Buildertrend vs Knowify
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit.
Buildertrend
Construction project management for builders and remodelers
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Best team size
- 5-100
- Free trial
- None listed
Knowify
Construction and contractor management built on QuickBooks
- Starting price
- From $99/mo
- Best team size
- 5-50
- Free trial
- 14 days
What actually separates them
Only the points where our data on Buildertrend and Knowify differs. A feature or integration missing from one tool's list means our entry does not record it, not that the tool lacks it. Everything they share is further down.
- → Price transparency: Knowify publishes its prices (From $99/mo). Buildertrend does not, so you need a quote from Buildertrend to compare them.
- → Trades served: Knowify serves Painting. The other tool's entry does not list it.
- → Free trial: Knowify offers a 14-day free trial. Our data records no free trial for Buildertrend.
- → Integrations listed for one tool only: Buildertrend: xero, gusto, salesforce, hubspot; Knowify: zapier.
- → Fit for shared trades: Buildertrend scores higher for General Contractors (10/10 vs 7/10), Roofing (8/10 vs 5/10).
- → Features listed for one tool only: Buildertrend: project management, selections, client portal; Knowify: job costing, aia billing, time tracking.
Quick verdict
Buildertrend: Custom home builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors running multi-month projects.
Knowify: Trade contractors and subcontractors on QuickBooks who need job costing, change orders and AIA progress billing.
Vertical fit favors Buildertrend in 2 of 5 shared trades.
Knowify publishes its prices (From $99/mo); Buildertrend quotes only.
Buildertrend lists more integrations in our data (8 vs 3).
Decision matrix: which one is right for you?
Pick Buildertrend if…
- → Your situation matches Buildertrend's target profile: Custom home builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors running multi-month projects
- → You work in General Contractors or Roofing: Buildertrend has the higher vertical-fit score there (General Contractors: 10/10 vs 7/10)
- → Integrations matter: Buildertrend lists 8 integrations in our data, against 3 for Knowify
- → You want a longer track record: Buildertrend was founded in 2006, Knowify in 2012
Pick Knowify if…
- → Your situation matches Knowify's target profile: Trade contractors and subcontractors on QuickBooks who need job costing, change orders and AIA progress billing
- → You want to try before buying: Knowify offers a 14-day free trial; our data records none for Buildertrend
- → You want to budget before asking for a quote: Knowify publishes its prices (From $99/mo); Buildertrend quotes only
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | Buildertrend | Knowify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Custom quote (unlimited users): quote | Core: $99/mo |
| Tier 2 | - | Advanced: $329/mo |
| Tier 3 | - | Enterprise: quote |
Buildertrend publishes no price, so ask for a written quote for your team size. Knowify starts on Core, at $99 a month base, more as users are added.
Pros & cons
Buildertrend
- + Higher vertical-fit score for General Contractors or Roofing
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop)
- + Serves 5 trades in our data
- + Founded in 2006
- − No published pricing (custom quotes)
- − Built for residential projects, so overkill for pure service work
- − No free trial in our data (Knowify offers 14 days)
- − No published price: you need a quote
Knowify
- + Publishes its prices; Buildertrend quotes only
- + 14-day free trial
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop)
- + Serves 6 trades in our data
- + Founded in 2012
- − Key features (job costing, client portal, subcontracts) start on Advanced and QuickBooks Desktop sync on Enterprise
- − Per-user charges beyond each plan's included users
- − Less homeowner-facing than Buildertrend
Feature comparison
Features as listed in our entries. The lists use different words for similar features, so check a feature you need on both vendors' sites.
Listed for Buildertrend only
- + project management
- + selections
- + client portal
- + subcontractor management
- + daily logs
- + rfi management
Listed for both
- ✓ scheduling
- ✓ change orders
Listed for Knowify only
- + job costing
- + aia billing
- + time tracking
- + quickbooks sync two way
- + progress billing
Integrations
Listed for Buildertrend only
- + xero
- + gusto
- + salesforce
- + hubspot
- + pipedrive
- + the home depot
Listed for both
- ✓ quickbooks online
- ✓ quickbooks desktop
Listed for Knowify only
- + zapier
Which fits better in each trade
| Trade | Buildertrend fit | Knowify fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractors | 10 / 10 | 7 / 10 | Buildertrend |
| Roofing | 8 / 10 | 5 / 10 | Buildertrend |
| HVAC | 6 / 10 | 6 / 10 | Tie |
| Plumbing | 6 / 10 | 6 / 10 | Tie |
| Electrical | 6 / 10 | 6 / 10 | Tie |
Vertical-fit scores (1-10) rate how well each tool is built for the trade, checked against the trades the vendor's own pages say it serves. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Buildertrend or Knowify?
It depends on your trade, team size and budget. Buildertrend is best for custom home builders, remodelers, and specialty contractors running multi-month projects. Knowify is best for trade contractors and subcontractors on QuickBooks who need job costing, change orders and AIA progress billing. See the decision matrix above, and the trade-by-trade fit table if you work in one trade.
Is Buildertrend cheaper than Knowify?
Knowify publishes its prices (From $99/mo); Buildertrend quotes only, so ask Buildertrend for a written quote at your team size before comparing.
Can Buildertrend and Knowify integrate with QuickBooks?
Buildertrend lists QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. Knowify lists QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. Check which way each sync runs, and on which plans, in each tool's full review before you buy.
Do Buildertrend or Knowify offer a free trial?
Buildertrend: no free trial in our data. Knowify: a 14-day free trial.
Can I move from Buildertrend to Knowify (or the other way)?
Our data does not record migration support for either tool. Ask both vendors which records they import and export (customers, jobs, invoices, recurring agreements, price books), in which file format, and whether they help with the import.
Buildertrend vs Knowify: which has better customer support?
Our data does not record support channels or response times for either tool. Ask each vendor which support comes with the plan you would buy. Each full review links to G2 and Capterra, where you can read current user reviews.
Which suits a solo contractor, and which a growing team?
Our data puts Buildertrend's best team size at 5-100 and Knowify's at 5-50. Buildertrend's entry price is no published price (quote only); Knowify's is $99 a month base, more as users are added. Price both at the team size you expect to have, not only today's.
Need a deeper look?
See our full reviews with each tool's pricing tiers, integrations and weaknesses.
Should your product be in this comparison?
We check Buildertrend and Knowify against their own websites and list the cons next to the pros. If you build a competing product that is not listed here, you can submit it for editorial review. An evaluation can end with or without a listing.
Listings are free. We do not accept payment for inclusion, for placement, for a score, or to remove a documented con. Read this page first and decide whether you want that.