--- title: "BQE CORE Suite Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is BQE CORE Suite the right Time Tracking solution for you? Explore 793 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/141096/BQE-Software/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" --- BQE CORE Suite 4.5 (793) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/141096/BQE-Software/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated September 18th, 2026 # Reviews of BQE CORE Suite Ease of use 4.4 Customer Service 4.6 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews Jessica S AdminAccounting, 2 - 10 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “It’s a powerful, all-in-one solution that helps streamline project management, time tracking, and accounting in a single platform. While there is a bit of a learning curve at the beginning, the efficiency and visibility it provides into projects and finances make it well worth it.“ May 6, 2026 CF Colby F Architectural TechnologistArchitecture & Planning, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “Not being able to read longer titles on projects.“ April 18, 2026 Janapher S Operations SpecialistProfessional Training & Coaching, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “The ability to manage projects, track time, monitor expenses, and handle invoicing in a centralized system improves organization and efficiency.“ July 20, 2026 Bryon Y PrincipalArchitecture & Planning, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Very slow, cumbersome at times to run reports and navigate. “ March 18, 2026 Janapher S Operations SpecialistProfessional Training & Coaching, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “It is a comprehensive platform that helps streamline project management, time tracking, billing, and financial operations.“ July 20, 2026 Bryon Y PrincipalArchitecture & Planning, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Not really geared for project/task management. “ March 18, 2026 Montasir M Civil EngineerCivil Engineering, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “It is an intuitive and powerful tool that simplifies project management, time tracking, and expense management for small to midsize businesses.“ January 13, 2025 TM Tim M Senior Engineer IConstruction, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “One minor complaint is that sometimes my time entries double up for no reason. “ November 21, 2024 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 793 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Dan L. Consultant Human Resources Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Effective, Accessible Tool" March 12, 2025 5.0 I've had a good experience with Core, and I appreciate the at-a-glance history that I can review as soon as I log in. Pros I like that Core is available wherever I need it, at the office or from my home if there's something I need to add or adjust. I like that I can edit entries quickly all from a keyboard. Cons I have not had any issues with CORE, and certainly none that would keep me from using it. Review Source Andrew B. Managing Partner Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Yep, there is a feature for that!" June 20, 2023 5.0 Good. Invoicing and time entry in the program fit our needs. There are always more features that we discover when we need more from CORE. Pros The program is cloud based which keeps us current. Most of the time when I have specific report, feature, or activity that I want, I can find what I need quickly. As with many programs, CORE does more than my office utilizes it for. Invoicing and time entry are usually smooth processes. Cons We migrated from ArchiOffice and feel that the way contacts are managed in CORE is utterly useless. We've abandoned it in favor of a piecemeal assortment of Office 365 and Mac built-in programs.The structure of projects is also something that can be improved. When a project transforms from hourly to percentage or adds phases, CORE has some flexibility but there are troublesome aspect such as migrating time from a single phase project to ensure it can be captured in invoices. Alternatives considered [Deltek Vantagepoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/225612/Vantagepoint/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite Easier to migrate our ArchiOffice data into CORE. Switched from [ArchiOffice](https://www.capterra.com/p/233317/ArchiOffice/) Saved money through the al a carte module cost structure compared to previous program. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Director of Operations Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Software has issues, but their customer support is pretty good" September 1, 2023 2.0 In theory, I like all of the features that core has to offer, however, when the features don't work the way they're supposed to it becomes a bit of a nightmare to use. It has a lot of bugs, crashes often and in general is just not very user friendly. Pros I like the expense management feature for employee reimbursement and client billing purposes. I also liked the accounting feature that allows you to bill expenses straight from the Cloudfeeds. I also really liked their customer support. They have a solid team on standby for customer support. I would often get the same person when I called. They are super friendly and know how to navigate the software. Cons It's time consuming to use - it's so slow and there are a lot of features that bug out and simply don't work the way they're supposed to, so I spend a lot of time navigating all of that, which is a bummer. Alternatives considered [Deltek Vantagepoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/225612/Vantagepoint/)[Deltek Costpoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/155685/Deltek-Costpoint/)[Deltek Acumen](https://www.capterra.com/p/10001903/Deltek-Acumen/)[Deltek PPM](https://www.capterra.com/p/154650/Deltek-Project-Portfolio-Management/)[QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite The owner of the firm worked with the BQE team when they first started building the software, he was informing them of features that would be useful for the architecture firm, so he set the company up with BQE to support their mission. Switched from [Harvest](https://www.capterra.com/p/75598/Harvest/)[QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) The owner of the firm worked with the BQE team when they first started building the software, he was informing them of features that would be useful for the architecture firm, so he set the company up with BQE to support their mission. Review Source RS Robert S. Wheelchair Airlines/Aviation Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "Fantastic give straight AAAA" June 10, 2026 5.0 Good and fantastic great perfect ect great ect now nice cool pleased wonderful satisfied all doing good Pros Very nice I like it A lot I like reviewing the question I enjoy answering questions ect now read a lot and answer a lot questions Cons I Like it there was a a lot words and questions to answer ect now a lot answers to do on the core ect Review Source Melissa H. Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Great software for a small firm" May 4, 2023 5.0 We went from no project management system and manual accounting. This has improved our productivity and improved profits. Pros Setup was very easy, the support was great at each step. It is the most cost effective for a small firm. At any time I can call or email a question and get a quick response. They are constantly updating and improving the system. Cons Updates sometimes cause lags the system, but if you sign up for updates they will let you know when they are doing them. Alternatives considered [QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite Best value for cost, easy setup and support. Most programs weren't for a small firm. Review Source Amy H. Project Coordinator Civil Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "BQE Review" August 6, 2024 4.0 I switched to this system after using another finance system for 18 years and it was an easy interface and allowed for minimal training so even our entry level staff picked it up quickly. Pros The ability to run multiple reports and drop them into excel. Cons I wish we could save multiple filters for the T&E reviewer since I use that the majority of the time. Switched from [BST10](https://www.capterra.com/p/36030/BST10/) My job changed so I had to change from the system I used for almost 2 decades! Review Source Steven B. Accounting Assistant Insurance Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "CORE is a real time saver !" August 3, 2022 5.0 Implementation took longer than expected but has proved worth the extra time to get it right. Pros Using CORE to invoice our clients has freed up so much of my time I'm afraid I could have streamlined myself out of a job. Billing previews that used to take days are now done in hours. The time to create invoices and submit them for approval takes about 25% of the time before CORE. Easy to learn and a breeze to use. Cons ORE is a very complex software system to set up, but once we worked out all of the nuances and specifications, this software rocks! Alternatives considered [Sage Intacct](https://www.capterra.com/p/76/Intacct/)[QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite Price was a key factor, but so was familiarity. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Admin Accounting Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Powerful and Streamlined Solution That Elevates Project Management" May 6, 2026 5.0 Overall, my experience with BQE CORE Suite has been very positive. It’s a powerful, all-in-one solution that helps streamline project management, time tracking, and accounting in a single platform. While there is a bit of a learning curve at the beginning, the efficiency and visibility it provides into projects and finances make it well worth it. Pros What I liked most about BQE CORE Suite is how it brings everything—project management, time tracking, and accounting—into one clean, easy-to-use platform. It saves time, reduces errors, and makes it simple to stay organized and on top of project finances. Cons One area for improvement is that the platform can feel a bit complex initially due to its wide range of features. There’s a learning curve when getting started, and some reports or settings could be more intuitive. However, once you become familiar with it, the system becomes much easier to navigate and use effectively. Review Source SH Sydney H. Office Manager Design Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Speed up time and expense tracking, easy all-in-one system!" June 9, 2025 5.0 Overall our company is very satisfied with the use of CORE. We have become much more efficient in our operations and allowing more of our employee's time to be not only used for more important things than tedious admin work, but also easier to view and project their day to day tasks. Pros Able to implement it quickly, and my team caught on quick with training. It was not as painful to switch from our previous processes as we expected. Cons There have been some minor bugs but we were never without anything for an extended amount of time and customer service has been very helpful. Review Source GB Gideon B. Customer Manager Media Production Used the software for: 2+ years ### "An elegant tool for expense management " March 20, 2025 4.0 The software has automated our daily