Microsoft Planner vs Asana

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	Included in Microsoft 365 plans, starting at $5 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	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	Everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same; Shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments
Main tradeoff	Can take longer to set up and learn than simpler tools	Can take longer to set up and learn than simpler tools

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:

• Everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same
• Shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments
• Built-in file sharing with OneDrive and SharePoint, no external storage needed, Asana requires integrations

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.

What is Microsoft Planner?

• Pricing: Included in Microsoft 365 plans, starting at $5 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 good option for teams that want structured project management and Basecamp is a decent tool for teams that want simplicity and collaboration. Asana has robust task management and multiple visualization options and Basecamp has easy communication and straightforward workflows. The choice comes down to which style you and your team prefer.

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	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	Everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same; Shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments
Ease of use	Lower learning curve	Moderate learning curve
Main tradeoff	Can take longer to set up and learn than simpler tools	Can take longer to set up and learn than simpler tools

Microsoft Planner stands out when teams want works seamlessly with Microsoft 365 apps, so communication, file sharing and task management is all in one place and shared calendars tied to tasks help teams schedule and manage deadlines better.

Asana stands out when teams want everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same and shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments.

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	Included in Microsoft 365 plans, starting at $5 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: Included in Microsoft 365 plans, starting at $5 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

• Can take longer to set up and learn than simpler tools
• Costs can rise as more teammates need paid access
• Works best when your team is already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem
• Has fewer advanced workflow and reporting options than more configurable platforms

Asana pros and cons

Asana pros

• Everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same
• Shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments
• Built-in file sharing with OneDrive and SharePoint, no external storage needed, Asana requires integrations
• Task management is structured and simple, and Asana's flexibility can be overwhelming for teams looking for a simple tool
• Pre-built project templates, setup is faster, Asana requires more customization to match your workflow
• Included with Microsoft 365, a cost-effective option for existing users, Asana has separate pricing tiers

Asana cons

• Can take longer to set up and learn than simpler tools
• Costs can rise as more teammates need paid access
• Works best when your team is already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem
• The broader feature set can feel heavier for small teams or quick-start projects

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

• Everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same
• Shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments
• Built-in file sharing with OneDrive and SharePoint, no external storage needed, Asana requires integrations

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.

What users say about Breeze

"Breeze has made project management very easy."

Source: Capterra

Which tool should you choose?

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:

• Everything is in one system with Microsoft 365 apps, Asana requires 3rd party integrations for the same
• Shared calendars sync with Outlook, scheduling is easier than Asana's manual timeline adjustments
• Built-in file sharing with OneDrive and SharePoint, no external storage needed, Asana requires integrations

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: Included in Microsoft 365 plans, starting at $5 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.