Top 10 Openair alternatives for 2025

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Updated on:
February 15, 2024
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What is Openair?

What’s OpenAir? Heard about that before? It’s this super cool, enterprise-grade Professional Services Automation (PSA) software. It offers all sorts of tools and solutions for project management, expense tracking, and more. And wanna know more? It’s developed by NetSuite, a top-notch provider of cloud-based business management software. With OpenAir, businesses can really step up their game, improving operations, boosting productivity and efficiency, and driving growth and profitability. How awesome is that?

If you are an OpenAir user, you’re in for a treat! You can easily capture billable hours and manage your projects and resources like a pro. It’s like having real-time access to your project information, enabling you to make informed decisions and actions for the benefit of your business. Plus, its strong expense management system ensures that you keep track of your expense receipts with ease, saying goodbye to the hassle of lost receipts and manual input errors. Isn't that cool! 

Despite its numerous benefits, OpenAir may not always be the perfect fit for every organization. Therefore, it's worth exploring alternative software solutions that may better suit your specific needs. You can find numerous options that offer similar features and benefits at different price points and with various degrees of customization. For more information on the top 10 alternatives to OpenAir, continue reading this article

What are the top limitations of Openair?

Suppose Joseph is a user of Openair. He finds himself facing a fair share of challenges while Joseph uses Openair in his daily life. Despite its popularity for resource and project management, he experiences several limitations that complicate his business operations.

  • Joseph reports that Openair has quite a steep learning curve, especially for non-technical individuals like him, which hinders his productivity and efficiency. He finds the software’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) outdated and not user-friendly, leading to a less than optimal navigation experience.
  • Joseph notices that Openair’s customization capabilities are limited. While it offers a range of features, it lacks flexibility when it comes to personalizing the tool to fit his unique business requisites. Although designed for complex project management, Joseph notices a notable lack of intuitive features like drag and drop, which could simplify tasks and save time.
  • The customer support system provided by Openair can be a hit or miss for Joseph. He has experienced delays and inefficiencies in getting timely assistance. 

A User also expressed dissatisfaction with Openair and wrote:

“Now and then I will face a glitch even after saving the data in the timesheet it doesn't get saved and I lose the data I have added to that timesheet.”

While Openair offers a holistic PSA solution, these limitations pose significant challenges for businesses with complex needs like Joseph’s. It’s important for companies to evaluate these, along with its benefits, before investing in the platform. 

Choose the best Openair alternative

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What are the must-have features of an Openair alternative?

OpenAir is a big name in the NetSuite software world, widely used for its comprehensive professional services automation. But hey, who doesn’t love options? Alternatives to OpenAir may offer features that are a better fit for certain organizations. So, when considering an OpenAir alternative, keep an eye out for those must-have features. It’s like going on a treasure hunt!

Integrated Project Management

An alternative to OpenAir should have an integrated feature for the management of projects. This is analogous to possessing a magical scepter that bestows upon its wielder the capability to generate, administer, and monitor projects in a manner that is devoid of interruptions, from their inception to their culmination. Isn’t that a fascinating concept?

Time and Expense Tracking

A highly needed feature is time and expense tracking. This helps in tracking employee labor, managing expenses, and improving overall efficiency and productivity.

Dynamic Invoicing and Billing Capabilities

Have you ever considered that invoicing and billing constitute the vital essence of any enterprise engaged in the provision of services? Consequently, an optimal alternative to OpenAir should incorporate a robust system for invoicing and billing that possesses the capacity to automate and simplify the process.

Depending on your specific requirements, your OpenAir alternative may need additional features such as resource management, financials, and advanced reporting. It's always best to evaluate alternatives based on your company's unique needs, ensuring that any potential solution offers the perfect balance between functionality, flexibility, and price.

1. Bonsai: the best Openair alternative

Do you agree to the fact that managing a service business is complex? Finding the right tool that fits your business needs is key to improving efficiency and staying organized. In the realm of project management tools, Openair has long been considered a reliable choice for many. However, it is not the sole effective tool available in the market. Emerging from the shadows of conventional tools, Bonsai, with its comprehensive suite of integrated software solutions, has positioned itself as a formidable alternative to Openair. For those contemplating a transition from Openair, there are several compelling reasons that underscore Bonsai’s prominence as a superior alternative.

Seamless Project Management

  • Manage multiple projects effortlessly with an intuitive interface.
  • Oversee tasks, track progress, and collaborate with your team in one place.
  • Save time and ensure all projects run smoothly, eliminating chaos from daily operations.
  • Time Tracking and Task Management

    Did you know Bonsai has an integrated time tracking feature?

  • Log billable hours directly onto projects using the built-in time tracking tool.
  • Monitor deadlines and deliverables with ease, ensuring you stay on schedule.
  • Benefit from a full suite of management tools designed to simplify operations for service-based businesses, making Bonsai a strong OpenAir alternative.
  • Ease of Use and Intuitive Interface

    • Bonsai's interface is designed for simplicity, making it easy for users of all skill levels to get started quickly.
    • Streamlined navigation reduces the learning curve, so users can focus on their work instead of figuring out the software.
    • Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that value user-friendly, no-frills tools.

    Client Management

    • Centralized client management tools allow you to store client details, project history, and communication in one place.
    • Features like client portals enhance transparency and foster collaboration by giving clients real-time access to project updates, invoices, and contracts.

    Integrated Proposal and Contract Creation

  • Create professional proposals and contracts in just minutes using ready-made templates.
  • Fully customizable options ensure documents meet your business needs and enhance your chances of winning clients.
  • Impress clients with polished, professional documents that reflect your brand.
  • Effortless Invoicing and Payment Tracking

  • Automate invoicing to save time and reduce manual tasks.
  • Track payments easily and let Bonsai send reminders for unpaid bills, simplifying the collection process.
  • Support for international currencies makes it an ideal solution for businesses with a global clientele, catering to diverse financial requirements.
  • Start a free trial now or book a demo to learn more.

    2. Scoro

    Scoro is like cool work management software designed to bring your teams, projects, sales, and reports in one place! It’s packed with best features like efficient team collaboration and project management, comprehensive sales and billing reports, and CRM and quote management. 

    But remember, every rose has its thorn! Users of Scoro might find some limitations in it. 

    • Lacks intuitive user interface
    • Features can be too complex for smaller businesses

    This application is not the best choice for businesses seeking a simplified, lean project management tool.

    Scoro has many pricing options, with the basic package starting at $26 per user per month. This software has a 4.6/5 rating on G2, with users praising its vast features but some finding it too complex compared to more lean alternatives like Openair.

    3. Teamwork

    Teamwork is a project management tool designed to enhance productivity and simplify task organisation.

    Best Features:

    • Task lists creation and assignation to team member
    • Customizable dashboards for project overviews 
    • Integration with third-party apps like Google Drive, Box, and Quickbooks

    Limitations:

    It’s disheartening to admit, but Teamwork, despite its potential, falls short in some areas. It lacks the financial management features that tools like Openair boast. The mobile app is prone to occasional glitches, and beginners might find it complex. It’s a sad truth that Teamwork might not be the best fit for enterprises in need of advanced financial management or robust CRM functionalities. As for the pricing, Teamwork does offer a free plan, but premium plans start at a somewhat steep $12.50 per user/month.

    Reviews and Ratings

    It has a rating of 4.4/5 on G2, most users highlight the software's ease of use and excellent task management capabilities.

    4. Functionfox

    FunctionFox is a highly reliable project management software, especially designed for small businesses and freelancers, as an alternative to Openair.

    Best features:  

    • Robust time-tracking capabilities for monitoring work progress 
    • Powerful task management features for easy team coordination 
    • Comprehensive reports for in-depth project analysis  

    Alright, let’s get real here. This tool doesn’t have any built-in chat or video conferencing tools. And don’t even get me started on the mobile version, it could use some serious work.

     Frankly speaking, it is not good for large businesses looking for enterprise-level functionalities  Pricing starts from $35 per month, but a free trial is available for initial assessment.  FunctionFox has generally received positive reviews, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 on G2. A user from Canada named Zinc shared his views about Function Fox and wrote

    “I started using FunctionFox more than eight years ago when I launched my PR agency and I remember wondering at the time if I would get my money's worth from it. Looking back I can say: I never should have wondered for a second!...In terms of customer support... They responded in 10 minutes and walked me through the report set up.”

    5. Airtable

    A person named James lives in New Zealand and imagine he is a user of Airtable. James is a user of Airtable and likes Airtable’s best features, such as its intuitive UI for flexible spreadsheet management. He also likes multiple views including grid, calendar, gallery, and Kanban,and its customizable fields and forms for specific applications. 

    However, James also faces some limitations with Airtable, such as its advanced automation features that require more expensive plans, and its limited options for exporting data. James' personal opinion is that Airtable is not a fit for larger enterprises that need complex database structures, or teams that need integrated communication features. 

    James first used Airtable's free plan for basic usage, but now he switched to the premium plans that start from $20 per user/month. James agrees with the average rating of 4.5/5 on Capterra, and he praises Airtable’s user-friendly interface and customization options.

    6. Projectmanager

    ProjectManager is a versatile and comprehensive project management tool, offering a wide range of features catering to teams of any size or nature.

