SOPX vs

SOPX vs MaintainX

MaintainX manages the work order. SOPX documents the work itself. Turn a process video or an existing PDF into a structured SOP with a clip on every step, published in under 10 minutes.

Gregor Obreza Last reviewed: July 28, 2026 · Reviewed by Gregor Obreza , Co-founder and CEO

Comparison Summary

SOPX and MaintainX both turn undocumented work into structured steps, but they solve different jobs. MaintainX is a CMMS: work orders, assets, preventive maintenance, parts, plus procedures executed as checklists inside a work order. SOPX is a dedicated SOP platform: film a process on a phone, and AI returns an editable SOP with steps, step descriptions, and a trimmed video clip per step, published in under 10 minutes. Existing PDF procedures are parsed automatically, and one click translates a procedure into 50+ languages. SOPX has no work orders or asset tracking. If maintenance operations are the job, pick MaintainX. If training, onboarding, and capturing what senior operators know are the job, pick SOPX.

Feature Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of SOPX and competitor capabilities.

SOPX vs MaintainX feature comparison table
Feature SOPX MaintainX
Core
Primary purpose Dedicated SOP platform. Create, maintain, and distribute structured work instructions and training content built from video and documents. CMMS for maintenance operations. Work orders, assets, preventive maintenance, and parts inventory, with procedures as a checklist module executed inside a work order.
AI generation from a process video YES. Upload any process video or screen recording and the AI generates structured work instructions with editable steps and a trimmed clip per step, typically in under 10 minutes. The draft is fully editable: rewrite wording, reorder or delete steps, insert custom steps, and retrim or replace the clip on a single step without regenerating the whole SOP. NO. As of July 2026 the AI Procedure Generator accepts a text prompt, documents, images, and voice, but not a recording of the physical job. There is no video-to-procedure conversion documented.
AI generation from documents, photos, and voice PDF and video are the supported AI sources. No voice-memo or photo-only generation today. Strong. The AI Procedure Generator drafts from a prompt, a PDF or manual, photos (PNG, JPG, JPEG, HEIC, HEIF up to 10 MB), or a voice recording. Available from the Essential plan up, with limited use on the free Basic plan.
Building one procedure from several sources at once YES, in Enterprise preview, unlocked per customer on request. Up to 5 videos plus 5 PDFs reviewed together into one coherent SOP. Each PDF is tagged Procedure (steps built from it) or Additional info (background context only). Unlocks videos up to 40 minutes and PDFs up to 500 pages. One generation run works from a prompt and reference file. Merging several recordings and a full machine manual into a single procedure in one pass is not documented.
PDF import to structured SOP YES. Upload an existing PDF procedure and the AI extracts steps, descriptions, images, and image carousels into a structured, editable, translatable SOP. Source files stay downloadable. Partial. The AI generator reads a PDF or document as a reference to draft a procedure, but it does not carry the source images across or build image carousels the way a parsed import does.
Rich media and tables inside a step Each step can carry its own trimmed video clip, image, or image carousel with arrows and callout annotations, plus rich text and tables (added July 2026). Tables carry through translation and PDF or Word export. Procedure fields support text, numbers, checkboxes, multiple choice, inspection checks, meter readings, photos, and signatures, plus file attachments. No per-step video clip rendering the way a video-born SOP displays.
Capturing knowledge from experienced technicians Built for it. The senior technician films the job once on a phone, the AI turns it into a structured SOP, and the knowledge stays with the company after they retire or move on. Mobile capture opens the rear camera directly inside the editor. Partial. A voice memo or photos can seed a procedure, and CoPilot Shared Assets (July 2026) surfaces work summaries and manuals from identical assets at other sites. But the AI cannot watch a video of the physical job, so hands-on technique is described rather than shown.
Execution forms, checklists, and sign-off YES, via Run mode. Attach forms to specific steps so workers confirm each one. 10 field types including text, number, yes/no/na, date, choice, dropdown, multi-select, image, and signature, plus a closing note and signature per run. Run results are stored for review. Deeper for maintenance. Up to 350 fields per procedure, conditional logic that reveals fields based on answers (Premium and up, in beta), assignable fields that block work-order completion until the right person signs off, procedure scoring with automatic corrective actions (Enterprise), and meter-reading fields tied to assets.
Approval before publishing YES on Pro and Enterprise, off by default. Draft, submit for review, then approve and publish or request changes with a reason. A My Reviews queue per approver and an optional four-eyes rule that blocks self-approval. Procedures have draft and published states, and a draft procedure cannot be attached to a work order. A named reviewer queue with request-changes and four-eyes enforcement is not documented on their help site as of July 2026.
