9 Accelo Alternatives for Client Work Management

We’ll tell you as much as you want to know about the robust capabilities of Accelo, our favorite client work management platform. But we can’t tell you if it’s truly the perfect fit for your business. 

Only you can decide that.

And you have a smorgasbord of software platforms to dig through in your search for a tech solution for sales, project management, financial reports, customer service and other critical functions. 

So, we thought we’d help you make an informed decision.

Below is a list of nine alternatives to Accelo and what you most need to know about each option:

1. Autotask PSA
2. Avaza
3. Basecamp
4. ConnectWise
5. Kantata
6. Kintone
7. LiquidPlanner
8. NetSuite OpenAir PSA
9. Parallax

1. Autotask PSA

Autotask PSA is a professional services automation platform for managed service providers (MSPs). It combines account management, project management, service desk, time tracking and customer agreement features.

Strengths

• Part of a suite of Datto products for IT MSPs
• Multi-currency add-on
• Real-time custom reporting
• Availability of extensive integrations

Weaknesses

• Limited project management and CRM functionality
• UI can be cluttered and difficult to navigate
• Lack of pricing transparency

Autotask PSA vs. Accelo

Accelo and Autotask PSA both support IT businesses, but Accelo also works well for a wide range of other service industries, given that it ties together the full client journey. Autotask PSA’s ticketing and project management features aren’t as customizable as Accelo’s, since it requires integrations to perform advanced functions. Compare Accelo vs. Autotask PSA in more detail to see which will work for you.

2. Avaza

Avaza is primarily a project management platform, with pick-and-choose modules for additional functions such as team scheduling, expense management, quotes and invoices. 

Strengths

• Time tracking and resource scheduling
• Expense reimbursement
• Inventory tracking
• Client portal

Weaknesses

• Mobile app is limited to time tracking
• No online quote acceptance
• Confusing reports

Avaza vs. Accelo

There are a few similarities between Avaza and Accelo. Both platforms can help you organize and collaborate on tasks to complete projects on time and automatically invoice clients based on billable hours clocked by employees. 

While Avaza has recurring tasks and invoices, it doesn’t offer a complete retainer management solution like Accelo. You’ll also find that Accelo offers more robust automations, custom workflow triggers and a ticketing product for customer support.

3. Basecamp

Basecamp is a project management application known for its collaboration tools, including chats, message boards and pings. As the name suggests, it’s a singular place for teams to turn for tasks, notes, files and conversations related to a given project.

Strengths

• Strong team communication features
• File management and document collaboration
• User-friendly project management
• Automated check-ins to minimize unnecessary meetings

Weaknesses

• Outdated UI
• No granular subtasks
• No built-in time tracking

Basecamp vs. Accelo

While it’s a decent option if you’re looking for simple task tracking, Basecamp doesn’t have the capacity to guide you through the client journey from sales opportunity to project creation to billing like Accelo does. 

4. ConnectWise

ConnectWise is an IT software comprised of multiple apps and integrations for ticket management, remote monitoring, threat detection and more.

Strengths

• Ideal for MSPs and other IT businesses
• Extensive library of integrations and add-ons built for developers
• Supplemental business management tools
• Well-functioning time tracking and scheduling features

Weaknesses

• Limited implementation support
• Overwhelming number of ways to configure the platform
• Outdated and inconsistent interface

ConnectWise vs. Accelo

While ConnectWise may be a good choice for IT businesses looking to customize the platform using integrations, many prefer the simplicity of Accelo. Discover more details about Accelo vs. ConnectWise.

5. Kantata

Kantata, formerly Mavenlink and Kimble, offers business intelligence, operations management, resource management and comprehensive task management solutions.

Strengths

• Robust resource management 

• Proprietary integration platform

• Multi-assignee task management

• Budget change requests and approvals

Weaknesses

• No sales management or quoting functions 

• No built-in CRM for connecting client projects and billing to a sale

• No ticketing or service desk solution

Kantata vs. Accelo

Kantata tends to work for business owners looking solely for resource and project management, while Accelo is appropriate for those who need support for the entire client journey. Read more about how Kantata and Accelo measure up.

