RSMeans Data Online vs Construction Cost Estimator

Procore

Groundplan

Autodesk Forma

Procore is a cloud-based construction management platform connecting field and office teams throughout the project lifecycle. It offers tools for project execution, cost, resource, and lifecycle management, including bid management, estimating, scheduling, quality tracking, budgeting, invoicing, and workforce management. With document management, analytics, and mobile access, it supports contractors, owners, specialty contractors, and public agencies across various construction projects.

Groundplan is a cloud-based takeoff software used by estimators to measure, design, store, markup, and collaborate on construction project plans

Autodesk Forma provides best-in-class solutions to unite office and field teams throughout the entire project lifecycle. Connect workflows and collaborate securely from one single source of truth.

Autodesk Construction Cloud is now part of Autodesk Forma some resources may still use previous names.

RSMeansData Online on Gordian CLoud Platform is an estimating solution for the construction industry providing users with access to a construction cost database and offers tools for budget planning, estimate creation, cost validation, industry price trend tracking, square foot modelling and more.

Audit Trail

Change Order Management

Cost Database

Cost Estimating

Cost Tracking

Electrical Estimating

For AEC Industry

Historical Database

HVAC Estimating

Multiple Projects

Plumbing Estimating

Project Management

Proposal Generation

Quotes/Estimates

Reporting/Analytics

Takeoff

Reviewers indicate that the comprehensive, frequently updated database can justify the subscription cost for some. However, many reviewers feel RSMeans Data Online is expensive, and they express concerns about unclear pricing, costly upgrades, and limited lower-tier features.

Value for money

By industry, RSMeans Data Online reviewers are most commonly professionals in construction (49%). The most frequent use case cited by reviewers is construction estimating (94% of reviewers).

Proprietary

RSMeans Data Online

Web-based

Core

Complete

Complete Plus

Rigid and frustrating search

61% of reviewers feel negative about RS Means’ search functionality. Some reviewers find the search feature too rigid, requiring exact terminology to yield results, which they say makes it difficult to locate items without industry-specific language. Users report frustration with the lack of filtering options and the inability to refine or narrow down large result sets. They indicate that the search can be slow, sometimes unresponsive, and often fails to recognize similar terms, leading to inefficiency and repeated attempts to find needed information.

Convenient online accessibility

88% of reviewers feel positive about RS Means’ online access. Reviewers appreciate being able to access estimates and project data from any location with an internet connection, which they say streamlines their workflow and increases flexibility. Some users mention that the web-based format allows for up-to-date information and eliminates the need for software installations or updates. They find the platform easy to navigate and value the convenience of having comprehensive data available on demand, which supports collaboration and standardization across teams and locations.

Sr. Project Manager

Working on a medical university setting I find that the the program is good for basic costing but it is difficult to compare the complications of the environment that I work in, for example, I can be involved in project on campus in active lab spaces, medical equipment/chemical usage and storage, and even nuclear materials, RS means can not help with the complications that we deal with in these scenarios.   

Project Manager

The ability to search the data base and have the latest up to date data information drove the transition from the books to the online data base.

Cost Estimator 

User interface and search for lines could be slicker and include filters. When scrolling lines it tends to load new lines every 20 or so and is slow

Project Manager 

Intuitive features, lots of options, i do like to cost per sf estimator

Owner

We are do a lot of drywall finishing and Black Iron for ceiling  support, and there are not much details for pricing labor.

Personal Assistant

The least about this software I liked, was that the free trial was limited on fearures

Estimator

The quick estimates are predominantly building types and combinations not relevant to the types of buildings we build on the west coast.  

Senior Operations Manager

Provides 99% of cost data, to accurately project costs for a construction project.  

Principal

It provides what I need without having another piece of software to maintain, update and take up space on my laptop.

I need the ability to individually choose more options in order to make a ROM estimate meaningful and useful.

Owner/ Designer

While it is a very detailed software, it's not very intuitive, nor easily self-taught.

We are an open shop but even using the union scale datasets, it is sometimes as low as 50% of actual.  

Librarian

Depending on projects students need all data and the academic version RSMeans has does not work for our students.

Architect

With the move to the software I'm finding it doesn't really allow me to have a short cut into my purchased program.  

Manager, EE Dept.

It csts extra to be able to add my own line items/cost datat.

From a subcontractor POV, these rates are extremely inaccurate but it's currently data that contracts are being bound to.

Sr. V.E. Coordinator

I can few information and based on that it has capability to generate estimate.

I'd like a simple option to create a desktop link without going to RS Means on-line every time.  

I have not found it to be even close at all in cost to qualified bids on individual scopes of work on projects.  

We use it to reference data on all our bids.

Senior Estimator

Trying to get it intergrated wioth Sage estiamting so that the ionformation is "at my fingertips" so to speak.  

Project Consultant

However, there is no option to export this information on an excel file.

Access in academia works best with ip addresses and not by seats.

I have used RS Means for years in book form for quick reference and always found it accurate and easily accessible.

Senior Associate

Access to data is compartmentalized (commercial, residential, earthwork, etc.).

President

I cannot scroll through without it stopping to look for the data to insert.  

Vice President

I have used this for several projects and it has proven to be accurate when compared to bids received.

Favorites section of data to not have to manually dig each time

Easy and effective platform to provide cost estimates with reliable cost data.

Sales/estimator

This is understandable, especially when the client request is for a particular brand of equipment.

It sucks that there is no unit conversion with this software.

Development Manager

Many times the alternate was a less expensive simpler version of the item I was trying to price out.  

We are currently looking for alternative Estimating & Database solutions

As a result, I will be credited at a lower amount than the actual construction cost.

Having synonyms for lookup would be helpful.

I wish there is a unit conversion in the tool.

This could be my issue, but a short cut hasn't been available that I can find.

Environmental Engineer

Hard to navigate, unless your search is exact, nothing similar will come up

sometimes I couldn't find what I need in the maintenance section.

Wish it was easier to search for specific data.  

Associate Principal

I like that I am able to use it for the government work.

I wish I had the ablility to do both with the standard package.

The process of changing the city/state locations

I used the software for maintenance purposes.

Pricing

Maintenance Section

Line Items

Search

Bugs and Issues

Purchase Limitations

Data Information

Bidding

Unit Conversion

Version Updates

Freelancers

Small Business

Large Enterprises

Mid-size Business

Reviewers indicate that RSMeans Data Online offers a comprehensive and frequently updated database, which some find justifies the subscription cost due to the speed and accuracy it brings to estimating. Some users appreciate the inclusion of various pricing models and the ability to access historical data. However, many reviewers feel the software is expensive, especially for small firms or those needing group access, and they express frustration with unclear pricing structures and costly package upgrades. Some users report that limited features in lower-tier plans and missing or inaccurate data make it difficult to justify the investment.

Gordian

JobTread

Construction estimating and project management software that empowers companies to more profitably manage their jobs while continuing to grow and scale their businesses.

Hover

Measure, design, and estimate all in one place. The construction and insurance platform used for millions of home improvement projects.

ConstructionOnline

UDA ConstructionOnline is a web-based software that helps businesses in the construction industry streamline project management, scheduling, and client communications. It allows remodelers and home builders to utilize a centralized dashboard to track updates and changes across projects.

Construction Cost Estimator app helps contractors save time and money by quickly creating on-site cost estimates from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. With a few taps, users can add cost items, enter quantities, and send professional PDF estimates to their customers. The app also provides access to over 30,000 cost items and allows for customized, branded reports.

RSMeans Data Online vs Construction Cost Estimator Comparison (2026)

RSMeans Data Online

Construction Cost Estimator

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives