Comparison

Newforma vs Layer Platform

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Newforma

Access and manage project information securely from any location. Search, file emails, and create action items on the go to make informed decisions quickly. Integrates with your existing project management servers.

Highlights
  • Secure project data access
  • File search and access
  • Email filing
  • Action item management
  • File sharing with external users
  • Cloud platform integration
Features
Read full description

At your desk, in the conference room or at the construction site, Newforma app with Newforma Project Center® 12 provides all internal project team members secure, on-demand and simple access to current project data. Only by having access to the information you need and where you need it can the right decision be made quickly and accurately. The Newforma app is a single, integrated app providing core collaboration and project information capabilities including file search and access, email filing and action items. More specifically, the App allows internal users to: • Access and upload projects through a secure Cloud Platform which connects users directly to their NPC Servers and File Servers. • Search and filter across the entire project or specific folders. • File project emails with a swipe and a tap. • Create and manage project Action Items in the field. • Share with an external user a link to a file. Requirements: • Newforma Project Center® 12 deployed on premises • App Proxy • Active Directory • Office 365 (used for filing email)

About

Layer Platform

This app organizes detailed building project information, including materials, photos, and tasks, into a centralized library. It allows customization of data fields and direct synchronization with Revit models for real-time access by all team members.

Highlights
  • Contextual project information organization
  • Customizable data fields
  • Revit model integration
  • Real-time data access
  • Streamlined workflow
  • Reduced redundancies and inaccuracies
Features
Read full description

Layer was developed by architects for the AECO industry and can be connected to a Revit model to bridge the gap between real-world building data and BIM. App Features: — Contextually organize detailed project information like materials, photos, surveys, measurements, notes, and tasks into a single library, streamlining workflow and reducing time-consuming redundancies and costly inaccuracies. — Customize a wide range of data fields to capture every aspect of a building or project, which can then be instantly accessed both in the field and at the desk. — Connect Layer to Revit to view, edit, and sync real-time data directly to a building model, giving the entire team — from architect to owner — instant access to absolutely everything.

Screenshots

Newforma4 screens
Layer Platform4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Layer Platform at 4.7 against Newforma's 3.3. Layer Platform also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). Newforma's advantage is review sentiment (25% vs 0%). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Layer Platform holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 13 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of Newforma's written reviews are positive against 0% of Layer Platform's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Newforma ships an update every 2 months, Layer Platform every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Newforma versus Layer Platform: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNewformaLayer Platform
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (6 ratings)4.7 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings613 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB253 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNewforma, IncLayer, LLC

Customer experience

Newforma

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

Layer Platform

All ratings13 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Newforma

No in-app purchases

None

Layer Platform

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Newforma free?
Newforma is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Layer Platform free?
Layer Platform is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Newforma or Layer Platform?
Layer Platform is rated higher. Newforma averages 3.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Layer Platform averages 4.7 from 13 ratings.
Do Newforma or Layer Platform have ads?
Neither Newforma nor Layer Platform shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Newforma or Layer Platform?
Newforma ships an update every 2 months, and Layer Platform every 3 days. Most recently, Newforma was updated on June 5, 2026 and Layer Platform on September 8, 2026.

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