Microsoft Project Online will retire on 30 September 2026, meaning organisations must choose a future platform for enterprise project and portfolio management.
Project Server Subscription Edition (PSSE) provides one of the most natural migration paths, offering a near identical Project Web App (PWA) experience, enterprise scheduling with Microsoft Project Desktop, and full control over infrastructure and data.
For organisations wanting continuity without sacrificing capability, PSSE remains a strong option within the Microsoft ecosystem.
What Is Project Server Subscription Edition?
Project Server Subscription Edition is Microsoft’s modern, actively supported on-premises project and portfolio management platform, built on SharePoint Server Subscription Edition.
It provides a powerful environment for:
- Advanced project scheduling
- Portfolio management and prioritisation
- Enterprise resource planning
- Timesheet and task updates
- Stage gate and governance workflows
- Reporting and analytics
Organisations familiar with Project Web App (PWA) will recognise the user experience immediately.
PSSE delivers the same structured, robust PPM capabilities historically available in Project Server and Project Online, while also providing greater control over infrastructure and data.
Project Online vs Project Server Subscription Edition
| Capability | Project Online | Project Server Subscription Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Microsoft cloud | On-premises or Azure infrastructure |
| Interface | Project Web App (PWA) | Nearly identical PWA experience |
| Scheduling | Microsoft Project Desktop integration | Microsoft Project Desktop integration |
| Resource Management | Enterprise resource pool | Enterprise resource pool |
| Portfolio Management | Yes | Yes |
| Governance workflows | Yes | Yes |
| Infrastructure control | Microsoft managed | Customer controlled |
How Project Server Subscription Edition Licensing Works
One of the advantages of PSSE is that organisations moving from Project Online often do not need to completely reinvent their licensing model.
PSSE User Licensing
Users licensed for Project Online can typically access PSSE using the same subscription tiers, including:
- Planner Plan 1 / Project Online Essentials
- Project Plan 3
- Project Plan 5
These user based subscriptions enable the use of Microsoft Project Desktop and allow interaction with Project Web App within PSSE deployments.
PSSE Server Licensing Requirements
Because PSSE is customer managed infrastructure, it requires server side licensing components.
Why Do Organisations Choose Project Server Subscription Edition?
PSSE is not simply a “lift and shift” alternative to Project Online. It is a deliberate choice for organisations that require control, structure, and extensibility.
Familiarity for Project Online Power Users
Many of the sophisticated features that made Project Online attractive are present in PSSE.
The solution is particularly suited to organisations that:
- Are heavy users of Project Online and Microsoft Project Desktop
- Require enterprise grade scheduling and portfolio governance
- Need on-premises or hybrid control for compliance reasons
- Have complex integrations that cloud services cannot replicate easily
- Want predictable operational control and customisation
- Need structured project portfolio management rather than lightweight task management
This allows organisations to transition without losing core functionality while retaining the same familiar user experience.
Control Over Infrastructure, Data, and Compliance
Because PSSE can be hosted on your own servers or within Microsoft Azure, organisations gain full control over their infrastructure.
This includes:
- Full data residency control
- Configurable update and maintenance windows
- Integration flexibility with SQL access
- Ability to enforce strict internal governance
For organisations operating in highly regulated industries,this level of control is often essential.
| Capability | Project Online | Project Server Subscription Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Microsoft cloud | On-premises or Azure infrastructure |
| Interface | Project Web App (PWA) | Nearly identical PWA experience |
| Scheduling | Microsoft Project Desktop integration | Microsoft Project Desktop integration |
| Resource Management | Enterprise resource pool | Enterprise resource pool |
| Portfolio Management | Yes | Yes |
| Governance workflows | Yes | Yes |
| Infrastructure control | Microsoft managed | Customer controlled |
A Practical Migration Path for the Foreseeable Future
Microsoft lifecycle guidance indicates that Project Server Subscription Edition remains an actively supported platform.
For organisations that are not ready to move fully to cloud-native work management tools, PSSE provides a stable and familiar landing zone.
