10 Best Agency Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
Today, many agencies grapple with the complexities of managing client relationships, project workflows, and financial transactions, often resulting in inefficiencies hindering growth. As a result, more agencies are using software to optimize operations and enhance service delivery.
As a PM technology analyst, I've also witnessed an uptick in the need for software that streamlines these processes. With my knowledge of PM software, I reviewed and tested the leading agency software options to help leaders find the best options for their teams.
Whether you want to upgrade your current software or implement an entirely new system, this guide will provide you with the insights to make an informed decision.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and software since 2012. As project managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.
We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different project management use cases and written over 1,000 software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.
Best Agency Software Summary
We’ve investigated the pricing and availability of free trials and demo versions so you can make a much simpler side-by-side comparison.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best for end-to-end project management | 14-day free trial + free demo available | From $19.90/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
2 | Best for project and time tracking | Free trial available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
3 | Best for project and budget tracking | 14-day free trial | From $9/month (billed annually) | Website | |
4 | Best for proofing and approvals | Freemium version available | From $10/user/month (min of 2 seats) | Website | |
5 | Best for client work management | 14-day free trial | From $29/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats) | Website | |
6 | Best for automated resource management | 7-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website | |
7 | Best for data visualization and business intelligence | 14-day free trial | From $75/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
8 | Best for website heatmaps | 30-day free trial | From $29/month (billed annually) | Website | |
9 | Best for customizable marketing dashboards | 14-day free trial | From $149/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
10 | Best for AI-driven PPC recommendations | Free plan available | From $99/month | Website |
-
monday.com
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
CRM Creatio
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7 -
Wrike
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2
Best Agency Software Reviews
Here’s an in-depth analysis and overview of each agency software. This will walk through the pros and cons of each tool, its features, and best use cases.
Scoro is an all-in-one business management software designed to streamline workflows for agencies and professional service firms. It combines project management, CRM, billing, and reporting tools into a single platform, enabling teams to manage their work more efficiently.
Why I Picked Scoro: With Scoro, you can manage projects from start to finish, including quoting, budgeting, task scheduling, and time tracking. This end-to-end approach ensures that all aspects of a project are interconnected, reducing the chances of miscommunication and errors. Additionally, Scoro's resource planning feature allows you to allocate work effectively across your team, ensuring optimal utilization and preventing burnout.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include invoicing capabilities that let you automate billing processes, reducing manual work and the potential for mistakes. Additionally, detailed reporting and dashboards provide real-time insights into your business performance, allowing you to monitor key metrics and make data-driven decisions. The platform even has a retainer management functionality that helps you track and manage recurring client work, ensuring that ongoing projects are handled efficiently and consistently.
Integrations include Gmail, Google Calendar, Microsoft Exchange, QuickBooks, Xero, Stripe, PayPal, Jira, Asana, HubSpot, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive project management features
- Good resource planning and utilization management
- Robust reporting and analytics
Cons:
- Mobile app could be improved
- Some time tracking features are limited to higher-tier plans
New Product Updates from Scoro

Scoro's New Updates: AI Insights, Project Metrics, and Usability Enhancements
Scoro's update introduces ELI insights for AI-driven reporting, enhanced project metrics with trends and alerts, and usability improvements like a revamped task list. For more details, visit Scoro Updates.
Bonsai is an all-in-one business management platform tailored for agencies, consultancies, and professional service providers. It consolidates essential tools such as project management, client relationship management, and financial tracking into a single, integrated system.
Why I Picked Bonsai Agency Software: I like Bonsai for its robust project management capabilities. You can assign tasks, set priorities, and monitor progress in real-time, ensuring projects stay on track and within budget. The platform also offers time-tracking features, allowing your team to log hours directly within the system. This ensures accurate billing and provides insights into productivity, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include a client relationship management (CRM) system that makes it easy to manage contacts, track interactions, and maintain detailed client profiles. It also has budgeting tools that help you monitor project expenses and profitability, customizable templates for contracts and proposals that maintain consistency and professionalism, and a client portal where clients can access project updates, invoices, and other shared documents.
