Quick Overview
- 1#1: Float - Float schedules teams, manages resources, and tracks project budgets in real-time to prevent overruns.
- 2#2: Runn - Runn provides capacity planning, forecasting, and project budgeting to optimize resource allocation and profitability.
- 3#3: Forecast - Forecast uses AI for resource planning, project scheduling, and financial budgeting with scenario modeling.
- 4#4: BigTime - BigTime offers time tracking, invoicing, and detailed project budgeting for professional services firms.
- 5#5: Scoro - Scoro is an all-in-one platform for project management, CRM, and budgeting with profitability tracking.
- 6#6: Kantata - Kantata delivers professional services automation with advanced project budgeting and resource optimization.
- 7#7: Microsoft Project - Microsoft Project enables detailed project planning, cost management, and budget tracking with Gantt charts.
- 8#8: Smartsheet - Smartsheet provides spreadsheet-based project management with customizable budget sheets and dashboards.
- 9#9: monday.com - monday.com offers visual work management with budget tracking boards, automations, and reporting.
- 10#10: Wrike - Wrike supports enterprise project management with financial summaries, budgeting, and proofing tools.
We ranked these tools based on features (including scenario modeling, resource optimization, and integration capabilities), user experience, reliability, and value, prioritizing those that deliver robust functionality without compromising ease of use.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top project budget software, from Float and Runn to Forecast, BigTime, Scoro, and more, helping readers identify tools that align with their specific needs. It breaks down key features, usability, and best-fit scenarios to simplify decision-making for effective budget management.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Float Float schedules teams, manages resources, and tracks project budgets in real-time to prevent overruns. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Runn Runn provides capacity planning, forecasting, and project budgeting to optimize resource allocation and profitability. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Forecast Forecast uses AI for resource planning, project scheduling, and financial budgeting with scenario modeling. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | BigTime BigTime offers time tracking, invoicing, and detailed project budgeting for professional services firms. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Scoro Scoro is an all-in-one platform for project management, CRM, and budgeting with profitability tracking. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Kantata Kantata delivers professional services automation with advanced project budgeting and resource optimization. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Microsoft Project Microsoft Project enables detailed project planning, cost management, and budget tracking with Gantt charts. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | Smartsheet Smartsheet provides spreadsheet-based project management with customizable budget sheets and dashboards. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | monday.com monday.com offers visual work management with budget tracking boards, automations, and reporting. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | Wrike Wrike supports enterprise project management with financial summaries, budgeting, and proofing tools. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 |
Float schedules teams, manages resources, and tracks project budgets in real-time to prevent overruns.
Runn provides capacity planning, forecasting, and project budgeting to optimize resource allocation and profitability.
Forecast uses AI for resource planning, project scheduling, and financial budgeting with scenario modeling.
BigTime offers time tracking, invoicing, and detailed project budgeting for professional services firms.
Scoro is an all-in-one platform for project management, CRM, and budgeting with profitability tracking.
Kantata delivers professional services automation with advanced project budgeting and resource optimization.
Microsoft Project enables detailed project planning, cost management, and budget tracking with Gantt charts.
Smartsheet provides spreadsheet-based project management with customizable budget sheets and dashboards.
monday.com offers visual work management with budget tracking boards, automations, and reporting.
Wrike supports enterprise project management with financial summaries, budgeting, and proofing tools.
Float
specializedFloat schedules teams, manages resources, and tracks project budgets in real-time to prevent overruns.
Live profitability forecasting that dynamically updates budgets as schedules and rates change in real-time
Float is a powerful resource management and scheduling platform designed for teams to plan projects, allocate resources, and forecast budgets effectively. It excels in visualizing team capacity, assigning billable hours to projects with associated rates, and generating profitability forecasts by comparing revenue against labor costs. By integrating seamlessly with tools like Asana, Jira, and Slack, Float provides real-time insights into project timelines and financial health, making it ideal for budget-conscious project management.
Pros
- Superior resource scheduling with automatic budget forecasting based on rates and availability
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for quick adjustments to plans and budgets
- Robust integrations with PM tools for accurate time and cost tracking
- Real-time reporting on project profitability and utilization
Cons
- Limited native support for non-labor expenses like materials or vendors
- Advanced budgeting features may require higher-tier plans
- Can be pricey for very small teams or non-agency users
Best For
Creative agencies, consulting firms, and professional services teams needing to tightly couple resource planning with project budgeting.
Pricing
Starts at $6/user/month (Teams plan, billed annually); Business at $10/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Runn
specializedRunn provides capacity planning, forecasting, and project budgeting to optimize resource allocation and profitability.
AI-driven scenario modeling that simulates budget impacts from schedule changes and resource shifts
Runn (runn.io) is a comprehensive resource planning and forecasting platform that integrates project budgeting with capacity management, enabling teams to set budgets, track costs, and forecast profitability across projects. It provides real-time dashboards for monitoring spend versus budget, revenue projections, and resource allocation impacts on finances. Ideal for agencies and consultancies, Runn combines scheduling, time tracking, and financial modeling to optimize project outcomes and prevent overruns.
