This article provides a detailed breakdown of the differences between Microsoft Project 2021 Standard and Microsoft Project 2021 Professional, along with a full explanation of each version to help buyers understand which one they should choose.
| Feature | Project 2021 Standard | Project 2021 Professional |
|---|---|---|
| License Type | Perpetual | Perpetual |
| Real-Time Co-Authoring | ❌ Not supported | ✔ Supported |
| Integration with Project Online / Server | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
| SharePoint / OneDrive Sync | ❌ Not supported | ✔ Full integration |
| Resource Pool Sharing | ❌ Not available | ✔ Available |
| Timesheets & Task Updates | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
| Collaboration Tools | Limited | ✔ Integrated with Teams & Skype for Business |
| Built-in Templates | ✔ Included | ✔ More advanced templates |
| Gantt, Timeline, Scheduling Tools | ✔ Full features | ✔ Full features + advanced options |
| Enterprise Project Management | ❌ Not suitable | ✔ Fully suitable |
| Target User | Individual users | Teams, departments, enterprise |
| Price | More affordable | Higher price |
Best for:
Individual project managers
Small to medium projects
Companies needing a one-time purchase
Offline or local-only project management
Users who don’t need team collaboration
Best for:
Large teams and enterprises
Multi-user collaboration
Organizations managing multiple projects
Teams using Microsoft 365, Project Server, or Project Online
Complex project structures requiring advanced control
In short:
Standard = For individuals
Professional = For teams and enterprise collaboration
Below is a full, easy-to-understand explanation of each version.
Microsoft Project 2021 Standard is designed for structured, detailed project planning without the need for cloud collaboration. It includes:
Task management
Resource planning
Budgeting tools
Gantt charts
Baseline tracking
Timeline visualization
Freelance project managers
Small offices
Students or independent professionals
Offline work environments
Users who want a perpetual, one-time purchase
Lifetime license (perpetual)
No internet required
Stable performance
Clear and powerful Gantt charts
Easy-to-use interface
Good for traditional project planning
No co-authoring
No cloud sync
No Project Server support
Not suitable for large teams
The Professional edition includes everything in Standard plus advanced features for collaboration and enterprise environments.
Real-time co-authoring
Project Server and Project Online integration
SharePoint and OneDrive synchronization
Resource pool sharing across multiple projects
Advanced templates and reporting
Timesheets for team progress updates
Integration with Microsoft Teams
Large organizations
Construction, engineering, IT, production teams
PMO (Project Management Office) departments
Any company using Microsoft 365
Updates and collaboration in real time
Improved visibility and reporting
Easier coordination across large teams
Enterprise-level project tracking
Higher price
Requires online infrastructure to use advanced features
Too complex for simple, individual projects
Here is a direct purchasing guide:
✔ Work alone
✔ Don’t need team collaboration
✔ Want a one-time purchase
✔ Have simple–medium complexity projects
✔ Work in a team
✔ Need cloud collaboration
✔ Manage multiple projects at once
✔ Want integration with Microsoft 365, Project Server, or Project Online