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Zapier, Calendly, Xero, Google Drive, HubSpot, ClickUp, Slack, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can monitor projects across the portfolio
- Client portal enhances transparency and communication
- Efficient time-tracking capabilities
Cons:
- Mobile app could benefit from additional features
- Fewer integrations compared to some competitors
Productive is an all-in-one agency management system designed to help agencies enhance their operations. It combines project management, time tracking, and financial management into a single platform.
Why I Picked Productive: I particularly like its real-time budgeting and profitability tracking. These features allow you to monitor costs, revenue, and margins throughout the lifecycle of your projects. Instead of waiting until the end of a project to see if you’ve made a profit, you can track your financial performance as you go. Additionally, its budget tracking pairs well with its resource planning feature, which allows you to allocate your team's time effectively across various projects. By visualizing workloads, you can ensure that tasks are distributed evenly, preventing burnout and underutilization.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include advanced reporting, sales CRM, and revenue forecasting. The advanced reporting tool lets you generate custom reports to gain insights into various aspects of your agency's performance. The sales CRM integrates client relationship management into your workflow, helping you track leads and manage client interactions. Additionally, revenue forecasting provides projections based on current data, assisting in strategic planning and decision-making.
Integrations include Jira, Slack, QuickBooks, SAP SuccessFactors, Xero, Zapier, Sage, BambooHR, Rippling, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Tailored specifically for agencies
- Comprehensive features for financial management and reporting
- Robust resource planning and tracking capabilities
Cons:
- Could have more integrations
- Initial setup can be time-consuming
Wrike is an online project management tool designed to help teams plan, track, and collaborate on projects in real time. It offers a centralized workspace where users can manage tasks, deadlines, and resources efficiently.
Why I Picked Wrike: I picked Wrike because it helps break down complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks, making it easier for teams to stay organized. Its task structure supports accountability and clarity across assignments. The proofing and approvals tool also simplifies the creative review process with visual markups and automated workflows. This reduces feedback delays and keeps campaigns on schedule. I also like its request forms, which help manage incoming work, and auto-generated reports that keep your team informed on performance.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include interactive Gantt charts that let you visualize project timelines and dependencies, making it easier to adjust schedules as needed. The workload view provides insights into team capacity, helping you allocate tasks effectively and prevent burnout. Additionally, Wrike's custom item types allow you to tailor work items to fit your agency's specific processes and terminology.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Skyvia, Power BI, Tableau, Google Sheets, Miro, Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable workflows and item types
- Effective proofing and approval tool
- Comprehensive project management features
Cons:
- Some integrations are only available on higher-tier plans
- Learning curve for new users
New Product Updates from Wrike
Wrike Unveils New Features: API Console and Dashboard
Wrike introduced updates including a modern API console, dashboard home screen feature, workflow views, mobile notification controls, timesheet approvals. More details: Wrike Blog.
Ravetree is a work management platform designed for project-driven teams. It combines project management, time tracking, resource planning, CRM, and billing into one system.
Why I Picked Ravetree: Ravetree stands out for its built-in client portal, which gives clients real-time access to project updates, files, and billing information. This feature reduces the need for back-and-forth emails and keeps clients informed about your work without extra effort from your team. Another reason I chose Ravetree is its resource planning tools. You can see who has the capacity to take on more work, helping you allocate tasks effectively and avoid overloading team members. This visibility supports better decision-making and ensures client work stays on track.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include customizable request forms that allow team members and clients to submit project and work item requests, helping to manage incoming tasks efficiently. The platform also offers file approval workflows with privacy controls, ensuring that documents are reviewed and approved systematically. Additionally, Ravetree provides real-time project financials and dedicated retainer management tools, giving you insights into budgets and financial performance.
Integrations include Harvest, Toggl, Todoist, Excel, Trello, Resource Guru, Monday.com, Favro, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective time and expense tracking
- Integrated CRM for client management
- Real-time project financial tracking
Cons:
- Could offer more native integrations
- Could offer more robust workflow customization
Screendragon is a work and workflow management platform designed for marketing, agency, and professional services teams. It combines project management, workflow automation, resource management, and budget tracking into one solution.
