Monograph Alternatives for UK Architects
The reasons UK practices shortlist something else, and a factual look at the tools they shortlist.
Monograph is a well-regarded tool, built first for US firms. UK practices often find the accounting integration, currency and phase set-up need work. This guide covers why practices look elsewhere and what each realistic alternative offers, based on what vendors publish.
UK practices leaving or skipping Monograph usually land on a regional practice tool, a US suite, a PSA platform, generic tools or a connected platform.
Why UK practices look beyond Monograph
Monograph is a capable, well-reviewed practice management tool, and it was built first for US architecture and engineering firms. UK practices usually look elsewhere for three reasons: accounting integration, currency and how phases map to RIBA stages.
- Accounting.Monograph's accounting integration is with QuickBooks Online, and its help centre states that integration currently does not work for firms outside the US. Xero, which many small and mid-sized UK practices use, is handled by exporting invoices as a file rather than a direct sync.
- Currency.Monograph's pricing page shows prices in US dollars, a range of $45 to $490 per month by firm size, so the sterling cost moves with the exchange rate.
- Phases.Monograph structures work by phase. Firms can add phases and save templates, so a RIBA stage template is possible, but it is set up by the practice rather than provided as standard.
None of these rules Monograph out. A UK practice that keeps accounting separate and is happy to build its own templates may be well served. For a direct comparison, see Avoice vs Monograph.
What to check in any alternative
The same short list separates tools that fit a UK practice from tools that will need workarounds. Ask every vendor the same questions and ask them to show the answer, not describe it.
Seven questions for every vendor
- Stages: Can a project carry RIBA stages 0 to 7 and a fee per stage without custom set-up?
- Accounting: Does it sync with our package, Xero, QuickBooks or Sage, for UK firms, and what syncs in which direction?
- VAT and pounds: Are invoices in GBP with VAT handled properly, and is the software priced in pounds?
- Resourcing: Can we see capacity and allocation by person for the next eight to twelve weeks?
- Hosting: Where is our data held, and is a UK GDPR data processing agreement standard?
- Migration: Who moves live projects, fees, rates and timesheet history, and how long does it take?
- Scope: What will we still have to run in another system after we switch?
The realistic alternatives
Six options come up most often when UK practices replace or skip Monograph. The notes below reflect what each vendor and the main review sites publish as of October 2026; confirm current details in a demo.
- Total Synergy
- Practice management for architecture, engineering and construction firms, founded in 1999 and described in RIBA Journal coverage as serving more than 500 firms. Covers linked fee proposals, budgets, timesheets, resourcing and invoicing. Its Xero listing on the UK app store syncs invoices and contacts both ways, plus timesheets and leave through Xero Payroll. Note that in 2026 Total Synergy and Monograph announced they are joining forces under Total Synergy\'s chief executive, so the two are now one company. Both products continue for now; ask about the roadmap before choosing either.
- Fresh Projects
- A UK-based platform with a London address, for architects, engineers and other built-environment consultancies. It states that it handles RIBA stages, mixed fee structures and variations, and lists Xero, QuickBooks and Sage integrations. Its public pricing lists Core at £35 and Pro at £45 per user per month, with Ultimate priced by quote; no minimum seat count is stated on that listing.
- BQE Core
- A US suite from BQE Software, based in Torrance, California, with time and expense tracking, billing, project management, resource planning, accounting and payroll. Capterra lists 796 reviews at 4.5, and QuickBooks Online and Xero among its integrations. Capterra's UK listing shows availability in the US and Canada, so UK practices should confirm support and VAT handling.
- Projectworks
- Professional services software founded in Wellington, with offices in New Zealand, the US and London, designed for engineering, architecture and consulting firms. Its UK Xero listing publishes plans from £17.10 to £40.50 per user per month on annual billing, with Xero and QuickBooks integrations on every plan. It is built for consultancies generally, so check RIBA stage set-up.
- Generic tools
- Asana, Monday, ClickUp, Trello and a spreadsheet. Low cost and flexible for tasks, but they do not track time against stage fees or raise invoices, so practices end up running a second system for the money.
- Avoice
- A UK-hosted connected platform with RIBA stages, fees per stage, timesheets, one-click invoicing, Xero and QuickBooks sync, resourcing and CRM. The same project also holds specification writing, drawing QA, contract administration and compliance registers.
How the options group
The alternatives fall into four groups. Picking the group first narrows the shortlist to two or three demos.
- 01
Generic tools
Asana, Monday, ClickUp, spreadsheets.
- Suits
- Very small studios with simple fees
- Watch
- No stage fees, no invoicing
- 02
Practice and PSA tools
Total Synergy, Fresh Projects, Projectworks.
- Suits
- Practices wanting time, fees and billing with UK accounting
- Watch
- RIBA set-up and the plan that fits
- 03
US all-in-one suites
BQE Core.
- Suits
- Firms that want accounting inside the tool
- Watch
- UK availability, VAT and support hours
- 04
Connected platform
Avoice.
- Suits
- Practices wanting delivery work in the same project
- Watch
- Check finance features line by line
Each group answers a different question about how much of the practice the software should run.
Running a fair shortlist
A four-week evaluation with one live project is usually enough. Long evaluations stall and short ones end up choosing on interface alone.
- 1
Requirements
List the invoices, reports and integrations you rely on today.
- 2
Demos
One tool from each relevant group, all on the same script.
- 3
Trial
Load a live project. Log a real week. Raise one invoice to your accounts.
- 4
Decide
Compare three-year cost in pounds and the migration plan. Sign.
For UK practices, the invoice reaching Xero, QuickBooks or Sage correctly is the step most likely to change the decision.
When the decision is made, our switching checklist covers what to bring across and when to cut over.
Questions practices ask
Short answers for UK practices researching Monograph and its competitors.
What are the main Monograph alternatives in the UK?
The options UK practices most often shortlist are Total Synergy, Fresh Projects, Projectworks, BQE Core, generic tools such as Asana or Monday with a spreadsheet, and connected platforms such as Avoice. Which fits depends on your accounting package and how much of the project you want in one system.
How much does Monograph cost in the UK?
Monograph prices in US dollars. Its pricing page shows a range of $45 to $490 per month by firm size, with Pipeline as an add-on, and Capterra and G2 list a starting price of $60 per user per month; UK buyers should confirm current currency, billing and availability with the vendor.
Which Monograph alternative works with Xero?
Total Synergy, Fresh Projects, Projectworks, BQE Core and Avoice all list Xero integrations. Ask each vendor to show what syncs and in which direction, using a UK Xero organisation.
Are Monograph and Total Synergy the same company now?
In 2026 they announced they are joining forces, with Total Synergy's chief executive leading the combined company. Monograph says there are no immediate changes for its customers, and neither has said whether the products will merge, so treat them as one vendor with two products when comparing.
Is there a UK-based alternative to Monograph?
Fresh Projects describes itself as UK-based with a London address. Avoice is hosted in the UK. Projectworks has a London office alongside its New Zealand and US offices.
Should a small practice just use Asana or a spreadsheet?
For tasks, that can work. Once the practice needs to track time against stage fees, plan people and invoice by stage, a dedicated tool usually saves more time than it costs.
Where Avoice fits
Avoice is a UK-hosted alternative to Monograph for practices that want practice management connected to UK accounting and to the delivery work of each project.
Projects carry RIBA stages and fees as standard. Timesheets roll up against each stage, approved time becomes an invoice in one click, and invoices sync with Xero or QuickBooks. Financials and cash flow show margin, WIP and a cash forecast, and people and staffing shows capacity and allocation. The same project holds the specification, drawing QA, contract administration and compliance registers. Before committing, agree the migration scope, responsibilities, timescale and any costs with Avoice.
To test it on a live project, book a demo.