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Microsoft Project vs Insightly vs Bigin by Zoho CRM Comparison

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Microsoft Project

4.0(1,520 reviews)

Starting at $10 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps streamline business processes so that…

Insightly

4.3(717 reviews)

Starting at $29 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Insightly is CRM software for growing B2B sales and marketing teams that need pipeline tracking, contact management, and task automation without enterprise-level complexity. It integrates with Gmail and Outlook so reps c…

Bigin by Zoho CRM

4.6(243 reviews)

Starting at $7 /User/Month

  • Free Trial
  • Small Business

Bigin is Zoho's lightweight CRM designed for small teams under 50 people running straightforward sales cycles. Its drag-and-drop pipeline and email sync with Gmail and Outlook allow reps to get productive within a day wi…

Insightly leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 717 reviews.

Microsoft Project vs Insightly vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — at a glance

FeatureMicrosoft ProjectInsightlyBigin by Zoho CRM
Rating4.0 / 54.3 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews1,520717243
Starting price$10 /User/Month$29 /User/Month$7 /User/Month
Free trial Yes Yes Yes
Free version No No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessSmall Business
CategoryProject Management SoftwareCRM SoftwareCRM Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - WindowsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailableAvailableAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR
Data residencyGlobalUSGlobal

Key differences between Microsoft Project and Insightly

  • Pricing: Microsoft Project starts at $10 /User/Month, while Insightly starts at $29 /User/Month.
  • User satisfaction: Insightly scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
  • Deployment: Microsoft Project supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows; Insightly supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Compare Microsoft Project vs Insightly vs Bigin by Zoho CRM — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Project Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Microsoft Project - Project Management Software
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Insightly - CRM Software
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Free PDF comparison

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Microsoft Project

Best for

Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business

Insightly

Best for mid-sized teams needing flexible CRM with strong email integration.

Choose if
  • You want a unified platform managing contacts, leads, deals, and opportunities.
  • Your team values built-in real-time messaging for seamless collaboration.
  • You require syncing capabilities with Outlook and Gmail for streamlined workflows.
Consider alternatives if
  • You need advanced reporting and analytics beyond basic CRM capabilities.
  • You rely heavily on mobile app features with full desktop parity.

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Best for

Small Business

Microsoft Project typically suits Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises. Insightly tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Microsoft Project is the project management solution that helps teams easily collaborate, communicate and follow their project plan from start to finish. Microsoft Project also helps ... Read More about Microsoft Project

Insightly is CRM software for growing B2B sales and marketing teams that need pipeline tracking, contact management, and task automation without enterprise-level complexity. It integrates ... Read More about Insightly

Bigin is Zoho's lightweight CRM designed for small teams under 50 people running straightforward sales cycles. Its drag-and-drop pipeline and email sync with Gmail and Outlook allow reps to ... Read More about Bigin by Zoho CRM

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $10
  • Starts from $29
  • Starts from $7 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.8/10

9.3/10

9.0/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.02

(1520)

4.26

(717)

Best Company Size

50 to 500 employees
1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Microsoft Project

  • Advanced Project Scheduling and Planning: Microsoft Project offers detailed Gantt charts, task dependencies, and critical path analysis, letting you schedule and plan projects precisely.
  • Resource Management: The platform provides tools for resource allocation, workload balancing, and cost tracking, maintaining efficient use of resources across projects.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Microsoft Project includes built-in reporting features that support data-driven decision-making and project performance analysis.

Insightly

  • Project Management: With Insightly, teams can easily manage projects from initiation to completion. Tasks, deadlines, and milestones are organized in one intuitive platform, keeping everyone aligned and focused.
  • Reliable CRM Capabilities: Insightly offers a powerful customer relationship management system that helps you maintain meaningful connections with clients. You'll find it easy to track interactions, manage leads, and build stronger relationships that drive sales.
  • Customizable Workflows: Design workflows that fit your unique business needs. Administrators can automate repetitive tasks and maintain consistent processes across teams.
Best fit

Best fit

Microsoft Project

  • 50 to 500 employees
  • Construction, Engineering, IT Services, Manufacturing, Consulting
  • Project Managers, Program Managers, Resource Managers, Operations Directors, Portfolio Managers

Insightly

  • 1 to 500 employees
  • SaaS, Consulting, Marketing Technology (Martech), and Sales Automation
  • roles such as Sales Managers, Account Executives, Business Development Representatives, and CRM Administrators
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Microsoft Project

  • Teams seeking intuitive and user-friendly interfaces might opt for tools like Trello or Asana, which offer straightforward task management and collaboration features without the complexity of advanced project management functionalities.
  • Organizations practicing Agile methodologies may find tools like Jira or Monday.com more aligned with their workflow, as these platforms offer robust support for sprints, backlogs, and iterative development processes.
  • Teams emphasizing real-time collaboration and communication might prefer platforms like Slack or ClickUp, which integrate messaging, file sharing, and task management in a single interface.

Insightly

  • Users may seek alternatives if they require more advanced customization options for workflows and dashboards, as Insightly's flexibility might not meet specific business needs or unique processes.
  • Businesses looking for enhanced reporting capabilities may explore other CRM solutions that offer more robust analytics tools, which can provide deeper insights into customer interactions and sales performance.
  • Companies with larger teams might consider alternatives that support more extensive user management features, as Insightly's user limits and pricing tiers could be restrictive for growing organizations.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Microsoft Project, Insightly and Bigin by Zoho CRM Compare on Features?