Why I Picked Screendragon: Screendragon's resource management capabilities are fully automated and interactive. You can auto-populate schedules from scope staff plans, make changes with drag-and-drop functionality, and monitor budgets as they're updated in real-time. Capacity planning heatmaps provide data on utilization levels at both role and individual levels, helping your team optimize resource allocation. Another reason to consider Screendragon is its budget management module, which offers early warnings to keep project finances healthy.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include professional estimate creation with automated customer rate cards and terms, third-party cost and margin calculation features integrated with your finance system, and smart forms that guide users on what to fill in and automatically route data to the right people at the right time.
Integrations include MS Power BI, Slack, MS Teams, Zapier, Google Drive, Trello, Microsoft 365, Box, Jira, Microsoft OneDrive, and PeopleSoft.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can tailor the platform to your specific needs
- Good resource planning features
- Integrates various tools like project management and budget tracking
Cons:
- Could offer more advanced features
- The platform's depth can lead to complexity
Tableau is a data visualization tool designed to help agencies transform raw data into interactive, shareable dashboards and insights. It enables users to explore data visually, create complex reports, and drive data-driven decisions.
Why I Picked Tableau: I chose Tableau for its data visualization capabilities and its ability to transform raw data into actionable insights. It stands out due to its interface and customization options, making it good for agencies needing detailed and interactive data presentations. It provides tools for creating dynamic, shareable dashboards that can be integrated into various business processes.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include advanced data visualization, real-time analytics, and interactive dashboards. Tableau's drag-and-drop interface allows users to create complex visualizations without needing extensive technical knowledge, and its real-time data processing ensures that insights are always up-to-date.
Integrations include Amazon Redshift, Google Analytics, Google Sheets, IBM BigInsights, Microsoft Excel, OneDrive, Oracle, Presto, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive customization
- Real-time analytics
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Requires additional setup for customization
- Resource-intensive for large datasets
Crazy Egg is a website optimization tool that offers features such as heatmaps, recordings, surveys, A/B testing, and traffic analysis. It provides detailed visual reports and session recordings to understand user behavior and improve website design.
Why I Picked Crazy Egg: I chose Crazy Egg as it helps agencies and agency owners understand user behavior through heatmaps and recordings. This tool stands out for its ability to provide visual insights into user interactions, making it easier to identify areas for customer experience improvement. It offers detailed visual reports and session recordings that help make informed design changes that can enhance customer relationships.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include heatmaps, session recordings, A/B testing, traffic analysis, and error tracking. These features allow users to visualize user interactions, test different design elements, and analyze traffic sources to optimize website performance.
Integrations include Convert Experiences, Drupal, Handshake, Joomla, Kameleoon, Magento, Optimizely, Rippling, Shopify, Sitejet, Squarespace, SurveyMonkey, Teamstack, Wix, and WordPress.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- A/B testing
- Session recordings
- Detailed heatmaps
Cons:
- Requires ongoing monitoring
- Not ideal for very large sites
ReportGarden is a marketing dashboard and analytics software that helps agencies create customizable marketing dashboards and automate reporting. It offers options for tailoring reports to specific needs, saving time and resources.
Why I Picked ReportGarden: I chose ReportGarden for its customization capabilities, which stand out among other agency software. The platform’s ability to blend data from multiple sources and create white-labeled portals makes it stand out. Its ttemplate library and custom widget options, allow agencies to present data in a client-specific manner.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include customizable dashboards, data blending from multiple sources, and white-labeled portals. ReportGarden also offers over 1000 templates fine-tuned for various marketing use-cases, and custom widgets to enhance report storytelling.
Integrations include Google Ads, Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, Instagram Profiles, Google Search Console, Google Business Profile, Google Drive, Bing Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and Twitter Ads.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- White-labeled portals
- Data blending
- Customizable dashboards
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for some users
- Fewer data visualization options
Adzooma is an online marketing platform that provides AI-driven PPC recommendations. It offers smart recommendations to improve PPC efficiency and performance.
Why I Picked Adzooma: I chose Adzooma for ability to provide actionable AI insights and simplify the implementation process. Additionally, the platform’s user-friendly interface and accessibility make it a good choice for agencies looking to streamline their ad operations.
Standout Features & Integrations:
Features include AI-driven smart recommendations, PPC performance reports, SEO performance reports, and web metrics reports. Adzooma simplifies the process of implementing recommendations, requiring just two clicks to apply changes.
Integrations include WordPress, Wix, Volusion, Weebly, Squarespace, Shopify Plus, Magento, Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Ads.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive reports
- Easy implementation
- AI-driven recommendations
Cons:
- Occasional sync issues with platforms
- Requires initial setup time
Other Agency Software
Below is a list of additional agency software that I shortlisted, but did not make it to the top list. Definitely still worth checking them out!
- Funnelytics
For visualizing marketing funnels
- Justuno
For personalized website pop-ups
- Rankability
For AI-powered SEO content creation
- NinjaCat
For AI-powered marketing analytics
- Adverity
For data integration and governance
- Sprout Social
For social media analytics
- Zoho Analytics
For business analytics
- Semrush
For keyword research
- Google Analytics
For web analytics and traffic insights
- Hootsuite
For social media management
Related Project Management Software
If you still haven't found what you're looking for, check out these related project management tools we've tested and reviewed.
- Project Management Software
- PR Project Management Software
- White Label Dashboard Software
- Resource Management Software
- Workflow Automation Software
- Task Management Software
- Collaboration Tools
- Gantt Chart Maker
Agency Software Selection Criteria
The criteria for choosing agency software should address buyer needs and common pain points, ensuring the tool effectively serves its intended purpose. As an expert who has personally tried and researched this type of software, here are the requirements I use when evaluating these tools.
Core Agency Software Functionality: 25% of total weighting score
- Project management
- Client communication
- Reporting and analytics
- Time tracking
- Invoicing and billing
Additional Standout Features: 25% of total weighting score
- Unique integrations with other tools
- Advanced automation capabilities
- Customizable dashboards
- AI-driven insights
Usability: 10% of total weighting score
- Intuitive interface design
- Drag-and-drop functionality
- Customizable workflows
- Mobile accessibility
- User-friendly navigation
Onboarding: 10% of total weighting score
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Templates for quick setup
- Chatbots for instant help
- Webinars for in-depth learning
Customer Support: 10% of total weighting score
- 24/7 availability
- Multiple support channels (email, chat, phone)
- Dedicated account managers
- Vast knowledge base
- Fast response times
Value For Money: 10% of total weighting score
- Competitive pricing
- Flexible subscription plans
- Transparent pricing structure
- Discounts for long-term commitments
- ROI potential
Customer Reviews: 10% of total weighting score
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Feedback on ease of use
- Comments on customer support quality
- Insights on feature effectiveness
- User testimonials on value for money
How To Choose Agency Software
As you work through your own unique software selection process, keep the following points in mind.
- Usability: The software needs to be intuitive and easy to use. If the tool is overly complicated and requires extensive training, it can hinder productivity rather than enhance it. For example, if your team spends more time learning the software than using it, it defeats the purpose of streamlining operations.
- Features: Ensure the software has the right features for your agency's needs. Many "all-in-one" solutions may excel in one area but fall short in others. For instance, a tool might be great for project management but lacks resource planning capabilities. List the problems you want to solve and match them with the software's features. If your team struggles with overbooking projects, a tool with transparent scheduling can be invaluable.
- Integrations: The software should integrate with your existing tools. This is important for maintaining a smooth workflow. Identify which integrations are "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" to narrow your options.
- Pricing: The software's cost should fit within your budget and provide value. Calculate both the tool's cost and the time it will save your agency. For example, a tool might cost $10 per person per month, but if it significantly increases productivity, it can pay for itself in the long run. Ensure the pricing is transparent to avoid unexpected charges.
- Vendor Support and Reliability: Choose a vendor that offers reliable support and has a reliable track record. This includes data migration support, training, and ongoing customer service. For instance, if your agency is transitioning from a different system, the vendor should provide support to ensure a smooth migration. Check reviews and testimonials to gauge the vendor's reliability and customer satisfaction.
Trends For Agency Software
Agency management system software is transforming rapidly. Here are some important trends to keep on your radar.
- AI-Driven Project Management: AI automates routine tasks in project management. This allows teams to focus on strategic work and improve task prediction accurarcy.
- Integrated Communication Tools: Software now includes built-in communication features. This reduces the need for multiple apps and enhances team collaboration.
- Advanced Data Analytics: Agencies are leveraging advanced analytics for better end-to-end decision-making. These tools provide deep digital marketing insights into project performance. They help identify areas for agency growth and improvement.
