Buildertrend vs. Microsoft Excel

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Buildertrend
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
BuilderTrend is a construction management system. It includes functionality for pre-sale, project management, financial management, and customer management processes. It also provides mobile accessibility.N/A
Microsoft Excel
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application available as part of Microsoft 365 (Office 365), or standalone, in cloud-based and on-premise editions.
$6.99
per month
Pricing
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Editions & Modules
Core Subscription
Contact for quote
per year
Premium
Contact for quote
per month
Premium
Contact for quote
Excel with Microsoft 365
$6.99
per month
Excel for 1 PC or Mac
$139.99
perpetual license
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Considered Both Products
Buildertrend
Chose Buildertrend
I have not used anything like this before.
Chose Buildertrend
(Hubspot) For Sales & Marketing, it is really a killer awesome program that I would encourage Buildertrend to look into.
Hubspot is just on another level of intelligence and access that Buildertrend doesn't match up to.
At the same time, perhaps HubSpot lacks what Buildertrend …
Chose Buildertrend
I have tried some competitors. Overall, there are some alternatives but personally, I feel that Quickbooks is the "Google" of management systems. The customer service is amazing and they offer a no-hassle product. The only wish would be that they had offered a true "free trial" …
Chose Buildertrend
I am still very new with using BuilderTrend but enjoy using the application. When we have an issue or a feature addition the BuilderTrend team is very responsive to help or point us to where we may seek an answer.
Chose Buildertrend
The program has outstanding customer service. With project scheduling, project management, financial management, customer management, and service management capabilities in a single suite, there's really not much this program can't do! Owners generally love the use of this …
Chose Buildertrend
BuilderTrend allows me to see a full view of all my jobs in one place. I picked it for this reason. I wanted a solution that subcontractors would be able to use without having to do anything except open their email to get the information they needed to get the job done on time. …
Microsoft Excel
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel It's the choice of professionals who delve into intricate financial models, statistical analyses, and other complex analysis. Its strength lies in its depth, offering a vast array of functions and features that can handle the most demanding tasks. Its pivot …
Chose Microsoft Excel
I find Microsoft Excel easier to use than either LibreOffice Calc or Google Docs because I use Excel regularly and know where to find the functions that I need. I find that other companies have an easier time opening Excel files than others.
Chose Microsoft Excel
My preference will always be Google Sheets, however, as the interface in Sheets is faster, smoother, and more aesthetically pleasing. Excel is part of the package with Outlook, and that tends to be the main reason why I’ve encountered companies who choose Excel over Sheets, but …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Excel is one of the tools I use for everyday work but fits alongside all the other programs I use. I keep Excel as a way of tracking projects from start to finish as well as document content strategy and audits. There are not many programs like Excel that I can think of other …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Lists allows for users to keep lists, but the functionality cannot be compared to Microsoft Excel. There are far more options for data manipulation, analysis, and creating outputs in Excel. Anything that can be done in Lists can be done easily in MS Excel. The key …
Chose Microsoft Excel
The integration Microsoft Excel has within the other Microsoft applications makes it top choice for me. I have worked in Google Sheets, however I prefer working in desktop version of software with full capabilities. Microsoft Excel provides this.
Chose Microsoft Excel
It isn't as collaborative or detail oriented as other platforms, or at least it doesn't market itself to be used that way. But it is still useful in its own ways
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel has its "niche" use cases, but it was the other way around. Its been many years since Microsoft Excel became the niche, while Google Sheets now is the mainstream data analysis application. I use Microsoft Excel today only because I am forced by my company to do …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Arcsight by OpenText, Google Sheets, Oracle Aconex, Oracle Analytics Cloud, Oracle BPM Suite, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Primavera Unifier, Primavera EXPRESS, PrimaveraReader, Oracle Primavera Submittal Exchange and Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is superior to these as it has a wider range of functions and is used corporately
Chose Microsoft Excel
Like I've put in previous questions, Microsoft Excel seems more advanced. I'm always going to prefer using Microsoft Excel if it's just me working on a task. If I have to work with other then Google sheets is going to be preferred. The online version of Microsoft Excel seems to …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that is used for analyzing and organizing complex data. It offers advanced capabilities for data analysis, financial modelling and complex calculations. Excel can be used in offline form making it use flexible for users who want to use it …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets sync nicely with Google Workspace and can be accessed easily online. But Google Sheets is clunky and no where near the gold standard which is Microsoft Excel.
Chose Microsoft Excel
I think it stacks up very well, Clickup ha a better user interface however Microsoft Excel has a more sophisticated back end and formula approach. In my opinion, Clickup however does provide less of a need to 'learn' formulas as there is more of a click application approach …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Excel stands out from Google Sheets and Apple Numbers with its extensive range of advanced functions, including financial, statistical, and data analysis tools, surpassing the capabilities of its competitors. As the universally recognized industry standard, Excel offers better …
Chose Microsoft Excel
No any comparison, Excel are far better.
Chose Microsoft Excel
PowerPoint is excellent for displaying information in a far more visually engaging, relatable manner. However, where it is lacking is the ability to get to that point in analyzing competing deal information, building formulas around it, things of that nature.

Apple has its own …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Compatibility is the main issue. It is frustrating to send an Excel workbook to someone who can't open it. Also, user interfaces are not as slick and intuitive.
Chose Microsoft Excel
i have used many Microsoft products like Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, Windows, Yammer etc., but I can say that every product is different from each other and each product solves different professional day-to-day work problems quite efficiently, although I …
Chose Microsoft Excel
I find that Microsoft Excel ranks higher than Microsoft Powerpoint because of it's ability to handle large amounts of data the fact that it has keys tools to helps streamline information. It does however not have the same capabilities as Microsoft Powerpoint when it comes to …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is much easier to use, but CloudDrive is much safer from hackers. Sometimes I create a spreadsheet in Excel and then upload it to CloudDrive.
Chose Microsoft Excel
Much easier to edit the data that is imported for a report. Adobe has limited choices for font and styling.
Chose Microsoft Excel
Google Sheets is a comparable product to Microsoft Excel and it's more flexible when it comes to sharing because it can be shared with anyone who has the link or Google Drive access to it. However, Google Sheets does not have all the functions, especially when it comes to …
Chose Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel stands out amongst its peers for the service they provide and with every latest update, they tend to ensure that even the minor issues impacting their users are managed to make the software efficient for people like me to use. The software's user-friendly …
Features
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Construction Project & Field Management
Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Product A and Product B
Buildertrend
4.3
Ratings
55% below category average
Microsoft Excel
-
Ratings
Plan distribution & viewing1.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Plan markups & sharing2.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Issue tracking & punchlists2.20 Ratings00 Ratings
Photo documentation6.10 Ratings00 Ratings
Jobsite reports9.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Document sharing2.30 Ratings00 Ratings
RFI tools8.20 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration & approvals4.00 Ratings00 Ratings
As-built drawings8.70 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile app1.30 Ratings00 Ratings
Submittal design and management3.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Estimating
Comparison of Estimating features of Product A and Product B
Buildertrend
1.2
Ratings
148% below category average
Microsoft Excel
-
Ratings
Takeoff tools1.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Job costing1.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost databases1.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost calculator1.10 Ratings00 Ratings
Bid creation2.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Small Businesses
FollowUp CRM
FollowUp CRM
Score 10.0 out of 10
Stackby
Stackby
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
InEight
InEight
Score 8.3 out of 10
Google Sheets
Google Sheets
Score 8.8 out of 10
Enterprises
InEight
InEight
Score 8.3 out of 10
Google Sheets
Google Sheets
Score 8.8 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Likelihood to Recommend
2.5
(0 ratings)
9.1
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
BuildertrendMicrosoft Excel
Likelihood to Recommend
Perfect for General Contractor's and subcontractor's that want to be a leader in their industry. Sure, you can limp along without a management system but you won't be able to take your business to the next level in most cases. If you are small enough and only doing one maybe two jobs at a time and you are good at keeping every single detail in your head and don't have any issues with schedule or timeframes then you may not need this. However, I have not been in a situation where software like Buildertrend didn't/couldn't add significant value and a need in my company
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I find it easier to use than Google Sheets , though it's easier to collaborate with other teams using Google Sheets. I also feel like Microsoft Excel is more suited to deal with complex formulas. The best way to put it, if I have a project that I'm solely working on, I'm going to use Microsoft Excel. If it's going to be shared, then I'm using Google Sheets.
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Pros
  • The subcontractor PO management area makes managing the scope of work and payments for each subcontractor extremely easy and is well organized.
  • The material selections section also greatly simplifies and organizes a somewhat challenging aspect of remodeling.
  • The ability for customers to view the total project cost and make payments online is a major time saver and improves our cashflow.
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  • Excel is the most fully featured spreadsheet software you are likely to find.
  • The software is compatible with a large number of file formats so using data from nearly any source is possible.
  • It can handle large data sets.
  • It can save your files in a variety of file formats.
Read full review
Cons
  • In messaging an Out of Office type auto response would be great for when people go out on vacation
  • When using the Job Type field of Mutli-Family this should allow the interface to group that all in one job but be section out into the different unit in that building. So different selections can all be located within that same unit.
  • Building new jobs from templates can take up to 10 minutes some times. Please reduce the amount of time it take to make jobs off templates.
  • Owner accounts should not be directly tied to a job, they should be completely separate so the account can be linked to different jobs and not cause problems to that account or what that account has access to.
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  • Excel offers collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on the same spreadsheet, but managing changes made by different users can be challenging. Excel could improve its features by offering more granular control, better tracking of changes, and more robust conflict resolution tools.
  • Itcan be a barrier to productivity when importing and exporting data from other applications or file formats. To improve its features, it should offer better support for standard file formats and more robust error handling and reporting tools.
  • Excel can be challenging for finance students and working professionals, but it can be improved by offering more robust tutorials, better documentation, and more user communities and support forums.
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Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
Excel remains the industry standard for spreadsheets and has maintained simple and straight-forward formula writing methods. Although there is a learning curve to do more complex calculations, there are countless help sites and videos on the Internet for almost any need.
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Usability
Its simple to use and intuitive. The level of support that we have from online videos, to access to customer support, and the ability to call anyone at anytime on the main line has been invaluable to utilize and not get stuck on something you don't know yet. We've never not had anyone that couldn't respond in time for us.
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Overall I think the usuability is great and offers everything it should. I have never not be able to use it for what I wanted it for. However, it is so detailed and offers so much it can be difficult to use. Better descriptions or explanation to all the information could be helpful
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Reliability and Availability
No answers on this topic
I have rarely, if ever, had issues with its availability.
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Performance
No answers on this topic
Excel load and performs calculations immediately. It integrate well with all Microsoft Office applications and does not slow them down.
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Support Rating
I highly recommend. The only suggestion I have would be to offer a free trial. They do offer a 30 day money back guarantee. The price point isn't daunting if you have had a 100 % no strings attached/no effort to cancel or try to remember to get your money back - no strings attached chance to try out the product. Especially for such a big purchase decision, I think Buildertrend would see an incredible increase in sales. They have the value and companies just need a chance to see it first hand.
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I have not had to use it often, but it is good.
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Alternatives Considered
(Hubspot) For Sales & Marketing, it is really a killer awesome program that I would encourage Buildertrend to look into. Hubspot is just on another level of intelligence and access that Buildertrend doesn't match up to. At the same time, perhaps HubSpot lacks what Buildertrend has on the Finance and Construction Management side - that I don't know. Our business is virtually complete by combining both of these platforms together across our teams.
Read full review
Excel is one of the tools I use for everyday work but fits alongside all the other programs I use. I keep Excel as a way of tracking projects from start to finish as well as document content strategy and audits. There are not many programs like Excel that I can think of other than Google Sheets and I find Excel is far better.
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Scalability
No answers on this topic
Each user can use it to whatever level of expertise they have. It remains the same so users can contribute to another's work regardless of whether they have more or less expertise
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Return on Investment
  • I started my business because of BuilderTrend.
  • My return on investment was 933% in year one.
  • BuilderTrend has not only helped me double my business year over year, but it's also created a new career for myself as a BuilderTrend consultant for new or existing users looking to maximize their ROI faster.
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  • It helps to me gather my thoughts, organize my research, and most importantly prioritize information in an easy to digest manner depending on what I am most interested to see at that time.
  • It helps me quite a bit to talk my clients through the financial implications of various office leasing transactions under consideration and coach them in a way that is very unbiased and fact-driven which I like.
  • It helps me to be more thoughtful as well when thinking about the various different situations in which I use Excel. And because it ultimately results in my clients getting comfortable ultimately pulling the trigger on a given deal, it directly leads to more commission in my pocket which I love!
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ScreenShots

Buildertrend Screenshots

Screenshot of the homeowner portalScreenshot of a summary pageScreenshot of the scheduling interface & Gantt chartScreenshot of photos