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No: Microsoft Planner is not included with every Microsoft product or every Microsoft 365 plan. Microsoft says users with an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription can use Planner at no additional Planner-license cost. That included access covers core task and plan features; premium project-management capabilities require a premium license.
What does Microsoft mean by Planner?
Microsoft uses “Planner” for its unified task-planning app, but separates basic and premium capabilities by license. Microsoft’s FAQ confirms that an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription includes Planner without an extra Planner license. It does not say that every Microsoft 365 SKU—or every Microsoft product—qualifies. Microsoft’s published information does not provide an exhaustive current list covering all consumer, business, education, and government plans, so check the description for your specific subscription or ask your organization’s administrator. Microsoft’s Planner licensing FAQ explains the eligibility distinction.
What is included with basic Planner?
Basic Planner is intended for creating and managing tasks and plans. Microsoft’s feature comparison lists Grid, Board, Schedule, and Charts views, along with basic plan features such as files, checklists, labels, task organization, and templates. These capabilities can be sufficient for coordinating everyday work without buying a separate Planner license. See Microsoft’s basic-versus-premium feature comparison and its Planner plan comparison for current feature details.
Which features require a premium license?
Microsoft classifies several advanced planning tools as premium capabilities. Depending on the plan and license, these include Timeline (Gantt) and People views, task dependencies, milestones, custom fields, critical path, and backlogs and sprints. If your workflow depends on those tools, having basic Planner through Microsoft 365 does not by itself grant access; the user needs an appropriate premium license. Microsoft can update feature entitlements, so confirm the current comparison for the license you are considering.
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Can basic users collaborate on a premium plan?
Users with basic Planner access can collaborate on plans created by licensed users, but collaboration does not confer all premium entitlements. Microsoft says basic users cannot access advanced capabilities in premium plans and describes editing access as limited. If a team relies on premium tools, check the specific members’ permissions and licenses rather than assuming that plan membership gives everyone the same editing or feature access. Microsoft’s FAQ covers licensing and collaboration limits.
How to check whether your plan is enough
- Check your subscription. For a work or school account, ask your Microsoft 365 administrator which subscription and Planner entitlements apply. For an individual subscription, check its current Microsoft plan description. Eligibility is SKU-specific.
- Match the work to the features. If tasks, lists, and the basic Grid, Board, Schedule, or Charts views meet your needs, included Planner may be sufficient. If you need dependencies, Timeline, People view, custom fields, critical path, milestones, or agile backlogs and sprints, verify premium licensing.
- Check who needs access. Confirm the license and editing rights of each person who must use premium features; basic access to a shared premium plan is not equivalent to a premium license.
- Check tenant and region availability. Microsoft says some premium capabilities are unavailable in GCC, GCC High, and DoD tenants. Government customers should consult the Planner for Microsoft 365 US Government availability matrix rather than infer availability from commercial plans.
Can you try or buy premium Planner?
Microsoft says eligible users may be able to start a 30-day trial of premium features if their organization’s administrator has enabled trials. Self-service purchasing can also depend on license type and country. Check Microsoft’s current trial and purchase instructions before relying on either option.
Microsoft’s US pricing page, accessed in 2026, displayed Planner Plan 1 at $10.00 per user per month with annual billing, and Planner and Project Plan 3 at $30.00 per user per month with annual billing. Those displayed prices exclude tax and are specific to the US page; pricing and availability can change, and they should not be treated as prices for other regions. Check the current Microsoft pricing page for your location.
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Microsoft’s FAQ says Project Plan 1 was renamed Planner Plan 1 in April 2024. Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5 were renamed Planner and Project Plan 3 and Planner and Project Plan 5, respectively, on September 18, 2024. Older references to Project plans may therefore use names that no longer match Microsoft’s current offerings.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
