SimplySub vs Buildertrend for Framing Contractors

Comparing jobsite software for framing subcontractors. Buildertrend is strong for scheduling, client communication, selections, and invoicing workflows. SimplySub helps framing crews run the day with job-based timecards, daily logs, progress photos, and material tracking tied to each job.

  • Big difference: Buildertrend is GC and remodeler workflow-first, SimplySub is jobsite-first for daily framing execution.
  • One job record: SimplySub ties labor, daily logs, photos, notes, and materials to the same job so the office has clean daily visibility.
  • Field adoption: SimplySub is designed for foremen to log the day fast. Buildertrend shines when scheduling and client updates are the center of the workflow.
  • Common stack: Use Buildertrend when the GC runs the job there, and SimplySub for timecards, daily logs, photos, and material usage per job.
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At a glance for framing crews
SimplySub plan One plan, unlimited users and jobs, ideal for multi-crew operations.
Framing workflows Job-based timecards, daily logs, progress notes, photos, and material usage tied to each job.
Best fit Framing subs that need a clean daily job record for production work, time and materials, with photos connected to the job.
When Buildertrend fits better Teams running full projects that want scheduling, client communication, and a homeowner portal as the primary workflow.

Buildertrend is a strong choice for scheduling and client communication. SimplySub is focused on daily framing execution, job-based timecards, logs, photos, and materials per job.

Why framing contractors look for a Buildertrend alternative

Buildertrend is built to manage projects and client communication, but it is not designed to make daily field capture fast for subcontractor crews. Framing teams still need job-based timecards, clean daily logs, progress photos, and material tracking tied to the job. That is why many subs work in Buildertrend because the GC runs the job there, and keep a jobsite-first system like SimplySub for daily execution.

Time still needs a clean home

Schedules and messages do not replace job-based timecards. Framing crews still need clean hours per job to keep payroll and job costing inputs accurate.

Daily logs protect the story of the day

Weather, inspections, schedule changes, and rework impact production. A simple daily log keeps the record straight for the office and the GC.

Materials decide your margin

Lumber, sheathing, fasteners, hangers, and rentals add up fast. If material usage is not logged per job, margin disappears quietly. SimplySub makes material logs part of the daily routine.

SimplySub vs Buildertrend for framing, side by side

A framing-sub view of how SimplySub compares to Buildertrend so you can decide which platform matches the way your crews work today.

Quick comparison for framing contractors
SimplySub Buildertrend
Primary focus Daily field execution and jobsite documentation. Project management, scheduling, and client communication.
Best at Job-based timecards, daily logs, framing notes, job photos, and materials per job. Schedules, selections, client updates, and GC or remodeler workflows.
Field experience Designed for foremen to log the day fast from a phone. Strong for managing the project, not as focused on fast daily crew capture.
Best fit Framing subs that want clean daily job records across crews and jobsites. Teams running full projects that want one hub for schedule, clients, and billing.
Common stack Use SimplySub for time, logs, photos, and materials. Use Buildertrend for schedules, communication, and client-facing workflows.

If your world revolves around schedules and homeowner updates, Buildertrend can be a strong hub. If your main gap is daily jobsite execution tracking with job-based time, daily logs, photos, notes, and materials per job, SimplySub fits better.

How SimplySub maps to real framing work

SimplySub focuses on the daily workflows framing crews actually need, track labor, capture job photos, log daily notes, and record materials so the office has a clean job record.

Job-based timecards

Log hours tied to the job so payroll and job costing inputs stay accurate without chasing paper time.

Progress photos

Capture layout, walls, trusses, sheathing, and site conditions tied to the job so the office always has proof when questions come up.

Daily logs and notes

Record what got done, what changed, and what is blocking production, clear notes the office can see instantly.

Material usage tracking

Track lumber, sheathing, hangers, fasteners, and rentals tied to the job so you can spot cost creep early.

Learn more on the dedicated framing contractor solutions page.

Pricing that fits framing crews that scale up and down

Framing companies add crews and subs constantly. SimplySub is designed so you do not have to count licenses every time staffing changes.

  • One simple plan, unlimited users and jobs.
  • Fast field setup, crews can start the same day.
  • 100-day money-back guarantee.
  • Cancel anytime, no long-term contracts.
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Using Buildertrend on jobs today?

You do not have to replace it. Many framing contractors keep Buildertrend for project scheduling and communication, and use SimplySub internally for job-based timecards, daily logs, photos, notes, and material tracking per job.

Bottom line

Buildertrend is strong for scheduling, client communication, selections, and invoicing. SimplySub helps framing crews run the jobsite with job-based timecards, daily logs, progress photos, and material tracking tied to each job.

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Unlimited users, unlimited jobs.

FAQ: SimplySub vs Buildertrend for framing contractors

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

Buildertrend can be a strong fit when you run projects end-to-end and need scheduling, client communication, selections, proposals, invoicing, and a homeowner portal. Framing subcontractors typically still need a fast daily jobsite system for job-based timecards, daily logs, progress photos, and material tracking tied to each job.

SimplySub focuses on jobsite execution and daily capture for subcontractors. It ties job-based timecards, daily logs, framing notes, job photos, and material usage to the same job record so foremen can log the day fast and the office has clean daily visibility for production work.

SimplySub is built for job-based time entry and daily crew tracking, which helps payroll and job costing inputs stay accurate when crews move across multiple jobsites.

SimplySub is designed so daily logs and progress notes are part of the normal field workflow, capture what got done, what changed, weather impacts, blockers, inspections, and photo proof alongside the job.

Buildertrend is built for scheduling, client communication, selections, and homeowner or client portal workflows, which is why many GCs and remodelers use it as their hub. SimplySub is focused on subcontractor jobsite execution, job-based timecards, daily logs, photos, notes, and material usage per job.

Yes. Many subs work inside Buildertrend because a GC requests it for scheduling and communication, and use SimplySub internally for job-based timecards, daily logs, progress photos, notes, and material usage tied to each job.

Buildertrend fits better when you are running the entire project and want scheduling, client communication, selections, proposals, and invoicing to be the center of the system. If your main gap is daily jobsite execution visibility with job-based time, daily logs, photos, notes, and materials per job, SimplySub is usually the better fit.

Most crews can start the same day. Foremen can begin logging time, daily notes, photos, and materials immediately without a heavy setup process.
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Unlimited users, unlimited jobs.