Digital tools will be an integral part of construction in 2026. Whether for quality assurance, planning, document management or safety, software is increasingly determining how smoothly and predictably a project runs. But with so much on offer, it's difficult to determine which solutions are most commonly used and for which projects they are appropriate.
In this comprehensive overview, we discuss the 15 most important software tools for construction projects in 2026. We look at functionalities, strengths, limitations and the types of projects where they are best suited.
This article helps you understand the market and which tools play a role in modern, digital construction processes.
1. Ed Controls - quality assurance & project communication in one platform
Ed Controls is a European software solution that brings quality assurance, communication and document management together in one practical system. It is used daily by contractors, executives, project managers, work planners, subcontractors and quality assurance personnel. The combination of tickets, audits, drawings and document management creates one central source of truth for everything that happens on the construction site.
The tool is designed for the realities of construction: changing teams, projects with many external parties and situations where quick action and clear agreements are crucial. Having all findings, tasks and documentation in the same place significantly reduces the risk of miscommunication or errors.
Strengths
1. Tickets on drawings: capture findings where it happens
With Ed Controls, you capture action points, quality findings and comments directly in the right location on the drawing. This works intuitively for people on the construction site:
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You click on a location on the work drawing,
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take a picture of the finding,
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adds text or any instructions,
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assign a responsible person,
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and set a deadline if necessary.
This creates a complete picture of what needs to be done, who needs to take action and what the status is. This makes cooperation between general contractors and subcontractors clear and avoids duplication of effort.
2. Audit module: inspections with structure, traceability and Wkb support
The audit module helps organizations perform and record quality, safety and process inspections. For example:
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Wkb inspections,
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quality rounds,
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checklists in installation engineering,
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HSE and safety inspections,
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internal quality assurance procedures.
The audit structure aligns with Dutch quality assurance standards and ensures that findings are always fully and traceably recorded. This makes the module suitable for both daily quality rounds and formal completion files.
3. Clear roles and responsibilities
Ed Controls makes it clear exactly who is responsible for what. Each task or finding has a clear owner and a status (e.g. Open, In process, Completed). As a result:
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everyone knows what is expected of them,
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maintains an overview in projects with many parties,
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and significantly reduces risks due to miscommunication.
This structure also makes it easier for project leaders to manage remotely.
4. Working offline: ideal for challenging project sites
Many construction sites do not have a stable Internet connection, for example:
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in parking basements,
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between concrete floors,
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when renovating old buildings,
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or in technical rooms.
Ed Controls works completely offline. You capture tickets, photos and audit questions, and as soon as you reconnect, everything syncs automatically. This makes the app reliable in situations where other tools get stuck.
5. Document management through the Library: always the right version
Through the Library, teams manage working drawings, protocols and important project documents. Key benefits:
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always the latest version available,
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no risk of executives working with outdated drawings,
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automatic updates when documents are replaced,
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clear overview of revisions.
For construction projects where many drawings circulate, this prevents chaos and wasted time.
6. Integrations with SharePoint, DigiOffice and Power BI.
Ed Controls integrates seamlessly with systems that many organizations already use. The integrations help eliminate the need to manage information in multiple places and make the platform part of a broader digital workflow.
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SharePoint & DigiOffice: automatic linking to folder structures, so drawings and project documents are always managed in one place and do not have to be uploaded twice.
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Power BI: make construction and quality data directly visible in dashboards for project or organizational steering, without manual exports or additional administration.
This is just a selection of the integrations that are possible. Many organizations also link Ed Controls to internal document flows or planning tools. This allows Ed Controls to grow with the digital processes that already exist within projects and organizations.
Limitations
No built-in BIM viewer (although external links are possible).
It works best for
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Wkb projects
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New construction & renovation
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Teams with many subcontractors
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Companies that want one central place for quality + communication
2. Dalux Field - quality management, BIM and construction site coordination.
Dalux Field is among the most popular solutions for large and technically complex projects. The tool combines quality registration with powerful BIM functionality. Project teams use it especially when design, execution and engineering must be closely coordinated.
Strengths
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BIM viewer that displays large 3D models smoothly, even on mobile devices.
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Tickets link to models: findings can be posted in both 2D drawings and 3D models.
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Excellent for large organizations as multiple disciplines work simultaneously in the same BIM model.
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Strong visual representation of clashes, revisions and changes.
Constraints
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Less suitable for smaller contractors or projects without intensive BIM processes.
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It can be challenging for teams not used to working with models.
3. PlanRadar - international tool for documentation and completion points.
PlanRadar is a widely used solution for companies that want to document projects efficiently, especially during the delivery phase. The tool is used internationally, which makes it attractive for organizations with teams in multiple countries.
Strengths.
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Simple photo registration for completion points and defects.
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Flexible reports that can be generated quickly against different standards.
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Suitable for international projects and teams working with different language versions.
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Web- and app-based, allowing new users to get started quickly.
Limitations
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Less in-depth for organizations requiring intensive quality assurance or Wkb procedures.
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Less suitable as a primary tool for daily construction site communications.
4. Snagstream - quick recording of completion points and snag lists.
Snagstream focuses entirely on completion points and completion files. The tool is widely used in residential and commercial construction where clear, repetitive workflows are key.
Strengths
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Streamlined workflows specifically for snags and completion points.
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Suitable for standard processes in residential construction, especially when large numbers of
homes or rooms need to be checked.
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Clear reports for handovers.
Limitations
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Less suitable for quality control that runs throughout the project.
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No full-fledged audit or Wkb support.
5. BIM 360 (Autodesk) - engineering, BIM and design coordination.
BIM 360 is part of the Autodesk environment and is mainly used on large projects where coordination between design, engineering and execution is essential.
