Quick Overview
- 1#1: BigTime - Comprehensive time tracking, expense management, project planning, and billing software designed for professional services firms.
- 2#2: Harvest - Effortless time tracking and invoicing tool that syncs with project management apps for seamless billing.
- 3#3: Accelo - All-in-one professional services automation platform combining projects, time tracking, sales, and billing.
- 4#4: Scoro - Integrated business management software for projects, tasks, time tracking, quotes, and invoicing.
- 5#5: Kantata - Professional services automation platform for resource planning, project management, and financial billing.
- 6#6: FreshBooks - Cloud accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses.
- 7#7: ConnectWise Manage - Professional services automation for IT and MSPs with ticketing, project management, and billing features.
- 8#8: Deltek Vision - ERP software for project-driven organizations handling time, expenses, projects, and billing compliance.
- 9#9: Kimble - Salesforce-native PSA software for project delivery, resource management, sales, and billing.
- 10#10: Certinia PSA - Salesforce-based professional services cloud for scoping, resource management, projects, and billing.
Tools were ranked based on feature integration, performance reliability, user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they cater to diverse operational needs and deliver tangible business outcomes.
Comparison Table
Project management billing software bridges workflow efficiency and financial accuracy; this comparison table evaluates top tools including BigTime, Harvest, Accelo, Scoro, Kantata, and more, equipping readers to compare features like time tracking, invoicing, and resource management to match their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BigTime Comprehensive time tracking, expense management, project planning, and billing software designed for professional services firms. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Harvest Effortless time tracking and invoicing tool that syncs with project management apps for seamless billing. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 3 | Accelo All-in-one professional services automation platform combining projects, time tracking, sales, and billing. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Scoro Integrated business management software for projects, tasks, time tracking, quotes, and invoicing. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Kantata Professional services automation platform for resource planning, project management, and financial billing. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | FreshBooks Cloud accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | ConnectWise Manage Professional services automation for IT and MSPs with ticketing, project management, and billing features. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Deltek Vision ERP software for project-driven organizations handling time, expenses, projects, and billing compliance. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Kimble Salesforce-native PSA software for project delivery, resource management, sales, and billing. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Certinia PSA Salesforce-based professional services cloud for scoping, resource management, projects, and billing. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.1/10 | 7.4/10 |
Comprehensive time tracking, expense management, project planning, and billing software designed for professional services firms.
Effortless time tracking and invoicing tool that syncs with project management apps for seamless billing.
All-in-one professional services automation platform combining projects, time tracking, sales, and billing.
Integrated business management software for projects, tasks, time tracking, quotes, and invoicing.
Professional services automation platform for resource planning, project management, and financial billing.
Cloud accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses.
Professional services automation for IT and MSPs with ticketing, project management, and billing features.
ERP software for project-driven organizations handling time, expenses, projects, and billing compliance.
Salesforce-native PSA software for project delivery, resource management, sales, and billing.
Salesforce-based professional services cloud for scoping, resource management, projects, and billing.
BigTime
enterpriseComprehensive time tracking, expense management, project planning, and billing software designed for professional services firms.
Real-time project profitability tracking at the task and resource level
BigTime is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for project management and billing, enabling firms to track time, manage expenses, schedule resources, and generate invoices seamlessly. It integrates project planning, budgeting, and profitability tracking to provide real-time insights into financial performance. Designed for service-based businesses, it streamlines workflows from project initiation to client billing with robust reporting and CRM capabilities.
Pros
- Powerful time and expense tracking with mobile accessibility
- Advanced billing automation and profitability reporting
- Skills-based resource scheduling and forecasting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can be high for small teams
- Limited out-of-box customizations without add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized professional services firms like accounting, legal, and IT consultancies needing integrated project management and accurate billing.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at around $15/user/month for Essentials plan, scaling to $40+/user/month for Elite with annual contracts.
Harvest
specializedEffortless time tracking and invoicing tool that syncs with project management apps for seamless billing.
One-click invoicing directly from approved time entries with expense inclusion
Harvest is a streamlined time tracking and invoicing platform tailored for freelancers, agencies, and small teams to log hours on projects, track expenses, and convert time data into invoices effortlessly. It provides detailed reporting on project profitability, budgets, and team performance, helping users ensure accurate billing. With native integrations to tools like Asana, Trello, and QuickBooks, it bridges time tracking with project management workflows for efficient billing processes.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface for quick time entry and timer use
- Seamless integration of time tracking with invoicing and payments
- Comprehensive reports for project budgeting and profitability insights
Cons
- Lacks advanced project management features like Gantt charts or resource allocation
- Limited native task management compared to full PM suites
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams without unlimited users
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies focused on time-based billing and simple project oversight.
Pricing
Free for 1 user (limited to 2 projects); Pro at $12/user/month (annual) or $15 monthly; Enterprise custom pricing.
Accelo
enterpriseAll-in-one professional services automation platform combining projects, time tracking, sales, and billing.
Automated profitability insights that track margins in real-time across projects, time, and expenses
Accelo is a comprehensive professional services automation (PSA) platform that integrates project management, time tracking, CRM, sales pipelines, and billing into one unified system. It allows teams to plan projects, monitor progress, log billable hours, and generate invoices automatically from time entries and retainers. Designed for service-based businesses, it provides profitability insights, resource scheduling, and automated workflows to streamline operations from lead to payment.
Pros
- Seamless integration of project management and automated billing
- Robust profitability tracking and forecasting tools
- Comprehensive automation for workflows, retainers, and recurring invoicing
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full feature set
- Higher pricing may not suit very small teams
- Interface can feel cluttered for basic users
Best For
Professional service firms like agencies, consultancies, and IT services providers handling complex projects with integrated billing requirements.
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
enterpriseIntegrated business management software for projects, tasks, time tracking, quotes, and invoicing.
Built-in profitability calculator that automatically links time tracking, expenses, and invoicing for real-time financial insights
Scoro is an all-in-one business management platform that seamlessly integrates project management, time tracking, CRM, and billing for service-based teams. It enables users to plan projects, assign tasks, track billable hours, generate quotes and invoices, and analyze profitability in a unified dashboard. Designed to replace multiple tools, Scoro streamlines workflows from lead to payment while providing real-time insights into business performance.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one integration of project management and billing
- Advanced profitability tracking and customizable reporting
- Automated quotes-to-invoice workflows with time tracking
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Higher pricing for full functionality
- Fewer third-party integrations than specialized tools
Best For
Service agencies, consultancies, and professional firms needing integrated project management and billing without multiple apps.
Pricing
Starts at $26/user/month (Essential, billed annually) up to $98/user/month (Ultimate); custom enterprise pricing available.
Kantata
enterpriseProfessional services automation platform for resource planning, project management, and financial billing.
AI-powered resource forecasting and skills-based matching for optimal project staffing
Kantata is a robust professional services automation (PSA) platform tailored for project-based organizations, offering integrated tools for project planning, resource management, time tracking, and billing. It excels in providing real-time visibility into project profitability, financial forecasting, and invoicing workflows. Designed primarily for agencies, consultancies, and services firms, it streamlines operations from project inception to payment collection.
Pros
- Advanced resource management with skills-based matching and capacity forecasting
- Seamless integration of time/expense tracking with automated invoicing and billing
- Comprehensive profitability analytics and reporting for project financials
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set
- High cost, especially for smaller teams or startups
- Customization options can feel limited without enterprise support
Best For
Mid-to-large professional services firms and agencies handling complex, client-based projects with a need for precise billing and profitability tracking.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing with tiers starting around $39/user/month for Essentials, up to custom Enterprise plans; annual contracts common.
FreshBooks
specializedCloud accounting software with project tracking, time tracking, and automated invoicing for small businesses.
Project profitability tracking that breaks down time, expenses, and revenue per project for instant insights
FreshBooks is a cloud-based invoicing and accounting software designed primarily for freelancers and small businesses, offering robust time tracking, expense management, and project-based billing capabilities. It enables users to log time against specific projects or clients, automatically generate invoices from tracked hours, and monitor profitability per project. While it includes light project management features like task timers and client portals, it falls short of full-fledged PM tools with advanced workflows or collaboration boards.
Pros
- Seamless time tracking and automated invoicing directly from project hours
- Intuitive client portals for approvals and payments
- Detailed project profitability reports for service-based billing
Cons
- Limited advanced PM features like task assignments, dependencies, or Gantt charts
- Client and billable client limits on lower-tier plans
- Reporting lacks deep customization for complex project analysis
Best For
Freelancers and small service agencies needing straightforward project time tracking tied to effortless billing.
Pricing
Lite ($19/mo, 5 clients), Plus ($33/mo, 50 clients), Premium ($60/mo, unlimited clients); +$10/mo per additional user; annual discounts available.
ConnectWise Manage
enterpriseProfessional services automation for IT and MSPs with ticketing, project management, and billing features.
Seamless time-entry approval workflows that automatically populate customizable invoices with real-time profitability insights
ConnectWise Manage is a robust Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform tailored for managed service providers (MSPs) and IT service firms, excelling in project management and billing functionalities. It enables detailed tracking of projects, tasks, time entries, expenses, and resources, with automated invoicing based on time-and-materials, fixed-fee, or retainer models. The software integrates CRM, ticketing, and financials for a unified workflow, making it suitable for service-based project billing.
Pros
- Comprehensive project tracking with time, expense, and resource allocation tied directly to billing
- Advanced automation for invoice generation, approvals, and integrations with QuickBooks and other accounting tools
- Powerful reporting and profitability analysis for project-based services
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface requiring significant training
- High pricing with additional costs for setup, customizations, and premium modules
- Overly focused on IT/MSP use cases, less intuitive for general project management
Best For
IT managed service providers and professional services firms needing integrated project tracking, time billing, and automated invoicing.
Pricing
Starts at around $59 per user per month (billed annually), with tiered plans, implementation fees, and add-ons for advanced features.
Deltek Vision
enterpriseERP software for project-driven organizations handling time, expenses, projects, and billing compliance.
Advanced interim and progress billing with automated retainage calculations and DCAA-compliant reporting
Deltek Vision is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software designed for project-driven organizations, particularly in architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and government contracting sectors. It integrates project management, time and expense tracking, resource scheduling, and advanced billing functionalities to streamline operations from project inception to invoicing. The platform excels in handling complex billing scenarios, including progress billing, retainage, and compliance with government standards like DCAA.
Pros
- Robust project billing with support for AIA forms, progress invoicing, and retainage management
- Seamless integration of time, expenses, and costs into accurate WIP and billing reports
- Strong compliance tools for government contracts, including DCAA audit trails
Cons
- Outdated, clunky user interface with a steep learning curve
- High implementation costs and lengthy setup process
- Limited mobile accessibility compared to modern cloud-native alternatives
Best For
Mid-to-large AEC firms and government contractors requiring sophisticated project-based billing and regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $75-$150/user/month for cloud subscriptions, plus significant one-time implementation fees starting at $50,000+.
Kimble
enterpriseSalesforce-native PSA software for project delivery, resource management, sales, and billing.
Salesforce-native PSA that embeds project management, resourcing, and billing directly within the CRM ecosystem
Kimble is a Salesforce-native Professional Services Automation (PSA) platform designed for project-centric organizations, combining CRM, project management, resource allocation, time tracking, and billing in one solution. It streamlines the full lifecycle from opportunity to invoice, with AI-driven forecasting, profitability analysis, and automated revenue recognition. Ideal for services firms seeking deep integration without switching tools.
Pros
- Seamless native integration with Salesforce CRM
- Advanced AI-powered forecasting and profitability insights
- Comprehensive end-to-end project management and billing automation
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to Salesforce complexity
- Enterprise-level pricing not ideal for small teams
- Customization requires technical expertise
Best For
Mid-to-large professional services firms already using Salesforce that need integrated project management and billing.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $60-100+ per user/month based on modules, scale, and contract length.
Certinia PSA
enterpriseSalesforce-based professional services cloud for scoping, resource management, projects, and billing.
Native Salesforce Platform integration enabling real-time data sync between projects, sales, and finance without custom APIs
Certinia PSA is a comprehensive Professional Services Automation (PSA) solution built natively on the Salesforce platform, specializing in project management, resource scheduling, time and expense tracking, and billing for service-oriented businesses. It enables accurate project-based invoicing, revenue recognition, and profitability analysis by integrating seamlessly with CRM data. The tool supports the full project lifecycle, from scoping and forecasting to milestone billing and financial reporting, making it ideal for complex professional services environments.
Pros
- Deep native integration with Salesforce for unified CRM and PSA workflows
- Advanced billing capabilities including milestone, time & materials, and fixed-price invoicing
- Robust analytics and forecasting for project profitability and resource optimization
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to Salesforce ecosystem complexity
- High implementation and ongoing costs
- Less intuitive for users without prior Salesforce experience
Best For
Mid-to-large professional services firms heavily invested in Salesforce seeking end-to-end project billing and management.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $100-200 per user/month plus Salesforce licensing fees; implementation costs can exceed $50K for mid-sized deployments.
Conclusion
The roundup of leading project management billing tools reveals varied options to suit different needs, with BigTime leading as the top pick, boasting a comprehensive set of features for professional services firms. Close behind, Harvest and Accelo excel with effortless integration and all-in-one automation, proving strong alternatives for users prioritizing simplicity or specific workflows. Regardless of focus, these tools streamline operations and enhance billing efficiency.
Dive into BigTime to experience its robust capabilities and elevate your project management and billing processes.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.