Quick Overview
- 1#1: BigTime - Comprehensive time tracking, expense management, and invoicing platform designed specifically for consulting and professional services firms.
- 2#2: Accelo - All-in-one professional services automation tool for consultants handling projects, time tracking, billing, and client management.
- 3#3: Kantata - Resource planning and project management software with advanced billing and profitability tracking for consulting teams.
- 4#4: Harvest - Simple time tracking and invoicing app that helps consultants log hours, track expenses, and generate professional invoices.
- 5#5: FreshBooks - Cloud accounting software optimized for freelancers and consultants with automated invoicing, time tracking, and expense management.
- 6#6: QuickBooks Online - Robust accounting solution featuring customizable invoicing, time tracking, and financial reporting for consulting businesses.
- 7#7: Toggl Track - Intuitive time tracking tool with built-in invoicing and reporting to streamline billing for independent consultants.
- 8#8: Bill4Time - Legal and consulting billing software that tracks time, manages expenses, and automates invoicing workflows.
- 9#9: TimeSolv - Cloud-based billing and practice management for consultants and professionals with trust accounting and reporting.
- 10#10: Zoho Invoice - Free online invoicing tool with time tracking and multi-currency support ideal for small consulting operations.
Tools were evaluated based on functionality (including time tracking, expense management, and invoicing), user experience, reliability, and overall value, with an emphasis on adaptability to consulting workflows of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Navigating consultant billing software can be complex, but this comparison table simplifies the process by breaking down top tools like BigTime, Accelo, Kantata, Harvest, FreshBooks, and more. Readers will explore key features, pricing models, and ideal uses, empowering them to identify the best fit for their practice’s unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BigTime Comprehensive time tracking, expense management, and invoicing platform designed specifically for consulting and professional services firms. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Accelo All-in-one professional services automation tool for consultants handling projects, time tracking, billing, and client management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Kantata Resource planning and project management software with advanced billing and profitability tracking for consulting teams. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Harvest Simple time tracking and invoicing app that helps consultants log hours, track expenses, and generate professional invoices. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | FreshBooks Cloud accounting software optimized for freelancers and consultants with automated invoicing, time tracking, and expense management. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | QuickBooks Online Robust accounting solution featuring customizable invoicing, time tracking, and financial reporting for consulting businesses. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Toggl Track Intuitive time tracking tool with built-in invoicing and reporting to streamline billing for independent consultants. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Bill4Time Legal and consulting billing software that tracks time, manages expenses, and automates invoicing workflows. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | TimeSolv Cloud-based billing and practice management for consultants and professionals with trust accounting and reporting. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Zoho Invoice Free online invoicing tool with time tracking and multi-currency support ideal for small consulting operations. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
Comprehensive time tracking, expense management, and invoicing platform designed specifically for consulting and professional services firms.
All-in-one professional services automation tool for consultants handling projects, time tracking, billing, and client management.
Resource planning and project management software with advanced billing and profitability tracking for consulting teams.
Simple time tracking and invoicing app that helps consultants log hours, track expenses, and generate professional invoices.
Cloud accounting software optimized for freelancers and consultants with automated invoicing, time tracking, and expense management.
Robust accounting solution featuring customizable invoicing, time tracking, and financial reporting for consulting businesses.
Intuitive time tracking tool with built-in invoicing and reporting to streamline billing for independent consultants.
Legal and consulting billing software that tracks time, manages expenses, and automates invoicing workflows.
Cloud-based billing and practice management for consultants and professionals with trust accounting and reporting.
Free online invoicing tool with time tracking and multi-currency support ideal for small consulting operations.
BigTime
enterpriseComprehensive time tracking, expense management, and invoicing platform designed specifically for consulting and professional services firms.
Capacity Planning Dashboard with AI-driven forecasting for optimal resource allocation and billable utilization prediction
BigTime is a robust professional services automation (PSA) platform designed specifically for consultant billing, offering seamless time and expense tracking, project management, and automated invoicing. It enables firms to capture every billable hour accurately through mobile apps and web interfaces, while providing real-time profitability insights and resource utilization forecasting. With deep integrations to accounting tools like QuickBooks and NetSuite, it streamlines the entire billing lifecycle from time entry to payment collection.
Pros
- Comprehensive time/expense tracking with mobile-first design for on-the-go logging
- Advanced reporting and dashboards for profitability analysis and forecasting
- Seamless integrations with major accounting software for automated billing
Cons
- Initial setup and customization require some training
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams with advanced features
- Mobile app lacks some desktop-level reporting capabilities
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms and professional services teams focused on maximizing billable utilization and streamlining invoicing.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at ~$10/user/month for Essentials plan, up to $40+/user/month for Elite with advanced features; annual contracts recommended.
Accelo
enterpriseAll-in-one professional services automation tool for consultants handling projects, time tracking, billing, and client management.
Smart Practice Automation that unifies sales pipelines, project delivery, and billing into automated, interconnected workflows
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for consultancies, agencies, and service-based businesses. It integrates CRM, project management, time tracking, scheduling, invoicing, and billing into a single system to streamline the entire client lifecycle. With automated workflows and real-time profitability insights, it excels in consultant billing by enabling accurate time-based invoicing, retainers, and expense tracking.
Pros
- All-in-one PSA suite covering sales, projects, time tracking, and billing seamlessly
- Advanced automation for workflows, retainers, and recurring billing
- Robust reporting with real-time profitability and resource utilization insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Pricing can be high for very small teams or solo consultants
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms and agencies needing an integrated platform for end-to-end project delivery and billing management.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Basic, billed annually), with Plus ($69/user/month), Advanced ($99/user/month), and custom Enterprise plans.
Kantata
enterpriseResource planning and project management software with advanced billing and profitability tracking for consulting teams.
AI-driven Intelligent Insights for predictive resource allocation and profitability forecasting
Kantata is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for consulting firms, offering end-to-end management of projects, resources, time tracking, expenses, and billing. It automates consultant billing processes with features like milestone-based invoicing, rate cards, and revenue recognition. The software provides real-time financial insights and forecasting to optimize profitability and cash flow.
Pros
- Advanced resource capacity planning and forecasting
- Seamless time/expense tracking integrated with invoicing
- Strong integrations with ERP/accounting systems like NetSuite and QuickBooks
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Pricing can be prohibitive for small firms
- Occasional performance lags with large datasets
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms requiring integrated PSA for billing, resource management, and project profitability.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; starts around $39/user/month for Team plan, up to $59+/user/month for enterprise features (billed annually).
Harvest
specializedSimple time tracking and invoicing app that helps consultants log hours, track expenses, and generate professional invoices.
Smart time tracking reminders and scheduling that ensure comprehensive and accurate billable hour capture
Harvest is a user-friendly time tracking and invoicing platform tailored for freelancers, agencies, and consultants. It enables precise time logging against projects and clients via desktop timers, mobile apps, and reminders, with automatic conversion of tracked time into customizable invoices. The tool also supports expense tracking, basic reporting, and seamless integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and payment processors like Stripe.
Pros
- Intuitive time tracking with cross-device timers, scheduling, and nudges for accurate logging
- Seamless invoicing directly from time entries, supporting multiple formats and payments
- Robust integrations with 100+ apps including QuickBooks, Stripe, and Asana
Cons
- Per-user pricing can become expensive for larger consulting teams
- Lacks advanced project management, CRM, or retainer billing features
- Reporting is solid but basic, often requiring exports for deeper analysis
Best For
Freelance consultants and small-to-medium agencies prioritizing simple hourly time tracking and invoicing without complex project management needs.
Pricing
Free for 1 user (2 projects); Pro at $12/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud accounting software optimized for freelancers and consultants with automated invoicing, time tracking, and expense management.
Project-based time tracking that automatically generates billable invoices from logged hours
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting software tailored for freelancers, consultants, and small service-based businesses. It streamlines billing through customizable invoices, time tracking, expense management, and project-based profitability tracking. For consultants, it excels at converting billable hours into invoices, accepting online payments, and sending automated reminders, making client billing efficient and professional.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with drag-and-drop invoicing
- Seamless time tracking and expense logging tied to projects
- Integrated payment processing with QuickBooks and Stripe support
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Pricing scales steeply based on client volume, not users
- Lacks double-entry accounting and inventory management
Best For
Solo consultants or small firms focused on service billing who prioritize ease of use over full-scale accounting.
Pricing
Lite plan at $19/mo (5 clients), Plus at $33/mo (50 clients), Premium at $60/mo (unlimited clients); Select plan is custom enterprise pricing.
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseRobust accounting solution featuring customizable invoicing, time tracking, and financial reporting for consulting businesses.
Project Profitability Tracking, which lets consultants monitor income, expenses, and margins per client or project in real-time.
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting platform that excels in invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, making it suitable for consultants handling billing tasks. It offers time tracking, customizable invoices, recurring billing, and project profitability analysis in higher tiers, helping consultants manage billable hours and client payments efficiently. While not exclusively designed for consultants, its robust integrations and automation streamline billing workflows alongside full accounting needs.
Pros
- Powerful invoicing with automation, recurring templates, and online payments
- Time tracking and project profitability tools for accurate billable hours
- Extensive integrations with 750+ apps for enhanced consultant workflows
Cons
- Full consultant features like time tracking require Plus plan ($90+/mo) or higher
- Interface can feel overwhelming for users focused only on simple billing
- Advanced reporting and customizations may need add-ons, increasing costs
Best For
Small to mid-sized consulting firms needing integrated accounting, project billing, and financial reporting in one platform.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) for basic invoicing; Essentials ($60/mo) adds billable time; Plus ($90/mo) includes projects/time tracking; Advanced ($200/mo) for enterprise needs.
