How Forge stacks up.
The tools agency owners ask us about most, grouped by category. Forge isn’t another tool to buy and configure - we’re the team that builds and runs the automations around the tools you already have. Here’s where each tool fits, and where we do.
What every comparison comes down to
The differences shift by category, but four things stay constant across every comparison. These are the dimensions to weigh whichever tool is on your shortlist.
Managed (vs DIY)
Forge designs and builds every tool for you, then looks after it on your own accounts - they hand you software to configure.
Works with your existing tools
Forge builds around the tools you already use - they usually ask you to move your work into theirs.
Fully branded
Client portals and status pages carry your logo, colours and domain - clients only see your firm.
Published, flat pricing
A monthly run plan from $2,000 with your first build included - no per-seat or per-record charges.
No-code / database builders
Powerful canvases you build yourself - good if you have someone with time to build and maintain things, painful if you just want the work done.
Softr
Softr gives you a builder. Forge builds the portal for you and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want the portal and the work behind it done for you.
Notion
Notion is a great doc. Forge builds tools that take care of the work around it.
Forge verdict: Keep Notion for docs; hand the manual work to us.
Airtable
Airtable gives you a database. Forge builds what sits on top and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want the tools built and looked after for you, not another base to own.
Freelance / agency all-in-one suites
Software built for solo creatives. Useful at one client; strained at ten - and you still configure it yourself.
HoneyBook
HoneyBook is software for freelancers. Forge builds the tool your firm needs.
Forge verdict: Better once you're a team that needs tools shaped to how you work.
Bonsai
Bonsai is software for freelancers. Forge builds the tool your firm needs.
Forge verdict: Better once you outgrow a one-person suite and want the admin taken off your team.
Dubsado
Dubsado is software for solo creatives. Forge builds the tool your firm needs.
Forge verdict: Better once you have a team, a client roster and admin to take off their plates.
Project management tools
Strong for your team's internal work - keep them. The manual reporting, syncing and client updates around them are what we build tools for.
ClickUp
ClickUp is where your team works. Forge builds tools that take care of the work around it.
Forge verdict: Keep ClickUp; we build and look after the reporting, syncs and client updates around it.
Monday.com
Monday is where your team works. Forge builds tools that take care of the work around it.
Forge verdict: Keep Monday; we build and look after the reporting, syncs and client updates around it.
Asana
Asana is where your team works. Forge builds tools that take care of the work around it.
Forge verdict: Keep Asana; we build and look after the reporting, syncs and client updates around it.
Teamwork
Teamwork runs your projects. Forge builds tools that take care of the admin around them.
Forge verdict: Keep Teamwork; we build tools for the client-facing and cross-tool work it doesn't.
Wrike
Wrike is configurable enterprise PM. Forge builds what sits around it.
Forge verdict: Keep Wrike; hand us the tools nobody has time to configure.
Agency management / PSA
Systems for running the agency's internal ops - back offices, job books and resource schedulers you configure and pay for per seat. Forge isn't another system to adopt: we build tools for the manual work around whatever you run, and look after them.
Scoro
Scoro is software you configure. Forge builds it for you and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want specific workflows handled without a platform migration.
Productive
Productive is software you configure. Forge builds it for you and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want tools around your current apps, built and looked after for you.
Workamajig
Workamajig is a heavyweight agency system. Forge builds what you need and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want specific workflows handled without a heavy rollout.
Accelo
Accelo is automation software you configure. Forge builds it for you and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you'd rather a team built the tools and looked after them for you.
Function Point
Function Point manages the studio. Forge builds tools that take care of the manual work around it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want custom tools built and looked after for you.
Float
Float schedules your team. Forge builds tools that take care of the capacity and margin tracking around it.
Forge verdict: Keep Float for scheduling; we build tools for the reporting and syncs around it.
Streamtime
Streamtime runs the studio's job book. Forge builds tools that take care of the work around it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want custom tools built and looked after for you.
Kantata
Kantata is enterprise PSA. Forge builds what you need and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want specific workflows handled without an implementation project.
Deltek
Deltek is enterprise agency ERP. Forge builds what you need and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want specific workflows handled without an ERP project.
Resource Guru
Resource Guru schedules your team. Forge builds tools that take care of the work around it.
Forge verdict: Keep Resource Guru; we build tools for the reporting and client work it doesn't cover.
Adobe Workfront
Workfront is enterprise creative ops. Forge builds what you need and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want specific workflows handled without an implementation project.
Synergist
Synergist runs your back office. Forge builds tools that take care of the manual work around it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want custom tools built and looked after for you.
AI app builders
Prompt-to-app tools. Great for prototypes - but you still build, launch and maintain everything they generate.
Lovable
Lovable helps you build an app. Forge builds it for you and looks after it.
Forge verdict: Better if you want it built and looked after by a team.
Replit
Replit is a coding environment. Forge is a team that builds for you.
Forge verdict: Better if you're an agency owner, not an engineer.
Skip the setup. Get the tool, looked after.
Forge builds custom software for people businesses - agencies, accountants, lawyers, consultants, recruiters - and looks after it on a monthly plan. It starts with a 2-week ops audit.