Planner and Project Plan 3
$30.00/user/month (Annual)
Basecamp 4
$15/user/mo (Plus) / $299/mo (Pro Unlimited)
Analysis
Microsoft's mid-tier professional project suite, rebranded in late 2025 as part of the 'New Planner' ecosystem. It includes the Project Online desktop client, advanced resource request capabilities, and the new Copilot AI for automated scheduling. While it offers unparalleled integration with Power BI and Teams, the high per-user cost and the retirement of the legacy 'Project Online' (scheduled for 2026) have made its roadmap complex for long-term users.
Analysis
The pioneer of minimalist project management. The late 2025 'v4' update features an enhanced 'Mission Control' dashboard, 'The Lineup' for project timelines, and Hill Charts for visual progress tracking. It uniquely combines message boards, to-dos, group chat (Campfire), and document storage in one interface. While it is the most user-friendly tool for non-technical clients, its refusal to add Gantt charts or complex sub-task dependencies makes it restrictive for technical power users.
The Breakdown
| Feature | Planner and Project Plan 3 | Basecamp 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Project Management | Project Management |
| Subscription Cost | $30.00/user/month (Annual) | $15/user/mo (Plus) / $299/mo (Pro Unlimited) |