Asana vs Microsoft Project
Compare Asana and Microsoft Project on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Asana
Cross-functional work management with goals, workflows and AI Studio — Starter from $10.99/user/mo annual.
Best for
- • Cross-functional marketing/ops teams
- • Buyers prioritising adoption ease and goals/workflows
- • Mid-market work management shortlists
Starting from $10.99/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Asana and Microsoft Project. Choose Asana when Cross-functional marketing/ops teams. Choose Microsoft Project when Microsoft 365 standardised orgs. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Asana is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ Collaboration
Microsoft Project is better for
- ✓ Integrations
Tie
- • Timeline / Gantt
- • Reporting
Choose Asana if: Cross-functional marketing/ops teams
Choose Microsoft Project if: Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
Microsoft Project
Microsoft 365 project / Planner ladder for Gantt, resources and portfolios — Planner Plan 1 from ~$10/user/mo.
Best for
- • Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
- • Traditional PMO Gantt/resource needs
- • Enterprise portfolio planning on higher plans
Starting from $10.00/user/mo
No free plan
Asana vs Microsoft Project at a glance
Criterion-level leaders from verified research.
Scorecard preview
Criterion leaders based on verified research — open the Scorecard tab for evidence detail.
- Starting pricingDepends
Asana
Microsoft Project
- Seat / licence minimumDepends
Asana
Microsoft Project
- Free planAsana
Asana
Microsoft Project
- Ease of useAsana
Asana
Microsoft Project
- Timeline / GanttTie
Asana
Microsoft Project
Which project management is better for you?
Quick picks based on fit — not a universal ranking.
- → Asana
Best for free plan
Asana researches a free plan; Microsoft Project does not research a free plan.
- → Asana
Best for ease of use
Asana leads on ease of use (9/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Asana
Best for automations
Asana leads on automations (8/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
- → Microsoft Project
Best for integrations
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (8/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
The biggest differences
Where the products diverge most clearly on verified criteria.
Starting pricing
DependsAsana
Asana researched starting price from $10.99/mo; a free plan is researched; Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Microsoft Project
Asana researched starting price from $10.99/mo; a free plan is researched; Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
Seat / licence minimum
DependsAsana
Check paid seat floors for Asana and Microsoft Project on current vendor packaging.
Microsoft Project
Check paid seat floors for Asana and Microsoft Project on current vendor packaging.
Timeline / Gantt
TieAsana
Asana and Microsoft Project are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Microsoft Project
Asana and Microsoft Project are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Automations
Asana winsAsana
Asana leads on automations (8/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Microsoft Project
Trails Asana on this criterion
Integrations
Microsoft Project winsAsana
Trails Microsoft Project on this criterion
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project leads on integrations (8/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Reporting
TieAsana
Asana and Microsoft Project are close on reporting (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Microsoft Project
Asana and Microsoft Project are close on reporting (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Which should you choose?
Choose Asana if
- Cross-functional marketing/ops teams
- Buyers prioritising adoption ease and goals/workflows
- Mid-market work management shortlists
Choose Microsoft Project if
- Microsoft 365 standardised orgs
- Traditional PMO Gantt/resource needs
- Enterprise portfolio planning on higher plans
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
monday.com
Work OS / work management platform with boards, timelines, automations and AI credits — Basic from $9/seat/mo annual (3-seat minimum).
ClickUp
All-in-one configurable Work OS (tasks, docs, dashboards, ClickUp Brain) — Unlimited from $7/user/mo annual.
Hive
Work management platform with free plan (≤10 members) and Teams from $12/user/mo annual — strong monday.com peer.
Smartsheet
Spreadsheet-style work management with Gantt, portfolios and automation — Pro from $9/member/mo annual.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
Still deciding between Asana and Microsoft Project?
Use Best project management software for a shortlist matched to your priorities, or build another side-by-side comparison.
- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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