DokuAI vs PlanRadar.
Honest comparison.
PlanRadar has dominated defect management for site-manager teams since 2013. DokuAI is iOS-native, new, and automates the daily report from photo and voice via AI. Which fits better depends on who you are.
Updated: June 2026 · Market data and prices based on public sources.
At a glance
15 criteria, one table.
| Criterion | DokuAI | PlanRadar |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Daily report + snag list from photo + voice | Defect management + plan annotation, daily report as add-on |
| Platform | iPhone, iPad (iOS-native) | iOS, Android, Windows, web |
| AI report | Yes — photo + voice becomes structured PDF | No — entries filled in manually |
| AR measurement (LiDAR) | Yes, ±0.5 cm on iPhone 12 Pro+ | No |
| Plan annotation (CAD) | No | Yes — markups directly on 2D plans |
| BIM integration | No | Yes — BCF standard, IFC models |
| Multi-user workflow | No (solo tool) | Yes — roles, projects, assignees |
| Setup effort | None — open the app, start the report | Create project, master data, user roles |
| Training | None | Recommended — webinar and onboarding sessions |
| Offline mode | Capture fully offline | Capture fully offline |
| Languages | 15 (DE, EN, ES, FR, IT, NL, PL, PT, TR, SV, DA, NO, FI, JA, KO) | 20+ |
| Pricing (1 user) | Apple subscription (see App Store) | from ~€29/user/month (Starter) |
| Pricing (5 users) | 5× single subscriptions | ~€145/month (Starter plan) |
| Data residency | EU servers, GDPR-compliant | Vienna, EU, GDPR-compliant |
| Founded | 2025 | 2013 — established provider |
Where PlanRadar wins
Where PlanRadar is clearly better.
An honest comparison says first where the competitor wins. Here is that list — no cosmetic points, but features DokuAI deliberately does not cover.
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01 / 05
Defect management with workflow
PlanRadar has been specialised on defects for over ten years. Defects can be assigned to responsible parties, given deadlines, categorised, and tracked on a kanban board. For site managers with 5+ staff across multiple sites, this workflow is the core feature.
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02 / 05
Plan annotation on 2D CAD
Markups land directly on uploaded plans. A defect attaches to its exact position on the floor plan — important for architects and general contractors who work with detailed plan deliveries.
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03 / 05
BIM integration via BCF
PlanRadar supports the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) standard, displays IFC models and links issues to them. For projects with a BIM mandate (public contracts, transit, major building), this is a hard requirement.
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04 / 05
Multi-platform including Windows
iOS, Android, Windows desktop, web browser. Teams with mixed devices (site manager on Surface, foreman on Android, architect on iPad) can all plug in.
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05 / 05
Established provider with references
On the market since 2013, 150,000+ users worldwide, references at Bilfinger, Hochtief, Strabag. When procurement requires a "Tier-1 vendor", PlanRadar checks that box immediately.
Where DokuAI wins
Where DokuAI is clearly better.
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01 / 05
AI report from photo + voice
DokuAI is the only iOS-native tool in this comparison that turns a voice recording + photos into a structured daily report automatically. The evening typing disappears. PlanRadar requires manual form entry.
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02 / 05
AR measurement in photos (LiDAR)
Tap two points in a photo, distance is drawn into the JPEG — on iPhone 12 Pro and newer with ±0.5 cm accuracy via LiDAR. PlanRadar does not offer this; measurements must be taken separately and typed into the form.
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03 / 05
Zero setup
Download the app, start the first report. No projects to create, no master data to maintain, no user roles to define. PlanRadar requires several hours of onboarding and typically a training session per new user.
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04 / 05
Solo pricing via App Store
One Apple subscription, one user, no minimum seat count, cancellable through the app. PlanRadar is built for team pricing — the Starter plan typically begins at 5 users.
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05 / 05
iOS design depth
Native iPhone and iPad app with Apple-typical haptics, Haptic Engine, ProMotion, Always-On display support, Shortcuts integration. iPhone power-users feel at home immediately. PlanRadar is cross-platform and accordingly compromise-driven.
Who picks what
Recommendation by profile.
Either tool can do most of what the other does — the question is where each creates the least friction. This matrix breaks it down by role and setup.
| Profile | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo contractor (electrician, painter, tiler) | DokuAI | No training, no team, no setup. Report finished in 5 min. |
| Small business (2–5 staff, iPhones in use) | DokuAI | Each person gets their own subscription, no central setup needed. |
| Site manager with 5+ staff across multiple sites | PlanRadar | Roles, assignees, defect workflow justify the extra effort. |
| Architect / GC with BIM mandate | PlanRadar | BCF/IFC integration is effectively required on BIM projects. |
| Surveyor, claims adjuster, property handover | DokuAI | Photo + voice + signature + PDF — done, no project overhead. |
| Facility manager, walkthrough documentation | DokuAI | Document individually, share as PDF immediately, no license math. |
| Large site with mixed devices (Win/Android/iOS) | PlanRadar | Cross-platform support is mandatory here. |
| iPhone-only team wanting fastest documentation | DokuAI | iOS-native performance + AI is unbeatable in this niche. |
FAQ
Common questions about switching.
Updated: June 2026
Is DokuAI a full PlanRadar alternative?
For solo contractors, small businesses and individual surveyors: yes. For site-manager teams with defect-management workflow, role allocation and BIM requirements: no — PlanRadar is the right choice there. The two tools serve different market segments.
Can I migrate PlanRadar data to DokuAI?
No automatic migration exists. Keep PlanRadar PDFs as archive, create new reports directly in DokuAI. Because DokuAI has no master data to set up, the switch is essentially immediate — install the app, start the first report.
What does PlanRadar actually cost?
PlanRadar does not publish prices openly. Market observations and comparison sites list Starter from ~€29/user/month (annual billing), Pro from ~€59/user/month. For 5 users total cost lands around €145/month. Exact pricing depends on plan, contract term and negotiation.
What does DokuAI cost in comparison?
DokuAI runs as an Apple subscription — current pricing is in the App Store. One subscription covers one user and is materially cheaper than a PlanRadar seat. For 5 solo contractors you have 5 single subscriptions and typically save a low three-digit euro amount per month vs the PlanRadar Starter plan.
Does PlanRadar have an AI report feature?
As of June 2026 PlanRadar does not offer AI-driven report generation from voice recordings comparable to DokuAI. Some AI features like Smart Search exist; the core workflow remains form-based. We will update this comparison if that changes.
Can DokuAI annotate plans like PlanRadar?
No. DokuAI works with photos and voice notes, not with 2D CAD plans or BIM models. If you need markups directly on floor plans, PlanRadar is the right tool.
Is DokuAI GDPR-compliant like PlanRadar?
Yes. Both providers run servers in the EU. DokuAI reports are deleted automatically after 365 days or earlier when you remove them in the app. PlanRadar offers longer configurable retention windows, which matters for enterprise compliance.
Which app do you recommend for property handovers?
DokuAI. Property handovers are a solo appointment with photo, voice and signature on site — exactly the DokuAI workflow. For landlords and property managers we have a dedicated property handover app page.
Solo or small team? Try DokuAI.
7-day pro trial. First report in 5 minutes — no setup, no training.
More workflow context: Site documentation overview