operations and saved us alot of time. Tye product is a game changer. Pros The software is simple and easy to use. Recording expenses using the platform is much easier. BQR CORE also enbles us to quickly track and control our expenses in real-time. Cons I appreciate services of the product. It is worth it. Review Source FG Felice G. Office Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "BQE Core Review Dec 2022" December 5, 2022 4.0 This software does take some time and effort to learn, but as with everything you get out of it what you put into it. You need to take the time to both learn and enter data so that you get accurate results. Pros The customer service is outstanding and available 24-7. The software itself is easy to use as long as you put the time in to learn what it can do. Reports are great and very customizable and if you cannot find what you need there is an option to reach out for a custom report for a fee. Time entry is extremely easy to do whether you are in the office or on the go. Cons Invoices when in draft mode cannot only have some changes made to them, whereas other PM software I have used lets you update more whilst in this mode. Also we started using the accounting feature and the bank feed updates are still not working Alternatives considered [Deltek Ajera](https://www.capterra.com/p/82750/Deltek-Ajera/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite We were already using ArchiOffice and where happy with this project, so we decided to stay with BQE. Review Source KP Kimberly P. Business Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "We are particularly impressed with CORE’s user-friendly, “all in one” design" April 20, 2020 5.0 Our small but rapidly-growing architectural firm was looking for a project management and billing solution. We were particularly impressed with CORE’s user-friendly, “all in one” design. Pros It provides us with a single source to record employee time, manage project tasks, budget, invoice and track project performance. We took advantage of the various training packages and technical assistance BQE offers to help us get up-to-speed with CORE in a matter of months. BQE also worked with us to develop a custom invoice that provides our clients with current and past billing information in a clean and easy-to-read format. With the mobile app, our partners access CORE data anytime, anywhere, and can record travel expenses directly from their smartphones. BQE has demonstrated to us that they listen and responds to suggestions on how to make CORE an even better program for its users by providing regular updates and enhancements that incorporate our suggestions. We are very pleased with CORE and BQE.” Cons Everything is working for us and if it does not then that is what support is for. Like any other new software implementation there is a learning curve. We took advantage of the various training packages. Alternatives considered [WorkflowMax](https://www.capterra.com/p/226306/WorkflowMax/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite For its simple to use interface and definitely Mobil apps are far superior Switched from [Progress ShareFile](https://www.capterra.com/p/10007380/ShareFile/) We were using 4 applications to run our business We are Sharefile, Timefox, Quickbooks and MSExcel to track our projects and handle time/billing/productivity and forecasting. It was getting cumbersome Review Source IC Irma C. Office Manager Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "BQE - We rely it!" December 5, 2022 5.0 No issues to write about, just as mentioned it is a bit to maneuver, but overall experience is positive. Pros Honestly, the support from the support team if there is a problem, has been key to rating the software. Cons Sometimes the software is a bit tricky to maneuver, but as mentioned the support team is great. Alternatives considered [QuickBooks Online](https://www.capterra.com/p/190778/QuickBooks-Online/) Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite I didn't choose it, but everyone seemed to think this was best for the architects and accounting. Review Source TM Tim M. Senior Engineer I Construction Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Helps Me Focus on the Business End" November 21, 2024 5.0 Overall, I find the suite to be very helpful for what I need it for. It allows me to focus on my work without stressing about this aspect of the business. I more-often-than-not trust that things are taken care of properly and effectively. Pros It's easy to navigate and find what you need. This is an important aspect because I don't want to have to spend a lot of time trying to navigate my way around. Cons One minor complaint is that sometimes my time entries double up for no reason. This can lead to confusion within our payroll department. Switched from [ArchiOffice](https://www.capterra.com/p/233317/ArchiOffice/) Tried to make invoicing more streamlined Review Source GH Gunes H. Attorney Legal Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good time keeping program" January 3, 2025 4.0 Pros It's convenient to use. I like how it tallies all my hours on a daily and weekly basis. Cons Sometimes BQE CORE Suite glitches (not too often, though). Review Source KA Kristen A. case manager Legal Services Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "BQE review" January 10, 2025 4.0 I've had a positive experience for the most part Pros The functions are simple for the most part Cons The sections could be laid out in a more simple and accessible fashion. Review Source SR Shelley R. Partner Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great for Consultant-based Companies" December 5, 2022 5.0 The software works great for our firm. I'm very happy with it. Pros Having support anytime I need it is tremendously helpful. I like being able to integrate accounting, project management and time/expense. I don't know what I would do without this feature. As a small business with only 4 employees, this package saves me a lot of time and headache where I might otherwise have to move back and forth between multiple software and risk making errors. Cons \- The project setup seems a bit clunky, particularly, how to name the project name/phase name and how it will appear on the time card and invoice. I had to play around with this quite a bit.- I would like to be able to bill at the sub-phase level.- I would like to be able to turn off the write-up/write-down feature for percent complete billing. Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite Features and Price Review Source KS Ken S. President Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "The Value of Core" December 6, 2022 5.0 As mentioned, the product is great. The support is second to none. Core has been the tool we had been missing. Pros We have used Core for a couple of years. Our firm specializes in foodservice design and our services are performed through architectural firms. This software is an incredible tool for other service related firms. The software and its tools are incredibly robust. The single major aspect is residing in the cloud. This allows connectivity from any where. Additionally, the project and/or staff performance tools are an amazing snapshot of our things are going. We also schedule our project tasks with Core. Those tasks are assigned (allocated) to staff with end/due dates. Task completion percentages allows project management to monitor progress. The notification system alerts the appropriate team members when task have been completed. There is an abundance of management tools and controls. Cons Although the training is great, the online resources plentiful and the on-call support fantastic; there is a bit of a learning curve as the software is so robust. It just take a little time to become familiar with it and proficient. So you must go through the training and then dive in! Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite We simply thought it was a better product. Review Source JV Julia V. Partner Architecture & Planning Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Great Time keeping and Billing software for Architects and Engineers" October 24, 2016 5.0 We discovered BillQuick on line after struggling with a user friendly way to record, retrieve, report and correct errors in time entries for our Clients. Filling in time sheets accurately is a critical part of our business and billing process. Unintentional errors on time sheets, with time entries logged under incorrect work phases or project scopes are inevitable and our previous billing software only allowed time entries to be moved one at a time, which was done when the WIP was being reviewed. The result was a painful and time consuming process at the end of each moth for our accountant which resulted in delays in getting our invoicing out in a timely manner. With BillQuick, time sheet errors can be moved quickly and easily across data sets in batches. Changing time keeping software can be a stressful decision, often met with resistance from staff. However after carefully researching BillQuick and completing the training session, and seeing the ease and intuitive nature of the time keeping options, I was confident that I would be able to coach staff through the process with ease. The ease of time entries means that fewer staff are delinquent on keeping time sheets up to date. This has numerous benefits, the primary one being being able to bill on time. There are other time allowance features such as limiting time assigned to a team member for a project, and notifying team members in real time when the Fee for a work stage has been exceeds (time entry presents in red). I was a bit skeptical about the claims of vastly reducing invoicing time, but from experience can confirm this is true. This software has enabled us to consistently get billing out within the first 10 days of the month, with invoicing taking a fraction of the time it used to. This enables us to close out each month efficiently, properly monitor quarterly and annual targets, and focus on fixing problems quickly. Ease of monitoring Fee Expenditure also means it is easier to stay out of trouble and address problems as soon as they arise. There are many linked features such as monitoring staff and project profitability which provide solid back up data when assessing bonuses etc. Pros It is very easy to learn to use for both staff entering time and new accounts staff. The ease of time entries means that fewer staff are delinquent on keeping timesheets up to date. Projects can be broken down into phases - this is KEY for tracking fees within an Architectural Full scope of services. You create your own Activity Codes which you can align with your preferred Contract It REALLY does speed up invoicing tremendously It offers a WIDE range of invoice templates and reports to analyse project Fee expenditure and report to Clients It allows for various levels of security access so that Senior Staff are not beholden to the Accounts Department when they need to report to a Client or check the Fee against the Contract All staff can monitor Fee in real time (assuming time sheets are up to date) Senior Staff can easily monitor and give feedback to staff on performance and productivity, based on various time periods, for example on Billable vs non billable hours, contracted hours performance etc The technical support is excellent Integrated with Quick Books very well Cons I can't think of anything really....If I had to be critical I would say: - there are so many reports that you are unlikely to use them all and can get lost in the Report Centre. However there are tabs for your favourites and memorised reports. - Expenses are very very to enter but not as easy to unwind/change as Time entries Review Source AB Andrew B. Principal/Senior Scientist Environmental Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "CORE usage = happy owners = happy employees = good business" July 6, 2023 5.0 It's been a huge change from Deltek, but for the better. It's been fairly easy for two non-super-tech savy guys to run and implement, import 50+ existing projects with partial budgets, and the help line is GREAT! Pros The dashboard integration is great, could use a few tweaks but exactly what we wanted out of this type of software - project based management system. Cons CORE is set up to be based off individual projects which is great for our business, however Vendor Bills don't have an "easy sort" button to be associated with projects, instead it categorizes it by Vendor. When the PROJECT dictates the Vendor and their bill, everything should still be linked back to the project. Switched from [Deltek Vantagepoint](https://www.capterra.com/p/225612/Vantagepoint/) Change in company structure Review Source LC Laura C. Office Manager Civil Engineering Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "it’s truly changed how we operate as a business " April 23, 2021 5.0 We have only been using the software since September 1st. Previously we were using Excel for project management, timesheets, and AR invoicing. In addition, we were using Word and Excel to generate manual invoices (then converting to PDF). Not only has the billing process been improved, but we have been able to implement Internal Financial Controls. We purchased the HR and Accounting modules a couple of months ago and are in the process of implementing our own HR templates. We are looking forward to automating the HR process. It’s truly changed how we operate as a business and made us ten times more efficient in so many different ways. Pros The call-in support is always available. The billing module & templates. It is easy to generate invoices. The batch update feature. Uploading documents in various modules. View of information projects are restricted to authorized personnel. Ability to sort and filter various screens. How CORE will remember where you left off if you leave a screen or log-out (same filters, etc.). Cons Core can use these improvements: 3. What improvements would you like to see in Core • An Accounts Payable Widget that shows open invoices that are due within a customized time frame. • A tracking method for professional continuing education requirements. • Enabling dependency between phases (not just within phase). • Download GANNT chart into Excel that looks like the chart (not just a list). • Being able to modify draft invoices without having to delete and start over. • Vendors – tracking COI’s w/60-day advance reminders. • AP checks to include invoice number (not the bill number). • In the project structure, a separate tool to move a phase up or down (rather than the grab and drop). • The AR invoices to automatically sort to open status only (not all invoices). • The ability to hide or delete built-in accounts in the Chart of Accounts. • Custom HR forms that can be sent to employees and electronically signed. • In billing, projects that are in complete or cancelled status, it will not show up in the drop-down menu when creating batch invoice. Review Source FF Fran F. Architecture and Project Management Depts. Manager Real Estate Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "BQE Core met our needs." May 17, 2024 4.0 BQE Core was easy to transition to with very little complications. It's features are very flexible and work. I learn more about it's capabilities every week. Pros BQE Core is very flexible in how you can allow employees to track their time and decide if it is billable or not. Cons It has many features that we do not use but I can see how other companies would appreciate the additional functions. Reason for choosing BQE CORE Suite It met our needs for tracking time, expenses and billing. It is very versatile in the options that you can use to filter out certain things. Review Source Anahid K. Team Coordinator Accounting Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Daily User" November 28, 2023 5.0 Pros I like that it remembers the usual client entities. Makes it easy to choose the top clients worked on. Cons Sometimes the system is slow, but that is usually rare. Review Source Brian W. Architect Architecture & Planning Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Great way to track time, projects, expenses, and time off." December 5, 2022 5.0 Pros This is a all in one suite, which is fantastic for tracking everything time and monetarily to a project. It also is great for keeping track of employees billable hours for internal office review. Cons Currently the contacts list is only available to administrators, so we can not use it to have a database of client contact information. Additionally, the way it requests to list someone as client or supplier is a bit odd when we sometimes have them as both. Review Source JD Jason D. Senior Executive Administrator Accounting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "LFI - Jason DeRobbio - CORE Review" December 7, 2022 4.0 Overall the experience has been good with CORE for the last 4 years. Pros I love the utilization and practicality of CORE. Our firm uses it daily for time and expense entry and it has become integral in getting our invoices paid. Cons The worst feature of CORE is the slowness of it when inputting a lot of time. Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.