elia vs. Microsoft Places: Comparison and Expert Reviews for 2026

elia and Microsoft Places are workplace management software for workplace coordination and space planning, each built for different office needs. Learn how they compare on booking, workspace optimization, AI insights, and workplace operations.

By Kim Behnke
9 years in HR + certified Digital HR Specialist turned software researcher

We review tools independently, and commissions help fund our testing. See our transparency policy, our methodology, or suggest a tool.

Hybrid workplace coordination can quickly turn messy without the right tools. Employees need to know when to come in, where to sit, which spaces are available, and how office resources are being used.

elia and Microsoft Places are both workplace management software platforms for coordinating hybrid work, workplace resources, and office usage. elia takes a dedicated workplace operations approach, bringing desk booking, room booking, visitor management, service requests, occupancy insights, automation, and optional hardware into one platform. Microsoft Places takes a Microsoft-native approach, using AI across Teams and Outlook to help employees plan office days, book spaces, coordinate in-person work, and understand space utilization.

In this comparison, I’ll break down elia and Microsoft Places across features, pricing, usability, security, and best-fit use cases to help you decide which platform makes the most sense for your workplace.

elia

elia combines workplace analytics, occupancy data, and space insights in a unified dashboard.
elia combines workplace analytics, occupancy data, and space insights in a unified dashboard.
elia offers a heatmap analytics view showing workspace booking activity.
elia offers a heatmap analytics view showing workspace booking activity.
elia offers a visual desk booking interface with floor map, showing desk occupancy.
elia offers a visual desk booking interface with floor map, showing desk occupancy.
Customer rating

4.7/5

Pricing
  • Free demo available
  • From $500/month

Microsoft Places

Microsoft Places helps organizations coordinate hybrid work with integrated workplace management tools.
Microsoft Places helps organizations coordinate hybrid work with integrated workplace management tools.
Customer rating

4.6/5

Pricing
  • Free demo available
  • From $8.55/license/month (billed annually)

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Our team has been testing and reviewing software since 2012. As HR experts ourselves, we know how difficult—and important—it is to choose the right software.

For this guide, we evaluated tools using hands-on testing and independent research, scoring tools using our selection criteria. We also draw on insights from industry thought leaders and practicing HR experts.

Our reviews reflect our human editorial judgment, not a sales pitch.

Expert reviewers:

eliaMicrosoft Places
Free TrialFree demo availableFree demo available
PricingFrom $500/monthFrom $8.55/license/month (billed annually)

elia vs. Microsoft Places Pricing & Hidden Costs

elia uses public, plan-based pricing by places, with unlimited users included across its plans. Costs can still rise if you need more places, advanced reporting, governance, API access, custom integrations, SLAs, or higher automation and AI credit limits. The main hidden cost is hardware, since occupancy sensors, room screens, kiosks, IoT gateways, and smart locks are priced separately from the software.

By contrast, Microsoft Places pricing depends on Microsoft’s broader licensing model, with core Places features already included in many eligible Microsoft 365 plans. For paid shared-space needs, pricing is license-based rather than per-room, so costs may be less obvious if you need named desk booking, auto-release, analytics, Teams Premium, Teams Rooms, compatible devices, admin setup, or broader Microsoft 365 configuration work. When comparing both tools, factor in your managed spaces, hardware needs, existing Microsoft setup, and whether you prefer public pricing or Microsoft-native licensing.

elia focuses on broader workplace operations, combining desk booking, meeting room booking, visitor management, request management, occupancy sensors and analytics, health and safety, hybrid office management, workplace automation, and optional hardware like room screens, kiosks, smart locks, and lockers. This makes it useful for HR, facilities, IT, and office teams that need to manage not just bookings, but also visitors, service requests, safety records, real usage data, and workplace resources across physical offices.
By comparison, Microsoft Places is more focused on AI-powered workplace coordination inside the Microsoft ecosystem. It supports smart desk booking, meeting room reservations, location awareness, space utilization analytics, hybrid scheduling coordination, and office wayfinding through tools like Teams and Outlook, making it a strong fit for organizations already using Microsoft 365 to coordinate when employees come in, where they sit, and how office spaces are used.
eliaMicrosoft Places
APIYesYes
Batch Permissions & AccessNoYes
DashboardYesYes
Data ExportYesNo
Data ImportNoNo
Data VisualizationYesYes
External IntegrationsYesYes
Multi-UserYesYes
NotificationsYesYes
SchedulingYesYes

IntegrationGoogle Workspaceelia✅Microsoft Places❌
IntegrationMicrosoft Outlookelia✅Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationSlackelia✅Microsoft Places❌
IntegrationMicrosoft Teamselia✅Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationAppspaceelia❌Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationMicrosoft 365elia✅Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationServiceNowelia❌Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationHaltianelia❌Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationVergeSenseelia❌Microsoft Places✅
IntegrationAPIelia✅Microsoft Places✅

elia covers core workplace integrations like calendars, collaboration tools, SSO, API access, and custom IoT or software connections on higher-tier plans, though its prebuilt third-party library is more limited. Meanwhile, Microsoft Places is also not a broad general integration marketplace; instead, it is strongest inside the Microsoft ecosystem, with selected partners for floorplans, occupancy signals, and workplace services. Overall, elia is better suited for teams that need integrations tied to a dedicated workplace operations setup, while Microsoft Places fits teams that want workplace management workflows connected to Microsoft 365 and a focused workplace partner ecosystem.

FactorData PrivacyeliaGDPR compliant, with data hosted in Canada on AWS Canada Central-1.Microsoft PlacesBuilt into Microsoft 365, with enterprise data protection and regional data handling options.
FactorCertifications & TestingeliaISO 27001:2022 certified and ISO 9001:2015 certified, with annual third-party penetration tests.Microsoft PlacesBacked by Microsoft’s enterprise cloud security and compliance program.
FactorAccess ControlseliaSSO is available from Basic, while Business adds user provisioning and custom roles. Enterprise adds RBAC with user groups.Microsoft PlacesUses Microsoft identity and admin controls for access, permissions, and policy enforcement.
FactorAuditabilityeliaEnterprise includes audit and activity logs, API access, and custom integration options for governance-heavy teams.Microsoft PlacesSupports audit and compliance workflows through the broader Microsoft 365 environment.
FactorReliabilityeliaCloud-based and hosted on AWS Canada Central-1, with SLAs available on Enterprise.Microsoft PlacesRuns on Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure with Microsoft 365 service management practices.

Both elia and Microsoft Places offer strong security foundations for workplace management. elia focuses on standalone workplace governance, with Canadian data hosting, GDPR compliance, ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, annual penetration testing, SSO, provisioning, RBAC, audit logs, and Enterprise SLAs. Microsoft Places, by contrast, relies on the broader Microsoft 365 security ecosystem, making it a natural fit for teams already using Microsoft identity, admin, and compliance tools. Overall, elia leans toward clear workplace-specific governance, while Microsoft Places aligns workplace security with the controls organizations already manage in Microsoft 365.

FactorUser InterfaceeliaUses visual floor plans, booking flows, dashboards, and workplace maps to help teams manage desks, rooms, visitors, requests, and space usage.Microsoft PlacesFeels familiar for Microsoft users because workplace planning, booking, and coordination happen through Teams, Outlook, and Microsoft 365.
FactorOnboardingeliaSetup scales by plan, from self-serve onboarding to guided training and turn-key deployment. Most rollouts center on floor plans, booking rules, and workplace configuration.Microsoft PlacesSetup depends on the existing Microsoft 365 environment, with configuration tied to Teams, Outlook, user access, and shared workplace resources.
FactorConfigurationeliaMore configurable for teams managing automation, occupancy data, visitor flows, service requests, hardware, and governance needs.Microsoft PlacesEasier for Microsoft-based teams, but configuration is more tied to Microsoft admin settings, policies, and existing workflows.
FactorSupporteliaFree includes help center access, Basic adds email and chat support, Business adds onboarding and a dedicated account manager, and Enterprise includes turn-key deployment.Microsoft PlacesSupport runs through Microsoft’s broader documentation, admin resources, and enterprise support channels.

From an ease-of-use perspective, Microsoft Places leans into familiarity for teams already using Microsoft 365, with workplace planning and booking built into tools like Teams and Outlook. By contrast, elia offers a more purpose-built workplace operations experience, with visual floor plans, modular setup, booking flows, dashboards, and configuration options for visitors, requests, occupancy data, automation, and hardware. Overall, Microsoft Places may feel simpler for Microsoft-heavy organizations, while elia will likely offer more structure and flexibility for teams that need a dedicated system for managing physical workplace operations.

elia

Pros
  • Modular tools for managing desks, rooms, visitors, service requests, and workplace space
  • Optional sensors, kiosks, screens, and smart lockers for stronger office usage data
  • Dashboards and heatmaps combine bookings and real usage for better space planning
Cons
  • Hardware costs extra beyond the software plan
  • Fewer prebuilt integrations than larger workplace management platforms
  • Cloud only, with no self-hosted or on-premise option
Visit elia (opens in a new window)

