Unanet and BigTime are both project-based professional services automation (PSA) platforms, but they target different markets. Unanet is built primarily for government contractors (GovCon), architecture and engineering (A&E) firms, and nonprofits — it emphasizes DCAA compliance, indirect cost rate management, and federal contract reporting. It typically serves firms with 50–500 employees and starts at approximately $35–$65/user/month with 3–6 month implementations. BigTime targets mid-market services firms in consulting, IT, accounting, and light engineering — it offers time tracking, billing, and project management in a simpler package that integrates with QuickBooks. BigTime starts at roughly $20–$35/user/month with 4–10 week implementations. The key difference: if you have government contracts or DCAA compliance requirements, Unanet is purpose-built for that complexity. If you need a faster, more accessible PSA to replace spreadsheets and manual billing, BigTime fits better.
At a Glance
Quick Comparison
| Unanet | BigTime | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Market | GovCon, A&E, nonprofits | Consulting, IT services, accounting, light engineering |
| Ideal Firm Size | 50–500 employees | 10–250 employees |
| Starting Price | ~$35–$65/user/mo | ~$20–$35/user/mo |
| Implementation Time | 3–6 months | 4–10 weeks |
| DCAA Compliance | Native | ❌ Not available |
| QuickBooks Integration | Limited (has own GL) | Core feature |
| Government Reporting | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Not available |
| Time Tracking | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Core feature |
| Resource Management | ✅ Full capacity planning | ✅ Team scheduling |
| Owns Its Own GL | Yes — full ERP | No — integrates with QBO/Xero |
Feature Breakdown
Head-to-Head: Six Dimensions
Capability
Unanet
BigTime
Time & Expense
✓ Configurable timesheets with labor category, contract CLIN, and indirect allocation tracking.
✓ Clean weekly timesheets with approvals. Good for T&M and fixed-fee. No CLIN tracking.
Project Accounting
✓ Full project P&L, indirect cost pools, ETC, funded vs unfunded tracking.
✓ Budget vs actual, over/under billing. Less depth on indirect costs.
Billing
✓ Cost-plus, T&M, FFP, CPFF — all contract types. Government invoice formats (SF1034).
✓ T&M, fixed-fee, retainer billing. Syncs invoices to QBO/Xero.
Compliance
✓ DCAA audit trail, FAR/DFAR compliant, indirect rate management, labor distribution.
✗ No DCAA compliance features. Not suitable for federal contracts.
Reporting
✓ Extensive GovCon reports. Strong financial reporting. Steeper learning curve.
◐ Good operational reports. Less depth. Easier to use out of box.
Implementation & Support
◐ 3–6 months typical. Higher implementation cost. Dedicated onboarding.
✓ 4–10 weeks. Lower cost. Guided setup available.
Recommendations
Which Firms Should Pick Which
Choose Unanet if…
- You hold or plan to hold federal contracts requiring DCAA compliance
- You're in A&E or government consulting with complex indirect rate structures
- You need SF1034/1035 invoice formats and labor distribution reports
- You have 50+ employees and need a true full-ERP (GL, AP, AR)
- Compliance risk is more important than speed of implementation
Choose BigTime if…
- You're a commercial services firm (consulting, IT, marketing, accounting)
- You want to keep QuickBooks Online or Xero for accounting
- You need to be live in 4–8 weeks, not 6 months
- Your team is 10–150 people and doesn't have dedicated ERP admins
- Budget flexibility and ease of use matter more than compliance depth
The Visibility Gap
What Neither Platform Solves
Both tools require migrating away from your existing books.
- Unanet replaces your accounting system entirely. You're migrating off QuickBooks, Sage, or whatever you're running — and that carries significant risk, time, and training cost. It's the right call for GovCon firms, but it's not a lightweight change.
- BigTime integrates with QBO but still requires time data to flow through it. Adoption depends on every billable staff member logging time consistently in a new system. That behavioral change is where most implementations slow down.
- Neither platform provides real-time margin visibility without a full data migration or adoption lift. If your goal is understanding which clients and projects are eating your margin right now — without replacing your existing books — both tools require significant investment before you get that answer.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Unanet and BigTime?
Unanet is designed primarily for government contractors and compliance-heavy A&E firms, with built-in DCAA compliance, indirect cost rate management, and GovCon reporting. BigTime targets mid-market professional services firms (consulting, IT, accounting, engineering) with a simpler time-and-billing model that integrates directly with QuickBooks and Xero. Unanet is significantly more complex and more expensive; BigTime is faster to implement and more accessible.
Is Unanet or BigTime better for government contractors?
Unanet is the clear choice for government contractors. It was purpose-built for the GovCon market with native DCAA compliance, indirect rate pools, cost-reimbursable contract management, and government reporting. BigTime lacks native DCAA compliance features and is not designed for the regulatory requirements of federal contracting.
How much does Unanet cost vs BigTime?
BigTime pricing starts at approximately $20–$35/user/month for its core tiers. Unanet pricing is higher — typically $35–$65/user/month — and often requires a minimum contract. Implementation costs also differ: BigTime implementations typically run $5,000–$20,000 in services; Unanet implementations for mid-sized firms can run $25,000–$75,000.
Does BigTime integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes — QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop integration is one of BigTime's core features. It syncs invoices, client records, and expenses. Unanet has its own full general ledger and is designed to replace accounting systems rather than integrate with them.
Which PSA is easier to implement — Unanet or BigTime?
BigTime is significantly faster to implement. Most firms are up and running in 4–10 weeks. Unanet implementations typically take 3–6 months and can take longer for organizations with complex GovCon requirements. Unanet requires more configuration and dedicated training.