Microsoft Planner Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing

Q: How does Microsoft Planner handle task assignments?

You can assign tasks to multiple team members so everyone knows their responsibilities. Each task includes progress updates and deadlines, with notifications keeping the team informed. This helps everyone stay aligned and manage workloads more effectively.

Q: Can I use Microsoft Planner offline?

Microsoft Planner is a cloud-based tool, so an internet connection is required to access and update tasks. While it allows real-time collaboration, it doesn't support offline access. This ensures your team always works with the most up-to-date information.

Q: How secure is Microsoft Planner for sensitive data?

Microsoft Planner complies with Microsoft's security and compliance standards, ensuring your data is protected. It uses encryption and secure access protocols to safeguard your information. You can trust it to handle your team's sensitive data securely.

Q: How can I customize task views in Microsoft Planner?

You can view tasks as boards, charts, or schedules, depending on what works best for your team. This flexibility helps organize work clearly, though customization options are fairly basic compared to more specialized tools.

Q: Does Microsoft Planner support notifications and alerts?

Microsoft Planner sends notifications and alerts to keep your team informed about task updates, deadlines, and comments. This helps everyone stay on track and respond quickly when needed. Notification settings can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

Q: Can I integrate Microsoft Planner with other Microsoft apps?

Microsoft Planner works smoothly with other Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook and Teams. You can attach files from OneDrive and collaborate directly in Teams, making it easier to manage tasks without switching between tools. This integration helps your team stay efficient and focused.

Q: Is Microsoft Planner suitable for agile project management?

Microsoft Planner supports basic task management but lacks advanced agile features like sprint planning and backlog management. It can handle simple agile workflows, but complex projects may need additional tools to fully support agile practices.

Q: How does Microsoft Planner manage task dependencies?

Microsoft Planner doesn’t offer built-in support for task dependencies, which can be limiting for complex projects. Dependencies must be tracked manually, requiring your team to coordinate closely and update timelines regularly to stay on track.

Looking for a tool to streamline teamwork? Microsoft Planner lets you assign tasks, set deadlines, and visualize project progress in one place.

Visit Website

By Ben Aston

Last updated on Jun 28, 2026

Clicks on links below may earn a commission, which supports our independent testing and review of software and services. Learn more about how we stay transparent.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

In my opinion, Microsoft Planner is a strong option for teams already using Microsoft 365, thanks to its smooth integration and user-friendly interface. It offers good value and ease of use but lacks some of the advanced features found in specialized tools like Trello or Asana. Planner is best suited for teams that prioritize Microsoft integration and want a simple, accessible task management solution.

Microsoft Planner Evaluation Summary

Rating

4.6 /5

Pricing

From $10/user/month (billed annually)
Free trial available

Why You Can Trust Us

Microsoft Planner Overview

Microsoft Planner is a task management software designed to simplify project tracking and collaboration. It suits teams within businesses already using Microsoft 365, such as marketing departments coordinating campaigns or IT teams managing tech projects. Microsoft Planner provides value by integrating seamlessly with existing Microsoft tools, enhancing your team's ability to stay organized and efficient.

In this article, you'll find insights into Microsoft Planner's features, pros and cons, use cases, and pricing. Whether you're a seasoned project manager or new to the role, you'll discover how this tool can align with your team's goals.

pros

You can easily assign and track tasks within your team.
Its integration with Microsoft 365 enhances team collaboration
The simple, user-friendly interface makes task management straightforward.

cons

It lacks advanced customization options for complex projects.
The reporting features are not as robust as some competitors.
It may not accommodate larger teams needing detailed task dependencies.

Featured Tools

Our Review Methodology

How We Test & Score Tools

We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.

Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.

Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)

The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.

Standout Features (25% of final scoring)

Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.

We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.

Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)

We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.

Onboarding (10% of final scoring)

We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.

Customer Support (10% of final scoring)

We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.

Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)

Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.

Value for Money (10% of final scoring)

Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.

Core Features

Unified Task Management: Manage all your tasks, to-do lists, plans, and projects across Microsoft 365 apps in one place

Task Tracking: Track task status in real-time with visual boards, helping you keep projects on schedule and identify bottlenecks quickly.

Task History and Conversations: Maintain a history of task changes and facilitate team communication through task-specific conversations.

Collaboration: Assign tasks, share files, comment, and tag teammates to keep work moving. Real-time updates and Teams integration help your team stay connected and on track.

Customizable Templates: Start projects quickly with customizable templates tailored for various departments like marketing, sales, IT, and HR.

Goal Setting and Alignment: Define and align project goals at various organizational levels to ensure strategic objectives are met.

screenshot - Microsoft Planner Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing — Microsoft Planner centralizes tasks, lists, and projects in one place.

Ease of Use

Microsoft Planner is easy to use, with an intuitive interface and simple navigation. You can assign tasks, track progress, and update statuses with minimal training. Its visual task boards make organizing work straightforward, helping teams stay focused.

Compared to other tools, its simplicity and integration with Microsoft 365 make it a convenient way to manage workflows and improve collaboration.

Microsoft Planner Specs

A/B Testing
API
Collaboration Support
Custom Data Forms
Dashboard
Dashboards
Data Export
Data Import
Developer Tools
External Integrations
Feedback Management
Gantt Charts
Google Apps Integration
Multi-User
Notifications
Prioritization
Product Catalog
Release Management
Reports
Resource Management
Review Monitoring
Roadmapping
Scheduling
Task Scheduling/Tracking

Alternatives to Microsoft Planner

Microsoft Planner guides

Similar tools:

Microsoft Planner vs. Asana: Expert Comparison For 2026Opens new window

Microsoft Planner FAQs

How does Microsoft Planner handle task assignments?

Can I use Microsoft Planner offline?

How secure is Microsoft Planner for sensitive data?

How can I customize task views in Microsoft Planner?

Does Microsoft Planner support notifications and alerts?

Can I integrate Microsoft Planner with other Microsoft apps?

Is Microsoft Planner suitable for agile project management?

How does Microsoft Planner manage task dependencies?

What's Next?

Want to connect with other digital project managers to share resources and best practices? Join our membership community and get access to 100+ templates, samples, and examples and connect with 100s of other digital project managers in Slack.