Quick Overview
- 1#1: QuickBooks Online - All-in-one cloud accounting software with contractor-specific job costing, invoicing, payroll, and expense tracking features.
- 2#2: Buildertrend - Comprehensive construction management platform including budgeting, job costing, invoicing, and financial reporting for contractors.
- 3#3: Xero - Cloud-based accounting solution with project tracking, bill pay, and integrations tailored for small contractors.
- 4#4: Knowify - Contractor-focused bookkeeping app for job costing, time tracking, invoicing, and seamless QuickBooks integration.
- 5#5: Foundation - Dedicated construction accounting software handling job costing, payroll, WIP reports, and multi-company financials.
- 6#6: CoConstruct - Custom builder software with budgeting, invoicing, change orders, and client-facing financial portals.
- 7#7: Jobber - Field service software with integrated invoicing, payments, scheduling, and basic bookkeeping for contractors.
- 8#8: Sage 100 Contractor - Construction accounting system for job costing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and project financials.
- 9#9: Housecall Pro - Home service management tool featuring dispatching, invoicing, payments, and expense tracking for contractors.
- 10#10: Procore - Construction project management platform with financial tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and subcontractor payments.
These tools were chosen based on tailored features (job costing, invoicing, payroll), user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they address the specific financial challenges faced by contractors.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines leading contractor bookkeeping software, including QuickBooks Online, Buildertrend, Xero, Knowify, and Foundation, to guide users in selecting tools that fit their specific needs. Readers will discover key features, usability, and practical applications to streamline financial management, job costing, and project organization.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Online All-in-one cloud accounting software with contractor-specific job costing, invoicing, payroll, and expense tracking features. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Buildertrend Comprehensive construction management platform including budgeting, job costing, invoicing, and financial reporting for contractors. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Xero Cloud-based accounting solution with project tracking, bill pay, and integrations tailored for small contractors. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Knowify Contractor-focused bookkeeping app for job costing, time tracking, invoicing, and seamless QuickBooks integration. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Foundation Dedicated construction accounting software handling job costing, payroll, WIP reports, and multi-company financials. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | CoConstruct Custom builder software with budgeting, invoicing, change orders, and client-facing financial portals. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | Jobber Field service software with integrated invoicing, payments, scheduling, and basic bookkeeping for contractors. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Sage 100 Contractor Construction accounting system for job costing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and project financials. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 9 | Housecall Pro Home service management tool featuring dispatching, invoicing, payments, and expense tracking for contractors. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Procore Construction project management platform with financial tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and subcontractor payments. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
All-in-one cloud accounting software with contractor-specific job costing, invoicing, payroll, and expense tracking features.
Comprehensive construction management platform including budgeting, job costing, invoicing, and financial reporting for contractors.
Cloud-based accounting solution with project tracking, bill pay, and integrations tailored for small contractors.
Contractor-focused bookkeeping app for job costing, time tracking, invoicing, and seamless QuickBooks integration.
Dedicated construction accounting software handling job costing, payroll, WIP reports, and multi-company financials.
Custom builder software with budgeting, invoicing, change orders, and client-facing financial portals.
Field service software with integrated invoicing, payments, scheduling, and basic bookkeeping for contractors.
Construction accounting system for job costing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and project financials.
Home service management tool featuring dispatching, invoicing, payments, and expense tracking for contractors.
Construction project management platform with financial tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and subcontractor payments.
QuickBooks Online
specializedAll-in-one cloud accounting software with contractor-specific job costing, invoicing, payroll, and expense tracking features.
Advanced job costing and real-time project profitability insights
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting platform designed for small businesses, including contractors, offering comprehensive bookkeeping tools like invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and bank reconciliation. For contractors, it excels with job costing, project profitability tracking, time tracking, and progress billing, allowing users to monitor costs and revenue per job in real-time. Its extensive app integrations, including with construction-specific tools like Procore and Buildertrend, make it a powerhouse for managing contractor finances on the go via mobile apps.
Pros
- Powerful job costing and project profitability tracking tailored for contractors
- Seamless time tracking and progress invoicing integrated with expenses
- Extensive integrations with contractor tools like Procore, Housecall Pro, and payroll services
Cons
- Higher-tier plans with full project features can be expensive for solo contractors
- Steep initial learning curve for advanced job costing functionalities
- Occasional sync delays or performance lags with very large project datasets
Best For
Small to mid-sized contractors and construction firms needing detailed job costing, project tracking, and scalable bookkeeping.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced); project tracking in Plus ($90/month) and higher, with discounts for annual billing.
Buildertrend
specializedComprehensive construction management platform including budgeting, job costing, invoicing, and financial reporting for contractors.
Daily Logs that automatically feed into job costing and financial reports for real-time bookkeeping accuracy
Buildertrend is an all-in-one construction management platform with strong bookkeeping capabilities designed specifically for contractors and builders. It excels in job costing, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, integrating daily logs, timecards, and change orders directly into the accounting workflow. The software also supports AIA billing, payments processing, and seamless QuickBooks integration for enhanced bookkeeping accuracy.
Pros
- Robust job costing that pulls data from time tracking and purchases
- Mobile app for on-site expense and time entry
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks and payment processors
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be high for small operations
- Limited advanced accounting features without integrations
Best For
Mid-sized contractors needing integrated project management and bookkeeping in one platform.
Pricing
Starts at around $299/month for basic plans (3 projects), scales to $500+/month based on projects, users, and add-ons; custom quotes for enterprises.
Xero
specializedCloud-based accounting solution with project tracking, bill pay, and integrations tailored for small contractors.
Live bank feeds with AI-powered transaction rules and matching for effortless reconciliation
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for small businesses, including contractors, providing tools for invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, payroll, and financial reporting. It automates many bookkeeping tasks like bank feeds and transaction categorization, making it efficient for managing contractor finances on the go. With robust integrations and real-time dashboards, it supports scaling from solo contractors to small teams handling multiple projects.
Pros
- Automatic bank feeds and reconciliation for quick transaction matching
- Unlimited users and strong mobile app for remote access
- Extensive integrations with contractor tools like time-tracking apps
Cons
- No native time tracking or advanced job costing (requires add-ons)
- Higher pricing tiers needed for full features like multi-currency
- Payroll functionality varies by region and often needs third-party apps
Best For
Solo contractors or small teams needing intuitive, scalable bookkeeping with automation and integrations.
Pricing
Early ($15/mo: basic invoicing), Growing ($42/mo: projects/payroll), Established ($78/mo: advanced reporting); billed annually for discounts.
Knowify
specializedContractor-focused bookkeeping app for job costing, time tracking, invoicing, and seamless QuickBooks integration.
Real-time job costing dashboard that automatically syncs expenses, labor, and revenue with QuickBooks for instant profitability insights
Knowify is a cloud-based construction management software tailored for contractors, emphasizing job costing, invoicing, time tracking, and project management with seamless QuickBooks integration for bookkeeping. It enables precise expense allocation to jobs, profitability analysis, and automated invoicing to streamline financial workflows specific to contracting businesses. While not a standalone accounting tool, it excels in bridging project data with bookkeeping for accurate financial insights.
Pros
- Deep QuickBooks integration for automated bookkeeping sync
- Powerful job costing and profitability tracking per project
- Mobile app for on-site time and expense entry
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for users new to construction-specific tools
- Higher pricing may not suit solo contractors
- Relies heavily on QuickBooks for core accounting functions
Best For
Small to mid-sized contractors using QuickBooks who need integrated job costing and project-based bookkeeping.
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month (billed annually); scales to $299+/month for premium features and multiple users.
Foundation
enterpriseDedicated construction accounting software handling job costing, payroll, WIP reports, and multi-company financials.
Advanced Preliminary Budget Worksheet for detailed cost forecasting and variance analysis across job phases
Foundation Software (foundationsoft.com) is a robust, desktop-based accounting platform designed specifically for construction contractors, emphasizing job costing, payroll, and project financial management. It enables precise tracking of costs across job phases, handles union and certified payroll requirements, and provides customizable reporting for profitability analysis. With strong integration for accounts payable/receivable and general ledger functions, it supports mid-to-large contractors in maintaining accurate bookkeeping amid complex project workflows.
Pros
- Exceptional job costing with multi-phase tracking and real-time updates
- Comprehensive payroll module supporting certified and union requirements
- Highly customizable reports and strong audit trails for compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dated Windows desktop interface
- High upfront costs with perpetual licensing model
- Limited cloud/mobile accessibility compared to modern competitors
Best For
Mid-sized construction firms managing multiple complex projects that require detailed job costing and regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Quote-based perpetual licenses starting at $15,000-$50,000+ depending on modules, plus 15-20% annual maintenance fees.
CoConstruct
specializedCustom builder software with budgeting, invoicing, change orders, and client-facing financial portals.
Dynamic job costing that automatically updates budgets with change orders and client selections
CoConstruct is a comprehensive construction management platform with integrated bookkeeping features tailored for custom builders and remodelers, including job costing, invoicing, payments, and change order tracking. It connects financial data directly to project schedules and client communications, allowing contractors to manage budgets in real-time alongside timelines. While not a standalone accounting solution, it excels in construction-specific financial workflows and integrates with QuickBooks for deeper bookkeeping needs.
Pros
- Seamless integration of job costing with project management
- Client portal simplifies invoicing and payments
- Real-time budgeting and change order financial tracking
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting features like payroll or full GL
- Higher cost for smaller operations
- Requires QuickBooks integration for complete bookkeeping
Best For
Mid-sized custom home builders and remodelers needing integrated project and basic bookkeeping tools.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at around $199/month for basic plans, scaling to $499+/month for advanced features; demo required.
Jobber
specializedField service software with integrated invoicing, payments, scheduling, and basic bookkeeping for contractors.
Automated job-to-invoice workflow that directly feeds financial data into QuickBooks
Jobber is a field service management platform tailored for contractors, offering tools for scheduling, invoicing, payments, and basic expense tracking to streamline contractor operations. It integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks for deeper bookkeeping needs, handling job costing, time tracking, and financial reporting. While not a full-fledged accounting software, it provides essential bookkeeping functionalities within an all-in-one business management solution.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go invoicing and time tracking
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for automated bookkeeping sync
- Robust reporting on job profitability and cash flow
Cons
- Lacks advanced accounting features like payroll or inventory management
- Higher-tier plans required for full financial capabilities
- Relies on integrations for complex bookkeeping tasks
Best For
Small to mid-sized contractors needing integrated job management with basic bookkeeping tied to operations.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (billed annually) for Core plan; scales to $269/month for Grow plan with advanced features.
Sage 100 Contractor
enterpriseConstruction accounting system for job costing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and project financials.
Advanced job cost accounting with real-time WIP reports and change order management
Sage 100 Contractor is a comprehensive ERP solution designed specifically for construction and contracting businesses, providing robust job costing, project accounting, payroll, and financial management tools. It supports end-to-end operations from bidding and estimating to accounts payable/receivable, inventory tracking, and service dispatch. The software excels in handling complex, multi-phase projects with detailed reporting and compliance features tailored to the industry.
Pros
- Powerful job costing and project profitability tracking
- Strong integration with estimating tools and field management
- Customizable reporting and compliance for construction regulations
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- Outdated desktop interface feels clunky compared to modern cloud apps
- High upfront costs and ongoing maintenance fees
Best For
Mid-sized construction contractors managing multiple complex projects who need detailed job-level financial tracking.
Pricing
Modular perpetual licensing starting at $4,000-$10,000+ per module depending on size, plus annual maintenance fees of 20-25% of license cost.
Housecall Pro
specializedHome service management tool featuring dispatching, invoicing, payments, and expense tracking for contractors.
Automated two-way QuickBooks sync that pushes job data, invoices, payments, and expenses in real-time
Housecall Pro is an all-in-one platform for home service contractors, providing scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and payment processing with integrated bookkeeping tools like job costing and expense tracking. It syncs seamlessly with QuickBooks Online and Desktop to automate financial data transfer, including invoices, payments, and time tracking. The software offers customizable reports for profitability analysis, making it suitable for contractors managing operations alongside basic accounting needs.
Pros
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for automated syncing of invoices and payments
- Real-time job costing and profitability tracking
- Mobile app enables on-site invoicing and expense logging
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting features like payroll or multi-entity support
- Pricing escalates quickly with additional users and features
- Occasional reported sync delays with QuickBooks
Best For
Small to mid-sized contractors needing integrated field service management with straightforward QuickBooks-synced bookkeeping.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month (Essentials plan) up to $229/month (Pro plan), billed annually; additional users $25-65/month each.
Procore
enterpriseConstruction project management platform with financial tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and subcontractor payments.
Project Financials with automated cost forecasting linked to field data and change events
Procore is a comprehensive cloud-based construction management platform with integrated financial tools designed for contractors, focusing on job costing, invoicing, payments, and budget management. It connects project data directly to bookkeeping processes, enabling real-time tracking of costs, change orders, and commitments. While it excels in construction-specific financial workflows, it often requires integrations with dedicated accounting software like QuickBooks for full general ledger functionality.
Pros
- Real-time job costing tied to project activities and documents
- Robust invoicing and payment management with draw scheduling
- Extensive integrations with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks and Sage
Cons
- High cost prohibitive for small contractors
- Steep learning curve for full financial module utilization
- Lacks depth in general bookkeeping like payroll and tax compliance without add-ons
Best For
Mid-to-large construction contractors seeking integrated project management and job-specific bookkeeping.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $500+/month per project or user, with annual contracts and add-ons for financials.
Conclusion
The top 10 tools reviewed offer specialized solutions for contractor bookkeeping, with QuickBooks Online emerging as the clear winner due to its all-in-one cloud features, including contractor-specific job costing and payroll. Buildertrend follows as a robust choice for comprehensive construction management, while Xero stands out for its tailored integrations and small-contractor focus. Each tool excels in distinct areas, but the top three lead the pack with their ability to streamline workflows and manage finances effectively.
To experience the convenience of a fully integrated tool designed for contractors, start with QuickBooks Online—its versatile features will help keep your financials organized and your business running smoothly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
