Microsoft Project plans and pricing (2026): the full cost breakdown
Here is exactly what Microsoft Project costs in 2026, plan by plan. As a traditional pm / scheduling tool, Microsoft Project provides paid plans only; the breakdown below walks through each paid tier using its current public plans.
Microsoft's classic powerhouse for detailed Gantt scheduling, critical path and enterprise portfolios. Microsoft Project keeps things paid-only, so budget for a subscription from day one. Microsoft's classic project scheduling and portfolio tool with powerful Gantt, critical path, resource management and Power Platform/Teams integration.
Plans & pricing tiers
| Plan | Price (approx.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Planner Plan 1 | $10/user/mo | Basic project tracking, Gantt, dependencies (web) |
| Plan 3 | $30/user/mo | Desktop client, resource management, baselines, critical path, financials |
| Plan 5 | $55/user/mo | Enterprise portfolio and demand management |
These numbers are approximate and shift as vendors revise plans, so double-check the latest on the official site before buying.
Prices verified 2026-06-28 from public vendor pricing. Plans and prices change — always confirm on the vendor's own site. No price here is guaranteed.
What you're paying for
What the paid plans put in your hands with Microsoft Project:
- Detailed Gantt scheduling with task dependencies (lead/lag)
- Critical path management and baselines
- Resource management and workload tracking
- Project financials, budgeting and costing (Plan 3+)
- Enterprise portfolio and demand management (Plan 5)
Which capabilities land on which plan depends on the tier, so use the table above to match features to budget.
Which plan to pick
Microsoft Project is built for traditional/waterfall project managers in Microsoft 365 orgs needing detailed scheduling and PPM. Match that description and the Planner Plan 1 plan ($10/user/mo) is where to start; a higher tier earns its cost only when you need detailed scheduling and critical path.
Is Microsoft Project worth it?
Paid plans run from roughly $10 to $55 per month (or per seat, depending on the plan). If traditional/waterfall project managers is your goal, start low: the cheapest paid tier covers it for most users, and detailed scheduling and critical path is what eventually pushes you up a level. Budget-conscious buyers should price the entry tier against competitors before deciding.
Pricing watch-outs
- Expensive (Plan 3 ~$30, Plan 5 ~$55/user/mo).
Drawn from independent reviews and the vendor's own plan details (see sources below).
Two teams rarely pay the same for Microsoft Project: the figure tracks the number of seats or users, so map it to your own numbers for an honest comparison.
Full Microsoft Project overview →
Pricing FAQ
Does Microsoft Project have a free plan?
Microsoft Project is a paid tool without a standing free plan; check its site for any current trial or money-back window.
How much does Microsoft Project cost?
Its cheapest paid plan, Planner Plan 1, lists at $10/user/mo. Paid plans run from roughly $10 to $55 per month (or per seat, depending on the plan). The exact bill depends on billing cycle and how many seats or how much usage you need.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Microsoft Project?
There are cheaper traditional pm / scheduling options that cover the core job; the Microsoft Project alternatives page lines up their entry costs for you.
Why does Microsoft Project get more expensive as I grow?
Its pricing scales with usage (seats, contacts or channels), so the headline figure is a starting point; estimate cost at the size you expect to reach, not just today's.
Which Microsoft Project plan should I choose?
For traditional/waterfall project managers in Microsoft 365 orgs needing detailed scheduling and PPM, the Planner Plan 1 plan ($10/user/mo) is the usual place to begin; only climb a tier once detailed scheduling and critical path genuinely calls for it.
Sources
Figures and facts on this page are drawn from the following Microsoft Project sources, so you can verify them yourself: