Microsoft Planner vs Asana

Disclosure: Breeze publishes this comparison and is one of the tools discussed here. We try to be candid about where Breeze isn't the right fit; weigh that bias when reading our recommendations.

Review process: We compared current vendor documentation, pricing pages, published product interfaces, and independent user reviews. Pricing and plan names were checked against vendor sites on July 16, 2026; vendors change packaging often, so confirm the current total for your team before buying.

Are you considering Microsoft Planner or Asana for your project management needs? The choice is certainly not easy. Microsoft Planner keeps it simple, and most convenient for teams already using Microsoft 365. Asana has a structured approach with automation, multiple project views and task dependencies.

This article will break down both tools and their features. If neither seems like the right fit we'll introduce Breeze. A great option that keeps project management simple but still covers all the core features.

Microsoft Planner vs Asana at a glance

Feature	Microsoft Planner	Asana
Best for	Microsoft 365 teams that want simple shared task planning	Teams that need structured project management across departments
Pricing	Basic Planner is bundled into Microsoft 365; standalone Planner Plan 1 is $10 per user per month	Free for basic use, with premium features starting at $10.99 per user per month
Rating	4.3/5 on Capterra	4.5/5 on Capterra
Standout strengths	Lives inside Microsoft 365, so tasks, files, and shared calendars sit alongside Teams and Outlook with nothing extra to connect	Multiple project views, task dependencies, automation, and portfolios that scale project management across departments
Main tradeoff	Shallow feature set; really only makes sense for teams already on Microsoft 365	Fuller feature set can feel heavy for small teams or quick task lists

Quick verdict: Microsoft Planner vs Asana

Choose Microsoft Planner if:

• Works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, so communication, file sharing and task management is all in one place
• Shared calendars tied to tasks help teams schedule and manage deadlines better
• No need for external integrations as tasks, files and team collaboration is all in one place

Choose Asana if:

• You need structured project management with list, board, timeline, and calendar views in one place
• Automation rules, task dependencies, and portfolios help you coordinate work across multiple teams
• You want a large, vendor-neutral integration library rather than being tied to one software ecosystem

Choose Breeze if:

• Breeze is simple to navigate, letting teams start managing projects without the steep learning curve of Microsoft Planner's Microsoft 365 ecosystem or Asana's advanced feature set
• Breeze combines essential tools like Kanban boards, time tracking, and workflow automation into a cohesive platform. Asana offers more advanced tools, but they can feel overwhelming, while Planner is tightly integrated into Microsoft's suite, which might limit flexibility for non-Microsoft users
• With real-time chat , Breeze centralizes discussions, unlike Microsoft Planner, which relies on external integrations, or Asana, which can spread communication across multiple tools

Key differences between Microsoft Planner and Asana

Microsoft Planner is a better fit for Microsoft 365 teams that want simple shared task planning. Asana is a better fit for teams that need structured project management across departments.

The main difference comes down to how much structure, setup, and reporting your team needs. Microsoft Planner usually has a lower learning curve, while Asana usually has a moderate learning curve.

Is Microsoft Planner better than Asana?

Microsoft Planner is better than Asana for Microsoft 365 teams that want simple shared task planning.

Asana is better than Microsoft Planner for teams that need structured project management across departments.

Breeze is a good alternative if you want boards, timelines, time tracking, and automation in one simpler workspace.

Want more than two names on the table? Start with other Microsoft Planner alternatives and Asana alternatives.

What is Microsoft Planner?

• Pricing: Basic Planner is bundled into most Microsoft 365 business subscriptions; the standalone Planner Plan 1 is $10 per user per month.
• Rating: 4.3/5 on Capterra

Microsoft Planner is designed for teams that are part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It connects directly to Teams, Outlook and OneDrive so it's a natural fit for businesses already using Microsoft's tools. Unlike Asana which has many customization options and project views, Microsoft Planner keeps it simple with task tracking and built-in collaboration.

For organizations that need task management within their existing Microsoft environment, Planner simplifies coordination across departments. But while the integration is a big plus, the interface isn't as intuitive as Asana's more flexible setup. Asana's automation and workflow tools let teams manage projects with more customization, whereas Planner is designed for simplicity and direct integration with Microsoft services.

What users say about Microsoft Planner

"The obvious argument for Planner is its integration with the Office/365 suite."

Source: Capterra

What is Asana?

• Pricing: Free for basic use, with premium features starting at $10.99 per user per month
• Rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra

Asana is a strong option for teams that want structured project management with room to grow. It pairs robust task management with multiple ways to visualize work — lists, boards, timelines, and calendars — so different teams can plan in the style that suits them. That flexibility is a big part of why it scales well across departments.

Asana has become a full-fledged project management tool with list, board, calendar and timeline views so teams can adapt their workflow to their needs. For teams managing multiple projects, the portfolio feature provides a high-level dashboard to see progress and deadlines. While Asana has a lot of features that may take some time to fully explore, the guided setup and intuitive design make onboarding relatively easy for new users.

What users say about Asana

"Asana is a web-based collaboration application that we use company-wide."

Source: Capterra

Microsoft Planner vs Asana features

Microsoft Planner and Asana overlap on core project management, but they emphasize different strengths. The main differences usually come down to workflow depth, visibility, setup effort, and how much structure the team needs day to day.

Area	Microsoft Planner	Asana
Workflow style	Microsoft 365 teams that want simple shared task planning	Teams that need structured project management across departments
Top strengths	Deep Microsoft 365 integration — tasks, files, and shared calendars alongside Teams and Outlook, with nothing extra to connect	Multiple project views, task dependencies, automation, and portfolios that scale across departments
Ease of use	Lower learning curve	Moderate learning curve
Main tradeoff	Shallow feature set; really only makes sense for teams already on Microsoft 365	Fuller feature set can feel heavy for small teams or quick task lists

Microsoft Planner stands out for how tightly it fits into Microsoft 365 — tasks, files, and shared calendars sit alongside Teams and Outlook, so there's nothing extra to wire up.

Asana stands out for its structured project management: list, board, timeline, and calendar views, plus task dependencies and automation that scale as work spreads across departments.

Microsoft Planner vs Asana pricing

Pricing changes over time, so confirm the latest details on each vendor site before you commit.

Plan detail	Microsoft Planner	Asana
Pricing	Basic Planner is bundled into Microsoft 365; standalone Planner Plan 1 is $10 per user per month	Free for basic use, with premium features starting at $10.99 per user per month
Rating	4.3/5 on Capterra	4.5/5 on Capterra

Microsoft Planner pricing: basic Planner is bundled into most Microsoft 365 business subscriptions, so many teams already have it; the standalone Planner Plan 1 is $10 per user per month.

Asana pricing: Free for basic use, with premium features starting at $10.99 per user per month.

The better value depends on team size, feature needs, and how much workflow depth or reporting your team actually needs.

Microsoft Planner vs Asana ease of use

Microsoft Planner usually has a lower learning curve.

Asana usually has a moderate learning curve.

If your team values fast adoption and lower overhead, choose the simpler option. If you need more control, customization, or reporting, a steeper learning curve can still be worth it.

Microsoft Planner pros and cons

Microsoft Planner pros

• Works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, so communication, file sharing and task management is all in one place
• Shared calendars tied to tasks help teams schedule and manage deadlines better
• No need for external integrations as tasks, files and team collaboration is all in one place
• Pre-built templates for common project types to save setup time
• Clear dashboards to show progress, responsibilities and due dates
• Bundled with Microsoft 365 it's more cost-effective for businesses already using Microsoft's suite

Microsoft Planner cons

• Shallow feature set — no timelines, dependencies, or advanced reporting out of the box
• Really only makes sense for teams already committed to Microsoft 365
• No native time tracking, and automation is minimal next to dedicated PM tools
• Little value for organizations working outside the Microsoft ecosystem

Asana pros and cons

Asana pros

• Multiple project views — list, board, timeline, and calendar — so each team works the way it prefers
• Strong automation (Rules) and task dependencies for coordinating more complex work
• Portfolios and workload views give managers a high-level read on progress and capacity
• Large library of integrations with tools like Slack, Google Drive, GitHub, and Zoom
• Guided onboarding and a deep template gallery make the depth approachable
• Works across departments rather than being tied to a single software ecosystem

Asana cons

• Can feel heavy and over-featured for small teams or simple task lists
• No native time tracking — you need an integration or third-party add-on
• Per-user pricing adds up quickly as the team grows
• The free plan caps team size and hides views like timeline and dashboards

When Microsoft Planner is the better choice

• Works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, so communication, file sharing and task management is all in one place
• Shared calendars tied to tasks help teams schedule and manage deadlines better
• No need for external integrations as tasks, files and team collaboration is all in one place

When Asana is the better choice

• You need structured project management with list, board, timeline, and calendar views
• Automation, task dependencies, and portfolios matter for coordinating work across teams
• You want broad integrations and a workflow that isn't limited to one vendor's ecosystem

Breeze as an alternative

Microsoft Planner and Asana are popular for project management but Breeze is a practical option for teams that want the essentials without the complexity. Breeze keeps workflows clear and task management simple with built-in time tracking and automation so teams can stay organized without the extra setup.

