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Software · head to head

Buildertrend vs SketchUp

Buildertrend logo

Buildertrend

Software

Construction project management for home builders and remodelers

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SketchUp logo

SketchUp

Software

3D design software for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SketchUp has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Buildertrend pricing is by quote only, with no rate, plan name or minimum published on the pricing page; SketchUp studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • They diverge on capability: Buildertrend covers Project scheduling, SketchUp covers 3D modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Buildertrend and SketchUp actually diverge.

Attributes where Buildertrend and SketchUp differ
AttributeBuildertrendSketchUp
Starting price$99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only)
Founded20061978

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

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 Buildertrend

  • Project scheduling
  • Customer management
  • Financial tracking
  • Selections management
  • Change orders
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • Zillow

Only in SketchUp

  • 3D modeling
  • 2D documentation
  • Rendering
  • Animation
  • Extension warehouse
  • 3D Warehouse
  • LayOut
  • V-Ray

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Buildertrend

  • Running scheduling, budgets, change orders and client communication for a residential construction businessnot SketchUp
  • Giving homeowners a client portal to approve selections and view progressnot SketchUp
  • Consolidating estimating, purchase orders and job costing for custom home builders and remodelersnot SketchUp

SketchUp

  • 3D architectural design and visualizationnot Buildertrend
  • Product design and prototypingnot Buildertrend
  • Interior design planningnot Buildertrend
  • Real estate visualizationnot Buildertrend

Where each one falls short

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

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

SketchUp

  • Studio tier limited to Windows only; not available for macOS or Linux
  • Go tier restricted to iPad and web—no desktop application access
  • LayOut (documentation tool) only available in Pro and Studio tiers
  • 1000+ extensions library only available in Pro and Studio; Go has limited extension access

Pricing, plan by plan

Buildertrend

$99/month
  • Core$99/month
    • Project scheduling
    • Daily logs
    • Photo management
  • Pro$299/month
    • Everything in Core
    • Proposals & estimates
    • Customer portal
  • Premium$499/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Financials
    • Time clock

SketchUp

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the SketchUp review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Buildertrend if

  • You need project scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want customer management.
Buildertrend review

Choose SketchUp if

  • You need 3d modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
  • You also want 2d documentation.
SketchUp review

Questions people ask

Is Buildertrend or SketchUp better?
Neither clearly leads. Buildertrend starts at $99/month and SketchUp at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Buildertrend or SketchUp?
SketchUp has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99/month for Buildertrend and Free for SketchUp.
Does Buildertrend or SketchUp run on more platforms?
Buildertrend runs on Web, Ios, Android. SketchUp runs on Web, iPad, Windows, macOS (Pro only).
Can I use SketchUp for free?
Yes. SketchUp has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Buildertrend starts at $99/month.
What is Buildertrend best used for?
Buildertrend is most often used for running scheduling, budgets, change orders and client communication for a residential construction business, giving homeowners a client portal to approve selections and view progress, consolidating estimating, purchase orders and job costing for custom home builders and remodelers. Of those, running scheduling, budgets, change orders and client communication for a residential construction business and giving homeowners a client portal to approve selections and view progress are not what SketchUp is typically brought in for.
What can Buildertrend do that SketchUp cannot?
Buildertrend covers Project scheduling, Customer management, Financial tracking, Selections management. SketchUp covers 3D modeling, 2D documentation, Rendering, Animation. Both handle Web support.
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