BQE

BQE Core

Streamline project management, time tracking, billing, accounting, and CRM for professional service firms.

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  • Overview
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • Pros
  • Cons
  • Reviews

BQE Core Overview

  • Updated August 15, 2025

BQE Core is a comprehensive business management software designed for professional service firms, such as architects, engineers, and consultants. It integrates project management, time and expense tracking, billing, accounting, and CRM into a single platform.

With features like automated invoicing, real-time reporting, and client management, BQE Core enhances efficiency, improves financial oversight, and streamlines operations, enabling firms to manage projects, track performance, and boost profitability effectively.

Key Features

  • Project Management: Tracked project progress, budgets, and schedules in real-time with interactive Gantt charts and task allocation ensure efficient project delivery.
  • Time and Expense Tracking: Intuitive tools for time tracking with timers or timesheets and linked expenses to projects, accessible via mobile apps, enable on-the-go management.
  • Billing and Invoicing: Automated invoicing processes with support for multiple billing methods (fixed fee, hourly, or hybrid), integrated with time tracking, ensure accurate, fast billing.
  • Accounting Integration: Combined project and business accounting with automation for bank reconciliation, accounts payable/receivable, and customizable financial reports streamline financial management.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Real-time, customizable dashboards and automated reports for financial and operational insights, including KPIs and project performance metrics, support decision-making.
  • Client Relationship Management (CRM): Built-in tools for managed client interactions, campaigns, prospect tracking, and project proposals enhance business development.
  • Resource Allocation and Forecasting: Staff planning with predictive analytics for task assignments based on skills and workload optimizes project outcomes.
  • Human Resources (HR) Module: Managed employee data, payroll, benefits, and performance reviews streamline HR processes for firms of all sizes.
  • Mobile App: iOS and Android apps for time tracking, expense logging, project overviews, and resource scheduling ensure productivity on the go.
  • Third-Party Integrations: Seamless connection with tools like QuickBooks, Office 365, Dropbox, Xero, and Power BI, with custom APIs, enhances functionality.
  • 24/7/365 Support: Round-the-clock live phone and email support, with free training courses and a dedicated account manager, ensures subscriber assistance.

Price

Price Plan Details 
Pricing Model Per-user, modular—only pay for the features you need.
Foundations Module Includes time & expense, billing & invoicing, project management, reporting & analytics, 24/7 support, dedicated account manager.
Optional Modules Accounting, CRM, HR—available à la carte.
Pricing Disclosure Custom quotes only—no public pricing listed.
Purchase Methods In-app subscription management or via Sales Account Manager; flexible payment options.

 

Pricing details: https://www.bqe.com/pricing

Pros

Competitor

Pros of BQE CORE
Monograph BQE CORE shines as an all-in-one platform, allowing firms to consolidate time tracking, expenses, billing, project management, reporting, and analytics in one system. Users appreciate the flexibility to select only the modules needed and commend its responsive customer support. According to Software Advice, BQE CORE scores slightly higher on functionality and value-for-money compared to Monograph.
BigTime Compared to BigTime, BQE CORE offers a comprehensive feature set with strong support systems. Users value its robust reporting and modular architecture, which enables firms to pay only for the features they require, whereas BigTime may lack depth in integrations and system-wide capabilities.
Quickbase BQE CORE excels in core service areas such as time tracking and expense management. Users report higher satisfaction with these functionalities and particularly commend the high quality and responsiveness of BQE CORE’s customer support—areas where Quickbase scores slightly lower.
Deltek Replicon / Journyx / FreshBooks / Expensify While not direct feature-for-feature matches, BQE CORE’s holistic functionality like covering time, expense, billing, accounting, project management, and CRM provides a unified solution. Reviewers note that BQE CORE’s broad coverage sets it apart from point solutions like FreshBooks or Expensify.

Cons

Competitor

Cons of BQE CORE
Monograph Compared to Monograph, BQE CORE is often seen as more complex and less intuitive. Users transitioning to Monograph describe it as simpler to use, more visually streamlined, and better tailored to A&E workflows.
BigTime Many users report that BQE CORE is slower, clunkier, and harder to set up compared to BigTime. Performance issues such as lag and sluggish navigation are recurring complaints.
Quickbase While Quickbase provides more powerful customization and task management capabilities, BQE CORE falls short in these areas—particularly for firms that require finely tuned, workflow-specific flexibility.
General (Community Feedback/Reddit) Broader user feedback highlights significant usability issues: frequent performance slowdowns, buggy interfaces, steep learning curves, and limited template consistency for project management.

Even high praise from some users is tempered with caution over these usability hurdles.

Customers' Reviews From Reliable Websites

G2 Review
Software Advice Review
Capterra Review
PCMag Review
TrustRadius Review