Microsoft Project Online Retirement: What It Means and What Comes Next

• 26 September 2025
• Microsoft Project
• Written by Justin Greaves

Microsoft has officially announced that Project Online will retire on September 30, 2026. In addition, the sale of new Project Online-only plans will end on October 1, 2025. This marks a significant shift for organizations that depend on Microsoft project management tools.

While Microsoft Project Online is being retired, several alternatives remain available. Microsoft has made clear that its long-term strategy centers on Planner with Copilot and the Project Manager agent, but users also have other paths to consider.

Why Project Online Is Being Retired

The retirement of Projects Online comes down to technology limitations. Built on legacy architecture over a decade ago, Project Online cannot easily support today’s demands for AI, automation, and deep collaboration across Microsoft 365.

Microsoft is directing its innovation efforts toward Planner, Copilot in Microsoft 365, and the new Project Manager agent. These solutions are designed to be modern, AI-powered, and fully integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem—capabilities that Project Online cannot deliver.

Timeline and Key Dates

Organizations still have time to prepare. The official Project 2026 retirement date is more than a year away, but key milestones are approaching:

• October 1, 2025 – End of sale for new Project Online-only SKUs.
• April 2026 – No new tenants will be provisioned, even for existing customers.
• September 30, 2026 – Project Online officially retires.

Until then, Microsoft Project Online remains fully functional, and ongoing projects will continue without disruption.

What Happens When Project Online Retires in 2026

For existing Project Online users, there will be no immediate disruption. Projects, integrations, and user access will continue to operate as normal until September 30, 2026. This gives organizations time to plan their transition without fear of sudden interruptions.

The critical change comes after the retirement date. Once the service is shut down, all projects and associated data stored in Project Online will become permanently inaccessible. Without proper preparation, this could result in data loss and workflow breakdowns.

To mitigate the risk, organizations should start now by backing up important data, reviewing their project portfolios, and assessing dependencies. IT teams and project leaders will need to determine which of Microsoft’s replacement options—Planner, Project Server Subscription Edition, Dynamics 365 Project Operations, or Project Professional desktop software—offers the best fit before the deadline arrives.

Alternatives to Microsoft Project Online

Microsoft has outlined several transition paths, depending on organizational size, complexity, and business requirements.

A. Planner (Basic and Premium) – The Successor

Microsoft Planner is emerging as the natural successor to Project Online, offering a modern, cloud-based approach to project and task management. For everyday team coordination, Basic Planner provides a simple and accessible solution, enabling groups to organize work, assign tasks, and track progress seamlessly.

For organizations with more complex project needs, Premium Planner—available through Microsoft Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5—adds robust capabilities such as portfolios, baselines, dependencies, Gantt charts, workflow automation via Power Automate, and resource management. Apps4Rent offers the Microsoft Project Plans, allowing teams to leverage Planner’s full potential while maintaining alignment with enterprise-grade project practices.

Planner’s integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot and the Project Manager agent brings AI-driven insights, automated reporting, and predictive scheduling directly into the workflow. This combination positions Planner not just as a replacement for Project Online, but as a forward-looking platform for intelligent, collaborative project management.

B. Project Server Subscription Edition

For organizations that rely on Project Online’s legacy architecture and advanced project portfolio management features, Project Server Subscription Edition provides the closest match. It delivers enterprise-grade planning, scheduling, and resource management, all built on the latest SharePoint Server technology. This solution is ideal for businesses that need on-premises or hybrid control while retaining the familiar Project Online functionality.

For added convenience and reliability, Apps4Rent offers fully managed Project Server hosting. This enables organizations to simplify deployment, reduce administrative overhead, and maintain secure, high-performance access to their projects, whether hosted in the cloud, on Azure, or in a hybrid configuration. With our expertise, businesses can confidently continue using Project Server while transitioning away from Project Online.

C. Dynamics 365 Project Operations

For project-driven organizations where delivery is tightly linked with finance, Dynamics 365 Project Operations provides a unified platform. It merges timesheet tracking, resource management, and billing with financial oversight and CRM integration. This makes it particularly valuable for professional services firms or enterprises that rely heavily on end-to-end project financials.

D. Project Desktop / Project Professional Software

Standalone desktop options such as Project Professional software and Project Standard 2024 remain unaffected. These tools are best suited for local, full-featured project management where organizations prefer traditional workflows.

