When managing tasks, customers have many choices. Microsoft Lists and Microsoft Planner are two of the most well-liked challenge administration apps. However are they the one-stop answer challenge managers and their groups have to plan, handle and observe work? There’s just one option to discover out. We in contrast Microsoft Lists vs. Planner. Let’s see how they stack up.
We’ll put Microsoft Lists vs. Planner by way of a collection of exams. First, let’s outline every to grasp what they’re and the way they’re used, together with key options. Then we’ll discover Microsoft vs. Planner when it comes to the professionals and cons of every and the place one excels over the opposite.
When evaluating Microsoft challenge planning instruments, equivalent to Microsoft Mission, Microsoft Lists and Planner, all of them have the benefit of integrating with the big suite of MS merchandise. For instance, each are bundled with the enterprise version of Microsoft 365, which supplies customers entry to staples, equivalent to Phrase, Excel, PowerPoint and extra. However are these the instruments challenge managers and their groups have to ship profitable tasks?
The reality is when taking a look at Microsoft Lists vs. Planner, one of the best different is ProjectManager, award-winning challenge and portfolio administration software program that has options and a number of challenge administration instruments to plan, schedule and observe tasks. Managers can plan on Gantt charts (or the sheet view, a Gantt chart with out the timeline) that hyperlink dependencies, filter for the essential path and set a baseline to trace challenge variance in actual time. Groups can use kanban boards or process lists to handle their work and stakeholders can monitor progress on the calendar view. Microsoft Lists vs. Planner pale compared. Get began with ProjectManager without spending a dime.


Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: Why Ought to You Select MS Lists?
Let’s show that ProjectManager is the skin winner in a contest between Microsoft Lists and Planner by going by way of the due diligence on each instruments. Let’s begin with Microsoft Checklist and undergo an in depth tour of what it’s, what it’s used for, its key options and rather more.
What Is Microsoft Lists?
Microsoft Lists is like SharePoint Lists however delivered in a standalone app. It’s an data administration device that tracks and organizes duties for private use {and professional} groups. It creates lists, grids and calendars to indicate difficult knowledge in a transparent and simply digestible format. It payments itself as easy to make use of, versatile and capable of combine with different MS instruments, equivalent to Groups.
Microsoft Lists Pricing
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Primary: $6.00 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Customary: $12.50 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Premium: $22.00 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise: $8.25 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 E3: $33.75 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 E5: $54.75 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 F3: $8.00 consumer/month, billed yearly
Microsoft Lists Opinions
Highlighted Optimistic Person Opinions
- “If you’re monitoring knowledge or managing processes with Excel, Lists is a good answer to make your knowledge extra secure and useful.” Aaron B – From Capterra
- “The combination in Groups made it potential to have a unified answer prepared in seconds.” Enrico G – From Capterra
- “Microsoft Lists is an easy, intelligent, and adaptable technique to organise your job and handle all the info that’s notably essential to your organization.” Lakshman R – From Capterra
Highlighted Unfavourable Person Opinions
- “It will get caught usually, it slows the system down.” Andres S – From Capterra
- “It’s fairly simple to do basic items, however to do superior options some degree of coding is important. And the web sources aren’t very useful for studying these issues.” Shane J – From Capterra
- “Small variety of templates to start out with, particularly with strategic planning.” Filip S – from Capterra
What Is Microsoft Lists Used For?
Microsoft Lists is used to prepare work and observe data. It could actually observe points, property, contracts, stock, routines and extra. Customers can create problem trackers, new rent checklists, occasion itineraries and recruiting lists. Duties will be shared to collaborate with others. Microsoft Lists will be personalized by view, good guidelines and alerts. There are challenge administration templates to assist customers get began and different options that may be added on for a value, equivalent to automation.
Who Makes use of Microsoft Lists?
Each particular person customers and groups use Microsoft Lists. Mission administration groups use the app to create lists they’ll share and to trace challenge data when managing tasks. Occasion organizers use Microsoft Lists to arrange and execute their occasions in addition to cope with points that come up and handle property wanted for these occasions. Others use Microsoft Lists for workflow administration, as lists can assist groups handle their workflow.
