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Construction · head to head

Builderbox vs Topcon MAGNET

Builderbox logo

Builderbox

Construction

Construction bidding and project management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Topcon MAGNET logo

Topcon MAGNET

Construction

Field, office and cloud software for surveying and civil construction, built around Topcon instruments

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Builderbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Builderbox free plan offers limited features; paid plans required for full functionality; Topcon MAGNET mAGNET is built around Topcon and Sokkia hardware, so a firm running mixed instrument brands will not get the field workflows it expects and is better served by manufacturer-independent field software.
  • They diverge on capability: Builderbox covers Bid management, Topcon MAGNET covers MAGNET Field.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Builderbox and Topcon MAGNET actually diverge.

Attributes where Builderbox and Topcon MAGNET differ
AttributeBuilderboxTopcon MAGNET
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Android, Web
Founded2018Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction).

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 Builderbox

  • Bid management
  • Project discovery
  • Subcontractor network
  • Document sharing
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Procore
  • QuickBooks
  • DocuSign

Only in Topcon MAGNET

  • MAGNET Field
  • MAGNET Office
  • MAGNET Enterprise
  • Machine control model preparation
  • Mass haul and earthwork
  • Point layout and stakeout
  • Live field to office link
  • Standard format exchange

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Builderbox

  • Bid managementnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Project sourcingnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Subcontractor qualificationnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Pre-constructionnot Topcon MAGNET

Topcon MAGNET

  • A civil contractor running Topcon grade control that needs design models prepared and pushed to machines from one environmentnot Builderbox
  • A survey crew doing construction layout with Topcon total stations and wanting field data to reach the office without a memory cardnot Builderbox
  • An earthworks estimator producing takeoff quantities and mass haul plans from engineering drawingsnot Builderbox
  • A firm standardising on one manufacturer end to end to reduce the number of software packages its crews have to learnnot Builderbox

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Builderbox

  • Free plan offers limited features; paid plans required for full functionality
  • Pricing structure varies significantly across sources ($19/month to $99+/user/month)
  • Limited offline capabilities for field teams
  • Integration with design tools limited to specific versions of Autodesk and Bluebeam

Topcon MAGNET

  • MAGNET is built around Topcon and Sokkia hardware, so a firm running mixed instrument brands will not get the field workflows it expects and is better served by manufacturer-independent field software.
  • Topcon does not publish a rate card and sells through dealers, so two customers can pay materially different prices for the same licences depending on region and negotiation.
  • Cloud connectivity through MAGNET Enterprise is commonly bundled for the first year and then charged, which surprises firms that budgeted only for the licence.
  • Office capability is spread across modules and disciplines rather than sold as one product, so getting from data collection to machine control model preparation can require more than one purchase.
  • The office desktop software is Windows only and the wider line has been reorganised more than once, so buyers should confirm which specific product name their dealer is quoting and how long it will be supported.

Pricing, plan by plan

Builderbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Project discovery
    • Basic bid management
    • Email notifications
  • Pro$99/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Advanced analytics
    • Subcontractor management

Topcon MAGNET

On request
  • MAGNET Field$undefined/year
    • Data collector licence
    • Sold through Topcon dealers
    • Annual service plan renewals available
  • MAGNET Office$undefined/year
    • Desktop licence with modules by discipline
    • Includes cloud connectivity for a first year
    • Renewal quoted separately
  • MAGNET Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Cloud project storage and field to office exchange
    • Subscription renewed annually
    • Bundled initially with Office licences

Which should you pick?

Choose Builderbox if

  • You need bid management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want project discovery.
Builderbox review

Choose Topcon MAGNET if

  • You need magnet field.
  • You work on Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want magnet office.
Topcon MAGNET review

Questions people ask

Is Builderbox or Topcon MAGNET better?
Neither clearly leads. Builderbox starts at Free and Topcon MAGNET at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Builderbox or Topcon MAGNET?
Builderbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Builderbox and On request for Topcon MAGNET.
Does Builderbox or Topcon MAGNET run on more platforms?
Builderbox runs on Web, Ios, Android. Topcon MAGNET runs on Windows, Android, Web.
Can I use Builderbox for free?
Yes. Builderbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Topcon MAGNET starts at On request.
What is Builderbox best used for?
Builderbox is most often used for bid management, project sourcing, subcontractor qualification, pre-construction. Of those, bid management and project sourcing are not what Topcon MAGNET is typically brought in for.
What can Builderbox do that Topcon MAGNET cannot?
Builderbox covers Bid management, Project discovery, Subcontractor network, Document sharing. Topcon MAGNET covers MAGNET Field, MAGNET Office, MAGNET Enterprise, Machine control model preparation.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Builderbox: Does Builderbox offer a free plan?

Builderbox offers a free-forever plan with limited features. Paid plans start from $19/month with more comprehensive functionality.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Does MAGNET work with Trimble or Leica instruments?

Not as a practical daily workflow. It exchanges standard file formats but the field software is designed for Topcon and Sokkia hardware.

Builderbox: What are the core features of Builderbox?

Builderbox includes document controls, file sharing, issue tracking, punch listing, photo sharing, plan rooms, daily reporting, RFIs, change orders, payment applications, scheduling, and labor tracking.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Is pricing published?

No. MAGNET is sold through Topcon dealers with quotes varying by region and configuration.

Builderbox: Is Builderbox available on mobile devices?

Yes, Builderbox has mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android, allowing field teams to access documents and tracking tools on-site.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Is the cloud service included?

Typically for a first year with a licence, then renewable as a paid subscription.

Builderbox: Does Builderbox integrate with other construction tools?

Builderbox integrates with Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM 360, and Bluebeam Revu for improved workflow management.

Source
Topcon MAGNET: Can I get my data out at project closeout?

Yes, through LandXML, DXF and standard survey exchange formats, though field-specific configuration does not transfer to a competitor.

Builderbox: Can Builderbox handle multi-site project management?

Builderbox supports multi-location construction projects with centralized reporting, though feature availability varies by plan tier.

Source
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