Pros
- Advanced forecasting and scenario planning for budgets
- Seamless integration with tools like Jira, Asana, and QuickBooks
- Real-time profitability tracking tied to resource utilization
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Limited standalone budgeting without resource planning context
- Higher cost for small teams with basic needs
Best For
Professional services firms and agencies handling multiple client projects with complex resource and financial constraints.
Pricing
Starts at $10/user/month (billed annually) for Pro plan; Business at $20/user/month; custom Enterprise pricing; free trial available.
Forecast
specializedForecast uses AI for resource planning, project scheduling, and financial budgeting with scenario modeling.
AI No-Touch Resourcing that automatically schedules teams and forecasts budgets based on skills, availability, and project needs
Forecast (forecast.app) is an AI-powered resource planning and project management platform designed for professional services firms, focusing on accurate project budgeting, forecasting, and profitability tracking. It integrates resource allocation with financial planning, allowing users to set budgets, monitor actuals vs. planned costs in real-time, and simulate scenarios for better decision-making. The tool excels in automating scheduling and providing actionable insights into project financial health, making it a robust solution for managing complex project portfolios.
Pros
- AI-driven forecasting for precise budget predictions and scenario planning
- Real-time profitability tracking with resource and financial integration
- Seamless integrations with tools like Jira, Asana, and accounting software
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter small teams or startups
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and customization
- Limited reporting flexibility in lower-tier plans
Best For
Mid-sized agencies and professional services firms needing integrated resource planning and project budgeting with AI automation.
Pricing
Starts at $59/user/month for the Pro plan (billed annually), with Enterprise custom pricing; free trial available.
BigTime
specializedBigTime offers time tracking, invoicing, and detailed project budgeting for professional services firms.
Advanced WIP and budget variance alerts that notify teams instantly when projects exceed financial thresholds
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) platform designed for project-based businesses, offering robust tools for creating detailed project budgets, tracking time and expenses against those budgets, and monitoring profitability in real-time. It supports budget planning at the project, phase, and task levels, with features like forecasting, WIP reporting, and variance analysis to help teams stay within financial targets. The software integrates seamlessly with accounting systems like QuickBooks and Xero, making it a strong choice for service firms focused on financial oversight.
Pros
- Comprehensive project budgeting with real-time actuals vs. budget tracking
- Strong reporting and profitability insights for WIP and forecasting
- Excellent integrations with CRM and accounting tools
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-PSA users
- Pricing can add up for larger teams
- Less ideal for non-service-based industries
Best For
Professional services firms like agencies, consultancies, and engineering teams managing complex, billable projects with detailed budgets.
Pricing
Starts at $10/user/month (Essentials), $25/user/month (Pro), $45/user/month (Elite), billed annually with custom enterprise options.
Scoro
specializedScoro is an all-in-one platform for project management, CRM, and budgeting with profitability tracking.
Dynamic profitability dashboards that unify project budgets, actual costs, time logs, and revenue forecasts in one view
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform that integrates project budgeting with task management, time tracking, CRM, and invoicing for comprehensive financial oversight. It enables users to set fixed-price, hourly, or retainer budgets per project, track actuals against budgets in real-time, and analyze profitability through customizable reports. While powerful for service-oriented teams, its budgeting tools shine in multi-project environments requiring holistic visibility into costs and revenues.
Pros
- Robust budgeting with real-time variance tracking and multiple budget types
- Seamless integration of budgets with time, expenses, and invoicing
- Advanced profitability reporting and forecasting tools
Cons
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Higher pricing may not suit small teams or simple budgeting needs
- Limited native integrations compared to specialized tools
Best For
Service-based SMBs and agencies managing multiple projects who need integrated budgeting, time tracking, and billing.
Pricing
Starts at $26/user/month (Basic, billed annually) up to $49/user/month (Ultimate); minimum 5 users.
Kantata
enterpriseKantata delivers professional services automation with advanced project budgeting and resource optimization.
Profitability Forecasting Engine that dynamically adjusts budgets based on resource capacity and utilization trends
Kantata is a robust professional services automation (PSA) platform that specializes in project budgeting, offering tools for creating detailed budgets, tracking actuals versus planned costs, and generating profitability forecasts. It integrates resource management, time tracking, and expense monitoring to provide real-time financial insights across multiple projects. Designed for agencies and consulting firms, it helps optimize budgets by aligning resource allocation with financial goals and preventing overruns through customizable alerts and reporting.
Pros
- Advanced budget forecasting and variance analysis tied to resource planning
- Real-time profitability dashboards for multi-project oversight
- Seamless integration with time tracking and invoicing for accurate actuals
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Higher pricing limits accessibility for small teams
- Some reporting customizations require professional services
Best For
Mid-sized professional services firms and agencies managing complex, billable projects with integrated budgeting needs.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $39/user/month for basic plans, scaling up to $59+/user/month for full features; annual contracts required.
Microsoft Project
enterpriseMicrosoft Project enables detailed project planning, cost management, and budget tracking with Gantt charts.
