AK Dash vs. OneCrew: I Tested Both So You Don’t Have To

Choosing between AK Dash vs. OneCrew can make or break your paving business efficiency. 

After testing both platforms extensively, I found that OneCrew delivers complete project management, while AK Dash focuses on sales and proposals. 

Here's what matters: OneCrew handles everything from takeoff to invoice, whereas AK Dash excels at creating professional proposals but lacks deeper operational tools.

AK Dash vs. OneCrew: At a Glance

When comparing AK Dash vs. OneCrew, the differences become clear quickly. Both platforms serve paving contractors, but their approaches couldn't be more different:

Here's when to choose each platform:

• Choose AK Dash if you're a small asphalt contractor primarily needing help with professional proposals, lead tracking, and basic scheduling
• Choose OneCrew if you manage complex paving projects requiring blueprint estimating, crew coordination, and complete project lifecycle management

Meet AK Dash: Features and highlights

AK Dash is a sales-focused platform designed specifically for asphalt contractors. It emphasizes professional proposal creation, lead management, and basic project tracking to help contractors win more business.

You get customizable proposal templates that help you write a quote for a construction job, a map and measure tool for accurate square footage calculations, job costing calculators, and QuickBooks integration.

The platform includes a unique Pavement Assessment feature using the PASER scale, which helps contractors demonstrate expertise during the sales process.

AK Dash offers lead tracking, contact management, task assignment, and basic scheduling. The platform provides dashboards showing sales metrics, close rates, and revenue tracking. 

Meet OneCrew: Features and highlights

OneCrew is a comprehensive platform built for paving contractors managing project-based work. It handles the complete project lifecycle from initial lead capture through final invoicing, designed specifically for asphalt and concrete contractors.

You manage PDF takeoff and blueprint estimating, crew assignments by project phase, material tracking, and margin-based pricing workflows. The customer portal allows clients to approve proposals, make payments, share documents, and communicate through chat messaging.

OneCrew integrates with QuickBooks Online for invoicing and payment sync, plus HubSpot for CRM functionality. The platform reduces estimating time by 75% through configurable templates and automated workflows.

AK Dash vs. OneCrew: Feature Breakdown

Comparing AK Dash vs. OneCrew across key features reveals significant differences in capabilities and target use cases.

Job scheduling and dispatch

• AK Dash: Basic calendar view with work order assignments by scope item. Limited to simple scheduling without complex crew coordination features.
• OneCrew: Project-based scheduling with crew assignments to specific job phases. Drag-and-drop interface tracks profitability and resource allocation across multiple projects.

Winner: OneCrew. Its thorough project scheduling beats basic calendar functionality for complex paving operations.

Estimates and quotes

• AK Dash: Strong proposal generator with customizable templates for contractor quotes and PASER-based assessments. Map and measure tools calculate square footage, but limited for complex project estimating. 
  
  The platform includes a contractor quote example library to help new contractors create professional proposals quickly.

• OneCrew: PDF takeoff and blueprint estimating with labor, material, equipment, and sub-line items. Configurable pricing workflows with margin-focused calculations and automated updates.

Winner: OneCrew. It’s got purpose-built estimating for complex projects, though AK Dash creates prettier proposals for simple jobs.

Crew and equipment tracking

• AK Dash: Basic task assignment and subcontractor portal for photos and notes. Limited field management capabilities beyond simple check-ins.
• OneCrew: Comprehensive crew management with role-based assignments, time tracking with GPS, and equipment allocation across projects. Mobile apps keep field teams connected.

Winner: OneCrew. Full crew coordination capabilities versus basic task tracking make this clear.

Note: Learn more about essential paving equipment and how to manage it effectively in your operations.

Integrations and compatibility

• AK Dash: QuickBooks integration for basic financial sync. Limited third-party connections beyond accounting.
• OneCrew: QuickBooks Online integration for invoicing and payments, plus HubSpot CRM integration. API access for custom integrations and future expansion plans.

Winner: OneCrew. More robust integration options for growing businesses needing connected systems.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Choosing between AK Dash vs. OneCrew depends on your business complexity and growth plans. If you're primarily focused on winning more sales through professional proposals, AK Dash offers a simpler path. But if you're managing real paving projects with crews, materials, and multi-phase work, OneCrew provides the operational depth you need.

AK Dash is better for:

• Solo operators or small teams focused on residential driveways and simple seal coating jobs
• Contractors who primarily need help creating professional proposals to win more business
• Businesses wanting basic lead tracking without complex project management features
• Those looking for an affordable entry point with free trials and lower monthly costs
• Contractors comfortable using multiple tools for different business functions

OneCrew is better for:

• Paving contractors managing commercial projects with multiple crews and phases
• Companies estimating from blueprints and site plans for complex bid preparation
• Growing businesses ready to consolidate multiple tools into one platform
• Teams needing real project management beyond just proposals and basic scheduling
• Contractors focused on margin optimization and detailed job costing analysis

Note: For more insights on running a successful paving business, check out our guide on asphalt maintenance best practices. For specialized estimating needs, explore our analysis of the best concrete estimating software and platforms available.

My Final Verdict

After testing both platforms extensively, OneCrew wins for serious paving contractors. Although AK Dash creates captivating proposals and tracks leads well, it lacks the operational depth needed for real project management. OneCrew handles everything from blueprint takeoff through crew coordination to final invoicing.

AK Dash works if you're just starting out and mainly need help looking professional during the sales process. The Pavement Assessment feature and proposal templates genuinely help win business.

However, once you're managing multiple crews, tracking materials across job sites, and coordinating complex commercial projects, you need more than a proposal generator. OneCrew delivers the complete platform that paving contractors need to scale efficiently.

Note: For specialized estimating needs, explore our analysis of the best concrete estimating software options available. Plus, understanding material options is crucial for accurate estimates. Check our guide on asphalt recycling to learn about sustainable paving practices.

Ready to Try OneCrew?

When comparing AK Dash vs. OneCrew, it comes down to whether you need a sales tool or a complete business platform. AK Dash helps you win jobs with professional proposals. But if you're estimating from plans, managing crews, and running real paving projects from start to finish?

That's where OneCrew excels.

OneCrew was built specifically for project-based paving contractors working with asphalt and concrete. It eliminates the need for multiple disconnected tools. Here's what OneCrew delivers:

• Estimating from PDFs or site maps with detailed labor, material, and equipment calculations using built-in cost calculators
• Assigning crews to project phases with role-based permissions for accountability and efficiency
• Project progress tracking through pre-construction, production, and billing stages with real-time updates
• Exceptional customer service through a dedicated portal for approvals, payments, and communication
• Sync with QuickBooks Online to eliminate double-entry for invoicing and payment tracking

You don't need separate apps for estimating, scheduling, and invoicing. OneCrew ties your entire operation together from initial takeoff to final payment. Book a free demo to see how OneCrew transforms your paving business operations.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between AK Dash and OneCrew?

The main difference between AK Dash and OneCrew is their scope and functionality. AK Dash focuses on sales tools like proposal generation and lead tracking for asphalt contractors, whereas OneCrew provides complete project management from estimating through invoicing. 

OneCrew handles complex project workflows, crew coordination, and blueprint estimating that AK Dash doesn't offer.

2. Which is cheaper, AK Dash or OneCrew?

AK Dash is generally cheaper than OneCrew, offering a free trial and tiered pricing starting at lower monthly rates. OneCrew uses seat-based pricing that scales with your team size and provides more ample functionality. The better value depends on whether you need just proposal tools or complete project management capabilities.

3. Does OneCrew integrate with other construction tools?

OneCrew integrates with QuickBooks Online for invoicing and payment synchronization, plus HubSpot for CRM functionality. The platform offers API access for custom integrations and continues expanding third-party connections. These integrations help paving contractors maintain their existing workflows while centralizing project management.

4. Can AK Dash handle crew scheduling?

AK Dash can handle basic crew scheduling through its calendar system and work order assignments. However, it lacks the sophisticated crew coordination features needed for complex projects. The platform works for simple task assignments but doesn't provide the depth required for multi-crew, multi-phase project management.

5. Which is better for small contractors?

For small contractors, the choice between AK Dash vs. OneCrew depends on your specific needs and growth plans. AK Dash suits solo operators focused on winning more sales through professional proposals, while OneCrew better serves small contractors ready to systematize their operations. OneCrew's features might seem like overkill initially, but they provide room to grow without switching platforms later.