A dedicated estimator needs different tools from a contractor who has one bid to get out between site visits. Start with the plan, the people doing the takeoff, and the price basis you need to defend.
Choose the tool around the work you do most. On-Screen Takeoff gives an estimator direct measurement tools, plan overlays, optional AI Takeoff Boost, and a path into Quick Bid. Portravo starts with an AI draft from a plan PDF, requires you to confirm each quantity, then prices confirmed lines with a dated reference basis.
Compare workflowsSTACK is built for plan management, direct digital takeoff, estimate worksheets, and team collaboration in a cloud workspace. Portravo is a narrower route from a plan PDF to one reviewed, priced estimate, with a required human check before each line is priced.
Compare workflowsEach page says when to stay with the tool you have, then lays out the other options by the kind of bid they fit. Sources checked October 6, 2026.
If an estimating team works plans together every day, STACK is probably still the right tool. It combines cloud measurement, an AI first pass, and an estimate worksheet built on your own items and assemblies.
See alternativesBluebeam Revu is first a PDF markup and measurement tool, and a good one. If your team already reviews drawings in Revu and prices quantities in Excel, keep it. The Complete plan links measurements to Excel.
See alternativesOn-Screen Takeoff is mature installed takeoff software for a trained estimator. It measures lengths, areas and counts, overlays revisions, offers an AI first pass with Takeoff Boost, and connects to Quick Bid. If that is your workflow on a Windows PC, stay.
See alternativesUse one representative plan set and one real supplier quote. Compare how you correct quantities, trace the price basis, handle plan revisions, and export the estimate. Keep unsupported trades and the time spent building your library in the decision.
Portravo gives you a sample project at signup. Enter your U.S. ZIP code to set your metro. Estimates use available local material prices and labeled benchmark fallbacks for unmatched items, with the source and date on each line. Confirm procurement pricing before a bid leaves your desk.
Download a blank workbook for line items, quantities, waste, unit costs, price source and date, exclusions, and the bid total. It contains no market prices. Use it alongside any takeoff tool.
Download estimate template (.xlsx)Portravo publishes these pages and is one of the options in each. The head-to-head comparisons were checked September 24, 2026 and the alternatives pages October 6, 2026. All are based on public product documentation and Portravo’s published workflow, not a measured head-to-head test. Confirm current licensing and feature availability with each vendor.