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You probably know the feeling: five different Ajera modules open, a dozen browser tabs, and you still can't see whether last week's hours pushed the project over budget. Deltek's depth is undeniable, but it comes with a steep learning curve, pricey add-ons, and modules that never feel fully connected. When even basic questions require a workflow diagram, and support reviews show mixed feedback, profitability slips while your team burns time instead of designing and engineering the actual work.
Meanwhile, projects grow more complex, remote teams expect real-time answers, and clients won't wait for end-of-month reports. You need software that shows cash flow as clearly as a well-detailed section cut, not another system that hides insights behind menus and customization fees.
So I've pulled together 11 alternatives that actually work for A&E firms. Every platform on this list was vetted against three criteria that matter in daily practice:
- A&E-specific fit: does it mirror the way you actually run projects?
- Workflow coverage: can it track time, budgets, and resources without spreadsheet gymnastics?
- Total cost of ownership: licenses, training, and inevitable add-ons included.
Over the next sections you'll see how each contender stacks up, feature by feature, price by price, use case by use case, so you can pick a system that supports profitable projects instead of slowing them down.
Why A&E Firms Seek Deltek Alternatives
If you've ever opened Deltek platforms and felt like you needed a map just to find today's numbers, you're not alone. Many A&E teams describe the platforms as feeling more like legacy CAD menus than modern business tools: powerful, but buried under layers of clicks. The friction doesn't stop at confusing interfaces either.
Key challenges driving A&E firms away from Deltek include:
- Integration complexity: Connecting Deltek to your daily tools often turns into a technical project that demands hours from billable work
- Real-time visibility gaps: Dashboards update, but they're not always current or easily customized
- Escalating costs: Licenses look reasonable until you add resource planning, CRM, or mobile access
- Steep learning curves: Teams need weeks to train on clunky systems that feel outdated compared to modern cloud platforms
Meanwhile, industry pressures keep rising. Projects grow more complex, hybrid teams expect consumer-grade software, and talent shortages mean no one has weeks to train on clunky systems. Firms need tools that feel intuitive, connect to QuickBooks or Sage without drama, and surface budget warnings the moment they happen.
That demand drives a wave of alternatives purpose-built for A&E workflows: platforms that trade steep learning curves and add-on fees for clarity, connected data, and responsive support.
1. Monograph
If you've ever juggled a project schedule in one window and its budget in another, you'll appreciate why Monograph built Monograph's MoneyGantt™: a single timeline that overlays dollars on deadlines and keeps surprises from gutting your fee. Instead of drilling through nested menus like you would in Deltek, you drag a phase bar and instantly see the financial impact across the entire job. Visual intelligence like this lets you spot scope creep before it turns into a write-off.
Monograph's comprehensive platform delivers multiple advantages that streamline A&E workflows:
- AI-powered project setup that pre-loads phases, budgets, and staffing based on previous work, cutting kickoff admin time
- Automated invoicing that converts approved timesheets into branded PDFs and syncs with QuickBooks Online
- Real-time dashboards that surface utilization, backlog, and cash-flow forecasts instantly
- Transparent pricing with one per-user SaaS fee and zero add-on modules
This simplicity has attracted over 12,000 users, and those firms report a 21% increase in first-year revenue, proof that better visibility quickly translates to profit.
Monograph shines in studios of roughly 5–50 people who need the power of an ERP without the bulk. Add founder-led product development and a user interface that feels more like sketching than spreadsheeting, and you have a tool built for practitioners who'd rather design buildings than wrestle software.
2. BigTime
If you're tracking time across multiple project phases, BigTime handles the details that matter most to A&E work. The platform captures time and expenses through timers, mileage tracking, and mobile receipt scanning, then converts those entries directly into invoices. What used to take hours of Friday billing work now takes minutes.
BigTime excels at reporting flexibility. You can analyze billable hours by project phase, staff role, or cost code without exporting to spreadsheets, giving you the instant project visibility that good decision-making requires. The interface feels more intuitive than legacy systems, though the dashboards still require time to master fully.
Pricing stays reasonable with tiered SaaS plans that charge per user monthly. You pay for what you use today and add modules as your practice grows.
The platform integrates with QuickBooks and Sage Intacct, letting you maintain your existing accounting setup while eliminating duplicate data entry. The trade-off is straightforward: BigTime wasn't built exclusively for A&E workflows, so you'll likely rename some generic project fields to match your design phases or engineering deliverables. For most firms, that's a minor adjustment for significant time savings.
3. BQE CORE
If Ajera feels like pouring an entire skyscraper foundation when you only need a well-framed studio, BQE CORE lands in that middle ground. You get the backbone of an ERP: project accounting, resource planning, and light HR tracking, but the platform stays lean enough for day-to-day design work. Dashboards surface labor utilization, budget burn, and backlog in real time, giving you visibility without multi-step drill-downs.
Pricing follows a modular approach: start with the core platform, then add features as projects grow. That modularity can undercut all-in licensing costs, but fees climb quickly if you need enterprise depth. For multidisciplinary A&E teams juggling architecture, interiors, and civil packages under one roof, this flexibility works; you get structured project management without hiring a full-time system admin.
Integration capabilities stand out. Like most modern competitors, BQE CORE syncs with QuickBooks Online and other accounting tools, so project transactions land in the general ledger without double entry. Compared with more restrictive connectors, the open API approach feels less limiting for firms already using QuickBooks. You sacrifice some A&E-specific nuance that specialized platforms bake in, especially on complex multi-entity reporting. For firms prioritizing flexible growth over deep specialization, that trade-off usually works.
4. Unanet AE ERP (formerly Clearview)
If Ajera feels stretched to its limits, you're likely managing compliance checks, multi-office reporting, and revenue forecasts across disconnected systems. Unanet AE ERP connects timesheets, project accounting, CRM, and analytics into one platform built for project-based businesses. You log hours once and they populate job-cost reports, invoices, and utilization dashboards without the manual coordination legacy systems often require when integrations fail.
The platform offers flexibility across multiple deployment and scaling options:
- Cloud or on-premises deployment to meet security policies and remote team needs
- Modular licensing that lets you start with project accounting and add resource planning as you grow
- Built-in compliance checkpoints for DCAA audit trails and approval workflows
- Multi-entity ledger management for complex cost pools and revenue forecasting
Pricing comes through custom quotes, so budget for mid-market ERP costs rather than simple per-user SaaS fees. The benefit is licensing only the modules you need today, preserving cash while you scale.
Small studios may find the learning curve steep and implementation costs hard to justify. Once you're managing multi-entity ledgers and complex cost pools, Unanet delivers value.
5. QuickBooks Online + A&E Plug-ins
If you already run your books in QuickBooks Online, you've got a familiar foundation. The plug-in strategy builds purpose-built A&E apps (scheduling dashboards, staffing planners) on top of that general ledger. QuickBooks handles payables, receivables, and taxes; the add-ons pick up project phase tracking and resource forecasts that pure accounting software can't touch.
Pricing stays predictable: you keep paying QuickBooks' tiered subscription, then add modest per-user fees for whichever apps you bolt on. The marketplace is huge, so you can start with a single Gantt or time-tracking tool and expand only when a project manager demands it. Handing files to your CPA stays frictionless, and new hires already know the QuickBooks interface, so training time is close to zero.
The trade-off is structural: every extra plug-in creates another connection point you have to maintain. Data can slip between systems, and native resource planning remains thin. Some vendors try to solve this puzzle by offering integration tools that sync project management platforms with QuickBooks for timesheets, AP, and AR, but these often stop short of multi-company or multi-currency support.
This approach works for cost-conscious studios (five to fifteen people) who need light project tracking without ripping out an accounting stack that already works. If you're comfortable juggling a few specialized apps and don't require enterprise-grade forecasting, QuickBooks plus A&E plug-ins might be the most direct path to better project visibility.
6. Oracle NetSuite
When your firm hits serious growth mode, cobbled-together systems start breaking down. Oracle NetSuite steps in as a full cloud ERP that handles core accounting, project accounting, and resource management in one platform. Your finance team and project managers finally work from the same numbers, no more hunting through three different systems to answer a client's budget question.
The investment is substantial. NetSuite requires higher upfront implementation costs and annual licenses that push well beyond typical SaaS pricing. Most firms assign a dedicated admin or small team to manage dashboards, permissions, and custom workflows. You get enterprise power, but you pay for enterprise overhead.
