Which Tradie App

Buildxact

Takeoff, estimating and job management software for residential builders and renovators.

Checked 28 Oct 2026
$199/mo
From. AUD · ex GST
Free trial14 days
Pricedflat monthly per business, unlimited users
Based inAustralia
XeroYes
MYOBYes
AU supportYes

Best for: Residential builders, renovators and construction trades that quote from plans and need takeoffs, estimates, purchase orders and an accounting sync; it is not a dispatch tool for reactive service calls.

Pricing

PlanMonthlyOn annualWhat you getLimits
Foundation
AUD per month, unlimited users		$199n/aLead management, digital takeoffs, Blu recipe assistant, customisable quote letters, digital signatures, supplier integration, purchase orders, training and supportNo job management, schedules or mobile app on this tier. Blu Estimate Generator is a $99/mo add-on
Pro
AUD per month, unlimited users		$399n/aFoundation plus Blu estimate generator, job management, schedules, Buildxact Onsite mobile appBlu Takeoff Assistant +$99/mo and Blu Estimate Reviewer +$149/mo are add-ons
Master
AUD per month, unlimited users		$599n/aPro plus Blu takeoff assistant, Blu estimate reviewer, user access controls, priority support

Add-ons: Blu: Estimate Generator $99/mo (add-on on Foundation, included from Pro); Blu: Takeoff Assistant $99/mo (add-on on Pro, included on Master); Blu: Estimate Reviewer $149/mo (add-on on Pro, included on Master).

Prices shown on the AU page with the Pay Monthly toggle. Annual billing saves 15 percent (annual figures not captured). All base plans and add-ons exclude GST. 14-day free trial. Australian freecall support number 1800 965 597 on the page. Unlimited users on every plan, so it is priced per business not per seat.

Full Buildxact pricing breakdown · Vendor pricing page

Integrations

XeroMYOBQuickBooksStripeGoogle CalendarAlso
YesYesYesNot statedNot statedSupplier and dealer price lists (help centre collection; suppliers not named on pages fetched)

Support and apps

Australian support: Yes

Melbourne headquarters (411 Collins Street per CB Insights). Contact and support overview pages returned 403, so phone and hours could not be read. The help centre loads and lists a 'Contact Us & General Knowledge Articles' collection; the Onsite app listing points users to in-app support chat.

iPhone: Yes   Android: Yes   Web: Yes

Works offline: Not stated

Ratings

Features

plan upload, scaling and takeoffs · estimating with recipes · purchase orders · customer invoicing · bill import from Xero or QuickBooks into purchase orders · payment receipts synced from Xero or QuickBooks · job progress updates (Onsite app) · site diary · team and contractor chat · photo and PDF sharing · job invitations for contractors · supplier and dealer price lists

Where it is strong

  • Built around estimating from plans (takeoffs, recipes, scaling) rather than bolted on
  • Connects to Xero (all regions), MYOB AccountRight and QuickBooks, with separate QuickBooks guides for Australia/New Zealand and North America/UK
  • Xero and QuickBooks links import bills into purchase orders and create receipts when payments are recorded
  • Australian company (Melbourne) with subscribers in six countries including the US, Canada and UK
  • Companion Onsite app lets contractors join jobs and post progress without a full licence

Where it falls short

  • Mobile ratings are low: 3.6 from 64 on the AU App Store and 3.4 from 72 on Google Play, with 10K+ Android installs
  • iOS app is iPhone only; iPad is not listed as supported
  • No listing in the Xero App Store (search returns nothing)
  • MYOB link does not support bill import; MYOB setup is referred to support
  • Vendor website blocks automated access, so features, pricing, support hours and founding year could not be verified from the source

Verdict

Buildxact is the estimating-first option of the four, aimed at builders and renovators who price from plans and then run purchase orders and invoices through Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks. It is Australian, but the mobile app scores are the weakest in this set and it lacks the dispatch and service-call tooling of the field service products. Pricing could not be read here.

Watch Buildxact

Get an email the day Buildxact changes a price, drops a plan, adds a fee or runs a promo. Nothing else, no weekly filler. If you are on it, you find out before the bill does; if you are choosing, you catch the deal.

From the help docs

200 help-centre articles read on 14 Oct 2026. 13 yes, 5 partly, 2 no, 15 not covered. Source: help.buildxact.com.

Quoting

  • YesCan you build and send quotes to customers from the appTurn an estimate into a quote or proposal, customise the layout, preview it and share it digitally with the customer. ↗
  • YesDoes it have quote templates, kits, bundles or assemblies so a common job can be quoted in a few tapsPrepopulated estimate templates exist, and recipes/assemblies can be added to Estimate Costings. Speed of use (taps) is not described. ↗
  • YesCan a customer accept or sign a quote onlineShare with Digital Acceptance on. The customer signs on screen in the client portal, and you get an email when it is accepted. ↗
  • PartlyCan it take a deposit when a quote is acceptedRefundable deposits can be invoiced and paid, but the excerpt describes them for use before acceptance, not automatically at quote acceptance. ↗
  • Not in docsCan a quote include optional line items the customer can add themselves

Estimating

  • YesCan it measure quantities off plans (takeoffs) for estimatingUpload and scale plans, then measure area (M2/SF), length, volume and item counts, with a takeoff assistant. No plan or tier is named in the excerpts. ↗
  • PartlyCan it import or sync supplier price lists or catalogues (for example Reece, MMEM, Bunnings Trade, L&H)Excel/CSV/XML catalogue import works, and you can subscribe to supplier-loaded price lists. Reece, MMEM, Bunnings Trade and L&H are not named; PDFs are unsupported. ↗

Invoicing

  • YesCan it create and send invoicesInvoices can be emailed or shared, optionally with an invoice statement, and also sent through a client portal link. ↗
  • YesCan it do progress or partial invoicing (progress claims) on one jobContract Price bills agreed milestone claims. Completion Percent bills percent complete per cost category on a regular cycle, such as monthly. ↗
  • Not in docsCan it schedule recurring jobs or recurring invoices (for example maintenance contracts)
  • NoCan customers pay by card online or in the field from the invoiceBuildxact has no online payment gateway. Invoices only carry payment instruction text; card payment means issuing the invoice from QuickBooks instead. ↗
  • Not in docsDoes it send automatic overdue or payment reminders

Scheduling

  • YesDoes it have a calendar or dispatch board to schedule jobs to staffDashboard and job schedules show jobs and tasks by assignee, with date ranges and drag adjustments. Excerpts do not call it a dispatch board. ↗
  • Not in docsCan the office see where field staff are on a map (GPS or location tracking)
  • Not in docsCan it send SMS to customers (on-the-way messages, booking confirmations)
  • Not in docsDoes it send automatic appointment reminders to customers
  • Not in docsCan customers book a job online through a booking page or widget

Staff

  • YesDoes it record staff timesheets or clock on and offStaff create timesheets in the Onsite app with start and end times, approved in the web app. A live clock on/off is not mentioned. ↗
  • PartlyDoes it track job costs against the quote (labour and materials) to show profit per jobProfit shown live only for Contract Price jobs; Cost Plus and Completion Percent show profit only once job is complete. ↗

Materials

  • YesCan it raise purchase orders to suppliersPurchase orders can be created, saved and sent to suppliers or subcontractors. Also available on the Foundation plan, created from an accepted estimate's Actuals Costings. ↗
  • Not in docsDoes it track stock or inventory, including van stock

Compliance

  • Not in docsDoes it have custom forms, checklists, SWMS or safety forms that staff fill in on site
  • Not in docsCan it produce compliance certificates (for example electrical certificates of compliance, gas compliance, test and tag) from the app
  • Not in docsDoes it keep a record of customer assets or equipment for servicing and maintenance schedules

Customers

  • YesIs there a customer portal where clients can see quotes, jobs or invoicesClient portal lets customers view shared quotes, variations and invoices, plus documents and messaging. Only available on Pro and Teams plans. Documents must be shared manually. ↗

