HeavyBid Software vs. OneCrew: Which Tool Rules Paving in 2025?

OneCrew wins for paving contractors who need fast, project-based bidding with modern workflows, whereas HeavyBid software fits heavy civil contractors bidding massive DOT projects with complex pay items. 

After testing both platforms, I found each serves different contractors with unique strengths.

HeavyBid vs. OneCrew: What's the Difference?

HeavyBid is HCSS's flagship estimating platform for heavy civil contractors handling DOT projects and infrastructure work. OneCrew is a modern, all-in-one platform designed specifically for asphalt and concrete paving contractors managing project-based work.

Choose HeavyBid if you're bidding multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects with 700+ pay items and need deep WBS structures, DOT integrations, and enterprise-level estimating power.

Choose OneCrew if you're a paving contractor who needs to estimate from plans, manage crews, and track projects from lead to invoice without the complexity of heavy-civil software.

Note: For more insights on construction estimating tools, explore our guide on concrete estimating software.

Meet HeavyBid: Features and Highlights

HeavyBid is construction estimating software built for heavy civil contractors bidding complex infrastructure projects. The software is designed to help construction businesses of all sizes in the transportation, utility, power, oil and gas, and heavy civil industries build estimates for a wide range of projects. 

Think highways, bridges, dams, utilities, tunnels, airports, railroads, pipelines, and wastewater treatment plants.

You can build estimates on the fly, copy from previous jobs, or pull from standardized activity libraries. HeavyBid's features allow users to build estimates and import bid items directly from DOT websites. 

The platform handles crew-based estimating with detailed resource allocation and production rates.

HeavyBid integrates with external takeoff programs, scheduling tools like Primavera P6, and over 30 accounting systems. The typical HeavyBid customer is a self-performing contractor focused on civil or infrastructure projects that require crews and heavy equipment.

Meet OneCrew: Features and Highlights

OneCrew is a purpose-built platform for asphalt and concrete paving contractors managing project-based work from lead to invoice. 

The platform handles everything from PDF plan takeoff and map-based estimating to crew scheduling, customer portals, and job costing in one unified system.

You build estimates using configurable templates with built-in calculators for materials, labor, and equipment. The customer portal lets clients view proposals, approve quotes, make payments, and communicate directly with your team. 

OneCrew's workflow takes you from initial lead capture through project completion without jumping between multiple programs.

OneCrew has helped customers achieve a 75% reduction in estimating time, with teams reporting faster quote turnaround and improved project visibility. The platform scales from single-crew operations to multi-division paving companies while maintaining simplicity.

HeavyBid vs. OneCrew: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Let's examine how HeavyBid software vs. OneCrew stack up across critical features for contractors. 

Let’s go feature by feature:

1. Estimating and takeoff

Why it matters: Your estimating speed and accuracy determine whether you win profitable work or leave money on the table.

Analysis of HeavyBid

• Surface-level strengths: Users can build estimates, import bid items directly from DOT websites, and select pre-built items, activities, and crews.
• Deeper insights: HeavyBid excels at complex, multi-level WBS structures with detailed crew production rates. However, users report that the interface feels dated, and the software is so expansive, it is difficult to bring new users up to speed quickly.

Analysis of OneCrew

• Surface-level strengths: PDF plan takeoff, map-based measuring, and configurable pricing templates built for paving workflows.
• Deeper insights: OneCrew simplifies the estimating process with PDF plan takeoff, built-in item and cost calculators, and configurable automations specifically designed for paving workflows.

Winner: OneCrew for paving contractors needing fast, accurate estimates. HeavyBid for complex infrastructure bidding.

2. Project management

Why it matters: Keeping projects on schedule and budget requires real-time visibility from office to field.

Analysis of HeavyBid

• Surface-level strengths: Integrates with HeavyJob for field tracking and project management.
• Deeper insights: HeavyBid focuses primarily on estimating, requiring additional HCSS modules for complete project management. The field products can be really expensive for what you get.

Analysis of OneCrew

• Surface-level strengths: Full project lifecycle management from preconstruction through billing.
• Deeper insights: OneCrew provides integrated scheduling, crew assignments, and job costing without requiring separate modules or extra purchases.

Winner: OneCrew delivers complete project management in one platform.

3. Pricing and value

Why it matters: Software costs impact your bottom line, especially when scaling across teams.

Analysis of HeavyBid

• Surface-level strengths: Custom quotes that adjust to different company sizes.
• Deeper insights: High prices mean users might not be getting enough out of the software to justify the cost.

Analysis of OneCrew:

• Surface-level strengths: Transparent seat-based pricing model.
• Deeper insights: OneCrew's pricing scales with your team size without per-user penalties, making it more accessible for growing contractors.

Winner: OneCrew offers better value for paving contractors.

4. Integration capabilities

Why it matters: Your estimating platform must connect with accounting and other critical systems.

Analysis of HeavyBid:

• Surface-level strengths: HeavyBid can integrate with project management software such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, and HeavyJob.
• Deeper insights: Good integrations with DOT systems and enterprise tools, but primarily within the HCSS ecosystem.

