Microsoft Project 2021 vs Microsoft Project 2024

12 november 2024

On September 18, 2024, Microsoft released the latest version of Microsoft Project: Microsoft Project 2024. This new version, of course, includes a range of new features and improvements. This article will discuss the new functionalities and enhancements, as well as the features included in both versions, and the different versions Microsoft Project offers.

What is Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project, also known as MS Project, is project management software that helps you create project plans and schedules, and manage resources. Key functionalities of Microsoft Project include Gantt charts and Kanban boards, which we’ll discuss in more detail later in this article. Related Microsoft Project products, such as Project Server, Project Online, and Project for the Web, are included when you purchase a Microsoft Project Plan subscription.

Why Microsoft Project?

There are several reasons why purchasing Microsoft Project is a good investment for you and/or your company:

One reason to buy Microsoft Project is that it’s a Microsoft product. This means integration with other Microsoft products like Skype, SharePoint, and Office 365 is included.
Another reason is the continuous development of its features. Microsoft has been improving these features for years, creating an optimal product over time. Microsoft’s long-established reputation as a company also adds to the reliability of its products.
Microsoft Project also offers financial management tools that assist (project) managers in estimating budgets for more accurate forecasting.

Microsoft Project 2021 vs Microsoft Project 2024

There are several significant improvements in Microsoft Project 2024 compared to Microsoft Project 2021. The main ones include:

Advanced “what-if” scenarios have been added.
Enhanced planning systems have been included.
Integration with cloud-based services and Azure has been strengthened.
Scheduling processes have been further refined, improving automation.
There are improved capabilities for resource-based planning.
More ready-to-use templates have been added.
Task scheduling and resource management have been optimized.

Beyond these developments in Microsoft Project 2024, the support for Microsoft Project 2021 will end much sooner, on 13-10-2026. Support for Microsoft Project 2024 extends until 09-10-2029, providing an additional three years of support.

There is also a price difference. Currently, Planner Subscription 1 is sold for €9.40 per user per month, Project Subscription 3 for €28.10 per user per month, and Project Subscription 5 for €51.10 per user per month. If you are interested in a one-time purchase, you can get the Project Standard 2024 version for €929.00 and Project Professional 2024 for €1659.00.

As for Microsoft Project 2021, there are many more options to purchase these subscriptions or perpetual licenses. Softtrader offers these at prices up to 70% lower than the original price. You can request a quote on the website!

This means that the different options are designed for different types of companies. If your company needs the latest and best-developed features and has the financial means, then Microsoft Project 2024 is the right choice for you! However, if your company doesn’t necessarily need the latest features or lacks the budget, Microsoft Project 2021 is a suitable option.

Microsoft Project: Features

These are the features that make Microsoft Project a good project management software:

Communication & Collaboration: Through Microsoft Project, you can work with your team on various projects. You can also use Microsoft Teams as a communication tool within your team.
Co-authoring: Co-authoring allows team members and stakeholders to collaborate in creating/editing task lists and schedules.
Project Planning: Using Gantt charts and Kanban boards makes scheduling tasks much easier.
- Gantt charts are bar charts used to visualize your project schedule, showing you which activities are planned, how long they will last, when they start and end, and how tasks are connected.
- Kanban board is a project management tool designed to maximize efficiency and visualize work, providing more overview with cards and columns for optimal task distribution.
Roadmap: With the roadmap, you can track programs and project portfolios.
Timesheets: Keep payroll and billing organized by collecting project and non-project time.
Reporting: Track your progress, programs, resources, and portfolios through predefined reports.
Resource Management: Manage resources by assigning and requesting tasks.

Microsoft Project: Versions

Microsoft Project offers different versions, each with different features and for different purposes:

Project Plan 1: The most basic and affordable version, available only in your browser. With Project Plan 1, you can add projects and tasks from any device. Gantt, board, and grid views are available to let you work in your preferred way.
Project Plan 3: With Project Plan 3, you have access to both the desktop and cloud versions of Microsoft Project, with additional features such as roadmapping and desktop downloads. This version can be used on up to five PCs.
Project Plan 5: The most advanced subscription version, intended for more complex project management needs. It allows you to create project portfolios with different scenarios to assist with project forecasting and includes enterprise-level resource planning and demand management.
Project 2024 Standard: If you are only managing projects and budgets, a perpetual license is a good choice, with a one-time payment allowing you to manage and plan tasks, projects, and budgets as long as you like.
Project 2024 Professional: Project Professional includes everything in Project Standard and more. With Project Professional, you can sync with Microsoft Project Online and access additional tools for timesheets and resource management.

Interested in Microsoft Project 2021 or Microsoft Project 2024?

Want to save on Microsoft Project 2024? Softtrader offers pre-owned licenses at significantly lower prices. These licenses offer the same features and functionality as new licenses but at a much lower price. Microsoft Project 2021 Standard and Microsoft Project 2021 Professional are already available for purchase. Microsoft Project 2024 Standard and Professional are not yet available in our assortment. Contact us to be the first to know about Microsoft Project 2024 availability in our stock.