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Archian or CMap?

CMap is the biggest name in UK practice software, and a good choice for a large practice. Archian is made for smaller ones.

What CMap does

CMap sells to architects, engineers and consultants of every size, from 10 people to 1,000. It covers contacts, job costing, forecasting, staff planning, timesheets, invoicing and reports. It connects to Xero, Sage and QuickBooks.

What it costs

CMap doesn't publish its prices, so you book a demo to find out.

Where CMap is stronger

  • It plans staff across a large practice, and forecasts the year ahead.
  • It has a team to move your data across.
  • It has more than 10 years in the UK market, and a long list of customers.

Where Archian is different

  • It's made for 3 to 30 people. An owner who still designs can run it without a finance team.
  • Our price is on our website. It's about £49 a person a month plus VAT.
  • You build the budget first. The quote comes from the budget, so you know the gross profit before the client sees a price.
  • It covers more of the practice. Applications, the cost plan, leave, reviews, CPD, recruitment, people planning, and the business model and objectives are all in the same place, for one price.
  • We do the move. Your projects, clients and quotes come across before day one.

Choose CMap if

You have a large practice with several offices or departments, and want an account manager and a migration team.

Choose Archian if

You have 3 to 30 people, and you run your projects on a spreadsheet or a tool you've outgrown. You want to see the price before you talk to anyone.

Facts about CMap checked 1 November 2026, against its own website and the sources below. Tell us if something has changed.

See it on your own projects.

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