Real Estate Development software can be critical to the success of your development projects. The software you choose can make a monumental difference in your success when analyzing development projects.
To help you choose the best real estate development software to meet your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the most impressive choices we found, the top 12 best real estate development software available for use in 2022, along with the pros, cons, and price of each one.
Top 12 Real Estate Development Planning Software
- Construction Online – Best Real Estate Development Software for Professionals
- CostCertified – Best Real Estate Development Software for the Residential Market
- BuilderStorm – Best Field Service Real Estate Development Software
- TopBuilder – Best Real Estate Development Software for Customer Relations Management
- Procore – Best All-Inclusive Real Estate Development Software
- eSub – Best Real Estate Development Software for Commercial Subcontractors
- QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise – Best All-in-One Accounting Solution in Real Estate Development Software
- Knowify – Best Real Estate Development Software for Electrical Contractors
- Buildertrend – Best Real Estate Development Software for Managing Multiple Jobs
- AutoCAD – Best Real Estate Development Design Software
- PlanSwift – Best Real Estate Development Software for Takeoff and Estimating
- FreshBooks – Best Real Estate Development Software for Businesses on a Budget
#1. Construction Online – Best Real Estate Development Software for Professionals
Pricing: $270/month
UDA Technologies developed Construction Online. Over 850,000 construction professionals use it. Professionals tend to choose this software because it is an all-in-one solution to finish their projects on time and under budget. It is a web-based software with a mobile version.
| Pros | Cons |
| Compatible with QuickBooks | Steep learning curve |
| Cross-platform functionality | |
| Project tracking from estimates to completion | |
| Estimate templates | |
| Cost code set-up | |
| Amazing customer service/technical support |
#2. CostCertified – Best Real Estate Development Software for the Residential Market
Pricing: Not provided by vendor Visit vendor website
David Vass and Michael Bignold founded CostCertified. They envisioned fixing some of the biggest problems they saw with construction estimating and management software. David and Michael received continual input from beta testers during software development. They wanted to create the best possible web-based software for their users. The feature that we love about this software is the detailed interactive proposals. Your client has the option to upgrade any item in their proposal.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to use and intuitive | Steep learning curve |
| Detailed interactive proposals | Lengthy set-up process |
| Phenomenal customer support | |
| Online proposal approval | |
| Allows your client to upgrade any product in their proposal |
#3. BuilderStorm – Best Field Service Real Estate Development Software
Pricing: $1,648.92/year (£1200/year)
BuilderStorm is UK cloud-based software that construction industry experts developed. There is also a mobile version. We love BuilderStorm because they have a customer-focused responsive support team that will customize the software to each company’s needs. In addition, they pride themselves on providing excellent customer service.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can archive completed projects | Assigning permissions to users is difficult |
| Very user friendly | Project photos slow to upload |
| Easy to set-up | |
| Customer-focused, responsive support team | |
| Willing to adapt the software to specific user needs |
#4. TopBuilder – Best Real Estate Development Software for Customer Relations Management
Pricing: $35/user/month
TopBuilder is arguably the best Customer Relations Management (CRM) software for the construction industry. Dave Knowles, the founder of TopBuilder, is unique because he is a mechanical engineer and a software developer and has also owned several construction companies. He approached the creation of TopBuilder from a different perspective with his expansive knowledge base. This software is cloud-based and has versions compatible with Windows and Mac OS.
| Pros | Cons |
| Tracks, captures, and manages leads | Time-consuming set-up process |
| Can add customized Key Performance Indicators | Difficult to integrate with other programs |
| Ability to create additional user fields | Only users can access projects and bids |
| Monthly revenue projections | Steep learning curve |
| Live training offered |
#5. Procore – Best All-Inclusive Real Estate Development Software
Pricing: Not provided by vendor Visit vendor website
Procore Technologies was started by Tooey Courtemanche when he was building his house and saw the inefficiencies in the construction industry. He was surprised that his project was managed using archaic technology such as fax, phone, and paper in the digital age. Tooey decided to create software to bring the construction industry into the 21st century. He decided on the name Procore because he wanted to focus on the professional core competencies of the construction industry to create this cloud-based software. Procore also has a mobile version.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for tracking RFIs | Inability to import specs into a transmittal |
| Ability to track field issues | Not a great source for the accounting of a project |
| Can create custom logs | Cost |
| Syncs with Microsoft Project and Schedules | |
| Has a database for subcontractors |
#6. eSub – Best Real Estate Development Software for Commercial Subcontractors
Pricing: $7/month
Wendy Rogers and Benny Baltrotsky, construction consultants, founded eSub. They believed that contractors could eliminate claims with best practices and documentation. eSub was created to mitigate the risks of contractors and avoid claims. This is cloud-based software with a mobile version.
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick, easy, professional submittal process | Cannot correct errors in documents (must create new report) |
| Cost to completion function | Number of users limited by plan choice |
| Very user friendly | Customization costs extra |
| Tailored to subcontractor needs | |
| Cost tracking by cost codes | |
| Tracks all aspects of job in one location |
#7. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise – Best All-in-One Accounting Solution in Real Estate Development Software
Pricing: $1,489.50/year for up to 30 users
Scott Cook and Tom Proulx founded Intuit in 1983 because they realized that computers would replace manual accounting. Scott and Tom started with Quicken, which transformed over time to QuickBooks. QuickBooks has been around for many years and has a version for just about every industry. This software is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. There is also a cloud-based version.
| Pros | Cons |
| File-sharing feature | Difficult to fix mistakes |
| Automatically calculates payroll taxes | Steep learning curve |
| Multiple versions to customize by business | Does not have a mobile version |
| Easy to use | |
| Allows integration with other software |
#8. Knowify – Best Real Estate Development Software for Electrical Contractors
Pricing: $68/month
Knowify was founded in 2012 by Dan de Roulet Jr. and Marc Visent to bring business management technology to electrical contracting. They created software that includes budgeting, job costing, billing, bid management, maintenance scheduling, change orders, compliance management, and client tracking. It is cloud-based software with a mobile version.
| Pros | Cons |
| Syncs with QuickBooks (no duplicate entries required) | Lacks CRM functionality |
| Monitors profitability by job | No flexibility in creating invoices |
| Sub-client feature | Scheduling features are limited |
| Continuous software updates | |
| Exceptional customer service | |
| Tracks cost per project |
#9. Buildertrend – Best Real Estate Development Software for Managing Multiple Projects
Pricing: $99/month (1st two months) Third-month price increases to $349/month
Buildertrend was founded in 2006 by two brothers and a friend; Jeff Dugger, Steve Dugger, and Dan Houghton. They wanted to create a better way to manage construction projects. Buildertrend’s primary focus is on their customers and creating a partnership with them. The software is compatible with Windows. There are also web-based and mobile versions.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface | Cost |
| Highly customizable | Difficult to upload multiple photos |
| Excellent training and support | Cannot integrate other software |
| QuickBooks already integrated into the software | File size upload limited |
| Customer portal to view project progress | Steep learning curve |
#10. AutoCAD – Best Real Estate Development Design Software
Pricing: $1,470/year
Autodesk was founded in 1982 and has multiple software versions. AutoCAD is a 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software used by architects, engineers, and construction professionals to design projects. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. AutoCAD also has web-based and mobile versions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Allows file sharing | High computer usage |
| Highly accurate | Steep learning curve for beginners |
| Can transfer files to other formats | Graphic features limited |
| Compatible with most software | Cost |
| Customizable interface and menus | Does not provide full parametric modeling |
#11. PlanSwift – Best Real Estate Development Software for Takeoff and Estimating
Pricing: $1,595/one-time fee
ConstructConnect developed PlanSwift to allow a blueprint to be dragged and dropped into the program and begin the estimating process. This software measures linears, unit counts, square footage, pitches, and angles very quickly. We love PlanSwift because it is a huge time-saver and gives a highly accurate estimate to bid a job down to the nut and bolt. In addition, it is compatible with Windows and Linux. There is also a web-based version.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface | Cost |
| Amazing reporting capabilities | High computer usage |
| Allows customization | Software updates cause glitches and program to crash |
| Creates fast takeoffs | Slow to import files |
| Can import a floor plan | |
| Supports industry plugins |
#12. FreshBooks – Best Real Estate Development Software for Businesses on a Budget
Pricing: $6/month
FreshBooks was founded by Mike McDerment in 2003 when he accidentally saved over an invoice he was working on and lost his work. He was so frustrated that he lost hours of work that he decided to code software so this would never happen again. FreshBooks is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. There are also web-based and mobile versions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Includes unlimited invoices | Allows chargebacks from clients |
| Can track time and bill clients | Cannot track inventory |
| Allows integration with 3rd party apps | Requires a fee for additional users |
| Simple, straightforward set-up | Bank reconciliation must have a live bank connection |
| Excellent customer service |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is real estate development software?
Real estate development software helps you analyze and track your development projects. The software analyzes large amounts of data to create a plan to bring your project from pre-development to invoicing.
What are the responsibilities of a real estate developer, and how does software meet your needs?
Real estate developers make complicated decisions that require extensive data analysis. You identify properties for purchase, procure necessary financing, manage compliance requirements, create project ideas, assemble the project team, and ensure profitability. The immense obligations you face can be alleviated by software. Real estate development software assists with project cost estimations, invoices, RIFs, bids, change orders, and profit and loss reports to name a few.
What are the most important factors to consider when choosing Real Estate Development software?
The most important factors to consider are your industry, budget, and the size of your project. Each industry has different requirements, so choosing the right software to meet your needs is essential to your success.
What are the typical features of Real Estate Development software?
The typical features of real estate development software are takeoff, estimating, bid management, reporting, project, and finance management. These features are essential in making accurate business decisions and ensuring compliance.
What is takeoff?
Takeoff is the process of determining how much material is needed to complete your project. The software measures and logs your blueprints to make this calculation. It is essential to have an accurate takeoff to accurately assess the project’s cost.