SubTrade vs eSUB: two tools built for subcontractors
eSUB and SubTrade cover much of the same ground for trade subcontractors, full RFIs, submittals, document control, time tracking, change orders, and job costing, for crews of any size. The real difference is how they feel to use. SubTrade gives you that same capability in a simpler, mobile-first app that a crew actually adopts, at a transparent price.
No credit card required. Two sub-focused tools, compared straight.
The short answer
You want a heavier, enterprise-style platform with deep configuration and structured workflows, and you have the team to run it.
You want the same capabilities in a much simpler app, full paperwork and field tools, for any size of crew, that your people will actually use without training.
At a glance
Both cover the core sub workflows for any size of crew. The honest difference is not what they do, it is how simple they are to run. Here is how they line up.
Pricing as publicly available. eSUB is quote-based, confirm on their site.
Where SubTrade wins for subcontractors
SubTrade matches eSUB on the capabilities that matter. Where it pulls ahead is simplicity, speed, and price, the things that decide whether your crew actually uses it.
The Same Power, Simpler
The capabilities are there, but mobile-first and set up in a day, so a crew uses it without a training session.
Transparent Pricing
One all-inclusive plan instead of a custom per-user quote and a sales process.
Field-First Change Orders
Price extras on the spot and see margin in real time, from the jobsite.
Scales With You
From a single crew to a large commercial sub running many jobs at once. The same app grows with the company.
Streamlined Docs
RFIs and submittals are included and kept simple, so they get used instead of avoided.
Paperwork Handled
Full RFIs, submittals, and document control included, so you get the heavy paperwork and the field tools in one place.
Built By A Real Sub
Out of a working commercial drywall company in Calgary. Every feature survived a real jobsite.
Where eSUB still fits
eSUB is a long-established, enterprise-grade platform, and some large organizations prefer a heavier system with deep configuration and a dedicated admin to run it. That is a real preference, not a capability gap: SubTrade serves large commercial subs too, with the same full RFIs, submittals, and document control. If you would rather have that power in an app your whole crew can pick up, that is SubTrade.
What you actually pay
eSUB is quote-based and priced per user for commercial operations. SubTrade is $299 per month CAD all-in with a 14-day free trial and no credit card.
For most trade subs, whatever the size, SubTrade is simpler to buy and lower in total cost.
Built for the trades, by the trades.Confirm current competitor pricing before relying on these figures.
Who should choose SubTrade?
- You run anything from one crew to many
- eSUB feels pricier than the job requires
- You want core sub workflows in a lighter app
- Time tracking, change orders, scheduling, logs, drawings, costing
SubTrade vs eSUB FAQ
Same capability. Far simpler to run.
Run SubTrade next to eSUB on your own jobs for two weeks. Same tools, less friction. Most crews keep the one they actually open. No credit card.
Start Your Free TrialNo credit card required. See pricing at subtradesoftware.com/pricing-plans.