Dozens of construction management apps exist. Most were built for offices, not job sites. This guide covers what to look for—and what to avoid.
What is Construction Management Software?
Software that helps contractors organize projects, track finances, manage tasks, and document work. Good options combine job site management, financial tracking, scheduling, and photo documentation in one place.
Features That Matter
1. Offline Access
Job sites often have poor connectivity. Software that requires internet is useless in basements, remote locations, or buildings with bad cell service. Look for full offline functionality—data stored locally, no sync required to work.
2. Mobile-First
You work in the field. Desktop software that forces you back to the office is outdated. The app should work on your phone. Everything—photos, expenses, tasks.
3. Photo Documentation
Document work, mark up images, organize by project. Protects you from disputes and helps clients understand what was done.
4. Financial Tracking
Track expenses, monitor payments, see profit per project. Financial tracking and invoicing should connect—no double data entry.
5. Task Management
Tasks and scheduling that show what's due today. No Gantt charts. No resource allocation. Just a clear view of what needs to happen.
6. Labor Tracking
Hours by project and employee. Essential for billing and knowing real labor costs per job.
Why Most Software Fails Field Contractors
Enterprise tools assume:
- You have office staff to run the software
- Reliable WiFi on every job site
- $50–200+ per user per month in budget
- Weeks for setup and training
Small and mid-size contractors have none of that. You need software built for field work.
What FORMA Offers
Designed for contractors who work on site:
- 100% offline—every feature works without internet
- Mobile-first—manage everything from your phone
- Photo markup—draw on photos, circle issues, add notes
- Finance + invoicing—expenses, labor, invoices in one place
- Flat pricing—$8.99/month, not per user
- Free plan—start without a credit card
How to Choose
Before signing up, ask:
- Does it work offline?
- Is it truly mobile, or a desktop app with a mobile version?
- Can I afford it long-term?
- Does it have the features I need—without bloat?
- Was it built for contractors like me?
If any answer is no, keep looking.
Comparison
| Feature | FORMA | Typical Software |
|---|---|---|
| Offline Access | ✅ Full (100%) | ❌ Limited or None |
| Mobile-First | ✅ Built for Mobile | ❌ Desktop-First |
| Pricing | ✅ $8.99/mo flat | ❌ $50–200/user |
| Photo Markup | ✅ Included | ⚠️ Limited or extra |
| Setup | ✅ Instant | ❌ Hours or days |
Get Started
Download FORMA from the App Store. Free plan, no credit card. See features · Pricing · Offline construction app