What are the key differences between PlanGrid and Layer?

The right construction administration platform keeps teams aligned and project data consistent. PlanGrid and Layer took different approaches to that problem.

One thing to know before comparing them: PlanGrid is no longer sold to new customers. Autodesk, which acquired PlanGrid in 2018, now points buyers to Forma Build, the product built from PlanGrid and BIM 360. Existing PlanGrid accounts still work, but the standalone product is not something you can buy today. If you are deciding what to use instead, start with our PlanGrid alternative comparison.

So why would you choose one over the other?

PlanGrid covered the basics well. Layer goes further with customization, structured data tracking, and a direct Revit integration. This comparison shows how the two differ and what changes if you move.

1. Drawing and Document Management

Both Layer and PlanGrid offer tools for managing drawings and documents, but Layer takes it a step further.

PlanGrid:

• Allowed quick uploads of drawings with automatic sheet numbering and revision tracking.

• Provided offline access to plans, so teams could work without connectivity in the field.

Layer:

• With Layer, users can annotate drawings, sync notes directly to Revit models, and link documents to specific project elements such as tasks, rooms, or equipment.

• Additionally, Layer allows teams to save customized templates, ensuring workflows align with existing processes, so teams can keep working the way they already do.

Why it matters:

PlanGrid’s simplicity worked well for basic drawing management. Layer’s model-linked documentation supports richer workflows on complex, design-heavy projects.

2. Customization and Issue Tracking

Customization is where Layer significantly outperforms PlanGrid.

PlanGrid:

• Provided standard templates for punch lists and issue tracking.

• Customization was limited, and extra detail often ended up buried in free-text description fields.

Layer:

• Also provides standard templates for punch lists and issue tracking.

• Allows extensive customization of issue tracking fields. Teams can define attributes like deficiencies, equipment details, or inspection data.

• Issues can be linked directly to specific project locations, rooms, or model elements, ensuring structured, organized, and consistent tracking.

Why it matters:

Layer’s customizable workflows and model-linked issues reduce ambiguity, giving teams a clearer and more consistent way to resolve problems than fixed templates allow.

3. Collaboration and Communication

Collaboration is essential in construction management, and while PlanGrid offers basic tools, Layer delivers a more powerful and centralized experience.

PlanGrid:

• Supported task assignments and basic markup tools tied to sheets.

• Had no structured location-based input, which led to inconsistencies.

Layer:

• Centralizes workflows for RFIs, punch lists, and field reports in one single source of truth.

• Tasks and issues are directly linked to their precise locations within Revit models, providing unmatched clarity.

• Offers filtered views for stakeholders, ensuring non-Revit users can easily access relevant data.

Why it matters:

Layer’s structured, model-linked collaboration keeps larger, multidisciplinary teams aligned. That is where sheet-based markup tends to break down.

4. Field Reporting and Media Management

Field reporting is another area where Layer offers superior flexibility and professionalism compared to PlanGrid.

PlanGrid:

• Allowed users to attach photos and videos to tasks and RFIs.

• Limited reporting to basic templates like punch lists, with minimal customization.

Layer:

• Provides fully customizable, branded reports tailored to specific needs.

• Enables teams to capture diverse data types with over 20+ input fields.

• Generates polished, actionable reports directly linked to Revit models, eliminating repetitive tasks like manual data entry.

Why it matters:

Layer’s advanced reporting tools allow teams to document progress more professionally and efficiently, saving time and reducing errors.

5. Integration and Workflow Flexibility

Integration and workflow adaptability are critical for modern construction projects. Here’s where Layer pulls ahead:

PlanGrid:

• Now sits inside Autodesk’s Forma platform, previously Autodesk Construction Cloud, so getting full value means buying into the wider suite.

• Offers little flexibility for non-standard workflows.

Layer:

• Offers highly flexible workflows that can be tailored to unique project needs, such as FF&E management, safety inspections, or meeting minutes.

• Provides direct integration with Revit, enabling real-time updates and seamless synchronization between field data and project models.

• Has an open API for teams that would like to connect other tools or build their own flexible data ecosystem for a lower price.

Why it matters:

For teams with complex workflows, Layer’s flexibility and Revit integration provide more adaptability and real-time coordination than a standalone field app.

6. Pricing and Value

Cost plays a major role in choosing the right tool, but value matters even more.

PlanGrid:

• Was priced in tiers based on sheet count, which was affordable on small projects and climbed quickly as sheet usage grew.

• Forma Build, the product Autodesk now sells in its place, is priced per user as part of the wider platform.

Layer:

• Avoids scaling costs tied to project size and sheet usage.

• Includes unlimited project deployment, unlimited sheets, and unlimited storage.

• Contains free shared views and collaborator licenses for project stakeholders outside your organization.

• Focuses on delivering long-term value with advanced features, customization, and optimized workflows.

Why it matters:

Layer’s single price covers unlimited projects, sheets, and storage, so cost does not climb with the size of the job.

The Bottom Line: Why Choose Layer Over PlanGrid?

While both tools offer valuable project management features, Layer provides a more advanced, flexible, and data-driven solution for modern construction workflows at a single price without need for additional add-ons or expensive subscriptions and has unlimited projects, sheets, and storage.

See how Layer compares

If customization, structured data tracking, and Revit integration matter to your team, Layer is worth a look. For a side by side view of the two tools and what moving your projects over involves, see the PlanGrid alternative comparison. Or schedule a demo to walk through your workflows.