Version history and change audit trail Version history on every SOP with custom labels and restore from any earlier version (restore is a paid-plan feature). Procedure history on Pro and Enterprise records created, submitted, approved, changed, published, and restored, each with a name and timestamp. Comparable. A History tab on each procedure shows all updates, and Version History lists previous versions with what was added, edited, or removed. Retention and reporting depth vary by plan tier.
Document IDs for ISO 9001 document control YES on every plan. Assign IDs like SOP-PROD-014 using your own numbering convention. The ID carries across every version and language, with a duplicate warning that never blocks a save. Supports ISO 9001 Clause 7.5. Procedures are identified by name and internal ID. A customer-defined document numbering convention carried across versions and translations is not documented as of July 2026.
Comments and feedback from the floor YES on every plan. Comment on a whole procedure, a single step, or the SOP details block, with threaded replies and resolve. Comment-only access lets frontline staff flag an outdated step without edit rights. Strong at the job level. Every work order has a comment thread and chat, which is genuinely good for coordinating a live job. Threaded comments pinned to a single step of a procedure outside a work order are not documented.
Multi-language procedures One-click AI translation into 50+ languages on paid plans, with a side-by-side review editor and editable output. Viewers switch language on the published SOP. Improved. The platform UI is available in 16 languages, and CoPilot can translate a procedure into a supported language. CoPilot is an Enterprise-tier feature, and MaintainX notes AI translations may contain errors.
Reusing steps across procedures Import steps from another procedure at an exact position, keeping video clips, annotations, and form fields intact (July 2026). Duplicate a whole procedure from any chosen version with steps, images, annotations, form fields, and translations carried over. Procedure templates can be copied and reused, and Global Procedures (Enterprise) let a parent organization publish one procedure across sub-organizations. Pulling individual steps out of one procedure into another is not documented.
Standalone documents vs execution checklists Standalone SOPs that live as documents in workspaces and nested folders, with org-wide search. Consumed for training, onboarding, cross-shift handoff, audits, and reference. Full screen mode shows one step at a time on the floor. Procedures are designed to be completed inside a work order. They are built as execution checklists for a maintenance task rather than browsed as standalone training or reference content.
Offline access and native mobile apps NO. SOPX is web-based and works in a mobile browser, including rear-camera capture of photos and video from the editor and from Run mode image fields. There is no native app and no offline mode. YES, and this is a real advantage. Native iOS and Android apps for deskless technicians, with an offline mode (Premium and up) that caches work orders on the device, lets technicians keep completing tasks with no connectivity, and syncs when the connection returns.
Work orders, assets, preventive maintenance, and parts NO. SOPX is a documentation and training tool with no CMMS layer. YES. This is the core product. Work orders and sub-work orders, asset hierarchy with meter readings and failure codes, time-based and meter-based PM schedules with automatic work order generation, parts catalog with stock levels and consumption, plus root cause analysis reporting.
Machine, sensor, and OT data NO. No MES, ERP, or IoT machine-data integration. YES. OT Data Connectors including Ignition 8.3 and custom MQTT support (July 2026), meter-driven maintenance triggers, and SAP integration paths for ECC, S/4HANA Cloud, and S/4HANA On-Premise.
Usage analytics on the procedure itself Who viewed and ran which procedure and when, most popular procedures, most active team members, public view counts, and a run-results review. Maintenance analytics rather than content analytics: work order completion, wrench time, asset downtime, and cost. Advanced analytics history is 1 month on Basic, 3 months on Essential, unlimited on Premium and up. Report Builder and Report Builder AI are Enterprise with CoPilot.
Usage
Rollout time Self-serve. Sign up, upload a video, publish your first SOP the same day. New organizations open with example SOPs for the industry chosen at onboarding. Self-serve signup available. Full deployment across an asset-heavy operation typically involves asset import, PM schedule setup, procedure build-out, and team onboarding over weeks.
Pricing model Per user per month, publicly listed, no seat minimum. Free trial with 5 AI SOPs and 3 AI translations. Pro is $9 per user per month billed annually or $12 monthly. The Enterprise plan is custom by operation size, with branding, SSO/SCIM, audit log, and API as paid add-ons. Self-serve Stripe checkout, no sales call to start. Free Basic plan, then Essential at $20 per user per month billed annually or $25 monthly, and Premium at $65 annually or $75 monthly, plus custom Enterprise (prices as listed on their pricing page in July 2026). Offline mode and conditional logic start at Premium. CoPilot, SSO, Report Builder, procedure scores, and Global Procedures are Enterprise.
Best-fit primary job Training, onboarding, knowledge retention, and process standardization for 20 to 300 person operations in manufacturing, food production, logistics, and field services. Maintenance operations for asset-heavy companies of any size that need work orders, PM schedules, parts, offline mobile execution, and compliance-grade maintenance reporting.

