Jira vs Microsoft Project
Compare Jira and Microsoft Project on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
Jira
Atlassian Agile issue tracker for software teams — Free ≤10; Standard from ~$8.15/user/mo annual.
Best for
- • Software engineering / Agile teams
- • Orgs already on Atlassian
- • Regulated/enterprise software delivery
Starting from $8.15/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between Jira and Microsoft Project. Choose Jira when Software engineering / Agile 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.
Jira is better for
- ✓ Free plan
- ✓ Automations
- ✓ Value for money
Microsoft Project is better for
- ✓ Ease of use
- ✓ Collaboration
Tie
- • Timeline / Gantt
- • Integrations
- • AI features
Choose Jira if: Software engineering / Agile 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
Comparison scorecard
Criterion-by-criterion results for Jira and Microsoft Project. Numeric bars appear only when both products have approved scores.
- Depends
Starting pricing
Published floor price and what that floor actually includes.
Jira researched starting price from $8.15/mo; a free plan is researched; Microsoft Project researched starting price from $10/mo. Seat minimums and AI credits can change TCO.
JiraDependsMicrosoft ProjectDepends - Depends
Seat / licence minimum
Minimum billed seats and how that changes small-team cost.
Check paid seat floors for Jira and Microsoft Project on current vendor packaging.
JiraDependsMicrosoft ProjectDepends - Jira
Free plan
Whether a usable free plan is published, and what it gates.
Jira researches a free plan; Microsoft Project does not research a free plan.
JiraStrongerMicrosoft ProjectWeaker - Microsoft Project
Ease of use
How quickly teams become productive.
Microsoft Project leads on ease of use (5/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira5/10Microsoft Project6/10 - Tie
Timeline / Gantt
Native timeline, Gantt, or dependency planning.
Jira and Microsoft Project are close on timeline gantt (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira9/10Microsoft Project9/10 - Jira
Automations
Rules, recipes, and workflow automations in the work OS.
Jira leads on automations (8/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira8/10Microsoft Project6/10 - Microsoft Project
Collaboration
Docs, comments, chat, proofing, and guest collaboration quality.
Microsoft Project leads on collaboration (6/10 vs 7/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira6/10Microsoft Project7/10 - Tie
Integrations
Important third-party integrations.
Jira and Microsoft Project are close on integrations (9/10 vs 9/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira9/10Microsoft Project9/10 - Tie
AI features
Useful AI for the primary job — not marketing fluff.
Jira and Microsoft Project are close on ai features (6/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira6/10Microsoft Project6/10 - Tie
Reporting
Reporting and forecasting quality.
Jira and Microsoft Project are close on reporting (8/10 vs 8/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira8/10Microsoft Project8/10 - Jira
Value for money
Capability relative to total cost of ownership.
Jira leads on value for money (8/10 vs 6/10) from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments — not hands-on lab testing.
Jira8/10Microsoft Project6/10
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