Top 10 Must-Have Tablet Software for Construction in 2024

Updated by Nazanin Ghodsian, 08/19/2024

In today’s construction industry, being connected, efficient, and well-organized is critical for success. Fortunately, there are a ton of apps available that are made just for construction companies and can increase productivity and efficiency. Tablet software for construction offer contractors with a broad solution, encompassing resource monitoring, planning, and project management.

To say that the demand for tablet software for construction has expanded recently would be an understatement. The number and variety of construction management software developed for mobile devices has skyrocketed. This increase is the result of the special advantage that mobile devices—especially tablets—offer: mobility. The mobility that tablet software for construction currently offers is one of its biggest benefits; it enables teams to stay in touch and manage projects while on the go.

It’s not as easy as it would appear to translate feature-rich construction project management software to a tablet interface. The fact that users engage differently with tablet devices than they do with desktop computers is one of the main problems. For this purpose, creators of tablet software for construction is not just turning their standard computer connections into apps with minor adjustments. Rather, they are creating interfaces that are tailored to enhance the distinct advantages and practicality of tablets.

What is Tablet Software for Construction?

Construction project management requires a great deal of labor on the job site because it is both theoretical and practical. Most of the time, you can’t just carry your laptop to the job site and stay there all day. This is where tablet software for construction comes in handy.

Tablet software for construction is employed in project management. Numerous use cases in construction project management are covered by this group of applications, including time monitoring, modeling, issue marking, computations, on-site surveillance, and report production. Without a doubt, some applications are more helpful than others.

That being said, there are still uses for flashlight and standard calculator apps, so they are not completely worthless. However, the area of construction project management encompasses much more, and tablet software for construction attempts to replicate some of the independent software features in a mobile application format.

Top 10 Tablet Software for Construction

Let’s examine a few different tablet software for construction samples. It is reasonable to assume that they vary greatly based on a variety of criteria, such as the role of the user and the issue that the app is intended to address.

1. Autodesk BIM 360 Field/Plan/Glue – Best for Complex Project Management

Key features:

• Issue marking and report generation with BIM 360 Field
• Detailed planning and estimation with BIM 360 Plan
• Access to BIM models on the go without the need for an internet connection with BIM 360 Glue

Pricing:

• The applications themselves are free, but working with them requires an active subscription to Autodesk Construction Cloud, a multi-faceted service with most pricing available only by quotation.

A collection of tablet software for construction, each with a restricted feature set, makes up Autodesk BIM 360. Report creation and issue marking, as well as facilitating the timely and accurate transfer of problem reports between on-site staff and their distant colleagues, are the main focuses of BIM 360 Field. Planning and production of resources are given more attention in the BIM 360 Plan. However, by accurately estimating costs and employing alternative methods, it may be applied in a variety of ways to achieve the same end and save both time and money.

As the name implies, BIM 360 Glue is a multifunctional mobile application that allows you to view BIM models both offline and online. Furthermore, there are numerous methods by which BIM 360 Glue can communicate with intelligent objects.

On their own, these three tablet software for construction are all free. They are, nevertheless, linked to the extensive Autodesk BIM 360 platform, which provides a wealth of BIM functionalities, such as enhanced collaboration, in-depth analytics, quality control, document management, and more. However, BIM 360 is not a free solution, and its pricing is not disclosed to the public; instead, potential customers must get in touch with Autodesk to find out how much the platform would cost.

Suggested article to read: Top 11 Energy Analysis Software in Construction (2024)

2. Revizto V5 – Best for Issue Tracking

Key features:

• BIM intelligence unification, offering access to the entire BIM model for every project participant
• Streamlined collaboration with BIM model as the only source of information for all stakeholders
• Extensive clash detection between different model elements in both 2D (sheets) and 3D (models)
• Offline access to the entire BIM model if it is downloaded beforehand
• Reality capture with the device itself, allowing for a constant stream of up-to-date information from the construction site or other sources

Pricing:

• Both Revizto V5 and Revizto Site are free, but the user must have a Revizto account and an active paid subscription to work with the apps.
• No pricing is publicly available for the service. It can be learned only via a request for a quotation.

Revizto for iPad combines nearly every function available in the standard Revizto desktop software into a single app, greatly increasing the accessibility of numerous BIM procedures.

The Revizto is one of the tablet software for construction that uses the same interface as your desktop Revizto program to work with 2D and 3D plans and models, allow unique properties for objects, support point clouds, and use images to show project status interactions. Revizto operates on the same model as BIM 360, with the iOS app being free and the platform it runs on being paid. Furthermore, Revizto does not list prices on its website, so clients must get in touch with the business directly to find out the cost.

Smaller businesses won’t have to pay for features or components that are unnecessary for their scope of work because this strategy allows for greater customization in terms of payments.

It’s also important to note that Revizto released a smartphone app in April 2023, which further simplifies BIM data access and collaboration for people without an iPad or Android tablet. Revizto Site is the app, and it offers a smartphone experience that is easy to use together with all of the features of Revizto V5.

3. Clockshark – Best for Time Tracking

Key features:

• Extensive time tracking in a single centralized location, with the ability to switch between tasks, review and approve other people’s schedules, track specific tasks, and more
• More accurate timesheets with GPS coordinates, notifications about clocking in and out, detailed log of overtime, early check-ins and check-outs, missed shifts, etc.
• Easy integration with many different applications, including QuickBooks, Paychex, ADP, Sage, and MYOB.
• Easy handling of sophisticated time policies, including time off requests, overtime rules, and overtime alerts

Pricing:

• The application itself is free, but it works properly only with an active ClockShark subscription
• ClockShark has two subscription levels, Standard and Pro:
• A Standard subscription is $16 per month with an extra $7 for every additional user
• A Pro subscription is $30 per month with an extra $9 for each extra user

Technically speaking, Clockshark is one of the tablet software for construction for managing construction projects, however, its main function is time tracking. Tracking different time parameters for your construction workforce is simple using Clockshark, and other capabilities make the process even more user-friendly. Automated time tracking, cloud-based time tracking, and simple interaction with numerous building programs are some of these characteristics.

Although the ClockShark app is free, using it necessitates an ongoing subscription to the service, which also offers a complimentary 14-day trial. Apart from that, ClockShark offers two distinct price tiers. With a base license costing $16 per month and an extra $7 per month for each user who has to be tracked, the Standard pricing plan is a great option for smaller enterprises.

It’s also important to note that ClockShark offers annual and monthly payment plans, with the annual payment plan being cheaper by the equivalent of two free months of service. Furthermore, during the first three months of payment, ClockShark gives all new customers a 50% discount (this does not include the additional per-user expenses).

Suggested article to read: Top 7 Construction Project Management Software Solutions for 2024 | 11 Best Architectural Modeling Software; 2024 Review

4. iNeo Pro Field Daily Reports – Best for Audit Tasks

Key features:

• Easier daily report/audit document creation with an encrypted connection
• Integration with emails, the ability to add images to every report
• Other details that can be added to every new report include work areas, punch lists, work status, personnel data, and more

Pricing:

• iNeo Pro Field Daily Reports mobile application is free, but it requires an active subscription to work properly
• The subscription offers three pricing plans:
• The Basic plan is free for everyone
• The Pro plan is $9.99 per month per user
• The Advanced plan is $19.99 per month per user

Once more, the primary function of the software is indicated by its name: iNeo Pro Field Daily Reports is a professional report-writing tool. Both daily reports and less frequent but more thorough reports can be used with it.

It’s simple to share any of the reports generated in iNeo Pro Field by email or a cloud storage provider like Dropbox, Google Drive, or others. Each of your reports can easily have multiple comments and images attached to it, and the shorter report creation time frees up more time for more important building activities.

Since iNeo Pro Field Daily Reports’ Basic plan should be able to meet the majority of a small company’s demands, smaller contractors could utilize it for free. In addition to the Basic plan, the Pro plan ($9.99 a month per user) provides comprehensive site reports, project-sharing features, and other benefits. The Pro plan’s features are enhanced by the Advanced plan ($19.99 per month per user), which also includes custom checklists, report sharing, cloud storage for reports, and custom forms.

5. Co-construct – Best for Collaboration

Key features:

• Robust scheduling and extensive time-tracking
• File and photo storage with the ability to draw on photos
• Efficient employee time tracking and job site logs
• Easy communication between different project participants and even with the client, with effortless order changes and flexible selections for end users

Pricing:

• The application itself is free for both Android and iOS, but the CoConstruct app will not operate without an active subscription.
• CoConstruct provides three subscription tiers:
• The Essential tier is $399 per month
• The Advanced tier is $699 per month
• The Complete tier is $1,299 per month

CoConstruct is one of the tablet software for construction with feature-rich construction project management applications targeted at small and medium-sized construction firms. It primarily targets custom builders, remodelers, and different design-build firms. The application is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones, and it comes with a fairly large feature set. It is available in both standalone and web-based versions.

The price structure of CoConstruct is intricate. Although the service is based on a subscription model, the app is free. The ultimate cost is complex because each of the three tiers has various benefits and features, and they can be billed monthly or annually.

Firstly, there are three primary pricing options offered by CoConstruct: Essential, Advanced, and Complete. A more basic option that includes project scheduling, email marketing, daily logs, and receipts is called the Essential plan ($399 per month). With the ability to work with proposals, budgeting, bills, surveys, WIP reports, bid management, and change orders, the Advanced plan ($699 per month) offers greater flexibility. The Complete plan, which costs $1,299 a month, is the most comprehensive bundle of all the services provided by CoConstruct and includes RFIs, warranties, selections, and all other features included in the earlier subscription levels.

Suggested article to read: Top 7 Digital Twin Software in 2024

6. Punch List & Site Audit Report – Best for Punch List Creation

Key features:

• Simple and clean punch list creation with only a few steps
• Ability to attach a variety of additional data sources, such as photos, to documents
• Suitable for site walks, inspections, snag lists, audits, construction management, and more.

Pricing:

• Punch List & Site Audit Report is a free app with some features available only to users with active paid subscriptions to the service.

Punch List & Site Audit Report is one of the tablet software for construction that focuses just on punch lists; it is another example of technical placement on the list. The ability to enumerate every possible issue that may arise during a particular project or at any point throughout the on-site work can have a significant impact on the project’s overall result. The general user-friendliness of this software encourages users to work with it even more. It can also function with notes and photographs provided as attachments to your lists and reports.

Punch List & Site Audit Report can be downloaded for free, however certain of its features are regarded as “Premium” and cannot be used without a current subscription.

7. Fieldwire – Best for Managing Blueprints

Key features:

• Project management capabilities with RFI tracking, automated submittals, specification reviews, and more
• Drawing and blueprinting with annotations, markups, status update images, as-built archives, and RFI hyperlinks
• Construction inspection, 2FA, detailed on-site inspection, annotations, and markups for progress photos.

Pricing:

• The application is free on both platforms, but users must purchase one of several subscription plans to use most features.

As a “Fully featured blueprint management solution,” Fieldwire touts the ability to access and share models as one of its main functions. Users of Fieldwire’s construction project app, which is available for both iOS and Android, can access the most pertinent project model at any time and from any location.

One of Fieldwire’s advantages is the ability to view models offline. Other capabilities include the ability to hyperlink sheets, annotate and markup documents, attach images, import drawings, and blueprints quickly, and more.

Fieldwire’s mobile app is free, but to use it, you must have an active Fieldwire subscription, just like most of the examples in this article. Depending on whether a timed free trial qualifies as a separate membership tier, Fieldwire is one of the tablet software for construction that offers three (four) different subscription rates. Fieldwire offers Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers in addition to its free trial, which it refers to as its Basic tier. For $54 per user every month, users can access limitless projects and sheets, personalized task statuses, sheet comparison, and email support with the Pro subscription.

Suggested article to read: 13 Best Architectural Rendering Software; 2024 Review

8. GoCanvas – Best for Form Creation

Key features:

• App creation from scratch with zero lines of code, either via one of the existing templates or by using your combination of elements.
• Allows for the creation of invoices, waivers, estimates, work orders, inspections, and many others.

Pricing:

• GoCanvas has two pricing tiers – “Essential” and “Elite,” neither of which has any public pricing available; it can only be acquired after requesting a quote from the software provider.

GoCanvas is one of the tablet software for construction reporting tools that is more suited for use cases that are specialized to contractors. The two primary functions offered by GoCanvas are form creation and variety report completion. When completing work orders, estimates, audits, and inspection documents, the first function comes in helpful. The second feature is peculiar to a given scenario and is generally applied to less common processes and tasks. GoCanvas is among the greatest construction management applications available because it allows you to export your forms and completed documents into PDF format and share them with others.

The free edition of GoCanvas comes with a brief trial that needs to be converted into a paid membership. The Essential and Elite subscription packages are GoCanvas’ two primary options.

Growing businesses in need of greater automation capabilities are the focus of the Essential tier. In addition to many more services that are available for an additional fee, it provides priority tech support, an online onboarding program, unlimited forms, offline access, photo capture and uploading, support for three or more people, and much more. However, in addition to a dedicated client onboarding program, a lower limit of seven users or more, and a long list of some extremely uncommon features like SSO, complete API access, customer-facing forms, and many more, the Elite tier delivers all of the features included in the Essential tier.

9. FingerCad – Best Cheap Drafting Solution

Key features:

• Comprehensive modeling operations with just a smartphone
• Support for a variety of CAD formats, including the popular.DXF format
• Both advanced CAD modeling operations and simple, quick drawings can be performed with FingerCAD

Pricing:

• FingerCAD’s perpetual license costs only $2.99, one of the cheapest solutions on the market, and no additional purchases are involved.

Moving on from reporting apps, FingerCad is one of the feature-rich tablet software for construction that requires nothing more than your mobile device to perform real modeling operations. It may be used for both complex modeling tasks and rapid drawings, and it supports multiple file types, including.DXF files. FingerCad’s interface, although its complexity, allows you to access many of the functionality of desktop modeling software on your mobile device.

The reason behind FingerCad’s comparatively low cost is that it is one of the few construction project management applications without a full-featured software equivalent. Although FingerCad isn’t free, it can be purchased for as low as $2.99 and doesn’t require any other purchases for the complete program to function.

Suggested article to read: 10 Best Construction AI Software in 2024

10. Oracle Aconex – Best for Annotations

Resources:

Revizto | EverHour | TradieDigital | WhenIWork | ConnecTeam | LetsBuild

For all the pictures: Freepik