Analysis of OneCrew:

• Surface-level strengths: HubSpot CRM integration and QuickBooks Online for frictionless invoicing.
• Deeper insights: Focused integrations that paving contractors actually need, without overwhelming complexity.

Winner: HeavyBid for enterprise needs, OneCrew for practical paving workflows.

Note: For contractors evaluating alternatives, check our guides on HCSS HeavyJob alternatives and software for paving contractors.

How to Choose

Choosing between HeavyBid software vs. OneCrew comes down to your project type and business model. HeavyBid dominates heavy civil infrastructure, but OneCrew delivers everything paving contractors need without the overhead.

HeavyBid is better for …

• Heavy civil contractors bidding on highways, bridges, and utilities
• Companies doing primarily DOT and government work
• Joint ventures requiring 25+ estimators on single bids
• Contractors who are already invested in the HCSS ecosystem
• Projects with 500+ pay items and complex WBS requirements

OneCrew is better for …

• Asphalt and concrete paving contractors
• Companies wanting fast implementation (weeks, not months)
• Teams that estimate from plans and site maps daily
• Growing businesses ready to standardize operations
• Contractors who are frustrated with spreadsheet chaos and disconnected tools

Note: Contractors exploring options should also review our Jobber alternatives and Buildertrend alternatives comparisons.

My Verdict

After extensive testing, OneCrew is the clear winner for paving contractors. Here's why: HeavyBid was ideal many years ago, but paving contractors today need modern tools that work on day one, not month six. OneCrew delivers that.

HeavyBid makes sense if you're bidding billion-dollar infrastructure projects with specialized DOT requirements. The platform handles complexity that OneCrew wasn't designed for. But that same complexity becomes a burden for paving contractors who need to quote a parking lot by lunch.

OneCrew understands paving workflows. You measure sites, build margin-based estimates, and send proposals that clients actually sign. Your crews get clear work orders, and you track costs instead of wrestling with enterprise software designed for bridge construction.

The numbers speak for themselves. OneCrew users cut estimating time by 75% while HeavyBid users still export reports to Excel for basic and additional analysis. OneCrew accelerates your business; HeavyBid typically benefits from dedicated IT staff.

For 95% of paving contractors comparing HeavyBid software vs. OneCrew, the choice is simple: Pick the platform built for your actual work.

Run Jobs, Crews, and Quotes in One Place

When comparing HeavyBid vs. OneCrew, it's about matching software to your real workflows. If you're estimating from plans, assigning paving crews, and managing asphalt or concrete projects … That's where OneCrew comes in.

OneCrew was built specifically for project-based paving contractors. It replaces the disconnected tools and spreadsheets slowing you down. Here's what you can do with OneCrew:

• Estimate from PDFs or maps using labor, material, equipment, and sub-line items with built-in calculators designed for paving
• Assign crews and roles to specific project phases for crystal-clear accountability
• Track project status with real-time updates across pre-construction, production, and billing phases
• Collaborate with customers through a modern portal for approvals, payments, and document sharing
• Sync financials with QuickBooks Online to keep invoicing and payments organized without double-entry headaches

Your paving business needs one platform that understands paving workflows from takeoff to final invoice, not enterprise software designed for billion-dollar bridges.

Book a free demo and discover how OneCrew helps paving contractors win more profitable work.

FAQs

1. What's the biggest difference between HeavyBid and OneCrew?

The biggest difference between HeavyBid and OneCrew lies in their target market and complexity. HeavyBid serves heavy civil contractors bidding complex infrastructure with hundreds of pay items, while OneCrew focuses on paving contractors needing fast, project-based estimating and management without enterprise overhead.

2. How much does HeavyBid cost compared to OneCrew?

HeavyBid cost requires a custom quote. OneCrew uses transparent seat-based pricing that scales with your business. For most paving contractors, OneCrew delivers better value without per-user penalties that make HeavyBid price prohibitive.

3. Does OneCrew provide bidding and estimating like HeavyBid?

OneCrew provides comprehensive bidding and estimating specifically designed for paving contractors, including PDF takeoff, map-based measuring, and configurable pricing templates. While HeavyBid offers more complex WBS structures for infrastructure, OneCrew's estimating tools are purpose-built for asphalt and concrete project workflows.

4. Can OneCrew replace HeavyBid?

OneCrew can replace HeavyBid for paving contractors doing project-based asphalt and concrete work. However, if you're bidding complex DOT projects with specialized requirements, HeavyBid's infrastructure-specific features may be necessary. Most paving contractors find that OneCrew delivers everything they need without HeavyBid's complexity.

5. Is HeavyBid worth the price for small contractors?

HeavyBid’s price rarely justifies the investment for small contractors. Small contractors typically struggle with HeavyBid's steep learning curve and complex features designed for massive infrastructure projects rather than everyday paving work.

6. What's the best construction bidding software?

The best construction bidding software depends on your trade and project type. OneCrew leads for paving contractors, HeavyBid fits heavy civil infrastructure, and platforms like Buildertrend serve home builders. Choose software that understands your specific workflows rather than forcing you into generic construction templates.