Side-by-side comparison
| ProtoPM | Buildertrend (typical) | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, no end date | Paid, with trials |
| Signup | Self-serve | Sales or onboarding call |
| Focus | Job tabs for construction teams | Home builder and remodeler workflows |
| Best for | Trades and general contractors | Residential builders |
How ProtoPM works
Free covers unlimited projects and people, your first company free (extra companies are an add-on), and 2 GB of storage per company (more is optional, from $5/mo per company). See every feature.
- Sign up and create a project. A title is enough.
- Financials: budget, actuals and invoices.
- Schedule and Field: dates, daily logs and punch items.
- Project Delivery: changes, risks and lessons learned.
Why teams pick ProtoPM
- $0 Free plan with no end date. No credit card.
- Sign up yourself. No demo call.
- Plain tabs for schedule, field, costs and changes.
- Projects and users are unlimited on Free; the core tools stay free. Optional company add-ons start at $5 CAD/mo when you need extras like more storage or branded documents — nobody pays per user.
When Buildertrend wins
Choose Buildertrend for home-builder client portals or its add-on marketplace.
How to start
- Sign up free and confirm your email.
- Create a project with just a title.
- Open Schedule, Field or Financials, then invite your crew.
Common questions
- Is there a free Buildertrend alternative?
- Yes. ProtoPM Free is $0 with no end date for contractors. No credit card.
- Does ProtoPM replace Buildertrend completely?
- Not for every workflow. It covers schedule, field, costs and changes. If you rely on a specific Buildertrend module, compare first.
Related
Ready to try ProtoPM?
Start free. Upgrade only if you need more.