    Best features:

    Heard about Project Manager?It’s like having a personal assistant that offers real-time dashboards for instant project monitoring and control. How cool is that? It has an integrated online Gantt chart that provides a visual timeline for project scheduling. It’s like having a crystal ball for your projects!

    And there’s more! It has an inbuilt time-tracking feature that enhances productivity. It’s like having your own personal stopwatch. Plus, it allows the generation of customizable reports for detailed project analysis. It’s like having your own personal detective for your projects.

    But, it’s not exactly a walk in the park for first-timers. And it doesn’t play nice with all the external tools and apps. If you’re a small business or a startup, or if you’re all about those third-party integrations, it might not be your cup of tea. And the pricing? Starts at $15 per user per month for the Silver Plan, then $20 for Gold, and $25 for Platinum.

    Reviews largely appreciate the tool's robust features; however, user-friendly concerns have been highlighted. It has decent ratings overall on various sites, comparable to Openair. A user named Duane who is from USA Was unhappy with Project Manager and wrote “I love your site, but I cannot download anything unless I have a "business" email domain. So when I'm contracting and using my MSN and GMAIL accounts, I'm told I can't access your stuff, which is, of course, when I need it the most!”

    7. Clarizen

    A person named Jonathon, now imagine he is a customer of Clarizen. Some of the best features Jonathon enjoys include advanced customizability for unique workflows and processes, dynamic visual timelines for project tracking, real-time collaboration within the platform, and integration with popular tools like Salesforce, JIRA, and Tableau.

    However, Jonathon acknowledges that Clarizen has some limitations. He finds the interface not very intuitive for first-time users and has experienced difficulty in configuring the software for specific needs. Jonathon also notes that Clarizen may not be a good fit for small businesses or teams on a tight budget due to its high cost and complexity. The pricing is quote-based and depends on the specific needs of the client.

    Clarizen has an average rating of 4.2/5 based on user reviews on G2, to which Jonathon disagrees, for Jonathon, Clarizen should get all 5 stars. It's noted for its helpful customer service and robust features, placing it as a strong alternative to OpenAir.

    8. Wrike

    Wrike is a project management tool that provides fluid team collaboration, project visualization, and performance metrics.

    Best Features:

    Let’s talk about Wrike. It stands out with its robust features designed to boost team productivity and facilitate project tracking. It’s like having a superpower with real-time project updates, task prioritization and scheduling, time tracking functionality, and workflow automation. Isn’t that something great! 

    Wrike is cool and all, but it’s got its own issues. It’s a bit of a headache to set up if you’re a beginner, and the options for customized reports are kinda limited. It’s probably not the best fit for really small teams or individuals, because of all its features and the price. They do offer a free version, and paid plans start at $9.80/user per month. 

    This tool has been positively reviewed for its comprehensive feature set, some users find it less user-friendly than other platforms like Openair.

    9. Mavenlink

    Mavenlink is an advanced project management and resource planning tool that provides teams with a unified platform to manage all project aspects, from file sharing and task management to financial tracking.

    Best features:

    Mavenlink offers unique features that boost project efficiency:

    • Integrated resource management
    • Comprehensive financial tools
    • Real-time business 

    However, there are a few Mavenlink limitations to keep in mind.  Well, it’s got a steep learning curve and it doesn’t have built-in email functionality. 

    Not a fit for:

    This tool is not the best choice for smaller teams or those without a dedicated project manager due to its complexity.

    While Mavenlink’s pricing details aren't publicly disclosed, they offer a free demo upon request. As with other platforms, the cost per user will depend on the chosen plan or package.

    On review sites, Mavenlink gets top marks for its robust features, but loses some due to its complex interface and steep pricing compared to Openair alternatives.

    10. Easy-project

    Easy Project is an all-inclusive project management software that offers solutions for businesses of varying scales.

    Best Features:

    And last but not least, let’s not forget about Easy Project. It has standout features that enhance project collaboration and management. It’s like having a secret weapon with interactive Gantt charts for visual project timelines, advanced analytics for detailed project insights, demand management for prioritizing projects, and resource loading simulation to prevent over allocation. How fascinating is that?

    Limitations of Easy Projects

    Easy project has a lot going for it, but there are some downsides. The customizability options are limited, and the mobile app experience isn’t the best. It might not be the best fit for startups and small businesses on a tight budget, or non-technical teams because of its complex functionality. 

    They do offer a free version, and premium versions start from $24 per user/month. But hey, it’s got pretty good reviews, scoring an average of 4.4 out of 5 on G2.com, so it’s not all bad!

    Quiz: What is the best Openair alternative for your business?

    Answer the following questions to assess which Openair alternative is best for your business.

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