Software · head to head
PlanGrid vs eSUB
PlanGrid
Software
Construction productivity software for the field
- From
- $39/month
- Rated
- -
eSUB
Software
Cloud-based mobile construction management platform
- From
- $49/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- 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; eSUB limited to commercial subcontractors; not suitable for general contractors or non-construction industries
- They diverge on capability: PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, eSUB covers Mobile task management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which PlanGrid and eSUB actually diverge.
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 PlanGrid
- Blueprint management
- Issue tracking
- Punch lists
- RFI management
- Autodesk BIM 360
- Dropbox
- Bluebeam
- Cloud security
Only in eSUB
- Mobile task management
- Timesheet tracking
- Job costing
- Field notes
- QuickBooks
- Sage
- SSL encryption
- Data backup
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.
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
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
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
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
Pricing, plan by plan
PlanGrid
$39/month- Build$39/month
- Sheet management
- Issue tracking
- RFIs
- EnterpriseFree
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
- Priority support
eSUB
$49/month- Starter$49/month
- Mobile task management
- Timesheet tracking
- Document management
- Professional$99/month
- Advanced scheduling
- Accounting integration
- Custom workflows
Which should you pick?
Choose PlanGrid if
- You need blueprint management.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want issue tracking.
Choose eSUB if
- You need mobile task management.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want timesheet tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is PlanGrid or eSUB better?
- Neither clearly leads. PlanGrid starts at $39/month and eSUB at $49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, PlanGrid or eSUB?
- PlanGrid starts at $39/month and eSUB at $49/month.
- Does PlanGrid or eSUB run on more platforms?
- PlanGrid runs on Web, Ios, Android. eSUB runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- 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 eSUB is typically brought in for.
- What can PlanGrid do that eSUB cannot?
- PlanGrid covers Blueprint management, Issue tracking, Punch lists, RFI management. eSUB covers Mobile task management, Timesheet tracking, Job costing, Field notes. 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.
SourceeSUB: 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.
SourceeSUB: 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.
SourceeSUB: 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.
SourceeSUB: 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