Creative agencies are juggling more than ever, tight deadlines, remote teams, and clients expecting faster turnarounds. The right agency management software isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore, it’s the backbone of a profitable, well-run operation. The best tools go beyond task lists.
They unify project management, time tracking, financial reporting, and client collaboration into one seamless platform. Whether you’re a boutique design studio or a global marketing firm, choosing the right system can mean the difference between growth and burnout.
1. Function Point
Function Point sits at the top of the agency management software list, and for good reason. It offers a level of clarity and control over creative operations that most tools just can’t match. Built for design firms, marketing teams, and advertising agencies juggling multiple client needs, Function Point gives teams the kind of insight that turns busy days into profitable outcomes.
While other platforms focus on isolated features, functionpoint.com ties everything together, from estimating to project management, on one cloud-based dashboard. It’s the only tool on this list that connects your creative workflow to your bottom line so seamlessly. Real-time budget tracking, time logging, resource planning, and project profitability metrics update automatically. Every detail, from the hours worked to the dollars earned, lives in one place, making it easier for agency leaders to make confident decisions.
Function Point Key Features
- Custom Rate Cards: Tailor pricing based on client types, services, or team roles.
- Gantt Charts with Dependencies: Plan timelines with clarity and automate workflow sequences.
- Live Resource Planning: Instantly see who’s overloaded and who’s available.
- Billable vs. Non-Billable Time Reports: Track how time translates to revenue.
- Advanced Client Reports: Compare project estimates to actual costs in real-time
Function Point Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Full visibility into staff performance and project ROI
- Financial insights that connect time tracking to profitability
- Fast and responsive customer support (typically under 1 hour)
- Automated invoicing tied directly to logged hours and expenses
- Works well for both short-term and retainer-based client work
Cons:
- Interface has a learning curve for new users
- Can slow down on very large projects
- Reporting customization could be more flexible
- Mobile experience lacks depth compared to desktop
2. FunctionFox
FunctionFox makes creative workflows efficient with its design tailored for advertising agencies and design studios. This tool has transformed time tracking into valuable business insights during its 20+ years in the business.
FunctionFox Key Features
FunctionFox stands out with its complete time tracking features that work through an automatic stopwatch timer or manual time entry. Teams can quickly duplicate successful projects using project templates. The CEO Desktop displays a quick graphical overview of all open projects. A built-in project blog helps creative teams communicate better in one place. The platform also includes resource management, and its Availability tool shows up-to-the-minute team capacity.
FunctionFox Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface that needs minimal training
- Outstanding reporting tools that provide client and project insights
- Smooth cloud access on desktop and mobile devices
- Main categories can be renamed to match your workflow
- Responsive customer support team with response times under 1 hour
Cons:
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors
- Mobile app has limited features
- No free plan or trial period (but offers 30-day money-back guarantee)
- Costs more than other agency tools
- Higher-tier plans lock some advanced features
3. Hive
Hive reshapes the project management scene by putting teams first. This cloud-based tool makes shared work easier and helps creative agencies coordinate complex projects with flexible viewing options.
Hive Key Features
Hive gives you multiple ways to visualize projects through Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendars, and tables. The task management system supports attachments, dependencies, and tagging. Hive Mail sets this platform apart by connecting your email account directly to the software, you can create tasks from emails and reply without leaving Hive.
Creative teams will appreciate the proofing tools for documents, images, and videos that let both internal and external approvers add comments. A built-in messenger enables immediate communication, and the platform blends with Zoom for video meetings.
Hive Pros and Cons
Pros:
- HiveMind AI assistant comes free with all plans
- Task management features work great across all pricing tiers
- Robust collaborative tools with notes and messaging
- Views adapt to different workflow styles
- Clean dashboards you can customize to track progress
Cons:
- Many premium features need $5 monthly add-ons per user
- Native integrations are somewhat limited
- Free plan caps at 10 users and 200MB storage
- Mobile app sometimes struggles with notifications
- Chat function can be glitchy according to some users
4. Trello
Trello brings a refreshingly simple visual approach to project management that helps creative teams handle their deadlines better. This Kanban-style software organizes tasks through boards, lists, and cards, serving over 50 million registered users worldwide.
Trello Key Features
Trello’s easy-to-use visual interface shows project status at a glance through color-coding and card positioning. The platform comes with Butler automation tool that handles repetitive tasks through simple language commands. Creative teams can use industry-specific templates to manage design requests, drafts, and revisions. The platform connects with tools like Miro, Figma, Slack, and Adobe Creative Cloud through 200+ Power-Ups (integrations). Users can access boards from any device without losing functionality.
Trello Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Instant updates reflect across the system immediately
- Simple interface that’s easy to learn
- Robust notification system tracks all board activities
- Quick member addition using email addresses
- Effective Kanban system breaks down complex projects
Cons:
- Advanced features like Gantt charts and time tracking are limited
- Large organizations might face scalability challenges
- Extra functionality depends heavily on third-party integrations
- Offline capabilities are restricted
- Busy boards can become overwhelming
5. Plaky
Plaky stands out as a fresh face in the creative agency management software space with its simple yet powerful approach. Teams looking for a budget-friendly way to stay organized love its free-forever platform that supports unlimited users and projects.
Plaky Key Features
The platform revolves around flexible task management with customizable boards for each project. Teams can share updates and files directly within items through its collaboration features. Users can track activities over time using multiple views like Kanban boards and Gantt charts. A standout feature is Plaky’s permission system – spaces group similar boards while administrators have complete control over team member access and actions. The iOS and Android mobile apps keep everyone connected whatever their location.
Plaky Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unlimited users, projects, and files on the free plan
- Accessible interface that new users pick up quickly
- Well-hosted task-specific file sharing
- Color-coded options that creative minds love
- With GDPR compliance ISO 27001 & SOC 2 certified
Cons:
- All but one integration (currently only Clockify)
- File uploads capped at 10MB per file on free plan
- Activity log runs for 7 days on free plan
- No native desktop app for Windows or macOS
- Nowhere near as many advanced features as older competitors
6. Miro
Miro transforms the digital canvas into a creative workspace where teams collaborate. This virtual whiteboard helps teams generate ideas, plan, and complete projects with amazing visual flexibility.
Miro Key Features
Miro’s infinite canvas gives teams unlimited space to organize ideas and show complex concepts. The platform excels when team members work together on shared boards in real time. A big template library (5,000+ options) helps kickstart projects from branding campaigns to wireframing. The whiteboard tools support sticky notes, flowcharts, mind maps, and diagrams to visualize everything from customer experiences to technical system. Miro blends with 160+ apps including Slack, Jira, Zoom, and Adobe Creative Cloud to optimize workflows in one space.
Miro Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface works for all skill levels
- Perfect for remote teams with live collaboration features
- Templates for specific business needs reduce setup time
- Strong presentation mode enhances client meetings
- AI assistant (Miro Assist) automates tasks like clustering notes
Cons:
- Large boards might slow down performance
- Limited offline features need internet connection
- Advanced features take time to learn
- Big team sessions can get messy
- Free plan gives only three editable boards
7. Airtable
Airtable blends the simplicity of spreadsheets with powerful database capabilities to build creative workflows. More than 300,000 organizations use this hybrid platform to make their operations more efficient through better data management.
Airtable Key Features
The platform’s life-blood is its relational database structure that updates information live across connected workflows. Users can view their data in multiple formats including grid, calendar, Kanban, Gantt, and gallery views. Teams can create custom interfaces with a simple drag-and-drop builder without any coding knowledge. The automation features remove repetitive tasks by setting up trigger-action workflows. Client work becomes easier with Portals where guests see only specific information rather than the entire system. Airtable recently added Omni AI, which works as a shared assistant to build custom applications.
Airtable Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Live data syncing updates automatically across workflows
- Rich template library helps creative teams plan content calendars and editorial work
- Built-in tools for reviewing and giving feedback on images and videos
- Connected tables link related information flexibly
- Ready-to-use templates for marketing agency projects
Cons:
- Free version stops at 1,000 records per base
- Takes time to learn for people used to regular spreadsheets
- Needs internet to work properly
- Large datasets can make it run slower
- Better features cost more in higher-tier plans
Conclusion
No two creative agencies are exactly alike. Some thrive on visual simplicity, others need deep financial insight or robust collaboration features. The seven tools we’ve covered, Function Point, Trello, Hive, FunctionFox, Plaky, Miro, and Airtable, offer a range of solutions tailored to different needs and team sizes.
The key is to match your agency’s workflow, budget, and growth plans with a platform that can scale with you. A well-chosen tool won’t just organize your projects, it’ll empower your team to deliver better work, faster, and with greater profitability.