Takeoff Software reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 231 Reddit reviews across 11 subreddits and 55 posts to rank the best Takeoff Software brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/estimators, r/Construction, r/civilengineering, r/quantitysurveying, r/GeneralContractor. Top-rated brands include Buildxact (4.6/5), Bluebeam (4.2/5), PlanSwift (3.8/5).
Stats
Reviews231
Subreddits11
Posts55
Brands73
Products20
231 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Buildxact
4.6
(45)
"The takeoff tool is great. saves us tons of time."
"I'm a big fan of buildxact."
"Buildxact has the best takeoff tool in my opinion"
"It spits out material quantities based on the sq footage."
"I use buildxact and really like the takeoff tool."
"I use buildxact and really like it. i did the demo first and the guys were super helpful."
"Works all good for me."
"We use buildxact and the takeoff tool is great. it spits out material quantities based on the measurements you load into the system."
"I use buildxact for my takeoffs and estimates. i really like the takeoff tool."
"Works really well for me."
#2
Bluebeam
4.2
(33)
"Bluebeam Rev ! Simple and affordable. I have been using this for the last 6 years."
"I’d definitely take a look at Bluebeam like others have mentioned. You can get a free trial for 30 days and it’s also THE BEST pdf editor I have used."
"Bluebeam, the best one I've used. 400$ yearly, you can do measurements, counts, editing, and so much more."
"Give Bluebeam a try. its super cheap and their customer support is top notch."
"Can't recommend Bluebeam enough."
"I'll put in another vote for Bluebeam."
"Bluebeam Revu standard. Extreme edition if using dwg files."
"We use Bluebeam for "takeoffs" i.e. counting quantities and HeavyBid for actually working up the estimate $."
"On the cheap, bluebeam is great. $250 USD/year and it can run linear, area, and count takeoffs."
"Bluebeam will more than be enough, price is cheap and the learning curve is pretty easy."
#3
PlanSwift
3.8
(28)
"PlanSwift can save you tons of time if you take the time to set it up right."
"I can do takeoffs so much faster with one of them."
"I use plan swift."
"IMHO, Planswift is one of the better apps out there for takeoffs."
"I use Planswift, but I custom built assemblies. It wouldn’t be a great out of the box option, but it’s great if you spend a bit of time to set up the assemblies and database."
"Planswift for takeoffs, it's very simple and probably all you need."
"Planswift is a lifetime subscription."
"I use Planswift, for lighting (similar to electrical takeoff though not as in depth). Love the ease of use! Great support and technical assistance."
"I'm leaning towards Planswift or Onscreen."
"Planswift."
#4
Buildern
4.2
(12)
"I'd recommend checking out Buildern specifically for foundation work."
"I'd recommend checking out Buildern specifically for foundation work."
"Buildern is going to crash all the existing ones. Simple, practical, with tons of cool features."
"We do our takeoffs with Buildern, its our PM software."
"There are other better options, try Buildern for example."
"We pay for it, but its worth it."
"Takeoff feature is good. Is reliable and accurate."
"It's good."
"Try Buildern."
"We use Buildern, it's probably a overkill for you as it has allot of project managment capabilities and allot more than just take offs or estimating."
#5
On Center
4.3
(10)
"This is what I use."
"On screen take off hands down. No one else comes close."
"On Center now offers a web based takeoff platform called Oasis."
"We are an interiors contractor and currently use Onscreen with Quick Bid."
"I prefer On Screen Takeoff over Plan Swift and Blue Beam."
"I have used OnScreen takeoff and currently using Stack."
"OST is my fav too, second planswift, almost all trades can cover in ost and for framing takeoffs used specifically planswift for joist tool options."
"1. On-Screen Takeoff 2. Planswift 3. Bluebeam Revu"
"Am estimator. I think OST is better but there are some who prefer Bluebeam."
"On Screen Takeoff is the best on the market. Some people prefer Bluebeam due to its flexibility with PDF files but I think OST's output and simplicity is better overall."
#6
Stack
3.9
(7)
"I use stack."
"Love being on a Cloud based system."
"I like Stack for stuff like this."
"Run a Mac and use stack for takeoffs, google sheets for the maths."
"I currently use Stack and Esticom."
"I like Stack for stuff like this."
"We used to use Stack for our takeoffs."
#7
BuzzBid
4.3
(4)
"I would highly recommend you look at BuzzBid... similar to OST/QuickBid but updated."
"We recently switched to BuzzBid. Pretty solid."
"For Lightgauge Framing & Drywall or other similar trades, I would suggest you look at BuzzBid."
"Look at BuzzBid....it looks great, similar to OST/QUICKBID but updated a lot."
#8
Estimating Edge
4.3
(4)
"We use “Estimating Edge” and it’s amazing. I can’t speak to the cost but the functionality and tool set is second to none."
"Estimating edge is fantastic and edge on site is a very great field complement to it."
"It’s expensive but been using it 5+ years now."
"Overall I'm much faster with it over planswift."
#9
OST
3.8
(4)
"Moat drywall contractors looking at commercial and multi family residential work use OST and QB where I'm at."
"Got demos set up with ost and edge."
"Just took an estimating course and the teacher swears by OST."
"It’s a dated, rigid program but it’s reliable."
#10
Measure Square
4.7
(3)
"I lean more towards measure square because it's more polished."
"I switched to Measure Square from Callidus a few years ago and would definitely recommend it."
"We just used it for takeoffs and then built the proposals on another system."
#11
ZZ Takeoff
4.3
(3)
"I left my outdated software, Planswift, for a web based one called zzTakeoff."
"Give ZZ Takeoff a try. Has There are lots of updates coming out."
"I would recommend looking into zzTakeoff. The guy who developed Planswift created this one."
#12
Togal.ai
4.3
(3)
"It will measure all the walls and auto classify them."
"[Togal.ai](https://www.togal.ai/industries/drywall) can be set up to do drywall."
"We spoke with Togal.ai a few months ago and it’s able to measure the floor plans in seconds."
#13
Esticom
4.0
(3)
"I have been really liking it."
"Esticom is cloud based and only $75/m."
"Esticom offers cloud-based takeoff and estimating, and is currently offering a free beta period."
#14
Buildertrend
4.0
(3)
"If you also use Buildertrend to extent you can manage your takeoff per job and also send subcontractors the plans and the quantities."
"Buildertrend what we use for a management software and they provide square takeoff which is a pretty good take off software."
"I use software and my estimates are way more accurate now."
#15
Ensign
5.0
(2)
"Take a look! It’s brilliant. Saved me hours of time over the 6 months I’ve had it."
"I use Ensign software! Best one I’ve come across!!"
#16
FocusedQ
4.5
(2)
"Switching to software can save you a lot of time."
"If you're looking for estimating solutions, FocusedQ could be a powerful choice."
#17
The Edge
4.5
(2)
"Best option as of right now."
"The roofing division used "The Edge" and loved it. The edge salesman came to our office training."
#18
On-Screen Takeoff
4.5
(2)
"On-Screen Takeoff"
"On-Screen Takeoff/Quick Bid and PlanSwift work fine in Parallels."
#19
Quotesoft
4.0
(2)
"Quotesoft"
"QuoteSoft Duct for us. And we own the license so we're not stuck on the subscriptions."
#20
PlanHub
4.0
(2)
"I always got my results from Planhub 2.0. It is efficient and manageable in keeping up with the takeoff."
"PlanHub has a new Take-Off Core that you can purchase as part of its package."
#21
Accubid
4.0
(2)
"Im in electrical and we use accubid anywhere with livecount."
"Accubid pro"
#22
Trimble
4.0
(2)
"I use Trimble Autobid. I’ve used FastPipe in the past, which is equally good, but more expensive."
"We use and like Trimble MEP."
#23
Buildee
4.0
(2)
"Buildee is the way to go"
"Buildee works on mac since it's cloud-based."
#24
Togal
2.5
(2)
"Here’s a link to a recent webinar of theirs [Togal.ai flooring webinar]"
"Seems like a really user friendly and quick program but it’s $3600 for the first year which seems ridiculously overpriced"
#25
Onscreen Takeoff
5.0
(1)
"Onscreen takeoff, just use the trial version and it'll do everything you need"
#26
FieldEdge
5.0
(1)
"We switched to FieldEdge a few years ago and never looked back!"
#27
Vertigraph
5.0
(1)
"Simple, easy and affordable."
#28
Attentive AI
5.0
(1)
"Get your takeoffs with color-coded sitemaps."
#29
Foxit PDF
5.0
(1)
"It’s literally free forever and has measuring tools."
#30
Ediphi
5.0
(1)
"Ediphi has an amazing report writer, you, me or the Ediphi support crew could link up your standard company excel proposal in about 1hr and boom you have a refreshable report in excel from any project out of Ediphi in a click."
#31
Bid2Win
5.0
(1)
"Bid2Win is an amazing bid system. It may be more designed for contractors that get subquotes, but most trades need to spread material and subquotes."
#32
JobTread
5.0
(1)
"We use JobTread. It's been amazing and they are constantly adding new features."
#33
HomeArize Flooring TakeOff Software
5.0
(1)
"HomeArize stands out because it's designed with flooring contractors in mind."
#34
Estimator360
4.0
(1)
"This program works pretty good."
#35
HomeArize
4.0
(1)
"If you're looking for a takeoff software specifically tailored for flooring, you might want to check out HomeArize."
#36
Edge
4.0
(1)
"Got demos set up with ost and edge."
#37
Winbid RTO
4.0
(1)
"I have been using Winbid RTO and it is serving us well."
#38
Xactimate
4.0
(1)
"Xactimate, when used as intended."
#39
Callidus
4.0
(1)
"I used callidus when i was doing flooring estimation - it did all that stuff in it and printed reports as well."
#40
FastEst
4.0
(1)
"I personally use FastEst for plumbing. Works for me it’s simple and straight forward."
#41
Measure
4.0
(1)
"We all switched from Callidus a few years ago... Callidus is fine and all but it's kinda bare bones looking and not that user friendly."
#42
RSMeans
4.0
(1)
"RSmeans."
#43
Builders Helper App
4.0
(1)
"Builders Helper App for IOS is pretty slick. It has a flooring bit."
#44
CostMiner
4.0
(1)
"CostMiner runs on a Mac."
#45
Builder Trend
4.0
(1)
"Hey the ones I know of that work with mac are houzz, pro core, builder trend, and buildxact... I find the one I use works really well on my mac."
#46
Accubid Classic Pro
4.0
(1)
"It's not.cheap but accubid classic pro is quite good."
#47
Buzz Bid
4.0
(1)
"Similar to OnScreen Takeoff & QuickBid...but updated and the price is reasonable."
#48
Active Takeoff
4.0
(1)
"Suits us well"
#49
Tradesman
4.0
(1)
"Has a detailed masonry takeoff program."
#50
Procore (Esticom)
4.0
(1)
"I like it better than planswift."
#51
Quantify by PataBid
4.0
(1)
"Any cloud based platform should work."
#52
Foxit Reader
4.0
(1)
"You can subsequently upgrade to better software like Bluebeam."
#53
D-Tools System Integrator
4.0
(1)
"It is very customizable and powerful."
#54
Trimble Business Center
4.0
(1)
"Pretty slick software."
#55
Mudshark
4.0
(1)
"It might be perfect for you guys."
#56
HeavyBid
4.0
(1)
"100%."
#57
RFMS Measure
4.0
(1)
"I can also vouch for RFMS Measure."
#58
Oncenters
4.0
(1)
"Oncenters package. OST and quick bid. For small jobs sometimes just excel sheets."
#59
Autodesk
4.0
(1)
"Autodesk takeoff is pretty good."
#60
PDF Blueprint
4.0
(1)
"I would recommend “pdf blueprint”, which supports both windows and Mac. The basic functions are even free."
#61
Groundplan
4.0
(1)
"I use a site called Groundplan. Works well for me as a subscriber. £59 per month."
#62
Contractor Foreman
4.0
(1)
"I've been using contractorforeman for some months now. It certainly increased my efficiency."
#63
Roctek
4.0
(1)
"If your looking for something more affordable you can try Roctek"
#64
Insite
4.0
(1)
"I use insite, no major complaints and their customer service is top notch."
#65
CostX
4.0
(1)
"CostX!"
#66
Autodesk Design Review
4.0
(1)
"It's free...I've been using it for 5 years."
#67
Ingersoll Consulting
4.0
(1)
"I've been using it since 2005."
#68
QuickMeasure OS
4.0
(1)
"One time payment for QuickmeasureOS, which integrates with Excel, = $1000"
#69
Calidus
3.0
(1)
"Kinda miss calidus."
#70
Quickeye
3.0
(1)
"Quickeye. Was the only thing I found, but just didn’t fill all our needs."
#71
On Screen Takeoff
3.0
(1)
"OST/QB has dominated div.9 for the past decade plus. However it is way overpriced."
#72
AGTEK
3.0
(1)
"AGTEK"
#73
Congenius
3.0
(1)
"The startup I work at just launched and focuses on easy-to-use Takeoff and Estimating Software. We've got a free trial and every bit of feedback helps!"
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