Brandwave

Buildertrend vs CostOS:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, CostOS had more branded searches than Buildertrend among construction estimating software worldwide. CostOS had about 201,000 branded searches, while Buildertrend had 60,500. CostOS made up 37.7% of all construction estimating software searches we track, and Buildertrend accounted for 11.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about construction estimating software, Buildertrend appeared in three of the five answers and CostOS in none.

Among construction estimating software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

CostOS, about 3 searches for every 1 for Buildertrend

CostOS 201K searchesBuildertrend 60.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Buildertrend, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, CostOS in 0

Buildertrend in 3 of 5CostOS in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buildertrend, the only one of the two named

Buildertrend first in 3CostOS never named

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Top construction estimating software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Buildertrend was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. CostOS did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Buildxact1st
  2. STACK2nd
  3. Clear Estimates3rd
  4. Procore4th
  5. JobTread5th
  6. Buildertrend6th
  7. PlanSwift7th
  8. Contractor Foreman8th
  9. Bluebeam9th
  10. CostOS–
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • STACK5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Procore5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • PlanSwift4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Buildxact4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Buildertrend3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Clear Estimates3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • JobTread2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Contractor Foreman2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Bluebeam1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • CostOS0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about construction estimating software

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Buildertrend or CostOS more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Buildertrend and CostOS by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 construction estimating software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Buildertrend and CostOS among construction estimating software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for CostOS, Buildertrend. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCostOSBluebeamBuildertrendCubitJobTreadPlanSwiftContractor ForemanBuildxactSTACKClear EstimatesProcore
Oct 202547.2%21.2%11.6%9.5%3.5%2.8%1.3%1.9%0.32%0.3%0.38%
Nov 202550.7%18.5%10.2%10.2%3%3%1.2%2%0.29%0.27%0.49%
Dec 202545.9%20.5%11.3%11.3%4.1%2.8%1.3%1.5%0.32%0.35%0.54%
Jan 202640.4%22.2%12.2%12.2%4.5%3.6%1.4%2%0.36%0.31%0.89%
Feb 202637.4%25.1%11.3%11.3%5%4.1%1.6%2.3%0.41%0.3%1.2%
Mar 202641.5%22.8%12.5%8.3%5.6%3.7%1.8%2%0.39%0.32%1.1%
Apr 202616%8.8%4.8%65.1%1.8%1.4%0.69%0.79%0.14%0.12%0.35%
May 202643.5%23.9%10.7%8.8%4.8%3.2%1.9%2.1%0.3%0.28%0.51%
Jun 202637.2%25%13.7%9.2%6.1%3.4%2%2.2%0.37%0.3%0.54%
Jul 202639.2%26.3%11.8%7.9%6.4%3.5%1.8%1.9%0.34%0.31%0.56%
Aug 202638.6%25.9%11.6%9.5%6.4%3.5%1.7%1.9%0.33%0.31%0.31%
Sep 202637.7%25.3%11.4%11.4%6.2%3.4%2%1.9%0.32%0.24%0.24%

How has the Buildertrend and CostOS comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for construction estimating software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, CostOS lost share of searches among construction estimating software worldwide, from 38.6% to 37.7%.

  2. Buildertrend’s share of searches among construction estimating software worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 13.7% to 11.4% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buildertrend’s and CostOS’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Buildertrend

1 branded search term

  • buildertrend

CostOS

1 branded search term

  • costos

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among construction estimating software

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