Quick Overview
- 1#1: Foundation - Specialized accounting software for construction contractors offering job costing, payroll, AP/AR, inventory, and customizable reporting.
- 2#2: Sage 100 Contractor - Comprehensive job cost accounting solution for construction firms with project management, estimating, and financial controls.
- 3#3: Viewpoint Vista - Enterprise ERP platform providing advanced construction accounting, job costing, subcontract management, and real-time reporting.
- 4#4: QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor - Affordable, industry-tailored accounting software with construction-specific job costing, progress billing, and reporting features.
- 5#5: CMiC - Cloud-based ERP unifying construction accounting, financials, project management, and field operations for large firms.
- 6#6: Jonas Construction Software - Modular ERP system delivering construction accounting, job costing, service management, and CRM integration.
- 7#7: ComputerEase - Cloud accounting software for mid-sized contractors featuring job costing, certified payroll, and change order management.
- 8#8: Premier Construction Software - Integrated accounting and project management tool for construction with overhead allocation and WIP reporting.
- 9#9: Knowify - Construction management platform with built-in accounting for job costing, invoicing, and payments tailored to trade contractors.
- 10#10: Aspire - Financial operations software for exterior contractors handling job costing, financing, invoicing, and cash flow management.
Tools were evaluated based on core features like job costing and payroll, platform quality, user experience, and overall value, ensuring they deliver robust, practical solutions for modern construction accounting.
Comparison Table
The construction industry demands accounting tools tailored to project-specific tracking, budgeting, and compliance; this comparison table details top solutions including Foundation, Sage 100 Contractor, Viewpoint Vista, QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor, CMiC, and more, highlighting key features and suitability to help readers find the right fit for their business.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation Specialized accounting software for construction contractors offering job costing, payroll, AP/AR, inventory, and customizable reporting. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Sage 100 Contractor Comprehensive job cost accounting solution for construction firms with project management, estimating, and financial controls. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Viewpoint Vista Enterprise ERP platform providing advanced construction accounting, job costing, subcontract management, and real-time reporting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor Affordable, industry-tailored accounting software with construction-specific job costing, progress billing, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | CMiC Cloud-based ERP unifying construction accounting, financials, project management, and field operations for large firms. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Jonas Construction Software Modular ERP system delivering construction accounting, job costing, service management, and CRM integration. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | ComputerEase Cloud accounting software for mid-sized contractors featuring job costing, certified payroll, and change order management. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Premier Construction Software Integrated accounting and project management tool for construction with overhead allocation and WIP reporting. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Knowify Construction management platform with built-in accounting for job costing, invoicing, and payments tailored to trade contractors. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Aspire Financial operations software for exterior contractors handling job costing, financing, invoicing, and cash flow management. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Specialized accounting software for construction contractors offering job costing, payroll, AP/AR, inventory, and customizable reporting.
Comprehensive job cost accounting solution for construction firms with project management, estimating, and financial controls.
Enterprise ERP platform providing advanced construction accounting, job costing, subcontract management, and real-time reporting.
Affordable, industry-tailored accounting software with construction-specific job costing, progress billing, and reporting features.
Cloud-based ERP unifying construction accounting, financials, project management, and field operations for large firms.
Modular ERP system delivering construction accounting, job costing, service management, and CRM integration.
Cloud accounting software for mid-sized contractors featuring job costing, certified payroll, and change order management.
Integrated accounting and project management tool for construction with overhead allocation and WIP reporting.
Construction management platform with built-in accounting for job costing, invoicing, and payments tailored to trade contractors.
Financial operations software for exterior contractors handling job costing, financing, invoicing, and cash flow management.
Foundation
specializedSpecialized accounting software for construction contractors offering job costing, payroll, AP/AR, inventory, and customizable reporting.
Advanced job cost ledger that allocates labor, materials, and overhead precisely to individual projects and phases
Foundation Software is a comprehensive, construction-specific accounting solution tailored for contractors, offering robust job costing, payroll processing, and financial management tools. It excels in tracking project costs, managing subcontractor payments with lien waivers, and handling certified payroll compliance. Designed for general contractors and specialty trade firms, it provides detailed reporting and integration with project management systems to ensure accurate financial oversight on construction jobs.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing with real-time tracking and forecasting
- Certified payroll and lien waiver management for compliance
- Modular design allows customization for specific construction needs
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to depth of features
- Primarily desktop-based with optional hosting at extra cost
- Pricing can be high for smaller firms
Best For
Mid-sized to large construction companies needing advanced job costing and regulatory compliance in accounting.
Pricing
Quote-based; modular pricing starts around $10,000-$20,000 upfront plus $2,000-$5,000 annual maintenance, with cloud hosting options available.
Sage 100 Contractor
enterpriseComprehensive job cost accounting solution for construction firms with project management, estimating, and financial controls.
