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Software · head to head

PlanGrid vs BuildingConnected

PlanGrid logo

PlanGrid

Software

Construction productivity software for the field

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
BuildingConnected logo

BuildingConnected

Software

Preconstruction and bid management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only BuildingConnected 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; BuildingConnected the Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.
  • They diverge on capability: PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, BuildingConnected covers Bid management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PlanGrid and BuildingConnected actually diverge.

Attributes where PlanGrid and BuildingConnected differ
AttributePlanGridBuildingConnected
Starting price$39/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), 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 PlanGrid

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

Only in BuildingConnected

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

Both cover

  • Procore
  • Data encryption
  • Access controls
  • 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 BuildingConnected
  • Capturing site forms and photos from a tablet on a job sitenot BuildingConnected
  • Managing organization licences for a construction document appnot BuildingConnected

BuildingConnected

  • Bid solicitationnot PlanGrid
  • Subcontractor prequalificationnot PlanGrid
  • Bid analysisnot PlanGrid
  • Vendor managementnot 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

BuildingConnected

  • The Internet Archive's capture of BuildingConnected's homepage on 16 December 2019 named three distinct network tools, BC Pro, TradeTapp, and Bid Board Pro, each sold via demo request or free trial with no price figure published; the product is now owned by Autodesk.

Pricing, plan by plan

PlanGrid

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

BuildingConnected

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

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 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

Questions people ask

Is PlanGrid or BuildingConnected better?
Neither clearly leads. PlanGrid starts at $39/month and BuildingConnected at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PlanGrid or BuildingConnected?
BuildingConnected has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39/month for PlanGrid and Free for BuildingConnected.
Does PlanGrid or BuildingConnected run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use BuildingConnected for free?
Yes. BuildingConnected 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 BuildingConnected is typically brought in for.
What can PlanGrid do that BuildingConnected cannot?
PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Photo documentation, Punch lists. BuildingConnected covers Bid management, Subcontractor network, Prequalification, Bid leveling. Both handle Procore, Data encryption, Access controls, Web support.
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