Microsoft Lists Key Options
Microsoft Lists is much like a spreadsheet or database, which might embrace folks, photos, hyperlinks and file attachments. As famous, some templates and lists will be color-coded to spotlight essential particulars and customers can observe modifications with its model historical past. Listed here are a number of the options of Microsoft Lists.
- Create customized views to give attention to particular data
- Combine with different Microsoft 365 apps
- Share process lists with staff members
- Observe guidelines, reminders and feedback
- Templates to get began faster
- Model historical past to trace modifications
- Colour-code rows and columns for readability
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: How Is Microsoft Lists Higher Than Planner?
Whereas we’ve not highlighted Microsoft Planner but, let’s nonetheless have a look at a number of the benefits of utilizing Microsoft Lists over Planner. For one, Microsoft Lists is a greater possibility when in search of an app with better flexibility and customization. It could actually create customized columns and tables, which makes it higher for monitoring stock, managing property, making journey plans and managing occasion inventories.
Microsoft Lists is nice as a repository for staff duties. Customers can assign duties, replace their standing and have conversations. It additionally works nicely with Microsoft Groups, which fosters higher collaboration. Customers could make as many lists as they need and see the duties which can be assigned to others on the staff. There’s automation, as famous above, however it comes at the next worth. The templates are a promoting level, although.
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: How Is Microsoft Lists Worse Than Planner?
Microsoft Planner is extra of a challenge administration device. It has kanban boards, which aren’t accessible in MS Lists. Kanban boards are visible workflow instruments used to handle duties, assist keep away from bottlenecks and are perfect for agile groups who wish to handle their backlog and plan sprints—all of which received’t work on Microsoft Lists.
Those that are excited about a easy challenge administration device, they’re going to gravitate in the direction of Planner. It integrates with To Do and Duties in Groups and as said earlier works nicely in an agile surroundings. Nonetheless, it may possibly additionally serve those that handle in a waterfall methodology. It’s perfect for smaller groups versus enterprise or portfolio tasks. There’s additionally a dashboard, which one received’t discover in Microsoft Lists.
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: Why Ought to You Select MS Planner?
In our comparability between Microsoft Lists vs. Planner, we’ve given the previous an excellent look over. Now it’s time to evaluate the latter. Microsoft Lists has proven itself to be a easy and versatile device for organizing work. However don’t dismiss Microsoft Planner. It’s time to take an in depth have a look at the device, its options and what it’s used for.
What Is Microsoft Planner?
Microsoft Planner is a web-based utility that comes with most Workplace 365 for enterprise subscriptions. The software program can be utilized for private planners, however it’s designed for enterprise groups to create, assign and manage their challenge work. The main target is on process administration, which is a part of the bigger challenge administration, particularly useful when smaller are managing easy tasks. Subsequently, it relies on collaboration to attach groups when planning and assigning duties.
Microsoft Planner Pricing
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Primary: $6.00 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Customary: $12.50 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Premium: $22.00 consumer/month, billed yearly
- Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise: $8.25 consumer/month, billed yearly
Microsoft Planner Opinions
Highlighted Optimistic Person Opinions
- “General I actually get pleasure from it. It’s not as sturdy as MS Mission after all, however it’s good for day-to-day tasks and process assignments.” Karen L – From Capterra
- “General that is a simple to make use of challenge planning device with good integrations with different Microsoft merchandise together with Microsoft To Do and e-mail.” Kate M – From Capterra
- “Microsoft Planner makes process group easy. The power to create duties, assign them to members, set deadlines and prioritize them in a single platform is a boon.” Naif H – From G2
Highlighted Unfavourable Person Opinions
- “Microsoft Planner serves as a rudimentary device for challenge administration, finest suited for easy duties. It falls brief in offering the mandatory instruments for managing bigger or extra complicated tasks.” Michael D – From Capterra
- “Actually extra of a planning or process administration device than a full challenge administration device, because it doesn’t embrace time or danger administration options or a dashboard to view a number of tasks on the similar time.” Samuel S – From Capterra
- “It doesn’t help you tag folks in a remark, so a number of coworkers have missed the updates on completely different duties.” Deisy S – from G2
What Is Microsoft Planner Used For?
