Comparison

Autodesk Forma vs Buildertrend

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

Head to head
About

Autodesk Forma

This app provides construction professionals with essential tools for jobsite management. Capture punch lists, log daily reports, and access the latest project documents and 3D models directly from the field. Stay connected to your team and keep projects moving forward efficiently.

Highlights
  • Capture punch list items
  • Log daily reports and forms
  • View and markup drawings
  • Review 3D models
  • Track issues and quality concerns
  • Access project schedules
  • Manage RFIs and submittals
Features
Read full description

Autodesk Inc. Capture punch list items, markup drawings, log daily reports, view the latest sheets, and review 3D models from the jobsite with the Forma mobile construction app. The Forma mobile app puts the tools and project information you rely on in your hands. Stay connected to your crews on site, manage projects, and keep work moving. Make critical decisions faster with the Forma mobile construction app: • Forma Build Essentials for efficient, focused field execution • Forma Build for connecting field execution and project management Forma Build Essentials: Built for lean crews and growing jobs. Projects are quick to set up, easy to access, and designed for everyday work on site. • Capture punch list items and issues from the field • Complete daily reports, logs, and forms • View current construction sheets, drawings, files, and models • Open project files and documentation Latest sheets, files, and models View and mark up sheets directly from the jobsite. Access project files and review 3D models to understand design intent and context. Confirm the latest versions before work begins. • View and mark up drawings • Open project files, sheets, and construction documents • Review 3D models Punch list and issue tracking Capture punch list items and issues as you walk the jobsite. Track quality concerns. Log safety observations, near misses, and good catches. Assign responsibility and track work from open to closed. • Log issues with photos, locations, and references • Assign owners and due dates • Track progress from open to closed Daily reports, checklists, and forms Capture daily activity and site conditions, complete quality or safety inspections, and attach photos, signatures, and supporting files. • Complete daily reports and logs • Record site conditions and project information • Attach photos and signatures Fast mobile workflows Open a project and jump straight into work. • Access sheets, issues, forms, photos, and models quickly • Use shortcuts for common field actions • Keep project information accessible as connectivity changes Forma Build: With Forma Build, bring the office and field together to keep projects aligned and on track with connected project management workflows. • Includes core field capabilities • Review project schedules and work plans • Manage RFIs and track responses • Access approved submittals • Capture meeting notes and manage correspondence • Track project assets • Manage document and package reviews Connected across Forma: The Forma mobile app connects you to your Forma project information, construction documents, files, and 3D models across Forma Build Essentials, Forma Build, PlanGrid, Forma Design Collaboration, and Forma Data Management, while providing access to files created in Autodesk tools like Revit, Navisworks, and AutoCAD. See what our customers have to say: "The ability to access 3D models from the field eliminates confusion and allows us to come to a real-time resolution for any issues onsite. This capability reduces risk and provides cost and time savings while ensuring we deliver high-quality projects to our clients." Briana Mitchell, Project Manager, Boldt Company "We have about 460 field employees and for them to access documents in real-time directly on their iPhone or their iPad is priceless." Ken Mabe, Director of Field Operations, Eckardt Group

About

Buildertrend

Streamline construction projects and business operations. This platform helps professionals reduce delays, minimize communication errors, and enhance client satisfaction. Manage projects, finances, and team collaboration from anywhere.

Highlights
  • Project Management
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Financial Management
  • Scheduling
  • Estimates & Bids
  • Invoicing
  • Document Storage
Features
Read full description

Say goodbye to constant chaos. Align your team. Drive growth. Impress clients. With Buildertrend construction software, you can work simpler and run your business - without letting it run you. Our platform helps construction professionals build more by reducing delays, eliminating communication errors and increasing customer satisfaction. Buildertrend has helped nearly one million users find a better way to build with features like: Project management tools: • Built-in client relationship management • Selections • Project scheduling • To-Do's and Daily Logs • Unlimited document and photo storage • Photo and PDF annotation • Electronic signatures • Client and subcontractor portals • Time Clock with geofencing • Requests for Information • Warranties Financial management tools: • Takeoff • Estimates • Bids • Proposals • Bills and Purchase Orders • Change Orders • Budgeting • Client invoicing • Online client and sub payments • Accounting integrations • Financial reporting What matters most: • Manage projects from anywhere with the Buildertrend app • We offer award-winning customer support Enjoying the Buildertrend app? Leave us a rating and review below.

Screenshots

Autodesk Forma4 screens
Buildertrend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Buildertrend at none against Autodesk Forma's 7. Autodesk Forma's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (41% vs 29%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Autodesk Forma sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Buildertrend asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Autodesk Forma holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22K and 5.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 41% of Autodesk Forma's written reviews are positive against 29% of Buildertrend's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Autodesk Forma ships an update every 8 days, Buildertrend weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Autodesk Forma versus Buildertrend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAutodesk FormaBuildertrend
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (22K ratings) — better4.5 (5.1K ratings)
Positive reviews40.7% of reviews — better28.9% of reviews
Number of ratings22K — better5.1K
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size617 MB232 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAutodesk Inc.Buildertrend Solutions, Inc.

Customer experience

Autodesk Forma

All ratings21,576 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.8%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive40.7%
Neutral7.9%
Negative51.4%

Buildertrend

All ratings5,104 ratings
Positive86.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews218 reviews
Positive28.9%
Neutral11.0%
Negative60.1%

User reviews

Autodesk Forma

From 22K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Helpful for project management
  • 🚀 Great for viewing and annotating plans
  • 🚀 Useful for field work and collaboration

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Sync and syncing issues
  • 🔋 High battery usage
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🔒 Aggressive billing practices
  • 🔒 Poor customer support

Buildertrend

From 5.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app and software
  • 👍 Helps manage projects and organization
  • 💡 Comprehensive features and functionality
  • 🚀 Streamlines business processes

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy, crashes, and freezes
  • 👎 Not user-friendly, unintuitive interface
  • 💰 Expensive, poor value for money
  • 🔒 Lacks security and data control for clients

Bugs and requests

Autodesk Forma

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Inability to rotate photos
  • Issues with loading and viewing documents
  • Problems with task report formatting
  • Inconsistencies between mobile and desktop apps

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add a to-do list feature
  • Improve report editing and customization
  • Allow selective project/document downloads
  • Enhance photo management and organization

Buildertrend

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Daily log issues, including time stamp problems
  • Frequent app crashes and login failures
  • Syncing and data loading problems across devices
  • Unreliable notifications and messaging

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improve login and authentication process
  • Add more customization and configuration options
  • Enhance mobile app functionality and stability
  • Improve communication and notification features

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Autodesk Forma

One-time7
  • Nailgun$49.99
  • Autodesk Build 550$55.00
  • Dozer$69.99
Show 4 more
  • Autodesk Build 5000$85.00
  • Forma Build Essentials$99.99
  • Crane$139.99
  • Autodesk Build Unlimited$174.99
None

Buildertrend

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Autodesk Forma free?
Autodesk Forma is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Buildertrend free?
Buildertrend is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Autodesk Forma or Buildertrend?
Autodesk Forma is rated higher. Autodesk Forma averages 4.7 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while Buildertrend averages 4.5 from 5.1K ratings.
Do Autodesk Forma or Buildertrend have ads?
Neither Autodesk Forma nor Buildertrend shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Autodesk Forma or Buildertrend?
Autodesk Forma ships an update every 8 days, and Buildertrend weekly. Most recently, Autodesk Forma was updated on October 14, 2026 and Buildertrend on October 12, 2026.

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