Microsoft Planner vs Jira

Managing projects is more than just tracking tasks. It's about figuring out which system matches your team's workflow. Microsoft Planner keeps things simple, providing basic task management that integrates with Microsoft 365. Jira, on the other hand, is built for agile teams, offering powerful features for sprint planning, issue tracking, and development workflows.

In this article, we'll compare Microsoft Planner and Jira, breaking down where each tool excels and which teams will benefit most. If neither feels like the right fit, we'll also introduce Breeze. A solution that brings clarity to project management without the clutter of complex tools.

Microsoft Planner and Jira Compared

Microsoft Planner is for teams that need a simple way to organize tasks, track progress and collaborate without the fluff. It works well for businesses already on Microsoft 365 as it integrates with Teams, Outlook and OneDrive. While that's convenient, Planner lacks the advanced tracking and customization for more structured workflows.

Jira is built for software development and agile project management. It has sprint planning, issue tracking and detailed reporting so it's a great choice for technical teams managing complex projects. But its robust feature set comes with a learning curve and non-technical teams will find it more than they need.

For teams looking for something that balances structure and ease of use, Breeze keeps project management easy while including project management features like Kanban boards, time tracking and workflow automation. Unlike Microsoft Planner which is tied to the Microsoft ecosystem or Jira which leans heavily into software development, Breeze works across industries without the extra complexity.

• Microsoft Planner
• Jira
• Other Alternative

Microsoft Planner

• Pricing: Included in Microsoft 365 plans, starting at $5 per user per month.
• Rating: 4.3/5 on Capterra

Microsoft Planner is a simple project management tool for teams that use Microsoft 365. It helps teams create plans, assign tasks, track deadlines and collaborate – all within the Microsoft ecosystem. Unlike Jira which is for technical teams managing agile workflows, Planner is for straightforward task management for business users. Its integration with Teams, Outlook and OneDrive makes it a good choice for organizations already using Microsoft tools.

Jira is built for software development and agile methodologies. It has detailed sprint planning, issue tracking and extensive workflow customization. While powerful, Jira's complexity can be overwhelming for teams that don't need deep customization or engineering-focused tools.

Why You Might Prefer Microsoft Planner Over Jira

• Works with Microsoft 365 so you can manage tasks, documents and communication without switching between different platforms.
• Shared calendars and task assignments makes it easier to track schedules and meet deadlines without extra integrations.
• Simple setup with pre-built templates for planning projects so you don't need to configure workflows.
• Built-in task tracking and collaboration tools in Microsoft Teams so conversations and project updates are all in one place.
• More cost effective for businesses already subscribed to Microsoft 365 compared to Jira's separate pricing model.
• Less complexity so non-technical teams can manage tasks without extensive training or setup.

What People Think About Microsoft Planner:

"I enjoyed my time using Microsoft Planner and I continue to use it now when completing projects with others who are more familiar with that over other products. Though other products offer more features, Microsoft Planner is a great resource for any business that already pays for Office 365, as it is included and you do not need to pay for any additional software."

Source: Capterra

Jira

• Pricing: Free for up to 10 users, with advanced features starting at $7.16 per user per month
• Rating: 4.4/5 on Capterra

Jira is a project management tool built for software development and agile teams. With sprint planning, issue tracking and automation it's ideal for technical teams managing complex workflows. Microsoft Planner is designed for basic task management. Unlike Jira which has in-depth customization, integrations with development tools and reporting features for structured workflows.

Microsoft Planner is better for teams that need a simple way to assign and track tasks. It integrates well with Microsoft 365 so it's a good choice for companies already using Outlook, Teams and OneDrive. However, it's limited compared to Jira and lacks the depth for managing large projects with multiple dependencies.

Why You Might Prefer Jira Over Microsoft Planner

• Specialized tools for software development including agile reporting, issue tracking and backlog management to streamline technical workflows.
• Customise workflows, dashboards and data fields to suit your project needs, more than Notion's general-purpose design.
• Seamless integrations with the Atlassian ecosystem including Confluence for documentation and Bitbucket for code management.
• Access to extensive support resources including community forums, tutorials and detailed documentation to get the most out of Jira.
• Easily manage Agile processes with features like sprint planning, velocity charts, and burndown tracking, providing comprehensive tools for iterative development cycles.

