SafeRedact vs Bluebeam Revu
Bluebeam is built for construction workflows. SafeRedact is purpose-built for AI-powered document redaction. Different tools for different needs.
SafeRedact
Dedicated redaction tool
- →Focus: AI-powered document redaction
- →Pricing: Free tier, then $12–$29/month
- →Platform: Browser-based (any OS)
- →Use case: Business, legal, HR documents
Bluebeam Revu
AEC construction software
- →Focus: Construction markup, takeoffs, collaboration
- →Pricing: $240–$440/year (Basics to Complete)
- →Platform: Windows desktop + web/mobile
- →Use case: Architecture, engineering, construction
Feature Comparison
Bluebeam and SafeRedact serve different primary purposes. Choose based on your industry and workflow.
| Feature | SafeRedact | Bluebeam Revu |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Document redaction | AEC markup & collaboration |
| AI-Powered Detection | ✓ Yes (Claude-powered) | ✗ No |
| Manual Redaction | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Construction Markup | ✗ No | ✓ Industry-leading |
| Takeoffs & Measurement | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Real-time Collaboration (Studio) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (Core & Complete) |
| Free Tier | ✓ 3 docs/month (recurring) | — Trial only |
| Starting Price | $29/mo | $240/year (Basics) |
| Platform | Browser (any OS) | Windows (desktop), web/mobile |
| SOC 2 Certified | ✗ No | ✓ Type 1 |
Where Your Document Goes
The biggest difference? What happens to your sensitive files.
Which Tool Is Right for You?
✓ Consider SafeRedact if you:
- •Redact business, legal, or HR documents
- •Want AI to automatically find sensitive data
- •Don't need construction-specific tools
- •Work outside the AEC industry
- •Need affordable, occasional redaction
✓ Consider Bluebeam if you:
- •Work in architecture, engineering, or construction
- •Need takeoffs and measurement tools
- •Require real-time team collaboration (Studio)
- •Work primarily with blueprints and plans
- •Already use Bluebeam in your workflow
For Construction Professionals
If you're in construction, you likely already use Bluebeam for markup and collaboration on building plans. Its redaction tools work fine for construction documents.
However, construction companies also handle HR documents, employee records, and subcontractor agreements that need redaction. For those non-AEC documents:
- •AI detection catches PII that manual review might miss
- •Browser access means no additional desktop licenses
- •Pay-as-you-go is more cost-effective for occasional use
Many construction firms use Bluebeam for plans and SafeRedact for business documents.
About SafeRedact's Architecture
SafeRedact extracts text from your documents and sends it to our AI for PII classification. The output is a pixel-based PDF with no text layer. SafeRedact is not SOC 2 or HIPAA certified. See our Privacy Whitepaper for technical details.
Privacy and Data Handling
How each tool handles your sensitive documents during the redaction process.
Bluebeam Revu
- •Desktop app processes locally
- •Requires software installation
- •May sync with cloud features
- •IT department may need to approve
SafeRedact
- •100% browser-based processing
- •Files never leave your device
- •Only extracted text sent for AI
- •Zero-trust architecture
Detection Capabilities Compared
The technology behind each tool determines what gets found and what gets missed.
What Bluebeam Revu Detects
Pattern-based detection requires you to define search terms:
- ✓ SSNs in standard format
- ✓ Phone numbers (standard formats)
- ✗ Names (manual entry required)
- ✗ Addresses (manual entry required)
What SafeRedact Detects
AI understands context and meaning:
- ✓ Names in any format
- ✓ Addresses (full or partial)
- ✓ All ID number formats
- ✓ Context-dependent PII
Time and Cost Analysis
Beyond the sticker price, consider the true cost of each solution.
| Factor | Bluebeam Revu | SafeRedact |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $240/year | $4.99 day pass / $99/year |
| Time per document | 10-30 min (manual review) | ~30 seconds (AI-powered) |
| Setup required | Software installation | None (browser-based) |
| Free option | Limited trial | Unlimited (watermark) |
Bottom Line: SafeRedact AI detection can save hours of manual review time. The $4.99 day pass is often more cost-effective than annual subscriptions for occasional use.
Try SafeRedact free
See if AI-powered redaction fits your workflow. No credit card required.