Quick FAQ
- Is there free construction management software?
- Yes. ProtoPM Free is $0 forever for 1 workspace and 3 projects with schedule, field logs, costs, and changes. No credit card. Start at protopm.app.
- Is ProtoPM really free for construction management?
- Yes. Free does not expire (Free stays free after the trial). Core job tools stay on Free; Complimentary 7-day Pro trial — no credit card. No credit card.
- What's the catch with free construction software?
- Free has clear caps: 3 active projects, 1 project PDF and 1 version per project, and 10 MB storage. There is no hidden credit-card wall. Pro removes those caps when you outgrow Free.
What's included in Free
Not a demo wall. Free is a permanent plan with the core tools you need to run jobs — after any complimentary Pro trial you stay on Free automatically.
- 1 workspace you own and up to 3 active projects
- Up to 3 Free seats and 3 Guest seats per workspace
- Schedule, documents & photos, daily logs, punch items, financials, invoices, change log, risks, and lessons learned
- 1 project PDF export and 1 saved version per project
- 10 MB file storage
- Free invoice and status-report PDFs at /tools (no account for the first download)
- Complimentary 7-day Pro trial — no credit card
Free vs typical paid construction software
Many construction platforms sell per-seat quotes or multi-hundred-dollar monthly plans. ProtoPM Free stays $0 with clear caps; Pro is one flat price when you need more — no module maze. Comparing options (spreadsheet vs Free vs paid suites)? See the best free construction project management software guide.
Who uses free construction management software
From solo trades to small builders, ProtoPM Free is for crews that need professional job tools without enterprise overhead.
- Solo contractors managing a few active jobs
- Small builders and remodelers who want schedule, field, and costs in one place
- Specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) coordinating with a GC
- PMs who want self-serve signup — no demo call required
Get started in three steps
From signup to your first project in minutes — no credit card and no sales call.
- Create a free account with email (confirm when prompted)
- Create a project with only a title — then open Schedule, Field, or Financials
- Invite teammates or Guests (clients see invoices only)
When Free is enough — and when to upgrade
Stay on Free while 3 projects and Free PDF/version caps are enough. Upgrade to Pro ($19.99 CAD/mo/user, cancel anytime) for unlimited projects, up to 3 workspaces, unlimited PDF exports and versions, and 1 GB storage.
Free Excel template
Prefer a spreadsheet first? Download our free template — no account required — then move the same work into ProtoPM when you are ready.
Related
Side-by-side comparison
| Capability | ProtoPM Free | Typical enterprise suites |
|---|---|---|
| Price to start | $0 forever · No credit card | Usually paid or sales-led trial |
| Projects | 3 active on Free; unlimited on Pro | Often unlimited on paid tiers |
| Core job tools | Schedule, field, punch, costs, change log, risks | Broad modules; often à la carte |
| Signup | Self-serve — no demo call | Often demo / onboarding call |
| Paid plan shape | One flat Pro price ($19.99 CAD/mo/user) | Seat tiers and module add-ons common |
Common questions
- Is there free construction management software?
- Yes. ProtoPM Free is $0 forever for 1 workspace and 3 projects with schedule, field logs, costs, and changes. No credit card. Start at protopm.app.
- Is ProtoPM really free for construction management?
- Yes. Free does not expire (Free stays free after the trial). Core job tools stay on Free; Complimentary 7-day Pro trial — no credit card. No credit card.
- What's the catch with free construction software?
- Free has clear caps: 3 active projects, 1 project PDF and 1 version per project, and 10 MB storage. There is no hidden credit-card wall. Pro removes those caps when you outgrow Free.
- Can I use free construction management software for commercial jobs?
- Yes. ProtoPM works for residential and commercial jobs. Free is sized for small crews; upgrade when you need more projects or unlimited exports.
- How does ProtoPM Free compare to Procore or Buildertrend?
- ProtoPM Free is $0 with self-serve signup and core job tabs for small crews. Enterprise suites usually price by seat or quote and aim at larger rollouts. ProtoPM Pro is $19.99 CAD/mo/user with no module add-ons — not a claim of full feature parity with every enterprise product. For a how-to-choose view, see the best free construction PM guide.
- How do I get started with free construction management software?
- Create a free account, confirm your email, and create a project with only a title. Free invoice and status-report PDFs at /tools work with no account for the first download.
Ready to try ProtoPM?
Start free. Upgrade only when you need more projects or exports.