For a controls upgrade pilot in a commercial building, the best free commissioning support tools are usually the ones that help you with:

• trend capture / analysis
• point mapping and documentation
• sequence verification
• punchlist / issues tracking
• temporary logging / calibration checks
• handover documentation

Here’s a practical list of the strongest free options, grouped by use case.

1) Trend and data analysis

Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets

Best for:

• trending review
• sensor comparison
• simple fault detection
• verifying setpoints, schedules, and resets

Why it’s useful:

• Almost everyone can use it
• Good for pivot tables, charts, and basic calculations
• Easy to share with the project team

Tip:

• Build a standard template for:
  • time stamp
  • point name
  • units
  • expected value
  • actual value
  • pass/fail
  • notes

Python with Jupyter Notebook

Best for:

• deeper trend analysis
• automated QA/QC
• plotting large data sets
• checking sequences across many points

Good free stack:

• Python
• Jupyter Notebook
• pandas
• matplotlib
• seaborn

Why it’s useful:

• Great for repeatable commissioning checks
• Can quickly compare trends, detect anomalies, and create visual reports

If you have someone technical on the team, this is one of the most powerful free options.

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2) Logging and field verification

HOBOware / Onset temp logger software

Best for:

• temporary loggers
• temperature, RH, light, current, and other spot checks

Why it’s useful:

• Many commissioning teams use HOBO loggers for verification
• The basic software is often free for data download and review, depending on hardware and version

Other free-ish approach:

• Use low-cost meters with exportable CSV data and review in Excel

Manufacturer tools for meters and sensors

Examples:

• Fluke Connect app
• Testo Smart App
• other OEM mobile apps

Why it’s useful:

• quick field checks
• attach images, notes, and readings
• useful for calibrations and spot validation

Caution:

• Some features require paid subscriptions, but basic data capture is often free

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3) BACnet / controls protocol utilities

If the pilot involves BMS/BAS integration, these are very helpful.

YABE (Yet Another BACnet Explorer)

Best for:

• BACnet object browsing
• reading values
• testing network visibility

Why it’s useful:

• Free and widely used
• Handy for verifying whether points are exposed correctly
• Good for initial controls integration checks

BACnet Explorer alternatives

There are a few free BACnet browser tools available, depending on OS and vendor ecosystem.

Use for:

• confirming point names
• checking present value
• validating object types and units

Wireshark

Best for:

• network troubleshooting
• BACnet/IP packet inspection
• identifying comms issues

Why it’s useful:

• Free and extremely powerful
• Great when points are not updating or a controller is not responding

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4) Punchlist / issues tracking

Trello

Best for:

• commissioning issue tracking
• assigning action items
• status tracking

Why it’s useful:

• Simple visual workflow
• Easy to use in the field
• Free tier is often enough for a pilot

Notion

Best for:

• commissioning logbooks
• issue lists
• test scripts
• meeting notes

Why it’s useful:

• Can combine database + documentation
• Good for a pilot team that wants one shared workspace

Google Forms + Sheets

Best for:

• standardized commissioning checklists
• field issue capture
• quick digital forms

Why it’s useful:

• Very easy to create
• Submissions go straight into a spreadsheet
• Great for repeatable functional tests

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5) Diagramming and documentation

diagrams.net (Draw.io)

Best for:

• control schematics
• sequence flow diagrams
• network diagrams
• point mapping visuals

Why it’s useful:

• Free
• Easy to share
• Good for documenting control logic and system relationships

LibreOffice / Google Docs

Best for:

• commissioning reports
• test procedures
• functional performance test scripts
• submittal markups

Why it’s useful:

• Free alternatives to Office
• Good enough for most pilot documentation needs

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6) Project management and workflow

Asana free tier

Best for:

• task tracking
• issue ownership
• milestone planning

ClickUp free tier

Best for:

• more structured workflows
• checklist-heavy commissioning tasks
• combining tasks and docs

Microsoft Planner

If your organization already has Microsoft 365, this may be available at no additional cost.

Best for:

• assigning commissioning tasks
• tracking completion

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7) Remote collaboration and capture

Microsoft Teams / Google Meet / Zoom free tier

Best for:

• virtual commissioning meetings
• remote witness testing
• issue reviews

OneDrive / Google Drive / Dropbox free tier

Best for:

• storing trend files
• test forms
• photos of installed equipment
• closeout documentation

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Best overall free stack for a pilot

If I had to pick the best practical free toolkit for a commercial building controls upgrade pilot, I’d suggest:

1. Excel or Google Sheets — trend review and commissioning logs
2. YABE — BACnet point verification
3. Wireshark — network troubleshooting
4. diagrams.net — sequence/network diagrams
5. Trello or Notion — issue/punchlist tracking
6. Google Forms — standardized field checks
7. Python/Jupyter — advanced trend analysis if needed

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A simple pilot workflow using free tools

You could run the pilot like this:

1. Document points and sequences

   • Use diagrams.net + Google Docs

2. Create a commissioning checklist

   • Use Google Forms or Sheets

3. Pull trends and device data

   • Export to CSV and analyze in Excel or Python

4. Verify BACnet points

   • Use YABE

5. Troubleshoot comms

   • Use Wireshark

6. Track issues

   • Use Trello or Notion

7. Close out with a report

   • Use Google Docs / LibreOffice with charts from Excel or Python

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My recommendation by project maturity

If you want the easiest setup:

• Google Sheets
• Trello
• diagrams.net
• YABE

If you want the most analytical setup:

• Python/Jupyter
• Excel
• Wireshark
• YABE
• Notion

If you want the most field-friendly setup:

• Google Forms
• Google Sheets
• Trello
• mobile meter apps
• Drive storage

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If you want, I can also give you:

1. a free commissioning tool stack by role (commissioning agent, controls contractor, owner rep), or
2. a sample pilot commissioning workflow and checklist template you can use immediately.