NetSuite competes directly with enterprise-level platforms in terms of functionality. Both handle multi-entity accounting, detailed project costing, and compliance requirements. NetSuite counters with an extensive ecosystem of add-on modules: CRM, warehouse management, HR, that scale as your practice diversifies beyond traditional A&E work.
For mid-size engineering firms planning major expansion, that flexibility justifies the complexity. Smaller studios often find the implementation timeline daunting and the license minimums hard to justify. Without a clear growth strategy, NetSuite feels like using structural analysis software to design a garden shed: incredibly powerful, but more system than the project demands.
7. Sage Intacct
Some A&E firms skip all-in-one ERPs and build their practice around dedicated accounting software instead. Sage Intacct is the choice when your CFO refuses to compromise on financial reporting. Many platforms position this as a feature ("we sync with Sage, Xero, and other accounting platforms"), which works if you've already committed to Intacct's ledger and don't want to rebuild your books.
This approach gives you the audit-ready financials and multi-entity consolidation that CFOs demand. The gap comes in project management; Intacct offers robust features for tracking project phases, consultant coordination, and resource allocation. You'll need separate tools to handle what architects and engineers actually do day-to-day.
The real cost shows up in both dollars and complexity. Intacct's subscription, implementation fees, plus whatever project management system you choose, plus the connectors to keep everything talking to each other. When it works, you avoid steep learning curves while keeping your accountant happy. When it doesn't, you've built exactly the disconnected system you were trying to escape. Sage Intacct fits firms where perfect financials matter more than unified project dashboards, and where someone on your team enjoys managing multiple software relationships.
8. SAP Concur
When your project managers spend Friday afternoons matching receipts to credit card statements, you need a purpose-built expense tool. SAP Concur handles exactly that problem. The mobile app captures receipts instantly, applies your firm's policies automatically, and creates approved expense reports before you land from your site visit.
The focused approach delivers several key advantages over comprehensive ERP expense modules:
- Mobile receipt capture that processes expenses instantly from the field
- Automated policy application that eliminates manual approval workflows
- Real-time expense tracking with bidirectional feeds to QuickBooks and project systems
- Predictable per-user pricing without expensive add-on fees from larger platforms
Since Concur focuses solely on expenses rather than trying to be a full ERP system, most A&E teams connect it to their existing project and accounting systems for seamless financial visibility.
The result: tighter expense oversight, faster employee reimbursements, and month-end closes that actually finish on time. This focused approach makes Concur a practical alternative for firms that need better expense management without replacing their entire system.
9. Timesheets.com
Timesheets.com strips away the complexity and focuses on what most A&E teams actually need: quick time entry, expense tracking, and PTO management. The app gets your team logging hours from the field or studio in minutes, not hours. Pricing matches the simplicity; a low per-user monthly fee covers core functionality, and solo freelancers track time for free.
The trade-off for simplicity is depth. You won't find project budgeting dashboards or resource forecasts here. Need utilization reports or fee projections? You're back to spreadsheets or adding more software. Compared with built-in timesheets in comprehensive platforms, Timesheets.com feels refreshingly intuitive, but stops short of full project accounting depth. For small studios that need compliant, audit-ready timesheets without the overhead, that's a fair exchange for speed and clarity.
10. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise + Job Costing
For firms that track every project dollar through traditional double-entry accounting, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise delivers the depth you expect. The on-premises software combines familiar accounting workflows with job-costing reports that trace every consultant payment and change order back to specific project phases. Custom fields let you categorize architectural drawing revisions, structural analysis costs, and MEP coordination fees without wrestling with generic ERP categories. Annual licensing includes the core platform; add cloud hosting if you prefer to avoid managing your own server.
The advantage is immediate familiarity: your CPA already knows the interface, and job-costing dashboards drill down to individual project phases without requiring additional modules. The trade-offs are real: someone on your team handles software updates, data backups, and user access, while the interface remains firmly rooted in early-2000s design rather than modern cloud platforms.
QuickBooks Desktop works when you need more comprehensive job costing than QuickBooks Online provides but aren't ready for full ERP complexity. Compared with specialized project management platforms, you lose integrated resource scheduling but gain accounting depth that any experienced bookkeeper can navigate from day one.
11. Acumatica
Traditional platforms work fine until you need more than basic QuickBooks integration. Standard connectors handle single-ledger setups but break down with multi-company structures or international projects. Acumatica takes a different approach.
Its Project Accounting module offers robust REST and OData APIs that enable integration with custom solutions and external applications. While direct, out-of-the-box connectors to Sage or Xero are not provided, integration can be achieved through custom development or third-party migration services. Map your time entries, consultant invoices, and project budgets once, then let the system keep everything synchronized. This openness means you can add field coordination apps or custom dashboards without waiting years for feature requests.
Pricing works differently too. Instead of charging per seat, Acumatica bases fees on system usage; perfect when your project teams expand and contract with workload. The catch? Implementation success depends entirely on your consulting partner. A weak integrator leaves you with the same workflow headaches that plague users of complex enterprise systems.
For engineering firms comfortable with technical implementation, Acumatica adapts to your existing workflows instead of forcing you to change how you manage projects.
Picking Your Best-Fit Platform
Choosing software for your studio is a design decision: form follows function. Start with how your team actually works. A 12-person architecture firm bouncing between schematic design and construction administration needs different tools than a 200-person engineering group managing multi-phase infrastructure projects. Size, project types, and daily workflows determine whether you need visual project dashboards or enterprise reporting.
Smart platform selection requires evaluating several key factors beyond initial appeal:
- Total cost of ownership including implementation, training, and add-ons that can double annual spend
- Support quality and responsiveness, as poor support turns "affordable" software into expensive problems
- Integration capabilities with your existing accounting and design tools
- Scalability to grow with your practice without forcing system changes
Calculate your real five-year costs before you sign anything, and always test drive finalists with actual project data.
Pick one or two platforms and run actual projects through them with your project managers and finance lead. A week of hands-on testing reveals clunky interfaces and missing features faster than any sales presentation. Watch how easily data flows from timesheets to invoices; smooth workflows turn billable hours into cash without manual work.
When project and financial data connect properly, you catch budget problems early, staff projects accurately, and spend more time on design instead of spreadsheets. Book demos with your shortlist, plan a pilot with real project data, and choose based on how well the platform fits your firm, not how impressive it looks in a conference room.
Stop Managing Projects with Guesswork. Get Real-Time Visibility
You can't run profitable A&E projects when critical data lives across five different systems. Every day you spend hunting through spreadsheets, chasing down timesheet data, and manually calculating project margins is another day your competitors pull ahead with better tools.
The gap is widening between firms that manage by gut feel and those using purpose-built platforms to track every dollar, hour, and deliverable in real time. While you're still updating project budgets manually, successful firms are using integrated systems to catch budget overruns early, optimize team assignments, and accelerate invoicing cycles.
Stop flying blind. Choose project management software built specifically for A&E workflows, not generic business platforms that force you to adapt your practice to their limitations.
Book demo and see how the right platform transforms scattered data into profitable projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the biggest difference between Deltek and its competitors?
Deltek offers comprehensive functionality but comes with complexity that many A&E firms find overwhelming. Competitors like Monograph focus specifically on A&E workflows, eliminating unnecessary features while delivering better user experience. The result: faster implementation, lower training costs, and teams that actually use the software daily instead of avoiding it.
How long does it take to switch from Deltek to an alternative platform?
Implementation timelines vary significantly. Purpose-built alternatives like Monograph typically take 2-4 weeks to get fully operational, while enterprise platforms like NetSuite or Unanet can require 3-6 months. The key is choosing software that integrates with your existing workflows rather than forcing you to rebuild everything from scratch.
Will switching platforms disrupt our current projects?
Not if you plan the transition properly. Start by running new projects through your chosen platform while maintaining Deltek for active work. Most firms complete the transition within 60-90 days without disrupting client deliverables. Choose a platform with proven data migration tools and dedicated implementation support to minimize disruption.
What should I prioritize: features or ease of use?
For most A&E firms, ease of use wins. Complex feature sets don't matter if your team won't use them. Look for platforms that handle your core workflows (time tracking, project budgeting, invoicing) extremely well rather than trying to do everything. Teams that actually use their project management software see better results than those with powerful tools sitting unused.