Advanced job costing engine that tracks costs by phase, cost type, and labor burdens with real-time variance analysis
Sage 100 Contractor is a robust, on-premise accounting software tailored for construction companies, providing comprehensive tools for job costing, project management, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and general ledger functions. It supports the full project lifecycle from bidding and estimating to change orders, invoicing, and closeout. Designed for mid-sized contractors, it excels in handling complex multi-job and multi-company environments with strong customization and reporting capabilities.
Pros
- Highly specialized job costing with detailed phase and cost code tracking
- Extensive customization and reporting options integrated with Microsoft Office
- Strong support for construction-specific workflows like retainage and AIA billing
Cons
- On-premise deployment only, lacking native cloud accessibility
- Steep learning curve due to its depth and customization requirements
- High upfront costs and ongoing maintenance fees
Best For
Mid-sized construction firms requiring in-depth job cost control and project accounting without needing cloud mobility.
Pricing
Modular pricing starts at around $5,000 for core modules, scaling to $20,000+ for full suites; includes annual maintenance at 15-20% of license cost.
Viewpoint Vista
enterpriseEnterprise ERP platform providing advanced construction accounting, job costing, subcontract management, and real-time reporting.
Advanced job cost management with real-time forecasting and variance analysis
Viewpoint Vista is a robust ERP platform tailored for construction companies, providing comprehensive accounting, job costing, project management, and payroll functionalities. It enables precise tracking of project costs, revenues, change orders, and retainage billing, with strong support for multi-company operations and compliance reporting. Designed for mid-to-large contractors, it integrates field and office workflows to streamline financial operations in complex construction environments.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing and WIP reporting tailored for construction
- Highly customizable modules for complex project needs
- Seamless integration with Trimble field tools and third-party apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- High implementation and customization costs
- Less intuitive interface compared to modern cloud-native solutions
Best For
Mid-to-large construction firms with complex, multi-project operations needing deep accounting customization.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; typically $50,000–$200,000+ annually depending on modules, users, and deployment (cloud or on-premise).
QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor
specializedAffordable, industry-tailored accounting software with construction-specific job costing, progress billing, and reporting features.
Advanced job costing with phase-level profitability tracking and variance analysis
QuickBooks Enterprise Contractor is a desktop-based accounting software tailored for construction businesses, providing essential tools like job costing, progress invoicing, and project profitability tracking. It integrates payroll, inventory management, and customizable reports specific to contractors, enabling accurate expense allocation across multiple jobs. Designed for scalability, it supports growing firms with advanced reporting and data import/export capabilities, though it lacks full cloud collaboration features found in specialized construction platforms.
Pros
- Powerful job costing tracks labor, materials, and subcontracts per project phase
- Industry-specific reports and templates streamline AIA billing and WIP analysis
- Scalable multi-user support with robust inventory and payroll integration
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization and setup
- Desktop-only with limited real-time mobile access compared to cloud rivals
- High upfront cost without subscription flexibility
Best For
Mid-sized construction contractors seeking reliable desktop accounting with strong job costing for profitability tracking.
Pricing
Annual licensing starts at ~$1,919 for Silver (1 user), up to ~$4,709 for Diamond (40 users), plus optional add-ons like payroll.
CMiC
enterpriseCloud-based ERP unifying construction accounting, financials, project management, and field operations for large firms.
Single-database architecture ensuring real-time data synchronization across all modules without reconciliation errors
CMiC is a robust, enterprise-grade ERP platform tailored for the construction industry, providing comprehensive accounting solutions including job costing, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, and revenue recognition. It integrates financial management with project controls, field operations, and resource planning to streamline construction workflows from bid to closeout. Available in cloud and on-premise deployments, CMiC emphasizes data accuracy through a single-database architecture, making it ideal for complex, multi-project environments.
Pros
- Deep construction-specific accounting features like retainage billing, change order management, and AIA billing compliance
- Unified platform with seamless integration across financials, projects, and operations for real-time data visibility
- Scalable for large enterprises with strong customization and reporting capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex implementation requiring significant training
- High upfront and ongoing costs unsuitable for small firms
- Limited mobile functionality compared to some modern competitors
Best For
Mid-to-large construction firms managing multiple complex projects that require an integrated ERP for accounting and operations.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $50,000+ annually for mid-sized deployments, scaling with users and modules.
Jonas Construction Software
enterpriseModular ERP system delivering construction accounting, job costing, service management, and CRM integration.
Advanced job costing engine with real-time WIP and profitability tracking across multiple projects and entities
Jonas Construction Software is a comprehensive ERP platform tailored for construction companies, providing integrated accounting, job costing, project management, payroll, and service dispatch functionalities. It handles complex construction-specific needs such as retainage billing, change orders, work-in-progress reporting, and multi-company consolidations. Designed for mid-to-large firms, it streamlines financial operations while supporting field-to-office connectivity.
Pros
- Robust construction-specific accounting with advanced job costing and WIP reporting
- Fully integrated ERP covering accounting, projects, payroll, and service management
- Strong customization and multi-entity support for growing firms
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- Dated user experience compared to modern cloud-native alternatives
- Pricing can be high for smaller contractors
Best For
Mid-sized to large construction firms needing an all-in-one ERP with deep industry-specific accounting capabilities.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $200/user/month, scaling with modules and company size; implementation fees apply.
ComputerEase
specializedCloud accounting software for mid-sized contractors featuring job costing, certified payroll, and change order management.
Integrated certified payroll processing with automated union reporting and compliance
ComputerEase is a robust ERP and accounting software tailored specifically for the construction industry, providing end-to-end financial management including job costing, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and project tracking. It excels in handling construction-specific needs like certified payroll, retainage billing, change orders, and multi-company consolidations. With both on-premise and cloud deployment options, it supports contractors from small firms to large enterprises focused on accurate job profitability.
Pros
- Deep job costing and project profitability tracking
- Certified payroll and union fringe benefit compliance
- Extensive customizable reporting and multi-company support
Cons
- Dated interface lacking modern UI polish
- Steep learning curve and lengthy implementation
- Pricing lacks upfront transparency requiring custom quotes
Best For
Mid-sized construction firms needing comprehensive, industry-specific accounting with strong job cost controls.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing with modular licensing; typically $150-$300 per user/month for cloud, plus setup fees of $5,000+; on-premise perpetual licenses available.
Premier Construction Software
specializedIntegrated accounting and project management tool for construction with overhead allocation and WIP reporting.
Certified payroll reporting with automatic Davis-Bacon Act compliance and lien waiver management
Premier Construction Software is a desktop-based accounting solution tailored for the construction industry, providing comprehensive job costing, payroll processing, and financial management tools. It handles construction-specific needs like change orders, retainage billing, subcontractor management, and certified payroll reporting for union and prevailing wage compliance. With modules for accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, and project reporting, it supports mid-sized contractors in tracking profitability across multiple jobs.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing and profitability tracking for construction projects
- Robust certified payroll and union wage compliance features
- Strong reporting tools for financial analysis and audits
Cons
- Desktop-only (Windows-based) with no cloud or mobile access
- Steep learning curve for non-accountants
- Limited integrations with third-party tools
Best For
Mid-sized construction firms requiring detailed job costing, certified payroll, and compliance reporting for public and union projects.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at around $150 per month per user, depending on modules and company size; perpetual licenses also available.
Knowify
specializedConstruction management platform with built-in accounting for job costing, invoicing, and payments tailored to trade contractors.
Two-way QuickBooks Online sync that automatically pushes job costs, invoices, and payments for accurate real-time bookkeeping
Knowify is a cloud-based construction management software tailored for trade contractors and specialty subcontractors, focusing on job costing, estimating, invoicing, and project management. It integrates deeply with QuickBooks Online and Xero to automate accounting workflows, enabling real-time financial visibility from bids to payments. The platform supports mobile time tracking, change orders, and purchase order management, streamlining operations for field and office teams.
Pros
- Seamless two-way integration with QuickBooks for automated accounting
- Comprehensive job costing and invoicing tools tailored for construction
- Mobile app enables real-time field updates and time tracking
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing can be high for very small teams or solo operators
- Reporting capabilities are solid but less customizable than top competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized construction firms and subcontractors relying on QuickBooks who need integrated job costing and project management.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month for Basic (1 user, core features), $299/month for Pro (up to 5 users, advanced tools), Enterprise custom pricing.
Aspire
specializedFinancial operations software for exterior contractors handling job costing, financing, invoicing, and cash flow management.
Real-time job profitability dashboards that update automatically as costs and change orders are entered
Aspire (aspire.io) is a cloud-based financial platform designed specifically for construction companies, providing robust job costing, invoicing, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll management tailored to industry needs like retainage and certified payroll. It offers real-time financial dashboards and subcontractor portals to streamline payments and compliance. The software integrates project financials with accounting to deliver actionable insights for better profitability tracking.
Pros
- Excellent real-time job costing and profitability tracking
- Strong subcontractor management and payment automation
- Modern, intuitive interface with mobile accessibility
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller firms
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger platforms
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
Best For
Mid-sized construction contractors seeking an all-in-one financial platform to replace QuickBooks and spreadsheets with construction-specific accounting tools.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on company size and usage; typically starts at $500-$1,000/month for mid-tier plans with per-user add-ons.
Conclusion
Thorough evaluation confirms Foundation as the top pick, excelling with specialized tools for contractors’ unique needs like job costing and reporting. Sage 100 Contractor and Viewpoint Vista stand out as strong alternatives, each offering comprehensive project management and ERP capabilities tailored to distinct firm requirements. Together, these tools showcase the industry’s breadth of solutions, ensuring contractors find the right fit for their operational and financial goals.
Take the next step—explore Foundation now to enhance efficiency and boost financial performance in construction.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison