Quick Overview
- 1#1: Accelo - Accelo provides professional services automation with integrated CRM, project management, time tracking, and billing for consulting firms.
- 2#2: Kantata - Kantata offers end-to-end professional services management for consultancies, including resource planning, project delivery, and financial oversight.
- 3#3: BigTime - BigTime delivers time tracking, expense management, invoicing, and project management optimized for professional services and consulting.
- 4#4: Scoro - Scoro is an all-in-one platform combining CRM, project management, billing, and reporting for service-based consulting businesses.
- 5#5: Certinia - Certinia provides Salesforce-native PSA software for managing consulting projects, resources, sales, and profitability.
- 6#6: Kimble - Kimble PSA streamlines services lifecycle management for consultancies with sales, delivery, and financial tools on Salesforce.
- 7#7: Deltek Vision - Deltek Vision is a project ERP solution for consulting firms, focusing on accounting, resource management, and project controls.
- 8#8: Productive - Productive enables consultancies to manage projects, resources, finances, and client relationships in a single intelligent platform.
- 9#9: Avaza - Avaza offers unified project management, time tracking, expenses, and invoicing for consulting teams and small firms.
- 10#10: Forecast - Forecast automates resource scheduling, project planning, budgeting, and profitability tracking for consulting and agencies.
We ranked tools based on feature depth, user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring solutions deliver comprehensive support for consulting firms across project, client, and financial management.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right consulting management software is critical; this comparison table simplifies the process by highlighting tools like Accelo, Kantata, BigTime, Scoro, Certinia, and more. Readers will gain insights into key features, user experiences, and practical applications to identify the best fit for their firm’s workflow and objectives.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accelo Accelo provides professional services automation with integrated CRM, project management, time tracking, and billing for consulting firms. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Kantata Kantata offers end-to-end professional services management for consultancies, including resource planning, project delivery, and financial oversight. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | BigTime BigTime delivers time tracking, expense management, invoicing, and project management optimized for professional services and consulting. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 4 | Scoro Scoro is an all-in-one platform combining CRM, project management, billing, and reporting for service-based consulting businesses. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Certinia Certinia provides Salesforce-native PSA software for managing consulting projects, resources, sales, and profitability. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Kimble Kimble PSA streamlines services lifecycle management for consultancies with sales, delivery, and financial tools on Salesforce. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Deltek Vision Deltek Vision is a project ERP solution for consulting firms, focusing on accounting, resource management, and project controls. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 8 | Productive Productive enables consultancies to manage projects, resources, finances, and client relationships in a single intelligent platform. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Avaza Avaza offers unified project management, time tracking, expenses, and invoicing for consulting teams and small firms. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 10 | Forecast Forecast automates resource scheduling, project planning, budgeting, and profitability tracking for consulting and agencies. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 |
Accelo provides professional services automation with integrated CRM, project management, time tracking, and billing for consulting firms.
Kantata offers end-to-end professional services management for consultancies, including resource planning, project delivery, and financial oversight.
BigTime delivers time tracking, expense management, invoicing, and project management optimized for professional services and consulting.
Scoro is an all-in-one platform combining CRM, project management, billing, and reporting for service-based consulting businesses.
Certinia provides Salesforce-native PSA software for managing consulting projects, resources, sales, and profitability.
Kimble PSA streamlines services lifecycle management for consultancies with sales, delivery, and financial tools on Salesforce.
Deltek Vision is a project ERP solution for consulting firms, focusing on accounting, resource management, and project controls.
Productive enables consultancies to manage projects, resources, finances, and client relationships in a single intelligent platform.
Avaza offers unified project management, time tracking, expenses, and invoicing for consulting teams and small firms.
Forecast automates resource scheduling, project planning, budgeting, and profitability tracking for consulting and agencies.
Accelo
enterpriseAccelo provides professional services automation with integrated CRM, project management, time tracking, and billing for consulting firms.
Unified profitability tracking across projects, retainers, and resources for real-time financial insights
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform designed for consulting firms, agencies, and service-based businesses to manage the entire client lifecycle. It integrates CRM, project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, invoicing, retainers, and service desk into a single dashboard, automating workflows from lead to cash. This all-in-one solution excels in profitability tracking and operational efficiency for consulting management.
Pros
- All-in-one platform eliminates need for multiple tools
- Advanced automation for sales, projects, and billing workflows
- Robust profitability insights and resource management
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for complex setups
- Higher pricing for smaller teams
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms and agencies seeking an integrated PSA solution for end-to-end client and project management.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (Starter plan), scaling to $99+/user/month for Professional/Enterprise with custom quotes; annual billing discounts available.
Kantata
enterpriseKantata offers end-to-end professional services management for consultancies, including resource planning, project delivery, and financial oversight.
AI-powered resource forecasting and skills cloud for precise capacity planning and talent allocation
Kantata is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform designed specifically for consulting firms, agencies, and professional services organizations. It streamlines project delivery, resource allocation, financial management, and client collaboration through integrated tools for capacity planning, time tracking, invoicing, and profitability analysis. Formerly known as Mavenlink, it scales with growing teams to optimize utilization and forecast demand accurately.
Pros
- Advanced resource management with skills-based matching and capacity forecasting
- Robust financial tools for real-time profitability tracking and scenario modeling
- Extensive integrations with CRM, accounting, and collaboration tools like Salesforce and QuickBooks
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to feature depth
- Pricing is quote-based and can be expensive for smaller teams
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-sized to large consulting firms seeking enterprise-grade PSA for complex resource planning and financial oversight.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $39/user/month for basic plans, scaling up to $59+/user/month for enterprise features with annual contracts.
BigTime
specializedBigTime delivers time tracking, expense management, invoicing, and project management optimized for professional services and consulting.
Skills-based resource scheduling with AI-driven forecasting for optimal project staffing and utilization
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) platform designed specifically for consulting firms, agencies, and professional service organizations. It provides end-to-end management of projects, including time and expense tracking, resource scheduling, invoicing, budgeting, and profitability reporting. The software helps firms forecast utilization, manage billable work efficiently, and integrate with accounting tools like QuickBooks for seamless financial operations.
Pros
- Powerful time tracking and expense management with mobile app support
- Advanced resource planning and utilization forecasting
- Comprehensive reporting and real-time profitability insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small teams
- Initial setup and customization require time
- Some advanced features have a learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms seeking robust project profitability and resource management tools.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at ~$20/user/month for Essentials plan, scaling to $40+/user/month for Pro/Elite with add-ons and implementation fees.
Scoro
enterpriseScoro is an all-in-one platform combining CRM, project management, billing, and reporting for service-based consulting businesses.
Integrated quotes-to-cash workflow that automates invoicing directly from tracked time and approved projects
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform designed for service-based businesses like consulting firms, integrating CRM, project management, time tracking, resource planning, quoting, invoicing, and reporting. It provides a centralized hub to streamline operations from lead generation to billing and profitability analysis. This makes it particularly effective for consultancies handling multiple clients and projects simultaneously.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one suite covering CRM, projects, time, and billing
- Powerful reporting and profitability insights
- Strong resource and workload planning tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for small teams
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms needing a unified platform for client management, project delivery, and financial tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $26/user/month (Essential, billed annually) up to $59+/user/month (Pro/Ultimate tiers) with custom enterprise options.
Certinia
enterpriseCertinia provides Salesforce-native PSA software for managing consulting projects, resources, sales, and profitability.
Native Salesforce platform integration for real-time, bidirectional data flow between CRM, projects, and finances
Certinia, formerly FinancialForce, is a comprehensive Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform built natively on Salesforce, tailored for consulting and professional services firms. It streamlines the entire services lifecycle, including project management, resource scheduling, time and expense tracking, billing, revenue recognition, and forecasting. By integrating deeply with Salesforce CRM, it enables unified visibility across sales, delivery, and finance operations.
Pros
- Seamless native integration with Salesforce CRM for unified data and workflows
- Robust resource management and project planning tools with AI-driven forecasting
- Advanced financial capabilities including revenue recognition and multi-currency support
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup, especially for non-Salesforce users
- High implementation costs and dependency on Salesforce ecosystem
- Pricing can be prohibitive for small consulting firms
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms already invested in Salesforce seeking enterprise-grade PSA with deep CRM integration.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $100-150+ per user per month plus Salesforce licenses and implementation fees starting at $50K+.
Kimble
enterpriseKimble PSA streamlines services lifecycle management for consultancies with sales, delivery, and financial tools on Salesforce.
Native Salesforce integration that unifies CRM and PSA without data silos
Kimble is a comprehensive Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform tailored for consulting firms, integrating sales, resource management, project delivery, time tracking, and billing into a unified system. It excels in blending CRM functionality with PSA capabilities, particularly through its native Salesforce integration, enabling accurate forecasting and profitability management. The software leverages AI-driven insights to optimize resource allocation and project margins, making it suitable for services-oriented businesses.
Pros
- Native Salesforce integration for seamless CRM-PSA workflow
- AI-powered forecasting and resource optimization
- Comprehensive end-to-end management from sales to billing
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- High cost unsuitable for small firms
- Limited out-of-the-box customizations without development
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms using Salesforce that require integrated PSA for resource planning and profitability optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing; typically $75-150 per user/month depending on modules and scale.
