So… budgeting.

Yeah, we know. Just the word makes your eyes glaze over a little. But here’s the thing: when you’re not knee-deep in spreadsheets or don’t have a project manager breathing down your neck, it can feel like budgeting is someone else’s job. Until it’s not.

Maybe you’re a startup founder. Or someone in ops. Or the unofficial “organized one” in your group who’s suddenly managing timelines and money. No matter who you are, if you’re responsible for keeping a team on track (and on budget), you’ve probably Googled something like:

“Simple budgeting tools that won’t drive me nuts”

Good news. August Shah, the founder of Partner Management Group, has been there too. And he’s pulled together his favorite tools that make budgeting less painful—and dare we say, kind of fun?

1. ClickUp: For the Visual Thinker Who Needs to Track Budgets Without Losing Their Mind

Let’s start with ClickUp. If you’re someone who loves checking things off a list but also needs to see how that task affects your budget, this one’s for you.

ClickUp isn’t just about tasks—it lets you plug in budgets at the project level, track time, and even compare what you thought you’d spend with what you’re actually spending. It’s like a reality check, but without the shame spiral.

Why August recommends it:

“ClickUp gives you this full-picture view of your project timelines and budgets without switching between five apps. It keeps everything in one place, so you can make better decisions faster.”

Perfect for you if:

• You want budgeting to feel less like accounting and more like organizing a giant to-do list
• You like dashboards that don’t look like a 1990s Excel nightmare
• You manage a small team and need to keep projects and finances aligned

2. Teamwork.com: For When You’re Juggling Projects and Need to See the Dollars Behind the Chaos

Ever feel like you’re herding cats across a finish line—except those cats have invoices, expenses, and time logs? That’s where Teamwork.com shines.

It was built with agencies in mind, but it works great for any small team that handles multiple clients or projects at once. You can track every hour spent on a task, assign billable rates, and get a running total of what a project is costing you in real time.

Why August recommends it:

“Teamwork is great for folks who need to manage multiple projects and budgets simultaneously. You get time tracking, task management, and budget insights without needing to be a finance pro.”

Perfect for you if:

• You bill clients or work with contractors
• You like breaking big projects into smaller pieces (and keeping costs attached to each piece)

• You want reports that actually make sense

3. FreshBooks: For the One-Person Show or Tiny Team That Needs to Keep it Simple

Let’s be honest—sometimes you’re just looking for something easy. You don’t need every bell and whistle. You just want to send an invoice, track your time, and know where your money’s going.

FreshBooks is like QuickBooks’ cooler, simpler cousin. It gives you what you need—time tracking, invoicing, expense logging—without making you feel like you need a finance degree to use it.

Why August recommends it:

“FreshBooks is a no-brainer if you’re handling your own finances or don’t have a dedicated bookkeeper. It’s fast, intuitive, and makes invoicing weirdly satisfying.”

Perfect for you if:

• You’re a freelancer, consultant, or solopreneur
• You want to track hours and turn them into invoices (like, instantly)
• You’ve tried QuickBooks and wanted to cry

So, Which One Should You Pick?

Honestly? It depends on what you’re after.

• ClickUp is for people who love lists and dashboards.
• Teamwork.com is great if you’ve got multiple moving pieces.
• FreshBooks keeps it simple if you’re a team of one (or close to it).

You really can’t go wrong with any of them—it’s more about what fits how you already work.

What Happens When You Don’t Use Budgeting Software?

This isn’t a scare tactic, but not having a budgeting system is kind of like driving cross-country with no map. You’ll burn through gas, take wrong turns, and maybe end up broke in the middle of nowhere.

Budgeting software isn’t about micromanaging every penny. It’s about clarity. It’s knowing what you’re spending your time and money on—and what’s worth it.

It means fewer awkward “wait… how much did we spend on that?” moments. And more high-fives when you come in under budget.

Budgeting, But Make It Make Sense

You don’t need to be a project manager to think like one. Tools like ClickUp, Teamwork.com, and FreshBooks make it possible for any team—small, scrappy, or somewhere in-between—to budget smarter.

And when you budget smarter, you get to spend more time doing the work you actually care about.

Need help choosing what works best for you? That’s kind of our thing. Shoot us a message, and we’ll help you figure it out—no pressure, no boring stuff, and absolutely no jargon.