Deltek Costpoint vs Unanet: Which GovCon ERP Fits Your Firm In 2027?

Last updated: November 14, 2026

Deltek Costpoint is the better fit for large contractors with complex cost structures, manufacturing or many legal entities, and for firms whose auditors and staff already know it. Unanet is usually the better fit for small and mid-sized project-based contractors that want a modern interface, faster implementation and built-in CRM and resource planning. Both can support an adequate accounting system when configured well.

Both systems are built for government contractors, so the decision is less about features on paper and more about complexity, growth path and implementation capacity.

Costpoint vs Unanet At A Glance

Factor	Deltek Costpoint	Unanet GovCon ERP
Typical customer	Large and complex contractors	Small to mid-sized project-based contractors
Strengths	Depth in cost accounting, manufacturing, materials and multi-entity work	Usability, project management, timekeeping and CRM in one platform
Implementation	Longer and more resource-intensive	Generally faster
Talent pool	Large pool of experienced Costpoint users and consultants	Growing pool of partners and users
Pricing	Quote-based	Quote-based

Where Costpoint Wins

• Complex indirect rate structures and many cost pools
• Manufacturing, materials and production programs
• Large multi-entity organizations
• Contractors that want the system auditors see most often among large primes

Where Unanet Wins

• Faster time to value for growing firms
• Project, resource and pipeline management in one product
• Ease of use for project managers and employees
• Lower overhead for firms without large finance teams

Implementation And Total Cost

Licenses are only part of the cost. Implementation, data migration, configuration of indirect rates and training often decide the total. Ask both vendors and their partners for fixed-scope estimates and references from contractors your size and contract mix.

Which Should You Choose?

You are under a few hundred employees with mostly services work

Start with Unanet.

You manufacture products or run large cost-plus programs

Costpoint is likely the safer choice.

You expect rapid growth or acquisitions

Evaluate both against where you will be in five years, not today.

You are still small

Consider Procas or another option from our GovCon accounting and ERP list first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unanet DCAA compliant?

No software is certified as DCAA compliant. Unanet, like Costpoint, provides the functions contractors use to build an adequate accounting system when configured correctly.

Is Costpoint too big for a small contractor?

Often, yes. Small contractors usually find lighter systems faster and cheaper to run until their contracts and cost structures grow.

Can I migrate from QuickBooks to Unanet or Costpoint?

Yes. Plan the migration around your fiscal year and indirect rate structure, and validate balances carefully.

Which is easier to use?

Users commonly describe Unanet as easier for everyday project and timekeeping tasks, while Costpoint offers more depth for complex accounting.

Conclusion

Choose Costpoint for complexity and scale, and Unanet for speed, usability and growth in services contracting. Either way, invest in a GovCon-savvy implementation partner and read our DCAA compliance guide before configuration starts.

For more rankings, comparisons and guides on this topic, visit the Defense & Government Contracting hub.