Pricing model

How each tool prices and packages access.

SOPX

Self-serve Pro plan with a free trial. No credit card and no demo call required to start. Custom enterprise plans available on request.

See SOPX pricing →

MaintainX

As listed on their pricing page in July 2026, MaintainX has a free Basic tier, Essential at $20 per user per month billed annually or $25 monthly, Premium at $65 annually or $75 monthly, and custom Enterprise. Offline mode and conditional logic start at Premium. CoPilot, SSO, and Report Builder are Enterprise.

SOPX is best for:

  • Maintenance and production teams that need to capture the know-how of experienced technicians before they retire or move on. Film the job once, publish a structured SOP with a clip per step, keep the knowledge.
  • Operations, training, and production managers at 20 to 300 person companies whose real problem is SOPs, onboarding, and process standardization, not asset maintenance.
  • Teams that want to convert existing process videos or PDF procedures into structured digital SOPs without re-recording or rewriting anything.
  • Multilingual floors where the same procedure has to exist in several languages, with AI translation into 50+ languages and a side-by-side review editor.
  • Organizations already running a CMMS who need richer, video-based training and reference content that lives outside the work order queue.

MaintainX might be better if:

  • Maintenance, facilities, and fleet operations that need a full CMMS: work orders, asset hierarchy, preventive maintenance schedules, parts inventory, and root cause analysis.
  • Technicians who work in basements, plant rooms, remote sites, or anywhere with no signal. Native iOS and Android apps with offline mode let them keep completing work orders and sync later.
  • Inspection-heavy operations that need conditional logic, assignable fields that block completion until the right person signs off, procedure scoring, and automatic corrective actions.
  • Asset-heavy plants that want maintenance driven by real machine data, using OT connectors such as Ignition and MQTT, meter readings, and SAP integration.

Ready to see SOPX in your workflow?

Free trial. No credit card. No demo required.

Migrating to SOPX

Two self-serve paths. Both run in your browser, no IT involvement needed.

Bring your existing PDFs

Export work instructions as PDF from your current tool, then drop them into SOPX. The AI extracts text, pulls images, translates if needed, and rebuilds them as structured SOPs in minutes.

Bring your existing process videos

Re-use any video you have already recorded. SOPX generates step-by-step SOPs from raw footage automatically. No re-recording, no manual editing.

Need API-based migration or a managed switch (for example, bulk export from a competitor's API)? We handle custom enterprise migrations on request.

Talk to us about migration

Where SOPX fits next to MaintainX

Teams comparing the two usually pick SOPX for process standardization , work instructions , knowledge capture , or training & onboarding . These are workflows where MaintainX's strengths sit in a different lane.

The pattern shows up most in manufacturing and field service , where the work happens off the screen and consistency across shifts and sites matters more than the documentation tool itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions for this comparison.

What is the core difference between SOPX and MaintainX?
Scope and the job each tool is built to do. MaintainX is a CMMS. Its primary job is running maintenance operations: work orders, assets, preventive maintenance, parts inventory. Procedures are a checklist module executed inside a work order. SOPX is a dedicated SOP platform. Its primary job is documenting processes, training new hires, and keeping knowledge inside the company. Upload a process video or an existing PDF and the AI converts it into a structured, editable SOP with a video clip per step, usually in under 10 minutes. If maintenance operations are your real problem, start with MaintainX. If SOPs, training, and knowledge capture are the real problem, you need an SOP platform.
When is MaintainX the better choice than SOPX?
Whenever the work is anchored to equipment rather than to a person learning a task. Pick MaintainX if you need work orders, an asset hierarchy, preventive maintenance schedules, parts inventory, and maintenance reporting. Pick MaintainX if your technicians work where there is no signal, since it has native iOS and Android apps with an offline mode and SOPX is web-based. Pick MaintainX if your procedures need conditional logic, procedure scoring, assignable fields that block completion, or triggers driven by meter and sensor data. Pick SOPX when the problem is training rather than maintenance: a 20 to 300 person manufacturer, food producer, logistics, or field service operation that needs the senior operator's method filmed once, turned into a structured SOP in under 10 minutes, translated for the floor, and kept current with versions and approvals.
Can MaintainX generate procedures from a process video?
Not from video, as of July 2026. MaintainX does have a capable AI Procedure Generator, but its documented inputs are a text prompt, documents such as PDFs and manuals, photos, and voice recordings. To document a hands-on task you describe it, photograph it, or dictate it. SOPX takes the process video itself and generates a structured SOP with a trimmed clip per step, so the technique is shown rather than only written. You review the draft and publish it.
We already use MaintainX for maintenance. Why add SOPX?
Because the jobs are different, and the two sit side by side rather than compete. MaintainX runs your work orders, asset history, and PM schedules, and it does that well. SOPX captures the training and knowledge that lives outside the work order queue: how the senior operator sets up the old line, how the night-shift foreman troubleshoots the packer, the changeover a new hire has to learn in week one. Those are standalone documents, not checklists tied to a specific asset. You can link to a SOPX procedure from a MaintainX work order, while the procedure itself lives in SOPX where it can carry a video clip per step, be translated into 50+ languages, and be versioned with an approval flow and a document ID.
Our best technician retires next year. Can SOPX help capture what he knows?
Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons teams add SOPX alongside a CMMS. Every maintenance crew has the senior tech who just knows how the equipment behaves, what the machine sounds like before it fails, the unwritten sequence for a tricky changeover. That knowledge rarely gets documented because writing it up is hours of work. In SOPX the technician films the job once on a phone, the AI turns it into a structured SOP with a clip per step in under 10 minutes, and an editor cleans it up. The result is versioned, translatable, and permanent.
Does SOPX have execution tracking like MaintainX procedures?
It has execution tracking, but MaintainX goes deeper for maintenance work. SOPX Run mode attaches forms and checklists to specific steps with 10 field types including yes/no/na checks, numbers, dates, choices, image capture, and signature, plus an optional note and signature at the end of each run, and run results are stored for review. MaintainX procedures support up to 350 fields, conditional logic that reveals fields based on answers, assignable fields that block a work order from closing until the right person signs off, procedure scoring that triggers corrective actions, and meter-reading fields tied to assets. If your requirement is inspection-grade forms bound to equipment, MaintainX is stronger. If it is proof that a documented procedure was followed during training or a shift task, Run mode covers it.
What does the Autodesk acquisition mean for MaintainX?
In May 2026 Autodesk announced a definitive agreement to acquire MaintainX in an all-cash deal valued at roughly $3.6 billion, the largest acquisition in Autodesk's history. As of late July 2026 the deal has not closed and is subject to regulatory review, with public filings pointing to a closing window later in 2026. Integration plans have not been detailed publicly. It signals strong backing and a long runway, but it does not change what MaintainX is today: a CMMS for maintenance operations, not a dedicated SOP and training platform.
How does pricing compare between SOPX and MaintainX?
SOPX is per user per month with no seat minimum: a free trial including 5 AI-generated SOPs and 3 AI translations, then Pro at $9 per user per month billed annually or $12 monthly, then a custom Enterprise plan priced by operation size with branding, SSO/SCIM, audit log, and API as paid add-ons. Checkout is self-serve through Stripe with no sales call. MaintainX lists a free Basic plan, Essential at $20 per user per month billed annually or $25 monthly, Premium at $65 annually or $75 monthly, and custom Enterprise (prices as shown on their pricing page in July 2026). Offline mode and conditional logic start at Premium, and CoPilot, SSO, and Report Builder are Enterprise. The real question is whether you need a CMMS at all or only the documentation and training piece. If you work at MaintainX and anything here is wrong, email [email protected] and we'll correct it.

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