Microsoft Project Server vs Basecamp

by Gralio Feb 02, 2025

Microsoft Project Server and Basecamp offer distinct approaches to project management. Project Server provides comprehensive features for enterprise-level projects, while Basecamp focuses on simplicity and ease of use for smaller teams.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 5086 reviews and 60 websites, saving 1 day, 4 hours, 45 minutes of reading.

Logo of Microsoft Project Server
Microsoft Project Server
Logo of Basecamp
Basecamp

About

Microsoft Project Server is a comprehensive project management tool designed for larger companies. It helps you manage and prioritize all your projects in one place, from initial planning to execution. With Project Server, your team can collaborate on projects, track progress, and make informed decisions from any location. It requires SharePoint 2013 to function.
Basecamp is a software application designed to simplify teamwork and communication within organizations of all sizes. It offers a centralized platform for managing projects, assigning tasks, sharing documents, scheduling deadlines, and engaging in real-time discussions, all in one place. Basecamp aims to streamline workflows, enhance team collaboration, and reduce reliance on lengthy meetings and email threads. Its straightforward design promotes clarity and ease of use.

Summary

Main difference
Microsoft Project Server is a powerful project management tool best suited for larger enterprises needing robust resource management and integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. Basecamp is a simpler, more user-friendly platform ideal for smaller to mid-sized businesses prioritizing ease of use and streamlined communication.

Relative strengths of Microsoft Project Server (compared to Basecamp)

  • Strong resource management capabilities

  • Seamless integration with Microsoft Project and SharePoint

  • Robust project portfolio management features

Relative weaknesses of Microsoft Project Server (compared to Basecamp)

  • Less user-friendly than Basecamp

  • More expensive than Basecamp

  • Requires SharePoint 2013

Who should use Microsoft Project Server VS. Basecamp

Microsoft Project Server is a comprehensive project management solution designed for larger organizations to manage projects from start to finish. It centralizes project planning, execution, and collaboration, enabling teams to track progress and make data-driven decisions. Requires SharePoint 2013.

Basecamp helps teams centralize projects, tasks, files, and communication. Users praise its consolidated to-do lists and real-time updates. However, some users mention the lack of time-tracking and advanced reporting features. Ideal for remote or complex project teams.

  • Best for medium to large businesses seeking robust project management.

  • Ideal for Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Software/IT, Education, Energy, Marketing, and Professional Services.

  • Best for small to medium-sized businesses needing streamlined communication and task management.

  • A good fit for various sectors, including Healthcare, Finance, and E-commerce.

Microsoft Project Server and Basecamp features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
  • Message Board
    Not supported

    Microsoft Project Server does not appear to have a built-in message board feature.

    Supported

    Basecamp offers a centralized message board for focused discussions, replacing scattered email threads.

  • Resource Management
    Supported

    Project Server supports flexible resource planning and allocation with features like centralized resource pools and visual analytics.

    Not supported

    Basecamp does not support flexible resource planning and allocation.

  • Project portfolio management
    Supported

    Project Server supports project portfolio management, including analysis, prioritization, and resource allocation.

    Not supported

    Basecamp is not suitable for managing large project portfolios.

  • Client portals
    Partially supported

    Client portals are not directly supported, but can be created through integration with other Microsoft tools.

    Supported

    Basecamp provides dedicated client portals for accessing project information and collaborating.

  • Project Management Platform Integration
    Not supported

    Project Server integrates with other Microsoft products, but not directly with Asana, Trello, or Jira.

    Partially supported

    Basecamp integrates with platforms like Asana, Trello, or Jira via third party apps.

  • Collaboration features
    Partially supported

    Project Server supports collaboration via integration with SharePoint, enabling features like file sharing.

    Supported

    Basecamp provides features for commenting on tasks and sharing files.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    -1
    Strongly negative sentiment
    -0.17
    Neutral sentiment
  • Customer Service
    No data
    -0.14
    Neutral sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +0.78
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0.83
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0.25
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.5
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    +0
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.57
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Scalability
    +0
    Neutral sentiment
    -0.67
    Rather negative sentiment
Microsoft Project Server and Basecamp Pricing
No data

User sentiment

Strongly negative
-1
We couldn't find a pricing page for Microsoft Project Server.
No data

User sentiment

Neutral
-0.17
We couldn't find a pricing page for Basecamp.

