Best Submittal Management Software for Construction in 2026

Submittals are where preconstruction commitments meet operational reality. Every material, piece of equipment, and shop drawing that requires approval flows through the submittal process, and mismanaging it creates delays, rejected resubmittals, and strained GC relationships.

The right submittal management software tracks the entire lifecycle — from extracting requirements out of the spec to managing approvals and resubmittals. This guide compares the best tools available to trade contractors in 2026, organized by the type of value they deliver.

What is Submittal Management Software?

Submittal management software automates the process of creating, tracking, and managing construction submittals. At its core, it replaces the spreadsheet-based logs and email chains that most trade contractors still use to manage submittal workflows.

A strong submittal management platform does three things:

1. Identifies what needs to be submitted by extracting requirements from project specifications
2. Tracks the status of every submittal through preparation, submission, review, and approval
3. Manages revisions and resubmittals when items are returned for correction

Types of Submittal Management Software

1. AI-Powered Submittal Intelligence

These tools use AI to read project specifications and extract every submittal requirement — manufacturers, product data, shop drawings, and samples — then generate a contract-accurate log with spec citations. They sit on top of your existing PM stack and automate the creation process itself.

2. Project Management Platforms with Submittal Modules

Full PM platforms (Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Oracle Aconex) include submittal tracking as one module in a broader project management suite. They handle status tracking, approval routing, and notifications but typically require manual log creation.

3. Dedicated Submittal Tracking Tools

Standalone tools focused specifically on submittal workflows, including log management, cover sheet generation, and approval tracking. They offer depth in the submittal process but may require integration with your PM platform for full project visibility.

Best Submittal Management Software Tools

Category 1: AI-Powered Submittal Intelligence

1. Pelles AI

Pelles is an AI document intelligence platform that automates submittal log creation from the spec set. Instead of manually reading through specification divisions to identify submittal requirements, Pelles extracts every requirement, maps it to the correct division, and generates a log with exact spec citations.

Key capabilities:

• Automated requirement extraction: Scans the full spec set and identifies every submittal requirement with manufacturer and approval details
• Spec-cited logs: Every line item links to the exact spec paragraph, so PMs can verify in seconds
• Addendum handling: When addenda change requirements, Pelles flags the deltas so your log stays current
• Generative workflows: Auto-drafts submittal cover letters formatted to your standards

Best for: MEP trade contractors and high-volume operations teams who need day-one submittal logs without manual spec reading.

See how Pelles works for operation teams →

Category 2: PM Platforms with Submittal Tracking

2. Procore

Procore's submittal module is part of its broader project management platform. It provides workflow-based tracking with configurable approval chains, mobile access, and integration across Procore's quality and field management tools.

Key capabilities:

• Configurable submittal workflows with approval routing and notifications
• Ball-in-court tracking to see who's holding up approvals
• Integration with Procore's document management, RFIs, and field tools
• Mobile access for field teams to review and respond

Best for: Teams already on Procore who want integrated submittal tracking within their PM platform.

3. Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)

Autodesk Construction Cloud includes submittal management as part of its project management module. It connects submittal workflows to the broader document control system and integrates with Autodesk's design tools.

Key capabilities:

• Submittal creation and tracking with configurable workflows
• Connection to Autodesk Docs for document control and version management
• Integration with Autodesk Build for field coordination
• Reporting dashboards for submittal status and overdue items

Best for: Teams using Autodesk design tools who want native integration between design and construction workflows.

4. Oracle Aconex

Oracle Aconex treats submittals as part of its controlled document workflow system. Its Structured Mail feature enforces metadata and routing rules that create an auditable trail for every submittal exchange.

Key capabilities:

• Structured Mail workflows with mandatory fields and routing rules
• Full audit trail for every submittal action
• Multi-party workflows for complex approval chains
• Dashboards to monitor submittal status and bottlenecks

Best for: Large project teams that need governance, auditable trails, and multi-party coordination.

Category 3: Dedicated Submittal and Document Tools

5. Oracle Primavera Submittal Exchange

Oracle Primavera Submittal Exchange is a cloud-based platform focused specifically on the submittal process. It streamlines electronic exchange, review, and archiving of construction submittals and RFIs with tools designed for the back-and-forth between contractors, GCs, and design teams.

Key capabilities:

• Submittal package creation with cover sheets and attachments
• Configurable routing with automated email notifications
• Built-in PDF editor and configurable submittal categories
• Archive management with complete audit trails

Best for: Teams that want a focused submittal tool without the overhead of a full PM platform.

6. Bluebeam Revu/Studio

While primarily a PDF markup and collaboration tool, Bluebeam is widely used in the submittal review process. Studio Sessions enable real-time collaborative review, and Revu's automation features handle batch processing of submittal packages.

Key capabilities:

• PDF markup and annotation tools purpose-built for AEC
• Studio Sessions for real-time multi-party review
• Batch processing for large submittal packages
• Export and integration with PM platforms

Best for: Teams that need powerful PDF review capabilities as part of their submittal workflow.

7. Newforma Project Center

Newforma manages submittals alongside broader project information, connecting the submittal process to RFIs, correspondence, and drawing management in a single hub.

Key capabilities:

• Submittal tracking integrated with RFI and document workflows
• Email integration to capture submittal correspondence
• Connectors for Autodesk, Bluebeam, and Procore
• Audit trails and activity logs

Best for: Teams that want submittal management connected to their broader project information workflow.

How to Choose the Right Tool

Start with Your Biggest Bottleneck

If creating the submittal log takes your team days at project start, prioritize AI-powered extraction tools. If log creation isn't the issue but tracking approvals and resubmittals is, a PM platform with strong workflow features is the better fit.

Consider Your Current Stack

If you're already on Procore or ACC, adding their submittal module is the path of least resistance. If you need deeper automation that sits on top of your existing tools, an AI intelligence layer adds capability without replacing what works.

Evaluate Integration

Submittals don't exist in isolation. They connect to specs, drawings, RFIs, and procurement. The best tool integrates with your document management, email, and PM workflows rather than creating another silo.

Measure Time to Value

The quickest way to evaluate: take your next project's spec set and see how fast each tool produces a usable submittal log. The difference between days of manual work and minutes of AI-generated output speaks for itself.

The Bottom Line

Submittal management software ranges from AI-powered automation that generates logs from specs to PM platforms that track approvals. The right choice depends on where your team loses the most time today.

For trade contractors handling high-volume operations, the combination of AI-powered log creation and PM-platform tracking covers both ends of the workflow: fast startup and reliable tracking through closeout.

Ready to see automated submittal management? Book a demo with Pelles →