The primary use of Microsoft Planner is to create challenge plans, assign duties to groups and collaborate on the execution of these duties amongst staff members. Managers can then observe the staff’s work to make sure the challenge is progressing as scheduled. Its visible interface facilitates the group of the staff’s work and their collaboration with different staff members. This makes it perfect for light-weight tasks. That’s as a result of it’s not a full-service challenge administration software program as a lot as a process administration device.


Who Makes use of Microsoft Planner?
Managers and groups that wish to handle their duties will naturally use this device. That may embrace some challenge administration professionals who work on tasks that aren’t overly complicated and search a collaborative device, particularly if working with distributed or cross-functional groups. It may also be utilized by people who wish to handle their work and even households attempting to prepare their family duties.
Microsoft Planner Key Options
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner now strikes on to checklist the options that make this process administration software program a powerful contender for the title of finest software program. Listed here are a number of the extra important challenge planning options of Planner.
- Activity playing cards for making assignments, with checklists, due dates, labels, file attachments and standing
- A number of views, together with kanban boards, charts and calendars
- Integrates with MS Groups, Outlook and extra
- Customization with reporting, automation and workflows
- Useful resource, program and portfolio administration
- Notifications to alert assignments, due dates and feedback
- Actual-time collaboration
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: How Is Microsoft Planner Higher Than Lists?
Within the battle of Microsoft Lists vs. Planner, let’s have a look at how Planner beats Lists. One benefit is that Planner is an out-of-the-box answer that’s prepared to make use of with out a lot of a studying curve. It’s simple to make use of and has a drag-and-drop interface that customers like. The duty playing cards seize a wealthy number of data that’s useful for each managing and executing the work.
Not like Lists, Planner has a dashboard that features bar charts and different instruments to achieve useful challenge insights. This gives managers with an summary of the challenge, which helps them maintain it on schedule and finances. Greater than MS Lists, Planner is a straightforward device that helps groups maintain observe of their duties and execute them collaboratively with different staff members.
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: How Is Microsoft Planner Worse Than Lists?
Whereas each are process administration instruments, Planner focuses extra on utilizing kanban boards. Microsoft Lists is the extra versatile and customizable software program. That makes Microsoft Lists an excellent match for when customers need extra choices, equivalent to controlling the fields, format, views and extra.
Microsoft Planner has limitations, equivalent to a process minimal in a plan (2,400), 9,000 duties assigned to every consumer, 3,000 most duties created by a consumer and others. Whereas this appears like quite a bit, it’s restrictive for bigger, extra difficult tasks. Microsoft Lists, however, is the higher selection for large tasks with many shifting components and folks. It could actually observe these particulars higher than Planner.
Tips on how to Make a Microsoft Planner Gantt Chart With ProjectManager
Microsoft Planner customers could make a Gantt chart in ProjectManager. First, join a free trial of ProjectManager, no bank card is required! Use the 30-day free trial to discover all the pieces our software program has to supply.
1. Export Your Microsoft Planner Mission as an Excel, MPP or CSV File
Within the board view of Microsoft Planner, export your plan as an Excel spreadsheet, CSV or MPP file. It has all of your knowledge and shall be able to import into ProjectManager’s Gantt chart.


2. Select the Excel, CSV or MPP File You Need to Import
ProjectManager’s Gantt chart view has an import icon. Click on on it and a popup window will seem and ask which file you wish to import. Now, select the Microsoft Planner file that you simply exported.
3. Choose Choices
Subsequent, select if you wish to add the info to an present ProjectManager challenge or as a brand new challenge. For those who’re including the info to a challenge, select which one and decide if you wish to maintain or delete present knowledge.
4. Import Into ProjectManager
The subsequent step is selecting the info to import. There shall be a popup window that asks if you wish to import all the info or solely the duty checklist. Select which fits your challenge and click on subsequent.
5. Customise Your Microsoft Planner Gantt Chart With ProjectManager
As quickly because the success window seems, you can begin managing your Gantt chart. Now, add duties, hyperlink dependencies, indent and outdent, determine milestones, observe sources and a lot extra.
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner: Pricing Comparability
For some, the underside line is worth. Subsequently, let’s full our Microsoft Lists vs. Planner comparability with a have a look at how a lot it’ll value to make use of. Since each are a part of Workplace 365, the pricing for every is identical, however they are often bought on a enterprise or enterprise degree.
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Primary: $6 consumer/month with an annual dedication
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Customary: $12.50 consumer/month with an annual dedication
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Premium: $22 consumer/month with an annual dedication
- Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise: $8.25 consumer/month with an annual dedication
- Microsoft 365 E3 (no Groups): $33.75 consumer/month with an annual dedication
- Microsoft 365 E5 (no Groups): $54.75 consumer/month with an annual dedication
- Microsoft 365 F3: $8 consumer/month with an annual dedication
ProjectManager Is Higher Than Microsoft Lists and Planner
When evaluating Microsoft Lists vs. Planner, the battle is between two process administration instruments that masquerade as challenge administration apps. The difficulty is that they lack actual challenge administration options. Customers who strive both shall be disillusioned in the event that they’re managing tasks huge or small. Microsoft Lists vs. Planner merely falls wanting actual challenge administration software program.
ProjectManager is an award-winning challenge and portfolio administration software program that does all the pieces Microsoft’s apps can do and rather more. Our software program has process administration options, a number of challenge views and may collaborate in addition to both Microsoft product, however has real-time challenge and portfolio administration dashboards, studies and useful resource administration instruments to maintain tasks on observe.
Monitor Mission Progress, Timelines and Prices in Actual Time
Managing duties alone shouldn’t be going to ship a profitable challenge. Managers want visibility into the progress and prices of the challenge because it’s being executed. Gantt charts can present progress on the taskbars of the timeline, however there are extra instruments to trace progress. Actual-time challenge and portfolio dashboards present a high-level overview of the challenge with easy-to-read graphs and charts that present time, value, workload and extra. Timesheets assist managers observe labor prices, whereas the color-coded workload chart permits them to stability workload to maintain groups working at capability, which makes them extra productive and cost-efficient.


Make Mission Administration Stories in Minutes
For a more in-depth have a look at challenge key efficiency indicators (KPIs), toggle over to the studies part of the app. Stories will be generated with a keystroke and filtered to indicate solely the info managers or stakeholders are excited about. There are standing and portfolio studies, whether or not you’re managing one or many tasks, plus studies on all the pieces from variance to workload and timesheets to grasp the challenge’s execution higher. All studies are customizable and will be shared throughout numerous codecs with stakeholders and maintain them up to date to handle their expectations and maintain them knowledgeable.
Along with these sturdy challenge administration options, ProjecManager permits customers to simply import Microsoft Mission Plan recordsdata (MPP recordsdata), Excel recordsdata and CSV recordsdata to allow them to seamlessly swap from Microsoft Lists and Microsoft Planner.
Associated Microsoft Content material
Microsoft Lists vs. Planner is considered one of a number of comparability or software program profile weblog posts we’ve printed lately. For these nonetheless excited about exploring the professionals and cons of Microsoft Planner, Mission, Groups and extra, listed here are a handful of hyperlinks to observe.
ProjectManager is on-line challenge and portfolio administration software program that connects groups whether or not they’re within the workplace, out within the subject or anyplace in between. They’ll share recordsdata, remark on the process degree and keep up to date with e-mail and in-app notifications. Be a part of groups at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software program to ship profitable tasks. Get began with ProjectManager right this moment without spending a dime.