Earned Value Management (EVM) for real-time budget performance analysis against schedule and scope
Microsoft Project is a robust project management tool with strong budgeting capabilities, enabling users to assign costs to tasks and resources, set baselines, and track variances against actual expenditures. It offers detailed cost reports, earned value management (EVM), and forecasting to help maintain project budgets. Integrated with Microsoft 365 and tools like Excel and Power BI, it supports collaborative financial oversight for complex projects.
Pros
- Advanced cost tracking with baselines and EVM for precise budget control
- Seamless integration with Microsoft ecosystem for enhanced reporting
- Scalable resource and portfolio-level budgeting for enterprises
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- Higher cost compared to dedicated budget tools
- Overkill for simple budgeting without full project management needs
Best For
Enterprise teams managing large-scale projects that require integrated scheduling, resource allocation, and detailed budget tracking within the Microsoft environment.
Pricing
Online plans start at $10/user/month (Plan 1), $30/user/month (Plan 3), up to $55/user/month (Plan 5); desktop versions via Microsoft 365 E3/E5 subscriptions.
Smartsheet
otherSmartsheet provides spreadsheet-based project management with customizable budget sheets and dashboards.
Dynamic sheet formulas and rollups that enable hierarchical budget summaries and real-time variance tracking
Smartsheet is a versatile cloud-based platform that transforms spreadsheets into dynamic project management tools, enabling users to track budgets through customizable sheets with formulas, rollups, and hierarchies. It supports project budgeting by allowing expense tracking, variance analysis, and resource cost allocation via dashboards and reports. While not a dedicated finance tool, it integrates with accounting software like QuickBooks for enhanced financial oversight in project workflows.
Pros
- Highly customizable sheets for tailored budget tracking and calculations
- Real-time collaboration and automated workflows for approvals
- Strong integrations with tools like QuickBooks and ERP systems
Cons
- Lacks specialized budgeting features like advanced forecasting or AI-driven insights
- Requires significant setup time for complex financial models
- Pricing escalates quickly for teams needing premium features
Best For
Project managers and teams in collaborative environments who want flexible, spreadsheet-style budgeting integrated into overall project management.
Pricing
Free plan available; Pro at $7/user/month, Business at $25/user/month, Enterprise custom (billed annually).
monday.com
othermonday.com offers visual work management with budget tracking boards, automations, and reporting.
No-code automations that send budget overrun alerts and update statuses in real-time
monday.com is a highly customizable work operating system that enables teams to create visual boards for project management, including budget tracking via custom columns for expenses, costs, forecasts, and time tracking. It supports real-time dashboards, automations, and integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks to monitor spending against budgets effectively. While versatile for broader workflows, it requires setup to function as dedicated project budget software.
Pros
- Highly customizable columns and templates for budget tracking and forecasting
- Intuitive visual dashboards for real-time budget insights
- Seamless integrations with time-tracking and accounting apps
Cons
- Not specialized for advanced financial modeling or invoicing
- Complex setups needed for sophisticated budgeting workflows
- Pricing can be high for teams using it solely for budgeting
Best For
Mid-sized teams integrating project budgeting into broader work management needs.
Pricing
Starts at $9/user/month (Basic, billed annually) with Pro at $19/user/month for advanced automations and dashboards; free for up to 2 users.
Wrike
enterpriseWrike supports enterprise project management with financial summaries, budgeting, and proofing tools.
Customizable financial dashboards that visualize budget performance alongside project timelines
Wrike is a robust work management platform that incorporates project budgeting features like custom fields for cost tracking, time logging, expense management, and financial dashboards. It enables teams to set budgets, monitor actuals vs. planned costs, and generate reports integrated with overall project workflows. While not a dedicated budgeting tool, it provides flexible tools for resource allocation and cost forecasting, especially in higher tiers. Its strength lies in combining budgeting with collaborative project management.
Pros
- Flexible custom fields and dashboards for detailed budget tracking
- Strong integrations with time tracking and accounting tools like QuickBooks
- Scalable reporting for budget vs. actuals analysis
Cons
- Budgeting capabilities require significant setup and custom configuration
- Advanced financial features locked in expensive Business or Enterprise plans
- Less intuitive for budgeting compared to specialized tools
Best For
Mid-sized teams using Wrike for project management who need integrated budget tracking without dedicated finance software.
Pricing
Free plan available; Team at $9.80/user/mo, Business at $24.80/user/mo (billed annually), Enterprise custom; full budgeting in higher tiers.
Conclusion
When comparing leading project budget software, Float emerges as the top choice, with its real-time tracking and team scheduling effectively preventing budget overruns. Runn follows closely, excelling in capacity planning and resource optimization, while Forecast stands out for AI-driven scenario modeling to support dynamic financial decisions. All three tools cater to distinct needs, ensuring teams have robust options to manage budgets efficiently.
Elevate your budget management—try Float today to unlock real-time tracking and resource coordination that helps keep projects on track and budgets aligned.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
