Bluebeam Revu is a well-known construction software solution designed to help project teams simplify document management, markups, and collaboration.
While the platform is sophisticated and feature-rich, with a great PDF editor, its depth of capabilities can make it intimidating and confusing. On top of that, Bluebeam Revu is cumbersome to configure and only works on Android and Windows devices, alienating iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
As a result, many teams struggle to use the platform effectively, leading to miscommunications and costly errors. If you’ve faced these issues and are curious about Bluebeam alternatives, this list can help.
Here, we’ll explore eight BlueBeam alternatives and supplements that overcome the common barriers associated with the platform.
ActiveDraft
If you and your team find searching for files in Bluebeam overwhelming and confusing, ActiveDraft is a great supplement. This cost-effective, browser-based construction document collaboration platform streamlines construction projects and ensures that everyone is working from the latest version of construction documents.
The intuitive interface makes it easy for people involved in your project to find the files they need. Plus, there’s no risk of stakeholders on other projects accidentally opening or editing your files. The result is a secure, trustworthy collaboration environment that everyone enjoys using.
In addition to offering in-depth document management capabilities, ActiveDraft’s real-time collaboration features create a comprehensive workspace. It’s easy to markup and annotate documents in real time, comment back and forth with team members, and assign tasks and monitor progress.
Key features
- The intuitive, user-friendly, browser-based interface makes it easy for everyone on the team to pick up and use the solution right away from any device.
- The document collaboration and annotation features eliminate the cumbersome task of toggling between different apps for file storage, emails, and document viewing and markup.
- Collaborate and manage projects in one digital space through real-time messaging and annotations, saving time and significantly reducing the likelihood of errors.
- The privacy-focused interface ensures that only the right people can view and markup PDF files of drawings, plans, and other documents.
- ActiveDraft prioritizes scalability, making it an excellent long-term solution that can grow with your business.
Pricing
- Try ActiveDraft for free with a 30-day trial! Then enjoy all of the features you love for a low monthly cost per user.
Fieldwire
Fieldwire is an end-to-end solution for project collaboration within the construction industry. The mobile-first platform is available both on iOS and Android, overcoming one of Bluebeam’s major drawbacks.
The platform serves as a single source of truth for all of your project data, centralizing everything from communication to task lists to scheduling.
Key features
- Fieldwire’s cloud-based platform enables teams to navigate between plans seamlessly and quickly.
- The task function has plenty of collaboration tools to help on-site teams manage document defects, punch items, safety issues, and general tasks.
- The easy-to-use drag-and-drop task board allows you to visualize tasks by urgency level.
- On-site teams can markup documents in just a few clicks.
Pricing
- Fieldwire offers multiple pricing tiers and billing options, ranging from $39 to $94 per user per month. Custom enterprise quotes are also available on request.
Procore
Procore is a mighty suite of construction management software solutions spanning the entire construction lifecycle. With Procore, you can manage your finances, workforce, and projects all in one place.
While the platform has a bounty of features customers can choose from, these come at a hefty price. Procore is one of the most expensive providers on this list of construction software providers. Moreover, because it offers so many different capabilities, it’s confusing to use if you’re not particularly tech-savvy.
Key features
- The platform features excellent tender management functionality, streamlining the process of creating tender packages and converting tenders to subcontracts.
- The in-app scheduling tool simplifies labor planning, reducing the likelihood of shortages.
- The platform comes with a data-driven cost management tool to help with budgeting and forecasting.
- If you pay for the complete software suite, you’ll achieve excellent visibility between typically siloed teams.
Pricing
- Procore offers custom pricing depending on your business size and required features.
Contractor Foreman
Like Procore, Contractor Foreman is a robust platform that supports comprehensive construction project management. It offers features for financial management, workforce management, document management, and more.
While Contractor Foreman’s offerings are expansive, this is the platform’s downfall, in a way. It’s cumbersome to set up and has a steep learning curve, so some teams have difficulty getting it to work the way they need it to.
Key features
- Time cards are equipped with GPS tracking for unbeatable accuracy.
- The user-friendly platform features automated cost estimation capabilities to help with bid management, change orders, invoices, and more.
- Data-driven report functionality helps project managers understand project progress and risks.
- The project management console facilitates real-time collaboration and task management.
Pricing
- Contractor Foreman offers a variety of pricing tiers, ranging from $49 to $312 per month.
Buildertrend
Buildertrend is another comprehensive project management suite designed to help construction companies better manage finances, sales, marketing, and communication. The platform’s goal is to simplify the entire construction process from start to finish.
This solution features an impressive range of tools for managing every aspect of building and construction project management. It even offers a client portal to give customers insight into the building process for more transparency and better client relationships.
Key features
- Sales management software helps teams generate and capture leads easily.
- Project management features like daily logs, to-do lists, and tasks empower on-site teams with enhanced visibility and understanding of their workloads.
- The materials management dashboard allows builders to better manage rebates and get quick returns on the materials and products they need.
- The built-in customer portal helps home builders manage client relationships from one intuitive interface.
Pricing
- Buildertrend offers three different pricing tiers ranging from $499 to $1,099 a month, depending on the features you need.
Autodesk
Autodesk is another software provider aiming to simplify the construction process. With document management capabilities, project management features, and BIM and AutoCAD tools, the platform has a wealth of features that cover the entire construction ecosystem.
Autodesk also offers over 400 integrations, so you can easily connect it with the tools and systems you already use, like your ERP and CRM products, creating a seamless system. The platform also divided its offerings into individual products, so you only pay for the solutions you need.
Key features
- The document management solution unifies project management and strategy, aligning teams with stakeholders in real time.
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android keep team members connected from anywhere.
- Web-based project management software helps team members manage site schedules and tasks from the office or the job site.
- AI-fueled predictive insights help project managers spot and mitigate potential risks, reducing the chances of delays.
Pricing
- Autodesk offers custom pricing depending on the features and solutions you need.
Plexxis Software
Plexxis construction software is unique in that it’s specifically aimed at subcontractors. The system is designed around subcontractors’ needs and workflows, with features for managing everything from job sites and operations to bidding and finances.
Key features
- Data-driven insights into materials, labor, tools, and equipment to help with project management.
- Features a powerful suite of features to automate workflows for time tracking, employee time cards, roll call, and more.
- Automate bids and budgets with AI-enhanced estimating software.
Pricing
- Plexxis offers custom pricing based on an individualized discovery process.
Oracle Aconex
Oracle Aconex is designed to help construction teams simplify the project management process. It includes plenty of AI-driven features to help with bid and tender management, cost control, and document management.
The platform strives to deliver an end-to-end solution for process management and collaboration, connecting both in-office and on-site teams. In addition, the Aconex archives feature preserves a complete record of every project for deeper insights and greater regulatory compliance.
Key features
- Built-in safety management features enable teams to automate and standardize processes like safety walks, quality checks, issue tracking, and more.
- The platform gives granular visibility into tender status, including which tenders have opened your invitation and when responses have been sent over.
- The highly configurable platform enables construction teams to create their own specific workflows, although this involves a steep learning curve.
- The more data you feed the platform, the more data-based insights you’ll receive, all of which fuel continuous improvement.
Pricing
- Oracle Aconex features custom pricing available on request.
Boost team coordination and project delivery with ActiveDraft
While there are many construction software solutions out there, finding one that fits your specific needs — and your budget — can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are plenty of viable alternatives to Bluebeam’s project management software, and many of the solutions listed are customizable to fit your requirements and workflows.
If you’re looking for a streamlined document collaboration platform, ActiveDraft is your go-to solution. The intuitive, cost-effective browser-based tool simplifies document collaboration and makes it easy to assign tasks from PDF markup — whether you’re in the office or in the field.
Empower your team to complete projects on time and on budget — sign up for ActiveDraft today!