Microsoft Places

Pros
  • Native meeting room and desk booking streamlines hybrid schedules
  • Automatic location awareness helps coordinate in-office attendance
  • Real-time space utilization analytics inform office planning
Cons
  • No built-in time tracking or attendance enforcement tools
  • Features depend heavily on Microsoft 365 subscriptions
  • Limited mobile functionality for non-desk-based workers
Read Microsoft Places Review (opens in a new window)

elia

elia combines workplace analytics, occupancy data, and space insights in a unified dashboard.
elia combines workplace analytics, occupancy data, and space insights in a unified dashboard.
elia offers a heatmap analytics view showing workspace booking activity.
elia offers a heatmap analytics view showing workspace booking activity.
elia offers a visual desk booking interface with floor map, showing desk occupancy.
elia offers a visual desk booking interface with floor map, showing desk occupancy.
  1. Mid-Sized and Enterprise Organizationselia supports growing and large organizations that need more structure for shared desks, meeting rooms, visitors, workplace resources, and space usage across one or more offices.
  2. Professional Services and Legal Firmselia helps office-based firms manage hybrid schedules, client visits, meeting rooms, and shared workplace resources.
  3. Insurance and Financial Serviceselia supports teams that need structured workplace access, visitor logs, space visibility, and office coordination.
  4. Manufacturing and Engineering OfficesCorporate and office-based teams can use elia to manage desks, rooms, requests, lockers, and occupancy data.
  5. Public Sector, Healthcare, Education, and Nonprofitselia fits organizations that need workplace management, audit-ready records, health and safety tools, and English/French support.
  6. Media and Telecommunications Companieselia works for organizations with shared offices, distributed teams, changing occupancy needs, and workplace resource planning.

Microsoft Places

Microsoft Places helps organizations coordinate hybrid work with integrated workplace management tools.
Microsoft Places helps organizations coordinate hybrid work with integrated workplace management tools.
  1. Hybrid Tech CompaniesTech firms with flexible or hybrid office policies benefit from easy workspace booking and automated attendance coordination.
  2. Corporate HeadquartersLarge office environments leverage Places for desk and room booking, workspace analytics, and real estate planning decisions.
  3. HR DepartmentsHR teams appreciate the clear scheduling tools which help support employee well-being and office experience.
  4. Facilities ManagementFacilities teams use real-time space and occupancy data for optimizing office layouts and maintenance resources.
  5. Financial Services FirmsProfessional workforces with fluctuating office needs use Places for better resource planning and schedule visibility.
  6. Distributed Project TeamsGroups with rotating office attendance or cross-city collaboration rely on Places to align in-person meetings and reduce scheduling friction.

Who Should Use elia, And Who Should Use Microsoft Places?

If you need workplace management software with deeper workplace operations coverage, elia is likely the better fit. It works well for mid-sized and enterprise organizations where HR, facilities, IT, and office teams need to manage desk booking, room booking, visitor management, service requests, occupancy insights, health and safety, automation, and optional workplace hardware.

If you need workplace management software that works inside your existing Microsoft 365 environment, Microsoft Places is likely the better fit. It suits organizations already using Microsoft 365 that want AI-assisted hybrid work coordination, smart desk booking, meeting room reservations, shared work plans, space utilization insights, and workplace planning through Teams and Outlook. That said, the two tools may also work together for some Microsoft 365 teams, with Places covering Microsoft-native coordination and elia covering deeper workplace operations like visitors, sensors, service requests, lockers, health and safety, and automation.

Data and Hosting Focuselia

Hosts data in Canada and supports English and French, which can matter for Canadian and Quebec buyers.

Microsoft Places

Runs through the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, making it a natural fit for organizations already using Microsoft identity, admin, and compliance tools.

Platform Approachelia

Dedicated workplace management software for workplace operations, covering desks, rooms, visitors, requests, occupancy, safety, automation, and hardware, with a native Microsoft Teams app for booking desks and rooms inside Teams.

Microsoft Places

Microsoft-native workplace management software focused on hybrid work coordination, space booking, office presence, and workplace planning inside Microsoft 365.

Pricing Modelelia

Uses public pricing by managed places, with unlimited users included and hardware priced separately.

Microsoft Places

Uses Microsoft licensing, including Teams Shared Space licenses and possible add-ons tied to Microsoft 365 setup, devices, and configuration.

Visitor and Request Managementelia

Includes visitor management and workplace service requests tied to bookings, such as AV, catering, setup, and facilities support.

Microsoft Places

Focuses more on employee office planning, desk booking, room reservations, shared work plans, and wayfinding.

Workplace Hardwareelia

Supports optional occupancy sensors, kiosks, room screens, IoT gateways, smart locks, and lockers.

Microsoft Places

Connects more through Microsoft-supported workplace partners and compatible shared-space devices.

Visit elia (opens in a new window)
Read Microsoft Places Review (opens in a new window)

Desk Booking

Both support desk reservations for flexible and hybrid work environments.

Hybrid Work Coordination

Both support teams that need better visibility into when employees come in and how office space is used.

Meeting Room Booking

Both help employees find and reserve meeting rooms with availability visibility.

Space Utilization

Both provide workplace usage data to help teams understand demand and optimize office space.

Workplace Management Focus

Both help organizations coordinate how employees use physical workplaces, shared spaces, and office resources.

Visit elia (opens in a new window)
Read Microsoft Places Review (opens in a new window)