PlanHub Review: Pricing, Features & Best Alternatives [2026]

PlanHub Review: Pricing, Features & Best Alternatives [2026]

PlanHub has built its reputation on a simple promise: free bid access for subcontractors through a digital plan room connecting them with general contractors. After 60 days of testing across 12 metro markets, this review delivers an honest assessment of what PlanHub does well, where it falls short, and which alternatives fill the gaps.

Relying on PlanHub as your sole bidding platform creates blind spots that cost contractors real money. Here is what you need to know.

What Is PlanHub?

PlanHub is a cloud-based construction bidding platform that operates as a digital plan room and bid invitation system. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, PlanHub connects general contractors with subcontractors by providing a centralized platform where GCs post projects, distribute plans, and manage bid invitations.

The platform's core value proposition centers on its pricing model: subcontractors access bid invitations, project plans, and basic bidding tools at zero cost. General contractors pay monthly subscriptions for the ability to post projects, manage subcontractor databases, distribute bid packages, and analyze bidding results.

PlanHub processes approximately 15,000 commercial construction projects monthly across all 50 states, with the strongest coverage in the Southeast, Texas, and major metropolitan areas. The platform focuses exclusively on private commercial construction -- office buildings, retail centers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and multi-family residential projects.

PlanHub Pricing Breakdown

Understanding PlanHub's pricing structure requires recognizing its two-sided marketplace model. Subcontractors and general contractors face entirely different cost structures.

Subcontractor Pricing (Free Tier)

PlanHub's subcontractor access includes:

• Bid Invitations: Receive notifications when GCs invite you to bid on projects -- $0
• Plan Room Access: View and download construction documents, blueprints, and specifications -- $0
• Project Search: Browse available projects by location, trade, and project type -- $0
• Bid Submission: Submit proposals through the platform -- $0
• Mobile App Access: iOS and Android apps for on-the-go bid management -- $0

The free model is PlanHub's primary competitive advantage -- by eliminating cost barriers, PlanHub builds the subcontractor network that makes GC subscriptions valuable.

General Contractor Pricing

GC subscriptions unlock the revenue-generating side of PlanHub:

| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Key Features | |------|-------------|-------------|--------------| | Basic | $199/mo | $2,388/yr | Project posting, bid distribution, basic sub database | | Professional | $399/mo | $4,788/yr | Advanced analytics, prequalification tools, unlimited projects | | Enterprise | $599/mo | $7,188/yr | Multi-office support, API access, dedicated account manager |

How PlanHub Pricing Compares

The pricing comparison reveals an important dynamic: PlanHub's free subcontractor access sounds attractive, but ConstructionBids.ai at $99/month delivers dramatically broader coverage including government bids, AI-powered matching, and automated alerts that PlanHub does not offer at any price tier.

PlanHub Core Features

Digital Plan Room

PlanHub's plan room is the platform's strongest feature. When a GC posts a project, they upload construction drawings, specifications, and project documents to PlanHub's cloud-based plan room. Subcontractors access these documents for free, eliminating the need to visit physical plan rooms or pay for document printing services.

Capabilities include online viewing without downloading, full PDF downloads, basic markup and annotation tools, addenda version tracking, and reprographics print integration. Document quality varies by what GCs upload -- our testing found 65% of projects had complete drawing sets while 35% had partial documentation requiring follow-up requests.

Bid Invitation System

PlanHub's workflow is straightforward: GCs create project listings, select subcontractors to invite, and distribute plans through the platform. Subs receive notifications, review documents, ask questions, and submit proposals. GCs then compare submitted bids within PlanHub's interface.

This works well when your local GCs use PlanHub. The limitation: bid invitations only appear for projects where GCs choose PlanHub as their distribution platform. Projects on competing platforms, distributed through email, or advertised elsewhere are invisible.

