Softwr

Construction & Architecture · head to head

PlanGrid vs Builderbox

PlanGrid logo

PlanGrid

Construction & Architecture

Construction productivity software for the field

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
B

Builderbox

Construction & Architecture

Construction bidding and project management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Builderbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PlanGrid autodesk states PlanGrid is no longer available for purchase by net-new customers, with new buyers directed to Forma Build; Builderbox free plan offers limited features; paid plans required for full functionality
  • They diverge on capability: PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Builderbox covers Bid management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PlanGrid and Builderbox actually diverge.

Attributes where PlanGrid and Builderbox differ
AttributePlanGridBuilderbox
Starting price$39/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
Founded19822018

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction & Architecture).

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 PlanGrid

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

Only in Builderbox

  • Bid management
  • Project discovery
  • Subcontractor network
  • Document sharing
  • Analytics dashboard
  • QuickBooks
  • DocuSign
  • SSL encryption

Both cover

  • Procore
  • Dropbox
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

PlanGrid

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

Builderbox

  • Bid managementnot PlanGrid
  • Project sourcingnot PlanGrid
  • Subcontractor qualificationnot PlanGrid
  • Pre-constructionnot PlanGrid

Where each one falls short

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

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

Builderbox

  • Free plan offers limited features; paid plans required for full functionality
  • Pricing structure varies significantly across sources ($19/month to $99+/user/month)
  • Limited offline capabilities for field teams
  • Integration with design tools limited to specific versions of Autodesk and Bluebeam

Pricing, plan by plan

PlanGrid

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

Builderbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Project discovery
    • Basic bid management
    • Email notifications
  • Pro$99/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Advanced analytics
    • Subcontractor management

Which should you pick?

Choose PlanGrid if

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

Choose Builderbox if

  • You need bid management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want project discovery.
Builderbox review

Questions people ask

Is PlanGrid or Builderbox better?
Neither clearly leads. PlanGrid starts at $39/month and Builderbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PlanGrid or Builderbox?
Builderbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39/month for PlanGrid and Free for Builderbox.
Does PlanGrid or Builderbox run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Builderbox for free?
Yes. Builderbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PlanGrid starts at $39/month.
What is PlanGrid best used for?
PlanGrid is most often used for giving field crews real-time access to construction plans, issues and photos, capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job site, managing organization licences for a construction document app. Of those, giving field crews real-time access to construction plans, issues and photos and capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job site are not what Builderbox is typically brought in for.
What can PlanGrid do that Builderbox cannot?
PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Photo documentation, Punch lists. Builderbox covers Bid management, Project discovery, Subcontractor network, Document sharing. Both handle Procore, Dropbox, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Builderbox: Does Builderbox offer a free plan?

Builderbox offers a free-forever plan with limited features. Paid plans start from $19/month with more comprehensive functionality.

Source
Builderbox: What are the core features of Builderbox?

Builderbox includes document controls, file sharing, issue tracking, punch listing, photo sharing, plan rooms, daily reporting, RFIs, change orders, payment applications, scheduling, and labor tracking.

Source
Builderbox: Is Builderbox available on mobile devices?

Yes, Builderbox has mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android, allowing field teams to access documents and tracking tools on-site.

Source
Builderbox: Does Builderbox integrate with other construction tools?

Builderbox integrates with Autodesk Construction Cloud, BIM 360, and Bluebeam Revu for improved workflow management.

Source
Builderbox: Can Builderbox handle multi-site project management?

Builderbox supports multi-location construction projects with centralized reporting, though feature availability varies by plan tier.

Source
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Related pages

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