Quick Overview
- 1#1: Procore - Cloud-based construction management platform offering real-time job costing, budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for projects of all sizes.
- 2#2: Buildertrend - All-in-one construction management software with comprehensive job costing, financial reporting, and project budgeting tools tailored for home builders.
- 3#3: Foundation - Construction-specific accounting software providing detailed job costing, payroll integration, and project profitability analysis.
- 4#4: Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate - Robust ERP solution for construction with advanced job costing, accounts payable, and subcontract management features.
- 5#5: Trimble Viewpoint Vista - Enterprise construction accounting software featuring precise job costing, general ledger, and multi-company financial management.
- 6#6: CMiC - Integrated construction ERP platform with sophisticated job costing, resource allocation, and real-time financial insights.
- 7#7: Jonas Construction Software - Modular construction management system delivering job costing, estimating, and service management for general contractors.
- 8#8: JobTread - Construction CRM and job management software with built-in job costing, estimating, and scheduling capabilities.
- 9#9: Knowify - Project management and job costing platform designed for subcontractors, offering time tracking, invoicing, and profitability reports.
- 10#10: eSUB - Cloud-based software for trade contractors providing job costing, field productivity tracking, and mobile timecard management.
Tools were selected based on comprehensive features (including real-time tracking, integration capabilities, and profitability insights), user experience, and value, ensuring relevance across general contractors, subcontractors, and home builders.
Comparison Table
Accurate job costing is vital for construction project success, and a diverse array of software tools aim to simplify this process. This comparison table explores leading options—such as Procore, Buildertrend, Foundation, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, and Trimble Viewpoint Vista—equipping readers to identify features, strengths, and best fits for their workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Procore Cloud-based construction management platform offering real-time job costing, budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for projects of all sizes. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Buildertrend All-in-one construction management software with comprehensive job costing, financial reporting, and project budgeting tools tailored for home builders. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Foundation Construction-specific accounting software providing detailed job costing, payroll integration, and project profitability analysis. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate Robust ERP solution for construction with advanced job costing, accounts payable, and subcontract management features. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Trimble Viewpoint Vista Enterprise construction accounting software featuring precise job costing, general ledger, and multi-company financial management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | CMiC Integrated construction ERP platform with sophisticated job costing, resource allocation, and real-time financial insights. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Jonas Construction Software Modular construction management system delivering job costing, estimating, and service management for general contractors. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | JobTread Construction CRM and job management software with built-in job costing, estimating, and scheduling capabilities. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Knowify Project management and job costing platform designed for subcontractors, offering time tracking, invoicing, and profitability reports. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 10 | eSUB Cloud-based software for trade contractors providing job costing, field productivity tracking, and mobile timecard management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
Cloud-based construction management platform offering real-time job costing, budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for projects of all sizes.
All-in-one construction management software with comprehensive job costing, financial reporting, and project budgeting tools tailored for home builders.
Construction-specific accounting software providing detailed job costing, payroll integration, and project profitability analysis.
Robust ERP solution for construction with advanced job costing, accounts payable, and subcontract management features.
Enterprise construction accounting software featuring precise job costing, general ledger, and multi-company financial management.
Integrated construction ERP platform with sophisticated job costing, resource allocation, and real-time financial insights.
Modular construction management system delivering job costing, estimating, and service management for general contractors.
Construction CRM and job management software with built-in job costing, estimating, and scheduling capabilities.
Project management and job costing platform designed for subcontractors, offering time tracking, invoicing, and profitability reports.
Cloud-based software for trade contractors providing job costing, field productivity tracking, and mobile timecard management.
Procore
enterpriseCloud-based construction management platform offering real-time job costing, budgeting, forecasting, and expense tracking for projects of all sizes.
Real-time Financial Dashboards that provide project-level and portfolio-wide job cost visibility with automated forecasting and variance alerts
Procore is a comprehensive cloud-based construction management platform with advanced job costing features that enable real-time tracking of budgets, committed costs, change orders, and forecasted expenses across projects. It integrates financial data with project schedules, documents, and field operations for holistic oversight. Users can generate detailed reports, perform variance analysis, and forecast profitability to optimize construction job financials.
Pros
- Robust real-time job costing with budget tracking, variance analysis, and forecasting tools
- Seamless integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Sage for accurate cost data syncing
- Mobile app supports on-site cost updates and photo documentation tied to financials
Cons
- High cost, especially for smaller firms or single projects
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Some advanced financial reporting requires additional modules or setup
Best For
Large construction companies and general contractors managing multiple complex projects that require integrated job costing and project management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $500-$1,000+ per month based on users, projects, and modules selected.
Buildertrend
specializedAll-in-one construction management software with comprehensive job costing, financial reporting, and project budgeting tools tailored for home builders.
Automated cost-to-complete forecasting that dynamically updates with field data and change orders
Buildertrend is a comprehensive construction management platform with robust job costing features, allowing users to create detailed budgets, track actual costs for labor, materials, and subcontractors in real-time, and monitor project profitability through variance analysis. It supports change order management, cost forecasting, and seamless integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks for accurate financial tracking. The software also provides customizable reports and dashboards to help construction teams stay on budget and improve financial decision-making.
Pros
- Real-time cost tracking and variance reporting with visual dashboards
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks and other accounting tools
- Mobile app enables on-site cost updates and daily logging
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for new users and complex initial setup
- Pricing can be expensive for small teams or single-project use
- Some advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-sized construction firms and remodelers needing integrated job costing with full project management capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for basic single-user plans; scales to $300+/month based on projects and users, with custom enterprise quotes available.
Foundation
specializedConstruction-specific accounting software providing detailed job costing, payroll integration, and project profitability analysis.
Advanced Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting with over/under billing schedules and percentage-of-completion calculations
Foundation, from Foundation Software (foundationsoft.com), is a robust construction accounting and job costing solution tailored for contractors, offering precise tracking of job costs, budgets, change orders, and profitability. It integrates core accounting functions like AP/AR, GL, payroll, and inventory with advanced job management tools for real-time WIP reporting and forecasting. Ideal for general contractors and subcontractors, it emphasizes customizable reporting and compliance with construction-specific needs.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing with detailed phase-level tracking and variance analysis
- Powerful WIP and profitability reporting for informed decision-making
- Seamless integration of accounting, payroll, and job management
Cons
- Dated user interface with a steeper learning curve
- Limited native mobile functionality compared to cloud-native competitors
- Quote-based pricing can be opaque and higher for small firms
Best For
Mid-sized construction companies seeking comprehensive, desktop-based job costing and accounting integration.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting around $175/user/month for basic plans, scaling to $300+/user/month for advanced features with modules.
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
enterpriseRobust ERP solution for construction with advanced job costing, accounts payable, and subcontract management features.
Advanced job cost forecasting with automated variance alerts and 'what-if' scenario modeling
Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate is a robust ERP platform tailored for construction and real estate firms, offering comprehensive job costing capabilities to track labor, materials, subcontractors, and overhead across projects. It integrates job costing with full accounting, project management, estimating, and service dispatch for end-to-end financial control. The software provides detailed WIP reports, change order management, and forecasting tools to help contractors monitor profitability in real-time.
Pros
- Exceptional depth in job costing with phase-level tracking and variance analysis
- Seamless integration with accounting, payroll, and estimating modules
- Highly customizable reports and dashboards for project insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and customization needs
- Primarily on-premise deployment with limited modern cloud-native features
- High implementation and ongoing costs for smaller firms
Best For
Mid-sized to large construction companies requiring integrated job costing, accounting, and project management for complex, multi-phase jobs.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $5,000–$20,000+ annually depending on users, modules, and deployment, with per-user licensing around $100–$200/month.
Trimble Viewpoint Vista
enterpriseEnterprise construction accounting software featuring precise job costing, general ledger, and multi-company financial management.
Advanced Commitment Management that tracks and forecasts subcontractor and vendor costs with automated variance analysis
Trimble Viewpoint Vista is a robust ERP platform tailored for construction firms, specializing in detailed job costing to track labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs across projects. It integrates accounting, payroll, project management, and service operations for end-to-end visibility into financial performance. With strong forecasting tools, it helps contractors manage budgets, commitments, and change orders effectively on complex jobs.
Pros
- Comprehensive job costing with multi-level breakdowns for phases, cost codes, and forecasts
- Deep integration across ERP modules like accounting and field management
- Powerful customizable reporting and analytics for real-time insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring extensive training
- High implementation and customization costs
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native alternatives
Best For
Mid-to-large construction contractors handling complex commercial projects that require detailed, integrated job costing and ERP functionality.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $5,000+ per month for mid-sized deployments plus $50,000-$200,000+ in implementation fees; perpetual licenses also available.
CMiC
enterpriseIntegrated construction ERP platform with sophisticated job costing, resource allocation, and real-time financial insights.
Fully integrated ERP that unifies job costing with accounting and project controls in a single platform for unparalleled data accuracy
CMiC is an enterprise-grade construction ERP platform that provides advanced job costing capabilities, enabling real-time tracking of labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs across projects. It integrates job costing seamlessly with accounting, procurement, project management, and financial reporting for comprehensive visibility and control. Designed for large-scale construction firms, it supports accurate forecasting, variance analysis, and change order management to optimize profitability.
Pros
- Real-time job cost tracking and forecasting with drill-down analytics
- Seamless integration across ERP modules for end-to-end construction management
- Robust handling of complex projects with WIP reporting and earned value management
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy implementation process
- High cost prohibitive for small to mid-sized contractors
- Customization requires significant IT resources
Best For
Large construction firms managing multiple complex projects that need fully integrated ERP for precise job costing and financial control.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually for enterprise deployments, scaling with users, modules, and project volume.
Jonas Construction Software
enterpriseModular construction management system delivering job costing, estimating, and service management for general contractors.
Commitment Management for tracking purchase orders and subcontracts directly against job costs in real-time
Jonas Construction Software is a comprehensive ERP platform tailored for construction firms, offering robust job costing tools to track labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor expenses against budgets in real-time. It provides detailed variance reporting, forecasting, and customizable cost codes for accurate project profitability analysis. The software integrates job costing with accounting, project management, and service dispatch modules for a unified workflow.
Pros
- Real-time job costing with variance analysis and forecasting
- Deep customization for cost codes and reporting across trades
- Seamless integration with accounting and project modules
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native tools
- Pricing lacks transparency and can be high for small firms
Best For
Mid-sized construction companies needing an integrated ERP with advanced job costing for multi-phase projects.
Pricing
Custom quote-based; modular subscriptions typically start at $1,000+/month depending on modules and users.
JobTread
specializedConstruction CRM and job management software with built-in job costing, estimating, and scheduling capabilities.
Dynamic job costing dashboard providing instant profitability insights with variance tracking against estimates
JobTread is a cloud-based construction management software tailored for contractors, focusing on job costing, estimating, scheduling, and invoicing. It enables real-time tracking of job costs against budgets, including labor, materials, and subcontractors, to ensure profitability. The platform also integrates CRM tools and mobile access for on-site management, making it suitable for small to mid-sized construction firms.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
- Robust real-time job costing and budgeting tools
- Affordable pricing with scalable plans
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to competitors
- Reporting features lack advanced customization
- Mobile app functionality is basic for complex workflows
Best For
Small to medium-sized construction contractors seeking an easy-to-use, all-in-one platform for job costing and project management.
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month for the Basic plan (billed annually), up to $249/user/month for Enterprise, with a free trial available.
Knowify
specializedProject management and job costing platform designed for subcontractors, offering time tracking, invoicing, and profitability reports.
Dynamic job costing dashboard with automated variance alerts and forecasting
Knowify is a cloud-based construction management software tailored for trade contractors and home builders, with a strong emphasis on job costing, estimating, and project management. It enables real-time tracking of job costs against budgets, automated invoicing, purchase order management, and seamless integration with QuickBooks for accurate financial reconciliation. The platform also includes mobile apps for field teams to log time, expenses, and updates on the go, making it suitable for residential and light commercial projects.
Pros
- Real-time job cost tracking with budget vs. actual variance reports
- Deep QuickBooks integration for seamless accounting sync
- Comprehensive mobile app for field data capture and approvals
Cons
- Steep initial learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Pricing can be high for very small teams with few users
Best For
Small to mid-sized trade contractors and home builders who use QuickBooks and need robust, real-time job costing without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month (billed annually) for the Basic plan; Pro at $149/user/month and Enterprise custom pricing.
eSUB
specializedCloud-based software for trade contractors providing job costing, field productivity tracking, and mobile timecard management.
Real-time job costing dashboard with predictive forecasting for profitability analysis
eSUB is a cloud-based construction management software tailored specifically for subcontractors, offering robust job costing, time tracking, forecasting, and project management tools. It enables real-time visibility into job costs, labor, materials, and profitability through mobile apps and web dashboards. The platform integrates with accounting systems like QuickBooks and Sage, streamlining financial reporting and compliance for trade contractors.
Pros
- Specialized for subcontractors with deep job costing and forecasting capabilities
- Strong mobile app for real-time field updates and timecards
- Seamless integrations with popular accounting software
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy teams
- Pricing is custom and can be higher for smaller firms
- Less suited for general contractors compared to sub-focused needs
Best For
Specialty trade subcontractors seeking precise job costing, profitability tracking, and mobile field management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting around $50/user/month with enterprise tiers for larger teams.
Conclusion
Selecting the best construction job costing software hinges on project scale and unique needs, yet the reviewed tools deliver exceptional value. Procore emerges as the top choice, providing real-time tracking and comprehensive management for projects of all sizes. Competitors like Buildertrend, designed for home builders, and Foundation, excelling in detailed accounting and profitability analysis, offer reliable alternatives tailored to specific workflows.
Don’t miss out—explore Procore first to unlock efficient job costing, budgeting, and expense tracking, and elevate your construction project management today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison