Autodesk Forma Build vs DataCAD
Autodesk Forma Build
autodesk.com
DataCAD
datacad.comSide by side
| Figure | Autodesk Forma Build | DataCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $66.67/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 9 |
| Spec score · Architecture Design software | 8.5 (#4) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Spec score · Architectural Design Software | 8.5 (#6) | 8.0 (#12) |
| Founded | 1982 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California | DATACAD LLC lists its address as P.O. Box 815, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070, USA. |
| Trial | Autodesk's Forma Build FAQ says a free trial is available, and its trial setup guidance specifies a 30-day trial. | The maker offers a free 30-day DataCAD 23 trial and sends the download link by email. |
Plans
Autodesk Forma Build
- Forma Build Essentials$100 a month
- Forma Build - per user$175 a month
- Forma Build Essentials$800 a year
- Forma Build - per user$1,400 a year
- Forma BuildPriced on request
DataCAD
- DataCAD LT First LicensePrice not published
- DataCAD LT Additional LicensePrice not published
- DataCAD Professional First LicensePrice not published
- DataCAD Professional Additional LicensePrice not published
- DataCAD Subscription First LicensePrice not published
- DataCAD Subscription Additional LicensePrice not published
- DataCAD Subscription Edition$350 a year
- DataCAD LT 23$395, paid once
- DataCAD 23$1,295, paid once
In their own words
Autodesk Forma Build
Autodesk Forma Build is paid construction project software connecting office, trailer, and jobsite teams. It manages documents, costs, quality, safety, collaboration, and workflows including RFIs, submittals, meetings, issues, forms, and schedules. Web, iOS, and Android access are listed, and the Autodesk Forma mobile app can provide project data offline. Forma Build Essentials includes punch lists, issue management, daily reports, forms, current sheets and files, and mobile field access. Autodesk describes Build features including Autodesk Assistant, Construction IQ, photo autotags, automatic sheet extraction, and AI-assisted specification and submittal workflows. Integrations include Forma Design Collaboration, Forma Data Management, TradeTapp, accounting connections, and Forma Construction Connect, which supports custom connections to more than 200 systems. Autodesk also lists an AECO partner ecosystem with more than 400 integrations. A free trial lasts 30 days; users who do not subscribe afterward lose project access. Plans include Forma Build Essentials at $100 per user monthly and Forma Build - per user at $175 per user monthly.