Best NetSuite Alternatives for Agencies & Creative Teams

NetSuite offers a widely popular enterprise resource planning (ERP) system used across various industries.

It acts as a comprehensive command center to manage all business areas and departments, including finance, accounting, inventory, human resources (HR), sales, and more.

While NetSuite serves over 40k businesses worldwide and earns an impressive 4.2-star rating, many agencies and creative teams often find that NetSuite isn’t their best solution.

• It’s expensive, especially with add-ons and customization.

• Most agencies report feature overkill; they find themselves working around (and paying for) features they don’t need to use.

• Implementation and ongoing maintenance are complex and time-consuming; many teams must contract a NetSuite expert to set up and manage the software.

• NetSuite’s team charges premium rates for training and support, making an already expensive software even more costly.

• It’s mostly popular among larger and global companies, primarily due to its complexity and pricing.

Given these challenges, many agencies have started exploring alternatives that offer better value and agency-specific functionality. The key is finding a solution that provides the operational oversight and financial management capabilities agencies need — without the unnecessary complexity and cost of enterprise-level ERP systems.

We’ve been working with agencies and creatives for over 30 years, and many of our customers have considered or even used NetSuite before starting with Workamajig.

We’ve compiled this guide to explain how our all-in-one agency management system compares to NetSuite and review other popular NetSuite competitors.

Our guide covers:

• Workamajig
• Advantage
• e-Silent Partner
• Clients & Profits

You’ll notice that our guide does not include other ERPs or general business management systems, such as Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Workday, SAP, Acumatica, and Odoo, because they do not offer industry-specific solutions for agencies.

Workamajig

Complete operations management for agencies & creative teams

Workamajig is a comprehensive operations management system developed specifically for agencies and creative teams. It serves as a replacement for NetSuite’s ERP by bringing everything you need to manage business processes under one roof:

• Project management software
• Seamless collaboration tools
• Resource planning & staff scheduling dashboards
• Time tracking & productivity reports
• CRM & client management portals
• Vendor management dashboard
• Accounting software
• Real-time reporting suite

We have over 20 years of experience working with marketing teams, advertising agencies, design studios, PR firms, and other creative professionals. This deep understanding of agency workflows has allowed us to optimize Workamajig with advanced features and automation that support all areas of operations.

What really distinguishes our solution from NetSuite and other agency management tools is our personalized support. All clients are paired with a dedicated account manager who:

• Gameplans onboarding to eliminate set-up hassles

• Guides training to show how our modules work together and teach all of Workamajig’s project management best practices

• Provides ongoing support to ensure Workamajig evolves in tandem with your operations and business needs

We include this support at no extra charge because we believe true transformation requires more than simply deploying software. Our approach focuses on empowering teams with both the tools and the knowledge they need to thrive.

Here’s a quick look at how we compare to NetSuite:

In the following sections, we’ll walk you through each of Workamajig’s key features. If you’d like a more in-depth walkthrough, please request a free demo with us.

Project Management Module

Workamajig includes creative project management software, with all the features you’d expect from a standalone system. Our PM solution supports:

• New project intake

• Project planning with tools like templates, estimating, and task management

• Real-time project monitoring with customizable, interactive dashboards and risk alerts

Project Intake & Kickoff

Workamajig supports project intake workflows with project request forms, templates, and our native CRM, which converts earned opportunities — complete with all their details — to new projects.

All features can be made available to all users, allowing you to utilize a combination of tools to manage and automate intake workflows. We do not cap the number of request forms or templates you can save in our system; many of our larger teams keep dozens of forms and templates on hand.

Project Planning

Our project intake module streamlines planning in a few ways: project request forms enable you to gather key details and specifications during initial communication, templates save workflows and required resources to kick off projects with a single click, and the CRM stores all relevant project details to facilitate instant project setup.

However, Workamajig also includes task management and estimating to finalize project plans with all necessary tasks, resources, and anticipated costs.

• Task management enables teams to create tasks that correspond with all deliverables. Managers can plan start and due dates, time allotments, subtasks, dependencies, and all the details team members need to work effectively and deliver on expectations.

• Workamajig automated estimating calculates estimates as you build out and finalize project plans. These include all project-related expenses, such as labor hours and vendor costs, as well as overhead and contingencies, to generate safe and profitable estimates.

Read more: 5 Steps to Creative Project Planning

Project Monitoring Dashboard with Customizable Gantt Charts & Risk Alerts

Users love the interactive monitoring dashboard most about our project management software because it has multiple safeguards (color-coded charts, status icons, and real-time risk alerts) to avoid overruns and see greater project success.

This dashboard is customizable and supports various project management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, hybrid methods), allowing you to tailor it to best support your projects and campaigns. Check out the GIF below:

The Workamajig project monitoring dashboard makes it easy to manage dozens of ongoing projects and see what’s going on with each one: how far it has progressed, whether it’s on budget, how many hours your teams have already spent, and more.

This stands out to our larger agencies that constantly juggle multiple initiatives, but it's equally valuable for growing teams because it lets them scale their project volume confidently, knowing they can easily track everything in a centralized dashboard.

Team Collaboration Tools

Workamajig also includes intuitive collaboration tools for all project stakeholders (internal or external) to keep projects moving and on schedule.

All Workamajig users have a custom role-based Today Dashboard. This dashboard shows users what’s going on with the projects they’re involved in and clearly outlines what they should work on in the day and week ahead.

As you can imagine, this dashboard is unique for each project team member: managers may see new project requests, creatives see the tasks they’re assigned to, sales teams see new leads or opportunities, finance teams see invoices to pay, and more. This allows everyone to focus on their responsibilities and work in parallel, eliminating duplicate work and ensuring smooth coordination.

Additionally, Workamajig offers a range of tools to facilitate effective feedback processes. These include:

• Commenting
• File sharing
• File proofing
• Side-by-side file comparisons
• Version History
  
  

We also allow managers to set restrictions on feedback processes to avoid long feedback loops and potential scope creep. They can cap the number of revisions per task, specify who is involved in the feedback, and more.

We also include a suite of change management tools for when scope changes inevitably arise. Managers can set up change request forms and approval routing, so out-of-scope requests get properly documented and evaluated (rather than derailing project timelines).

Resource Management & Staff Scheduling Dashboard

Workamajig's resource management module makes it easy to:

• Zoom out from task-level details to see each team member’s weekly schedule
• Compare workloads to strategically allocate your talent
• Spot unassigned tasks and ensure everything's covered before project kickoff

This staff scheduling dashboard expands upon typical project management scheduling tools to help managers optimize resource utilization and ensure a balanced workload for each team member.

Project teams can also connect their calendars (GCal, iCal, Outlook) to share and ensure availability with managers. Managers can then double-check that they’re scheduling staff when they’re free for work, avoiding last-minute reassignments and unhappy team members.

Read more: Creative Resource Management for Agencies: Software + FAQs

Time Tracking & Team Productivity Analytics

Workamajig’s resource management module also includes native time tracking and productivity analytics, allowing you to easily compare project schedules and actual hours, estimate resource requirements across different categories, and measure utilization rates.

We include time tracking functionality directly on task cards, allowing team members to easily add hours as they work. They can use timers to record hours in the background, log hours manually, add time from calendar events, or manually input time in a timesheet.

Then, productivity reports let you analyze time spent across various categories (by project type, task, service, client, department, and more). This allows you to identify which clients or projects require the most resources, determine if teams are spending time effectively, and create utilization plans to improve resource allocation going forward.

CRM & Client Management Tools

Workamajig CRM is a favorite feature among our agency users because they can use it as a standalone system and replace the tool they’re already using. Or, they can integrate it with an existing CRM to pull in qualified leads and easily convert earned opportunities to new projects.

Our CRM includes user-friendly Kanban boards that enable you to drag and drop leads through the sales funnel to close. You can create custom columns that correspond with each of your funnel stages and tailor boards to your workflows.

Our system displays key details for each deal, such as potential profits, allowing sales managers to easily prioritize and assign opportunities to team members based on their skill sets or experience.

After you win opportunities, Workamajig automatically converts them into new projects with all details and attachments from sales conversations, allowing project managers to pick up where sales teams leave off.

Our system also includes a series of sales performance reports — Win/Loss Analysis, Quarterly Performance Comparisons, and Sales Rep Activity Summaries — so you can measure closed won rates, learn about the types of deals you typically win, and identify areas for improvement.

You can then use these insights to focus your efforts on the most winnable deal types and strategically assign your top performers to high-value opportunities.

Read more: Best Agency CRM Software: Reviews & How to Choose

Vendor Management Module

Workamajig also includes a handy vendor management dashboard, where you can easily outsource work or generate purchase orders (POs) for project-related purchases. You can then easily incorporate these costs and details into your initial project plans and estimates.

Our users also like this module because it allows them to manage vendor invoices and compare them to estimates. They can easily refer back to the original quotes to see if the invoices align, and dig into the “why” when they don’t. These help our users make more data-driven decisions when adjusting procurement strategies.

Read more: Tips & Tools for Precise, Profitable Project Expense Tracking

Workamajig Accounting Software

Workamajig includes full GL accounting software, allowing teams to manage finances within the same system they use for project management, resource allocation, and other business operations. This provides greater financial oversight when managing projects and people, and it eliminates silos by creating a seamless connection between accounting and project teams.

Our accounting software complies with GAAP, GDPR, and HMRC regulations, serving as a replacement for systems such as QuickBooks or Xero. It supports small teams and global agencies, offering user-friendly yet advanced features that scale with your agency, such as multi-currency support. The complete toolkit includes:

• Chart of Accounts
• Credit card connectors
• Automated invoicing
• Receipt management
• Expense reporting
• Reimbursement management
• Integrations with online payment solutions, like AvidXchange, Edenred Pay, and PayFlowPro / Authorize.net, to enable payment processing

Read more: Best Media Accounting Software

Financial Reporting System

Together with our accounting software, Workamajig provides a robust financial reporting dashboard with dozens of out-of-the-box reports and custom reporting tools. Some of our most popular financial reports include:

• Profit & loss reports (across multiple categories — by project, campaign, client, etc.)
• General Ledger (GL) reports
• Cash projections
• Revenue forecasting
• Project budget drill-downs
• Billable summary reports
• Hourly realization rates
• Key metrics monitor
  
  

Our custom reporting tools enable you to filter preset reports or create new reports from scratch, and measure the KPIs most important to your initiatives. You can star your favorite reports to create a personalized dashboard with all of your most important data.

Workamajig Integrations

Workamajig offers seamless integrations with calendar and email accounts, allowing you to synchronize systems and share project-related information across platforms. In addition to these integrations, Workamajig also integrates with:

• Media buying software, like Strata/Freewheel, GaleForce Media, Mediaocean, and Bionic.

• File storage systems, like Box.com and Amazon S3 File Server.

• Reporting tools, like Excel Financials, Google Financials, and Google Sheets.

You can view all supported integrations here.

Workamajig Packages

We offer tailored packages for both agencies and in-house creative teams. You can choose packages based on your use case and team size. Pricing is per seat.

• $41/user/month for teams of 10+
• $39/user/month for teams of 20+
• $37/user/month for teams of 50+
  
  

We also offer custom enterprise-level packages that can accommodate hundreds or thousands of users.

Remember, your Workamajig subscription includes:

• Full access to Workamajig’s platform, including all modules and features.

• Personalized onboarding and training to get you up and running smoothly — most teams complete onboarding in 60 to 90 days.

• A dedicated account manager who acts as your strategic Workamajig partner, answering all questions and optimizing Workamajig to support your specific needs.

Request a free demo to explore Workamajig.

Additional Agency Management NetSuite Alternatives

Advantage

Advantage (by Simpli.fi) is another popular agency management software for its robust toolset.

The platform is tailored to creatives and agency-specific workflows, combining project, resource, and financial management. Advantage’s system includes full accounting software, and, since its merger with Simpli.fi, native media buying. However, Advantage does not offer a CRM or client management tools; instead, it integrates with external systems like HubSpot and Salesforce.

Users praise Advantage for consolidating everything they need into one solution — and it's especially convenient for advertising agencies and media planners. However, Advantage has some of the same drawbacks as NetSuite.

• Training and support cost extra, and users say the platform is complex, requiring a longer learning curve.

• It’s not the most cost-effective solution for small businesses; many users report expensive pricing, saying the platform is best suited for mid-sized businesses and large enterprises.

• Users express disappointment with the ease of use and overall usability, stating that the user experience (UX) is outdated and navigation is not straightforward, with features scattered across different interfaces.

Find more Advantage software reviews.

Notable Features

• Project management
• Resource management
• Collaborative tools like proofing & reviews
• Time tracking
• Media planning & buying — including broadcast buying, digital buying & media reporting
• Risk analysis & burn rate tracking
• Media accounting software
• Billing & invoicing
• Estimates
• Budget Monitoring
• Financial reporting
• Revenue forecasting
• Reporting dashboard (to analyze project performance, financials, staff hours, etc.)
• Mobile app (for Android)

Pricing

Advantage offers custom quotes per client.

Read more: Best Advantage Software Alternatives for Creative Teams

e-Silent Partner

e-Silent Partner is a lesser-known solution, but it is a worthy consideration for agencies looking to leave NetSuite. e-Silent Partner has been in business for over two decades and has experience with agencies at all growth stages (though it is more popular for smaller businesses). The platform’s feature set is similar to Workamajig, integrating project, resource, and financial management, CRM, and an accounting solution.

The key differentiating factor is that e-Silent Partner offers both cloud-based and on-premise deployment options, appealing to teams that prefer or require self-hosted solutions.

The main pitfall we hear with e-Silent Partner is that the user interface has a dated look and feel, and it’s a little more challenging to learn or onboard users. e-Silent Partner has a support team available to answer questions and assist users (over chat, email, or phone), but they do not offer a guided onboarding or training program — just free help.

Find more e-Silent Partner reviews here.

Notable Features

• Project management
• CRM & client management
• Resource planning & utilization reports
• Team collaboration tools, like file sharing, commenting, & version history
• Time tracking
• Budget tracking
• Media management dashboard
• Integrations with Strata media buying software
• Accounting software
• Financial management
• Billing and invoicing
• Business intelligence reporting — including key metrics monitors & customizable reports
• Process automation
• Mobile app (for iOS & Android)

Pricing

e-Silent Partner doesn’t share pricing details online — you must contact their team for more information.

Clients & Profits

The last option on our list, Clients & Profits, is another all-in-one solution similar to Workamajig and e-Silent Partner. The key differentiators here are:

• C&P is a self-hosted solution with hybrid cloud storage options. This can be a pro or con depending on your requirements.

• It features a handy integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, making it a top choice for graphic design teams or agencies embedded in the Adobe ecosystem.

• It appeals to marketers with marcom-specific solutions that include job tracking, costing, and chargeback systems to give greater control over project success.

The primary concern we hear about C&P’s software is that it’s an older system that could benefit from a modern upgrade. It’s not the most user-friendly or visually appealing, and users don’t always have a smooth experience or enjoy using C&P. This can significantly slow adoption times and even lead to pushback when others have issues with the system.

Find more Clients & Profits reviews here.

Notable Features

• Project request forms & project planning
• Project management & monitoring — request forms & project planning tools, such as task management
• Resource management — team management with live scheduling & time tracking
• Collaborative feedback tools for project teams & clients
• Portfolio management
• Workflow automation
• Accounting software
• Automatic billing & invoicing
• Vendor invoice management
• Financial reporting
• Integrations with bank and credit card accounts & media planning systems
• Adobe XD plugin

Pricing

Clients & Profits offers dedicated solutions for graphic design studios, agencies, and marketers — you select your use case and pay by user. C&P charges variable rates per user:

• $9 for freelancers
• $19 for creatives
• $39 for project managers
• $59 to $109 for power users
  
  

Read more: Clients & Profits Software: Reviews & Alternatives

Getting Started with Workamajig

If NetSuite’s ERP software feels like overkill for your agency — too expensive, too complex, and packed with features your teams never use — Workamajig offers a smarter alternative.

Built specifically for agencies and creative teams, Workamajig delivers the operational control you need with the simplicity you want. Plus, unlike NetSuite, Workamajig comes with guided onboarding, training, and ongoing support — all included at no additional cost.

See why hundreds of agencies have made the switch and request a free demo today.

Related reads:

• Creative Workflow Management: Best Practices + Software Tools
• Agency Cost Management Tools & Best Practices
• Marketing Agency Software: Best Tools to Build Your Tech Stack
  
  

Originally published June 16, 2025.