Looking for more tools similar to Jira? Check out this list of Jira alternatives.

What People Think About Jira:

"Jira is very simple to use so the learning curve is not a problem. It has been used by tens of thousands of users and its maturity makes it very versatile. Although it seems like a simple solution due to its look and feel, Jira allows you to manage complex workflows in heterogeneous environments and with multiple departments. The reports are quite complete and its Dashboard presents reliable analytics that offers visibility to members of the organization responsible for decision making."

Source: Capterra

Other Alternative

Microsoft Planner and Jira are two different beasts in project management. Planner is a simple task management tool built into the Microsoft 365 suite, for teams that want a basic organization with deep integration into their existing workflows. Jira is designed for software development and agile project management and has loads of customization, issue tracking and sprint planning which can be overwhelming for non-technical teams.

Breeze is different. We strip away the complexity and keep the features that matter – Kanban boards, task tracking and built-in time management. While Microsoft Planner is great for teams already in the Microsoft ecosystem and Jira is geared towards engineering teams, Breeze keeps project management simple without forcing teams into rigid workflows or steep learning curves.

For teams that want to be organized without overcomplicating their processes, Breeze is a practical alternative. You don't have to spend time configuring settings. With intuitive task boards, automated workflows and time tracking built in, Breeze helps teams be efficient without the clutter of bigger, enterprise-focused tools.

Key Features of Breeze:

• Includes task management tools to manage workloads with deadlines and assignments.
• Track team time using built-in time tracking no need for external apps.
• See project progress on customizable Kanban boards that match your team's workflow.
• Balanced workloads through workload management tools to avoid burnout and enhance team efficiency.
• Automate repetitive tasks with workflow automation to save time.
• Sync schedules with shared calendars linked to project tasks.
• Chat in real-time, keeping all team discussions in one place.
• Stay on track with project timelines to align milestones and dependencies.

Why You Might Prefer Breeze Over Microsoft Planner or Jira:

• Quick and Simple Adoption: Breeze eliminates the lengthy onboarding often associated with Microsoft Planner's ecosystem and Jira's intricate workflows.
• Time Tracking Built-In: Breeze's integrated time tracking ensures teams can monitor productivity without third-party tools, unlike Planner, which lacks this feature, and Jira, which requires integrations.
• Features Without Complexity: With tools like Kanban boards and workflow automation, Breeze offers essential functionality without the heavy technicality of Jira or the setup effort needed for Planner.
• Clear Task Visuals: Customizable boards make tracking progress simple and intuitive, offering more flexibility than Planner's rigid task lists or Jira's advanced but sometimes overwhelming reporting tools.
• Collaboration at Its Core: Breeze's real-time chat keeps discussions centralized, unlike Jira's reliance on external tools or Planner's less robust communication options.

What People Think About Breeze:

"Breezes is a powerful trucked to our company, we can track and manage our business details and can store the information on cloud storage. Its data entry scheme is comfortable and surprisingly different as this application can locate the individual file and folders to serve you on the situation. Its tracking ability is commendable to trace the ideas and development on the point. Nobody can block this software from making strong policies that are not only applicable but also excellent to lead to further growth. Its communication is more adept to check the output pace."

Source: Capterra

Microsoft Planner vs Jira: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Team

Let's take a step back. Choosing a project management tool isn't just about features. It's about how easily your team can adopt and get value from it. Microsoft Planner is great for teams already on Microsoft 365 with built-in integrations that make collaboration easy. Jira is for technical teams that need structured workflows and issue tracking. Neither is perfect for every team.

Think about how your team naturally organizes work. Do they need flexibility to change workflows on the fly or a system that enforces process consistency? The best tool is the one that removes roadblocks not adds more complexity. Trial runs with real projects often reveal how well a tool fits into your team's workflow.

For those looking to simplify project management, switching to Breeze can be a win in the long run. It has the core project tracking features without the industry or workflow-specific baggage. By keeping things simple and focused Breeze helps teams stay productive without the overhead. It's great for businesses that value ease of use and efficiency.