Looking for software to handle customer relationship management (CRM) for your architecture firm
You’ll find countless options—from dedicated CRM tools to complete professional services automation (PSA) platforms.
We obviously think Scoro is a smart choice for many architecture firms. But we’re certainly not the only option.
So we’ve compiled seven top tools for you to look at. Some are better for pipeline management. Others nail the client communication part. And some offer a more complete solution.
Let’s dive into seven of the best CRMs for architects:
1. Scoro
Best for: Mid-sized and larger architecture and engineering (A&E) firms (25+ staff) that want a single system to manage CRM, project delivery, and financial tracking
Scoro is a PSA tool that was built for professional services firms (including A&E firms) that need more than a basic CRM.
Beyond client management, Scoro connects your pipeline directly with projects, resources, and finances. This makes it a strong fit for architecture firms juggling multi-phase projects and complex proposals.
What you’ll like
Scoro links your sales pipeline directly to live project data.
When a deal moves from “Proposal” to “Confirmed,” Scoro can automatically create a project based on a predefined template—complete with phases, budgets, and resource plans.
You can also generate tentative bookings for roles or employees at this stage to plan upcoming capacity.
And because Scoro connects pipeline and delivery data, revenue forecasts don’t just show potential deals—they reflect your team’s actual delivery capacity.
Trade-offs
Because it’s an all-in-one CRM and PSA tool, Scoro can feel like a lot for firms that just want basic contact and pipeline tracking.
So a 10-person studio that already has a project management tool in place may find a sales-focused platform like Pipedrive easier to adopt.
Integrations
The Scoro Marketplace has 60+ integrations with many tools architects already use, including accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, file management like Dropbox and Google Slides, and marketing tools like HubSpot and Salesforce.
Plus, it has open API support for custom connections.
Pricing
Scoro pricing starts at $19.90 per user/month (billed annually). We also offer a free 14-day trial and make it easy to book a demo.
2. Pipedrive
Best for: Small architecture firms (under 15 people) looking for a lightweight, sales-focused CRM with pipeline tracking
Pipedrive is a CRM with built-in tools for sales automation, lead management, and client communication. It helps professional services firms track their sales pipeline, nurture leads, and optimize their sales funnels with lead and deal performance data.
What you’ll like
Pipedrive’s automations keep potential clients engaged without sales teams having to remember every single follow-up—which is crucial during long sales cycles.
For example, you can automatically send personalized emails to new prospects, follow up on inactive deals, and schedule touchpoints.
Plus, as Pipedrive’s website notes, its AI assistant keeps stakeholders updated on deal progress and gives you tips to improve your sales performance. Which can help small teams do more with less.
Trade-offs
While Pipedrive is a strong contender for sales pipeline management, it’s less helpful for managing steps after you win projects. Architecture firms looking for a tool that manages client relationships all the way through project delivery may be better off with a solution like Scoro.
Integrations
The Pipedrive Marketplace offers integrations with 400+ tools, including lead nurturing tools like Apollo and Lemlist, communication tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and contract management tools like Docusign and Pandadoc.
Pricing
Pipedrive pricing starts at $14 per seat/month (billed annually). Get a closer look at the platform with a 14-day free trial. Or book a demo.
3. BQE Core
Best for: A&E firms that want a niche CRM with industry-specific features for proposals, billing, and A&E workflows
BQE Core combines CRM, project management, accounting, and time tracking in a single platform designed specifically for A&E firms.
Plus, it has built-in pipeline forecasting tools that help you manage prospects, clients, and revenue.
What you’ll like
BQE Core’s proposal builder makes it easy to generate project proposals based on your own custom templates. It pulls in historical project data to help you fine tune your pricing—so you can close deals while hitting your margins.
And the CRM lets you organize client touchpoints so everyone is always on the same page about deal statuses and next steps, as BQE Core’s website shows.
Trade-offs
Unlike dedicated CRM tools, BQE Core doesn’t have built-in sales automation or lead scoring. Large firms looking for a more sales-focused CRM may find a tool like Salesforce to be a better fit.
Integrations
BQE Core has 100+ connectors that work with Google, Microsoft, Intuit, QuickBooks, Xero, and other tools most architecture firms already use.
Pricing
BQE Core pricing is based on modules. The CRM module is available as an add-on to the basic “Foundations” module, but the company doesn’t share pricing publicly. To learn more, book a demo.
4. HubSpot
Best for: Architects and engineers looking for a general CRM with built-in marketing and sales automation features
HubSpot is a CRM that helps architecture firms organize client data, track leads, and monitor communication throughout the pipeline. As part of the HubSpot ecosystem, it’s a good fit if you’re already using other HubSpot tools for sales and marketing.
What you’ll like
Because HubSpot’s CRM directly connects to its other marketing and sales tools, all client data syncs throughout your project pipeline.
So you can manage contact details, nurture leads, run targeted marketing campaigns, and track client touchpoints in one system.
It can save architecture firms from doing manual work to sync data or building custom solutions with multiple interconnected tools, as HubSpot documentation shows.
And as an AI-powered CRM, it enriches contact records with your data, answers questions about prospects and clients, and generates overviews with key takeaways from your CRM data.
Trade-offs
Although HubSpot has products for CRM, marketing, and sales, it doesn’t have native project management or resource management tools. Which means a PSA tool like Scoro might be a better fit for built-in project and task management.
Integrations
Besides the platform’s native apps, HubSpot has 100+ integrations, including with sales tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams and accounting tools like Zero, FreshBooks, and QuickBooks.
Pricing
HubSpot has a free plan, and paid plans start at $45 per seat/month. Sign up for a 14-day free trial or book a demo to see the CRM in action.
5. Salesforce
Best for: Large global firms that need to manage client relationships and oversee their pipeline at scale
Salesforce is an enterprise CRM that gives firms a 360-degree view of every client relationship.
While it isn’t specifically designed for architects, it’s highly customizable. So you can easily set up pipeline stages and follow-up triggers to fit your own sales processes.
What you’ll like
Salesforce has gone all-in on AI. You can use these tools to develop a conversational AI assistant for your CRM, qualify leads, or write sales emails to move deals forward.
And, as the Salesforce website notes, its AI also analyzes CRM data to recommend next steps for different opportunities.
Trade-offs
Salesforce is designed to be customized. Which can be a good thing for A&E firms that need specific functionality or integrations. But that also means it can be tough to configure, requiring dedicated developers and extra implementation time.
Integrations
Between the Salesforce App Exchange and the platform’s 100+ integrations, it works with many tools architecture firms use—including accounting software like QuickBooks, project management software like Jira, and contract management software like Docusign.
Pricing
Salesforce pricing starts at $25 per user/month (billed monthly or annually). To see the platform in action, sign up for a 30-day trial or watch a demo.
6. Unanet
Best for: Firms looking for a CRM with pipeline tracking and AI-powered automations built specifically for A&E companies.
Unanet is a CRM tool for architecture firms that lets you manage everything from contacts to proposals to project pipelines.
It also has built-in enterprise resource planning (ERP), making it a good choice for firms that need to connect CRM and accounting systems.
What you’ll like
Unanet’s AI tools automatically research prospects, updating and enriching contact records with data from 200+ sources. They also surface past project data to help you create informed proposals—no guesswork required.
Plus, as Unanet’s website notes, the AI-powered insights help you identify high-value prospects. So you can quickly prioritize different opportunities.
Trade-offs
Unanet isn’t a PSA tool—it’s a standalone CRM. Firms looking for an all-in-one tool with project management and resource management software may find a platform like Scoro to be a better fit.
Integrations
Unanet has 50+ integrations with sales tools like HubSpot and accounting tools like Sage. The platform also has an API for custom connections.
Pricing
Unanet doesn’t provide standard pricing details. Sign up for a demo to learn more.
7. Accelo
Best for: Architecture firms looking to manage all firm operations in a single tool
Like Scoro, Accelo is a complete PSA platform with a CRM as well as project management, resource management, and billing features.
It stands out for its client management capabilities and automated quote-to-project handoff. This makes it easy to tentatively book time with delivery teams and forecast sales.
What you’ll like
Accelo’s “Activity stream” gives you a real-time look at every point of communication related to client work, including all relevant emails, meetings, and notes.
And, as Accelo’s website notes, you can easily search the feed for specific touchpoints or context.
Trade-offs
While Accelo is a strong choice for professional service firms looking for a full PSA, it’s not specifically designed for architects. So you’d need to set up your own standard phase-based project flow.
Integrations
Accelo has 18+ integrations with popular accounting and finance tools (including Zero, Quickbooks, Expensify, and Stripe) as well as marketing and sales tools like HubSpot and Salesforce.
Pricing
Accelo offers three plans, all with custom pricing. There’s no free trial, but you can book a demo to see how it works.
Is Scoro the best CRM for your firm?
The wrong CRM can create unnecessary admin work for your team. But the right one can help you close more deals and win more work.
If you’re still not sure whether a standalone CRM or PSA tool like Scoro is a better fit for you, take our business maturity quiz.
If you’re leaning toward a PSA, sign up for our 14-day free trial to see all Scoro has to offer your business.
