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Software · head to head

eSUB vs PlanGrid

eSUB logo

eSUB

Software

Cloud-based mobile construction management platform

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanGrid logo

PlanGrid

Software

Construction productivity software for the field

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: eSUB limited to commercial subcontractors; not suitable for general contractors or non-construction industries; PlanGrid autodesk states PlanGrid is no longer available for purchase by net-new customers, with new buyers directed to Forma Build
  • They diverge on capability: eSUB covers Mobile task management, PlanGrid covers Blueprint management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which eSUB and PlanGrid actually diverge.

Attributes where eSUB and PlanGrid differ
AttributeeSUBPlanGrid
Starting price$49/month$39/month
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20101982

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 eSUB

  • Mobile task management
  • Timesheet tracking
  • Job costing
  • Field notes
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • SSL encryption
  • Data backup

Only in PlanGrid

  • Blueprint management
  • Issue tracking
  • Punch lists
  • RFI management
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • Dropbox
  • Bluebeam
  • Cloud security

Both cover

  • Photo documentation
  • Procore
  • Box
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

eSUB

  • Project management for commercial construction subcontractorsnot PlanGrid
  • Daily reports, RFIs, submittals and change orders from the fieldnot PlanGrid
  • Crew time capture on mobile devicesnot PlanGrid
  • Labour, job cost, equipment and material reportingnot PlanGrid
  • Centralised drawing and document managementnot PlanGrid

PlanGrid

  • Giving field crews real-time access to construction plans, issues and photosnot eSUB
  • Capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job sitenot eSUB
  • Managing organization licences for a construction document appnot eSUB

Where each one falls short

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

eSUB

  • Limited to commercial subcontractors; not suitable for general contractors or non-construction industries
  • Custom pricing with no transparent public pricing makes budget planning difficult for prospective customers
  • Narrow candidate list with only one direct competitor (Procore) in the space
  • May have smaller feature set compared to enterprise construction platforms

PlanGrid

  • Autodesk states PlanGrid is no longer available for purchase by net-new customers, with new buyers directed to Forma Build
  • PlanGrid access is now sold only through Forma Build, so pricing is set by the Forma Build subscription rather than PlanGrid itself
  • Mobile users must access PlanGrid projects through the Autodesk Forma mobile app rather than a standalone PlanGrid app
  • The PlanGrid desktop app requires Windows 10 or higher
  • The Admin Console for managing users and licences is a separate site restricted to designated organization admins

Pricing, plan by plan

eSUB

$49/month
  • Starter$49/month
    • Mobile task management
    • Timesheet tracking
    • Document management
  • Professional$99/month
    • Advanced scheduling
    • Accounting integration
    • Custom workflows

PlanGrid

$39/month
  • Build$39/month
    • Sheet management
    • Issue tracking
    • RFIs
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose eSUB if

  • You need mobile task management.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want timesheet tracking.
eSUB review

Choose PlanGrid if

  • You need blueprint management.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want issue tracking.
PlanGrid review

Questions people ask

Is eSUB or PlanGrid better?
Neither clearly leads. eSUB starts at $49/month and PlanGrid at $39/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, eSUB or PlanGrid?
eSUB starts at $49/month and PlanGrid at $39/month.
Does eSUB or PlanGrid run on more platforms?
eSUB runs on iOS, Android, Web. PlanGrid runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is eSUB best used for?
eSUB is most often used for project management for commercial construction subcontractors, daily reports, rfis, submittals and change orders from the field, crew time capture on mobile devices, labour, job cost, equipment and material reporting. Of those, project management for commercial construction subcontractors and daily reports, rfis, submittals and change orders from the field are not what PlanGrid is typically brought in for.
What can eSUB do that PlanGrid cannot?
eSUB covers Mobile task management, Timesheet tracking, Job costing, Field notes. PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Punch lists, RFI management. Both handle Photo documentation, Procore, Box, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

eSUB: What is eSUB designed for and who is the primary user?

eSUB is a mobile-first construction management platform built exclusively for commercial subcontractors. It connects the field to the office through mobile apps and web interfaces for creating, tracking, and managing documents and daily activities.

Source
eSUB: What key features does eSUB Cloud include?

eSUB includes submittals, change orders, RFIs, daily reports, mobile app functionality, email integration, field notes, time cards, project management, document management, time tracking, and job costing capabilities.

Source
eSUB: Does eSUB offer a free trial?

Yes. eSUB offers a 14-day free trial as well as customized demos. The demo includes a 45-minute guided walkthrough in a staged demo project.

Source
eSUB: How does eSUB pricing work?

eSUB Cloud pricing depends on user count and modules required; quotes are provided on a customized basis. No implementation fees apply for standard scopes, and no per-job charges are assessed. Updates are included in the subscription.

Source
eSUB: What platforms does eSUB support?

eSUB offers mobile apps for both iOS and Android, as well as a web interface. The platform is designed mobile-first with field-focused functionality.

Source
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Related pages

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