Microsoft Planner is good for businesses already in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and Asana is a flexible workspace with multiple views and integrations. Breeze is all about usability, giving teams Kanban boards, task prioritization and time tracking without the extra config. With Breeze teams can track progress and meet deadlines without having to navigate through layers of features they don't need.

Breeze keeps project management simple with a distraction-free interface. For teams looking for a tool that prioritizes functionality and clarity, it's a hassle-free solution without the learning curve of more complex platforms.

Teams outside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem tend to shortlist Asana rather than Planner, so Breeze stacked against Asana is the more useful read — it covers views, automation limits, and what a seat costs as the team grows.

What users say about Breeze

"Breeze has made project management very easy."

Source: Capterra

Which tool should you choose?

These two aren't really in the same weight class. Microsoft Planner is a lightweight task board that happens to come free with your Microsoft 365 subscription — great if your work is simple and your organization already lives in Teams and Outlook, but it runs out of room the moment you need dependencies, timelines, or real reporting. Asana is a genuine project-management platform built to coordinate work across teams, and it earns its per-user price only if you actually use that depth. The practical switching cost also differs: leaving Planner means little more than recreating a few boards, while migrating a mature Asana setup — custom fields, rules, portfolios — is a real project.

Choose Microsoft Planner if:

• Works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, so communication, file sharing and task management is all in one place
• Shared calendars tied to tasks help teams schedule and manage deadlines better
• No need for external integrations as tasks, files and team collaboration is all in one place

Choose Asana if:

• You need structured project management with list, board, timeline, and calendar views in one place
• Automation rules, task dependencies, and portfolios help you coordinate work across multiple teams
• You want a large, vendor-neutral integration library rather than being tied to one software ecosystem

Choose Breeze if:

• Breeze is simple to navigate, letting teams start managing projects without the steep learning curve of Microsoft Planner's Microsoft 365 ecosystem or Asana's advanced feature set
• Breeze combines essential tools like Kanban boards, time tracking, and workflow automation into a cohesive platform. Asana offers more advanced tools, but they can feel overwhelming, while Planner is tightly integrated into Microsoft's suite, which might limit flexibility for non-Microsoft users
• With real-time chat , Breeze centralizes discussions, unlike Microsoft Planner, which relies on external integrations, or Asana, which can spread communication across multiple tools

A project management tool should match your team's habits. Microsoft Planner is for teams already using Microsoft 365, Asana is for those who need custom workflows. The choice depends on how your team works, tracks progress and collaborates. Switching to Breeze could be an effective choice to help your team be productive.

Look at how your team does tasks. Do they need a structured approach with integrated tools or a more flexible system with multiple views and automation? Some teams need deep integrations, and others a simple platform. Breeze keeps project management focused on the essential project management features, and by keeping it simple.

Before you commit, try each with a real project. See if your team will adopt the tool if it simplifies their workflow and keeps tasks on track. With Breeze, teams can be organized without spending time managing the software itself.

FAQ

Is Microsoft Planner better than Asana?

Microsoft Planner is better than Asana for Microsoft 365 teams that want simple shared task planning. Asana is better than Microsoft Planner for teams that need structured project management across departments.

Which tool is easier to use, Microsoft Planner or Asana?

Microsoft Planner usually has a lower learning curve, while Asana usually has a moderate learning curve.

How do Microsoft Planner and Asana compare on pricing?

Microsoft Planner pricing: basic Planner is bundled into most Microsoft 365 business subscriptions, and the standalone Planner Plan 1 is $10 per user per month. Asana pricing: Free for basic use, with premium features starting at $10.99 per user per month. Confirm the latest pricing on each vendor site before deciding.

What is a good alternative to Microsoft Planner and Asana?

Breeze is a strong alternative if you want boards, timelines, time tracking, and automation in one simpler workspace.