6. Kintone

Kintone is a work management platform with a customizable, drag-and-drop interface. It provides data management, project management, CRM, marketing automation and recruitment solutions for various industries.

Strengths

• Client access to workspace
• Campaign and content creation tracking for marketing teams
• Workflow management
• Ideal for non-profit organizations

Weaknesses

• Options for configuration can be overwhelming
• “Clunky” UI
• Requires an integration for billing and accounting

Kintone vs. Accelo

Kintone is a viable option for small businesses or non-profits in need of project tracking and customer data management. Because users compile the apps they need, workflows aren’t always reliable or automated like they are with Accelo’s triggers. Accelo’s full implementation support and end-to-end platform design make it more suited for client-based businesses.

7. LiquidPlanner

LiquidPlanner is a project management platform that empowers businesses to distribute workload more wisely with employee utilization data. Its prioritized task management and waterfall-style workflow approach helps project managers organize schedules and upcoming tasks.

Strengths

• Predictive scheduling
• Project views organized by priority
• Helpful time tracking and resource planning
• Task completion time estimation

Weaknesses

• Doesn’t function well for agile project management
• Costs more than some comparable platforms
• Minimal automation

LiquidPlanner vs. Accelo

These two platforms can only be compared across project management and resource management features, as LiquidPlanner can’t be used to manage sales, retainers, tickets and billing like Accelo. Both offer robust time tracking and scheduling based on team availability and workload.

8. NetSuite OpenAir PSA

NetSuite OpenAir PSA is a cloud-based software from Oracle that performs core professional services functions: resource management, billing and invoicing and project management. It’s most effective for globally distributed or remote teams and consulting firms.

Strengths

• Employee skill records and utilization reports
• Timesheets and time off requests
• Budget, billable rate and expense tracking
• Accurate project completion estimates

Weaknesses

• Must be connected to other NetSuite products for full client work functionality
• Limited integrations
• Not well-suited for small businesses

NetSuite OpenAir PSA vs. Accelo

OpenAir is primarily a resource management tool, offering employee utilization and planned vs. actual time reports for each project. Accelo has these same time-tracking features, plus tools for engaging with prospects, completing a sale, managing projects and retainers and billing clients.

9. Parallax

Parallax is a resource planning and sales forecasting platform built for agencies, consultants, financial and software development firms and other service providers.

Strengths

• In-depth business intelligence reports
• Service offering templates for sales 
• Resource capacity reports by department, team and role
• Expert consulting and implementation support

Weaknesses

• “Integrations-first” approach
• No built-in time tracking
• Young software

Parallax vs. Accelo

Parallax has some robust forecasting capabilities, but its reliance on integrations can make it an expensive and risky choice. For business owners looking to consolidate all the functions they need to strengthen client relationships, Accelo is the stronger option. 

Why Users Prefer Accelo for Its Versatile Automation Features

All of the above platforms have individual strengths, and you may be intrigued by what they can do. Many offer useful integrations, mobile applications and other essential add-ons that are useful tools for agencies, consulting firms, MSPs and other services businesses. But many of their key features are standalone and don’t blend well into the larger cycle of client relationships — especially ongoing ones.

We’re confident that in your own research, you’ll find that none of these alternatives offer the same automated, simplified client work experience as Accelo in a single platform. 

Dive in and see its power for yourself: Schedule a demo today.

About the Author

Chelsea Williams is Senior Copywriter at Accelo, where she shares unique insights with service professionals and tells user stories via blogs, eBooks, industry reports and more. She has over 15 years of B2B and B2C writing experience — primarily in tech, sales, education and healthcare. Chelsea is an AWAI-certified Master Copywriter trained in brand storytelling and microcopy.