Planner and Microsoft Project: Complementary but Different

One of the most common questions for customers is how Microsoft Project and Planner relate to each other. Microsoft Project desktop, available in Professional and Standard editions, remains a robust local application with deep functionality. It is designed for project managers who need advanced control over scheduling, dependencies, and reporting, and it will continue to be available unaffected by the retirement of Project Online.

Planner, on the other hand, is a cloud-based service built into Microsoft 365. It is evolving quickly, with premium capabilities and Copilot integration enabling it to manage everything from simple team tasks to complex enterprise portfolios.

Together, the two products serve different needs but complement each other well. While Microsoft Project desktop continues to support traditional, high-control project management, Planner represents Microsoft’s long-term vision for collaborative, AI-powered work management in the cloud.

Preparing Your Organization for Project Online’s Retirement

With the retirement date set, it’s important for organizations to start planning now to ensure a smooth transition. Taking early action will minimize disruption and safeguard ongoing projects. Key steps include:

• Notify users and update documentation so everyone is aligned on Microsoft’s official timelines and retirement details.
• Evaluate replacement options to determine which solution best supports your business model. For many, Planner will be the natural successor, while Project Server Subscription Edition or Dynamics 365 Project Operations may fit organizations with specialized needs.
• Back up and export data from Project Online well before September 2026, as all projects and associated information will become inaccessible after the retirement date.

By addressing these steps early, IT teams and project leaders can ensure continuity and avoid the risks of last-minute changes.

The Road Ahead: AI Shaping Project Management

Microsoft’s announcement is not just about retiring Project Online; it marks the beginning of a new era in project management. Planner, enhanced with Copilot and the Project Manager agent, is being built for real-time collaboration, predictive insights, and automated scheduling. With future updates, project management will become more intuitive, data-driven, and seamlessly integrated into Microsoft 365 workflows. This shift reflects Microsoft’s broader modernization strategy, where AI takes the lead and traditional tools evolve into a smarter, connected ecosystem.

FAQs

1. When is Project Online retiring?

Project Online will stop selling new subscriptions on October 1, 2025, and the service will officially retire on September 30, 2026.

2. Will my projects stop working before 2026?

No. Project Online will function normally until the retirement date.

3. Why is Microsoft retiring Project Online?

Microsoft is retiring Project Online because its legacy architecture limits the ability to deliver modern, integrated, and AI-powered project management experiences. The company is shifting focus to Planner, enhanced with Copilot and the Project Manager agent, to provide more intuitive, collaborative, and future-ready tools.

4. What are my options after retirement?

After Project Online retires, you can transition to Planner, using either the basic or premium features, or choose Project Server Subscription Edition. Dynamics 365 Project Operations is also available for organizations with specialized needs, and Project desktop (Professional or Standard) remains an option for traditional, locally installed project management.

5. Is Planner included in Microsoft 365?

Yes. Basic Planner is included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5. Premium Planner features require Project Plan 3 or Plan 5.

6. Can I continue using Project desktop?

Yes. Project Professional software and Project Standard 2024 will remain unaffected and can be used by organizations and project managers who prefer a local, full-featured project management solution, independent of the retirement of Project Online.

7. What about Project Server 2016/2019?

Project Server 2016 and 2019 will reach the end of extended support in July 2026. Organizations are encouraged to upgrade to Project Server Subscription Edition to maintain support and access to the latest features.

8. What is going on with Microsoft and Project Online?

This Microsoft announcement reflects a broader modernization strategy, signaling a move away from legacy systems toward Planner, Copilot, and AI-powered project management tools that are more integrated, intuitive, and collaborative.

Navigating the Retirement of Project Online with Expert Support from Apps4Rent

The retirement of Microsoft Project Online on September 30, 2026 marks an important shift for organizations relying on cloud-based project management. While existing projects will continue to run until the retirement date, early planning and evaluation of alternatives are essential to avoid disruption and safeguard critical data.

Microsoft’s future vision is clear: Planner, enhanced with AI and Copilot, is set to lead the next generation of project management, offering intuitive, collaborative, and intelligent tools that integrate seamlessly within Microsoft 365. For organizations evaluating transition options—whether that’s Planner, Project Server Subscription Edition, Dynamics 365 Project Operations, or Project Professional desktop software—preparation is key.

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner and experienced Office 365 service provider with over 20 years of expertise, Apps4Rent can help organizations assess their needs, plan the migration, and ensure a smooth transition to the modern project management ecosystem. With our expert guidance, organizations can turn this transition into an opportunity, unlocking AI-driven project management that streamlines workflows and strengthens collaboration across every team. Contact us via call, chat, or mail to learn more.