TL;DR: Which one fits your work today?
Pick the tool that matches how you actually build.
- Procore: best when you’re a GC juggling many stakeholders (Owner, AE (Architect/Engineer), subs) and you need strict logs, audits, and controls.
- Buildertrend: built for residential builders and remodelers who want client communications, selections, scheduling, and job costing in one place.
- SubmittalLink: fast, focused Submittals, RFIs, Drawings, and Punch for teams that want Procore-level formality without the weight or price.
See SubmittalLink in action:
What They Have In Common
No matter which one you pick, the goal is the same: keep work moving without hunting through inboxes and drive folders. These platforms give your team one place to look, one place to log decisions, and one place to show progress.
- Centralize project info so you’re not chasing email threads. Notes, files, and comments live with the record, so everyone can find context fast.
- Cut rework by keeping drawings, RFIs, and submittals traceable. You can see status, who’s on the hook, and what changed, which reduces “I never saw that” moments.
- Give owners and consultants a single source of truth. Permissions keep the right people in the loop while protecting sensitive details.
Platforms at a Glance
Procore: Multi-stakeholder control for GCs
If you’re coordinating Owner, AE (Architect/Engineer), and multiple subs, Procore shines. It gives you formal logs, spec-section mapping, and audit trails that hold up in meetings and closeout.
Who it’s for
- You manage complex projects with 10+ external parties
- You need strict submittal/RFI controls and paper-trail clarity
- You’re fine investing time and budget into a broad platform
Who it might not fit
- You’re a local builder who only want to pay for submittals, RFIs, and drawings and no additional modules
- You want transparent, simple pricing without a long sales cycle
Buildertrend: Residential/homebuilder operations
Running residential builds or remodels? Buildertrend bundles scheduling, selections, homeowner portal, and job costing so your office and clients stay on the same page.
Who it’s for
- You run residential or remodeling work with client selections
- You want a customer portal plus schedule and finance tools together
Who it might not fit
- You require Procore-level document control and formal approvals
- You’re price-sensitive at higher volumes and don’t want custom quotes.
SubmittalLink
- Pricing model: transparent tiers.
- Tiers:
- Starter: $150/month (under $5M annual construction volume)
- Pro: $250/month ($5M–$25M)
- Enterprise: contact us
- Starter: $150/month (under $5M annual construction volume)
- Includes: unlimited projects, users, and file storage on all plans.
- As of: September 2025 → Talk to us
Disclaimers: pricing varies by plan, modules, and company profile. Always confirm with each vendor.
Core Workflows Compared (Plain English)
Submittals
- Tag each submittal to its spec section, then route to the right reviewers (AE = Architect/Engineer, Owner, consultants).
- Use receipts and timestamps so ball in court is never a guess.
- Keep a running log you can export for OAC meetings and closeout.
- Reality check: Procore is strong on formal logs and multi-party reviews. Buildertrend is lighter here for commercial needs. SubmittalLink focuses on fast, formal approvals without extra modules.
- Want a refresher on basics and best practices? Read What is a construction submittal and the submittal software guide.
RFIs
- Number RFIs and tie them back to drawings and specs so decisions are traceable.
- Attach marked-up sheets, photos, and responses in one thread.
- Watch turnaround times to spot delays before they hit the schedule.
- Reality check: Procore handles formal RFI chains and audits well. Buildertrend can work, but it is optimized for residential comms. SubmittalLink keeps the RFI flow strict and fast.
- Deep dive: RFI construction software.
Drawings and Version Control
- Distribute current sets so the field is never building off an old sheet.
- Track who received what and when, then lock in the record.
- Centralize comments and markups so decisions do not get lost in email.
- Reality check: Procore offers broad document control. Buildertrend is fine for smaller teams that do not need strict revisions. SubmittalLink aims for simple, reliable versioning that busy supers will actually use.
Punch Lists and Dailies
- Log field issues with photos, locations, and assignees in seconds.
- Keep daily logs short so supers fill them out, not skip them.
- Share across companies to cut back-and-forth and close items faster.
- Reality check: Procore is comprehensive. Buildertrend fits residential workflows. SubmittalLink keeps punch and dailies lean so they stick.
FAQs (Short and Direct)
Can Buildertrend work on commercial jobs?
Yes, but it shines in residential. Think client selections, homeowner portal, scheduling, and change orders. For commercial jobs that demand formal submittal logs, multi-reviewer approvals, spec-section mapping, and tight audit trails, you’ll likely want Procore or SubmittalLink. If your document control needs are light, Buildertrend can still cover smaller commercial work.
When does a GC really need Procore?
When you’re coordinating many external reviewers across Owner, Architect or Engineer, and multiple subs. You need enforceable workflows, stamped receipts, permissioning by role, and contract-ready logs. If the job is public, institutional, or heavily audited, Procore fits. If your main pain is Submittals, RFIs, and Drawings, SubmittalLink may be the faster, lighter solve.
How fast can we roll out SubmittalLink?
Same-day. Create projects, invite your team, import or start your submittal and RFI logs, then send your first transmittal. No long onboarding or sales cycle. Most teams are productive on day one.
Final Thoughts: Pick the Smallest Tool That Solves Today’s Pain
You don’t need the biggest platform. You need the right fit for where your jobs are today. Start small, move fast, and only add complexity when the work demands it.
- If your bottleneck is formal Submittals, RFIs, and drawings, start with SubmittalLink.
- If you run residential builds with selections and homeowner communications, Buildertrend fits.
- If you’re already deep in multi-party commercial delivery with strict audit needs, Procore’s control is hard to beat.
Disclaimers and attribution
- This comparison is based on publicly available information such as Reddit discussions and G2 reviews as of September 2025.
- Pricing for Procore and Buildertrend varies by plan, modules, and company profile. Contact the vendors 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 Procore Technologies or Buildertrend Solutions.
- All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.