Best PDF Software for Construction in 2023
Looking for the best PDF viewer/editor to use for your construction project? With so many options available on the market today, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which one is the best for your specific needs. Don’t stress! In this article, we will compare some of the top PDF applications available for construction professionals in 2023. We looked at things such as pricing, speed, features and platform support.
Table of Contents
1. Bluebeam Revu
https://www.bluebeam.com/products/revu/
Bluebeam Revu is one of the most well known and comprehensive desktop PDF software available for the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. It offers pretty much everything you would want in a PDF package including editing, document management, collaboration and communication tools. Bluebeam is known for its fast loading times (which is crucial if you deal with complex drawings) and advanced feature sets made specifically for the AEC industry. The only drawback may be the cost and the time commitment required to learn all the tools.
Since September 2022 they have also introduced Bluebeam Cloud which enables a version of Bluebeam to run on mobile devices.
Platforms:
- Windows
- iOS/Android (via Bluebeam Cloud)
Pricing:
- $240-$400 USD per user/month
- Free trial available (30 days)
2. Adobe Acrobat Pro
https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/acrobat-pro.html
If you are reading this article because you want to switch away from Adobe Acrobat, feel free to move on and look at the other options listed in this article. However, depending on your needs, Adobe Acrobat Pro may be a good option. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of Bluebeam but if you need a reliable PDF software for reviewing, marking up and signing documents, it’s definitely worth considering. Compared to Bluebeam Revu, Adobe Acrobat Pro is simpler to learn and is much more affordable. Having said that, if you work with complex or large format drawings, it can be quite slow and clunky to navigate the drawings.
Platforms:
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS/Android (Adobe Acrobat Reader or Adobe Fill & Sign)
Pricing:
- $19.99 USD per user/month (paid annually)
- Free trial available (7 days)
3. Autodesk Build (PlanGrid)
https://construction.autodesk.com.au/products/autodesk-build/
If you are looking for a well designed PDF application to use in the field, Autodesk Build (formally PlanGrid) is a great option. It offers tools for managing projects, sharing plans, as well as real-time collaboration features for teams to communicate and work together on projects. Autodesk Build is well known for its ease of use and mobile friendly user experience.
Platforms:
- iOS/Android
- Windows
- macOS
Pricing:
- $58-$190 USD per user/month (paid annually)
- Free trial available (30 days)
4. PDF-XChange Pro
https://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor
Tracker Software’s PDF-XChange is probably the closest competitor to Bluebeam in terms of feature set but at a fraction of the cost. It has solid editing, markup and measurement tools which are all useful for construction. The advantage of PDF-XChange Pro is that it has a perpetual license model, meaning even if you stop paying for the maintenance, you can continue to use the product. Great value!
Platforms:
- Windows
Pricing:
- $121 USD (1 year maintenance included)
- Free trial available
5. Sumatra PDF
https://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader
Sumatra PDF is a free open source PDF viewer developed by Krzysztof Kowalczyk. It’s lightweight, fast and has basic annotation capabilities. It might be all you need if you just need to view drawings and type some comments!
Platforms:
- Windows
Pricing:
- Free
6. LibreOffice – Draw
https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/draw/
LibreOffice Draw is another popular open source PDF viewer/editor. It comes as a part of a free office suite used by millions of users worldwide. LibreOffice Draw is a great choice if you need a free program to view plans, make simple edits and add annotations.
Platforms:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Pricing:
- Free
7. Foxit PDF Editor Pro
https://www.foxit.com/pdf-editor/
Foxit PDF Editor Pro (formally known as Foxit PhantomPDF) is another popular PDF software for the AEC industry. It is comparable to PDF-XChange Pro and has document management, collaboration, markup and annotation tools. It has support for Windows, macOS and Linux which is a plus!
Platforms:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- iOS/Android (Foxit PDF Editor)
Pricing:
- $159 USD per user/year
- Free trial available (14 days)