Microsoft Project Server and Basecamp review insights

5086 reviews analysed from and

Users love

  • Excellent for managing complex projects and portfolios.
  • Robust resource allocation and capacity planning features.
  • Seamless integration with other Microsoft products, especially SharePoint and Excel.
  • Detailed reporting and analysis capabilities.
  • Facilitates team collaboration and communication.
  • Like that you can create and be a part of many different projects and the system will consolidate all of your to-dos.
  • The notification feature is great to keep updates in real time.
  • Ability to copy and paste projects so you can use the steps/to-dos created today for the next time you do the project.
  • Ease of Use

Users dislike

  • High cost and licensing fees are a common concern.
  • Steep learning curve for new users and complex features.
  • Server-based setup can be cumbersome and resource-intensive.
  • Limited integration with non-Microsoft products.
  • Web interface can be slow and less user-friendly than the desktop application.
  • Calendar should be able to sync as it was yours so everything to schedule seems to be done from your google account.
  • It lacks advanced reporting features, which makes tracking project progress less detailed than I\'d like.
  • It does not include built-in time tracking.
  • No Time Tracking.It does not include built-in time tracking.

Microsoft Project Server and Basecamp Ratings

  • G2
    4.1/5
    (178)
  • G2
    4.1/5
    (2508)
  • Capterra
    4.4/5
    (2400)

Company health

Employee growth

3% increase in the last year
5% increase in the last year

Web traffic

11% decrease in the last quarter
16% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data
No data

How do Basecamp's client portals compare to Project Server's SharePoint integration?

Basecamp provides client portals designed for easy collaboration and information sharing with clients, while Project Server integrates with SharePoint, offering a more robust and complex solution for document management and collaboration within the organization. Basecamp's client portals are simpler and more focused on external communication, whereas Project Server's SharePoint integration is geared towards internal team collaboration and broader document management across the organization.

Which product better supports resource allocation for large, complex projects?

Microsoft Project Server is better suited for resource allocation in large, complex projects. Its features specifically address resource management needs, including resource pools, capacity planning, and integration with Microsoft Project files for detailed project plans. While Basecamp is a useful tool for team communication and task management, it lacks the robust resource allocation capabilities necessary for the complexities of larger projects.

What are the advantages of Microsoft Project Server?

Microsoft Project Server offers robust project portfolio management capabilities, enabling organizations to prioritize projects and allocate resources effectively across multiple initiatives. Its tight integration with Microsoft Project Professional allows for detailed project planning and tracking, while features like resource pooling and capacity planning facilitate efficient resource management. This makes it particularly advantageous for larger enterprises with complex project needs and a reliance on the Microsoft ecosystem.

What are the disadvantages of Microsoft Project Server?

Microsoft Project Server has a few disadvantages. It relies on SharePoint 2013, which can be a limitation for companies not already using that platform. Its scalability and ease of implementation received low scores, suggesting potential difficulties in deploying and adapting the software. Finally, user reviews are limited compared to competitors, making it harder to gauge real-world experiences.

Alternatives to Microsoft Project Server and Basecamp

Logo of CogniSaaS
CogniSaaS is a software platform designed for onboarding new customers and managing projects, particularly for enterprise SaaS companies. It aims to streamline customer projects, improve team collaboration, and provide data-driven insights to optimize project delivery and revenue recognition. CogniSaaS offers features like task management, customer collaboration tools, timesheet tracking, reporting dashboards, and resource management functionalities. Their focus on customer success and industry best practices sets them apart.
Logo of monday.com
monday.com
monday.com is a customizable work platform designed to streamline workflows and improve team collaboration. It offers a suite of products, including monday work management, monday sales CRM, and monday dev, each tailored to specific team needs. With features like dashboards, automations, and integrations, monday.com enables businesses to manage projects, track progress, and make data-driven decisions. Its flexible and adaptable design caters to various industries and scales as organizations grow.
Logo of ClickUp
ClickUp
ClickUp is a comprehensive work management platform designed to consolidate various work processes into one centralized location. It offers a wide array of features including task management, project planning, document collaboration, communication tools, goal setting, and automation options. ClickUp aims to enhance team collaboration, improve visibility across projects, and streamline workflows for increased productivity regardless of team size or industry.
Logo of Cora PPM
Cora PPM is a comprehensive project and portfolio management software designed for large enterprises. It helps you plan, prioritize, and execute projects while tracking their financial performance. Cora PPM offers tools for resource management, reporting, and analysis, giving you a clear view of your projects and their impact on your business. Its focus on governance and compliance makes it suitable for regulated industries. Cora PPM promises to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability by streamlining project delivery and optimizing resource utilization.
Logo of Bordio
Bordio
Bordio is a work management software designed to streamline teamwork and boost productivity for teams of all sizes. It provides a central platform for managing tasks, projects, and team communication. With features like task scheduling, workload management, time tracking, and built-in chat, Bordio helps teams stay organized, on track, and efficient. It also offers a mobile app for work on the go and integrates with popular tools like Google Calendar.
Logo of Rocketlane
Rocketlane
Rocketlane is a software platform designed for client-facing teams to manage projects, onboard customers, and automate professional services. It helps businesses streamline their workflows, improve collaboration, and gain better control over projects and resources. Rocketlane aims to enhance project predictability, profitability, and customer satisfaction through a centralized hub for communication, task management, and resource allocation.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?
Did this help you select your product?
Other issues? Vote & Let us know