Key Takeaways
- Consider features and ease of use: it doesn’t matter that your software can do everything and more if you and your team can’t figure out how to use it
- Think about pricing and value: choose a system where you pay for what you need, and you only pay more when it’s actually worth it to your business
- Customer support and service count: Great customer service and a focus on customers at alternatives like Eano Pro mean you get something that’s tailored to you
- Buy for the present with the future in mind: don’t choose a tool that’s too big for where you are today, but also one that you’re going to grow out of if your business keep growing
Eano Pro is the top alternative to the Buildertrend, a construction management software platform. Eano lets you sell your jobs better with fast, AI-powered estimates and a polished client dashboard. Keep track of your jobs so they’re done on time and on budget, so you keep more of the money you earn. Make sure your whole team is on task with time tracking and task management.
General contractors need software to streamline project management, client communication, and financial tracking. While Buildertrend is a popular choice, it’s not the only option. Whether you’re seeking better pricing, more intuitive features, or specialized tools for your trade, exploring alternatives can help you find the perfect fit.
In this post, we’ll compare Buildertrend with four top competitors: Eano Pro, JobTread, Contractor Foreman, and Housecall Pro. We’ll break down their key features, pricing, and ideal use cases so you can make an informed decision for your business.
Why Consider Buildertrend Alternatives?
Buildertrend is a robust construction management platform, but it may not be the right fit for every general contractor. When we talk to general contractors, these are some common issues we hear:
- Pricing: Buildertrend’s plans can be costly for smaller teams or solo contractors
- Complexity: Some GCs find its interface overwhelming or difficult to navigate
- Specialization: You may need features tailored to specific trades or project types
- Integration Needs: Buildertrend may not connect with other software you already like and want to keep
What is Buildertrend?
Buildertrend is designed for mid-sized to large contracting businesses that need project management capabilities. It provides end-to-end solutions, from project scheduling and Gantt charts to client communication portals and financial tracking. But its higher price point and learning curve can be barriers for smaller teams or those seeking a more streamlined experience.
Buildertrend Pricing
Starts at $299/month (billed annually)
Alternative 1: Eano Pro
Eano Pro is a next-generation platform designed for general contractors of all sizes. It effortlessly scales with your business from a solo operation all the way up to teams with dozens of employees and hundreds of subcontractors and workers. And it’s as easy to use when you’re juggling 200 projects as when you’re starting out with one at a time.
With Eano Pro you can
- Get access to your data anywhere and everywhere with a full desktop app for your laptop, and a mobile-first interface when you or anyone on your team is on the go
- Track and sell jobs, so you and your team close more deals more quickly
- Save time and avoid mistakes with Eano Pro’s AI-powered estimating system and job templates
- Sign securely with integrated electronic signing included in every subscription
- Maintain a great relationship with your clients by sharing updates through the Eano Pro client portal
- Get paid quickly, safely, and securely with Eano Pro’s integrated electronic payment system
- Track your team with timesheets, including geofencing to start a shift
- Set and track project schedules, including Gantt charts
- Track and manage subcontractors and subcontracts
- Issue invoices and log expenses
- Sync with systems like QuickBooks to keep accounting happy
- Integrate with Zapier to connect with hundreds of other tools
Eano Pro works with GC business of all shapes and sizes, including:
- Residential renovators
- Kitchen and bathroom renovators
- Whole house renovators
- Custom home builders
- Single-family home builders
- Multi-family home builders
- Small commercial contractors
How much does it cost?
Eano Pro starts at $29/month, depending on the features you need. Only pay more as your team grows and you need more advanced features.
For any plan, Eano Pro offers a no-obligation free trial, so you can try it out for yourself before you buy. And all subscriptions come with one-to-one personalized training sessions, so you get the most out of your subscription.
How does it compare to Buildertrend?
While Buildertrend has many powerful features, it can be expensive and complicated to use. Eano Pro supports the same workflows in an easy-to-use package designed alongside general contractors.