Toggl Track
specializedIntuitive time tracking tool with built-in invoicing and reporting to streamline billing for independent consultants.
Idle detection and Pomodoro timer for effortless, precise capture of billable time.
Toggl Track is a user-friendly time tracking application that enables consultants to log billable hours with precision using timers, manual entries, and integrations with calendars and project tools. It generates detailed reports on time spent per client, project, or task, which can be exported for invoicing purposes. While it supports billing workflows through integrations with tools like QuickBooks and FreshBooks, it lacks native invoicing and payment processing features.
Pros
- Intuitive one-click timer with idle detection for accurate tracking
- Robust reporting and export options tailored for billable hours
- Seamless integrations with popular invoicing and project management tools
Cons
- No built-in invoicing or payment processing capabilities
- Advanced reporting requires premium plans
- Limited native project management for complex billing scenarios
Best For
Freelance consultants and small teams focused on precise time tracking to support hourly billing without needing full accounting software.
Pricing
Free plan for basic tracking; Starter at $9/user/month, Premium at $18/user/month (billed annually).
Bill4Time
specializedLegal and consulting billing software that tracks time, manages expenses, and automates invoicing workflows.
One-click invoicing that pulls directly from time sheets and expenses for rapid billing cycles
Bill4Time is a versatile time tracking and billing platform tailored for consultants, lawyers, and small professional services firms. It enables precise time logging via mobile apps and desktop timers, automated invoice generation from tracked time, expense management, and customizable reporting. The software integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and supports client portals for approvals and payments.
Pros
- Robust mobile and desktop time tracking with GPS and offline support
- Quick invoicing directly from time entries and QuickBooks integration
- Comprehensive reporting and client portal for bill approvals
Cons
- Dated user interface that lacks modern polish
- Limited advanced automation and AI-driven insights
- Occasional reports of slow customer support response times
Best For
Small to mid-sized consulting firms seeking affordable, straightforward time billing without needing enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (Solo), $39/user/month (Pro), $59/user/month (Enterprise), billed annually with a free trial.
TimeSolv
specializedCloud-based billing and practice management for consultants and professionals with trust accounting and reporting.
Matter-based billing that allows precise tracking and billing per project or client engagement
TimeSolv is a cloud-based time tracking and billing software tailored for consultants, lawyers, and accountants, offering tools for capturing billable hours, managing expenses, and generating invoices. It includes client portals for approvals, online payments via multiple gateways, and detailed reporting for profitability analysis. The platform supports recurring billing and matter-based tracking, making it suitable for service-oriented billing workflows.
Pros
- Robust time tracking with timers and mobile app
- Customizable invoicing and online payment integration
- Comprehensive reporting and client portal access
Cons
- Outdated user interface requiring adaptation
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited free trial and higher costs for multiple users
Best For
Small to mid-sized consulting firms needing detailed project-based time tracking and professional invoicing.
Pricing
Starts at $24.95 per user per month (billed annually) for the Consultant plan, with tiers up to $49.95 for advanced features.
Zoho Invoice
otherFree online invoicing tool with time tracking and multi-currency support ideal for small consulting operations.
Forever-free plan with unlimited invoices and basic time tracking for small-scale users
Zoho Invoice is a cloud-based invoicing tool tailored for freelancers, small businesses, and consultants, enabling easy creation, customization, and sending of professional invoices. It includes time tracking, project management, expense logging, and payment reminders to streamline billing workflows. As part of the Zoho ecosystem, it offers seamless integrations with CRM, Books, and other apps for efficient consultant billing.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core invoicing and time tracking
- Intuitive interface with mobile app support
- Strong integrations with Zoho suite and 40+ third-party apps
Cons
- Free plan limited to 3 customers
- Advanced reporting and automation require paid upgrades
- Limited customization for complex retainer billing
Best For
Freelance consultants and solo practitioners seeking affordable, straightforward billing without needing enterprise-level features.
Pricing
Free plan (up to 3 customers); paid plans start at $9/user/month (Standard) billed annually for unlimited customers and advanced features.
Conclusion
The top consultant billing software options, led by BigTime, Accelo, and Kantata, cater to varying needs. BigTime stands out as the top choice, offering comprehensive tools designed specifically for consulting firms. Accelo and Kantata, strong alternatives, excel in project management and resource planning, ensuring there’s a fit for different practice types.
Don’t miss out on BigTime—its robust features make it a transformative tool for consultants aiming to simplify billing, track time, and manage operations effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison