Frequently asked questions

At Microsoft Ignite 2023, it was announced that Project for the web is becoming part of Planner. Continue enjoying the features you know and love under a new name. Learn more about the announcement and related questions here.

Project for the web is a solution for cloud-based project management. It enables you to work in a grid (list), board, or timeline (Gantt) view. Easy to start and simple to use, Project for the web allows you and your team to manage and collaborate on the same project at the same time. Project for the web is becoming part of the new Planner. ​

Project for the web is natively integrated with Microsoft 365 including Microsoft Teams and is built on the Microsoft Power Platform. Project Online is built on Microsoft SharePoint. Learn more. 

Project for the web is available in Planner Plan 1 (formerly Project Plan 1), Project Plan 3, and Project Plan 5. 

Planner Plan 1 includes:

• Premium capabilities of the new Planner (currently available on Teams, with a web experience coming later in 2024)

• Project for the web

• Project Online Essentials capabilities  

Both Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5 include:

• Premium capabilities of the new Microsoft Planner (currently available on Microsoft Teams, with a web experience coming later in 2024)​
• Project for the web
• Project Online
• Project Online desktop client
   

Learn more about the distinctions between the two plans.

Yes, Project Online Essentials is available for purchase either through your Microsoft 365 admin center or your Volume License agreement. Project Online Essentials capabilities are also included in Planner Plan 1. Learn more about what’s included in this subscription on the Project service description page.

Planner Plan 1​ and Project Online Essentials are different subscriptions:

Planner Plan 1​

Gives Project Essentials capabilities as well as premium capabilities in the new Microsoft Planner (which includes Project for the web).

• Technology: The new Microsoft Planner, Project for the web, and Power Platform​
• Who it’s for: Anyone who manages projects as a part of their job​
• How the subscription works: A Planner Plan 1 subscription is independent from a Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 subscription. Plan 1 only works with projects created in Microsoft Project for the web, which is a part of the Planner Plan 1, Project Plan 3, and Project Plan 5 subscriptions.​
• Description: Planner Plan 1 offers core, web-based capabilities such as scheduling, creating project teams, assigning tasks, and displaying multiple views like grid (list), board, and timeline (Gantt).​
   

Project Online Essentials

• Technology: Project Online and SharePoint​
• Who it’s for: Team members
• How the subscription works: Project Online Essentials only connects to the Project Online service accompanying either a Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 subscription within the tenant.​
• Description: Project Online Essentials features a web-based interface that allows users to submit timesheets and update tasks, issues, and risks only in projects created within Project Online.
   

Provides Project Essentials capabilities as well as premium capabilities in the new Microsoft Planner (which includes Project for the web).

You can either choose a Planner Plan 1 subscription that includes Project Online Essentials capabilities, or purchase a separate Project Online Essentials subscription through your Microsoft 365 admin center or your Volume License agreement.

Project Professional 2021 and Project Standard 2021 have the same Office system requirements for Windows

Project for the web and Project Online follows the same browser support as Microsoft 365. Learn more about the Microsoft 365 browser requirements.

You can install Project Online desktop client on up to 5 PCs.

Project plans from earlier versions of Project can be used in Project 2021 by providing users all the benefits of the current product. To avoid compatibility issues when sharing your new Project files with Project 2007 users, save your project as a Project 2007 file format. (Note: Project 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 share the same file format.)

You can connect with us on the Project forums.

The core features of the two products are identical with one exception. Project Online desktop client includes Kanban boards. 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.