Unlike Buildertrend, Eano Pro is fast, even with thousands of projects, and doesn’t require endless training to figure out. If you do get stuck, all plans include complementary personalized training with a real human.
Pay only for what makes sense for your business, not for every feature or unlimited users even in the smallest plan.
“It’s the fastest estimating system I’ve ever used. What used to take around an hour now takes about 10 minutes.”
Chris Singh, Project Manager, Creative Construction 360 Inc
Alternative 2: JobTread
JobTread is great for small to mid-sized contractors who want an intuitive, all-in-one platform. It simplifies project management with drag-and-drop scheduling, customizable estimates, and real-time client updates.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Customizable estimates and invoices
- Time tracking and payroll integration
- Client portal for real-time updates
Pricing:
Starts at $49/user/month (billed annually)
Pros of JobTread
- Intuitive interface with minimal training required
- Affordable for smaller teams
- Strong customer support
Cons of JobTread
- Fewer advanced features for large-scale projects
- Limited third-party integrations
Alternative 3: Contractor Foreman
Contractor Foreman strikes a balance between affordability and customization, making it a solid choice for contractors who need flexibility without breaking the bank. The platform offers project management tools, task assignments, and integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for 1 user, with tiered pricing for additional users
Pros
- Budget-friendly with no per-user fees (in some plans)
- Customizable workflows
- Strong focus on financial tracking
Cons
- Interface can feel outdated
- Mobile app lacks some desktop features
Alternative 4: Housecall Pro
Housecall Pro is built for contractors who prioritize mobility and automation. It shines with features like automated invoicing, GPS tracking for field teams, and built-in marketing tools to help you grow your business. While it may not be as robust for large-scale project management, its focus on automation and ease of use makes it a favorite for service-focused contractors.
Pricing: Starts at $49/month for 1 user, with custom pricing for larger teams.
Pros
- Mobile experience for on-the-go teams
- Shorter day-based jobs
- Automated workflows to save time
- Built-in marketing tools
Cons
- Not designed for complicated general contracting project management
- Less suitable for tracking multi-week or multi-month tasks and progress
- Limited customization for complex workflows
How to Pick the Right Construction Management Software
When it comes to picking the right construction management software for your general contracting business, there are a few key points to consider.
How easy is it to use? Will my team actually use it?
A system can have all the features in the world at any price, but if your team can’t figure out how to use it, you’re never going to see the benefits. Some platforms, like Buildertrend, require extensive training and months of time to get everyone to use it. Some people may never figure it out.
Tools like Eano Pro that are designed alongside general contractors for general contractors can be a good choice because they provide the same power and functionality, but in a package that’s easy to learn and use.
How does the pricing model grow with my business?
When you’re buying any tool for your business, you have to think about return on investment. Is my business making more money because I’m using this tool?
With a system like Buildertrend, that may not always line up. With a high minimum price and regular price increases with little added functionality.
Other systems scale with your business. For example, Eano Pro starts at only $29/month for doing proposals. Only pay more as your team grows and you need access to more features because you’re making more money doing more or bigger jobs.
What’s their customer service like?
General contracting is a complicated business, and the world of construction is changing all the time. Every system requires some learning and needs to change over time as needs change.
Companies like Buildertrend focus on cranking out new features as quickly and cheaply. They worry less about whether they’re helping customers or that the features can be used without extensive training. And training can cost thousands of dollars on top of the software itself.
Systems like Eano Pro are driven by customers, and built alongside real general contractors. They also include personalized training at no extra charge.
Where do you see your business going?
Running a business is a balancing act. You need to make choices with your budget and business today, but with the future of your business in mind.
Choosing a tool like Buildertrend commits you to software designed for one size of business. If you’re just starting out, it can be too big, too complicated, and too expensive. If you’re a bigger business, it gets hard to use, slow, and incredibly expensive when you’re managing hundreds of active projects.
A tool like Eano Pro scales down when you’re only starting out, and up as your business grows and your needs grow. And choosing one tool through that whole journey means you save time and money not having to learn and teach your team a new tool as your business grows.
Comparison Chart of Buildertrend Alternatives
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