Accounting

  • PartlyDoes it sync with Xero, and is the sync two-way (invoices, payments, contacts, items)Syncs both ways by choice. Purchases and invoices go to Xero, and payments return on the next sync. Contact and item syncing is not covered. ↗
  • YesDoes it integrate with MYOBA MYOB sync exists and sends data from Buildxact to MYOB. The excerpts do not say whether data also flows back, or which plans include it. ↗
  • YesDoes it integrate with QuickBooks OnlineConnects to QuickBooks Online. Purchases and invoices sync to QuickBooks, and payments come back on the next sync. Separate setup guides cover North America/UK and AU/NZ. ↗

Mobile

  • Not in docsDoes the mobile app work offline and sync when back in range
  • Not in docsIs the Android app equivalent to the iPhone app, or is iOS the primary app

Admin

  • PartlyCan you set user roles and permissions (for example hide pricing from field staff)Role settings and job invites control which jobs people see in Onsite. Excerpts do not say whether pricing can be hidden from field staff. ↗
  • NoDoes it support multiple companies, branches or depots in one accountEach account is tied to one company and one Business Number. Multiple entities need separate accounts, though estimates can be shared between accounts. ↗
  • YesIs there a public API, Zapier or Make integrationA public API exists with a developer sign-up and API key, including a leads API. Zapier or Make are not mentioned in the excerpts. ↗
  • Not in docsCan you export your data (customers, jobs, invoices) if you leave
  • Not in docsDoes it have AI features (for example drafting quotes, summarising jobs, answering calls)

What tradies say

From 10 Reddit threads and 14 recent reviews, read 14 Oct 2026. Recent App Store reviews average 4.14/5. Each theme links to where it was said; nothing here is written by the vendor.

complaintMobile app can't do real job work3 mentions

Three 1-star reviews say the Buildxact mobile app lacks what the PC version does. Users can't see project costings, program trades or do variations on site, and want a field tool that mirrors the desktop platform.

complaintApp seen as rebadged trade-finding tool2 mentions

Reviewers say the app is mainly a trade networking and site diary product, not job management. One says Buildxact bought an existing trade-finding app and put its own name on it.

complaintLong-awaited app fell short of promises2 mentions

Users waited years for a mobile app and were let down at launch. They felt it didn't match what builders expected and suggest Buildxact consult working builders and tradies about what they need.

praiseChosen as core builder management platform1 mention

A small builder demoed Buildxact and BuildPass. They picked Buildxact to run the business, with BuildPass only for site safety. Tradify, Fergus and ServiceM8 were ruled out as unsuitable.

complaintBuildPass integration reportedly discontinued1 mention

A builder was advised the integration between BuildPass and Buildxact has ended. That prompted them to evaluate JACK and other safety apps that sync with Buildxact, since subcontractors already use BuildPass.

complaintDesktop scheduling feels clunky1 mention

One reviewer says the scheduling on the PC version doesn't flow well and isn't user friendly, and asks for it to be rethought.

Recent threads (8)

Counts are of 24 items read on the date shown, not of every discussion that exists.

For developers

APIREST
Authboth
WebhooksYes
ZapierNot found
MCP serverNone found
Docsdeveloper.buildxact.com

Azure API Management developer portal (pages: /getting-started, /authorization, /webhooks, /plans, /estimate-data, /apis, /signup). The /apis and /plans listings render client-side, so curl only sees the guide pages. HTTP/JSON endpoints (e.g. POST /accounts/auth/login, /accounts/auth/refresh-token, /accounts/tenants); the vendor does not use the word REST. Access needs approval: sign up on the portal, pick a plan and request a subscription with your company name, Buildxact's team approves it, then primary/secondary subscription keys appear on your profile and must be sent as Ocp-Apim-Subscription-Key on every call including login. Which Buildxact plan unlocks the API is not stated. First-party auth: API key generated at app.buildxact.com/account/api/keys, POST email + key to /accounts/auth/login for a bearer accessToken plus refreshToken (max 200 active refresh tokens). Third-party auth: OAuth2 via Auth0 (token endpoint https://login.buildxact.com/oauth/token) with PKCE, registered through Buildxact support; apps registered after 14 July 2026 run in strict mode (tpc_ client IDs, authorization_code and refresh_token only, no OIDC scopes); no subscription key needed on that flow. Rate limit: 100 requests per 30 seconds, then 429. Webhooks are configured in the app (My Business > API > Webhooks) with a signing secret; events include Estimate Accepted, Lead Created, Lead Updated, some events only on Merchant and Manufacturer plans; retries at 5 min, 30 min and 4 h; auto-disabled at a 95% failure rate over 12 h; parent tenants can receive child-tenant events. Staging portal developer-uat.buildxact.com; legacy v1/v2 docs are being deprecated. buildxact.com returns 403 to curl but loads in a browser; the marketplace_url is the site's Integrations page (supplier and dealer integrations), not an add-on store. No Zapier app (zapier.com/apps/buildxact/integrations is 404) and no Make app; Workato lists a Buildxact connector. No MCP server on GitHub or npm.

10 developer pages read on 14 Oct 2026. Objects exposed: estimate, estimate item, lead, webhook, account auth token, refresh token, subscription key, API key, tax context.

Access

  • YesIs there a public API that any customer can use, and does it need approval or a particular planREST API open to customers and partners, but you must pick a Plan and request a subscription. Buildxact approves it manually and then issues Primary and Secondary subscription keys. ↗
  • PartlyIs the API REST or GraphQL, and is there an OpenAPI or schema fileDocs describe REST APIs with JSON bodies. No OpenAPI or schema file is mentioned in the excerpts. ↗
  • YesHow do you authenticate: OAuth2, API key, or bothSubscription key header plus API key login (POST /accounts/auth/login) returns an OAuth-style bearer token and refresh token. A separate third-party OAuth flow exists for SaaS platforms. ↗
  • Not in docsIs there a sandbox, test account or developer account for building against
  • YesWhat rate limits apply to the API100 HTTP requests per 30 seconds. Exceeding it returns HTTP 429, so retry with a delay. Max 200 active refresh tokens. ↗

Objects

  • Not in docsCan you read and write customers or contacts through the API
  • Not in docsCan you create and update jobs through the API
  • PartlyCan you create quotes or estimates through the APIEstimate and estimate item data fields are documented (Total, Markup, TotalIncMarkupTax, TaxContext). Creating estimates through the API is not confirmed in the excerpts. ↗
  • Not in docsCan you create invoices and record payments through the API
  • Not in docsCan you read availability and book or reschedule a job slot through the API
  • Not in docsCan you read staff, their roles and their locations through the API
  • Not in docsCan you read form or checklist submissions and attachments through the API

Events

  • YesAre there webhooks, and for which events (job created, status change, invoice paid)Webhooks with signing secret, test payload and JSON body. Examples: Estimate Accepted, Lead Created, Lead Updated. Full list is in-app. Some events are Merchant and Manufacturer plans only. Job created and invoice paid not confirmed. ↗

Tooling

  • Not in docsAre there official SDKs or client libraries, and in which languages
  • Not in docsIs there a Zapier or Make integration, and what triggers and actions does it expose
  • Not in docsIs there an MCP server or other AI-agent integration published by the vendor or the community
  • Not in docsIs there an add-on marketplace or partner program where a developer can list an integration

What you could build on it

Ideas, not products. Each one only uses endpoints the docs confirm.

Accepted quote to accounting deposit invoice

On the Estimate Accepted webhook, read the estimate totals including GST and create a deposit invoice in Xero or MYOB, so builders skip re-keying accepted quotes.

needs: webhooks (Estimate Accepted), estimate data (partial)
Instant SMS alerts for new leads

Use Lead Created and Lead Updated webhooks to text the builder's mobile and log the lead in a CRM or Google Sheet, so enquiries get a fast call back.

needs: webhooks (Lead Created, Lead Updated)
Estimate margin and markup dashboard

Pull estimates and items, compute dollar markup as TotalIncMarkup minus Total, and show GST and margin per job in a simple report for the owner.

needs: estimate data (partial), auth, rate limits
Accepted quote to site start checklist

When an estimate is accepted, create a pre-start checklist in an external compliance tool (licence, insurance, permits, safety documents) tied to the estimate details.

needs: webhooks (Estimate Accepted), estimate data (partial)
Rate-limit-safe nightly estimate sync

A scheduled worker uses the stored bearer and refresh tokens to copy estimates into a reporting database, throttled to 100 requests per 30 seconds with retry on 429.

needs: auth, rate limits, estimate data (partial)

Can Buildxact do it?

Can Buildxact build and send quotes to customers from the app?
Yes. Turn an estimate into a quote or proposal, customise the layout, preview it and share it digitally with the customer. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact have quote templates, kits, bundles or assemblies so a common job can be quoted in a few taps?
Yes. Prepopulated estimate templates exist, and recipes/assemblies can be added to Estimate Costings. Speed of use (taps) is not described. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact a customer accept or sign a quote online?
Yes. Share with Digital Acceptance on. The customer signs on screen in the client portal, and you get an email when it is accepted. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact take a deposit when a quote is accepted?
Partly. Refundable deposits can be invoiced and paid, but the excerpt describes them for use before acceptance, not automatically at quote acceptance. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact measure quantities off plans (takeoffs) for estimating?
Yes. Upload and scale plans, then measure area (M2/SF), length, volume and item counts, with a takeoff assistant. No plan or tier is named in the excerpts. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact import or sync supplier price lists or catalogues (for example Reece, MMEM, Bunnings Trade, L&H)?
Partly. Excel/CSV/XML catalogue import works, and you can subscribe to supplier-loaded price lists. Reece, MMEM, Bunnings Trade and L&H are not named; PDFs are unsupported. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact create and send invoices?
Yes. Invoices can be emailed or shared, optionally with an invoice statement, and also sent through a client portal link. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact do progress or partial invoicing (progress claims) on one job?
Yes. Contract Price bills agreed milestone claims. Completion Percent bills percent complete per cost category on a regular cycle, such as monthly. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact customers pay by card online or in the field from the invoice?
No. Buildxact has no online payment gateway. Invoices only carry payment instruction text; card payment means issuing the invoice from QuickBooks instead. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact have a calendar or dispatch board to schedule jobs to staff?
Yes. Dashboard and job schedules show jobs and tasks by assignee, with date ranges and drag adjustments. Excerpts do not call it a dispatch board. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact record staff timesheets or clock on and off?
Yes. Staff create timesheets in the Onsite app with start and end times, approved in the web app. A live clock on/off is not mentioned. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)
Can Buildxact track job costs against the quote (labour and materials) to show profit per job?
Partly. Profit shown live only for Contract Price jobs; Cost Plus and Completion Percent show profit only once job is complete. (From Buildxact's help centre, read 14 Oct 2026.)

Alternatives

Checked 28 Oct 2026

AroFlo

Melbourne-based field service and job management platform for established trade businesses, part of the Simpro Group.
$80/mo
From. AUD
XeroMYOBAU supportAustralia
Checked 28 Oct 2026

Ascora

Field service and job management platform for trade businesses, from lead to quote, job, invoice and profit report.
$45/mo
From. AUD
XeroMYOBAU support14-day trialAustralia
Checked 28 Oct 2026

Fergus

NZ-built job management for trades with strong supplier invoice integrations and per-user monthly pricing.
$53/mo
From. AUD · ex GST
XeroMYOB14-day trialNew Zealand

Categories: Job management software, Quoting software, Estimating software. Sources: help.buildxact.com, help.buildxact.com, apps.apple.com, play.google.com, cbinsights.com, startupdaily.net, apps.xero.com, buildxact.com.

Not yet confirmed: Pricing page returned 403; plans left empty. All buildxact.com pages (home, features, integrations, about, contact, news) returned 403; features come from the help centre, app store listings and press coverage. Founded year conflicts: CB Insights (fetched) says 2007, while the vendor's own press releases say 2011 according to search snippets, but those pages could not be fetched. Left null. Capterra AU, Capterra NZ and G2 pages returned 403; no ratings from those sites. Support phone and hours could not be read; search snippets show a sales line 1800 965 597 Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm AEST on the contact page, but that page returned 403 so it is not recorded as fact. Scheduling and change order features are not confirmed on any fetched page, so they are left out of the feature list. Google Play score is the JSON-LD value 3.43 rounded to one decimal as the store displays it. Offline capability not stated on fetched pages.

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