Staying productive as an organization can feel like an uphill battle. According to the 2024 Executive Productivity Report, 42% of respondents said administrative tasks and busy work are their biggest productivity blockers, up from 38% in 2022. Given that 65% of executives now use task management tools to stay on top of their workload, the right software can make or break your team’s efficiency.
Two leading task management platforms, Microsoft Loop and Monday.com, offer robust solutions for businesses seeking to increase productivity. Both are powerful tools, but each caters to different needs. Understanding their strengths and how they might fit into your workflow can help you make the best choice for your business.
Introduced in 2023, Microsoft Loop is a shared digital workspace that seamlessly integrates with the Microsoft 365 suite, where users can manage tasks, create documents and track progress. It's like having a magical whiteboard that can transform into a document, a task list, or a project plan at will – all while staying perfectly in sync across your team's favorite Microsoft tools, like Teams, Outlook, and Excel. Loop recently added significant functionality with the launch of its version 2.0 and would expect more features to get added in the near future given that this is still a new product from Microsoft.
Included in all Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans and most Microsoft 365 Business subscriptions, Loop is a cost-effective, smart option for companies already using Microsoft’s suite of tools.
Monday.com, on the other hand, was launched in 2014 and has since evolved into a comprehensive work operating system (OS). Known for its visually dynamic interface, Monday.com empowers teams to build customizable workflows tailored to their specific needs. The platform supports everything from task management to CRM, making it versatile for businesses of all sizes. While Monday.com serves well for basic project management, superusers are passionate about the ability to customize workflows without the need for coding skills.
Monday.com operates on a subscription model, with pricing starting at $9 per seat per month. Its ease of use, combined with extensive customization options, has made it a go-to for companies seeking a tool that grows with their business.
When comparing Microsoft Loop and Monday.com, here are the top five features to consider:
Let's dive into each of these features and see how Microsoft Loop and Monday.com stack up against each other.
|
Features |
Microsoft Loop |
Monday.com |
|
Collaboration |
4.5/5 |
4.5/5 |
|
Task Management |
3.5/5 |
5/5 |
|
Ease of Use |
4/5 |
4.5/5 |
|
Data Management |
4/5 |
4/5 |
|
Integrations |
3.5/5 (5/5 for Microsoft users) |
5/5 |
Microsoft Loop is essentially a digital brainstorming room, built for collaboration. Your team can brainstorm, plan, and execute together in real time, with:
Loop creates a unified, cohesive workspace for document sharing and group collaboration, minimizing the need to switch between apps.
Rating: 4.5/5
If Loop is a digital room, Monday.com is an entire office building with:
Both platforms excel at bringing teams together, but Loop's integration with Microsoft 365 gives it a slight edge for teams already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Rating: 4.5/5
Although Loop handles task management, its approach is rudimentary. Would expect upcoming enhancements of this relatively new tool to focus on the task management functionality to catch up to alternative solutions. You can create to-do lists and organize tasks in tables with custom fields and statuses, as well as assign task owners. While functional, Loop's task management feels more like a sidekick to its main hero, collaborative document editing.
Integration with Microsoft To Do and Planner helps fill the gap, but users may find it lacking compared to dedicated project management tools.
Rating: 3.5/5
In contrast, Monday.com is a task management powerhouse, with:
The platform’s flexibility lets teams break down projects into manageable chunks, structuring tasks in ways that best suit their workflows — from simple to-do lists to complex project plans. Monday.com has advanced project management features like time tracking, workload capacity management, and task dependencies.
Rating: 5/5
Loop’s interface is modern and familiar, especially for those used to Microsoft 365 products. It has a drag-and-drop interface with a flexible canvas. By typing / or @, users can create most Loop components.
There is also a template gallery to help new users get started with pre-designed templates for common use cases, like project briefs, Kanban boards, and Scrum boards.
However, for those new to the Microsoft ecosystem, there might be a bit of a learning curve as they navigate the interconnected nature of Microsoft's tools.
Rating: 4/5
Ease of use is a hallmark of Monday.com. Its colorful, drag-and-drop interface makes Monday.com approachable even for first-time users.
With Monday.com’s extensive template library, teams can get up and running with minimal onboarding, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to implement a tool quickly.
Rating: 4.5/5
Loop's data management shines brightest when you're fully invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Users can store, sync, and manage data across multiple applications, all while maintaining version control and ensuring seamless updates. In Loop, users can easily attach and preview files from OneDrive and SharePoint.
Rating: 4/5
Monday.com offers extensive data management options, including customizable fields, formulas, and dashboards. Teams can generate detailed reports and dashboards that aggregate data from multiple projects and provide actionable insights.
Integration with tools like Google Drive and Dropbox makes it easy to store and share files in context. With Monday.com’s advanced search, users can find information across all their boards easily.
Rating: 4/5
Loop's integration strategy is like a close-knit family – it works beautifully within the Microsoft clan but is a bit hesitant to mingle outside. It offers:
While it may not boast an extensive list of third-party integrations, its interoperability within the Microsoft suite is unparalleled. For Microsoft-centric teams, Loop's integrations are a dream come true. For others, the options might feel limited.
Rating: 3.5/5 (*5/5 for Microsoft users)
Monday.com, in contrast, is the social butterfly of productivity tools. It boasts:
This wide range of options makes Monday.com highly versatile and adaptable to almost any tech stack.
Rating: 5/5
In the end, the best tool is the one that disappears into the background, enhancing your team's productivity without adding to the noise. Whether you choose the collaborative prowess of Microsoft Loop or the versatile customization of Monday.com, remember that the goal is to spend less time managing tasks and more time accomplishing them.
Why not take both for a spin? Many teams find that a trial run reveals unexpected benefits or challenges that no comparison article can capture. After all, productivity is personal – what works for one team might not work for another.
As you embark on your productivity tool journey, keep in mind that the right choice today might evolve as your team grows and changes. The key is to remain flexible and open to new possibilities. Who knows? The perfect productivity solution might be just a loop or a monday away.
Or, it might be closer to home, as we discovered recently. Faced with a bloated tech stack and mounting subscription costs, we took a step back and rediscovered the power of tools we already had – the Microsoft suite.
Curious about how we did it? Dive into the full story here: I fell back in love with Microsoft: Fixing Prialto's bloated subscription tech. There may be more potential than you know in your current tech investments.