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Construction · head to head

Clearstory vs Houzz Pro

Clearstory logo

Clearstory

Construction

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Houzz Pro logo

Houzz Pro

Construction

Business management platform for home builders and remodelers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Houzz Pro has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Houzz Pro the Pro plan includes only 1 seat and additional users cost $60 per user per month
  • They diverge on capability: Clearstory covers Digital time and materials tags, Houzz Pro covers Project management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clearstory and Houzz Pro actually diverge.

Attributes where Clearstory and Houzz Pro differ
AttributeClearstoryHouzz Pro
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
FoundedUnknown2009

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 Clearstory

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

Only in Houzz Pro

  • Project management
  • Client communication
  • Portfolio management
  • Lead management
  • Budgeting
  • QuickBooks
  • Square
  • Stripe

What people use each for

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

Clearstory

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

Houzz Pro

  • Generating remodeling and design leads from a Houzz professional profilenot Clearstory
  • Producing estimates, proposals and change orders for residential design and build projectsnot Clearstory
  • Running client-facing selection boards and 3D floor plans for interior designersnot Clearstory

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Houzz Pro

  • The Pro plan includes only 1 seat and additional users cost $60 per user per month
  • Plans are gated by annual project volume, with Pro limited to up to $500,000, Custom covering $500,000 to $5M and Enterprise required above $5M
  • Advertising packages are a separate add-on starting at $499 per month on top of the software subscription
  • No monthly subscription price for any tier is shown on the pricing page
  • Takeoffs, scheduling, selections boards, daily logs, budgets, bid management, change orders and financial reporting are not in the free basic plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Clearstory

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

Houzz Pro

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Portfolio showcase
    • Lead generation
    • Basic profile
  • Plus$39/month
    • Advanced portfolio
    • Lead management
    • Client communication

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Houzz Pro if

  • You need project management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want client communication.
Houzz Pro review

Questions people ask

Is Clearstory or Houzz Pro better?
Neither clearly leads. Clearstory starts at On request and Houzz Pro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clearstory or Houzz Pro?
Houzz Pro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Clearstory and Free for Houzz Pro.
Does Clearstory or Houzz Pro run on more platforms?
Clearstory runs on Web, iOS, Android. Houzz Pro runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Houzz Pro for free?
Yes. Houzz Pro has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Clearstory starts at On request.
What is Clearstory best used for?
Clearstory is most often used for a speciality subcontractor that regularly performs extra work and struggles to get tags signed, a general contractor tired of receiving a stack of disputed tags at project closeout, a project team that needs the value of pending extras visible during the job rather than after it, a contractor standardising change documentation across trades on a large project. Of those, a speciality subcontractor that regularly performs extra work and struggles to get tags signed and a general contractor tired of receiving a stack of disputed tags at project closeout are not what Houzz Pro is typically brought in for.
What can Clearstory do that Houzz Pro cannot?
Clearstory covers Digital time and materials tags, Review and signature routing, Change order log, Cost exposure reporting. Houzz Pro covers Project management, Client communication, Portfolio management, Lead management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Houzz Pro: How much do additional Houzz Pro users cost?

Additional user seats on the Houzz Pro plan cost $60 per user per month.

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.

Houzz Pro: What is the cost of Houzz Pro's advertising package?

Houzz Pro offers an add-on advertising package starting at $499 per month.

Source
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.

Houzz Pro: Is there a free trial for Houzz Pro?

Houzz Pro offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required and includes a free basic plan with 3D Floor Planner, Estimates, and Invoicing.

Source
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