Quick Overview
- 1#1: Kantata - Professional services automation platform that helps consulting firms manage projects, resources, forecasting, and profitability.
- 2#2: BigTime - Time tracking, billing, and project management software designed for professional services and consulting teams.
- 3#3: Accelo - All-in-one business platform combining CRM, project management, time tracking, and invoicing for consultancies.
- 4#4: Scoro - Integrated work management tool for consulting firms handling projects, quotes, time tracking, and financials.
- 5#5: Avaza - Comprehensive suite for project management, resource scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing tailored to service firms.
- 6#6: Runn - Resource planning and forecasting software that optimizes capacity and project delivery for consulting teams.
- 7#7: Monday.com - Flexible work operating system for customizing workflows, tracking consulting projects, and managing client deliverables.
- 8#8: ClickUp - All-in-one productivity platform with customizable project management, time tracking, and collaboration for consultancies.
- 9#9: Asana - Work management platform for organizing tasks, projects, and team workflows in consulting environments.
- 10#10: Wrike - Enterprise-grade work management tool for planning, tracking, and reporting on complex consulting projects.
Tools were evaluated based on feature robustness, user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they excel in supporting the unique demands of consulting projects, from planning to delivery.
Comparison Table
Consulting teams rely on robust project management software to manage tasks, track progress, and engage clients, but with tools like Kantata, BigTime, Accelo, Scoro, Avaza, and more, finding the right fit demands analysis of features, pricing, and usability. This comparison table breaks down these leading options, helping readers understand their unique strengths—from resource allocation to financial oversight—so they can match a tool to their specific consulting needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kantata Professional services automation platform that helps consulting firms manage projects, resources, forecasting, and profitability. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | BigTime Time tracking, billing, and project management software designed for professional services and consulting teams. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Accelo All-in-one business platform combining CRM, project management, time tracking, and invoicing for consultancies. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Scoro Integrated work management tool for consulting firms handling projects, quotes, time tracking, and financials. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Avaza Comprehensive suite for project management, resource scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing tailored to service firms. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | Runn Resource planning and forecasting software that optimizes capacity and project delivery for consulting teams. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | Monday.com Flexible work operating system for customizing workflows, tracking consulting projects, and managing client deliverables. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | ClickUp All-in-one productivity platform with customizable project management, time tracking, and collaboration for consultancies. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Asana Work management platform for organizing tasks, projects, and team workflows in consulting environments. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Wrike Enterprise-grade work management tool for planning, tracking, and reporting on complex consulting projects. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Professional services automation platform that helps consulting firms manage projects, resources, forecasting, and profitability.
Time tracking, billing, and project management software designed for professional services and consulting teams.
All-in-one business platform combining CRM, project management, time tracking, and invoicing for consultancies.
Integrated work management tool for consulting firms handling projects, quotes, time tracking, and financials.
Comprehensive suite for project management, resource scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing tailored to service firms.
Resource planning and forecasting software that optimizes capacity and project delivery for consulting teams.
Flexible work operating system for customizing workflows, tracking consulting projects, and managing client deliverables.
All-in-one productivity platform with customizable project management, time tracking, and collaboration for consultancies.
Work management platform for organizing tasks, projects, and team workflows in consulting environments.
Enterprise-grade work management tool for planning, tracking, and reporting on complex consulting projects.
Kantata
specializedProfessional services automation platform that helps consulting firms manage projects, resources, forecasting, and profitability.
Advanced resource management with AI-powered skills matching and utilization heatmaps for precise capacity planning
Kantata is a robust professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for consulting firms, agencies, and professional service organizations. It streamlines project planning, resource allocation, time tracking, financial management, and client delivery from a unified dashboard. With advanced forecasting, profitability analytics, and CRM capabilities, it helps optimize utilization and drive business growth.
Pros
- Comprehensive resource management with skills-based matching and capacity forecasting
- Integrated financial tools for real-time profitability tracking and invoicing
- Extensive integrations with CRM, accounting, and productivity apps like Salesforce and QuickBooks
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature depth
- Pricing is custom and can be expensive for small teams
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms and agencies requiring end-to-end PSA for resource optimization and financial oversight.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $45/user/month for Essentials, up to $95+/user/month for Enterprise with advanced features.
BigTime
specializedTime tracking, billing, and project management software designed for professional services and consulting teams.
Skills-based resource scheduling that automatically matches team members' expertise to project needs for optimal utilization.
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for consulting firms, offering end-to-end project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, and billing capabilities. It enables teams to manage billable hours, track project profitability, and forecast revenue with customizable dashboards and reports. The software integrates seamlessly with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, streamlining financial workflows for service-based businesses.
Pros
- Robust time and expense tracking with mobile app support
- Advanced resource scheduling with skills-based matching
- Comprehensive profitability reporting at project and firm levels
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small teams or startups
- Initial setup and customization require time
- Some advanced integrations may need developer support
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms with billable-hour models that need strong PSA tools for resource allocation and financial visibility.
Pricing
Starts at $10/user/month (Essentials), $25/user/month (Pro), $50/user/month (Elite); minimum 5 users, billed annually with custom enterprise pricing available.
Accelo
specializedAll-in-one business platform combining CRM, project management, time tracking, and invoicing for consultancies.
Smart Automation Engine that triggers workflows across sales, projects, and invoicing based on client interactions and project milestones
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for consulting firms, agencies, and service-based businesses. It integrates project management, CRM, time tracking, invoicing, sales pipelines, and resource scheduling into a unified system to streamline end-to-end service delivery. The software emphasizes automation, profitability tracking, and client retainers, helping teams manage complex consulting engagements efficiently.
Pros
- All-in-one PSA with seamless CRM, projects, and billing integration
- Powerful automation workflows and real-time profitability insights
- Robust resource scheduling and retainer management for consulting services
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small teams
- Limited out-of-the-box templates for niche consulting workflows
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms and agencies requiring an integrated PSA platform for project delivery, billing, and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $39/user/month (billed annually) for core plans, scaling to $99+/user/month for advanced PSA features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Scoro
specializedIntegrated work management tool for consulting firms handling projects, quotes, time tracking, and financials.
Seamless quotes-to-cash automation that unifies sales, project delivery, and billing in one workflow
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform designed for consulting firms and professional services, integrating project management, CRM, time tracking, resource planning, and invoicing into a unified system. It streamlines workflows from lead generation and quoting to project delivery, billing, and profitability analysis, making it ideal for handling complex client engagements. Advanced reporting and forecasting tools provide deep insights into team performance and financial health.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one functionality covering projects, CRM, and finances
- Powerful resource management and workload forecasting
- Robust reporting for profitability and performance insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Higher pricing may not suit very small teams
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms needing an integrated platform for end-to-end project lifecycle management and profitability tracking.
Pricing
Starts at €26/user/month (Essential) up to €63/user/month (Pro), billed annually; custom Ultimate plans available.
Avaza
specializedComprehensive suite for project management, resource scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing tailored to service firms.
Seamless quoting-to-invoicing workflow that auto-populates bills from tracked time and project milestones
Avaza is an all-in-one business management platform designed for consulting firms, agencies, and professional services, integrating project management, time tracking, resource scheduling, task management, quoting, invoicing, and expense tracking. It enables teams to plan projects with Gantt charts and Kanban boards, monitor resource utilization, and streamline billing by converting tracked time directly into invoices. The software emphasizes workflow automation and client portals for seamless collaboration.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one suite covering projects, time, and billing
- Generous free plan for small teams (up to 20 clients/projects)
- Strong resource scheduling and utilization reporting for consultancies
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
- Advanced reporting requires paid plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized consulting firms needing an affordable, integrated tool for project delivery and client billing without multiple apps.
Pricing
Free plan for basic use; paid plans start at $11.95/user/month (billed annually) for Professional tier with unlimited clients/projects.
Runn
specializedResource planning and forecasting software that optimizes capacity and project delivery for consulting teams.
Infinite timeline planning with AI-assisted forecasting for long-term capacity and revenue predictions
Runn is a resource planning and capacity management platform tailored for professional services teams, enabling drag-and-drop project scheduling, workload forecasting, and utilization tracking across unlimited timelines. It helps consultancies visualize team capacity, allocate billable resources efficiently, and forecast revenue and profitability in real-time. With integrations to tools like Jira, Asana, and QuickBooks, it bridges high-level planning with operational execution for agencies and consulting firms.
Pros
- Exceptional resource forecasting and what-if scenario planning
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling on infinite timelines
- Real-time dashboards for utilization, profitability, and revenue insights
Cons
- Limited granular task management compared to full PM suites
- Pricing based on active users can increase costs for variable teams
- Fewer native client CRM or invoicing capabilities
Best For
Consulting firms and agencies focused on resource capacity planning, utilization optimization, and high-level project forecasting rather than day-to-day task tracking.
Pricing
Free for up to 5 users; Project plan $10/active user/month (billed annually); Business $29/active user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Monday.com
enterpriseFlexible work operating system for customizing workflows, tracking consulting projects, and managing client deliverables.
Column-based customization with formulas, dependencies, and automations for building bespoke project trackers
monday.com is a highly visual work operating system that enables teams to create customizable boards for project management, task tracking, and workflow automation. It supports consulting firms by offering Gantt charts, time tracking, resource management, and client portals to handle multiple projects efficiently. With robust integrations and dashboards, it centralizes collaboration and reporting for client deliverables and team coordination.
Pros
- Highly customizable boards and views (Kanban, Gantt, timeline) tailored to consulting workflows
- Powerful no-code automations and integrations with 200+ apps like Google Workspace and Zapier
- Real-time collaboration tools including updates, comments, and shareable client dashboards
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or advanced features
- Steep learning curve for complex customizations and formulas
- Limited native support for advanced consulting-specific billing or retainer management
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms needing a flexible, visual platform to manage diverse client projects and internal workflows.
Pricing
Starts at $9/user/month (Basic, annual billing) up to $19/user/month (Pro); Enterprise custom pricing.
ClickUp
enterpriseAll-in-one productivity platform with customizable project management, time tracking, and collaboration for consultancies.
Infinite task hierarchy (Spaces > Folders > Lists > Tasks > Subtasks) for organizing layered consulting projects and client portfolios seamlessly
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform that serves as a robust project management tool, offering hierarchical task organization, multiple views (Kanban, Gantt, List, Calendar), time tracking, and custom dashboards. Tailored for consulting firms, it excels in managing client projects with features like resource allocation, automations, goals, and AI-powered insights. Its flexibility allows teams to customize workflows for billable hours, deliverables, and reporting without needing multiple tools.
Pros
- Highly customizable with infinite hierarchy, custom fields, and 15+ views for complex consulting workflows
- Built-in time tracking, goals, and automations reduce reliance on external tools
- Extensive integrations (e.g., Google Workspace, Slack, QuickBooks) streamline client management
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature overload, challenging for quick onboarding
- Performance slowdowns reported in large workspaces with thousands of tasks
- Advanced features like AI and unlimited storage locked behind higher pricing tiers
Best For
Mid-sized consulting firms managing multiple client engagements that require deep customization and all-in-one collaboration.
Pricing
Free plan available; Unlimited ($7/user/mo billed annually); Business ($12/user/mo); Enterprise (custom).
Asana
enterpriseWork management platform for organizing tasks, projects, and team workflows in consulting environments.
Timeline view for intuitive Gantt-style project visualization and dependency mapping
Asana is a popular work management platform designed to help teams organize, track, and manage projects through customizable lists, boards, timelines, and calendars. It excels in task assignment, workflow automation, progress tracking, and collaboration features like comments, attachments, and custom forms, making it suitable for consulting projects involving multiple clients and deliverables. With portfolios for overseeing multiple projects and integrations with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and Zoom, it supports efficient team coordination without heavy administrative overhead.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionality for quick setup
- Robust automation rules and templates tailored for repeatable consulting workflows
- Excellent visual tools like Timeline and Calendar for client-facing project roadmaps
Cons
- Limited native time tracking and billing integration, requiring third-party apps
- Advanced reporting and workload management locked behind higher-tier plans
- Can feel lightweight for complex resource allocation in large consulting firms
Best For
Small to mid-sized consulting teams prioritizing simple task collaboration, visual planning, and client updates over advanced financial tracking.
Pricing
Free Personal plan; Starter at $10.99/user/month, Advanced at $24.99/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom.
Wrike
enterpriseEnterprise-grade work management tool for planning, tracking, and reporting on complex consulting projects.
Dynamic request forms that allow clients to submit project requests directly into customizable workflows
Wrike is a powerful work management platform designed for teams to plan, track, and collaborate on complex projects using customizable workflows, Gantt charts, and real-time dashboards. It excels in resource allocation, time tracking, and proofing tools, making it suitable for consulting firms managing multiple client engagements. With robust reporting and integrations with CRM systems like Salesforce, it supports billable hours tracking and project profitability analysis.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and templates for client-specific projects
- Advanced reporting and analytics for billable time and profitability
- Seamless integrations with CRM, billing, and collaboration tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive customization options
- Advanced features like AI analytics locked behind Enterprise pricing
- Mobile app lacks some desktop functionalities for on-the-go consulting
Best For
Mid-to-large consulting firms handling complex, client-facing projects that require detailed resource management and reporting.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; paid plans from $9.80/user/month (Team, annual) to Enterprise (custom pricing).
Conclusion
After a thorough evaluation of the top 10 consulting project management tools, Kantata stands out as the top choice, offering a robust platform to manage projects, resources, forecasting, and profitability seamlessly. While BigTime excels in time tracking and billing for service teams, and Accelo leads with its integrated CRM and project management capabilities, Kantata combines these strengths to deliver a comprehensive solution that suits diverse needs. These top three tools provide exceptional value, with Kantata at the forefront for end-to-end consulting success.
Unlock your firm’s full potential—start a trial of Kantata today to experience its powerful features and drive better project outcomes, efficiency, and profitability.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison