Softwr

Construction · head to head

BuildingConnected vs Clearstory

BuildingConnected logo

BuildingConnected

Construction

Preconstruction and bid management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Clearstory logo

Clearstory

Construction

Digital change order and time and materials tag exchange between subcontractors and general contractors

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only BuildingConnected has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: BuildingConnected no pricing details disclosed on product page; contact sales required; Clearstory value depends on the counterparty using it, so a subcontractor whose general contractors have not adopted it ends up running the digital process and the emailed one at the same time.
  • They diverge on capability: BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Clearstory covers Digital time and materials tags.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BuildingConnected and Clearstory actually diverge.

Attributes where BuildingConnected and Clearstory differ
AttributeBuildingConnectedClearstory
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
Founded1982Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 BuildingConnected

  • Bid management
  • Subcontractor network
  • Prequalification
  • Bid leveling
  • Analytics
  • Autodesk Build
  • Autodesk Docs
  • Procore

Only in Clearstory

  • Digital time and materials tags
  • Review and signature routing
  • Change order log
  • Cost exposure reporting
  • Field mobile capture
  • Document export

What people use each for

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

BuildingConnected

  • Bid solicitationnot Clearstory
  • Subcontractor prequalificationnot Clearstory
  • Bid analysisnot Clearstory
  • Vendor managementnot Clearstory

Clearstory

  • A speciality subcontractor that regularly performs extra work and struggles to get tags signednot BuildingConnected
  • A general contractor tired of receiving a stack of disputed tags at project closeoutnot BuildingConnected
  • A project team that needs the value of pending extras visible during the job rather than after itnot BuildingConnected
  • A contractor standardising change documentation across trades on a large projectnot BuildingConnected

Where each one falls short

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

BuildingConnected

  • No pricing details disclosed on product page; contact sales required

Clearstory

  • Value depends on the counterparty using it, so a subcontractor whose general contractors have not adopted it ends up running the digital process and the emailed one at the same time.
  • It documents extra work but does not settle it; a general contractor determined not to pay is not persuaded by better paperwork, only better positioned to be argued with.
  • Field staff have to complete tags properly for the record to hold up, and the discipline required is the same discipline that was failing on paper.
  • Poor connectivity in basements, plant rooms and lift shafts is exactly where extra work gets documented, so offline reliability needs testing before rollout rather than after.
  • It overlaps with change management already present in Procore and similar platforms, so buyers must be clear about which system holds the authoritative log or they will maintain two.

Pricing, plan by plan

BuildingConnected

Free
  • Pro (Subcontractors)Free
    • Bid opportunities
    • ITB responses
    • Company profile
  • Pro (GCs)Free
    • Bid management
    • Subcontractor network
    • Bid leveling

Clearstory

On request
  • Clearstory$undefined/year
    • Digital time and materials tags
    • Change order log
    • Mobile field capture

Which should you pick?

Choose BuildingConnected if

  • You need bid management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want subcontractor network.
BuildingConnected review

Choose Clearstory if

  • You need digital time and materials tags.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want review and signature routing.
Clearstory review

Questions people ask

Is BuildingConnected or Clearstory better?
Neither clearly leads. BuildingConnected starts at Free and Clearstory at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BuildingConnected or Clearstory?
BuildingConnected has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for BuildingConnected and On request for Clearstory.
Does BuildingConnected or Clearstory run on more platforms?
BuildingConnected runs on Web, Ios, Android. Clearstory runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use BuildingConnected for free?
Yes. BuildingConnected has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Clearstory starts at On request.
What is BuildingConnected best used for?
BuildingConnected is most often used for bid solicitation, subcontractor prequalification, bid analysis, vendor management. Of those, bid solicitation and subcontractor prequalification are not what Clearstory is typically brought in for.
What can BuildingConnected do that Clearstory cannot?
BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Subcontractor network, Prequalification, Bid leveling. Clearstory covers Digital time and materials tags, Review and signature routing, Change order log, Cost exposure reporting.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

BuildingConnected: What BuildingConnected products are available?

BuildingConnected offers three main products: BuildingConnected Pro (for general contractors and owners), Bid Board Pro (for subcontractors), and TradeTapp (subcontractor qualification software). Contact sales at +1 855 522 4504 for pricing details.

Source
Clearstory: Is Clearstory for subcontractors or general contractors?

Both, because the workflow crosses between them. The subcontractor originates the tag, the general contractor reviews it, and adoption works best when the general contractor mandates it.

BuildingConnected: How can I get BuildingConnected pricing?

Contact BuildingConnected sales at +1 855 522 4504 or visit the dedicated pricing page for current rate information.

Source
Clearstory: Does it replace change management in Procore?

It can, for time and materials tags and the change order log, but you must decide which system is authoritative. Running both without that decision creates reconciliation work.

Clearstory: What happens on sites without signal?

Tags are captured on the device and synchronised later. Test that path with photographs attached before relying on it.

Share

Related pages

More on BuildingConnected

More on Clearstory

Keep looking

Other head to heads