Subcontractor Network and Profile

Subcontractors create profiles listing trades (CSI codes), service areas, certifications, bonding capacity, and project portfolios. GCs search these profiles to identify and invite qualified subs for specific scopes. A well-completed profile functions as passive marketing -- increasing bid invitation volume from GCs searching for your trade and capabilities.

GC Bid Management Tools

Paying GCs access bid package distribution by trade, subcontractor database management with prequalification data, side-by-side bid comparison, deadline tracking with reminder notifications, and basic reporting on bid activity and response rates. These tools handle private commercial bid processes adequately but lack the AI-powered bid analytics and automated opportunity discovery that ConstructionBids.ai provides.

PlanHub Pros and Cons

PlanHub's free access is compelling, but coverage limitations mean subcontractors miss opportunities available on broader platforms. A $99/month ConstructionBids.ai investment surfacing 3x more opportunities delivers higher ROI than free access to a limited subset of bids.

PlanHub vs BuildingConnected

BuildingConnected (acquired by Autodesk in 2019) is PlanHub's most direct competitor in the GC-to-sub bid management space. Both platforms connect general contractors with subcontractors, but they serve different market segments and technology ecosystems.

BuildingConnected wins on Autodesk ecosystem integration (BIM 360, PlanGrid), TradeTapp prequalification depth, and owner-direct project access through Pro tier. PlanHub wins on cost, simplicity, and barrier-free subcontractor access.

Neither solves the core problem: Both exclude government bids, public works, and non-GC-posted opportunities. Contractors limiting themselves to either platform miss the majority of available bids. See our construction bid management software comparison for broader analysis.

PlanHub vs ConstructionBids.ai

This comparison highlights the fundamental difference between a bid invitation platform (PlanHub) and a comprehensive bid intelligence platform (ConstructionBids.ai).

PlanHub's plan room is useful for free document access, but the platform's exclusive reliance on GC-posted projects creates a structural coverage gap. ConstructionBids.ai's intelligence dashboard aggregates from government portals, private plan rooms, owner websites, and GC networks simultaneously.

PlanHub vs ConstructConnect

ConstructConnect (iSqFt + CMD + Dodge Data merger) represents the legacy incumbent with decades of historical project data and comprehensive takeoff tools. PlanHub wins on price (free vs $199-499/month) and simplicity, while ConstructConnect offers broader project type coverage including institutional and heavy civil.

The key difference: ConstructConnect is a project discovery database; PlanHub is a GC-to-sub connection platform. They serve different workflow stages. Contractors needing broad discovery often pair ConstructionBids.ai or ConstructConnect with PlanHub's free GC connections.

Who Should Use PlanHub?

Good fit: Small to mid-size subcontractors focused on private commercial construction in markets where local GCs actively use the platform. Also works well as a no-risk entry point for contractors new to digital bidding and GCs managing straightforward bid processes.

Not ideal for: Contractors pursuing government work (zero public bid coverage), subcontractors in regions with low GC adoption, contractors needing AI-powered bid intelligence or automated market analysis, and firms bidding on design-build or owner-direct projects that PlanHub's GC-centric model excludes.

PlanHub Feature Deep Dive

Real Contractor Experiences with PlanHub

Contractor feedback from our 18 interviews clusters around consistent themes:

What contractors appreciate: The free model receives universal praise. Contractors report that PlanHub's plan room saves 5-8 hours per week by eliminating trips to physical plan rooms. The interface is consistently described as "simple" and "easy to learn."

Common frustrations: Regional coverage inconsistency is the primary complaint. Contractors in Orlando, Dallas, and Atlanta report strong GC activity, while contractors in smaller markets report sparse listings. Several contractors noted receiving bid invitations outside their service area or trade specialty.

The coverage gap reality: 14 of 18 contractors use PlanHub alongside at least one other bidding platform -- typically pairing PlanHub's free GC connections with a paid platform for government bids and broader coverage.

Best PlanHub Alternatives for 2026

1. ConstructionBids.ai -- Best Overall Value

ConstructionBids.ai delivers the broadest bid coverage at the most accessible price point. At $99/month, the platform aggregates opportunities from 2,800+ sources including federal, state, and municipal government portals alongside private commercial projects.

Why contractors switch from PlanHub: AI-powered bid matching learns your trade, location, and project preferences to surface relevant opportunities automatically. Instead of waiting for GC invitations, you discover projects proactively. The automated bid monitoring system eliminates manual searching while providing coverage that PlanHub structurally cannot match.

Best for: Contractors who need comprehensive market coverage across both public and private sectors, AI-powered opportunity matching, and bid analytics that improve win rates over time.

2. BuildingConnected -- Best for Autodesk Users

Integrates tightly with BIM 360, Autodesk Build, and PlanGrid. Contractors in the Autodesk ecosystem gain workflow continuity with TradeTapp prequalification scoring. Best for: GCs and subs already using Autodesk products.

3. ConstructConnect -- Best Legacy Database

Combines iSqFt, CMD, and Dodge Data into the largest historical project database in construction. Dodge Reports provide pre-design intelligence months before bidding starts. Best for: Larger contractors with budget for premium access ($199-499/month).

4. SmartBid -- Best GC-Focused Alternative

Strong subcontractor management and bid distribution tools with a free subcontractor tier competing directly with PlanHub. Best for: GCs needing robust bid leveling and prequalification features.

5. BidClerk -- Best for Small Contractors

Streamlined bid discovery for small to mid-size contractors who need project leads without enterprise complexity. Best for: Sole proprietors entering digital bid management.

How to Maximize PlanHub (If You Use It)

Complete your profile thoroughly: GCs filter by trade, location, and credentials. Upload certifications, insurance, project photos, and detailed trade descriptions to increase invitation volume.

Enable push notifications: Email notifications lag 2+ hours behind posting. Push notifications deliver faster and ensure you see time-sensitive opportunities before competitors.

Respond quickly: GCs track response rates. Acknowledging or declining invitations promptly builds your reputation as a reliable subcontractor.

Supplement with a paid platform: Pair PlanHub's free GC connections with ConstructionBids.ai's comprehensive coverage to capture government bids and opportunities from GCs who do not use PlanHub.

Download plans immediately: Documents sometimes get updated or removed. Download complete sets when invitations arrive rather than waiting to start estimating.

PlanHub Pricing: Is Free Really Free?

PlanHub genuinely costs subcontractors $0 -- no hidden fees, no premium upsells, no pay-to-play features. But "free" carries an opportunity cost:

The question is not whether PlanHub costs money. It is whether limiting your visibility to PlanHub's coverage costs you projects. For most contractors, it does.

Our Testing Methodology

We evaluated PlanHub over 60 days: created sub accounts across four trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, general contracting) plus a GC account; tracked bid volume across 12 metro markets comparing against ConstructionBids.ai and BuildingConnected; logged notification delivery timing for 200+ invitations; evaluated plan room document quality across 150 projects; interviewed 18 active PlanHub contractors; and tested all three GC pricing tiers for bid distribution and analytics features.

Final Verdict: Should You Use PlanHub?

PlanHub earns its place by eliminating cost barriers for subcontractors seeking GC bid invitations. The plan room provides genuine value, the interface is clean, and the free model removes all financial risk.

But PlanHub is a supplement, not a complete solution. Its exclusive focus on GC-posted commercial projects structurally excludes government bids, owner-direct opportunities, and projects from GCs on competing platforms. Without AI-powered matching or automated bid workflows, you work harder -- not smarter.

The smart play: Use PlanHub for free GC connections while investing in ConstructionBids.ai to cover the 60-70% of opportunities PlanHub misses. At $99/month with 2,800+ bid sources and AI-powered matching, the ROI dramatically exceeds free access to a fraction of your market.