Who needs a paid seat: your crew, your subs, or only office staff?

Why it matters: Models differ. Raken prices per user with a 3-user minimum. Fieldwire prices per user with a free Basic plan for up to 5 users. PlanRadar says subcontractors and watchers are free. CompanyCam's Crew plan includes 3 users, with additional users at $29 each billed annually. In the demo: Count every foreman and sub who would enter data, then price the plan on that number.

Does it work offline on site?

Why it matters: Fieldwire describes offline markups, CompanyCam says it works offline and syncs later, and PlanRadar says changes are stored locally and synced. Check the same for any other app. In the demo: Trial it in a basement or stairwell with no signal, then confirm what synced.

Which plan includes the features (and AI) you saw in the demo?

Why it matters: Raken's time, production, and safety tools are on Performance, not Basic. CompanyCam's FAQ says AI features are on Crew and above. Fieldwire puts RFIs, submittals, and change orders on Business Plus. PlanRadar lists its AI Assistant on higher plans. In the demo: Ask for the trial account to be on the exact plan you would buy.

What safety records does it produce?

Why it matters: Raken lists observations, toolbox talks, and incidents with OSHA submit. PlanRadar lists safety audits. HammerTech (in our workforce category) centers on safety workflows like JHAs and permits. In the demo: Have your safety manager fill out one real form during the trial.

Can you get the data out?

Why it matters: Raken generates PDF daily reports and offers bulk download; Fieldwire lists reports and exports from Pro; PlanRadar lists unlimited exports and an open API; CompanyCam says you can export photos before access ends. In the demo: Export a week of reports and photos and check dates, locations, and authors are intact.

What happens to your records after the project or if you cancel?

Why it matters: Daily reports and photos are evidence in disputes; Raken quotes a customer on prevailing in disputes because of its records. Retention terms are in each vendor's contract, not on the marketing pages we checked. In the demo: Get retention and export terms in writing before you rely on the app as your record.

Home / Guides / Questions to ask before trialing a field reporting or jobsite app

Questions to ask before trialing a field reporting or jobsite app

A checklist for teams choosing a field reporting, photo documentation, or jobsite management app. These are Means & Methods Lab suggestions, not findings: we have not tested any of these tools. Where a question mentions a vendor, it points to something that vendor publishes (checked Oct 14, 2026). Desk research, not tested.

SUGGESTIONS, NOT FINDINGS. No tool has been tested by Means & Methods Lab. Vendor facts are desk research from vendor websites and are not verified. Updated 2026-10-14.

The questions (6)

Q01Who needs a paid seat: your crew, your subs, or only office staff?
WHY IT MATTERS · Models differ. Raken prices per user with a 3-user minimum. Fieldwire prices per user with a free Basic plan for up to 5 users. PlanRadar says subcontractors and watchers are free. CompanyCam's Crew plan includes 3 users, with additional users at $29 each billed annually.
IN THE DEMO · Count every foreman and sub who would enter data, then price the plan on that number.
Q02Does it work offline on site?
WHY IT MATTERS · Fieldwire describes offline markups, CompanyCam says it works offline and syncs later, and PlanRadar says changes are stored locally and synced. Check the same for any other app.
IN THE DEMO · Trial it in a basement or stairwell with no signal, then confirm what synced.
Q03Which plan includes the features (and AI) you saw in the demo?
WHY IT MATTERS · Raken's time, production, and safety tools are on Performance, not Basic. CompanyCam's FAQ says AI features are on Crew and above. Fieldwire puts RFIs, submittals, and change orders on Business Plus. PlanRadar lists its AI Assistant on higher plans.
IN THE DEMO · Ask for the trial account to be on the exact plan you would buy.
Q04What safety records does it produce?
WHY IT MATTERS · Raken lists observations, toolbox talks, and incidents with OSHA submit. PlanRadar lists safety audits. HammerTech (in our workforce category) centers on safety workflows like JHAs and permits.
IN THE DEMO · Have your safety manager fill out one real form during the trial.
Q05Can you get the data out?
WHY IT MATTERS · Raken generates PDF daily reports and offers bulk download; Fieldwire lists reports and exports from Pro; PlanRadar lists unlimited exports and an open API; CompanyCam says you can export photos before access ends.
IN THE DEMO · Export a week of reports and photos and check dates, locations, and authors are intact.
Q06What happens to your records after the project or if you cancel?
WHY IT MATTERS · Daily reports and photos are evidence in disputes; Raken quotes a customer on prevailing in disputes because of its records. Retention terms are in each vendor's contract, not on the marketing pages we checked.
IN THE DEMO · Get retention and export terms in writing before you rely on the app as your record.

What to bring

One real day of field notes, photos, and hours from a current job.
Your current daily report and safety form templates.
The list of people (including subs) who would need access.
A spot on site with no cell signal.

Sources

Raken pricing https://www.rakenapp.com/pricing
CompanyCam pricing https://companycam.com/pricing
Fieldwire pricing https://www.fieldwire.com/pricing/
PlanRadar pricing https://www.planradar.com/pricing/

Tools mentioned (alphabetical, not ranked)

CompanyCam · Jobsite photo documentation
Fieldwire (Hilti) · Jobsite field management
HammerTech · Site safety & workforce compliance
PlanRadar · Site documentation, defects & inspections
Raken · Daily reporting & field management

Side-by-side comparisons

Means & Methods Lab has no commercial relationship with any vendor on this page. Rankings and placement are never for sale. See how we make money.