What is Microsoft Project?
Microsoft Project desktop schedules tasks, dependencies and resources for project planning. This profile covers the Windows desktop application, distinct from Project Online and the former Project for the web service.
Who is Microsoft Project for?
Project managers needing a Windows desktop scheduling application and a defined plan-file, resource and reporting workflow.
Identify the desktop app and the separate service
Project desktop can support a detailed schedule with dependencies, baselines and resource planning. The Professional 2024 offer is a one-time Windows desktop purchase; subscription app rights are a separate buying route.
Microsoft’s Project Online retirement announcement states that desktop Project is not impacted. Its published Online retirement date was 30 September 2026, before this review. Older sales or help text mentioning Online should not be treated as evidence of a live service today.
Microsoft Project features
The core capabilities to consider for your workflow.
- Dependency-based project scheduling
- Baselines, timelines and progress comparison
- Resource and project-plan management
Microsoft Project pricing
Paid Windows desktop application
Compare one-time Project Standard or Professional purchases with eligible Planner and Project subscription offers that include desktop rights. Keep retired Project Online references separate from the retained application and current services.
Calculate the cost of your quote →Free access & evaluation
Project desktop is paid software. Subscription trials and cloud Planner entitlements do not establish a permanent free desktop licence.
Before you choose Microsoft Project
Microsoft published 30 September 2026 as Project Online’s retirement date; do not treat the retired service as a current desktop feature.
Desktop application rights differ by subscription or one-time edition.
Verify required file handovers, collaboration services and current Windows requirements separately.
Check the actual workflow
Use a fictional six-task plan with a dependency, a milestone and a resource assignment. Specify the required desktop edition, file recipient and reporting output. Test the receiving workflow before relying on a shared plan.
Use Planner for the current Microsoft team-planning comparison. Confirm the retained app entitlement and any current collaboration service in the actual offer rather than assuming all products called Project are interchangeable.
Explore related project management tools
Microsoft Project FAQs
Is Microsoft Project desktop free?
No permanent free desktop entitlement is established by the reviewed offers. Compare a paid one-time edition or an eligible subscription that includes desktop rights.
Has Microsoft Project desktop retired with Project Online?
Microsoft’s retirement announcement says desktop Project is not impacted. Project Online’s published retirement date was 30 September 2026; the service and desktop app are different products.
Can I buy Microsoft Project without a subscription?
Microsoft offers one-time desktop editions such as Project Professional 2024. Compare the exact edition, Windows requirements and retained rights with the subscription route.
Is Microsoft Project the same as Planner?
This profile covers the Project desktop scheduling application. Planner is a separate current planning experience; verify the specific app and service rights in the chosen offer.