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You're drowning in submittal emails. Your inbox is a mess of version 3, revision B, and "final FINAL" PDFs. And somewhere in that chaos, there's probably a submittal sitting unreviewed that's holding up your whole schedule.
So when you start looking at construction software, you've got options. Big names like Fieldwire (now owned by Hilti) promise to handle everything. Then there's newer platforms like SubmittalLink that focus specifically on what's actually keeping you up at night... those submittals and RFIs.
Here's the thing though. More features doesn't always mean better. Sometimes it just means more complicated and more expensive.
Let me break down what actually matters for local builder in making this decision.
What Each Platform Actually Does
Fieldwire is basically the Swiss Army knife of construction apps. It does task management, punch lists, plan markups, daily reports, and yeah... submittals too (if you pay for their top tier). It's built for field crews who need to coordinate everything on site.
SubmittalLink is different. It does one thing really well: manages your submittals and RFIs without making you feel like you need an IT degree to figure it out. No bloat. No features you'll never use. Just the stuff that actually matters when you're trying to get approvals and close out projects.
The Features That Actually Matter
Submittal Management (The Main Event)
This is where things get interesting.
SubmittalLink was built specifically for this (as you can tell from our company name). You get a centralized log, automated cover sheets, email notifications that actually work, and here's the kicker... unlimited subcontractors and consultants can collaborate at no extra cost. Your architect can respond via email without creating an account or learning a new system.
Fieldwire? They added submittal features later. It works, but it's only available on their highest-tier Business Plus plan. So you're paying for their entire project management suite just to get the submittal module.
For a contractor who mainly needs submittal tracking... that's like buying a pickup truck when you just need to haul some lumber.
Task Management and Punch Lists
Now if we're being fair, Fieldwire absolutely crushes it here. Kanban boards, Gantt charts, calendar views, the whole nine yards. You can drop pins on drawings, assign tasks to crew members, track everything in real time.
SubmittalLink has basic daily reports and punch list features, but it's not trying to be your full task management system. It keeps the focus narrow.
So the question is: do you need all that task coordination? Or are you mainly just trying to stop submittals from falling through the cracks?
Drawing Management
Fieldwire's plan viewer is legit. HD blueprints, offline access, markup tools, OCR that automatically reads sheet titles. If your crew lives in the plans all day, this is gold.
SubmittalLink lets you store and organize drawings so everyone's working from the latest version. But you're not doing markups in the app... you'd handle that elsewhere and upload the results.
Different tools for different needs.
Mobile Access
Both have mobile apps, but they work differently.
Fieldwire's app works offline. Changes sync when you're back online. Huge deal if you're working in areas with sketchy cell service.
SubmittalLink's mobile app needs internet for real-time updates. For most projects that's fine. But worth knowing.
Collaboration
Here's where SubmittalLink really stands out. Unlimited users on all plans. Let me say that again... unlimited users. Your whole team, every sub, the architect, the owner's rep. Nobody's counting seats.
And those external reviewers don't need accounts. They respond via email and everything gets captured in the system automatically.
Fieldwire charges per user. Great collaboration features, but you're making business decisions about who gets access based on your budget.
The Pricing Reality Check
This is where things get real.
Fieldwire uses per-user pricing. They've got a free plan (5 users, 3 projects), which is nice for trying things out. But their paid plans run about $39-$89 per user per month depending on which tier you need.
Remember, submittals are only in that top Business Plus tier at $89/user/month. So for a 10-person team, you're looking at $890/month. That's $10,680 a year.
SubmittalLink keeps it stupid simple. Flat rate pricing based on your construction volume, not user count.
- Under $10M in volume? $249/month flat
- $10M-$25M? $349/month flat
- Unlimited users, projects, and storage at every level
A mid-sized contractor at $349/month is paying $4,188 per year. With unlimited users. No surprise costs when you bring on new project managers or need to loop in more subs.
The math is pretty straightforward here.
User Experience (AKA: Will Your Team Actually Use It?)
I've seen too many contractors buy software that ends up ignored because it's too complicated or nobody wants to learn it.
SubmittalLink is designed to be simple. Like, you-can-figure-it-out-in-minutes simple. It's basically a smarter version of the Excel logs you're probably already using. And they give you personalized onboarding with a dedicated support contact. No getting passed around to different support reps.
Fieldwire is user-friendly for what it does, but there's a learning curve because it does so much. Users on G2 love it once they're up to speed. But "once they're up to speed" is the key phrase there.
Here's how one contractor put it after switching to SubmittalLink: "We have been paying a fortune... SubmittalLink covers the fundamentals and does a better job."
Real Results from Real Contractors
The proof is in what actually happens on projects.
On a 14-story tower project, Middletown Construction Group finished 6 weeks early after implementing SubmittalLink mid-project. Their PM could finally see real-time status on everything without scheduling another meeting.
These aren't just feel-good testimonials. These are hours and weeks that translate directly to your bottom line.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Okay, here's my honest take.
Choose Fieldwire if:
- You need comprehensive field management (not just submittals)
- Your crew needs robust task coordination and plan markup tools
- You work in remote areas and need offline functionality
- You're willing to pay per-user pricing for all those features
- You're already managing tasks and punch lists manually and want to level up everything at once
Choose SubmittalLink if:
- Your main pain point is submittal and RFI chaos
- You want something your team (and subs and architects) will actually use without extensive training
- You prefer predictable, flat-rate pricing
- You need unlimited users without worrying about per-seat costs
- You want Procore-level organization without the Procore complexity and price tag
Look, Fieldwire is a solid tool. Really solid. But if you're mainly trying to solve your submittal nightmare, you might be paying for a lot of features you'll never touch.
SubmittalLink does one thing exceptionally well. And sometimes that's exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Fieldwire cost compared to SubmittalLink?
Fieldwire charges per user, ranging from free (limited features) to $89/user/month for their Business Plus plan with submittals. For a 10-person team, that's around $10,680/year. SubmittalLink uses flat-rate pricing starting at $249/month ($2,988/year) with unlimited users, which makes budgeting way more predictable for growing teams.
Can I use SubmittalLink offline like Fieldwire?
No, SubmittalLink requires internet for real-time updates. Fieldwire's offline mode is definitely a strength if you're working in remote areas. But for most jobsites with cell service or wifi, SubmittalLink's cloud-based approach works just fine.
Do my subcontractors and architects need paid accounts?
With SubmittalLink? Nope. You get unlimited users at no extra cost, and external reviewers can respond via email without creating accounts. With Fieldwire, you're paying per user, so you might end up limiting who gets access based on your budget.
Which platform is easier to learn?
SubmittalLink is deliberately simple, designed to feel like a smarter version of the Excel logs you're already using. Most people are up and running in minutes. Fieldwire has more features, which means more to learn. Both are well-designed, but if your team isn't super tech-savvy, SubmittalLink's focused approach wins here.
Does Fieldwire include submittal management?
Yes, but only on their highest-tier Business Plus plan at $89/user/month. Their lower tiers focus on task management, plans, and punch lists. SubmittalLink includes full submittal and RFI management at every pricing level.
Can I manage punch lists in SubmittalLink?
SubmittalLink has basic punch list and daily report features, but it's not as robust as Fieldwire's task management. If detailed punch list coordination is your priority, Fieldwire might be the better fit. But if submittals are your main headache, SubmittalLink keeps things focused.
What kind of support do you get with each platform?
SubmittalLink provides personalized onboarding with a dedicated support contact for every customer, even small contractors. No extra training fees. Fieldwire offers solid support through their help center and email, but it's more self-service. Both have good reputations, but SubmittalLink's white-glove approach stands out.
How long does implementation take?
With SubmittalLink, you can literally set up a project and send your first submittal in minutes. No complex implementation. Fieldwire is also relatively quick to get started, especially on the free tier, but mastering all its features takes more time given how much it does.
Can I try either platform before committing?
Fieldwire offers a free plan with limited features (5 users, 3 projects) so you can test it out. SubmittalLink offers demos and support to help you see if it fits your workflow. Both are worth exploring before you commit to understand which approach fits your team better.
Which is better for a 5-person contractor vs a 50-person contractor?
For smaller teams (5-10 people), Fieldwire's free or lower-tier plans might work if you need basic field coordination. But SubmittalLink's flat pricing becomes incredibly attractive as you grow since you're not adding per-seat costs. For a 50-person operation focused on submittals, SubmittalLink could save you tens of thousands annually compared to Fieldwire's per-user pricing.
The Bottom Line
Here's what it comes down to: SubmittalLink gives you the essential functionality that keeps projects moving without drowning you in complexity or breaking your budget.
No months-long implementation. No specialist trainers required. No wondering if you're actually getting value from all those modules you're paying for.
Just clean, organized submittal tracking that saves you hours every week and keeps your projects on schedule.
And honestly? For most local builders, that's worth more than having 47 different features you'll never use.
Want to see if SubmittalLink fits your workflow? Check it out here. They'll walk you through exactly how it works for your specific projects.
Because at the end of the day, the best software is the one that solves your actual problems without creating new ones.
Disclaimers and attribution
- This comparison is based on publicly available information such as Reddit discussions and G2 reviews as of October 2025.
- Pricing for Fieldwire varies by plan, modules, and company profile. Contact them for exact quotes.
- The opinions and claims expressed here are based on SubmittalLink’s understanding of the platforms and may not reflect the views of Fieldwire.
- All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.