The short answer
The main Total Synergy alternatives for Australian engineering consultancies are Projectworks (easier to adopt, strong Xero sync), BQE CORE (broader all-in-one), Deltek Vantagepoint (ERP for large firms), WorkflowMax (simpler and cheaper) and custom software built around your workflow.
Before you switch, check whether the problem is Synergy or the workflow around it. Many firms that move platforms carry the same spreadsheets and re-keying into the new one.
If Synergy handles your time and billing well but proposals, resourcing or reporting live elsewhere, connecting or extending it may beat replacing it.
What Total Synergy does well
Total Synergy has been built for Australian architecture and engineering firms for a long time, and it shows.
- AEC-native structure.Projects, stages, fee types and timesheets follow how consultancies already think.
- Local support.Reviewers rate customer support 4.6 of 5 and praise onboarding.1
- Integrations that matter locally.Xero, MYOB, Business Central and 12d Synergy.
- Flexible plans.Listed at A$10, A$29 and A$49 per user per month, so smaller firms can start low.1
- Depth of project detail.Firms that set it up fully get strong cost tracking at stage level.
If your team uses it properly and it covers proposal to invoice, there may be no reason to leave.
Why engineering consultancies look for an alternative
The reasons firms give tend to fall into six groups. Some are about Synergy; most are about the gap between Synergy and the rest of the business.
| Reason | What it looks like day to day | Is switching platforms the fix? |
|---|---|---|
| Learning curve and interface | New staff take weeks to get comfortable; timesheets are late | Sometimes A simpler tool can help adoption |
| Reporting | Directors export to Excel to get the views they want | Rarely Most platforms have the same limit |
| Proposals live outside | Fee proposals built in Word and Excel, then re-keyed | No Most alternatives don’t solve this either |
| Resourcing across offices | A separate spreadsheet shows who’s free | Partly Some tools are better, none fit every firm |
| Cost as the team grows | The per-user bill climbs with every hire | Only if the alternative prices differently |
| Uncertainty after the Monograph merger | Questions about the roadmap and pricing | Wait for detail before deciding |
Two of these are worth calling out. First, reviewers on Capterra mention a steep learning curve, login issues with Microsoft 365 sign-in, cumbersome file uploads and reporting that needs work.1 Second, Total Synergy and US-based Monograph joined forces in mid-2026. Monograph has said existing products, contracts and support aren’t changing in the short term.2 If that’s your main concern, ask your account manager for the roadmap before you switch.
Total Synergy alternatives compared
| Total SynergyCurrent | Projectworks | BQE CORE | Deltek Vantagepoint | WorkflowMax | Custom softwareBuild around | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | AU and NZ AEC firms | Consultancies that sell time | US A&E firms | Large project-based firms | Any time-billed business | Your firm’s workflow |
| Pricing | A$10 to A$49 per user per month1 | From US$19 per user per month3 | Quote, per user by module4 | Quote; implementation US$15k to US$150k5 | From A$36 per month6 | One-off build plus hosting |
| Scales with | Headcount and plan | Headcount | Headcount and modules | Headcount and modules | Plan | Scope, not headcount |
| Xero | Yes | Yes, strong | Via integration | Via integration | Yes, strong | Yes, built to fit |
| 12d Synergy | Yes | Yes | No native link listed | No native link listed | No | Yes, if needed |
| Fee proposals | Partial | Partial | CRM module | CRM module | Quotes and lead add-on | Built to your format |
| Resourcing | Yes | Yes, lighter dashboards | Yes | Strong | Light | Built to your structure |
| Review rating (Capterra) | 4.4 of 5 (34)1 | 4.7 of 5 (162)3 | Not checked | Not checked | 4.3 of 5 (123)6 | Not applicable |
| Best if | You want an AU AEC platform | Adoption is the main problem | You want one vendor for more of the back office | You’re 100+ staff, multi-office | You’re small and billing is simple | Your workflow spans several tools |
Projectworks
Like-for-likeThe most common like-for-like move. Firms pick it for its interface and Xero reconciliation. It won’t fix proposals or director reporting on its own.
BQE CORE
BroaderSuits firms that want more of the back office in one product. In Australia its value narrows, because most firms keep Xero or MYOB for accounting and payroll.
Deltek Vantagepoint
Step upA step up in scale and cost, not a like-for-like swap. It makes sense for larger firms with a finance team to run it.
WorkflowMax
Step downA step down: cheaper and simpler, but not built for stages, disciplines or drawing control.
Building around your workflow instead
The alternative most comparison pages leave out is to stop looking for a platform that fits and build around how your firm already runs. That doesn’t have to mean replacing Synergy on day one. There are three common paths.
Connect
What happens: Keep Synergy for time and billing. Build the missing pieces (proposals, resourcing, director reporting) and sync them with Synergy and Xero.
Extend
What happens: Keep Synergy, add AI agents that chase timesheets, draft proposals or summarise project health.
Replace
What happens: Move projects, time, fees and invoicing into one custom system shaped to your workflow, connected to Xero, 12d Synergy and Microsoft 365.
When to stay on Total Synergy
Staying is the right call if:
- Your team uses it daily and timesheets are on time.
- It covers proposal to invoice without side spreadsheets.
- Your frustrations are about setup or training, which Synergy’s support team can help with.
- You’d rather wait for the combined Total Synergy and Monograph roadmap before changing anything.
How to switch without losing history
Step 1: Export early.
Pull projects, clients, timesheets, invoices and fee history before you sign with anyone new.
Step 2: Decide what history you need.
Most firms move open projects in full and keep two to three years of closed projects for reporting.
Step 3: Map stages and fee types.
This is where most migrations go wrong. Agree the new structure before moving data.
Step 4: Run both for one billing cycle.
Reconcile WIP and invoices in both systems before switching off the old one.
Step 5: Reconnect integrations.
Xero, 12d Synergy, payroll and any reporting tools.
Step 6: Train by role.
Engineers need timesheets and project views; directors need reports; admin needs billing.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on why you’re leaving. Projectworks suits firms wanting easier adoption. Deltek suits large firms. WorkflowMax suits small firms. Custom software suits firms whose workflow spans several tools.
Projectworks rates higher on ease of use in reviews and has strong Xero integration. Total Synergy has deeper AEC conventions and a longer history in Australia. The better fit depends on your firm.
Capterra lists plans at A$10, A$29 and A$49 per user per month. Check current pricing with Total Synergy.
The two companies joined forces in mid-2026 to build a family of products for architects and engineers. Monograph has said existing products, contracts and support aren’t changing immediately.
Yes. Many firms keep Synergy for time and billing and add custom tools for proposals, resourcing or reporting, synced with Synergy and Xero.
Typically one to three months to another AEC platform, depending on how much history you move and how complex your fee structures are.
Not if you plan the export. Pull a full export of projects, timesheets, invoices and fee history before you start.
Bottom line
Total Synergy is a solid platform, and for many engineering consultancies it’s the right one. If you’re looking at alternatives, start by naming what’s actually slowing you down. If it’s the workflow around Synergy rather than Synergy itself, connecting or building around it will often get you further than another platform.
See how a free prototype could workSources
Pages checked in October 2026.
- Synergy AEC (Total Synergy) on Capterra Australiacapterra.com.au
- Monograph: Building the future of A/E software togethermonograph.com
- Projectworks on Capterra Australiacapterra.com.au
- BQE CORE pricingbqe.com
- Deltek Vantagepoint pricing, ERP Researcherpresearch.com
- WorkflowMax on Capterracapterra.ca