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Construction · head to head

Navisworks vs PlanGrid

Navisworks logo

Navisworks

Construction

Project review software for construction professionals

From
$145/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PlanGrid logo

PlanGrid

Construction

Construction productivity software for the field

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Navisworks sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023); 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: Navisworks covers Clash detection, PlanGrid covers Blueprint management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Navisworks and PlanGrid actually diverge.

Attributes where Navisworks and PlanGrid differ
AttributeNavisworksPlanGrid
Starting price$145/month$39/month
PlatformsWindowsWeb, Ios, Android

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction), founded (1982).

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 Navisworks

  • Clash detection
  • 4D scheduling
  • Model aggregation
  • Quantification
  • Visualization
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD
  • BIM 360

Only in PlanGrid

  • Blueprint management
  • Issue tracking
  • Photo documentation
  • Punch lists
  • RFI management
  • Autodesk BIM 360
  • Procore
  • Box

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Access controls

What people use each for

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

Navisworks

  • Clash detectionnot PlanGrid
  • Construction sequencingnot PlanGrid
  • Project coordinationnot PlanGrid
  • Cost analysisnot PlanGrid

PlanGrid

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

Where each one falls short

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

Navisworks

  • Sold in two named editions, Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Manage, each licensed for install on up to 3 computers per subscription (Internet Archive capture, 7 January 2023)

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

Navisworks

$145/month
  • Navisworks Manage$145/month
    • Clash detection
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
  • Navisworks Simulate$100/month
    • 4D simulation
    • Model aggregation
    • Rendering

PlanGrid

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Navisworks if

  • You need clash detection.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want 4d scheduling.
Navisworks 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 Navisworks or PlanGrid better?
Neither clearly leads. Navisworks starts at $145/month and PlanGrid at $39/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Navisworks or PlanGrid?
Navisworks starts at $145/month and PlanGrid at $39/month.
Does Navisworks or PlanGrid run on more platforms?
Navisworks runs on Windows. PlanGrid runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is Navisworks best used for?
Navisworks is most often used for clash detection, construction sequencing, project coordination, cost analysis. Of those, clash detection and construction sequencing are not what PlanGrid is typically brought in for.
What can Navisworks do that PlanGrid cannot?
Navisworks covers Clash detection, 4D scheduling, Model aggregation, Quantification. PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Photo documentation, Punch lists. Both handle Data encryption, Access controls.
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