ADVANTAGE vs. Autodesk Build

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
ADVANTAGE
Score 2.1 out of 10
N/A
ADVANTAGE is a construction and estimation software offering from HomeTech Information Systems.N/A
Autodesk Build
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk Build, based on the former PlanGrid, is construction productivity software. It includes tools to collaborate, collect, and manage project information throughout the project’s construction and operations lifespan. It enables document centralization and tracking.
$39
user per month
Pricing
ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Nailgun
$39
user per month
Dozer
$59
user per month
Crane
$139
user per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
Considered Both Products
ADVANTAGE
Chose ADVANTAGE
We only use Advantage for time tracking and billing, which Wrike provides but does not organize in the best way. Wrike, however, is far superior when it comes to a project management system and has much more flexibility in how to use the system.

I would say that Salesforce is …
Chose ADVANTAGE
We have also used BidClips. I find that Advantage gave us more flexibility with custom estimates & report tracking.
Chose ADVANTAGE
I was not a member of the team that made the decision about whether to use Advantage, so I can't provide this level of context. I can say that I've evaluated other solutions in the past and Advantage is a far more robust product than any of the others. As a user, I can say that …
Autodesk Build
Chose Autodesk Build
I have only used Autodesk Build at work. Compared to Procore which I have recently been introduced to, Autodesk Build has a more modern look and accessibility features. I can not give an in-depth review between the two products as I do not spend a lot of time using Procore.
Chose Autodesk Build
Procore and PlanGrid are the most direct competitors. The pricing structures are very dynamically different between PlanGrid and Procore. Procore tends to succeed better in the "project management" realm, while PlanGrid succeeds far beyond Procore in its ability to deal with …
Chose Autodesk Build
We currently use both Bluebeam and Adobe in our environment, but PlanGrid makes it much easier to view and do quick markups and annotations.
Chose Autodesk Build
PlanGrid is very similar to Procore but offers a slightly more straightforward user interface and seems not to be loaded with extra options that rarely would get used like Procore. PlanGrid is a much smoother software than Submittal Exchange or CMiC due to that same interface. …
Chose Autodesk Build
Compared on pricing, PlanGrid was best. Procore does submittals and pay apps, but GoBridgit was completely unrealistic in price for us to consider them. The overall use of PlanGrid along with current pricing makes it worthwhile for us. If pricing goes up, it would no longer be …
Chose Autodesk Build
  • Asana is better at assigning tasks and completing work on a deadline.
  • Bluebeam Revu is used by other consultants, but PlanGrid is preferred by our office.
  • Acrobat is quick and dirty but is difficult to track changes and versions.
Chose Autodesk Build
While other companies offer systems similar to PlanGrid, none offer the same features or benefits.
Chose Autodesk Build
BlueBeam is a program that some of our customers use as their management tool. It is a little more cumbersome than Plan Grid. We would certainly prefer using PlanGrid over other products that we have tried. Our field staff prefers to have a consistent platform to share the …
Chose Autodesk Build
Plangrid would sit in between these two when it comes to mobile job site collaboration and document management. Procore is more a full-featured product but it is 2X-3X the cost and there is some question whether the extra costs actual turns in to an ROI at the end of the day. …
Chose Autodesk Build
PlanGrid allows easier collaboration.
Chose Autodesk Build
PlanGrid is an easier system to use then Procore; however, Procore offers more of a full management software than PlanGrid does with plan distribution.
Chose Autodesk Build
Procore is a web-based service and is very slow. While PlanGrid updates and is not web based it is much quicker. PlanGrid is also much easier to use.
Chose Autodesk Build
PlanGrid provides the perfect balance of simplicity and accuracy. As I've noted, ProCore is more robust but the learning curve is steep, and, for my company, the majority of features would go unused (and thus would be a waste of money). PlanGrid offers a few solid features and …
Chose Autodesk Build
The programs are not exactly parallel, however, we formerly posted RFIs on Bluebeam and by owner request we are now using Plangrid. I have found that this feature on Plangrid is slightly more intuitive and the interface is more user-friendly. Bluebeam, on the other hand, has …
Chose Autodesk Build
PlanGrid is great for quickly communicating information within the field, however, its office capabilities are more limited compared to some alternative software I have used.
Chose Autodesk Build
I feel that PlanGrid is much more useful in our organization than ProCore due to the extra features and value
Chose Autodesk Build
They have similar platforms and uses. At this time we use both because General Contractors require we use some of these programs to work on their projects, and we don't have a choice which one we use. It's tough because we then have multiple platforms to learn, manage and use …
Chose Autodesk Build
We selected to use PlanGrid over the traditional Word/Excel combination for its ease of use, and streamlining of the process.
Chose Autodesk Build
It's easier to use, more user-friendly, has ready access, and is more cost effective.
Chose Autodesk Build
I feel that Plangrid does a good job at combining most of the best attributes of the above programs into one solid software. Finishline seems to be a bit stronger punchlist tool but it doesnt have any other features, can't be used a doc control, etc.
Chose Autodesk Build
PlanGrid has several more features in one location, as opposed to using multiple programs to accomplish the same task.
Chose Autodesk Build
Bluebeam is easier to use for plan markups, but the punch list function of PlanGrid is far better.
Features
ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
ADVANTAGE
7.0
Ratings
9% below category average
Autodesk Build
-
Ratings
Employee demographic data9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Employment history5.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Job profiles and administration2.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Organization and location management9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
ADVANTAGE
8.0
Ratings
5% above category average
Autodesk Build
-
Ratings
Pay calculation10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors6.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Reimbursement management7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
ADVANTAGE
2.3
Ratings
107% below category average
Autodesk Build
-
Ratings
Dashboards2.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Standard reports2.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Custom reports2.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Data exportability3.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Construction Project & Field Management
Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Product A and Product B
ADVANTAGE
5.8
Ratings
26% below category average
Autodesk Build
6.5
Ratings
15% below category average
Plan distribution & viewing9.00 Ratings7.00 Ratings
Plan markups & sharing8.00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
Issue tracking & punchlists2.00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Photo documentation2.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Jobsite reports4.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Document sharing2.00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
RFI tools9.00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Collaboration & approvals6.00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
As-built drawings10.00 Ratings5.00 Ratings
Mobile app10.00 Ratings3.00 Ratings
Submittal design and management8.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Checklists4.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Specifications3.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Change orders4.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Estimating
Comparison of Estimating features of Product A and Product B
ADVANTAGE
6.0
Ratings
29% below category average
Autodesk Build
-
Ratings
Takeoff tools7.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Job costing5.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost databases10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost calculator5.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Bid creation3.00 Ratings00 Ratings
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ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
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User Ratings
ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
Likelihood to Recommend
2.1
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
ADVANTAGEAutodesk Build
Likelihood to Recommend
In my opinion, UI is outdated, extra work to get simple test done and appears that they’re not investing in the platform. I’ve not seen ADVANTAGE invest in the platform, even since the acquisition. The integration of financial accounting with media billing and invoicing, makes it a unique product, but the cons are outweighing the positives for me.
Read full review
Plangrid is well suited for companies (that are not currently using a different SaaS construction package) to make their construction document management more collaborative and mobile friendly. Companies requiring/wanting their subs and owners to collaborate with them as part of the life of a construction project will find Plangrid very helpful in fulfilling this goal. On the negative side, companies that are fully entrenched in using other construction suites will struggle to fully use Plangrid to its potential as pre-built integration between Plangrid and other packages is limited
Read full review
Pros
  • Information from site visits is easily accessible.
  • Workflow is easy to use
Read full review
  • Very easy to use, and training takes less than a few hours for field staff.
  • Connects office to field quickly and efficiently.
  • Uploading , naming, and tagging sheet is the best in the business.
  • Sheet and document manager always display most current information and also gives you the ability to look back at previous versions for changes.
Read full review
Cons
  • Advantage is hugely cumbersome. There are hundreds of functions I will never use, and that I'm not sure anyone else in the organization uses.
  • The user interface could be better. Every time there's an update, there's a small but definitive learning curve.
Read full review
  • It'd be nice to have access to upload and edit documents from the app. Only for certain users.
  • A small business billing option that addresses multiple users of a single account would make managing access simpler. Being able to load unlimited sheets, but only access a specific limit on your team's devices.
  • Allow users to integrate their own RFI templates into the app, so RFIs can be generated in your own format right from the field, immediately ready to ship.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
We are at the point where we have shown our teams what is possible with this software. We cannot take it away and go back to the way we used to do things. I think that they would push back on us to give them access to something electronic. It is a good program that we will continue to use
Read full review
Usability
No answers on this topic
Hard to get the hang of this software, but with time it become very repetitive and easier to navigate. I have used this software for over a year now and the constant updates by Autodesk have made the software better and better to use at work. This allows me to use this tool more effectively
Read full review
Support Rating
No answers on this topic
Online chat during business hours is extremely helpful. The Plangrid staff has gone above and beyond many times to help us. One time they even offered to completely rebuild our 900+ sheet project so I could slip sheet a few old drawing revisions! This undoubtedly would have taken hours on Plangrid's end. They are always responsive and are continually improving, listening to user feedback.
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Alternatives Considered
I was not a member of the team that made the decision about whether to use Advantage, so I can't provide this level of context. I can say that I've evaluated other solutions in the past and Advantage is a far more robust product than any of the others. As a user, I can say that it's been very easy to use and I have not found a single function I needed that it couldn't deliver for me.
Read full review
Procore and PlanGrid are the most direct competitors. The pricing structures are very dynamically different between PlanGrid and Procore. Procore tends to succeed better in the "project management" realm, while PlanGrid succeeds far beyond Procore in its ability to deal with project documentation (plans and specs). Bim360 is a great product, but it is limited in its use due to the modeling requirement; while PlanGrid bridges that gap and plays in both 2D and 3D spaces. Buildertrend has some aspects of plan distribution, but it is limited in functionality.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • It keeps job time organized by job so we can bill properly for work
  • It keeps POs organized by job so that we can track easier
  • Provides reporting that gives insight into employee time and where it's spent
Read full review
  • Positive: Syncing drawings. As I said, keeping an up-to-date set of drawings is seamless on ProCore, as compared to a traditional server or even the cloud. The software is designed to see and mark-up drawings. Though markup tools aren't as robust as, say, Bluebeam Revu (I wouldn't expect all of that from a web app, anyway), it's very nice to easily see all the newest drawings.
  • Positive: Saved time. Documents are updated at the same time, across all devices, with only one upload.
  • Positive: Punch list is easy. ProCore punch lists are quite complicated. In PlanGrid, with 1-tap we can add items and give a brief description. When doing a walk-thru, it should be easy to jot down notes. These can be detailed once you're sitting at a desk, and PlanGrid allows for that. But for field personnel, punch lists are an easy and efficient use of time.
  • Negative: Photo management. For us, there should be a way to just upload photos, and not require to use the photo tool within the app.
Read full review
ScreenShots

Autodesk Build Screenshots

Screenshot of No confusing folders - all your plans at your fingertips.Screenshot of Easy overlay to visually detect changes or clashes.Screenshot of Track issues directly on the plan, including descriptions, photos, cost, and schedule impacts.Screenshot of Mark up plans for instant communication between field and office.Screenshot of Attach any kind of construction documents to your plans, including 360 photos.Screenshot of Track, review, and submit all your field reports on a mobile device.