A No-Nonsense Review of Procore

In construction circles, Procore is known for two things: its tall list of construction features and a hefty price tag to match it.

Procore offers everything from project management to safety compliance and financials, capping it off with a document management system designed to provide stakeholders with a single source of truth.

But while Procore has forged a solid reputation as an “all-in-one” solution, it is anything but foolproof (just like any other software).

In addition to the steep cost, learning curve, and implementation, Procore has a few more flaws that you wouldn’t easily uncover if you only examine its features on a surface level.

In this in-depth review, I’ll give you an honest, detailed look at Procore, breaking down its features, strengths, and potential drawbacks.

By the end of this article, you’ll better understand what Procore can (and can not) do for your business.

Let’s dive right in.

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What Is Procore?

Procore is feature-rich construction management software offering the tools construction teams need to streamline workflows throughout the project lifecycle.

Founded in 2002, Procore gained its foothold in the industry slowly. Investors weren’t too thrilled about Procore’s all-in effort to capture a niche industry. Technology also wasn’t on Procore’s side (at least in the beginning), with construction sites being notorious for having no internet access.

As the construction industry began to keep up with the emerging technologies, Procore finally found its way back. Construction companies started using mobile devices like iPads, allowing Procore to become more accessible in or out of the field.

Fast-forward to today – Procore now boasts a cloud-based solution to help construction businesses mitigate risks, monitor field productivity, manage financials, and create a collaboration hub accessible to all project stakeholders, including subcontractors.

Procore’s powerful software is geared more toward businesses handling large-scale construction projects.

The app’s extensive features and volume-based pricing can make it intimidating for small—to mid-sized companies looking for a more straightforward, cost-effective solution.

Procore Overview

Procore positions itself as a one-stop shop for all things construction. It offers a robust list of features:

• Preconstruction helps construction teams get off the right foot through designs, bids, and estimates.
• Project Management organizes resources, tasks, and project schedules so that all team members are always on the same page.
• Quality and Safety enable companies to maintain high standards and compliance through inspections, checklists, and incident tracking.
• Document Management creates a centralized location for the updated versions of all project-related documents.
• Financial Management ensures smooth financial operations through budgeting, cost tracking, accounting integrations, and invoicing.
• Reporting and Analytics provide insights into project performance so managers can easily make data-driven decisions.

Sign-Up and Onboarding

Procore has volume-based pricing (translation: it depends on your project’s projected profit), which explains why its pricing page offers nothing beyond a custom quote request tool.

You can also request a personalized demo, but the outcome is the same: Procore will collect your contact details and contact you for your custom pricing information.

There’s no free plan available, but you can sign up for a free Procore account. Note that there’s no quick access to the Sign Up page — you can only get here after first clicking the Log In button and looking for the sign-up link at the bottom.

Signing up took me less than a minute, from entering my name and email address to clicking the email verification link and setting up my password.

After logging in, Procore asked me to provide company details. This is an essential step, as Procore’s team takes the verification process seriously. You won’t be able to continue using your account unless you’re a legitimate business entity.

Procore’s free account gives you access to the Procore Construction Network, where you can create your business page, build connections with other businesses, and hire construction professionals.

The free account has a noticeably simple interface.

The navigation menu is on the left side, with options running from top to bottom. Users can add employees to “Teams” and assign them one of the three permission levels (i.e., member, team administrator, or system administrator) based on their current roles.

The free account’s features are minimal, and there are few options to play around with other than the estimating tool. Procore’s estimating feature, which you can access through the “Bid Board” section, comes with a 14-day free trial period.

Upgrading to a premium plan completely changes the interface. The navigation menu now sits across the top of the screen.

I found the free account’s menu options more straightforward to navigate. On the bright side, switching to a different style gives better visibility to the expanded features and information available in Procore’s premium version.

Getting onboard Procore’s paid version isn’t complicated, especially if you have prior experience using software solutions like CRMs. Even if you’re not a tech whiz, Procore has plenty of options to ensure you’ll get the assistance you need.

Procore’s knowledge base articles are thorough, and there’s an answer to almost any onboarding question. I particularly appreciated Procore’s rich library of screenshots and videos, as they allow visual learners like myself to understand Procore’s features at their own pace.

Procore’s live chat feature also works well if you want to get the correct answers quickly without fumbling through several pages of articles.

If you have the authority to set up the company’s account, you can do so in Procore’s “Account Set-up” tab. You can import your company’s custom cost codes, employee database, and accounting data here.

Unlike the free version, which allows you to assign basic permission levels, Procore’s premium account gives you complete control over how each employee accesses each tool in the software.

Setting up the account means you’ve got all the basic stuff covered. However, Procore is a beast to deal with, so expect a more extended implementation period, especially if you’re managing a larger construction company with many complex projects.

Procore recommends setting up your internal committee early to ensure a smooth rollout. The committee should comprise a C-level administrator, project engineers, and project managers, who will work closely with a dedicated Procore representative to ensure the software’s successful implementation.

Here’s a rundown of Procore’s implementation process so you’ll know what to expect:

• Account setup: This refers to everything I’ve gone through so far.
• Launch: This involves more calls with your dedicated Procore project manager, who will help you configure the company settings and create a project template.
• Training and consultations: A series of meetings with your Procore project manager to ensure every team member gets the training they need to become Procore-savvy.
• Company Rollout: As soon as you set up your SOPs and a custom Procore training center, you can launch projects using the pre-configured templates.

As you can see, Procore isn’t your typical plug-and-play solution. It requires considerable time and effort to get off the ground, so plan ahead.

The Web App Experience

Procore is a meeting point where everyone involved in construction projects can communicate and collaborate.

As an administrator, there are two ways to get users into your company’s Procore account. You can add individual employees to the Procore directory or external collaborators (engineers, architects, etc.) on the project you’ll work on together.

Either way, added members will receive a welcome invitation via email. They must log in to their existing accounts or create a new one if they’ve never used Procore before.

Logging in to the account gives users a company-level view of all projects they can access. Opening individual projects lets you see the following project-specific details at a glance:

• Project address
• Current weather conditions
• Project links
• Project-related messages
• Open tasks to be completed

If you want to update any information about the project, you can do so by clicking its name. You can also click the vertical ellipsis in the upper right corner of the page to jump straight to the details you want to update.

Users must click the project name to access essential details such as the timeline, recent activities, and project messages. While I appreciate how this saves space, it would have been better if they had neatly placed all crucial details on the main project page so anything would be just one click away.

Nevertheless, I liked how Procore puts the “Open Items” section front and center, so it’s the first thing that greets you on opening each project page. It’s like a sophisticated to-do list requiring the user’s immediate attention, with corresponding status for each item so you’ll know which ones are overdue or will be due soon.

Procore allows you to keep multiple company accounts under one roof. So, if you’re collaborating with multiple Procore-subscribed companies, you can easily switch from one company to another from the drop-down menu in the navigation bar. It contrasts with other software solutions I’ve tested in the past, where I had to create individual accounts for each company, leading to many wasted minutes I could’ve spent more productively.

By clicking Procore’s logo in the upper left corner of the navigation bar, you can access the Procore tools you’ve been granted access to.

The features are vertically stacked, but you can save time scrolling through the tools by clicking the star beside each feature you frequently use. The selected tools will be automatically placed in the Favorites section at the top, making them easier to access.

Note that only tools you can access will appear in your account. Your company’s internal Procore administrator can customize permission levels for each tool based on the user’s current role.

Depending on your position, the admin can give you read-only, standard, admin, or no access at all to each Procore tool available. This granular control can be cumbersome for small companies requiring basic permission levels. Still, it works great for those with larger workforces where data mishandling can easily escape the admin’s attention.

The Mobile Experience

To access your Procore account through the mobile app, use the same login credentials you use for the web app.

Passwords can be tricky to remember, so Procore offers the option to activate the auto-login feature. This way, Procore will automatically log you in the next time you access the mobile app.

The homepage welcomes users with the most recent projects they’re involved in and links to Procore training materials.

As with the web app, Procore’s mobile app also allows users to manage multiple company accounts in one interface. Just click the navigation menu at the top and select the company and its corresponding project you want to view.

The Project Overview page provides a summary of all the project details. It also displays bookmarked items, recent drawings, your preferred tools, and the complete list of Procore tools you can access.

If the page is too cluttered, you can tone it down by configuring your Home Screen preferences.

Click the filter icon and customize its appearance. You can display the bookmarks and recent drawings or turn them off. You can also select as many or as few tools as you want to show in your favorites. Finally, you can display the complete list of Procore tools at the bottom or hide it altogether to save space.

What I like about Procore’s mobile app is the customization doesn’t stop with your display preferences. If you think the app is getting slower than usual, you can also go to the App Preferences, access the Manage Storage option, and clear the cached data to free up extra space.

Speaking of cached data, Procore completely depends on them to run offline. In other words, Procore is offline-capable, but the items you can view when there’s little to no internet connection depend on the recently viewed and cached items.

Users must download and view RFIs, drawings, or other items at least once before accessing them offline. This can work if you are notified in advance about remote location assignments. However, it won’t be as effective during emergency projects or sudden internet outages when the chance to cache items is thrown out the window.

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Procore Key Features

Digital Time Card

Procore also offers My Time, its own time-tracking tool. It’s not Procore’s main attraction, but it can meet your expectations if you only need basic time and location tracking.

My Time is platform-agnostic, so company employees can easily log their time from any device, including desktops.

You can manually enter your hours and tag them to a project, cost code, and location. If geofencing is enabled, you can clock in and out from your device, and Procore can track your location.

Switching to a different task only takes one click, and you can do it while you’re in the middle of your current task.

Every record in My Time instantly syncs to the server, and updated time card entries are visible on the Daily Log and project and company timesheets. The automatic data sync gives managers insights into the team’s productivity in real-time, eliminating the need to wait for end-of-day reports.

While Procore’s My Time is a step above other basic time-tracking tools, it lacks the embellishments I’m looking for that would have made it more reliable in the field.

For one, it doesn’t have an automatic clock-in/out feature, so you’ll have to do manual verification should the workers forget to log their hours.

And while its Map dashboard gives you real-time access to your clocked-in workers’ locations, Procore doesn’t have a built-in mileage tracking system.

In addition, it lacks GPS breadcrumbs that would have given managers a more transparent, point-by-point account of where and how the workers spent their shifts.

Scheduling

Procore’s scheduling is more advanced than what’s typically available in other construction management software. However, it doesn’t work right out of the gate, and you have to jump through importing hoops before you and your team can have an actual schedule to work on.

There are two ways to jumpstart project scheduling with Procore. You can download its Excel scheduling template, manually input the required data, and upload it back to Procore to start the importing process.

Since Procore only serves as a viewing platform for your schedules, making changes is as cumbersome as you can imagine. You must download the schedule file manually, apply the updates or revisions, and upload it back to Procore. Rinse and repeat.

Alternatively, you can create your master schedules in third-party tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, Primavera, or Phoenix and import them through Procore Drive. The bad news is you still won’t be able to make any scheduling changes directly inside Procore’s software, but the good news is Procore Drive offers a workaround for this.

With Procore Drive, you don’t need to constantly re-upload files each time you insert changes to the schedule. All you have to do is apply the changes in the scheduling file in its source application and they will instantly reflect across the two platforms.

What I like about Procore’s scheduling feature is its variety of viewing options. Depending on your planning preferences, you can switch between list, calendar, Gantt, and lookahead views.

The Gantt view offers a clear visual of project timelines and dependencies, similar to what you’d find in Microsoft Project but more seamlessly integrated into Procore’s ecosystem.

Meanwhile, while the lookahead schedules provide a great snapshot of upcoming tasks, the interface could be more user-friendly. It can be tricky to filter and sort information as needed, which might slow down planning sessions.

Procore’s schedules are accessible by team members across different devices. On mobile, the list of scheduled tasks is visible immediately, with an option to view all your tasks for the day, week, or month.

When you click each task, you’ll see the project details at a glance, including the completion percentage, start and finish dates, resources, milestones, and notes.

Interestingly, Procore’s schedule viewer is built into its web app but not in its mobile version. You must download a separate legacy app called LaborChart to view the schedules from your mobile device.

Fortunately, recent developments have centralized Procore’s scheduling, with the LaborChart app now absorbed and part of Procore’s more extensive Workforce Planning feature.

Procore’s scheduling is complex enough for large companies looking for advanced scheduling features. However, it lags in ease of use and simplicity, which are critical for small to midsized construction teams.

Estimating

Procore’s takeoff, estimating, and proposal-building features are effectively chained together, so the data flows seamlessly from one step to the next.

It starts with takeoff, which Procore simplifies by providing plenty of out-of-the-box parts and assemblies. Select from the pre-built items list or create your customized database from scratch. Either way, applying the items to the construction floor plan only takes simple clicks and drags.

Procore simplifies project takeoffs further by incorporating intelligent tools into its interface. I particularly like its Auto-Count feature, which automatically counts items after you draw a circle around the part you want to quantify.

From project takeoff, Procore smoothly transitions into the primary estimating tool. The quantities you applied in the takeoff phase are seamlessly embedded into Procore’s estimate, ensuring data remain consistent throughout the process.

Procore’s estimating tool allows you to assess and adjust quantities and costs as you see fit or move things around through its drag-and-drop interface. It ensures accurate data and a healthy project profit margin before creating your proposal.

It was particularly impressive to create detailed and accurate estimates without cumbersome manual input. Compared to tools like Buildertrend, Procore’s estimating integrates seamlessly with other project management features, reducing the need for double-entry and potential errors.

Document Management

Procore describes its document management tool as a robust virtual filing cabinet, and it certainly lives up to that description.

It excels in organization and accessibility. You can create parent folders and subfolders, copy the same folder structure, and paste it onto another project without duplicating the files stored in them. You can also configure permission levels so documents are publicly or exclusively available to select team members.

The centralized repository ensures that all project documents are stored in one place, making it easy for team members to access the latest versions. It eliminates the hassle of searching through emails or multiple systems for critical documents.

Another highlight is the version control feature. It automatically tracks changes and maintains a history of document revisions, which is invaluable for construction projects where plans and specifications frequently change.

If you’re constantly moving in the field, you can let Procore send you consolidated email updates about documents you’re tracking. It lets you stay on top of essential document changes without cluttering your email with scattered alerts.

Documents can also be linked to each other, which helps you organize project files without clicking a dizzying number of links and buttons. Whether it’s a submittal, RFIs, or drawings, you can link related documents together and let the team collaborate effortlessly.

Analytics

Procore’s analytics feature presents data with more details and visuals than its basic reporting. However, getting the results you need takes effort.

Since the feature isn’t readily available, you must first install the Procore Analytics embedded application.

The process required me to switch between the Procore admin page and the Microsoft PowerBI service account, where you can get the embed URL needed to activate the analytics.

Once you unlock Procore Analytics, you can access over 100 out-of-the-box reports. Although the data and relationships have already been pre-configured, you can still customize the data type and how they’ll be displayed.

From data fields and font style to the type of graph, the extensive customization ensures the result will perfectly match the report you’ve set out to create.

While the features are powerful, new users might need help navigating and fully utilizing the analytics capabilities. A more intuitive design could help users get up to speed faster.

Integrating Other Business Apps With Procore

Procore connects seamlessly with over 500 apps from various categories to enhance your construction management processes.

From accounting software like QuickBooks and Sage 300 to project management tools like Microsoft Project, Procore ensures that your essential applications work together smoothly.

In addition to these native integrations, Procore’s developer API opens up even more possibilities.

Whether it’s custom reporting tools, CRM systems, or specialized construction software, the API provides the necessary hooks to integrate these tools into your Procore environment.

Procore Might be a Good Fit for You If…

Procore has an arsenal of tools to help you enhance your project workflow from planning to closeout.

Its comprehensive feature set may just be what you’re looking for if you want to:

• Keep track of every aspect of your project from start to finish.
• Easily access all your team’s project documents from one central location.
• Connect seamlessly with a wide range of third-party tools.
• Tailor your dashboard and reports to show what you need to see.

You Might Not Want to Use Procore If…

While Procore is a powerful construction management tool, it may only suit some businesses. Procore might not be a good fit if…

• You’re a small to medium-sized business with a very tight budget.
• You’re looking for a simple, intuitive workforce scheduling tool.
• You’re looking for an offline-capable app that doesn’t rely on caching.
• You want a no-frills software your team can adopt with little of a learning curve.
• Your company deals with small-scale projects requiring simple project management tools.

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Procore Cost/Pricing

Unlike many software solutions that provide a straightforward pricing table, Procore uses a custom quoting tool to determine costs based on project volume.

You won’t find exact prices listed on their website. Instead, you must contact Procore directly for a personalized quote tailored to your project requirements.

When you invest in Procore, you’re purchasing a single annual license that covers your entire organization rather than dealing with per-user seat licenses. This approach allows you to bring on as many project members as necessary without incurring additional costs or charges.

The cost can be significant for smaller firms or those with more limited budgets. It’s crucial to consider whether Procore’s comprehensive features and capabilities justify the investment for your specific situation.

Procore Reviews

Procore users generally appreciate the software’s comprehensive project management features and ease of navigation, especially on its mobile app.

On the flip side, some users pointed out that Procore’s mobile app suffers from limited offline functionality, frequent re-downloads, and issues with iPad optimization, which can hamper on-site productivity.

To gain more insights about Procore’s performance, check out the following reviews from verified users.

Procore user dnick1926 praised the platform’s project management tools but criticized the iPad app for its poor optimization and limited functionality.

Great Platform, Terrible iPad app ⭐⭐ 
“This platform is by far the best for project management with all of the cool tools and high powered features they offer. It really confuses me however, given how well the web portal version works, that the iPad app could be so bad. It’s essentially just a full screen version of the iPhone app. It does not even in the slightest take advantage of the iPad’s power or features. The pencil features are rudimentary at best, and are somehow more confusing to use than your finger in most instances. The word editor, for example in the meetings tool, has less formatting options that most text messaging apps.

Android user Mike Foreman appreciated Procore’s job access but disliked its limited offline capabilities, which required constant redownloading of drawings.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
“Great program to have a job at you finger tips. I just don’t like that there are no offline options and have to re download every drawing I’ve ever looked at everyday. It’s a pain because I dont always have a signal on large jobs and its murdering my data plan.”

On Capterra, Procore user Jesse C. liked its comprehensive project management but found it clunky and difficult to navigate due to varying company setups.

Procore use in Construction ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
“Overall: Overall, we use Procore regularly. Once you know how to use it, the experience gets better and easier.

Pros: I like that Procore is a one stop shop for all things related to a construction project. It can be used from the bid process all the way through pay applications.

Cons: Procore is a bit clunky and not always easy to use. Each company we work with seems to have Procore set up a bit different which makes it difficult to navigate at times. Keeping it more universal could be helpful.”

Our Score (and Why We Chose It)

To objectively measure Procore’s performance, I meticulously tested all its features. I also tapped into my wealth of experience with other construction management software to see how Procore compares to its competitors.

Here’s how Procore fares based on our standard scoring factors:

Sign-Up and Onboarding: Getting started with Procore is smooth, thanks to clear instructions and helpful tutorials. The initial setup might take time due to its comprehensive nature, but the onboarding team is supportive.

Ease of Use: Procore’s user-friendly interface is intuitive even for the less tech-savvy. However, the sheer number of features available can initially feel overwhelming.

Features and Functionality: This software is packed with tools for project management, document control, and collaboration. It covers everything a construction business needs but can sometimes be more than smaller teams require.

Customer Support: Procore’s customer support is reliable and responsive, offering multiple channels like phone, email, and chat. Users often highlight the helpfulness and expertise of the support team.

Value for Price: While Procore is a bit pricier, its extensive features and robust support make it a solid investment for medium to large construction firms.

Integrations: Procore integrates seamlessly with many third-party applications, including QuickBooks and other accounting tools, enhancing its utility and ensuring smooth workflow integration.

Alternatives to Procore

While Procore is a powerful tool, its pricing and overwhelming features might not make it the perfect fit for everyone. Considering alternatives can help you find a solution that aligns with your business requirements.

Here’s a look at five alternatives to Procore you might want to explore.

The Bottom Line

Procore is a construction management juggernaut with an equally intimidating price tag.

But swiping your credit card is just the beginning.

As one user puts it, you don’t buy a backhoe and just let it sit and not dig holes. You need to work twice as hard to implement Procore in your organization and reduce a lot of bottlenecks along the way.

Small to medium-sized companies don’t have to put themselves through the wringer for construction software.

As the top Procore alternative, Workyard features a simple workforce scheduling tool built into its system. It also has the industry’s most accurate offline-ready GPS time clock designed to help companies track their employees’ time, location, and mileage at a more affordable price.

Check out why Workyard’s GPS time tracking is considered the best in the industry, or sign up for its 14-day free trial now to see how it can help your construction business.