Microsoft Project Server vs Planview Portfolios comparison

Microsoft and Planview are both solutions in the Project Portfolio Management category. Microsoft is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.1, while Planview is ranked #7 with an average rating of 9.0. Microsoft holds a 4.9% mindshare in PPM, compared to Planview’s 7.1% mindshare. Additionally, 87% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Planview users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Project Server

Read 62 Microsoft Project Server reviews

1,299 Views
662 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

Planview Portfolios

Read 63 Planview Portfolios reviews

2,057 Views
864 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Microsoft Project Server

Planview Portfolios

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 4, 2024

Planview Portfolios and Microsoft Project Server both operate in the project management space. Planview Portfolios appears to be favored for its extensive portfolio management capabilities, while Microsoft Project Server stands out for its ease of use and scheduling strength.

Features: Planview Portfolios is recognized for its robust resource planning, project execution, and strategic alignment capabilities, with strong customization and integration with tools like Power BI. It's particularly suitable for large-scale projects requiring detailed resource and financial management. Microsoft Project Server is appreciated for its scheduling capabilities and seamless integration with other Microsoft products, offering a familiar environment for Microsoft ecosystem users. It helps significantly in planning and task management with its straightforward user experience.

Room for Improvement: Planview Portfolios needs better support for visualization enhancements, more straightforward customization options for reporting, and integration with other agile tools. Users also desire enhancement in its support framework. Microsoft Project Server could improve its collaboration features and integration with modern technologies, alongside improvements in the user interface and resource management capabilities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Planview Portfolios offers multiple cloud deployment options, although setup complexity can vary. Some users report inconsistent customer service, experiencing challenges in obtaining immediate assistance. Microsoft Project Server predominantly offers on-premises deployment with limited cloud options, providing robust support documentation but facing some integration issues. Users find contacting customer service straightforward, although resolution speed could be improved.

Pricing and ROI: Planview Portfolios is considered costly but offers substantial ROI through enhanced resource management and strategic alignment, with licensing options like FLEX for adaptable needs. Opinions on its cost-effectiveness are mixed. Microsoft Project Server's pricing is perceived as high for its capabilities, particularly due to its seamless integration with the Microsoft platform. It may be cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses despite its robust features. Planview's pricing aligns with its feature set and ROI, whereas Microsoft’s pricing is competitive, primarily benefiting from integration advantages.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Project Server vs. Planview Portfolios Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Project Server vs. Planview Portfolios

September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Project Server

Ranking in Project Portfolio Management

5th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Planview Portfolios

Ranking in Project Portfolio Management

7th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Architecture Management (12th)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Project Portfolio Management category, the mindshare of Microsoft Project Server is 4.9%, down from 8.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Planview Portfolios is 7.1%, up from 5.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Project Portfolio Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Project Server	4.9%
Planview Portfolios	7.1%
Other	88.0%

Project Portfolio Management

Featured Reviews

Mouloud Fourali

Project Manager at Digital Research Alliance of Canada

Visual project planning enhances collaboration and proactive management

The dependency management in Microsoft Project is highly valuable, as it visually maps dependencies and impacts within a project plan. The online version facilitates easy collaboration without having to share multiple versions of the file. The Gantt chart is also a very powerful tool for a visual presentation of sequences, critical paths, and execution processes, which simplifies comprehension for users.

Read full review

EduardoMaya

Project Office Manager at Hoteles City Express

A solution that gives you all the information you need to plan detailed projects

The initial setup was just a little complex. I rate the initial setup a seven out of ten. Deploying the solution took two weeks. While deploying the solution, we had two instances, one for the IT team and one for the business team. And we had to connect the two and explain things to the team. Only two people were needed to deploy the solution, me and another person.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The solution, overall, is excellent for project planning."

"Microsoft Project Server is a scalable solution."

"It is a scalable solution. We have been able to manage larger scale projects easily using this solution."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is easy to understand and navigate."

"It's stable and reliable."

"I like the way you can build the schedule by the Don't Start Before or Don't Start After values. You can use it to build your schedule based on how you change your dates. This is how it actually builds the schedule."

"Technical support is very responsive - particularly on critical tickets."

"The solution is stable."

More Microsoft Project Server pros

"Enterprise One provides end-to-end work management for the full spectrum of types of work in one tool. It affects our project management because our project management uses Planview to monitor their daily work. Every night it loads our SAP system and then they monitor the daily work. They use Planview as a full planning and monitoring tool."

"We use time reporting. We convert time reporting into financial costs and do contractor and capacity planning for our resources. We track our work. So, that's the module we use extensively. As a matter of fact, we have upwards of 300 open projects at this given moment. It is pretty close to 300 open activities that are working."

"We use expenditures quite a bit. We put in forecast expenditures and then we actualize them below the line in the little box in the bottom tray. Being able to track the project with relevant milestones is also valuable. Milestones are valuable because it helps us to keep the project on track. The expenditures are valuable because we need to be able to understand expenses that are beyond the regular resources in the projects."

"The resource management and assignment features are valuable. The timesheet management is also valuable because that is a requirement for us. So, the ability to see timesheet forecasting and timesheet actual submission from resources has been very useful and valuable to us."

"The overall interface is very easy to use. It puts together strategy and execution across all your investments."

"The biggest impact for using Planview currently would be to understand the true costs of projects. We are trying to get to a point where not only do we take into account technical costs, but what the business cost is. Trying to integrate our business right now into Planview is helping us identify the true cost of the investments that we make so we can try and understand their value."

"A lot of of the value is around the project metrics so far but as I get more plugged into the strategic management, it's strategic planning and programs and then tying that into outcomes. I work with executive leadership and that's really what they're looking for, to say, "Okay, what outcomes do we want to achieve and how are we going to get there, plan that out, sequence that out, and then get the work to do that? And then track the work back to where we're headed with our outcomes.""

"I like that it's an enterprise environment. I can look across everything that's going on and have a sense of what is going on within the organization."

More Planview Portfolios pros

Cons

"There need to be more tutorials available to users."

"This is a good product but we have struggled with stability from time to time. The service has stopped intermittently and it has been difficult to find a reason why."

"The cost could be lower."

"The solution must provide Agile and AI features."

"The user interface looks quite old and needs to be improved."

"The deployment aspect of the product is a bit tedious."

"When a lot of users logged onto the site, it took a big toll on the service. Therefore, there is a scalability issue."

"The reporting aspects can be improved, which is one of the reasons why I'm using Qlik Sense. In the older on-prem versions, reporting was lackluster, to say the least. Project Online has a better handle on that. However, we will still be using Qlik Sense. We're also looking at an add-on app from a company called OnePlan that adds some additional functionality where Microsoft is not as clean in its approach for things such as portfolio management and some of the trends analysis."

More Microsoft Project Server cons

"While Planview Management provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities, further enhancements could include more advanced data visualization options, predictive analytics features, and customizable dashboards to provide deeper insights into project performance and trends."

"We do have some significant issues with our integrations that we're working through. Those are not as stable or reliable as what we would like."

"The solution out-of-the-box that we established was insufficient. We had to purchase and set up OData. I don't believe that it's a great solution out-of-the-box but eventually you can get there."

"The solution is stable. However, it's so robust, there's so much data, that it has the tendency to lag."

"Support is still a challenge. We find it challenging more due to the responsiveness and getting a case or ticket assigned to an analyst. That's what I was just doing. I was following up on an email that we opened last week. We haven't heard anything, so following up on that."

"When I started working with Planview, I didn't know anything about project or resource management. I had to learn everything: the admin side, then the user side of it. Probably, in the beginning, I would implement in the blueprint or workshops more demos. A live demo of how the system works because we would like a little deeper dive in how the application works for us to understand what we need to provide, what we are doing, what we will be doing. Because in the beginning, it was so overwhelming, and we didn't know anything about the tool."

"The reporting is absolutely shocking. It's not good reporting and requires improvement."

"It would be great to see Planview incorporate agile interfacing/methods in it. Like CA Clarity and other leading PPM tools – Planview should enhance or develop the interfaces to ingrate with other market leading Agile tools."

More Planview Portfolios cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Microsoft Project Server is more expensive than other solutions on the market. We purchase the license annually."

"I cannot comment on the price as I was not responsible for purchasing the solution."

"We pay an annual licensing fee for the solution."

"It is an inexpensive product."

"It has features that cannot be bought by other rivals, so cost does not matter."

"The price of the Microsoft Project Server could improve, it is expensive here in Africa. When comparing Microsoft Project Server to Oracle Primavera for us, Microsoft Project Server is quite cost-effective."

"It is on the expensive side."

"I'm not quite sure about the licensing costs. We're probably paying somewhere in the neighborhood of about 80,000 to 90,000 a year for our current on-prem because we handle our own licensing. As far as Project Online is concerned, we're still trying to get a good handle on that. It looks like it is going to be in a neighborhood of about 120,000 to 150,000 a year, but we're getting a lot more capability out of it."

More Microsoft Project Server pricing and cost advice

"In the time that I've used it, we've doubled up the amount of dollars on our intended projects."

"We recently did a new bundle for all of Enterprise One. It includes some of the newer pieces, like Projectplace and LeanKit. It bundled our CTM in with it as well. I think the total came out to be about $900,000 a year. This is for unlimited licenses."

"When we went through that process, I believe it is competitive with others on the market. However, there are less expensive options available. It's a more premium offering at a higher price."

"With the costs, they were very understanding. Knowing that we were an existing customer, they were very much willing to work with us to make sure that we were able to transition to Enterprise One from PPM Pro."

"The licensing part is a bit costly in comparison with the other available PPM tools."

"The cost of other pieces and integrating them in needs improvement."

"I don't think we have necessarily purchased everything that I would have liked to have seen."

"Our licensing costs are probably $150,000 to $180,000 a year with 270 licenses total."

More Planview Portfolios pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

13%

Government

Energy/Utilities Company

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	25
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	33

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	58

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft Project Server?

The ability to track a project's progress using Microsoft Project Server is the most valuable aspect. It depends, especially when managing multiple projects.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Project Server?

The pricing for Microsoft Project Server is standard, around $200-$250, but I think it's actually $80 to $100 per year. The pricing for Microsoft Project Server is relative; I would say it is cheap.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft Project Server?

In order to improve Microsoft Project Server, collaborative features could be enhanced, as it is possible to improve it in a collaborative way similar to other office products, for example, using c...

See all answers

What do you like most about Planview Portfolios?

Planview Management integrates seamlessly with other tools and systems used within the organization, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, customer relationship management (CRM) syst...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Planview Portfolios?

Enhancements are needed in: Advanced reporting and analytics: While Planview Management provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities, further enhancements could include more advanced data v...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Planview Portfolios?

We use Planview Management to assess the current project portfolio, evaluate resource availability, and prioritize projects based on strategic objectives, ROI, and risk factors. Planview Management...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 11% of the time

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Compared 9% of the time

Planisware vs Microsoft Project Server

Compared 9% of the time

SAP Portfolio and Project Management vs Microsoft Project Server

Compared 6% of the time

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Broadcom Clarity vs Planview Portfolios

Compared 11% of the time

Planisware vs Planview Portfolios

Compared 8% of the time

LeanIX vs Planview Portfolios

Compared 7% of the time

SAP Portfolio and Project Management vs Planview Portfolios

Compared 6% of the time

Oracle Smart Construction Platform vs Planview Portfolios

Compared 3% of the time

More Planview Portfolios Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Project Server

September 2025

Download Microsoft Project Server product report

Buyer's Guide

Planview Portfolios

September 2025

Download Planview Portfolios product report

Also Known As

MS Project Server

Planview Enterprise One, Troux

Overview

Microsoft Project Server facilitates project portfolio management and everyday collaboration, enhancing decision-making processes. Its integration with SharePoint offers a flexible solution for enterprise project management, catering to complex project needs seamlessly.

Microsoft Project Server empowers project teams and managers with enhanced communication and comprehensive project visibility. It supports dynamic resource allocation, financial tracking, and risk assessment. A cloud-ready platform, it simplifies deployment and scalability, suitable for diverse project environments and needs robust integration with leading productivity tools and services.

What are the key features of Microsoft Project Server?

Resource Management: Allocate and track resources efficiently to optimize productivity.
Portfolio Analysis: Assess and prioritize projects based on strategic alignment and constraints.
Time Reporting: Streamline time tracking and reporting for accurate project insights.
Integration with Office: Seamlessly connects with Microsoft Office applications for enhanced productivity.
Security and Compliance: Ensures data security with customizable permissions and compliance standards.

What benefits can users expect from Microsoft Project Server?

Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates communication and collaboration among project teams.
Improved Decision Making: Offers comprehensive data analytics for strategic planning.
Efficiency Gains: Streamlines project management workflows for increased productivity.
Cost Management: Enables effective budget tracking and financial control.

Industries such as construction, IT services, and pharmaceuticals leverage Microsoft Project Server for managing large-scale projects with precision. Its adaptability to different industry standards ensures specific project requirements are met while maintaining operational control and regulatory compliance.

Microsoft

Planview Portfolios offers a comprehensive platform for managing IT, project and resource management, along with strategic planning. The tool focuses on optimizing resource allocation and financial analysis, supporting global operations.

Organizations use Planview Portfolios to streamline project tracking from inception to completion, enhancing strategic alignment with corporate objectives. The tool integrates with platforms like JIRA to provide seamless workflows and supports critical business processes, including budgeting and capacity planning. Teams benefit from customized configurations and robust reporting, further supporting effective decision-making. Despite its strengths, improvements are sought in navigation, documentation, and integration capabilities.

What are the key features?

Customizable interface: Allows personalization to meet specific needs.
Comprehensive resource and financial management: Enables detailed tracking and analysis.
Robust reporting: Provides extensive data insights.
Integration with Power BI: Enhances data access for stakeholders.
Resource and capacity planning: Optimizes workforce allocation.

What benefits should users expect?

Improved strategic alignment: Supports better decision-making.
Increased operational efficiency: Streamlines project management.
Enhanced resource optimization: Ensures optimal use of workforce.
Better financial insights: Allows precise budget tracking.

In industries like IT and project management, Planview Portfolios supports complex portfolio handling, ensuring visibility across global operations. Companies in these sectors leverage its strategic planning tools for strategic alignment and resource management, integrating with existing systems for improved process efficiency.

Planview

Sample Customers

Magnachip, Gwinnett County Schools, CLEAResult, Medbit Oy, Intelbras S.A., ETS, CORE Construction, Keller Foundations

UPS, NatWest, Ingram Micro, Canadian Tire, Viessmann, Volvo, NASCO, UNESCO

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Project Server vs. Planview Portfolios

September 2025

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