CAD · head to head
3D-Coat vs Buildertrend

Buildertrend
Construction
Construction project management for home builders and remodelers
- From
- $199/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 3D-Coat specific pricing not disclosed on website; Buildertrend pricing is by quote only, with no rate, plan name or minimum published on the pricing page
- They diverge on capability: 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Buildertrend covers Project scheduling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which 3D-Coat and Buildertrend actually diverge.
| Attribute | 3D-Coat | Buildertrend |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | $199/month |
| Pricing model | one-time | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | CAD | Construction |
| Founded | 2007 | 2006 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in 3D-Coat
- Voxel sculpting
- Surface sculpting
- Retopology
- UV mapping
- Texture painting
- PBR materials
- Smart materials
- Baking
Only in Buildertrend
- Project scheduling
- Customer management
- Financial tracking
- Selections management
- Change orders
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- Zillow
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
3D-Coat
- Voxel sculpting from a digital clay blocknot Buildertrend
- Retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshesnot Buildertrend
- UV mapping and PBR texturingnot Buildertrend
- Preparing print-ready models for 3D printingnot Buildertrend
- Node-based material authoring on the GPUnot Buildertrend
Buildertrend
- Running scheduling, budgets, change orders and client communication for a residential construction businessnot 3D-Coat
- Giving homeowners a client portal to approve selections and view progressnot 3D-Coat
- Consolidating estimating, purchase orders and job costing for custom home builders and remodelersnot 3D-Coat
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
3D-Coat
- Specific pricing not disclosed on website
- 3DCoatPrint free version limited to 40K triangles on export
- Requires contacting sales or visiting store for pricing details
Buildertrend
- Pricing is by quote only, with no rate, plan name or minimum published on the pricing page
- Getting a price requires completing a multi-step form declaring builder type and annual construction volume, then booking a call with a sales representative
- The only published discount is 10% off for paying annually upfront
Pricing, plan by plan
3D-Coat
$29/month- Amateur$99/month
- Non-commercial use
- Professional$379/month
- Full commercial license
- Floating$568/month
- Network licensing
Buildertrend
$199/month- Essential$499/month
- Unlimited projects and users
- Schedule, to-do lists, customer portal
- Proposals and email marketing
- Advanced$799/month
- All Essential features
- Advanced estimating and change orders
- Takeoff tool for materials
- Complete$1099/month
- All Advanced features
- Selections and warranty management
- RFI and cost inbox features
- Buildertrend Boost$100/month
- Dedicated setup and account managers
- Customized onboarding and configuration
- Personalized coaching and strategic reviews
Which should you pick?
Choose 3D-Coat if
- You need voxel sculpting.
- You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
- You also want surface sculpting.
Choose Buildertrend if
- You need project scheduling.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want customer management.
Questions people ask
- Is 3D-Coat or Buildertrend better?
- Neither clearly leads. 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Buildertrend at $199/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, 3D-Coat or Buildertrend?
- 3D-Coat starts at $29/month and Buildertrend at $199/month.
- Does 3D-Coat or Buildertrend run on more platforms?
- 3D-Coat runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. Buildertrend runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- What is 3D-Coat best used for?
- 3D-Coat is most often used for voxel sculpting from a digital clay block, retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes, uv mapping and pbr texturing, preparing print-ready models for 3d printing. Of those, voxel sculpting from a digital clay block and retopology of high-density sculpts into production meshes are not what Buildertrend is typically brought in for.
- What can 3D-Coat do that Buildertrend cannot?
- 3D-Coat covers Voxel sculpting, Surface sculpting, Retopology, UV mapping. Buildertrend covers Project scheduling, Customer management, Financial tracking, Selections management.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
3D-Coat: Is there a free version of 3D Coat?
Yes, 3D Coat offers multiple free options. 3DCoatPrint is a special free version designed for 3D print-ready models, limited to 40K triangles on export. Additionally, a 30-day unlimited trial is available for the full version.
SourceBuildertrend: What are Buildertrend's monthly subscription prices?
Buildertrend offers three plans: Essential at $499/month, Advanced at $799/month, and Complete at $1,099/month. All include first-month discounts of $300, reducing starting costs to $199, $499, and $799 respectively.
Source3D-Coat: What is the 30-day trial period for 3D Coat?
3D Coat provides a 30-day trial with unlimited learning resources. The trial grants full access to all tools needed to create production-ready, fully textured 3D models.
SourceBuildertrend: What is Buildertrend Boost and does it cost extra?
Buildertrend Boost is an optional add-on program costing $100 per month. It includes dedicated account managers, customized setup, personalized coaching, and strategic business reviews to help you maximize the platform.
Source3D-Coat: Does 3D Coat offer specialized versions?
Yes, 3D Coat offers 3DCoatTextura as a specialized version focused on texturing and rendering at a more affordable price than the full 3DCoat version.
SourceBuildertrend: Does Buildertrend offer discounts for annual billing?
Yes, Buildertrend offers annual pricing discounts. For example, the Essential plan saves $1,799 per year, Advanced saves $2,159 per year, and Complete saves $2,519 per year when billed annually versus monthly.
SourceBuildertrend: Are there unlimited users and projects included?
Yes, all Buildertrend plans include unlimited projects and users, allowing you to add employees, subcontractors, and clients at no additional cost per user.
SourceRelated pages
More on Buildertrend
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- Buildertrend vs SketchUp
- Buildertrend vs Procore
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