Strengths.
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Powerful BIM models and clash detection for complex projects.
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Integration with Autodesk programs such as Revit and Navisworks.
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Ideal for multidisciplinary teams working in a single model.
Constraints
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Less user-friendly for construction site workers who only want to process tickets or inspections.
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Often requires more training and setup.
6. Relatics - Systems Engineering and requirements management.
Relatics is the tool for Systems Engineering in infra and large utility projects. It was developed for projects where requirements, risk, verification and validation are key.
Strengths
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Very powerful traceability from requirements to evidence.
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Specially developed for complex contract types such as DBFM and UAV-GC.
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Strong within project control and compliance.
Limitations
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No mobile construction site app.
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Less suitable for photo-tickets or daily quality recording.
7. KYP Project - planning, lean & day start.
KYP Project is widely used for planning and monitoring daily progress on the construction site.
Strengths.
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Very easy for executives and subcontractors.
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Daily and weekly schedules in a visual overview.
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Lean planning where teams see immediately what needs to be done.
Constraints
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No functions for quality registration or audits.
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Focuses purely on planning, not documentation.
8. Buildflow - lightweight tool for executives and small contractors.
Buildflow is designed for smaller teams that mainly need basic functionality for execution and completion points.
Strengths.
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Approachable and quick to use.
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Ideal for smaller projects with limited complexity.
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Simple photography and ticketing features.
Limitations
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Less suitable for larger projects with many parties.
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Document management and quality assurance are more limited than with larger platforms.
9. Monday.com - flexible task management & automation.
Although Monday.com is not a building-specific platform, it is often used for internal communication, task management and simple workflows.
Strengths.
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Customizable workflows for different project phases.
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Many integrations with other tools.
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Good for internal teams such as project management, HR or planning.
Limitations
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No drawings module or construction-specific features.
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Less suitable for construction site tasks that require photos and locations.
10. Trello - visual boards for teams
Trello remains popular for organizing tasks thanks to its simplicity and visual display.
Strengths.
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Free entry-level tool ideal for small teams.
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Visually clear thanks to the familiar Kanban boards.
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Good for internal organization and smaller project teams.
Limitations
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No features for construction-specific workflows.
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No linkage to drawings or quality records.
11. SafeWork - safety, HSE & reports.
SafeWork focuses entirely on safety in construction and industry.
Strengths
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LMRAs that can be performed quickly.
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Incident recording for safety situations.
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Toolbox management and notifications.
Restrictions
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No support for general project communication or quality assurance.
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Focused on a specific domain.
12. SharePoint - document storage & version control.
Many organizations use SharePoint as their central document environment, including for construction projects.
Strengths
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Microsoft 365 integration makes collaboration easy.
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Central storage for drawings, protocols and documents.
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Version control so teams always use the same documents.
Constraints
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No construction-specific features such as tickets or audits.
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Not designed for intensive construction site use.
13. DigiOffice - document management & workflows.
DigiOffice is widely used by companies looking to establish strict document processes.
Strengths.
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Professional DMS with workflows.
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Suitable for organizations with strict document processes.
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Combines well with project management systems.
Limitations
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No construction site app.
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Not made for daily construction site operations.
14. Trimble Connect - modeling & 3D coordination.
Trimble Connect is a widely used platform for collaboration around 3D modeling.
Strengths.
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Strong in modeling and 3D coordination.
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Ideal for design teams, structural engineers and BIM modelers.
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Ability to combine models and track changes.
Constraints
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Less suitable for performers who primarily want to process photos and tickets.
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Can be complex for smaller projects.
15. SafetyCulture (iAuditor) - checklists, safety & inspections.
SafetyCulture is known for its strong checklist functionality and wide applicability.
Strengths.
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Very powerful checklists for various industries.
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Suitable for safety team, QA/QC and facility services.
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Easy to use for inspections and audits.
Limitations
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Not designed specifically for the construction site.
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Lacks features such as drawings, photo locations or construction-specific workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best construction software for quality assurance in 2026?
The most widely used solutions are Ed Controls, Dalux Field and PlanRadar. Ed Controls is strong in Wkb, photo-tickets and audits. Dalux is ideal for BIM-centric organizations.
Which software do Dutch contractors use the most?
Dutch contractors combine tools: KYP for planning, Ed Controls for quality and communication, SharePoint for documents and BIM 360 or Trimble for models.
Which app works best offline?
Ed Controls offers reliable offline functionality. This is essential for renovations, technical areas and locations with limited reach.
Conclusion: digitization determines the success of construction projects in 2026
In 2026, the construction industry will be more dependent than ever on digital support. Where previously paper checklists, loose Excel files and various apps were used interchangeably, there is now an increasingly clear need for structure, overview and demonstrability.
The tools in this overview show that there is a suitable solution for every phase of a project:
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From planning and daily coordination,
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to quality assurance, delivery documentation,
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safety, document management,
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and BIM coordination.
No single tool is made for all processes in a construction project. The choice depends on your organization, your project type, and the degree of collaboration with subcontractors or external partners.
However, it is becoming clear that organizations are increasingly relying on a combination of:
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a central place for quality, tasks and communication,
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a reliable system for drawings and document management,
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and support for security and compliance.
Tools that combine usability with overview, clear workflows and a reliable mobile worksite app, such as Ed Controls, are therefore increasingly being cited as the backbone of the digital worksite.
In the end, it's all about the question:
Which software best helps your team keep appointments, reduce risk and deliver projects predictably and demonstrably?
By understanding the different categories and solutions, you as an organization can build a digital way of working that fits everyday practice as well as the increasing demands in construction quality and project communication.