SimplySub vs Buildertrend for Roofing Contractors

Evaluating construction software for roofing crews. Buildertrend is a powerful all-in-one platform for builders and remodelers. SimplySub is simple jobsite management software built specifically for subcontractors, with workflows that map cleanly to roofing jobs, crews, roof sections, and repairs.

  • Job type: SimplySub is tuned for repeatable roofing work – tear-offs, installs, repairs – where crew hours, photos, and materials matter most. Buildertrend covers full-project lifecycle for builders and GCs.
  • Field usage: SimplySub keeps screens clean for foremen on the roof, Buildertrend includes deeper financials, client portals, and pre-construction modules that many roofing subs never fully use.
  • Onboarding: Roofing crews can start using SimplySub in a single workday. Buildertrend usually fits companies ready to invest more time in implementation and office workflows.
  • Pricing: SimplySub offers one simple plan with unlimited users and jobs, which fits multi-crew roofing companies. Buildertrend pricing reflects a broader, all-in-one construction platform.

No contracts, cancel anytime, 100-day money-back guarantee.

At a glance for roofing
SimplySub plan One plan, unlimited users and jobs – ideal for multiple roofing crews and helpers.
Roofing workflows Timecards, roof sections, repairs, job photos, materials, safety notes, and daily logs.
Best fit Roofing contractors that want a simple jobsite system crews can use from the roof in seconds.
When Buildertrend fits better Builders and large firms that need deep estimating, client portals, change orders, and full financial workflows beyond roofing subs.

Buildertrend is an excellent choice for many established builders and remodelers. SimplySub is designed for the subcontractors they hire, starting with roofing crews that live on ladders, not spreadsheets.

Why roofing contractors look for a Buildertrend alternative

Buildertrend covers the entire construction lifecycle for builders and GCs. Many roofing subs, however, mainly need to know which crew was on which roof, what work was done, which materials were used, and to have photos for proof. That is usually when they start looking for a roofing-first option like SimplySub.

Too much office software for roof work

Roofing companies often find they are paying for full estimating, budgeting, and client portals when they mainly need a daily log for crews and roof sections. The rest goes unused or underused by field teams.

Onboarding can slow crews down

A full construction platform requires training and process change. Roofing foremen and crews often want to open their phone, pick the roof, log hours, add photos, and get back to work before the weather changes.

Field crews just want simple

Roofers work outside, often gloved and moving fast. If tapping through menus feels slow or confusing, usage drops and the office loses visibility. That is why many roofing subs seek a lighter, roof-specific tool.

SimplySub vs Buildertrend for roofing, side by side

A roofing-specific view of how SimplySub compares to Buildertrend so you can decide which platform matches the way your roofing company works today.

Quick comparison for roofing subs
SimplySub Buildertrend
Primary focus Subcontractors and trade crews, including roofing companies. Home builders, remodelers, and full-service contractors.
Roofing workflows Timecards, crews, roof sections, repairs, materials, safety notes, job photos. Broad project workflows – estimating, budgeting, client portals, schedules, and more.
Field experience Designed for foremen logging work from the roof in seconds. More menus and modules, better suited for full office-to-field operations.
Pricing style Flat monthly plan with unlimited users and jobs. Tiered platform pricing for wider feature sets.
Best fit Roofing subs that want simple jobsite tools their crews actually use every day. Builders and firms that manage end-to-end projects with many moving parts.

Buildertrend is a strong choice for general contractors and builders. SimplySub is intentionally focused on roofing and other trades that need fast, simple jobsite management without the overhead of a full builder platform.

How SimplySub maps to real roofing work

SimplySub focuses on the daily workflows roofing crews actually use – tracking hours, documenting roof sections, logging repairs, materials, and photos so the office knows exactly what happened.

Track each roof clearly

Keep jobs organized by address, roof sections, and phases so crews know exactly which part of the roof they are working on each day.

Multiple crews, one simple view

See which crew worked where, for how long, and what was done without chasing texts or paper timecards from each foreman.

Before-and-after roof photos

Capture proof of work, storm damage, and repairs from any phone so you can share visuals with GCs, adjusters, or homeowners quickly.

Materials and safety notes

Log shingles, underlayment, fasteners, and safety notes so you know exactly what was used and can reference it later without digging through texts.

Learn more on the dedicated roofing contractor solutions page.

Feature by feature, what roofing subs get with SimplySub

Roofing software should help you know who was on each roof, what they did, and what it cost – without turning every day into a data entry project for your crews.

Timecards and crew hours

Track crew hours by roof and section so payroll and job costing stay accurate, even when crews hop between jobs in a single day.

  • Daily time entry from any phone.
  • Assign hours to specific roofs and sections.
  • Export-ready for your accounting or payroll system.

Learn more on the SimplySub features page.

Roof photos, notes, and daily logs

Capture what happened on each roof – tear-off, dry-in, install, punch – with photos and notes your office can see in real time.

  • Simple daily logs your roofing crews will actually fill out.
  • Attach before, during, and after photos.
  • Office gets instant visibility for scheduling and invoicing.
Materials and crew productivity

Log shingles, rolls, fasteners, underlayment, and more by roof so you can see true costs and crew productivity over time.

  • Record material usage by job or section.
  • Track which crew handled which part of the roof.
  • Spot profitable jobs and problem roofs faster.

Pricing that fits growing roofing crews

Roofing companies add and rotate crews constantly. SimplySub’s pricing is designed so you never have to count licenses every time you hire or add a new helper.

  • One simple plan, unlimited users and jobs.
  • No per-user math when you add new crew members.
  • 100-day money-back guarantee.
  • Cancel anytime, no long-term contracts.

What roofing subcontractors say about SimplySub

SimplySub is built for the way roofing crews actually work – fast, mobile, and jobsite first. Here are a few examples from subs who needed something lighter than a full builder platform.

“Our foremen log hours and photos from the roof, and I can see every job from the office without chasing anyone.”

Owner, Roofing Subcontractor

3–4 crews across active jobs

“We tried bigger systems, but they felt like overkill. SimplySub gives us the pieces we need for roofs, nothing extra.”

Project Manager, Residential Roofing

Mix of repair and re-roof jobs

“Our crews actually use it. That was the biggest win – I finally get consistent photos and logs from every roof.”

Operations Lead, Roofing Company

Serving several GCs and property managers

Thinking about switching from Buildertrend for your roofing crews?

If you are a roofing subcontractor using Buildertrend today, you do not have to replace everything overnight. Many teams start by using SimplySub as their field-first roofing log while office teams keep their existing tools in place.

Bottom line

If you are running a full construction company with deep estimating and client management, Buildertrend offers a rich platform. If you are a roofing contractor that mainly needs fast, simple jobsite tools your crews will actually use on the roof, SimplySub is likely a better day-to-day fit.

Try SimplySub Free See SimplySub for roofing

No credit card required, unlimited users, unlimited jobs.

FAQ: SimplySub vs Buildertrend for roofing contractors

A quick roofing-focused overview for subs comparing SimplySub and Buildertrend.

It depends on your business. If you are a roofing subcontractor that mainly needs jobsite management, crew hours, photos, and materials, SimplySub can be a simpler alternative. If you run a full construction company that also needs deep estimating, budgeting, and client portals, Buildertrend may still be part of your stack.

SimplySub is built for roofing subs that want clean daily visibility into jobs, crews, roof sections, and materials. Owners, office admins, and foremen can see what happened on each roof without forcing crews through complex software.

Most roofing crews can learn the basics in a single workday. If a foreman can send a text and take a photo, they can log work in SimplySub. You can usually go from signup to live jobs and crews in under an hour.

Yes. Many roofing subs choose to keep a platform like Buildertrend in place for the GC or builder, while using SimplySub as their internal field tool for timecards, photos, and job logs. That way you stay easy to work with while keeping your own operations simple.

SimplySub is designed to keep field data clean and ready to export to the systems you already use for accounting and payroll. As the platform grows, deeper integrations will make it even easier to keep everything in sync.

You can cancel anytime. If you try SimplySub and decide it is not right for your roofing crews, you are covered by the 100-day money-back guarantee on eligible plans.
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No credit card required, unlimited users, unlimited jobs.