Softwr

Construction · head to head

BuildingConnected vs Topcon MAGNET

BuildingConnected logo

BuildingConnected

Construction

Preconstruction and bid 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 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; 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: BuildingConnected 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 BuildingConnected and Topcon MAGNET actually diverge.

Attributes where BuildingConnected and Topcon MAGNET differ
AttributeBuildingConnectedTopcon MAGNET
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Android, Web
Founded1982Unknown

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 BuildingConnected

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

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.

BuildingConnected

  • Bid solicitationnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Subcontractor prequalificationnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Bid analysisnot Topcon MAGNET
  • Vendor managementnot Topcon MAGNET

Topcon MAGNET

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

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

BuildingConnected

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

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 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 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 BuildingConnected or Topcon MAGNET better?
Neither clearly leads. BuildingConnected 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, BuildingConnected or Topcon MAGNET?
BuildingConnected has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for BuildingConnected and On request for Topcon MAGNET.
Does BuildingConnected or Topcon MAGNET run on more platforms?
BuildingConnected runs on Web, Ios, Android. Topcon MAGNET runs on Windows, Android, Web.
Can I use BuildingConnected for free?
Yes. BuildingConnected has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Topcon MAGNET 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 Topcon MAGNET is typically brought in for.
What can BuildingConnected do that Topcon MAGNET cannot?
BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Subcontractor network, Prequalification, Bid leveling. Topcon MAGNET covers MAGNET Field, MAGNET Office, MAGNET Enterprise, Machine control model preparation.

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
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.

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
Topcon MAGNET: Is pricing published?

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

Topcon MAGNET: Is the cloud service included?

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

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.

Share

Related pages

More on BuildingConnected

More on Topcon MAGNET

Keep looking

Other head to heads