For most consulting, agency, and advisory firms under 75 people, BigTime wins. It delivers PSA-grade features (time tracking, project billing, resource planning) without requiring you to replace your accounting software. Year-one costs run $12K–$45K for a 50-person firm, go-live in 4–8 weeks, and the learning curve is manageable for non-technical project managers. BQE Core is the better call for engineering and architecture firms that need built-in accounting, CRM, and project management in one platform — or for firms that have outgrown multiple point solutions and want to consolidate into a single system. But that consolidation comes with higher implementation complexity, a steeper learning curve, and a longer time-to-value.
At a Glance
Quick Comparison
| BQE Core | BigTime | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Project management ERP with built-in accounting | PSA: time, billing, and project management |
| Ideal Firm Type | Engineering, architecture, A/E firms | Consulting, advisory, agency, professional services |
| Ideal Firm Size | 20–150 employees | 15–300 employees |
| Starting Price | ~$18–$40/user/mo | ~$20–$40/user/mo |
| Implementation Time | 4–12 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Accounting Built In | Yes — full GL, AP, AR, payroll | Integrates with QuickBooks, Sage, Xero |
| CRM Built In | Yes — integrated CRM | No — integrates with external CRM |
| Replaces QuickBooks | Yes — full accounting module | No — integrates with existing GL |
| Time & Expense Depth | Deep for engineering/A/E workflows | Clean, user-friendly PSA time tracking |
| Resource Management | ✅ Capacity planning, utilization, scheduling | ✅ Resource planning, capacity, booking |
| Scalability | Strong for ERP-first firms 75–300+ employees | Strong for PSA-first firms up to 300+ users |
Year-One Cost by Firm Size
What You're Actually Spending
Both platforms are in a similar price range for licensing. BQE Core's implementation costs skew higher when you're implementing the full accounting suite. BigTime's implementation costs are lower for consulting firms that just need time + billing + projects.
| Firm Size | BQE Core Year One | BigTime Year One |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Employees | $12,000–$35,000 | $10,000–$28,000 |
| 50 Employees | $18,000–$55,000 | $12,000–$45,000 |
| 75 Employees | $28,000–$85,000 | $18,000–$65,000 |
| 100 Employees | $38,000–$110,000 | $25,000–$85,000 |
* BQE Core estimates include full accounting module implementation. BigTime estimates include PSA licensing plus integration with external accounting. Implementation costs vary by partner and firm complexity. Both platforms offer annual subscription pricing that reduces per-user cost at higher headcounts.
Feature Breakdown
Head-to-Head: Seven Dimensions
Capability
BQE Core
BigTime
Time & Expense Management
✓ Deep time tracking for engineering and A/E workflows — includes CAD integration, project phase tracking, and multi-currency. Strong expense capture with receipt scanning and policy enforcement. Geared toward project-based firms that need billable and non-billable time coded to specific project phases.
✓ Clean, user-friendly time and expense tracking built for PSA workflows. Web, desktop, and mobile entry. Multiple billing rates, expense categories, and project coding. Known for strong user adoption among consultants and project managers — less feature-heavy than BQE Core, but easier to learn.
Accounting Integration
✓ Built-in full accounting: GL, AP, AR, payroll integration. Replaces QuickBooks or Sage entirely. Purpose-built for project-based firms — you get project profitability flowing into the GL. Higher implementation complexity but one less integration to maintain.
◐ Integrates with QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, and others. You keep your existing accounting software; BigTime handles time, billing, and projects. Less invasive — your bookkeeper keeps using the same GL. Requires clean data flow configuration between BigTime and your accounting system.
CRM Integration
✓ Integrated CRM — pipeline data flows directly into project setup, resource allocation, and billing. Reduces the need for a separate CRM. Good for firms that want client management, project management, and accounting in one platform.
◐ No built-in CRM. Integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and others via API. For firms already using a CRM, this isn't a gap — it's just a separate system to maintain. BigTime focuses its energy on PSA rather than CRM.
Project Management & Scheduling
✓ Full project management with Gantt charts, milestones, task dependencies, and resource scheduling. Strong for engineering and A/E firms managing complex multi-phase projects. Includes budget tracking, change orders, and document management.
✓ PSA-focused project management — less deep than BQE Core on project scheduling and WBS, but sufficient for consulting and advisory firms. Includes project dashboards, budget tracking, and milestone management. Better UX for project managers who aren't engineers.
Implementation & Support
◐ 4–12 weeks depending on which modules you implement. Implementing the full accounting suite alongside project management takes longer. BQE Certified Partners recommended for implementation. Steeper learning curve for non-technical staff.
✓ 4–8 weeks for most consulting and advisory firms. Well-defined onboarding process, large partner ecosystem, and strong implementation resources. Less complex than BQE Core's full suite — easier to get value from without implementing every module.
Scalability & Long-Term TCO
✓ Strong for firms that want to consolidate everything into one ERP. Scales to 300+ users with the full project management + accounting stack. No external accounting dependency means fewer integrations as the firm grows.
✓ Scales well for pure PSA use cases — time, billing, resource management — up to 300+ users. Requires a separate accounting system that must also scale. Lower TCO for firms that don't need full ERP features and want to keep their existing accounting software.
Recommendations
Which Platform Fits Your Firm
Choose BQE Core if…
- Your firm is an engineering, architecture, or A/E firm with 20–150 employees
- You want one platform for project management, time tracking, billing, and accounting
- You've already outgrown multiple point solutions and want to consolidate your stack
- You need built-in CRM alongside project management and accounting
- Your bookkeepers and project managers can share the same system without friction
- You have 4–12 weeks and internal resources to manage a full ERP implementation
- You want to eliminate QuickBooks or Sage and replace it with a purpose-built project ERP
Choose BigTime if…
- Your firm is a consulting, advisory, or agency firm with 15–150 employees
- You want to keep your existing GL (QuickBooks, Sage, Xero) and layer PSA on top
- User adoption is a priority — your consultants and PMs need a clean, intuitive interface
- You need to be live in 4–8 weeks without a complex implementation
- Year-one cost matters and you don't need the full ERP feature set
- You already have a CRM and don't need it built into your PSA
- Your firm is already at 50+ consultants and needs resource planning and utilization tracking
The Visibility Gap
What Neither Platform Reveals
Both platforms give you better project data — but neither tells you which of your current projects are destroying margin.
- BQE Core's accounting depth is only useful if your data is clean. If your timesheet data is incomplete, your project margins will be misleading regardless of how sophisticated the accounting module is. The platform is only as good as the data your team enters daily.
- BigTime's simplicity is a strength and a limitation. For straightforward consulting engagements, it's perfect. But for complex multi-phase projects with multiple billing structures, you may find yourself wishing for BQE Core's depth. Know the scope of your project types before choosing.
- Neither platform diagnoses your current project portfolio before you sign. If your goal is understanding where you're making or losing money today — on the projects you're already running — a margin diagnostic tool can show you your actual project-level margins using the data you already have, before you commit to any implementation.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Free Diagnostic
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BQE Core vs BigTime — which is better for professional services firms under 100 employees?
BigTime is the better choice for most 15–100 person consulting, advisory, and agency firms that want PSA-grade features without replacing their accounting stack. It's faster to implement (4–8 weeks), has a cleaner user experience for time tracking and project billing, and integrates with QuickBooks and Sage rather than replacing them. BQE Core is the stronger choice for engineering and architecture firms that need built-in accounting, CRM, and project management in one platform — but that comes with higher implementation complexity and a steeper learning curve.
How much does BQE Core vs BigTime cost in year one for a 50-person professional services firm?
BQE Core at 50-person firm: $18–$40/user/month (~$11,000–$24,000/year) plus $8,000–$30,000 implementation = $19,000–$54,000 year one. BigTime at the same firm: $20–$40/user/month (~$12,000–$24,000/year) plus $5,000–$20,000 implementation = $17,000–$44,000 year one. Both platforms are in a similar price range, though BigTime edges slightly lower in total year-one cost for consulting firms. BQE Core's implementation costs skew higher when you're implementing the full accounting suite alongside project management.
Does BQE Core have built-in accounting — and is it a real replacement for QuickBooks?
Yes — BQE Core includes a full accounting module (GL, AP, AR, payroll integration). For engineering and A/E firms that want one platform for project management, time tracking, billing, and accounting, this eliminates a separate accounting software entirely. The tradeoff is that BQE Core's accounting is purpose-built for project-based firms — it's not as robust as QuickBooks for simple retail or manufacturing accounting. If your firm is already comfortable with QuickBooks and doesn't want to migrate, BigTime's integration with QuickBooks (rather than replacement) is the better path.
BQE Core vs BigTime implementation time — which is faster to go live?
BigTime typically goes live in 4–8 weeks for consulting and agency firms — it has an organized onboarding process and a partner ecosystem that can move quickly for standard configurations. BQE Core ranges from 4–12 weeks depending on firm size and whether you're using the full suite (accounting + CRM + project management) or just pieces of it. Firms that implement BQE Core's full accounting stack alongside project management should plan for the higher end of that range.
Which platform is better for time and expense tracking — BQE Core or BigTime?
Both platforms have solid time and expense modules. BigTime's time tracking is known for its clean user interface and strong adoption rates among consultants and project managers — it's less cluttered than BQE Core's more feature-heavy approach. BQE Core's time tracking is deeper for engineering and A/E firms (with built-in CAD integration, 2D/3D project views, and utilization tracking that goes beyond simple billable hours). For a pure consulting firm, BigTime wins on simplicity. For an engineering or architecture firm, BQE Core's depth is an advantage.
BQE Core vs BigTime — which scales better for a growing professional services firm?
BQE Core scales better for firms that want to consolidate everything — project management, accounting, CRM, and billing — into one platform as they grow past 75 employees. BigTime scales well for pure PSA use cases (time, billing, projects) up to 300+ users but requires a separate accounting system. For firms that plan to stay small (<50 people), BigTime's simpler model is an advantage. For firms that want to grow into an ERP and consolidate their stack, BQE Core's integrated approach avoids a future migration.