Deltek Vision
enterpriseDeltek Vision is a project ERP solution for consulting firms, focusing on accounting, resource management, and project controls.
Advanced earned value management and DCAA-compliant project financials
Deltek Vision is a robust ERP solution tailored for professional services firms, including consulting, architecture, and engineering companies, offering end-to-end management of projects, resources, finances, and client relationships. It provides tools for time and expense tracking, invoicing, CRM, resource planning, and compliance reporting, all integrated into a single platform. Primarily on-premise with cloud hosting options, it's designed for mid-to-large organizations handling complex, billable projects.
Pros
- Comprehensive project accounting and profitability analysis
- Strong DCAA compliance and government contracting support
- Deep customization and reporting capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- Outdated user interface compared to modern SaaS tools
- High implementation and customization costs
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms with complex, compliance-heavy projects and established IT infrastructure.
Pricing
Quote-based, typically $100-$200/user/month for hosted subscriptions or perpetual licenses starting at $30,000+ annually, plus significant implementation fees.
Productive
specializedProductive enables consultancies to manage projects, resources, finances, and client relationships in a single intelligent platform.
Real-time profitability breakdowns that analyze costs, revenue, and margins at the project, task, and team level
Productive.io is an all-in-one agency and consulting management platform that centralizes resource planning, project management, time tracking, and financial oversight. It enables consultancies to forecast workloads, track profitability in real-time, and automate invoicing based on actual time spent. The tool excels in providing actionable insights into utilization rates and project margins, helping teams optimize operations and deliver services efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive profitability tracking with real-time dashboards
- Powerful resource scheduling and forecasting tools
- Seamless integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for small teams
- Steeper learning curve for advanced financial features
- Limited native CRM capabilities compared to dedicated sales tools
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms prioritizing resource utilization, project profitability, and financial forecasting.
Pricing
Starts at $13/user/month (Essential plan, billed annually); Professional ($26/user/month) and Elite ($39/user/month) add advanced features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Avaza
specializedAvaza offers unified project management, time tracking, expenses, and invoicing for consulting teams and small firms.
Integrated resource scheduler with capacity planning and skills-based allocation for optimizing consultant utilization
Avaza is an all-in-one cloud-based platform designed for service-based businesses, including consultancies, offering project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, invoicing, and basic CRM in a unified interface. It streamlines workflows from project planning and task assignment to timesheet approval, expense logging, and client billing with automated recurring invoices. The software emphasizes profitability tracking and reporting, helping consulting teams monitor budgets, utilization rates, and overall financial health.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one suite covering projects, time, resources, and billing
- Intuitive, modern interface with mobile app support
- Strong value with free plan and scalable per-user pricing
Cons
- Limited depth in advanced CRM and sales pipeline tools
- Reporting lacks customization compared to enterprise solutions
- Fewer native integrations than top competitors like Accelo or Kantata
Best For
Small to mid-sized consulting firms seeking an affordable, user-friendly tool to manage end-to-end project delivery and billing without juggling multiple apps.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; Team plan starts at $29.95/user/month (billed annually), with Pro at $59.95/user/month for advanced features.
Forecast
specializedForecast automates resource scheduling, project planning, budgeting, and profitability tracking for consulting and agencies.
AI forecasting engine that dynamically predicts project delays, resource gaps, and profitability in real-time
Forecast (forecast.app) is an AI-driven resource management and capacity planning platform tailored for professional services organizations like consultancies. It provides visual tools for scheduling, workload balancing, project forecasting, and profitability tracking. The software integrates with tools like Jira and Harvest to streamline consulting workflows from planning to delivery.
Pros
- Visual drag-and-drop resource planner for intuitive scheduling
- AI-powered forecasting for accurate project timelines and utilization
- Robust integrations with Jira, Harvest, and accounting tools
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller consulting teams
- Limited built-in CRM or client invoicing capabilities
- Advanced features have a moderate learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms prioritizing resource optimization and capacity planning over full CRM functionality.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month (Essentials), $89/user/month (Professional), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
The top three consulting management software tools each shine in addressing distinct needs of professional services firms, with Accelo leading as the top choice, offering integrated CRM, project management, time tracking, and billing in one platform. Kantata follows, guiding consultancies through end-to-end services management with robust resource planning and financial oversight, while BigTime stands out with time tracking and expense management optimized for the industry. Collectively, these solutions demonstrate the best in streamlining operations, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing profitability.
Don’t miss out—try Accelo today to unlock a unified, efficient approach that drives growth and efficiency for your consulting practice.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison