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Managing architectural projects is a balancing act—juggling design precision, client expectations, and regulatory requirements. Without the right tools, it’s easy for timelines to slip, budgets to spiral, and communication gaps to derail progress. That’s where project management software tailored for architects comes in. But with so many options available, finding the best fit for your firm can be overwhelming.

I’ve tested and analyzed the leading tools designed for architecture teams, evaluating their features, usability, and industry-specific functionality. In this list, I’ll walk you through the best project management software for architects, helping you choose the right solution to keep your projects running smoothly.

The Best Project Management Software For Architects Comparison Chart

Here is a table you can use to compare all the tools we just covered in the overviews.

Overviews Of The Best Project Management Software For Architects

Here’s my take on the key features and best use case for my list of best project management software for architects.

Best for project delivery from quote to cash

  • Free demo available
  • Available upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Accelo is a client work management platform tailored for professional service businesses, including architecture firms. It offers tools to manage project delivery from quote to cash.

Accelo's customizable project templates are particularly beneficial for architects. You can create unlimited templates with budgets, dependencies, and tasks, allowing your team to quickly replicate complex project plans. This feature enhances efficiency by reducing the time spent on setting up new projects.​ Another valuable feature is Accelo's detailed and automated time tracking. Manual timesheets can be inaccurate, but with Accelo, you can estimate actual time spent, bill for work performed, and identify opportunities for improved workflows and more efficient resourcing. 

I also like Accelo's mobile app, which provides easy access to accurate information while on a job site, giving you confidence in client and partner communications regardless of location. Some integrations include Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Exchange & Microsoft Outlook, Xero, QuickBooks Online, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Zapier, Microsoft Power BI, Expensify, Gusto, and Google Analytics.

Best for visualizing project progress

  • Free plan available
  • From $9/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.6/5

Teamhood is a project management tool designed to help teams visualize their processes, track daily tasks, and collaborate effectively.

For architectural projects, maintaining a clear visual of each phase is crucial. Teamhood's advanced Kanban boards allow you to customize workflows to match your project's specific stages, ensuring every task is accounted for and progresses smoothly. This visual approach helps in identifying bottlenecks early, allowing your team to address issues before they escalate. 

Additionally, Teamhood's Gantt chart feature provides a comprehensive timeline view, enabling you to plan long-term projects with precision. You can set dependencies between tasks, ensuring that each phase of your architectural project aligns perfectly with the next. This level of planning is essential for meeting deadlines and managing resources effectively. 

Best for project-wide visibility

  • 14-day free trial + free demo available
  • From $19.90/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.5/5

Scoro is a comprehensive work management software designed for professional service businesses, offering a wide range of features to manage processes, capacity, and margins, and deliver successful projects from beginning to end.

Scoro stands out for its ability to provide project-wide visibility. This feature allows architects to see each project in detail from high-level timelines and budgets to specific tasks, ensuring all aspects of a project are transparent and manageable. Additionally, Scoro's financial management features are seamlessly integrated into its project management framework. This integration allows architects to manage project budgets, expenses, and forecasts within the same platform where they handle their designs and client interactions.

Another significant advantage is Scoro's time management tools. These tools are crucial for architects who need to track billable hours and allocate time efficiently across various projects. The software facilitates detailed time entries and reporting, which helps in maintaining accuracy in client billing and project accounting.

Best for collaborative whiteboards for all stakeholders

  • Free plan available
  • From $8/user/month
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Rating: 4.8/5

Miro is a collaborative online workspace that allows teams to brainstorm, plan, and execute projects in one visual platform. It offers a variety of tools for project management, diagramming, content visualization, and communication.

As a project management software for architects, Miro offers a unique combination of visual and collaborative features tailored to the complex needs of architectural projects. The platform's infinite canvas allows architects to create project plans that include detailed drawings, blueprints, and site layouts. Additionally, Miro’s extensive library of templates, including those for project timelines, Gantt charts, and workflow diagrams, helps architects manage every phase of their projects from initial concept to final execution. 

Additionally, Miro’s real-time collaboration capabilities enhance the architectural project management process. Architects can invite team members, clients, and other stakeholders to collaborate on the same board, enabling instant feedback and more efficient decision-making. 

Best for dynamic team collaboration

  • 10-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $4/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.2/5

Zoho Projects is a cloud-based project management software that enables teams to organize, track, and collaborate on various projects. It offers a range of features including task management, milestone setting, Gantt charts for scheduling, issue tracking for problem resolution, and document management for file sharing.

Zoho Projects offers a project management solution for architects by providing tools that address common challenges in construction projects. For example, the software includes features for planning and accounting for potential delays, managing project budgets, and centralizing project documents to create a single source of truth. It also aims to improve contract clarity, reduce communication gaps among stakeholders, and manage equipment and resources effectively. 

One drawback of Zoho Projects is its limited integration options with third-party tools and services, which may hinder seamless collaboration with other platforms. Additionally there is a learning curve associated with the software's interface and features.

Pricing for Zoho Projects starts at $5/user/month. A free trial is also available.

Best project management, estimate, and invoicing solution

  • 30-day free trial available
  • From $49/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.5/5

Contractor Foreman is a cloud-based project management software that helps contractors and architects manage their construction projects. It's a comprehensive platform that covers everything from scheduling and budgeting to invoicing and team collaboration. The scheduling tools can be used to create a detailed project timeline with start and end dates, duration, and dependencies between tasks. Users can adjust the schedule if unplanned events occur, or task completion is delayed.

Estimates can be generated through the software, allowing users to create personalized project cost estimates depending on the nature of the project. Architects can customize their estimates, and create detailed breakdowns based on labor, material costs, delivery costs, and other on-site expenses. The invoicing feature helps you track project expenses and generate invoices. It sends automatic reminders to clients for overdue invoices, making the payment process more automated and less time-consuming.

Documents including contracts, invoices, blueprints, images, and more can all be stored in the software, centralizing your project operations in a single place. Integrations with other apps like QuickBooks, WePay, Outlook 365, Google Calendar, CompanyCam, Gusto, and Angi Leads are available. You can also use a paid Zapier account to unlock additional software integrations. A free 30-day trial is available, and paid plans start at $49 per month, billed annually.

Best for resource management and planning

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $10.99/user/month (min 3 users, billed annually)
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Rating: 4.4/5

Teamwork is an agency management system with triggers to automate your admin and keep projects moving towards completion. Teamwork is great for project planning and team collaboration right in the software. 

The tool’s reporting features are helpful for resource planning as you can see reports on projects and individual tasks, which lends itself to forecasting future resources for projects and tasks. 

Teamwork has a steep learning curve, as finding the feature or function you are looking for can be difficult amidst the sheer number of them. Some integrations don’t necessarily provide the value that users may be looking for. 

Pricing starts at $10/month for 5 users.

Best for project management and resource allocation

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $27/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.2/5

Birdview PSA can be used to manage your projects, resources, and finances in the same platform. It helps you plan, track, and manage multiple projects, and is well-suited to the needs of architecture and engineering firms. You can create project templates, set milestones, and monitor your progress with Gantt charts and Kanban boards.

The software's customizable project and task cards are flexible, so you can outline your work however makes the most sense for your business. Each card holds all the relevant information and data for that task or project, and teams can use the built-in messaging and file sharing tools to plan and collaborate.

Resource planning tools are also included in the software. You can assign team members to projects or tasks based on their availability, workload, and skill sets. Employees can track their time in the system, helping you understand how many hours were allocated to specific initiatives. You can also track billable hours, and use this data for more accurate client invoicing.

The software integrates with other tools including Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Project, Excel, Outlook, Oracle NetSuite, Gmail, Slack, and Zoom. Paid plans start from $27 per user per month, when billed annually. A 12-day free trial is also available.

The must-have planning software for architecture firms

  • 30 days free trial
  • From $9.99/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.4/5

Ideal for firms with 10 or more staff members, Mosaic is the next-generation project and resource management software purpose-built for architecture, engineering, and design firms. Integrating with the firm’s existing ERP or financial software, Mosaic shows you who is doing what, when in one beautiful interface. 

Understand what your team can and can’t get done, and balance work across the team to prevent burnout. Identify winning—and losing—projects and clients, so you can do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. Get AI-powered suggestions to instantly assemble project teams with the right skills, availability, and more. Mosaic even forecasts workload to inform hiring and offers the most robust suite of project reporting to enable data-driven decision-making. 

Priced at $14.99 per user per month, Mosaic provides a free 30-day free trial. Request a customized product demonstration today.

Best with built-in client management tools

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $29/user/month (billed annually, min 5 seats)
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Rating: 4.1/5

Ravetree is a consolidated work management solution that provides project management tools as well as client management and resource planning features. It allows you to centralize your various work management functions in a single place, and its client-facing features make it a good option for architecture firms working across several portfolios.

The software's project management features let you break projects into tasks, and tasks into action items with checklists. You can save the project plans you create as templates to reuse in the future, saving you time. Tasks can be assigned to specific team members, and you can keep track of your resource utilization with the platform's timeline view, and use time tracking data for future planning.

As for managing your clients, you can use the built-in CRM to store all of their contact data and manage your communications. You can also set up client-facing portals to share key updates and information regarding their projects.

The software integrates with plenty of other tools including Box, Dropbox, Facebook, HubSpot, Instagram, Github, Google Drive, Gmail, OneDrive, Outlook, QuickBooks, and Stripe.

Paid plans start from $29 per user, per month, and a 7-day free trial is available.

Other Project Management Software for Architects

Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list but are still worth your consideration.

  1. Taimer

    For CRM capabilities

  2. Deltek Ajera

    For an all-in-one solution

  3. ClickUp

    With resource and workflow management tools

  4. monday.com

    For automation capabilities

  5. Bonsai Agency Software

    For integrated project, financial, and client management

  6. Wrike

    For mid-size and enterprise organizations

  7. Notion

    For customization options and capabilities

  8. Basecamp

    For communication and collaboration

  9. Asana

    For visual project plans

  10. Projectworks

    For its robust reporting features

Project Management Software for Architects Selection Criteria

When selecting the best project management software for architects to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like efficient collaboration and design workflow management. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Manage project timelines
  • Facilitate team collaboration
  • Track project budgets
  • Assign and monitor tasks
  • Store and share project documents

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • 3D model integration
  • BIM compatibility
  • Built-in time tracking software
  • Custom reporting tools
  • Mobile app functionality
  • Resource allocation management

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive interface design
  • Easy navigation
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Efficient workflow integration
  • Customizable dashboards

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Access to templates
  • Supportive chatbots
  • Webinars for new users

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • 24/7 availability
  • Live chat support
  • Email response time
  • Phone support options
  • Comprehensive help center

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Features offered in free plan
  • Cost of premium features
  • Scalability of pricing plans
  • Discounts for annual billing

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Feedback on usability
  • Opinions on customer support
  • Comments on feature effectiveness
  • Experiences with reliability
  • Overall satisfaction ratings

How to Choose Project Management Software for Architects

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityEnsure the tool can grow with your team. Look for options that support additional users and projects without a hitch.
IntegrationsCheck if the software connects with tools you already use like CAD programs, email, and cloud storage.
CustomizabilityLook for options to tailor workflows, dashboards, and reports to fit your team’s specific needs.
Ease of UseChoose a tool with an intuitive interface that your team can learn quickly, minimizing downtime.
BudgetConsider the total cost, including any extra fees for additional features, users, or support.
Security SafeguardsEnsure the software has strong data protection measures to keep your projects and client information safe.
Mobile AccessIf your team works on-site, consider tools with strong mobile app support for on-the-go access.
Support ServicesLook for platforms offering comprehensive support, including tutorials, live chat, and phone support.

Honestly, it's a lot to digest—and there's a lot of pressure to get it right so I'd suggest using our project management software advisory service to help you shortlist project manager tools that'll be a good fit for you and your organization's specific needs.

In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different project management software for architects vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:

  • BIM integration: Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration is becoming more common, allowing architects to work directly with 3D models within their project management tools. This helps teams visualize projects better and make more informed decisions.
  • Sustainability tracking: Tools are starting to include features for tracking sustainability metrics, like energy use and material sourcing. This trend is driven by the growing demand for eco-friendly designs and construction practices.
  • Augmented reality (AR) support: Some vendors are incorporating AR to allow architects to visualize designs in real-world settings. This offers a new way to present ideas to clients and make adjustments before construction begins.
  • Advanced collaboration tools: Enhanced collaboration features, like real-time co-editing and video conferencing within the platform, are becoming standard. These help teams work together efficiently, especially when they're spread across different locations. You can also check out real-time collaboration tools to learn more about industry standard features.
  • Data analytics and insights: Project management tools are offering more advanced analytics to help teams make data-driven decisions. This includes tracking project performance and predicting future trends, providing architects with valuable insights.

What Is Project Management Software For Architects?

Project management software for architects is a specialized tool tailored to the needs of architectural project planning and execution. It integrates features for design development, task management, resource allocation, client interaction, and collaboration with various stakeholders. This software caters to the unique aspects of architectural work, covering everything from concept to construction.

The benefits of this software include enhanced efficiency in managing complex architectural projects, improved coordination among team members, and streamlined client communications. It offers effective budget tracking, centralized document management, and time-saving capabilities. By using this software, architects can maintain high-quality standards, manage risks effectively, and ensure the smooth progression of their projects from initial design to final completion.

Features of Project Management Software for Architects

When selecting project management software for architects, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • BIM integration: Allows users to work with 3D models directly within the tool, aiding in visualization and informed decision-making.
  • Sustainability tracking: Monitors eco-friendly metrics like energy use and material sourcing to support sustainable design practices.
  • Advanced collaboration tools: Offers real-time co-editing and video conferencing, enhancing team communication and productivity.
  • Task management: Helps organize, assign, and monitor tasks to ensure projects stay on schedule.
  • Time tracking: Although you can implement time tracking best practices, the right tool tracks time spent on tasks, aiding in resource management and project planning.
  • Customizable dashboards: Allows users to tailor their workspace to fit specific project needs and preferences.
  • Mobile access: Provides on-the-go access to project information, useful for teams working on-site.
  • Asset storage – The software should let you digitally store and compile different visual, video, and text assets. Similar to digital asset management software.
  • Data analytics and insights: Analyzes project performance and predicts trends, offering valuable insights for decision-making.
  • Safety management tools: Ensures compliance with safety regulations, crucial for construction-related projects.
  • Budgeting and accounting – Provides tools to manage invoicing, billable hours tracking, and timesheets. If limited, can be complemented with project budget software.
  • Client portal: Gives clients access to project updates and documents, improving transparency and communication.

FAQs About Project Management for Architects

I’ll cover off some essential questions and answers about architect project management software below.

What software do architects use?

Architects at architecture firms and other AEC firms will use a range of software, like project scheduling software (Trello, Asana, Basecamp), accounting for architects (Quickbooks, Sage), and/or design software (AutoCAD, Rino 3D, Sketchup).

What is architecture project management?

Architecture projects are a breed of their own—complex and multidimensional. They bring together technical precision with aesthetic vision, not to mention functionality. Unlike more linear projects, architectural work intertwines with local regulations, environmental impact, and community context. It requires close collaboration with a multi-expertise team, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients.

Here are a few of the unique aspects of managing architecture projects:

  • Project budgets: Of course, budgets and project scopes can change in any industry. But engineering firms need to consider not just upfront costs, but long-term costs of maintenance and operating expenses.
  • Complex workflows: The ability to streamline workflows is essential, because multiple people with different specialties will need to jump in and out of the project at different times. Collaboration tools in a project management solution (like file sharing and automated Slack notifications) are also super helpful for this element.
  • Legal and regulatory compliance: Architecture projects must adhere to a complex web of building codes, zoning laws, and safety regulations unique to each location. It’s important that these are accounted for from the planning stage through each project milestone, and that future changes to regulations are also considered.

What's the difference between project management software for architects and construction project management software?

Project management software for architects focuses on design collaboration, document sharing, and workflow management specific to the architectural process. Construction project management software, on the other hand, is geared towards on-site project execution, including scheduling, resource allocation, budget tracking, and compliance with safety standards. The key difference lies in the primary user focus: architects versus construction managers.

What Architecture Project Management Software Do You Use?

Have you tried out any PM software for architects listed above, and if you've used it, what did you think of it?

Do you have anything you would add to the list? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll look into adding it to the list!

Ben Aston
By Ben Aston

I’m Ben Aston, a digital project manager and founder of thedpm.com. I've been in the industry for more than 20 years working in the UK at London’s top digital agencies including Dare, Wunderman, Lowe and DDB. I’ve delivered everything from film to CMS', games to advertising and eCRM to eCommerce sites. I’ve been fortunate enough to work across a wide range of great clients; automotive brands including Land Rover, Volkswagen and Honda; Utility brands including BT, British Gas and Exxon, FMCG brands such as Unilever, and consumer electronics brands including Sony. I'm a Certified Scrum Master, PRINCE2 Practitioner and productivity nut!