Kuali vs Streamlyne: eRA Software Comparison
Background and Market Presence
Kuali: Kuali, Inc. originated from a 2004 university-led open-source initiative to build higher-ed administrative software. It became a for-profit company in 2014. Kuali offers multiple products (Student, Financials, Research, etc.). Its research administration module, originally “Kuali Coeus” and now known as Kuali Research, was co-developed with partner universities. Kuali is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.
Streamlyne: Streamlyne is a specialized eRA software company founded in the early 2000s, solely focused on research administration. Trusted by a growing number of institutions, Streamlyne has gained momentum through its unified platform and strong customer service. In 2023, Iowa State University selected Streamlyne for its integrated modules, cloud-based architecture, and leading uptime guarantees.
Feature Set Comparison
Kuali and Streamlyne both offer full lifecycle eRA systems with modules for proposal development, award management, subawards, and compliance (e.g. IRB, IACUC, COI). However, their approaches differ:
- Streamlyne is built on a unified codebase—every module is part of a single platform by design. This eliminates silos and improves data consistency.
- Kuali, while integrated, often relies on external tools like Kuali Build for custom forms and workflows, and its components have roots in different projects, which can impact cohesiveness.
Notably, Streamlyne includes FundFit, a built-in AI-powered funding search and researcher-matching tool—a capability that is proprietary only to Streamlyne.
Pricing and Contract Terms
Kuali typically uses a per-module pricing model, which can result in higher costs as more modules are added. Streamlyne offers bundled pricing with its full suite, making it more cost-effective for institutions seeking a comprehensive eRA solution (Streamlyne Value).
Streamlyne is also known for flexible, transparent contracts. By contrast, Kuali’s contracts may require multi-year commitments and can become more expensive with add-ons and configuration needs.
System Performance and Reliability
Streamlyne boasts a 100% uptime track record over multiple years, hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure and offering rapid disaster recovery.
Kuali targets 99.9% uptime and uses a modern SaaS model, but institutions have reported occasional downtime during major updates or upgrades. While Kuali has improved deployment processes, Streamlyne’s public uptime pledge is a strong differentiator.
Reporting and Analytics
- Streamlyne offers real-time reporting, with live dashboards and analytics, including tools like the HERD Survey Visualizer.
- Kuali’s reporting relies on nightly data updates (batch processing), which can delay time-sensitive metrics. It supports data exports and third-party BI integrations, but lacks the immediacy of Streamlyne’s built-in tools.
Support and Training
Both vendors offer training and customer support, but their delivery models differ:
- Streamlyne is praised for 24/7 support, hands-on onboarding, and a high-touch service model (Streamlyne Support).
- Kuali provides standard support SLAs via its Help Center, including user guides and community forums. Some institutions report slower turnaround for non-urgent issues.
Streamlyne also hosts an annual Streamlyne Up! user conference and offers ongoing product education via its SPARC user portal.
Integration with Campus Systems
- Kuali supports robust REST APIs and integrates with systems like Ellucian Banner, PeopleSoft, and Workday.
- Streamlyne is a certified Workday integration partner and supports Oracle, SAP, and homegrown systems. Its API-first design and real-time sync capabilities make it highly adaptable to campus infrastructure.
Both support single sign-on, data warehousing, and system-to-system (S2S) Grants.gov submission.
Cloud Infrastructure, Data Security, and Compliance
Both platforms are hosted in the cloud and meet enterprise security standards, including:
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
- HIPAA readiness
- Role-based access controls
- Data encryption in transit and at rest
Streamlyne benefits from being an AWS Select Tier Partner, giving it access to top-tier infrastructure and compliance tools.
User Sentiment and Feedback
- Kuali – Has its own user base and feedback process.
- Streamlyne consistently earns high praise for intuitive design, helpful support, and strong uptime. Clients often describe Streamlyne as a true partner rather than just a vendor.
Community Involvement
- Kuali maintains a community presence through its open-source legacy, Kuali Days conference, and collaborative feedback model.
- Streamlyne fosters community through its SPARC portal, annual user summits, and participation in research administration associations like NCURA and SRA.
In Conclusion
While each system has its merits, many institutions ultimately choose Streamlyne for its singular focus on research administration, unified platform architecture, and unwavering commitment to client success. With real-time data access, built-in funding intelligence, seamless compliance modules, and an exceptional support model, Streamlyne empowers research offices to streamline operations, reduce administrative burden, and focus on advancing their institutional mission. For universities seeking a modern, integrated, and dependable eRA solution tailored exclusively for research excellence, Streamlyne stands out as a compelling choice.
The above is based on our understanding as of July 3, 2025. If any information is found to be outdated or incorrect, we will gladly update accordingly upon review and verification of written request.