Total Features

15 Features

30 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Microsoft Project, Insightly and Bigin by Zoho CRM on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

        Starting From

        • $10
        • $29
        • $7 , Billed Yearly

        Pricing Plans

        • Not Available
        • Not Available
        • Free

          • Single Pipeline

          • 500 Records

          • Instant Workflows (3)

          Show more +

        • Express

          • Includes features of Free plan, plus

          • Team Pipelines (3)

          • 50,000 Records

          Show more +

        • Premier

          • Includes features of Express Edition plan. plus

          • Team Pipelines (5)

          • 100,000 Records

          Show more +

        Pricing Page

        Microsoft Project pricing
        Insightly pricing
        Bigin by Zoho CRM pricing

        Other Details

        Organization Types supported

        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals
        • Large Enterprises
        • Medium Business
        • Small Business
        • Freelancers
        • Individuals

        Platforms Supported

        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Browser Based (Cloud)
        • Mobile - Android
        • Mobile - iOS
        • Installed - Windows
        • Installed - Mac
        • Browser Based (Cloud)

        Modes of support

        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online
        • 24/7 (Live rep)
        • Business Hours
        • Online

        API Support

        • Available
        • Available
        • Available
        Get help choosing
        Get help choosing

        Security & Compliance

        Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

        SOC 2

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        HIPAA

        ✗ No
        ✓ Yes

        GDPR

        ✓ Yes

        Single Sign-On (SSO)

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Data Encryption

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Audit Logs

        ✓ Yes
        ✓ Yes

        Data Residency

        🌐 Global
        🇺🇸 US

        Microsoft Project vs Insightly User Reviews & Rating Comparison

        User Ratings

        Rating Distribution

        660

        622

        186

        40

        18

        502

        253

        72

        40

        10

        204

        66

        7

        1

        1

        Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is positive across 1526 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

        What buyers like

        • Customizable and flexible for various project types, including complex ones.
        • Integrates with Excel, Word, and PowerBI for improved reporting and workflow.
        • Gantt charts and automated dependency setups support task tracking and timeline management.

        Common complaints

        • High subscription cost; no longer available for outright purchase.
        • Steep learning curve requiring extensive training or tutorials to master.
        • Overly complex for small or simple projects; better suited to large organizations.

        Buyer sentiment

        Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use, collaboration features, and integration capabilities, with some concerns about mobile functionality and pricing.

        What buyers like

        • Ease of use
        • Collaboration features
        • Integration with email platforms

        Common complaints

        • Limited mobile app functionality
        • Insufficient advanced reporting

        Buyer sentiment

        Buyer sentiment is very strong across 279 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

        What buyers like

        • Simple design with a short learning curve — accessible for non-technical users.
        • Pricing targets startups and small businesses with core CRM features at low cost.
        • Pipeline management and workflow automation reduce manual steps in sales processes.

        Common complaints

        • Limited integrations with social media apps and LinkedIn or Facebook ad platforms.
        • Lacks advanced features needed by larger enterprises or complex workflows.
        • Customer support availability is inconsistent, affecting issue resolution during critical moments.

        Pros and Cons

        • Customizable and flexible, allowing adaptation to various projects and needs, particularly complex ones.

        • Seamless integration with other Microsoft tools like Excel, Word, and PowerBI, improving workflow and reporting.

        • Excellent for task tracking and timeline management, with features like Gantt charts and automated dependency setups.

        • High subscription/license cost, with purchasing restrictions as it is no longer available outright.

        • Steep learning curve for beginners, with a need for extensive training or tutorials to master its features.

        • Unified platform for managing contacts, leads, deals, and opportunities

        • Built-in real-time messaging for team collaboration

        • Seamless syncing with Outlook and Gmail

        • Reporting tools lack robustness for advanced analytics

        • Mobile app has limited features compared to desktop

        • Real-time updates keep teams informed.

        • Integration with email and calendar enhances productivity.

        • User-friendly interface simplifies navigation.

        • Customization options may not meet all needs.

        • New users may find the interface complex.

        Positive Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        Negative Reviews

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        No reviews available for the product

        Used Microsoft Project, Insightly, or Bigin by Zoho CRM? Tell buyers what actually differs.

        List of Customers

        Customers

        No Customers information available.

        4over LLC

        4over LLC

        Savanta

        Savanta

        Atlanta Eats

        Atlanta Eats

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Antech Microsystem Pvt.Ltd

        Investacc

        Investacc

        Hire

        Hire

        Media and Screenshots

        Screenshots

        No screenshots available.

        Marketing

        9 Screenshots

        Videos

        video-0

        1 Videos

        video-0

        5 Videos

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        Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

        Frequently asked questions

        Which is better, Microsoft Project or Insightly?
        Insightly edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
        Do Microsoft Project and Insightly offer a free trial?
        Yes, both Microsoft Project and Insightly offer a free trial.
        What is the starting price of Microsoft Project vs Insightly?
        Microsoft Project starts at $10 /User/Month. Insightly starts at $29 /User/Month.
        What are the top alternatives to Microsoft Project?
        Top alternatives to Microsoft Project include Quickbase, Smartsheet, ClickUp, Freshbooks, Jira.
        What are the top alternatives to Insightly?
        Top alternatives to Insightly include Bigin by Zoho CRM, Hubspot Marketing Hub, ClickUp, Zoho CRM, Agentforce Sales (formerly Salesforce Sales Cloud).