Bedrock vs Autodesk Build
Autodesk Build is a document management and field collaboration platform that succeeded PlanGrid. Bedrock is an AI-powered drawing comparison tool. Autodesk Build provides version tracking and manual sheet review. Bedrock provides automated change detection. They solve different problems and often work together.
TL;DR
- Choose Autodesk Build when you need centralized document management, mobile field access, or integration with the Autodesk ecosystem
- Choose Bedrock when you need automated change detection between drawing revisions with categorization and cost impact
- Use both when you want comprehensive document management plus automated comparison
Competitor details below reflect publicly available information. Verify current features and pricing on Autodesk’s site.
ICP (Ideal Customer Profile)
Autodesk Build is typically a fit for:
- Organizations already in the Autodesk ecosystem (AutoCAD, Revit, etc.)
- Teams needing centralized document management across stakeholders
- Field crews requiring mobile access and offline capabilities
- Companies using BIM workflows and wanting integration
Bedrock is typically a fit for:
- Project engineers processing drawing revisions weekly or more frequently
- Teams comparing large sets (500+ sheets per comparison)
- Organizations needing automated change categorization and cost impact
- GCs wanting to standardize comparison across multiple projects
What Each Tool Optimizes
Autodesk Build
Autodesk Build launched in February 2021 as part of Autodesk Construction Cloud. It combines functionality from PlanGrid (acquired 2018) and BIM 360. PlanGrid has been in maintenance mode for approximately 5 years.
Primary capabilities:
- Document management and centralized storage
- Version tracking and revision history
- Mobile access for field teams
- RFI and submittal management
- Markup and annotation
- Photos and progress tracking
Bedrock
Bedrock is purpose-built for automated drawing comparison and change detection.
Primary capabilities:
- Automatic sheet matching between drawing revisions
- AI-powered change detection and categorization
- Cost impact estimation
- Batch processing for large sets (1,000+ sheets)
How Comparison Differs
Autodesk Build approach
You can view two drawing versions side by side. You manually scroll through to spot differences. There is no AI change detection, no automatic sheet matching, no alignment, no change categorization, and no cost impact estimation.
Bedrock approach
Upload two drawing sets. Bedrock automatically matches sheets (even when numbers change), aligns them, detects changes, categorizes each change type (dimension, text, graphic), and estimates cost impact. Process 500+ sheets in minutes.
Where Each Wins / Loses
Autodesk Build tends to win when:
- You need centralized document storage for all project files
- You need mobile field access with offline capabilities
- You need integration with Autodesk design tools (AutoCAD, Revit)
- You need RFI and submittal workflows
Autodesk Build tends to lose when:
- You need automated change detection between drawing revisions
- You need to quickly identify what changed in a large set
- You need change categorization and cost impact estimation
- Manual side-by-side review becomes a time bottleneck
Bedrock tends to win when:
- You receive drawing revisions frequently
- You work with large drawing sets (500+ sheets)
- You need consistent, automated categorization
- You need cost impact estimation for scope changes
Bedrock tends to lose when:
- You need document storage and management
- You need mobile field access
- You need Autodesk ecosystem integration
- You compare drawings only occasionally
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Autodesk Build | Bedrock |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Document management | Drawing comparison |
| Drawing storage | Yes | No |
| Mobile access | Yes | No |
| RFI management | Yes | No |
| Auto sheet matching | No | Yes |
| AI change detection | No | Yes |
| Change categorization | No | Yes |
| Cost impact estimation | No | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per-seat subscription | Usage-based |
The Comparison Workflow Gap
Autodesk Build handles document distribution. It does not solve the comparison problem.
Typical workflow without automated comparison:
- New drawing revision arrives in Autodesk Build
- PM manually opens old and new versions side by side
- PM visually scans each sheet for differences
- PM may miss subtle changes
- Missed changes surface during construction as rework
Workflow with Bedrock:
- New drawing revision arrives in Autodesk Build
- Export current and prior sets
- Run comparison in Bedrock (minutes for 500+ sheets)
- Review categorized changes with cost estimates
- Upload change overlays back to Autodesk Build
- Field teams see exactly what changed
Using Both Tools Together
Many teams use Autodesk Build for document management and add Bedrock for comparison:
- Store and distribute drawings through Autodesk Build
- Export sets when new revisions arrive
- Run comparison in Bedrock
- Review changes with categorization and cost estimates
- Upload overlays back to Autodesk Build for field reference
- Attach to RFIs when changes require clarification
Bedrock’s PDF exports are standard files that integrate into any Autodesk Build workflow.
FAQ
Is Autodesk Build the same as PlanGrid?
Autodesk Build is the successor to PlanGrid. It incorporates PlanGrid functionality along with BIM 360 features. PlanGrid has been in maintenance mode for approximately 5 years and Autodesk has migrated all development to Autodesk Build.
Does Autodesk Build have drawing comparison?
Autodesk Build allows you to view two drawing versions side by side. It does not automatically detect differences, categorize changes, or estimate cost impact. Comparison requires manual visual review.
Does Bedrock replace Autodesk Build?
No. They serve different purposes. Autodesk Build is for document management and field collaboration. Bedrock is for automated drawing comparison. Many teams use both.
Can I use Bedrock with Autodesk Construction Cloud?
Yes. Bedrock exports standard PDF overlays and CSV reports. These files can be uploaded to Autodesk Build like any other project document.
How does pricing compare?
Autodesk Build uses per-seat subscription pricing as part of Autodesk Construction Cloud. Bedrock uses usage-based pricing (pay per comparison, not per seat). The costs are complementary since they serve different purposes.
Key Takeaways
- Autodesk Build is a document management platform that succeeded PlanGrid
- Autodesk Build provides version tracking and side-by-side viewing, not automated comparison
- Bedrock is an AI-powered tool specifically for automated drawing comparison
- Autodesk Build does NOT offer: auto sheet matching, auto alignment, AI change detection, change categorization, or cost impact estimation
- For automated comparison, you need a dedicated tool like Bedrock
- Many teams use both: Autodesk Build for document management, Bedrock for change detection
Last updated: 2026-02-04