RSMeans Data Online Comparison

AutoCAD

Contractor Foreman

FOUNDATION

AutoCAD is a design and drafting platform which supports automated design tasks and offers features such as 2D drafting, drawing and annotation, 3D modeling and visualization, and more.

Contractor Foreman is an all-in-one construction management software designed for small to medium-sized contractors. It offers a range of features, including project management, financial tracking, team collaboration, and document management, all in an easy-to-use and affordable platform.

FOUNDATION is construction accounting software for contractors, integrating job costing, payroll, invoicing, vendor payments, and financial reporting. It provides real-time project expense visibility with alerts to prevent budget overruns and manages complex payroll scenarios with multiple jobs, localities, rates, and trades on one timecard. FOUNDATION also offers CPA tools and time tracking with field-to-office integration for accurate labor monitoring.

RSMeans™ Data Online on Gordian Cloud Platform provides reliable, location-specific construction cost data along with the tools to build, validate and manage estimates at any stage. Estimators use it to access current labor, material and equipment costs at the line-item or assembly level.

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 the comprehensive, frequently updated database and detailed pricing add value, and some users say the free trial is helpful. However, some users report high costs, confusing pricing, and insufficient value for smaller firms or group plans.

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 (96%).

Proprietary

RSMeans Data Online

Web-based

InSite Elevation Pro

Core

Complete

Complete Plus

Rigid and frustrating search function

61% of reviewers feel negative about RS Means’ search functionality. Some users report that the search feature is too rigid, requiring exact keywords or industry terminology to find items, which leads to frequent ‘not found’ results. Reviewers indicate that the lack of filtering options and a comprehensive index makes locating specific work items challenging. Users think the search engine is slow, sometimes unresponsive, and difficult for beginners to use. Some reviewers feel frustrated when searches yield too many or too few results, and navigating back after viewing references is cumbersome.

Convenient remote accessibility

88% of reviewers feel positive about RS Means’ online access. Some users say they value being able to access estimates and data from any location with an internet connection, which helps them work efficiently on the go. Reviewers appreciate that the web-based platform allows quick lookups and ensures information is always current. Users think the ease of use and setup, combined with not needing to reinstall software, makes their workflow smoother. Some reviewers find that online access supports standardization across teams and sectors, making collaboration and remote work more manageable.

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 regularly updated database, which many find valuable for quick, preliminary estimates and for accessing up-to-date cost information across various building types and locations. Some users say the inclusion of unit prices, assembly prices, and square foot models in higher-tier plans adds to its utility, and they appreciate the speed and convenience it brings to the estimating process. Users think the software’s detailed pricing and broad coverage justify the expense for firms that rely heavily on accurate, timely estimates. Some users report that the free trial is helpful for initial evaluation.

However, some reviewers feel the software is expensive, especially for small firms or those with limited usage needs. They say the pricing structure can be confusing, with actual costs often higher than initially expected, particularly when additional data sets or group access are required. Some users report frustration with annual price increases and find the cost difficult to justify for occasional use. Reviewers indicate that certain features or data sets are missing or not detailed enough for specific trades, and some feel the academic and group pricing options do not meet their needs. Some users wish for more flexible, affordable plans.

RSMeans Data Online Comparison (2026)

RSMeans Data Online

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives