Best Project Management Software for Consultants: 11 Tools

Consulting work rarely fits neatly into a generic to-do app. You're tracking deliverables for several clients, logging hours, keeping stakeholders updated and trying to spot scope creep before it eats your week.

The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, most of them from smaller, specialist providers. Each description comes from the tool's own site, read this week. For where AI fits into the same work, see my guide to AI for service businesses.

Project management tools for consultants at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes free use or a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Accelo	Professional services automation	Client work in one system	No
Bonsai	Client work suite	Solo consultants and small firms	Yes
ClickUp	All-in-one work platform	Flexible workspaces on a free plan	Yes
Kantata	Professional services automation	Resource-heavy consulting firms	No
Moxo	Client workflow platform	Client-facing workflows and portals	Trial only
Paymo	Projects, time and invoices	Billing time accurately	Trial only
Plutio	All-in-one business app	One app for a solo business	Not stated
Productive	Agency and services management	Profitability per project	Trial only
Rocketlane	Professional services platform	Implementation and services teams	Trial only
Scoro	Professional services automation	End-to-end services automation	Not stated
Teamwork.com	Client project management	Client-facing project delivery	Trial only

Eleven project tools for consultants

Accelo

Best for: Consultancies that want client work, projects and service delivery connected in one AI-powered system.

Bonsai

Best for: Independent consultants who want their client work and business admin managed in one piece of software.

ClickUp

Best for: Consultants who want a flexible workspace for tasks, docs and client projects and are happy to configure it.

Kantata

Best for: Consulting firms with many consultants that need professional services delivery managed on one established platform.

Moxo

Best for: Advisory firms that run structured client processes and want each step, document and approval handled in one workflow.

Paymo

Best for: Small consultancies that bill by the hour and want time tracking, tasks and invoices linked.

Plutio

Best for: Solo consultants who want one app to run, grow and automate their business, with AI built in.

Productive

Best for: Growing consultancies that want projects, time and profitability visible in one agency management system.

Rocketlane

Best for: Consulting and implementation teams that want an agentic PSA platform for client-facing professional services projects.

Scoro

Best for: Consultancies that want professional services automation with AI, from first enquiry to finished project.

Teamwork.com

Best for: Firms that deliver client projects and want profitability, time and resourcing tracked as they go.

Why UK consultants should keep good project records

Here's a point for anyone consulting through their own company in the UK. HMRC says the off-payroll working rules can apply if a worker provides services to a client through their own intermediary and would have been an employee if they'd provided those services directly, and that different rules apply depending on the size of the client.

If you consult through your own limited company in the UK, keep clear records of how you deliver work, such as your own methods, tools and project plans. Good project software makes that record easy to show.

Solo consultant or consulting firm?

Solo consultants need something light: tasks, client folders, time tracking and maybe proposals and invoices in the same app. Consulting firms need resource planning, utilisation, approvals and reporting across many consultants and projects.

Don't buy firm-level software as a solo consultant, and don't run a ten-person firm on a to-do list. Match the tool to the size of the team you expect to have in the near future.

Setting up a client project the right way

1. Write the scope and deliverables into the project before work starts.
2. Break the work into milestones the client will recognise.
3. Assign every task an owner and a due date.
4. Track time against the project from day one.
5. Share a simple status update with the client every week.
6. Log any change requests so scope creep is visible.

Features consultants use most

• Client workspaces. Keep each client's work separate.
• Time tracking. Log hours against projects and tasks.
• Templates. Reuse project plans for repeat engagements.
• Client sharing. Show progress without exporting reports.

Scope creep

Scope creep is the quiet profit-killer of consulting work. Logging every change request in your project tool, with a note of the extra time it needs, turns an awkward conversation into a simple one. Clients rarely argue with a clear record.

Retainer clients

Retainers need a different rhythm from fixed projects. Set up a recurring monthly plan, track time against the retainer and share a short summary of what was delivered each month. It keeps the value visible and makes renewals easier.

Do you make project management software for consultants? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice for consultants choosing project software

Choose the tool that makes your weekly client update easy. If you can see what's done, what's late and what's next in a couple of minutes, you'll send better updates and clients will trust you more.

Track time even if you don't bill by the hour. It shows you which clients and projects are worth your energy, and it gives you evidence when a project grows beyond what was agreed. My page on coaching and consulting covers the wider side of running a practice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best project management software for consultants?

It depends on your size. Solo consultants need light all-in-one tools, while consulting firms need resourcing and reporting across many people.

Is there free project management software for consultants?

Yes. Several tools on this list describe free plans or free use. Check the table.

Why do UK consultants need good project records?

HMRC's off-payroll working (IR35) guidance looks at how services are provided, and clear project records help you show how you work.

Should consultants track time?

Yes, even on fixed fees. Time data shows which projects work for you and helps when scope grows.

Can clients see my project plans?

Many tools let you share a client view or portal, so clients see progress without endless emails.

What's PSA software?

Professional services automation software combines projects, time, resourcing and billing for service firms.