Project management tools · Comparison
Microsoft Planner vs Basecamp (2026): Which Is Better?
Microsoft Planner is best for microsoft 365 organisations; Basecamp is best for simple team and client communication. We compare pricing, features, ease of use and G2 and Capterra ratings to help you choose.
Key takeaways
- Overall winner: Microsoft Planner (8.1/10 vs 7.6/10), winning 4 of 7 categories.
- Choose Microsoft Planner for organisations standardised on Microsoft 365 and Teams.
- Choose Basecamp for agencies and small businesses that want calm, communication-centred projects with flat pricing.
- Price: Microsoft Planner Basic Planner included in Microsoft 365; Plan 1 from $10/user/month; Basecamp Free (1 project, up to 5 users); paid from $25/month flat.
Quick verdict
Planner is the convenient default for Microsoft 365 shops. For richer collaboration, resource and portfolio management, Wrike integrates with Microsoft tools while offering far more depth.
Basecamp is ideal for simple, communication-focused projects. Teams that outgrow it usually move to Wrike, Asana or monday.com for deeper project control.
Microsoft Planner vs Basecamp at a glance
| Microsoft Planner | Basecamp | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Best for | Organisations standardised on Microsoft 365 and Teams | Agencies and small businesses that want calm, communication-centred projects with flat pricing |
| Starting price | Basic Planner included in Microsoft 365; Plan 1 from $10/user/month | Free (1 project, up to 5 users); paid from $25/month flat |
| Free plan | Basic Planner included with Microsoft 365 | Yes (1 project, up to 5 users) |
| Free trial | One-month trial of Plan 1 and Plan 3 (credit card required) | 30-day trial (45 days on Unlimited), no credit card |
| Vendor | Microsoft | 37signals |
Pricing compared
| Microsoft Planner | Basecamp | |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Planner (basic): Included in Microsoft 365 Planner Plan 1: $10/user/month (annual) Planner and Project Plan 3: $30/user/month (annual) Microsoft 365 Copilot: $30/user/month add-on (annual) | Free: $0 Freelancer: $25/month Studio: $59/month Pro: $99/month Unlimited: $299/month (annual) |
Checked on vendors' pricing pages on 5 October 2026. Read the full Microsoft Planner pricing and Basecamp pricing breakdowns.
Features compared
| Feature | Microsoft Planner | Basecamp |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Gantt / timeline | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
| Kanban boards | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Time tracking | ◐ Partial | ✓ Yes |
| Resource & workload management | ✓ Yes | ✕ No |
| Portfolio management | ✓ Yes | ◐ Partial |
| Docs & wiki | ◐ Partial | ✓ Yes |
| Automations | ◐ Partial | ✕ No |
| Agile / sprint tools | ◐ Partial | ✕ No |
| Proofing & approvals | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Built-in AI | + Add-on | ✕ No |
| Guest / client access | ◐ Partial | ✓ Yes |
| Flat (non per-user) pricing | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
Category winners
| Category | Microsoft Planner | Basecamp | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 8/10 | 9/10 | Basecamp |
| Feature depth | 6/10 | 5/10 | Microsoft Planner |
| Planning & resource management | 7/10 | 4/10 | Microsoft Planner |
| Collaboration | 7/10 | 9/10 | Basecamp |
| Agile & software teams | 6/10 | 3/10 | Microsoft Planner |
| Value for money | 8/10 | 8/10 | Tie |
| Scalability & enterprise readiness | 8/10 | 6/10 | Microsoft Planner |
User ratings
| Microsoft Planner | Basecamp | |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.2/5 (237 reviews) | 4.1/5 (5,489 reviews) |
| Capterra | 4.3/5 (298 reviews) | 4.4/5 (14,449 reviews) |
| Top praise (G2) | Ease of use | Ease of use |
| Top complaint (G2) | Limited features for complex projects | Limited features |
Microsoft Planner has the higher G2 rating. Basecamp has the higher Capterra rating. See reviews on G2 for Microsoft Planner, G2 for Basecamp, Capterra for Microsoft Planner and Capterra for Basecamp.
Which should you choose?
Choose Microsoft Planner if…
- Organisations already on Microsoft 365 and Teams
- Teams needing simple, integrated task management
- Included or low-cost for Microsoft 365 customers matters to you
Choose Basecamp if…
- Agencies and consultancies working with clients
- Small businesses wanting simple project communication
- Very simple and calm to use matters to you
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Microsoft Planner or Basecamp?
In our review, Microsoft Planner scores 8.1/10 and Basecamp 7.6/10. Microsoft Planner wins on feature depth, planning & resource management, agile & software teams, scalability & enterprise readiness; Basecamp is better for ease of use, collaboration.
Is Microsoft Planner cheaper than Basecamp?
Microsoft Planner: Basic Planner included in Microsoft 365; Plan 1 from $10/user/month. Basecamp: Free (1 project, up to 5 users); paid from $25/month flat. Compare total cost at your team size, including seat minimums and add-ons.
Do Microsoft Planner and Basecamp have free plans?
Microsoft Planner: Basic Planner included with Microsoft 365. Basecamp: Yes (1 project, up to 5 users).
Which is easier to use, Microsoft Planner or Basecamp?
Basecamp scores higher for ease of use in our review (Microsoft Planner 8/10, Basecamp 9/10).
Which is better for Agile teams, Microsoft Planner or Basecamp?
Microsoft Planner is stronger for Agile and software teams in our scoring.
Microsoft Planner vs Basecamp: which has better resource and portfolio management?
Microsoft Planner scores higher for planning and resource management (Microsoft Planner 7/10, Basecamp 4/10).
Microsoft Planner vs Basecamp: which is better for large enterprises?
Microsoft Planner scores higher for scalability and enterprise readiness.
How do Microsoft Planner and Basecamp compare on G2 and Capterra?
Microsoft Planner: 4.2/5 on G2 (237 reviews) and 4.3/5 on Capterra (298). Basecamp: 4.1/5 on G2 (5,489) and 4.4/5 on Capterra (14,449). Checked 5 October 2026.
Do Microsoft Planner and Basecamp have Gantt charts?
Microsoft Planner: yes. Basecamp: partial (plan-dependent).
Can I switch from Basecamp to Microsoft Planner (or the reverse)?
Yes. Both support importing data, typically via CSV or built-in importers. Pilot with one project before migrating everything.
What are alternatives to Microsoft Planner and Basecamp?
See our lists of Microsoft Planner alternatives and Basecamp alternatives, or the top 10 project management tools.