License & Subscription Issues

Which Microsoft 365 Project Plan Replaces Project Standard?

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to know which Microsoft 365 subscription plan serves as a replacement for Microsoft Project Standard and whether the license can be assigned to a single individual for client projects.

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Choosing the appropriate Microsoft 365 project management subscription to access the desktop client for client projects.
Observed behavior: The user is seeking clarification on plan feature equivalency and user-assignment capabilities to ensure they purchase the correct project management license.

Before you start

Verify whether your client projects strictly require the Microsoft Project desktop application or if a web-based project management solution is sufficient for your workflow.

Solution 1Recommended

Subscribe to Planner and Project Plan 3

Select Planner and Project Plan 3, as it is the closest Microsoft 365 equivalent that provides the Project desktop client.

Microsoft Project Standard is a legacy standalone desktop product. In the modern Microsoft 365 subscription model, there is no exact one-to-one equivalent to the 'Standard' tier. However, Planner and Project Plan 3 is generally the closest option because it includes the fully installed Project desktop client.

It is worth noting that Project Plan 3 is functionally more robust and comparable to Project Professional, giving you advanced scheduling features beyond what was previously offered in Project Standard. Furthermore, Microsoft 365 project licenses are user-based and can easily be assigned to a single individual.

Review Project Plan 3 features

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Project plan comparison page and confirm that Planner and Project Plan 3 meets your client project requirements, specifically noting the inclusion of the desktop client.

Purchase and assign the license

Purchase a single license for Project Plan 3 and navigate to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center to assign it directly to your individual user account.

Advanced Portfolio Features: If your client projects require advanced enterprise project and portfolio management features, consider evaluating Planner and Project Plan 5.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Projects Efficiently with WPS Office

While Microsoft Project requires a separate, premium subscription, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and easy-to-use alternative for general project management. With built-in Gantt chart templates and comprehensive spreadsheet tools, WPS Office helps you track project timelines effortlessly while remaining fully compatible with Microsoft formats.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free and launch the application on your device.
2. Access Project Templates: Click on the 'Templates' gallery and search for 'Project Management' or 'Gantt Chart'.
3. Customize Your Tracking: Open your preferred template in WPS Spreadsheet and easily customize it to track tasks, assign resources, and monitor your client project timelines.

Access hundreds of free project management and Gantt chart templates to organize your client projects.Seamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for highly compatible project tracking.Enjoy a familiar user interface that requires no additional training to start managing tasks.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux environments.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Microsoft Project Plan 3 license be assigned to just one person?

Yes, Microsoft 365 Project plans are user-based subscriptions. You can purchase a single license and assign it directly to an individual user via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.

Does Project Plan 1 include the desktop client?

No, Project Plan 1 is completely web-based and does not include the desktop application. To access the Project desktop client, you must subscribe to Planner and Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5.

What is the difference between Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5?

While both plans include the desktop client, Project Plan 5 adds advanced enterprise portfolio management capabilities, enterprise resource management, and demand management features that are not available in Plan 3.

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