The construction software market is jam-packed with point solutions for every possible task on a construction site. How do you cut through the noise and decide what the best software options are for you?
Check out a quick overview of our top picks for point solutions, and then read on to discover how to pick the best ones for your company.
Or, go ahead and jump straight to our construction software buying guide!
Best BIM Collaboration Software
Who it's for
Owners, Architects, General Contractors, Engineers, Estimators, Superintendents
What Bluebeam does best
Bluebeam Revu enables teams to easily collaborate over plans with advanced functionality related to BIM. It's perfect for take-offs and estimating when detailed information about every aspect of a building is required.
Why you should use Bluebeam
- Able to convert CAD documents into 2D and 3D PDFs
- Straightforward markup and measurement tools for document collaboration
- Simplified design review process to get construction started faster and more accurately
Bluebeam Pricing
- Basics $240/user
- Core $300/user
- Complete $400/user
Best Daily Reporting Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Subcontractors, Owners
What Raken does best
Raken gets rid of the paperwork associated with daily reporting on construction sites. With their app, construction firms no longer need to write daily reports and then upload them to a computer. Everything that needs to be recorded on site is input into smart phones and then instantly sent to the cloud for secure storage.
Why you should use Raken
- Provides key information from daily reports in one location
- Instant company-branded reports exportable as PDFs
- "Super-daily reports" provide all your subcontractor reports in one document
Raken Pricing
- Variable pricing based on your requirements.
Best Blueprint Management Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Owners, and Architects
What PlanGrid does best
PlanGrid is a relative newcomer to the construction software industry, but they have made a quick and distinct impression as being the leader in blueprint management. Their software eliminates the need to lug drawings between sites, and ensures everyone works off the most up-to-date construction documents.
Why you should use PlanGrid
There are a number of features that help PlanGrid distinguish itself:
- Simple measurements and markup capabilities
- Intuitive user interface for easy navigation
- Pre-rendered sheets for quick load times
PlanGrid Pricing
- $39/Month/User for 550 Sheets
- $59/Month/User for 5,000 Sheets
- $119/Month/User for Unlimited Sheets
Update: Autodesk Build
Though Autodesk acquired PlanGrid and incorporated the app into Autodesk Build, there are no plans to stop investment in PlanGrid.
That said, you should consider adopting Autodesk Build for a broader set of capabilities, if it aligns with your needs.
Autodesk Build pairs PlanGrid's field-first tools with BIM 360's documentation abilities, Insights's A.I. risk mitigation, and Autodesk Docs's common data environment.
Autodesk Build Pricing
- $41/Month/User for 550 Sheets (only available as an annual subscription)
- $85/Month/User for 5,000 Sheets
- $145/Month/User for Unlimited Sheets
Best Multi-Purpose Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Project Managers, Superintendents, Accountants
What Procore does best
Procore labels itself as a ‘Construction OS.’ The company offers a software package designed to replace the old pen and paper processes of the construction business. From payroll to punchlists, Procore has created a digital form for everything and provided a central repository in which to organize it.
Why you should use Procore
- Simple integration with a wide amount of software
- Digital processes for the entire project lifecycle
- Robust support team
Procore Pricing
Variable pricing based on your requirements.
Best Equipment Management Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Project Managers, Superintendents, Accountants
What HCSS does best
HCSS is a construction industry veteran, and has developed a suite of products meant to streamline construction management. Their software is unique in offering a number of solutions for fleet and equipment management including fuel and GPS tracking, dispatching, and maintenance.
Why you should use HCSS
- Automated workflows eliminates the need to track down equipment statuses and locations
- Eliminate fuel waste with an affordable, simple fuel management solution
- See the total cost of your equipment including maintenance, fuel, and depreciation to know how much you’re actually spending
HCSS Pricing
Variable pricing based on which solutions you need.
Best UAV Mapping Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Project Managers, Superintendents
What DroneDeploy does best
DroneDeploy is the industry leader when it comes to planning, flying, and processing drone missions. Their software will help you get in the air, capture your project, and process the imagery into an orthograph, all with just a few clicks.
Why you should use DroneDeploy
- Utilize UAV technology to turn aerial images into business insights.
- Survey sites accurately in real time.
- Keep projects on track with progress photos
- Collect and calibrate site development.
DroneDeploy Pricing
- $329/month for Individual
- $599/month for Advanced
- Contact DroneDeploy for Enterprise Plan
Best Construction Accounting Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Project Managers, Accountants
What QuickBooks Enterprise does best
As a legacy software player, QuickBooks Enterprise is a reliable platform with a wide breadth of integrations.
Why you should use QuickBooks Enterprise
- Track inventory in multiple locations.
- Serial or lot number tracking.
- FIFO or average cost accounting.
- Mobile inventory barcode scanning.
- Customize inventory reporting.
- Bin location tracking.
QuickBooks Enterprise Pricing
- $30/month for Simple Start
- $55/month for Essentials
- $85/month for Plus
- $200/month for Advanced
Best Preconstruction Software
Who it's for
General Contractors, Subcontractors, Owners
What BuildingConnected does best
BuildingConnected is a younger software company that has emerged at the forefront of preconstruction software. They streamline the bidding process by keeping your bid team on the same page, helping you avoid missed deadlines and win more bids.
Why you should use BuildingConnected
- Manage sealed bids electronically.
- Streamline business and communication.
- Bid management.
- Bid leveling.
- Find and qualify subs.
- Company-wide analytics.
BuildingConnected Pricing
Variable pricing based on which solutions you need.
Construction Software Buying Guide
There’s an overwhelming amount of software on the market. Not only can it be expensive, if it doesn’t fit well into your workflow, it can have disastrous consequences. To make sure you purchase the best solution for your team, first ask yourself the following questions:
What are the pain points in your workflow?
What is the most frustrating, complicated, or expensive part of your workday? There’s likely a software solution out there designed to eliminate this issue. Make a list of the problems you want to address, and then use that as a reference point when looking at software options.
Is there a process you’re spending more money on than you want to?
One of the biggest advantages of construction software is its ability to organize and track expenditures. If you feel like you are spending more money than your competitors in a specific area, then it is likely that the right software could help you identify and resolve the problem.
Is there a specific aspect of your business you want to improve?
You don’t have to be having a problem to look for construction software. You may just want to expand your capacity to take on projects. In this case, you need to look at what aspects of your business are limiting your ability to grow. Look for a software solution that will address as many of those workflows as possible, and go from there.
Who needs access to the software?
Many construction software companies charge per user, so it’s important to determine who needs access to the platform. If you want to bring your entire organization onto the software, it might not make sense to opt for a platform that charges per person.
Steps to Take Before Purchasing Construction Software
1. Do your research
Identify your issues and needs, then turn to Google and your professional network to see what solutions are out there. Create a spreadsheet that identifies the features you want in your software, and visit the websites of each company to see how they address each of your wants.
2. Ask your team what they want
If your team doesn’t like a piece of software, they’re not going to use it to its full capacity. It won’t matter what features they offer, without the willingness to adopt the technology, your money will be going to waste. Bring your team a couple of options, see what they think, and then take their feedback to heart and refine your search.
3. Get an online demo
Once you’ve identified the handful of platforms you’re interested in, request online demos from each company. They will walk you through the software, explain how it will fit into your workflow, and give you a price quote. You shouldn’t pay for any software until you see it in action, and this hands-on demo will give you a good feel for how you will like the software.
4. Do a cost/benefit analysis
By this time you should have narrowed your search down to two options, and you should have the data to compare how much the software will cost and how much it will save you. Perform a brief analysis to see which software will offer the most value.
5. Run it back by your team
Even if you have found your favorite, run both options back by your team and see what they like. Remember, even if one software looks like it will save you more money, if your team doesn’t use or like it, those benefits won’t exist for you.
6. Try the Software on a Test Project
Once you have made a final decision, DON'T roll it out to all of your projects. It's tempting, but you need to test it on a real project to see how well your team adopts it, and to see if it performs as expected. This way, if you encounter a problem, you can avoid it affecting all your projects. After an initial trial, you should have a good idea whether the software is right for you or if you should look for other options.
Conclusion
Construction software should save you time, money, and energy. It should make your life easier and your company more profitable. You should feel more organized and less stressed because it’s solving your problems. Unfortunately, the wrong software can have the opposite effect. If you follow our basic guide to purchasing construction software, you should end up with the best solution for your business.
Remember:
1. Do your research
2. Talk to your team
3. Get a demo
4. See how the software fits your workflow
5. Talk to your team again
6. Try it out on a project before rolling it out company wide
As you evaluate potential software, it's critical to focus on ease-of-use in the field. Even the most powerful software can fall flat if there's a breakdown in field-to-office communication.
This is why Unearth developed OnePlace for Civil Construction.
Ensure field adoption with simple, digital tools
Skip the hours spent searching for files and squinting at spreadsheets, and discover a more intuitive way to organize your data and document your project: digital mapping. Streamline project collaboration with Unearth’s geospatial software.
Use satellite imagery as a base layer before pinning plans to their real-world locations, geo-locating thousands of photos, and viewing the status of field work - inspections or permitting, for instance - in real-time. For even more context, geo-reference your 360 photos, BIM models, and drone imagery.
Get started supporting the field today
Launch your 30-day free trial of Unearth's map-based software.
Reduce delays, create accurate as-builts, and ensure a high-quality project turnover with OnePlace™.
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