Microsoft Project Review: Pricing, Pros and Cons (2024)

FAQs

What are the disadvantages of Microsoft Project? ›

It can be a complex and time-consuming tool to learn and use effectively. It can be expensive for single users or small teams. Compatibility issues can arise if team members are using different versions or tools. It may not be suitable for very small or simple projects.

We remain deeply committed to providing the full support you need and expect, so you can continue to use and invest with confidence in Microsoft Project. There is no date to limit the functionality of Project Online at this time, but we encourage customers to plan their transition as soon as possible.

The learning curve is steep, especially compared to more beginner-friendly tools out there. But if you need an advanced solution for project management at scale, you should definitely consider MS Project. It's generally a better choice for medium to large organizations with a highly experienced project manager.

Microsoft Project is not included in standard Microsoft 365 subscriptions. It is sold as a stand-alone application, which means you need to purchase a separate subscription to use it.

Project Guide allows Project Managers to streamline the process of creating projects, keeping track of tasks, and reporting results. In terms of reporting, Microsoft Project provides Project Managers with a simple way to keep track of the amount of work that's been finished on a project and how much is left.

Excel is excellent for solo work or simple projects, but complex tasks require more muscle. Project management software offers seamless collaboration, clear data views, and advanced analytics. These tools keep teams informed, organized, and focused on success.

Google does not have a dedicated project management tool. However, that does not mean you can't do project management in Google. By layering multiple google project management tools, you can get something with similar functionality to top project management tools like Asana or Click Up.

It's important to note that MS Project is not typically available for free. It is a premium software and requires a valid license to install and use. Microsoft does offer a trial version of the software which users can use free for a limited time, usually 30 days.

Do I need to pay for Microsoft Project? ›

Project Professional has a perpetual license. Once activated, the software will not expire. Use of the Project Online desktop client requires an active Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 subscription.

As actual work or actual cost is reported on the assignment, Project calculates the cost by adding the actual cost to the remaining cost. Cost is calculated from the Standard Rate, Overtime Rate, Per Use Cost, and Cost accrual settings for the resource and the amount of work assigned to the resource for the task.

While the Microsoft project standard provides essential project management tools suitable for individual users and small teams, the Microsoft project professional offers advanced features like enhanced resource management, team collaboration, and integration with the project server.

Microsoft Project is significantly more difficult to learn than most other Office programs. Those programs also have more room for error: a poorly-formatted Word document still communicates the information even if it doesn't look professional.

Nowadays there are a lot of project management software solutions that allow you to create Gantt charts and work on your projects with their help. MS Project is one of them.

No collaboration or file-sharing. There is no built-in collaboration. Even in the Project Server edition, collaboration is limited to using Microsoft tools. If you want to use something else, good luck!