“The biggest mistake organisations make is assuming the retirement deadline is far away. Discovery, migration, testing and deployment often take several months, so organisations should start planning sooner rather than later.”
— Baz Khinda
What Is the Best Replacement for Project Online?
For organisations currently using Microsoft Project Online, there are typically three main replacement options within the Microsoft ecosystem:
| Option | Best For |
|---|---|
| Project Server Subscription Edition | Organisations wanting the same Project Web App experience and enterprise scheduling capabilities |
| Microsoft Planner Premium | Organisations moving toward a modern Microsoft 365 project management approach |
| Planner Premium with Accelerator+ | Organisations needing enterprise portfolio management capabilities within Microsoft 365 |
Why Organisations Using Project Online Are Evaluating Their Options
As organisations begin planning their transition away from Project Online, many are evaluating how to maintain enterprise grade project and portfolio management within the Microsoft ecosystem.
For teams that have relied heavily on Project Online’s advanced scheduling, governance workflows, enterprise resource management, and reporting capabilities, maintaining the same level of structure is often critical.
For many organisations, Project Server Subscription Edition is the most natural continuation from Project Online. It preserves the governance, scheduling and resource management capabilities that mature PMOs rely on.
— Baz Khinda, Commercial Director
This article explores what Project Server Subscription Edition (PSSE) is, how licensing works, and why it can be an ideal fit for organisations that require robust project and portfolio management capabilities beyond lightweight work management tools.
Understanding Your Options After Project Online
Before diving deeper into Project Server Subscription Edition, it can be helpful to understand the different migration options available to organisations currently using Project Online.
Watch: Project Online Retires – Your Migration Options
This video explains the main migration paths available to Project Online customers, including moving to Project Server Subscription Edition, adopting Microsoft Planner Premium, or implementing a hybrid approach.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| SharePoint Server Subscription Edition (Enterprise) | Platform hosting PSSE |
| Project Server Subscription Edition | PPM capability layer |
| Windows Server | Infrastructure requirement |
| SQL Server | Data storage and reporting |
PSSE can only run on the Enterprise edition of SharePoint Server Subscription Edition.
Supported Microsoft Project Desktop Clients
Compatible tools include:
- Project Professional 2019
- Project Professional 2021
- Project Online Desktop Client
These desktop tools provide the advanced scheduling capabilities that many enterprise PMOs depend on.
Modern Alternatives: Planner Premium and Accelerator+
While Project Server Subscription Edition offers continuity, some organisations are choosing to adopt a more modern platform built around Microsoft Planner Premium and the Power Platform.
Watch: Beyond Project Online – Planner Premium & Accelerator+ Overview
This solution demonstrates how Planner Premium combined with the Wellingtone Accelerator+ can deliver a modern project and portfolio management environment fully integrated with Microsoft 365.
It enables organisations to take advantage of:
- Microsoft Teams integration
- Power BI reporting
- Power Platform automation
- AI capabilities through Microsoft Copilot
Project Online Migration Options
Organisations evaluating their next step typically consider several migration approaches.
| Migration Option | Best For | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Project Server Subscription Edition | Organisations wanting the same Project Online experience | Familiar interface, enterprise scheduling, infrastructure control |
| Planner Premium with Accelerator+ | Organisations modernising within Microsoft 365 | Teams integration, Copilot readiness, modern experience |
| Hybrid approach | Large organisations with mixed requirements | Combines enterprise scheduling with modern collaboration |
Project Online Migration Next Steps
If you are planning to transition from Project Online to either Project Server Subscription Edition or Microsoft Planner Premium, it is important to begin evaluating your options early.
Migration planning typically includes:
- Discovery of existing Project Online configurations
- Governance and workflow assessment
- Data migration and validation
- Testing and rollout planning
Our migration tools can securely and efficiently transfer your configuration and data to your new solution.
Contact us today to discuss your migration options or explore the best path forward for your organisation.
