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 PDF widgets 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.
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.
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.
- 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 widgets 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.