- Customizable Workflows: Customizable workflows are becoming standard. They allow agencies to tailor marketing campaigns to their needs. This flexibility supports diverse project requirements.
- Enhanced Security Measures: Security is a top priority with new software updates. Enhanced measures protect sensitive data and maintains client trust.
These trends are shaping the future of agency software, driving innovation and enhancing efficiency.
What Is Agency Software?
Agency software is a SaaS tool designed to help marketing, advertising, and creative agencies manage their projects, clients, and resources efficiently. It is commonly used by project managers, account managers, and creative teams to simplify automated workflows, track project progress, and manage client relationships.
Agency software typically includes project management, time tracking, client management, and financial management. These features allow users to plan and execute projects, monitor time spent on tasks, maintain client communications, and manage budgets and invoices.
Features Of Agency Software
When selecting agency software, it's essential to understand the key software features required for your agency's success. The right tools can help manage projects, simplify communication, and improve overall efficiency. Here are the most important features to look for:
- Project Scheduling: This feature helps organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, ensuring that projects are completed on time. It's especially useful for managing multi-phase projects like SEO campaigns, where coordination and timing are critical to achieving results.
- Client Management: It allows you to store and manage client information, making it easier to maintain client relationships.
- Time Tracking: This feature helps monitor time spent on various tasks, which is essential for accurate billing and productivity analysis. Read more about what is time tracking.
- Invoicing: Automated invoicing ensures you get paid on time and reduces the administrative burden of manual billing.
- Collaboration Tools: These tools facilitate communication and collaboration among team members, which is vital for project success.
- Reporting and Analytics: This feature provides insights into your agency's performance, helping you make informed decisions.
- Resource Management: It helps allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that your team is not overburdened. However, it is important to know what is a project resource management plan ahead of time so you can make the most out of this feature.
- File Sharing: Secure file sharing is important for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of client information.
- Customization: The ability to customize the software to fit your agency's specific needs can enhance its usability.
- Integration: Smooth integration with other tools such as email marketing software, CRM and project management tools ensures your agency's workflow remains uninterrupted.
These features will help your agency run more smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to improve your sales processes and focus on delivering the best possible service to your clients.
Benefits Of Agency Software
Agency software has become an essential tool for organizations looking to simplify operations, enhance productivity, and improve client satisfaction. Below are five primary benefits of using agency software for both users and organizations.
- Increased Efficiency: Agency software automates repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more strategic activities, thereby increasing overall productivity.
- Enhanced Collaboration: With centralized data and communication tools, team members can easily collaborate on projects, ensuring everyone is on the same page and reducing the risk of miscommunication.
- Improved Client Management: The software provides client management features, enabling businesses to maintain detailed client records, track interactions, and deliver personalized professional services.
- Data-Driven Insights: Advanced analytics and reporting tools help organizations make informed decisions by providing valuable insights into performance metrics and business trends.
- Scalability: As your business grows, agency software can scale to accommodate increased workloads and additional users, ensuring your operations remain smooth and efficient.
Investing in agency software can significantly enhance how your organization operates, leading to better outcomes for both your team and your clients. By leveraging the benefits outlined above, businesses can stay competitive and achieve their goals.
Costs & Pricing Of Agency Software
When evaluating agency software, grasping the costs and pricing options is important for making an informed decision. As a software expert, I will outline the different plans available, their average prices, and the common features they include.
Plan Comparison Table for Agency Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic project management, limited users, basic reporting, and task management |
Personal Plan | $9 - $60 per month | Time tracking, invoicing, basic CRM, limited integrations, and basic support |
Business Plan | $60 - $600 per month | Advanced project management, resource planning, financial management, and analytics |
Enterprise Plan | $600 - $1000+ per month | Custom integrations, advanced security, dedicated support, and analytics |
When selecting the most suitable plan, carefully evaluate your agency's size, specific requirements, and budgetary constraints. Take the time to assess how each option aligns with your agency's goals and workflows to ensure you make an informed decision.
What’s Next?
Want to connect with other digital project managers to share resources and best practices?
Join our membership community and get access to 100+ templates, samples, and examples and connect with 100s of other digital project managers in Slack.