29 Nov
Autodesk Docs vs. zipBoard. Which is the best document management and collaboration software for your AEC team?
Finding the right cloud-based platform for document management and collaboration on construction projects can be a real struggle. So many features to take into consideration, ensuring that the tool you choose integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow, is secure, and ensures real-time and smooth collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the end-to-end construction process (design – construction).
Both zipBoard and Autodesk Docs give you the tools you need to easily share, review, and approve designs/construction drawings, provide feedback, track RFI submissions and submittal reviews, ensure version control, and report on your project’s progress and status. They offer a range of features to streamline document collaboration and management. However, there are key differences to consider when choosing the best fit for your architectural practice.
Meet the Best Autodesk Docs Alternative - zipBoard
While both platforms provide a cloud-based solution allowing project stakeholders to review and approve documents for construction projects in one platform, here’s how zipBoard differs from Autodesk Docs and why it is the best Autodesk Docs alternative.
Economical and Collaborative. No Need to Purchase Licenses for All Users
zipBoard is more cost-effective compared to Autodesk Docs. This is because zipBoard only bills (extra) account admins and managers, whereas Autodesk Docs bills per seat for every single stakeholder involved in the project in the platform.
Unlike Autodesk Docs where unlicensed users can ONLY view, download, or upload files, with zipBoard, unlicensed users CAN view, review, approve, and share files. Imagine the amount of money your firm would save on licensing only admin and managers on a project using zipBoard. Plus, you can help your clients save money!
Standard Integrations with Popular Tools and Custom Integrations via APIs
zipBoard provides AEC teams with a more integrated solution. With zipBoard, clients can seamlessly integrate the platform with their cloud store or document management system (DMS) like Dropbox via APIs. These integrations sync documents, projects, and tasks across platforms, preventing the movement or upload of files from one place to the other, eliminating the risk of duplicate drawings or project materials and version control headaches.
zipBoard also features standard integrations with popular communication tools like Microsoft Teams. Thereby, fostering real-time collaboration and streamlining communication within your architectural team and with external consultants or contractors.
Meanwhile, with Autodesk, you currently can’t integrate Autodesk Docs with other tools apart from existing tools in Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) like Revit and AutoCAD.
Automatically Convert Mark Ups and Comments into RFIs and Tasks
In zipBoard, once a reviewer marks up a document and/or leaves a comment, these markups and comments are automatically converted into actionable tasks and added to the task manager. This helps save architects and project managers time on filtering through markups and comments and converting them into RFIs or tasks before assigning them to the appropriate project party for rework.
In Autodesk Docs, however, only “Issues” from the markup list are added in the task manager (Issue table as it is called in Autodesk Docs). All other markups are not automatically added to the task manager. They are only shown as published or unpublished markups in the document description and you can only have access to them from the document. This makes it difficult to track tasks and manage projects effectively.
Optional Sign-Up for Clients and Unlicensed Users
Using zipBoard for document management and collaboration on architectural projects means your clients and/or unlicensed collaborators (engineers, contractors, or even internal team members) do not need zipBoard accounts to review and approve documents. With just a link, they can access documents like submittals and other files based on appropriate permissions and leave their feedback.
Autogenerated Reports
Even though both platforms have reporting systems, Autodesk Docs only provides you with templates to create manual reports from projects. Whereas in zipBoard, your reports are automatically generated for every project you work on in the web app. zipBoard also creates consolidated reports for your entire organization projects in the platform.
This helps you save a great deal of time on tracking project progress and generating manual reports.
[Case Study]
SAP ERP x zipBoard Integration Success Story
See how EO increased overall operational efficiency by 80%, achieved a 95% SLA compliance, and saved 2hrs per employee per day by integrating zipBoard with their SAP ERP.
Read the Case StudyAutodesk Docs vs. zipBoard
Compare by Features
Feature
zipBoard
Autodesk Docs
Cloud-based solution |
✅ |
✅ |
Secure file storage |
✅ |
✅ |
Easy navigation |
✅ |
❌
Integrations with other software via APIs |
✅ |
❌
Automatically converting mark ups and comments into RFIs and tasks
✅ |
❌
Intuitive version control
✅ |
❌
Collaboration tools |
✅ |
✅ |
File sharing |
✅ |
✅ |
Fast upload for files with large sizes |
✅ |
❌
Markup and review tools |
✅ |
✅ |
Connect with 3D Revit, AutoCAD and Formit |
❌
✅ |
Easy to set up customized workflows |
✅ |
❌
Centralized document hub due to multiple integrations |
✅ |
❌
Customized approval stamp |
✅ |
❌
Autogenerated reports |
✅ |
❌
Fast syncing across board, ensuring real-time collaboration |
✅ |
❌
Supports linked files
✅ |
✅ |
Available on Mobile |
Coming Soon
✅ |
Suitable for larger projects alongside smaller |
✅ |
❌
Markup, review, and approval tools for unlicensed users
✅ |
❌
Clients and Guests can review without signing into the platform |
✅ |
❌
Open files as read/view only |
✅ |
❌
Compare by Price
Pricing Details
zipBoard
Autodesk Docs
Affordable pricing – only scales with your growth |
✅ |
❌ |
Cost per seat/user |
Unlimited collaborators, guests, and clients. Charges per team, agency, or enterprise. Only additional account admins and managers not listed in pricing cost extra. |
Limited collaborators. Charges per seat/user |
Billed |
/month, /year, or /3 years |
/year or /3 years |
Unlimited Stakeholders and Collaborators |
✅ |
❌
What Are Our Customers Saying?
By integrating zipBoard into our submittal review process we were able to significantly speed up our pre-construction review phase and hit our construction field goals on time.
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