructure. This setup goes beyond the standard cloud subscription or on-premises editions and is aimed at large organizations.

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