Microsoft (MS) Project Online is retiring: here’s the best alternative
Microsoft has officially announced that Project Online will be retired on September 30, 2026. Until then, existing tenants will continue to function normally.
Additionally, legacy workflows will be impacted soon, as Microsoft will also end support for SharePoint 2013 workflows on April 2, 2026, which many Project Online implementations rely on. This further underscores the need for timely migration.
In other words, if your organization still runs on Project Online, it’s time to start planning your migration. Waiting too long could mean disruption, lost data, or being forced into a rushed transition.
So, the big question is: what’s the best Microsoft Project Online alternative?
Introducing Triskell, the best alternative to Microsoft Project Online
Triskell Software emerges as a leading, Microsoft-endorsed successor to Project Online. Triskell offers a modern, cloud-based Project Portfolio Management (PPM) platform tailored for medium and large organizations. It supports strategic execution and enterprise needs across industries.
Key capabilities that make Triskell the best alternative to MS Project Online include:
- Complete PPM Suite: Manages initiatives, programs, financials, resources, and demand in a centralized platform.
- Multi-Methodology Support: Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid, Scrum, Kanban, you name it. Triskell adapts to your way of working.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Enables live updates, comments, documentation sharing, and dashboards directly within the platform.
- Extensive Customization: Custom objects, custom workflows, governance policies all without coding.
- Integrated Reporting: Built-in dashboards, KPIs, and real-time insights, no need for external tools like Power BI.
- Enterprise-Grade Features: Includes demand and financial management, and resource capacity optimization.
- Recognition and Reach: Listed in Gartner and Forrester market guides and reports, with strong global adoption and high customer satisfaction.
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Introducing Triskell, the best alternative to Microsoft Project Online
Microsoft Project Online vs Planner Premium Plans vs Triskell
To make the decision easier, let’s compare Microsoft’s options against Triskell:
| Feature / Capability | Project Online (Legacy) | Planner Premium Plans (via Microsoft 365) | Triskell Software (Enterprise PPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status & Future Support | Retiring by Sept 30, 2026 | Active; evolving with AI and Planner roadmap | Fully supported and enterprise-ready |
| Portfolio Management | Basic | Limited (via premium Views) | Full PPM capabilities across portfolios |
| Methodology Flexibility | Primarily Waterfall | Task-centered, limited Agile support | Agile, Hybrid, Waterfall support |
| Resource & Financial Management | Limited | Basic | Advanced resource and financial management |
| Collaboration & Reporting | Outdated, minimal | Upgraded with AI tooling | Real-time collaboration, dashboards, KPI reporting |
| Customization & Governance | Limited | Moderate via Power Automate, Planner extensions | Fully customizable workflows and governance |
| Integration & Extensibility | Within Microsoft ecosystem | Deep within Microsoft ecosystem | Broad integrations via API |
| Ease of Use & Support | Complex, dated UI | Modernized, but may fall short in enterprise needs | Intuitive UI, strong support and adoption |
| Customer Ratings | Moderate (Project Server: 4.1/5) | NA | Higher, e.g., 4.4/5 via G2 and 4.7/5 on SoftwareAdvice |
What you should do next
If you’re still on MS Project Online, now’s the time to act, not in 2026. Here are some steps to plan your migration from Project Online:
- Assess your current setup: Audit reliance on workflows, data structures, and integrations within Project Online.
- Evaluate Triskell: it´s especially suited for enterprises needing strategic alignment, flexible methodology support, and robust resource/financial management. Request a demo or a free trial to see by yourself how Triskell can replace Project Online by giving you more visibility and control.
- Plan your migration early: Triskell offers import tools (like .mpp compatibility) and onboarding services to make the shift smooth.
- Align with future needs: As Microsoft shifts PPM toward AI, Planner, and Copilot, Triskell can complement these tools or serve as the strategic core, depending on organizational goals.
- Act diligently: Prepare to fully migrate well before 2026 to avoid workflow disruptions and leverage modern PPM capabilities.
Final thoughts: don´t wait until 2026, it´s time to get an alternative to MS Project Online
With the retirement of Project Online set for 2026, the countdown has already begun. Waiting until the last minute could leave your organization scrambling, risking workflow disruptions and data loss.
The smart move is to act now: evaluate your needs, start testing options, and choose a solution that will support your teams for years to come.
Above all alternatives to Microsoft Project online in the market, Triskell is the best option you can find. Thanks to its strategic planning and project portfolio management capabilities, Triskell gives you the tools to scale, adapt, and future-proof your PPM strategy.
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FAQ Microsoft Project Online retirement & alternatives
What are the best alternatives to Microsoft Project Online in the market?
For more information about the different alternatives to MS Project online, we are sure you will find these articles useful:
- 10 best Microsoft Project alternatives & competitors.
- 10 best Servicenow alternatives and competitors for Strategic Portfolio Management.
- Best strategic planning software: the ultimate guide.
- 10 best Capacity Planning software & tools: the definitive guide.
- 10 best Jira alternatives and competitors for medium and large companies.
- Best Product Portfolio Management software and tools: the ultimate guide.
- 10 Best Project Portfolio Management (PPM) software and tools.
- Best PMO tools and software: the definitive list.
What exactly is being retired?
Only MS Project Online is being retired. Other Microsoft products such as Project Server Subscription Edition, Project Desktop, and Planner (basic and premium) are not affected.
Why is Microsoft retiring Project Online?
Because it was built on SharePoint 2013 technology, which is outdated and limits innovation. Microsoft is focusing on newer, AI-powered tools like Planner, Copilot, and the Project Manager agent.
What happens to your data in MS Project Online after retirement?
Once Project Online is shut down, you will lose access to all projects and data stored there. Microsoft recommends backing up or migrating your data before the cutoff date.
