On September 30, 2026, Microsoft Project Online will officially retire. This affects only the cloud-based Project Online service – not Project Desktop, Project Server, or Microsoft Planner.
Why Project Online is retiring
Project Online’s legacy architecture limits innovation. Microsoft is shifting focus to Planner, Project Server Subscription Edition, and Copilot-powered tools like the Project Manager agent. These modern solutions offer better integration, scalability, and AI-powered features.
Key Dates
| Date | Event |
| October 1, 2025 | Microsoft stops selling Project Online-only licenses to new customers. |
| April 1, 2026 | Existing customers can no longer create new Project Online environments. |
| September 30, 2026 | Project Online shuts down completely. All data and access will be lost. |
Transition options
| Option | Description & Best For |
| Planner (Premium) | A modern, cloud-based solution built into Microsoft 365. Planner Premium (included in Planner and Project Plan 3/5) offers advanced project management features like portfolios, baselines, task dependencies, Gantt charts, and workflow automation via Power Apps and Power Automate. It’s deeply integrated with Teams and Outlook, making it ideal for collaborative work. Premium users also gain access to Project Desktop and the Project Manager agent (Copilot), an AI assistant that automates task creation, status updates, and reporting. Best for organizations seeking a flexible, intuitive, and AI-enhanced project management experience within Microsoft 365. |
| Project Server | An on-premises solution for organizations needing full project and portfolio management (PPM) capabilities or a close match to Project Online’s feature set. Built on the latest SharePoint Server technology, it supports advanced planning, scheduling, resource management, and custom workflows. Ideal for enterprises with strict data residency or compliance requirements, or those preferring to maintain infrastructure in-house. Offers continuity for organizations heavily invested in Project Online’s traditional structure. |
| Dynamics 365 Project Ops | A cloud-based solution tailored for project-based businesses that require integrated timesheet management, resource scheduling, and financial tracking. It combines project delivery tools with ERP capabilities, making it suitable for professional services, consultancies, and firms managing projects alongside contracts, budgets, and billing. Best for organizations that need end-to-end visibility across project execution and financials. It is great for unifying project management with sales and operations in the Dynamics 365 ecosystem. |
| Project Desktop | A standalone Windows application (e.g., Project Standard or Professional) offering powerful scheduling, Gantt charting, and resource planning for individual projects. It’s not affected by the retirement of Project Online and remains available. Best for individual project managers or small teams who prefer working locally and don’t need centralized collaboration or portfolio-level oversight. Can be used alongside other tools like Planner or Project Server for hybrid workflows. |
What you should do
- Notify users and update documentation
- Choose a replacement tool and begin migration
- Back up all Project Online data before September 30, 2026
Comparison: Project Online vs. Desktop vs. Server vs. Planner
| Feature / Tool | Planner (Premium) | Project Server Subscription | Dynamics 365 Project Ops | Project Desktop | Project Online |
| Type | Cloud-based modern solution integrated with Microsoft 365 | On-premises server-based solution built on SharePoint | Cloud-based ERP-integrated solution | Windows desktop application | Cloud-based legacy service |
| Collaboration | Yes – deeply integrated with Teams, Outlook, and Microsoft 365 apps | Yes – via SharePoint project sites and workflows | Yes – integrates with Dynamics 365 modules and Microsoft 365 | Limited – file-based sharing | Yes – via Project Web App (PWA) |
| Portfolio Management | Yes – supports portfolios, baselines, and multi-project views (Premium only) | Yes – full PPM capabilities including resource pools, reporting, and governance | Yes – includes project delivery, resource scheduling, and financial tracking | No – focused on individual project files | Yes – supports multiple projects and reporting |
| AI Features | Yes – includes Project Manager agent (Copilot) for automation and reporting | No | Limited – some automation via Dynamics 365 workflows | No | No |
| Gantt / Dependencies | Yes – available in Premium tier with timeline views and task dependencies | Yes – full scheduling and dependency management | Yes – supports scheduling and dependencies within ERP context | Yes – full Gantt charting and task dependencies | Yes – full Gantt charting and task dependencies |
| Workflow Automation | Yes – via Power Apps Accelerator and Power Automate (Premium only) | Yes – supports custom workflows via SharePoint and Power Automate | Yes – integrated with Dynamics workflows and Power Platform | No | Limited – via legacy SharePoint workflows |
| Data Hosting | Microsoft cloud | Your datacenter or private cloud | Microsoft cloud | Local PC | Microsoft cloud |
| Retirement Status | Supported – actively developed with new features and AI integration | Supported – recommended upgrade path from Project Server 2016/2019 | Supported – part of Dynamics 365 roadmap | Supported and available | Retiring September 30, 2026 |
| Best For | Teams using Microsoft 365 who want modern, collaborative, and AI-enhanced project tools | Enterprises needing full-featured PPM with on-prem control | Project-based businesses needing ERP integration and financial visibility | Individual project managers or small teams who prefer working locally | Organizations currently using legacy cloud PPM. Transition before retirement! |
FAQ
Will my projects stop working before 2026?
No. Microsoft will continue to support Project Online until September 30, 2026. Your existing projects, integrations, and user access will remain functional during this period. However, after that date, the service will be shut down and all data will be inaccessible unless backed up or migrated.
Is Planner included in Microsoft 365?
Yes. Basic Planner is included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 subscriptions. It provides task boards and simple project tracking. For advanced features like Gantt charts, dependencies, portfolios, and AI automation, you will need Planner Plan 1, Planner and Project Plan 3, or Plan 5. These premium tiers unlock full project management capabilities and access to the Project Manager agent (Copilot).
Where was that announced?
Find the announcement article here: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/plannerblog/microsoft-project-online-is-retiring-what-you-need-to-know/4450558.
What happens after September 30, 2026?
Project Online will be fully retired. You will lose access to the service and all associated data. There will be no read-only mode or archive access. It’s essential to export or migrate your project data before this date to avoid disruption or data loss.
Can I use multiple tools together?
Yes. Many organizations use a hybrid approach. For example, Planner for team collaboration, Project Desktop for detailed scheduling, and Project Server for enterprise-level reporting. Microsoft supports interoperability across these tools.
Where to get help for transitioning to an alternative?
Need guidance on choosing the right replacement for Project Online?
Contact us to get licensing support.