Dave vs Buildertrend
Which Contractor Software is Right for Your Business?
Here's our honest comparison to help you choose the right platform for your contracting business.
Quick comparison:
Dave
All-in-one contractor platform
$33/month
Buildertrend
Construction project management
$299-$1099/month
DaveOUR SOLUTION
All-in-one contractor platform
Dave is built specifically for small to medium contractors who want professional results without complexity. It combines estimates, invoicing, project organization, and marketing tools in one simple app.
Dave's key features:
- •5-minute setup with no training required
- •Professional estimate templates that win jobs
- •Easy to use on-the-go perfect for job sites
- •Integrated invoicing and payment processing (coming soon)
- •Built-in project organization tools
- •Job-site photos and notes
- •Google Reviews integration to collect 5-star reviews
- •Outstanding customer support from real contractors
"Dave has everything I need in one place. The estimates look professional, invoicing is simple, and I can track projects without getting overwhelmed. It's built for how contractors actually work."
Strengths:
- ✓Designed specifically for contractors
- ✓No steep learning curve
- ✓Professional results without complexity
- ✓Mobile-first approach for job sites
- ✓Affordable pricing for small contractors
- ✓Built-in marketing tools
Limitations:
- •Newer platform (less established)
- •Focused on core features vs extensive add-ons
- •No advanced project management features
Best for:
Small to medium contractors who want professional results without the complexity and high costs of enterprise solutions
Get organized, win jobs, and wow customers.
Try Dave for 14 days to see how easy running your business can be.
Buildertrend
Construction project management
A comprehensive construction management platform designed for larger contractors and home builders. Feature-rich but complex and expensive for most contractors.
Buildertrend's key features:
- •Comprehensive project management
- •Advanced reporting tools
- •Client communication portals
- •Document management system
- •Financial management
- •Team collaboration features
- •Advanced scheduling
- •Subcontractor management
Strengths:
- ✓Extensive feature set
- ✓Good for complex projects
- ✓Advanced reporting capabilities
- ✓Client portal functionality
- ✓Comprehensive project tracking
Limitations:
- •Very expensive for small contractors
- •Steep learning curve
- •Overkill for simple jobs
- •Complex interface
- •Requires significant training
- •High monthly cost
Best for:
Large contractors and home builders with complex, high-value projects
Key Differences: Dave vs Buildertrend
Pricing
Dave: $33/month when billed annually
Buildertrend: $299-$1099/month depending on plan
Dave is significantly more affordable, making it accessible to small contractors who need professional tools without the high cost of enterprise solutions.
Ease of Use
Dave: 5-minute setup, no training required
Buildertrend: Complex setup, requires significant training
Dave is designed for contractors who want to get started quickly and focus on their work, not learning complex software.
Target Audience
Dave: Small to medium contractors doing construction and remodeling work
Buildertrend: Large contractors and home builders with complex projects
Dave is built specifically for contractors, while Buildertrend is designed for enterprise-level construction management.
Key Features
Dave: Professional estimates, invoicing, project organization, marketing tools
Buildertrend: Comprehensive project management, advanced reporting, client portals, financial management
Dave focuses on core contractor needs, while Buildertrend offers extensive enterprise-level features.
How to Choose Between Dave and Buildertrend
The choice between Dave and Buildertrend depends on your specific needs and business size:
Choose Dave if you:
- • Want professional estimates and invoices
- • Need simple project organization
- • Want to collect Google Reviews
- • Have a limited budget
- • Want to get started quickly
- • Do construction and remodeling work
- • Are a small to medium contractor
Choose Buildertrend if you:
- • Manage large, complex projects
- • Need advanced project management features
- • Require client portals and communication tools
- • Need comprehensive financial management
- • Have a large team to manage
- • Can afford enterprise-level pricing
- • Are willing to invest in training
More Contractor Software Resources
Ready to Try Dave?
Join the other contractors who've simplified their business with Dave. Start your free trial today and see the difference.
Build a smarter,
stronger
business
Win Jobs
Send estimates fast, look professional, and stand out from the first impression.
Stay Organized
Stay confident and in control with photos, notes, and files exactly where you need them.
Get Paid
Send branded invoices in seconds, track when they're seen, and get paid fast.
Build Reputation
Be the contractor that clients remember. Send review links with photos in seconds.
Built by contractors,
for contractors
We worked side by side with real contractors who were tired of bouncing between multiple tools and bloated apps. Dave cuts the clutter so you can run your jobs in one place.



Build with clarity and run with confidence.
Join the other pros using Dave to quote faster, stay organized, and stack wins on every job.