# Autodesk Forma vs Buildertrend

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Autodesk Forma | Buildertrend |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autodesk-forma/id498795789/reviews)** | [4.5 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildertrend/id504370616/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **22K** | 5.1K |
| Positive reviews | **40.7% of reviews** | 28.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 8 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 617 MB | 232 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Autodesk Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/295089690) | [Buildertrend Solutions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/504370619) |

## What reviewers say

### Autodesk Forma

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/autodesk-forma/id498795789)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nailgun | $49.99 | one-time |
| Autodesk Build 550 | $55.00 | one-time |
| Dozer | $69.99 | one-time |
| Autodesk Build 5000 | $85.00 | one-time |
| Forma Build Essentials | $99.99 | one-time |
| Crane | $139.99 | one-time |
| Autodesk Build Unlimited | $174.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Buildertrend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildertrend/id504370616)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*