Choosing the best project controls software is one of the most important decisions for any organization managing complex projects. Whether you work in construction, engineering, energy, or IT, the right project management tool with project monitoring helps you track schedules, budgets, risks, and resources, all in one place. Without it, you are left juggling spreadsheets and emails, often leading to cost overruns, missed deadlines, and frustrated stakeholders.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best project controls tools that streamline project governance and ensure successful delivery for every project manager.
In this article, you’ll find:
- What is project controls software?
- Benefits of using project controls platforms.
- Must-have features in the best project controls tools.
- A ranking of the top 10 project controls software in 2025.
What is Project Controls Software?
Project controls software is a specialized platform designed to help organizations plan, monitor, and manage every element of project performance. Unlike general project management software that focus mainly on task tracking, project controls platforms provide a holistic view of project costs, schedule, risk, resources, and forecasting, ensuring that projects stay on track and within budget.
Benefits of Project Controls Tools
Adopting the best project management software with project controls brings measurable improvements to both daily project operations and long-term business performance. Those include:
- Improved Cost Control. By integrating budgets, financial forecasts, and actuals, project controls tools allow managers to spot cost overruns early and adjust spending strategies before issues escalate.
- Schedule Reliability. Robust project scheduling and tracking functions ensure that milestones and deadlines are realistic, monitored, and continuously updated. This reduces delays and keeps stakeholders aligned.
- Accurate Forecasting. With predictive analytics, earned value management (EVM), and real-time performance data, project managers can forecast future outcomes with far greater accuracy.
- Centralized Reporting. Executive dashboards, progress reports, and visual project management tools provide leaders with visibility across multiple projects.
- Optimized Resource Utilization. From workforce scheduling to resource allocation, the best project controls software maximizes productivity by ensuring the right resources are in place at the right time. Such precise oversight can then translate directly into profits, especially in marketing and software development teams.
- Stronger Change Management. Scope changes can be evaluated for their impact on budget and schedule, ensuring clients and stakeholders understand the trade-offs before approvals are given.
Project Controls Software – Key Features
Not all project controls platforms offer the same scope of project management features. Some excel at cost management, while others prioritize scheduling or risk analysis. The best project controls software balances all of these functions, providing a unified hub for managing every aspect of a project lifecycle.
Here are the features you should look for when evaluating project controls tools:
Integrated Cost Management
A strong project controls platform should track project budgets, expenses, and forecasts in real time. This includes support for earned value management (EVM), variance analysis, and financial integrations to ensure accurate reporting and billing.
Resource & Workforce Planning
Basic task management is not enough; the best project controls software should offer many more project planning features. From assigning staff to balancing workloads across multiple projects, resource management, utilization tracking, skill matching, and forward-looking capacity planning, top tools should have everything you need to manage every single employee.
Forecasting & Predictive Analytics
Using historical data, trend analysis, and project performance metrics, advanced platforms predict future outcomes, helping leaders predict project outcomes and make proactive decisions instead of reactive fixes.
Comprehensive Reporting & Dashboards
Executive dashboards, portfolio-level summaries, and detailed progress reports give stakeholders visibility at all levels, helping them monitor project progress throughout its duration. Configurable reports should allow both high-level overviews and drill-down analysis of all project data, including project costs.
Seamless Integrations
Project controls software should integrate with ERP, accounting, CRM, and scheduling systems commonly used by professional services firms. This ensures consistent data and avoids duplicate entry.
10 Best Project Controls Software
With so many options available, it’s important to identify the platforms that truly stand out. Below is a curated list of the 10 best project controls tools in 2025, each offering unique strengths in budgeting, scheduling, reporting, and risk management.
- BigTime – A professional services automation (PSA) platform that connects project delivery with time tracking, resource management, and financial controls, providing all types of professional services companies with a comprehensive overview of their projects.
- Primavera P6 – Oracle’s employee scheduling software, widely used in construction and engineering for complex, large-scale projects.
- Deltek Cobra – A cost and earned value management system built for industries with strict compliance needs.
- EcoSys by Hexagon – An enterprise project controls platform that integrates cost, schedule, and performance data across capital-intensive projects.
- Procore – A construction management platform with some project controls capabilities.
- Microsoft Project – A flexible scheduling and project planning tool, suitable for organizations that need strong integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem.
- Ares PRISM – A project cost management tool that supports forecasting, earned value, and change management .
- InEight – A construction and capital project management platform designed for real-time cost, risk.
- Cleopatra Enterprise – A project cost management solution with basic capabilities in cost estimation, benchmarking, and integrated project controls.
- Smartsheet – A cloud-based platform that combines spreadsheet-style usability with project tracking, reporting, and portfolio-level oversight.
Best Project Controls Software – Comparison
| Tool | Description | Strengths | Limitations |
| BigTime | PSA platform for professional services linking project delivery to finances | Strong time, expense, invoicing, and forecasting; integrates with Jira & QuickBooks | Learning curve for new users |
| Primavera P6 | Oracle’s enterprise scheduling and project planning tool | Powerful scheduling and resource loading; industry standard in construction/engineering | Expensive; steep learning curve; limited collaboration features |
| Deltek Cobra | Cost and earned value management software | Excellent compliance features; strong EVM reporting | Narrow focus on cost control; requires integration with scheduling tools |
| EcoSys | Enterprise project controls platform by Hexagon | Integrated cost, schedule, and portfolio management; great for capital projects | Complex setup; best suited for very large organizations |
| Procore | Construction management platform with project controls | Strong budgeting, contracts, and field collaboration tools | Primarily construction-focused; limited for non-industry use |
| Microsoft Project | Scheduling and project planning tool integrated with Microsoft ecosystem | Familiar interface; good reporting and integration with Office 365 | Limited cost/risk control; requires add-ons for advanced project controls |
| Ares PRISM | Project cost management and forecasting tool | Robust cost, change, and EVM management; reliable forecasting features | Outdated interface; less intuitive than modern SaaS solutions |
| InEight | Project controls software for construction and capital projects | Real-time field data; strong risk and cost integration | Best suited for construction; not ideal for IT or small service projects |
| Cleopatra Enterprise | Cost estimation and project controls platform | Advanced cost benchmarking; integrates estimation with controls | Complexity and setup effort; niche adoption outside major capital projects |
| Smartsheet | Spreadsheet-based project and portfolio management | User-friendly interface; flexible reporting; affordable | Weak in risk and cost control; limited scalability for very complex projects |
BigTime
Reviews: G2: 4.5, Capterra: 4.6
Pros:
- Purpose-built for professional services firms, connecting project delivery with budgets, time, and invoicing.
- Deep resource management features, including utilization tracking and capacity forecasting.
- Native integration with tools like Jira, QuickBooks, and Salesforce for seamless workflows.
- Advanced reporting dashboards that tie project performance directly to profitability.
- Real-time data updates for enhanced team collaboration and better project outcomes.
- Flexible multi-currency support for global operations.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for new users unfamiliar with advanced project controls.
- Focused primarily on professional services and consulting; not a construction-first platform.
BigTime stands out as the best project controls software for organizations that need to manage both project execution and financial performance within one platform. Unlike traditional scheduling tools, BigTime goes beyond simple task tracking to provide a full suite of project controls, including time tracking, expense management, invoicing, and forecasting. This makes it especially well-suited for consulting firms, IT service providers, engineering firms, and other professional services organizations that bill clients while managing complex projects.
Where BigTime’s project management software options truly excel is in its ability to bridge the gap between project operations and financial oversight. For example, project managers can pull in tasks from Jira, allocate resources, and track utilization, while finance teams simultaneously monitor budgets, approve timesheets, and generate invoices, all within the same system.
BigTime also scales well with growing organizations. Its reporting tools offer executives a bird’s-eye view of portfolio health, while its integrations connect seamlessly to accounting, CRM, and developer tools. Combined with strong compliance features such as multi-level approvals and audit trails, BigTime is not only a project controls platform but a complete professional services automation (PSA) solution.
Key Features:
- Time & Expense Tracking: Capture timesheets and expenses, with approvals and invoice integration and track progress based on the time logs.
- Resource Planning: Forecast availability, manage utilization rates, and balance workloads. Create plans for each project and manage the entire portfolio without a single conflict.
- Invoicing & Payments: Design branded documents, generate invoices and support online payments through BigTime Wallet.
- Multi-Currency Support: Tracks expenses and invoices across international projects.
- Dashboards & Forecasting: Customizable reports for financial, operational, and project-level insights.
- Advanced Reporting. Use real time progress tracking and a complete overview of key metrics to keep your project teams informed, and any project risks minimized in all types of projects.
Pricing: Tiered plans (Essentials, Advanced, Premier) with per-user pricing. A free trial is available, and you can also book a live demo.
Primavera P6
Reviews: G2: 4.1, Capterra: 4.3
Pros:
- Industry-standard for large-scale construction and engineering projects.
- Extremely powerful scheduling and resource-loading capabilities.
- Strong portfolio management features for multi-project environments.
Cons:
- Very steep learning curve; requires specialized training.
- Expensive licensing and infrastructure costs.
- Limited collaboration tools compared to modern cloud-based platforms.
Primavera P6 is one of the most recognized names in project controls, especially for organizations managing mega-projects in construction teams. It offers detailed scheduling, resource assignment, and portfolio management features that can handle highly complex project timelines.
However, Primavera’s biggest strength—its depth—also makes it challenging to use. The interface feels outdated, adoption requires extensive training, and its price point can be prohibitive for small to mid-sized firms. While powerful, it often works best when paired with other tools for team collaboration, reporting, or cost management.
Key Features:
- Advanced scheduling with critical path and resource leveling.
- Portfolio and program management for large organizations.
- Role-based access and enterprise-grade controls.
- Integrations with Oracle ERP and other enterprise systems.
Pricing: Available only via Oracle sales; costs are generally high and vary by deployment size.
Deltek Cobra
Reviews: G2: 4.0, Capterra: 4.2
Pros:
- Excellent for earned value management (EVM) and compliance reporting.
- Strong cost analysis features with detailed variance tracking.
Cons:
- Very narrow focus on cost and EVM; weak scheduling and collaboration.
- Outdated interface compared to newer SaaS competitors.
- Requires integration with tools like Primavera or MS Project to be effective.
Deltek Cobra is a specialized project controls tool built for industries that must meet strict compliance requirements, such as aerospace, defense, and government contracting. Its strength lies in cost and earned value management, providing robust reporting for audits and performance tracking and helping project managers make informed decisions on project finances.
The trade-off is that Cobra isn’t a complete project controls solution. It doesn’t handle scheduling or resource planning natively and often requires pairing with another platform. For organizations outside highly regulated industries, Cobra may feel too limited and cumbersome.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive earned value management (EVM) functionality.
- Detailed cost variance and forecasting analysis.
- Audit-ready reporting capabilities.
- Integration with scheduling tools like Primavera P6 and MS Project.
Pricing: Custom pricing via Deltek; generally expensive and best suited for large enterprises with compliance-driven needs.
EcoSys by Hexagon
Reviews: G2: 4.2, Capterra: 4.3
Pros:
- Comprehensive integration of cost, schedule, and performance data.
- Powerful tools for capital project management features.
- Highly customizable for complex enterprise environments.
Cons:
- Complex implementation; requires significant setup and training.
- Best suited for very large organizations—overkill for smaller firms.
- Interface feels less intuitive than modern SaaS tools.
EcoSys is an project controls platform designed for capital-intensive industries. Its strength lies in providing a single environment where financial, scheduling, and risk data are integrated, giving executives a clear picture of portfolio performance.
While powerful, EcoSys comes with trade-offs. Implementations are long and resource-heavy, and the system often requires dedicated administrators to manage it. Organizations managing smaller projects, providing prfessional services or teams looking for quick adoption may find the platform too complex and costly for their needs, making it far from the best project controls software.
Key Features:
- Portfolio and capital project management dashboards.
- Integrated cost, schedule, and resource performance tracking.
- Forecasting and earned value management (EVM).
- Configurable workflows and reporting for enterprise governance.
Pricing: Custom pricing, typically on the high end; best suited for large enterprises with multi-million-dollar project portfolios.
Procore
Reviews: G2: 4.5, Capterra: 4.6
Pros:
- Purpose-built for construction with strong budgeting and contract management.
- Excellent field collaboration tools with mobile access.
- Integrates well with accounting and ERP systems.
Cons:
- Designed almost exclusively for construction—limited outside that industry.
- Pricing is high compared to more general project controls software.
- Reporting features can feel rigid without custom configurations.
Procore is one of the most popular platforms combining project management, financial controls, and real time collaboration. Its budgeting, contract management, and change order features make it especially valuable for contractors and owners who need strict financial oversight on job sites, regardless of their project types.
However, Procore’s specialization is also its weakness. It’s not an all-purpose project controls tool and offers little value for IT, consulting, or engineering firms outside construction. It also doesn’t offer any tools appealing to professional services, such as Gantt charts or Kanban boards. The platform is also among the more expensive options, with advanced features requiring higher-tier plans. For organizations in other industries, Procore can feel like paying for functionality you’ll never use.
Key Features:
- Construction-focused financial management (budgets, contracts, change orders).
- Field collaboration via mobile apps and document sharing.
- Project dashboards for owners, contractors, and subcontractors.
- Integration with ERP, accounting, and scheduling tools.
Pricing: Custom pricing based on project size and company needs; considered premium in the market.
Microsoft Project
Reviews: G2: 4.0, Capterra: 4.4
Pros:
- Familiar interface for users of Microsoft Office products.
- Strong scheduling and Gantt chart capabilities.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 ecosystem (Excel, Teams, Power BI).
Cons:
- Weak in cost, risk, and change management without add-ons.
- Steeper learning curve than lighter PM tools.
- Cloud version (Project Online) can feel stripped down compared to the desktop app.
Microsoft Project remains one of the most recognizable tools in project management and is often the first choice for organizations already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. It excels in scheduling, managing project dependencies, and timeline visualization, making it a reliable choice for project planning and progress tracking.
However, as a project controls platform, it shows limitations. It lacks some more advanced tools such as native cost management, risk analysis, and earned value reporting, requiring either integrations or heavy reliance on Excel for deeper controls. For teams that need comprehensive project controls out of the box, Microsoft Project might not be the best project controls software.
Key Features:
- Advanced scheduling with task dependencies and resource leveling.
- Gantt charts and timeline visualizations.
- Cloud integration with Teams and Power BI.
- Portfolio management features in higher-tier versions.
Pricing: Starts at $10 per user/month for cloud-based Project Plan 1; advanced desktop and portfolio plans are significantly more expensive.
Ares PRISM
Reviews: G2: 4.1, Capterra: 4.3
Pros:
- Strong in cost management, forecasting, and earned value tracking.
- Built-in change management features for complex projects.
Cons:
- Outdated interface compared to newer SaaS tools.
- Limited collaboration and workflow features.
- Requires significant setup and training to unlock full value.
Ares PRISM is a project cost management platform that focuses on providing detailed financial oversight for large-scale projects. With features like earned value management (EVM), forecasting, and change management, it gives project managers a reliable way to monitor budgets and control financial risks.
That said, PRISM falls short as an all-in-one project controls solution. Its user interface feels dated, and it lacks the intuitive dashboards and collaboration tools found in more modern platforms. While it’s solid for financial control, organizations often need to pair it with other scheduling or reporting tools to cover the full spectrum of project controls, including sprint planning and remote teams.
Key Features:
- Cost management with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
- Earned value management for performance tracking.
- Change management workflows for scope and budget adjustments.
- Integration with scheduling tools like Primavera P6.
Pricing: Available through custom quotes; considered mid- to high-range depending on deployment size.
InEight
Reviews: G2: 4.2, Capterra: 4.3
Pros:
- Strong construction focus with real-time field data integration.
- Comprehensive cost and risk management capabilities.
- Cloud-based platform with modern interface and reporting tools.
Cons:
- Designed mainly for capital and construction projects—limited for other industries.
- Implementation can be lengthy and resource-intensive.
- Pricing is on the higher end compared to general project tools.
InEight is a construction and capital project management platform that combines cost control, risk management, and field data in one environment. It’s well-suited for organizations running large, high-value infrastructure projects where integrating site data with financial and scheduling information is critical.
However, InEight’s specialization makes it less versatile outside of construction-heavy industries. For consulting, IT, or smaller project-driven businesses, the platform may feel oversized and too expensive. While its real-time risk and cost insights are powerful, adoption can be slow due to the complexity of setup and training.
Key Features:
- Cost and risk management with forecasting tools.
- Field data capture via mobile apps for real-time updates.
- Reporting dashboards for executives and project managers.
- Integrations with scheduling and ERP systems.
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing, typically higher-end and aimed at large construction firms.
Cleopatra Enterprise
Reviews: G2: 4.3, Capterra: 4.4
Pros:
- Strong cost estimation, benchmarking, and project controls capabilities.
- Integrates estimating with cost control and forecasting in one system.
- Widely used in oil & gas, engineering, and capital project industries.
Cons:
- Complex to implement; requires significant setup and expertise.
- Niche adoption—mainly suited for cost-heavy industries.
- Interface feels less user-friendly compared to modern cloud platforms.
Cleopatra Enterprise is a project cost management and estimation platform built for capital-intensive industries. Its ability to combine estimating, cost control, and earned value management (EVM) makes it a valuable tool for long-term, high-value projects.
However, Cleopatra Enterprise isn’t ideal for all organizations. Its learning curve is steep, and the system often demands dedicated cost engineers to manage effectively. For industries outside large-scale engineering or energy, it may feel like an overly complex and expensive option compared to more accessible project controls software.
Key Features:
- Cost estimation and benchmarking database for accuracy.
- Integrated cost management with forecasting and EVM.
- Change and risk management tools for complex projects.
- Multi-project support with portfolio-level insights.
Pricing: Custom pricing; positioned as a premium solution for large-scale, cost-driven industries.
Smartsheet
Reviews: G2: 4.4, Capterra: 4.5
Pros:
- Familiar spreadsheet-style interface that’s easy for Excel users to adopt.
- Flexible project and portfolio views (grid, Gantt, Kanban, and calendar).
- Affordable pricing compared to traditional project controls platforms.
Cons:
- Weak in advanced cost, risk, and earned value management.
- Can become messy and hard to maintain without disciplined data entry.
- Lacks depth for large-scale, highly complex project portfolios.
Smartsheet is a cloud-based project and portfolio management tool that appeals to teams seeking a user-friendly alternative to Excel. Its flexible views, automation workflows, and reporting dashboards make it a solid choice for organizations that need lightweight project controls at a lower price point.
That said, Smartsheet isn’t a full-fledged project controls solution. While it can mimic scheduling and provide some level of financial oversight, it lacks the depth of tools like Primavera, EcoSys, or BigTime. For smaller teams or organizations just getting started with structured project controls, Smartsheet offers an accessible entry point—but it may not scale well for highly complex or compliance-heavy projects.
Key Features:
- Multiple planning views: grid, Gantt, calendar, and Kanban.
- Automated workflows and alerts for task updates.
- Portfolio dashboards with customizable reporting.
- File sharing and collaboration features.
Pricing: Starts at $7 per user/month (Pro plan), $25 per user/month (Business plan), with custom pricing for Enterprise deployments.
What is the Best Free Project Controls Software?
While free project controls tools exist, they are often limited in scope and functionality compared to paid platforms. Free solutions can work well for small teams, startups, or organizations testing out project controls practices, but they usually lack the depth needed for managing large, complex, or compliance-heavy projects.
For organizations that need to ensure projects stay profitable and compliant, free tools simply don’t provide the depth required. This is why professional services firms and project-driven companies often turn to platforms like BigTime, which combines project execution with financial oversight, offering both a free trial and scalable paid plans that grow with your business.
Which Project Controls Software is the Best?
Choosing the right project controls platform depends largely on your industry, project size, and the level of financial oversight required. However, most of these tools either specialize too narrowly or lack the financial integration that modern professional services organizations demand.
This is where BigTime sets itself apart. Unlike traditional project controls software, BigTime isn’t just about scheduling or budgeting in isolation; it’s a complete professional services automation (PSA) platform. By connecting time tracking, resource allocation, forecasting, and invoicing directly to project performance, BigTime gives leaders full visibility into both delivery and profitability.
For organizations that need scalable software, BigTime also offers an intuitive interface, seamless integrations with tools like Jira and QuickBooks, and executive dashboards that tie project health to business outcomes. Whether you’re running a consulting firm, an engineering team, or a professional services organization, BigTime helps ensure that projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with maximum profitability.
See for yourself why BigTime is the #1 project controls software:
