Projectworks vs. ROLL: Setting the Record Straight on Professional Services Automation Software

1. Projectworks is a complete professional services automation tool

ROLL claims that “Projectworks tracks timesheets and spits out reports.”

That’s like saying a CFO just balances a checkbook.

Projectworks is complete professional services automation software built for businesses that care about profitability, not just productivity. Yes, we track time - but that’s only just the starting point. Every minute logged connects directly to utilization, project budgets, revenue forecasts, and margin visibility.

With Projectworks, you don’t just see hours - you see the financial impact behind them. It’s how smart firms stay profitable, even when projects shift mid-stream.

ROLL is a simple work management software. We’re a financially-focused, all-in-one PSA software. We’re not the same.

We help businesses move from reactive fire-fighting to predictive planning. And yes, we “spit out” reports - custom, detailed, and automated ones that drive real financial decisions.

2. As a PSA tool, forecasting is what we do best

ROLL says their platform gives you "visibility, control, and forecasting…without the clutter.”

Visibility and control are table stakes for any PSA software. The difference lies in the depth of insight.

ROLL tried to say Projectworks doesn’t offer financial forecasting. This is just untrue.

Forecasting is Projectworks' speciality. We pride ourselves on providing accurate margin and revenue forecasts so you can stay ahead of budget burn and deliver projects on time and on budget.

Projectworks delivers real financial oversight, helping professional services teams track revenue, costs, and profitability across every project. It’s not just about having a dashboard; it’s about having the right data to make confident financial decisions.

ROLL doesn’t even mention margin forecasting on their website. Projectworks offers the full financial picture - true PSA software for those managing complex client portfolios and multi-project forecasting.

Because visibility without depth isn’t clarity - it’s false confidence.

3. Our Customer Success team prides themselves on top-quality onboarding

So ROLL gets you up and running at light speed (“Quick setup (hours, not weeks)"). A fast setup sounds appealing until you realize what’s been skipped.

Projectworks implementation scales with your business. Everyone gets guided onboarding from our expert team. Small teams can get up and running fast - because their project complexity and historical data takes less of a lift. Larger firms - especially those managing multi-office, multi-currency operations - benefit from our onboarding process to ensure that all historical data is loaded and financial metrics are accurate from day one.

It’s not about how quickly you start; it’s about how accurately your numbers flow. That’s what protects profitability.

4. We're built for growing teams, with a 10 seat minimum

Now, ROLL is right (for once!) when they claim we have a 10 seat minimum.

Projectworks is designed for professional services teams that are serious about financial management - and scaling. The 10-seat minimum ensures businesses have the capacity to fully leverage resource planning software and forecasting tools.

The reality is professional services teams with fewer than 10 staff typically don’t need sophisticated resource management software. In fact, in small firms, everyone knows what everyone is working on – and thats perfectly fine! As you grow to 10, 20, 50, 100 staff however, it becomes a complex and costly business problem (and one that Projectworks solves with ease).

See how MBB grew 277% after implementing Projectworks.

5. As an all-in-one PSA software, we replace multiple point solutions - like spreadsheets and time tracking apps

ROLL claims to replace multiple professional services tools. So does Projectworks - and with more integrations.

Projectworks combines time tracking, resourcing, invoicing, forecasting, and reporting into one connected platform. Every project, person, and dollar is linked, meaning your data always tells the truth.

We have native integrations with Xero (rated 4.9), QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Salesforce, HubSpot, 12d Synergy, Employment Hero, Jira, Azure DevOps, and Zapier - plus the usual direct data connection and API.

ROLL has one native integration - Xero (it’s not as deep, and it’s rated 4.8).

Think of ROLL as an entry-level professional services tool and Projectworks as the deeply-connected platform that ensures your projects stay profitable, not just on track.

6. We're simple where we need to be - but we don't skimp on features

ROLL loves to call themselves simple. And sure, simple doesn’t mean basic. But simplicity without financial insight isn’t simplicity - it’s risk.

Projectworks is intuitive yet powerful. It gives leaders instant visibility into revenue, margins, and billable utilization. With professional services automation, simplicity means you spend less time chasing numbers and more time improving them.

Our simplicity comes from smart automation, not missing functionality.

Why Projectworks Leads in Professional Services Automation

• Built for financial oversight and profitability tracking
• Deep forecasting and resource planning capabilities
• Unified view of projects, people, and profit
• Transparent pricing with a 10-seat minimum for scalability
• Purpose-built PSA software built by a team with 150+ years of combined services experience for consultancies, engineers, architects, and software specialists

Projectworks helps you understand not just where your time goes - but where your money does too.

Final Thoughts on Comparing Professional Services Automation Software

It’s worth noting here that ROLL really doesn’t have a lot of reviews behind it in the market. Only one customer has reviewed ROLL on G2, compared to our 155.

ROLL’s  attempt to compare us is bold, but totally inaccurate. It misses what matters most: financial clarity (not to mention good-old honesty).

Projectworks gives professional service businesses a single source of truth across projects, people, and profit. It’s not about being the simplest - it’s about being the smartest choice for firms that want to grow sustainably and stay profitable.

So, to our friends at ROLL: thanks for the mention. Next time, let’s make sure the facts - and the finances - line up.

Because in the world of PSA tools, profitability is the ultimate metric.