Autodesk Forma vs Buildertrend
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- Project Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Financial Management
- Scheduling
- Estimates & Bids
- Invoicing
- Document Storage
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Autodesk Forma sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Buildertrend asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
Autodesk Forma ships an update every 8 days, Buildertrend weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Autodesk Forma | Buildertrend |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (22K ratings) — better | 4.5 (5.1K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 40.7% of reviews — better | 28.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 22K — better | 5.1K |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 617 MB | 232 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Autodesk Inc. | Buildertrend Solutions, Inc. |
Customer experience
Autodesk Forma
Buildertrend
User reviews
Autodesk Forma
From 22K App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
Autodesk Forma
- Nailgun$49.99
- Autodesk Build 550$55.00
- Dozer$69.99
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- Autodesk Build 5000$85.00
- Forma Build Essentials$99.99
- Crane$139.99
- Autodesk Build Unlimited$174.99
Buildertrend
No in-app purchases







