Looking for a Microsoft Planner alternative?
Planner is a capable, widely used task tool that comes with Microsoft 365. This page is an honest look at where it fits, and where teams move to AB Projects — AI agents that do real work, project documents beside your tasks, and a full change history, all inside Microsoft Teams.
Last reviewed: 18 July 2026
AB Projects vs Microsoft Planner
Planner details come from Microsoft’s published documentation (sources below) and were checked on 18 July 2026.
| AB Projects | Microsoft Planner | |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Projects that need structure, documentation and an audit trail, run by AI agents and people together. | Shared task and plan management for teams across Microsoft 365, from personal to-dos to team plans. |
| Teams experience | Tasks arrive as Adaptive Cards in your channels; a bot and tabs keep work in the conversation. | Native Planner app in Teams, with Board, Grid, Schedule and Charts views. |
| AI that takes action | AI agents create, update and complete real tasks through MCP — authenticated as you, and logged. | AI capabilities are offered, but Microsoft states they require a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. |
| Works with your AI tools | Any MCP client — Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, Copilot — via the AB Projects MCP server. | Copilot within Microsoft’s own surfaces. |
| Task structure | Tasks, subtasks, milestones, comments, estimates vs actuals and due dates. | Content-rich tasks with buckets, labels and custom fields; dependencies, Timeline (Gantt) and sprints come with Plan 1 and above. |
| Project documents | Built-in Documents (Wiki): markdown docs with version history, tags, linked tasks and discussion threads. | No wiki or knowledge-base feature is documented; teams typically pair Planner with SharePoint or OneNote. |
| Identity & permissions | Microsoft 365 SSO — no separate sign-up; agents act with the signed-in user’s permissions. | Microsoft 365 identity and group membership. |
| Auditability | Change history on tasks, including actions taken by AI agents. | Task history is listed as a Planner and Project Plan 3 capability. |
| Pricing | Free for up to 10 users, then per active user per month; available on Microsoft AppSource. | Basic Planner is included with Microsoft 365 plans; Planner Plan 1 and Planner and Project Plan 3 are paid add-ons, and AI needs a Copilot licence. |
Which one should you use?
Microsoft Planner is likely enough if…
- You already pay for Microsoft 365 and want shared task boards at no extra cost.
- Your work is checklists and simple plans rather than documented projects.
- You need Gantt timelines, sprints, backlogs or resource management — these come with Planner Plan 1 or Plan 3.
- Your organisation has standardised on Copilot and wants AI inside Microsoft’s own tools.
AB Projects fits better if…
- You want AI agents to actually create, update and finish tasks — not just summarise them.
- You use Claude, ChatGPT or another MCP client and want it connected to real project data.
- Decisions and specs should live next to the tasks, in project Documents rather than a separate wiki.
- You need to see exactly what changed, who changed it, and what the AI did.
A short evaluation checklist
- Does the tool let an AI assistant act on tasks, or only advise? Ask what it can create, update and complete.
- Does AI require an additional licence, and what does that cost per user?
- Where does project documentation live — in the tool, or in another app your team has to remember?
- Can you see a full change history, including automated actions, when something goes wrong?
- Does it work where your team already is, or is it another tab to open?
- What does it cost at your real headcount, once every needed capability is switched on?
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Microsoft Planner alternative for Microsoft Teams?
It depends on what you have outgrown. If you need shared task boards and are already licensed for Microsoft 365, Planner is included and may be enough. If you need AI agents that create and complete real tasks, project documents alongside tasks, and per-task change history, AB Projects is built for that and runs natively inside Microsoft Teams.
Is AB Projects cheaper than Microsoft Planner?
They are priced differently. Basic Planner is included with Microsoft 365 plans at no extra cost, while Planner Plan 1 and Planner and Project Plan 3 are paid add-ons. AB Projects is free for up to 10 users and then charged per active user. Compare on capability, not only price — if basic Planner already covers your needs, it is hard to beat on cost.
Does Microsoft Planner have AI?
Yes, Planner offers AI capabilities, but Microsoft's documentation states that access to AI capabilities in Planner and Planner in Teams requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license. AB Projects exposes its tasks and documents over MCP, so assistants such as Claude or ChatGPT can act on your work without a Copilot licence.
Can I use AB Projects and Microsoft Planner together?
Yes. They are separate tools and many organisations run Planner for lightweight personal or team checklists while using AB Projects for projects that need AI agents, documentation and auditability.
Do I need a separate account for AB Projects?
No. AB Projects authenticates with your existing Microsoft 365 account via Microsoft SSO, and installs into Teams from Microsoft AppSource.
See the difference in your own Teams
Start free for up to 10 users. Read more about AI project management, project management for Microsoft Teams, or how MCP works.
Sources for the Microsoft Planner column (checked 18 July 2026):
- Microsoft Planner product page — plans, pricing tiers and the Copilot licence requirement for AI capabilities.
- Getting started with Planner in Teams — Teams experience and views.
- Create buckets to sort your tasks — buckets and task organisation.
Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Copilot are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. This comparison is published by ActionBridge and is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Microsoft. Planner capabilities change over time — please check Microsoft’s current documentation before making a purchasing decision.