Project management tools help teams keep track of everything they need to do. Choosing the right one means your work is clearer and easier for everyone to follow. We will compare two popular tools: Taskade vs Planner (Microsoft), focusing on how many ways they let you look at your projects.
Understanding which tool offers more flexible project views is key to making a good choice. This article breaks down the features of both to see which one gives you the most options to organize and visualize your team’s work.
What is Taskade?
Taskade is a unified workspace for notes, tasks, and team collaboration that offers a variety of perspectives. It helps teams organize ideas and projects into different formats, making it useful for both planning and doing work together.
The tool works by storing your information in a flexible database that can be seen as a list, a board, or even a mind map. This means you can start a project by brainstorming and then switch to a schedule without moving your data.
What is Planner?
Microsoft Planner is a simple, visual task management tool, often included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, that is designed for team-based task tracking. Its main purpose is to help teams manage shared projects using a clear, card-based system.
Planner uses a Kanban board view, which organizes tasks into columns called “Buckets” like “To Do” or “In Progress.” This clear visual layout makes it excellent for tracking tasks through simple stages, especially for teams already using Microsoft software.
Conclusion: Taskade vs Planner
Taskade clearly offers more versatile project views, including mind map and org chart, for flexible team workflows. Planner is better for teams who need a simple, board-based system that works seamlessly within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Your best choice depends on whether you value a wide variety of viewing options or deep integration with other office tools.
FAQs
1. Which tool is better for visual brainstorming?
Taskade is significantly better for visual brainstorming because it offers a dedicated Mind Map view. This view allows teams to easily expand and connect ideas in a radial, free-flowing format before turning them into tasks.
2. Can I see a project timeline in both tools?
Yes, but it depends on the plan. Taskade generally offers a Gantt Chart or Timeline view across its paid tiers. Microsoft Planner requires the higher-level Planner Plan 1 or a similar premium subscription to access the Timeline (Gantt) view.
3. Which tool is easier to start using right away?
Microsoft Planner is often easier for new users to start with, especially if they already use Microsoft Teams or Outlook. Its interface is simpler and focused mainly on the Kanban board and task cards.
4. Does Planner have a list view for tasks?
Yes, Microsoft Planner includes a Grid view and a dedicated My Tasks view that acts like a simple list. This lets you see all your assigned tasks in a clean, straightforward checklist format.
5. Can I manage subtasks in both tools?
Yes, both tools allow you to break down tasks. Taskade’s Outline view is excellent for creating a detailed hierarchy of tasks and subtasks. Planner uses Checklists within a task card to track smaller action items.
6. Which tool is better for remote team collaboration?
Taskade has an edge for collaboration because it features built-in chat, video calls, and screen sharing directly within the project workspace. Planner’s collaboration mainly relies on its integration with Microsoft Teams.
7. Is Taskade good for creating organizational charts?
Yes, Taskade has a unique Org Chart view. This allows teams to map out a clear hierarchy of responsibilities or a process flow, which is a feature not available in Microsoft Planner.
8. How does Taskade handle project data like a spreadsheet?
Taskade offers a Table view and an Actionsheet view, which turns your project into a spreadsheet-like structure. This allows you to easily sort, filter, and group task data in columns.
9. Which tool is better for a small business not using Microsoft 365?
For a small business not using the Microsoft 365 suite, Taskade is generally the better option. It offers a generous free plan, more views, and is built to be an all-in-one productivity hub.
10. Can I create custom project views in Planner?
In Microsoft Planner, you cannot create entirely new, custom view types like a Mind Map. However, you can customize the main Board view by creating new “Buckets” (columns) to match your team’s specific workflow stages.
