Newforma vs PlanGrid (Autodesk Build): Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Newforma
Project information management software for AEC firms handling documents, emails, and RFIs in one place.
PlanGrid (Autodesk Build)
8.0(3,100 reviews)
Construction document management platform for blueprints, punch lists, and RFIs, now part of Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Newforma | PlanGrid (Autodesk Build) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Architecture firms needing to organize project emails and correspondence | Field teams managing large blueprint sets on commercial projects |
| Pricing Model | Contact Sales | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Contact Sales | $39/mo |
| Deployment | cloud, on premise | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, WINDOWS | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
Pros & Cons
Newforma
Pros
- Email filing from Outlook is the best in the industry for AEC firms
- Indexes existing network drives without forcing file migration
- Search across all project correspondence and documents in seconds
- RFI and submittal tracking integrated with email correspondence
- Built specifically for how architecture and engineering firms actually work
Cons
- Designed for AE firms — not useful for field construction operations
- Interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-first SaaS products
- On-premise version requires Windows Server infrastructure to maintain
- Limited mobile capabilities compared to construction-focused platforms
- Niche product with a smaller user community than major platforms
PlanGrid (Autodesk Build)
Pros
- Fastest sheet loading and rendering on the market — 500-page sets in minutes
- Offline mode actually works reliably on construction sites
- Intuitive markup tools that field workers pick up in under an hour
- Tight BIM integration if you already use Autodesk products
- Punch list tracking is straightforward and reduces closeout time by 30-40%
Cons
- PlanGrid standalone is being phased out — forced migration to Autodesk Build
- Pricing shifted from transparent per-user to confusing Autodesk bundles
- Windows desktop app feels neglected compared to iOS and Android
- Limited financial management — you still need separate accounting tools
- Customer support quality dropped noticeably after the Autodesk acquisition
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Newforma | contact sales | Contact Sales |
| PlanGrid (Autodesk Build) | subscription | $39/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Newforma if...
Architecture firms needing to organize project emails and correspondence
Choose PlanGrid (Autodesk Build) if...
Field teams managing large blueprint sets on commercial projects
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.