Top 10 Project Management Software Solutions for Architects

Project‑management software now saves the average employee ≈ 498 hours a year—more than twelve 40‑hour work‑weeks, according to multiple 2024–25 studies. Firms that use a dedicated PM platform are also 66 % more likely to stay on budget than those that rely on spreadsheets and email alone.

Below are the top 10 project management software solutions for architects in 2025. We evaluated each product on architecture‑specific features, ease of use, integrations and verified customer feedback. Nutcache leads the field, but every solution has clear strengths (and limits) so you can choose what fits your practice best.

Quick‑view comparison

*Prices in USD/GBP billed annually unless noted.

Why architects need specialist tools

Complex, multidisciplinary teams: Sustainable‑design consultants, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers (MEP), and building information modeling coordinators (BIM) all need a single, reliable source of truth.

Regulatory pressure: As of 2025, many RFPs demand carbon‑intensity reports and embodied‑energy calculations.

Remote & hybrid work: 61 % of project professionals now work at least one day a week off‑site—mobile‑first PM is no longer optional.

Client transparency: Owner‑rep firms increasingly expect live dashboards rather than PDF status reports.

Software reviews

1 | Nutcache – Editor’s Choice

Nutcache is an all‑in‑one application built for architects and engineers, covering everything from the initial quote to final invoicing. Its Kanban boards mirror the American Institute of Architects (AIA) phases, while real‑time dashboards track hours and budgets.

You can view workload by project phase and assign resources to:

• SD – Schematic Design

• DD – Design Development

• CD – Construction Documents

• CA – Construction Administration

The platform also automates budget alerts when a critical threshold is reached. Its intuitive interface and integrations with tools like Zapier and QuickBooks keep mixed or remote teams running smoothly.

Key features

• Phase‑based boards (Schematic Design → Construction Documents → Construction Administration)

• Robust time tracking + live budget bar

• Multi‑client invoicing by phase (fixed‑fee, hourly, hybrid)

• Read‑only client portal with comments

Pricing

• Free (up to 20 users)

• Pro: $13.95 US / user / month (annual)

• Enterprise: $23.95 US / user / month (annual)

• Custom plan: on request

Pros

• Free for micro‑studios

• Budget alerts via email

• All‑in‑one solution

• Granular task management

Cons

• Limited third‑party integrations

• Summary reports: basic and not detailed

2 | Deltek Ajera – Combined Accounting & PM

Deltek Ajera brings together scheduling, resource planning and a full general ledger, delivering clear insight into margins and cash flow.

Key features

• Work‑in‑progress, accounts receivable and utilization dashboards

• Timesheets connected to payroll

• Phase‑based cost‑to‑completion forecasting

• Milestone / %‑complete automated invoicing

• Simulated staffing charts

Pricing

• Quote‑based pricing negotiated by users or firm revenue

Pros

• Deep accounting for architecture & engineering (A&E) firms

• Heat maps for staff workload

Cons

• Long ERP‑style implementation

• Heavy interface for casual users

3 | BQE Core – All‑in‑One PSA Suite

BQE Core rolls time tracking, expenses, accounting and business‑intelligence (BI) dashboards into one platform. It supports phase‑based contracts for A&E firms.

Key features

• 50+ widgets (gauges, tables, charts)

• Custom invoice templates

• Mobile receipt scanning

• Built‑in leave management

• Two‑way sync with QuickBooks / Xero

Pricing

• About $29 /user/month

Pros

• Powerful dashboards

• Automatic KPI emails

Cons

• Dense interface for beginners

• Limited mobile edition

• Higher pricing

4 | Total Synergy – Real‑Time Financial Visibility

Built for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector, Total Synergy offers a comprehensive financial dashboard: budgets, work‑in‑progress (WIP), forecasts and resource planning.

Key features

• Customizable project phases and revenue templates

• Cash‑flow forecasts and profit margins

• Gantt planning and resource allocation

• Xero, QuickBooks connectors and open API

Pricing

• Business & Enterprise plans –quote only

Pros

• Strong financial dashboards

• Optional HR and project‑information‑management (PIM) modules

Cons

• Dense interface

• Non‑public pricing

5 | Monograph – Design‑Led Budgeting

Created “by architects for architects,” Monograph revolves around the MoneyGantt, a single bar showing time, fees and progress.

Key features

• MoneyGantt bars

• Auto‑generated timesheets

• Revenue and staffing forecasts

• Slack + QuickBooks integrations

Pricing

• $25 – $490 US / month (annual), depending on team size; all features on every plan

Pros

• Low learning curve

• AI‑driven budget suggestions

Cons

• API in beta

• Limited multi‑office planning

• High pricing

6 | Factor AE – Streamlined Ops

Factor simplifies planning, time capture and invoicing with guided onboarding.

Key features

• Resource planning & allocation

• Real‑time project‑margin KPIs

• Fixed‑fee/time billing

• QuickBooks Online integration

Pricing

• $30 US / user / month (annual)

Pros

• Transparent pricing

• Fast setup

Cons

• Limited advanced customization

• No BIM modules

• No budgeting

7 | CMap – Unified CRM + Project Costing

CMap links business development, customer‑relationship management (CRM) and project execution for an end‑to‑end workflow from bid to billing.

Key features

• Sales & quoting pipeline

• Resource and finance planning

• Project profit reporting

• Microsoft 365 integrations

Pricing

• “PIM” plan (project‑information management): £16 /user/month (example)

• “Enterprise” plan: on request

Pros

• Complete workflow from sales to billing

• Strong uptake in the AEC sector in the UK and US

Cons

• Complex sterling pricing structure

• BIM modules only as add‑ons

8 | Runn – Visual Capacity Planning

Runn excels at capacity management and what‑if scenario modeling.

Key features

• Drag‑and‑drop scheduling

• Scenario simulations and financial forecasts

• Lightweight timesheets

• API + SOC 2 security compliance

Pricing

• Free for up to 5 users

• Pro: $10 US / user / month

• Enterprise: quote only

Pros

• Intuitive interface

• Generous free tier

Cons

• No native invoicing

• Focuses solely on capacity

• Missing features

9 | Newforma Konekt – Document Control & BIM Issues

Konekt combines Newforma’s document management with issue tracking for building information modeling (BIM). It offers an audited, version‑controlled register, a 2D/3D viewer (Revit and IFC) with in‑model annotations, and full‑text search across emails and PDFs to locate a drawing or RFI quickly.

Key features

• Version‑controlled, audited document register

• 2D/3D viewer with spatial annotation tools

• Virtual sets without file duplication

• Integrations with Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint and Autodesk Construction Cloud

• Full‑text search across emails and PDFs

Pricing

• On request; tiered plans, non‑public pricing

Pros

• Prevents plan‑version confusion

• Contextual BIM issue tracking

Cons

• Requires a primary PM tool for scheduling

• Opaque pricing

10 | Pluriell (Milient) – Franco‑Norwegian All‑in‑One Platform

Part of the Milient suite, Pluriell combines project management, time tracking, finances and site reports in a bilingual interface (FR/EN). Designed for Europe but now available in North America, it tracks cash flow by progress and provides margin indicators per phase.

Key features

• Time tracking and progressive invoicing

• Workload planning and cash‑flow forecasts

• Mobile site reports (photos, annotations)

• Exportable KPI report library

• Zapier, Microsoft 365 integrations

Pricing

• On request (demo required)

Pros

• Modern, fast interface

• Integrated finance and field modules

Cons

• Limited North‑American presence

• Non‑public pricing and mainly European support

Summary

• Nutcache remains the versatile choice for small‑ to mid‑sized firms.

• Deltek Ajera and BQE Core suit practices needing a full ERP suite, though they’re heavier to use.

• Total Synergy and Factor AE stand out for financial transparency.

• Newforma Konekt acts as an advanced BIM complement.

• Pluriell offers an integrated French‑language alternative, but its North‑American footprint is still emerging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes project‑management software “architecture‑specific”?
BIM/CAD integrations, phase‑based structure, plan‑version control, phase‑based billing.

Does a small studio really need this kind of tool?
Even a two‑person practice benefits from accurate timesheets and centralized drawings—especially when collaborating.

How much training is required?
Nutcache, Monograph and Monday.com deploy in under a week. ERP‑style systems (Ajera, BQE) take 3–6 weeks.

Can one of these tools replace Revit?
No—Revit/Archicad are modeling applications. PM tools handle planning, budgeting and collaboration. Prioritize integration rather than replacement.