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Head-to-head · Social Work Case Management

Bonterra Penelope vs CHARMS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Bonterra Penelope #3 in Social Work Case Management 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 1 features Visit Bonterra
CHARMS #6 in Social Work Case Management 7.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 1 features Visit CHARMS

Bonterra Penelope leads on 0 checks, CHARMS on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBonterra Penelope · 8.4/10
  • Most featuresBonterra Penelope · 1 of 1

Bonterra Penelope scores higher on our rubric for social work case management: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Bonterra Penelope is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise social-service organizations. CHARMS is the better fit for multi-agency teams managing placements and care plans.

  • Bonterra Penelope fits best

    Mid-market and enterprise social-service organizations

  • CHARMS fits best

    Multi-agency teams managing placements and care plans

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Bonterra Penelope 8.4/10 Visit ↗ CHARMS 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
Ranking #3 in Social Work Case Management #6 in Social Work Case Management
Best for Mid-market and enterprise social-service organizations Multi-agency teams managing placements and care plans
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Compliance ISO 27001 GDPR
Integrations 1 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Bonterra Penelope 1/1 · CHARMS 0/1
Client portal ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Case management features Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Reporting tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
Documented integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Centralizes client information and supports configurable forms and fields
  • Includes reporting and outcomes measurement for service delivery
  • Offers a mobile client portal through ClientConnect
  • Links referrals and placements with care plans and outcome tracking
  • Chronological records, audit trails and role-based access controls
  • Secure portals support multi-agency collaboration
Cons
  • Pricing is provided through customer order forms, not public plan listings
  • Online SaaS access is through a web browser; the listed platform is web
  • Broader integration options are not detailed beyond ClientConnect
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Designed for social care rather than general-purpose case management
  • Web-only access may not suit teams seeking a dedicated mobile app
Our verdict

Bonterra Penelope is a cloud-based case and outcomes management system for nonprofit, community-service, and public-sector organizations. It is aimed at teams that need to centralize client information, configure forms and fields, and…

Read the review →

CHARMS is a cloud-based case management platform for organisations delivering children's and adults' social care. Its settings include fostering, adoption, residential care, supported accommodation, shared lives, family hubs, homelessness…

Read the review →
  1. Bonterra PenelopeSocial Work Case Management 8.4Pricing on request
  2. CHARMSSocial Work Case Management 7.9Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Bonterra Penelope — where it wins

    • Centralizes client information and supports configurable forms and fields
    • Includes reporting and outcomes measurement for service delivery
    • Offers a mobile client portal through ClientConnect

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is provided through customer order forms, not public plan listings
    • Online SaaS access is through a web browser; the listed platform is web
    • Broader integration options are not detailed beyond ClientConnect

  • CHARMS — where it wins

    • Links referrals and placements with care plans and outcome tracking
    • Chronological records, audit trails and role-based access controls
    • Secure portals support multi-agency collaboration

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Designed for social care rather than general-purpose case management
    • Web-only access may not suit teams seeking a dedicated mobile app
  • Bonterra Penelope8.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A configurable case-management system for organizations tracking client services and outcomes.

    Visit BonterraFull verdict →
  • CHARMS7.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad care-record and placement system for teams coordinating services across agencies.

    Visit CHARMSFull verdict →

More comparisons

All social work case management comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update