Top 35+ Construction Apps That Save Your Precious Time [And Run a Better Business]
It’s time to let technology do some of the heavy lifting for you with 35+ handpicked apps to help you track what’s most important to your construction business. From calculators to estimating tools, 3D drawing aids to marketing, read on to run a more efficient and productive business.
These days, you can do pretty much everything with a smartphone app.
We’re not talking about Facebook here – although you certainly can manage your Facebook Business Page from your phone if you want. We’re talking about ways that you can save time, be more efficient, and generally make your construction business run better.
Your current processes and office tech stack for accounting, marketing, and project management software are a great start. But how often do you actually have time to sit at your desk and use them?
We’re guessing not much.
And how many times are you on the job site wishing you could look up a project status, run an updated estimate, or check a payment status?
We’re guessing it’s a lot.
Since we’re all about saving you time, we’ve combed through the thousands of available apps and handpicked 35+ of the best to help you run a faster, more productive construction company.
Warning signs you need construction apps
You won’t need every app on this list. But the goal in adding these tools to your smartphones, tablet or laptop is to identify areas of your workflow that can benefit from data and centralized control.
If you’re unsure whether an app for construction is right for you, consider the following warning signs:
You’re surrounded by sawdust and don’t want to take out a laptop or tablet to look something up. | Your team is making a ruckus and you can’t hear the office staff on the other end of the phone. |
There’s a job site delay and you have to update your project timeline NOW, not this evening when you get back to the office. | The client just asked you for a change and you have to make sure that a new order fits their budget while they stand in front of you. |
Every construction company or home builder has been there (and then some) dealing with a problem on-site or at the office that requires tons of time to solve – when it should be handled at the click of a button. From looking up manual, paper reports to chasing up suppliers or hunting down unpaid invoices, extra admin slows you down and hurts your productivity.
The best construction apps make your job quicker, and easier, to take care of in the moment and with more reliable information than the scattered systems you currently use.
How to pick the best apps for your construction business
Before you dive in and start downloading a dozen apps, take two minutes and ask yourself these questions:
- What info do I always wish I had on me, that I don’t have?
- What are the top five questions I’m always asked when I’m dealing with a client?
- What software do we use the most back at the office to keep things running smoothly?
- What would reduce my headaches if I could just look it up on the spot?
Now see if you have an app (or two or three or thirteen) that helps answer those questions. If you don’t, then it’s time to start exploring our list of apps for construction.
We’ve got you covered from calculators to project management tools, so here are our picks for construction apps that will make you more efficient from anywhere.
Best construction calculator apps
One calculator to rule them all! This app includes more than your basic adding machine functions. You can convert units, work with different shapes, and even calculate area.
Why we love it
There are over 75 free calculators to choose from within the app, and you can pin them to your home screen as a widget for fast access.
Near misses
This app doesn’t rotate with your screen if you hold it horizontally, which can become frustrating at times. It’s also currently unavailable on iOS devices, so all your iPhone users will need to look elsewhere (don’t worry, read on for more calculator app options).
Trial and pricing
Free from the Android Store with optional in-app purchases
Measure and plan with accuracy with this simple and powerful calculator. Made specifically for construction projects, you can estimate area and volume, account for thicknesses, and estimate supplies for projects of all types.
Why we love it
The app has a wide variety of material-based calculators including measures for bricks, lumber, concrete, flooring, and pipework.
Near misses
The app is currently unavailable on iOS devices, and occasional error messages display in the developer’s native language (otherwise with full English support).
Trial and pricing
Free from the Android Store
Designed specifically for construction users on the job, this app covers everything from standard functions to bundle calculations for roofing and drywall.
Why we love it
Built-in solutions make it easy to calculate right angles, convert units, count studs, and work with preset fractions down to 1/64” so you can measure twice and cut once.
Near misses
The app icon and user interface have a bit of a dated feel, and it works best on iPad, rather than iPhone devices. The app is currently unavailable on Android devices.
Trial and pricing
$29.99 one-time purchase
Best construction calculator apps
#4 – CamToPlan
Welcome to the future! Using augmented reality, this camera app lets you use real-life photos to measure and plan for projects with exceptional accuracy.
Why we love it
You can quickly measure projects of any kind to generate estimates during brainstorming and budgeting meetings, or double check sizing without the need for a physical tape measure.
Near misses
If you’re using this to create or update a floor plan, you may prefer to work on a larger screen size.
Trial and pricing
$17.99 for the PRO version with all AR features
Working on a larger scale? No problem. Measure out properties or plots based on satellite map images to calculate pricing and confirm boundaries.
Why we love it
You can calculate the area in a variety of units as well as get the exact distance between points on a specific perimeter.
Near misses
Elevation or physical obstacles are not factored into any measurements. Also, many of the best features, including the option to use Google Maps, require an in-app purchase.
Trial and pricing
Free on the App Store with in-app purchases for additional features
Best construction drawing apps
#6 – Plangrid
On top of letting you tackle project management, the PlanGrid Build app includes for spring project photos and videos for access and edits.
Why we love it
You can view blueprints and mark them up on a cloud platform that saves and syncs your changes or feedback everywhere.
Near misses
Feature overload can overwhelm users who are looking for more basic options to draw out or edit project designs.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires an AutoDesk Build subscription.
#7 – FingerCAD
As the name implies, users can draw out computer-aided designs (CAD) with the tip of your finger, helping to visualize structures in a 3D perspective.
Why we love it
You can zoom, pan, edit, and adjust colors to make each design easy to read and share with prospects, clients and team members.
Near misses
This construction app may be a bit confusing to users who are newer to CAD tools and who might have a better experience working from a desktop computer.
Trial and pricing
$1.99 on iOS devices
Combining calculator tools with augmented reality, users can measure anything on the job to get specific dimensions and plan for any changes that might be needed.
Why we love it
This is great for double checking specs before and after each subcontractor comes through as you can take photos, mark them up, and send them along to your team.
Near misses
You can’t import photos from your library or gallery, so you’ll need to be on the job to snap a photo to mark up.
Trial and pricing
$11.99 on iOS devices and offers in-app purchases
Best construction management apps
#9 – Fieldwire
Made specifically for job site management, contractors can access current files, document progress on the go, and create reports for stakeholders.
Why we love it
You can focus on your actual tasks at hand rather than wondering what step is next with detailed plans, punch lists, and phone push notifications.
Near misses
You’ll probably want this to be the system of record for all your project management to get the most value out of the price.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires a Fieldwire subscription starting at $29 per user, per month.
#10 – ClickUp
From tables to calendars to Kanban boards, you can plan out every project with detailed tasks, subtasks, and assignments to keep things running smoothly.
Why we love it
You can completely customize statuses, tagging, and fields to match your existing workflow.
Near misses
There’s a bit of up front configuration required to structure everything for a trades business (but you can create templates as you go).
Trial and pricing
Free forever plans offer basic access. Paid plans for customization and extra users start at $9 per user, per month.
#11 – ClockShark
Centralized timesheets? Yes please! No more haggling with staff about when and where they clock into a job including geotracking.
Why we love it
The app ties into job scheduling so there’s no question about who needs to be where and when.
Near misses
Remember that you’ll need to integrate with another payroll system to account for all those hard-worked hours, so be sure yours is compatible.
Trial and pricing
Free 14-day trial for Android and iOS. Subscriptions start at $3 per user, per month for basic access.
#12 – SmartBid
You can’t get a job done right without a great plan. This app lets you keep everything for a job bid in one place as you work on estimates.
Why we love it
You can consolidate everything from emails and quotes via subcontractors to project data and measurements in one place, all to help decision making.
Near misses
This construction app allows subcontractors to bid on parts of a job but requires them to use the app, too.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires a Smart Bid subscription with pricing revealed during a custom quote process.
#13 – Dalux
Keep all your project notes, photos, and tasks in a single place that team members can use to update and alert you along the way.
Why we love it
The app works offline or when you are in a no-WiFi/no signal area like a basement or isolated job site.
Near misses
The construction app requires you to use it as your primary task management software or risk having to update details in more than one system.
Trial and pricing
Free on iOS and Android. Includes a 14-day free trial. Requires a Dalux subscription with pricing revealed during a custom quote process.
#14 – LetsBuild
This app is all about working from the same set of files, so you can rest easy knowing that your project managers and onsite teams have the right drawings in front of them.
Why we love it
Users can post comments and ask questions pointing at specific parts or places for a job, cutting down on confusion and back and forth messages.
Near misses
Different app features open up depending on the subscription plan you choose from LetsBuild, so you may run into limitations.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires a Smart Bid subscription with pricing revealed after an introductory demo.
#15 – Raken
Another way to manage time cards, this app lets you bulk upload crews, schedules, and hour allocation so you can quickly manage resources.
Why we love it
It’s easy to export data to pass along for payroll, which cuts down on unnecessary admin.
Near misses
Support seems to be slow to respond to user questions and app updates.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires a Raken subscription with pricing revealed after an introductory demo.
#16 – SmartSheet
Complete start to finish project management, this app lets you oversee pre construction planning, track schedules, and report on potential safety issues.
Why we love it
Real-time reporting and resource monitoring can help you scale teams and time up or down for the most efficient usage.
Near misses
This platform does it all – although it might be a bit much for smaller businesses looking for a more simple solution.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Includes a 30-day free trial. Requires a Smartsheet subscription starting at $25 per user, per month for businesses.
Best construction 3D model apps
#17 – BIMx
Review and present designs while onsite with subcontractors and clients, so that you can explain plans, obstacles, and revisions with imagery.
Why we love it
This app is great for making real-time changes because you can overlay project elements on camera images to get confirmations and feedback.
Near misses
This app excels at viewing existing images but does not include tools for creating new designs.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Includes a 30-day free trial. Requires an Archicad subscription with pricing revealed after an introductory demo.
#18 – Procore
Contractors can easily coordinate every aspect of the project design right down to specific tasks mapped to 3D visuals.
Why we love it
You can link up progress photos to plans and project drawings that can be accessed by your entire team, including subcontractors.
Near misses
You’ll spend a lot of time uploading your files and content to make the system more productive for you in the longer term.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Includes a free trial. Requires a Procore subscription with pricing revealed after an introductory demo.
Best website creation apps
#19 – Pedestal
A solid website is the core of any modern marketing strategy, and Pedestal makes it easy to get one up and running in under an hour.
Why we love it
Templates for specific trades are super easy to use with zero coding needed, and you can add content into strategically created layouts optimized for your industry.
Near misses
While it offers customization within different drag-and-drop elements, you won’t find the need to customize the code if that’s your thing.
Trial and pricing
Includes a 14-day free trial. Requires a subscription with pricing starting at $49/month or you can pay a flat rate to have the Pedestal team create a site for you.
Best construction health and safety apps
#20 – CITB Op
Prepare for the CITB Health, Safety, and Environment test with access to test simulations, practice questions, and scoring review.
Why we love it
The testing gives you responsive feedback so you can practice the items you need the most work on.
Near misses
Since guidelines change over time, the app receives updates but users may be charged additional fees for the latest content.
Trial and pricing
$10 on iOS devices
Every construction team should have regular safety meetings, and this app walks managers through critical topics for regular review.
Why we love it
Content spans OSHA safety content for a number of industries including general construction as well as HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.
Near misses
The company requires a credit card on file to provide access to the app, even for the free trial portion.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Includes a 15-day free trial. Requires a subscription with pricing starting at $199 annually for a single user.
#22 – Safety Meeting App
No one can remember everything, which is why checklists like those for inspections in this app are a lifesaver on the job.
Why we love it
You can create custom, compliant lists that match industry standards including 1926 Construction and FMCSA/DOT.
Near misses
Content for training, incidents, and forms are spread across different apps and products.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Includes a free trial. Requires a subscription with pricing starting at $45 per user, per month.
Best construction administration apps
#23 – Evernote Scannable
Evernote is a notetaking platform that can keep to-do lists and notes-to-self in one place. The scannable version lets you scan documents so you don’t lose them.
From receipts, to business cards, to brainstormed drawings on the back of a cardboard box, you can save your notes and files from anywhere.
You do need a Business level account to access the scan function (but we think it’s worth it).
Free app on iOS and Android. Scanning access requires a Business subscription with pricing starting at $14.99 per user, per month.
#24 – Freshbooks
Manage billing and invoicing on the go as you close out jobs and move on to the next one including email notifications with professional templates.
Why we love it
You can enter expenses, take snapshots of receipts, and log mileage. You can then use this to bill customer accounts or record as a business expense to reconcile or deduct later.
Near misses
It’s easier to update existing records and clients than it is to create new accounts using the mobile app, so there’s a small learning curve to overcome.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires a Freshbooks subscription starting at $6/month with a 30-day free trial.
#25 – CamScanner
Create PDFs by scanning anything you have on hand so you never lose another receipt for your expense reports again.
Why we love it
You can crop and share files and convert image text into actual text (a feature called OCR).
Near misses
The free version lets you play with features but puts a watermark on files to encourage you to pay.
Trial and pricing
Free app on Android with limited feature access. Requires a subscription for all features with pricing starting at $4.99 per user, per month.
#26 – Adobe Fill & Sign
Eliminate physical paperwork and get approvals out of the way on mobile with easy document read and signature access.
Why we love it
Your team can send you digital forms for review and signature, but you can also send paperwork to your clients to move things along more quickly.
Near misses
Some of the editing features are currently limited, such as using a signature on file or changing font sizes.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android.
#27 – Notion
Think of this as a mobile notebook that you can collaborate with people on in real-time, making sure everyone works from the same content.
Why we love it
You can customize pages and folders to work with different elements like checklists, embedded links, and images.
Near misses
With so much flexibility, content can get nested or lost in the folder structure if you aren’t organized.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Remains free for personal use but requires a subscription to add users, starting at $8 per user, per month.
#28 – Punch List
Let this app be your guide for your final site walkthroughs with subcontractors and clients alike.
Why we love it
You can create a punch list template and use it for repetitive project processes, marking things as complete, needing review, and adding images along the way.
Near misses
If you try to use the app on more than one device, you may have to purchase another license for it.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS with limited feature access. Requires a Premium subscription for all features with pricing starting at $5.99 per user, per month.
#29 – Joist
Bidding for a new job is not just a price war but a race against the competition, and Joist makes orders, reports, and estimates lightning fast.
Why we love it
You can create estimates, collect online payments, and send invoices all on the go while syncing everything back to Quickbooks automatically.
Near misses
This system uses PayPal for payment collection and invoicing, which some users find cumbersome to walk their customers through.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Offers a free version without branding options or a Pro subscription starting at $12 per month.
Best construction reporting apps
#30 – iNeoSyte
Collect field documents and use them to create inspection reports and conduct site audits right from your smartphone.
Why we love it
You can track progress as you go along, logging issues and updating snag lists that can then be sent out in PDF reports as needed.
Near misses
Reports may encounter errors or lost information due to connectivity issues.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS with limited feature access. Requires a Premium subscription for all features and cloud sharing with pricing starting at $10 per user, per month.
Great for engaging with and tracking subcontractors, this app emphasizes real-time collaboration across all teams while keeping everyone productive.
Why we love it
No more wondering whether a vendor understood what you said or knows when and where to show up with clear task assignments and accountability.
Near misses
Extremely customizable features from a leader in enterprise CRM systems can over complicate matters for smaller companies.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS and Android. Requires a subscription with pricing revealed after an introductory demo.
Miscellaneous construction apps
#32 – MindNode
Construction can be a creative pursuit, and this app helps you tap into your imagination and capture your brainstorming sessions.
Why we love it
You can turn your jotted down notes into organized maps and plans for future projects or problem solving.
Near misses
The overall structure might be a bit odd to some users with mind maps and trees showing thought progression.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS with limited feature access. Requires a Plus subscription for all features with pricing starting at $2.49 per user, per month.
#33 – Compass360
Point yourself in the right direction with a responsive and customizable compass – great for planning on the job site.
Why we love it
It’s super easy to use and does not require an internet connection.
Near misses
The app simply won’t work if your phone doesn’t have a magnetic sensor in it.
Trial and pricing
Free app on Android.
Constantly finding yourself wondering who borrowed your hammer? Now you can keep track of all your tools with personal inventory management.
Why we love it
Create a log of your gear, and then note when and who you lent it out to (so you know who to chase down later).
Near misses
There’s a lot of upfront data entry to get exact models and information loaded into the app.
Trial and pricing
Free app on iOS with limited feature access. Requires an Enterprise plan to run reports or use barcodes to simply inventory management.
#35 – DecibelX
Construction sites are rarely quiet, but now you can measure the ruckus with a sound meter built into your phone.
Why we love it
For safety compliance, this app is great for detecting harmful noise levels.
Near misses
You’ll need to custom calibrate the app to get the right accuracy, which can be a bit tricky at times.
Trial and pricing
Available on iOS. A free version is available with in-app purchases.
#36 – BatiScript
Create a punch list based on priorities and productivity, with flexibility for note taking and sharing across teams.
Why we love it
This platform includes checklists for preconstruction, build, and post-delivery processes to cover every stage of the business.
Near misses
Created by a French-speaking company, some of the translations may make it clumsy for English speakers.
Trial and pricing
Free app on Android. Requires a subscription with pricing revealed after an introductory demo.
Are you ready to build a better business with your new apps for construction?
Efficiency is the name of the game.
Construction apps should be a help, not a hassle. So anything that takes too long to figure out or tie into your existing processes: delete it.
To make things easy, aim to choose the best construction apps based on how they fill gaps in your processes on the go.
What will cut down on questions, calls, and delays?
These construction apps aren’t just meant for you, either. You can have your project managers, foremen, and even subcontractors download a few apps that tie into their roles or your workflow. That way, everyone has the same advantages, can work from the same schedules, and can be on the same page.
Just make sure you keep your phone charged.
It doesn’t (and shouldn’t) take 35+ apps to run a business. With Tradieflow, you can cut down on your downloads with an all-in-one mobile (and desktop) solution designed specifically for trade businesses.
Manage lead and sales statuses, accounting, payments, project management, and marketing intelligence while cutting down hours of admin work each day.