STACK is the best construction estimating software for most contractors in 2026, and Clear Estimates is the best budget pick for small remodelers. STACK runs in a browser, measures plans quickly, and turns takeoff quantities into estimates, with a free plan to start.
Your trade and project size should drive the choice. Estimators who live in PDFs often already own Bluebeam, which handles markup and measurement well. High-volume commercial estimators should look at Togal.AI’s automated takeoff, and residential builders who want estimates tied to job management fit Buildxact.
Test any tool on a set of plans you have already bid. Compare its quantities to your past numbers before you trust it with live bids, and confirm that your cost data or price book imports cleanly.
Our top pick
STACK
Fast cloud takeoff that flows straight into the estimate, with a free plan to start.
Quick picks
Best overall
Best for PDF markup
Best for automated takeoff
Best for residential builders
Best on a budget
How we ranked these tools
We scored each tool on five criteria: fit for construction estimators, depth of takeoff and estimating features, pricing and value, ease of use, and support. We based the scores on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public user reviews. We did not accept payment for placement. Prices reflect published rates as of October 2026, so confirm the current price with the vendor.
The 5 best construction estimating software tools
1. STACK
Best for cloud takeoff and estimating in one tool
Our rating4.7 / 5
Starting price$299 / user / month (billed annually)
Free planYes
STACK is a cloud takeoff and estimating platform for subcontractors and general contractors. You upload plans, measure areas, lengths, and counts, and feed those quantities into estimates with your own materials and labor. The Free plan allows one active project a month, 300 plan pages, and 50 measurements per project, and new accounts get seven days of Pro features. Paid plans cost $299 per user per month for Premium and $349 for Pro, both billed annually. That jump is steep for an occasional estimator.
Pros
- Free plan for light use
- Runs in a browser with nothing to install
- Takeoff quantities flow into estimates
Cons
- Paid plans are expensive per user
- Free plan caps measurements per project
Key features
- Area, linear, and count takeoff
- Estimating worksheets on Pro
- Plan viewing and markup
- Unlimited projects on paid plans
2. Bluebeam
Best for estimators who work in PDFs
Our rating4.5 / 5
Starting price$260 / user / year
Free planFree trial
Bluebeam is PDF markup and collaboration software that many estimators already use for plan review. Its measurement tools handle area, length, and count takeoffs, and the totals can be exported for use in a spreadsheet or estimating system. Plans are sold per user per year: Basics at $260, Core at $330, Complete at $440, and Max at $590, an introductory price that holds through renewal in 2027. Bluebeam is not a full estimating system with a cost database, so most teams pair it with another tool.
Pros
- Low annual price per user
- Strong PDF markup and measurement
- Common across the industry, so files move easily
Cons
- No built-in cost database
- Pricing and bids need a separate tool
Key features
- Measurement tools
- Markup totals export
- Document comparison
- Shared review sessions
3. Togal.AI
Best for high-volume automated takeoff
Our rating4.4 / 5
Starting price$299 / user / month (billed annually)
Free planNo
Togal.AI uses artificial intelligence to detect and measure rooms, walls, and areas on plans automatically, which cuts the time spent clicking through repetitive takeoffs. It suits commercial estimators and subcontractors who bid many projects each month. The Growth plan costs $299 per user per month billed yearly, and the Business plan for teams of four or more users is custom priced. Automated results still need an estimator’s review, and Togal focuses on takeoff, so pricing and bid assembly usually happen in another tool.
Pros
- Automated takeoff saves time on large plan sets
- Browser-based
- Published price for the Growth plan
Cons
- Expensive for occasional use
- Automated results still need review
- No free trial listed
Key features
- AI room and area detection
- Automatic measurement
- Takeoff export
- Team plans for 4+ users
4. Buildxact
Best for residential builders who want estimating tied to jobs
Our rating4.3 / 5
Starting price$1,596 / year
Free planNo
Buildxact is estimating and job management software for residential builders and remodelers. It combines plan takeoff, estimates, quotes, a cost catalog, scheduling, and invoicing, so an estimate turns into a managed job without retyping. Every plan needs an annual commitment, which you can pay monthly or upfront. The Entry plan is billed annually at $1,596 on Buildxact’s site, with Pro and Teams plans above it and extra charges for additional users. It is built for residential work and fits large commercial bids less well.
Pros
- Takeoff and estimating connected to job management
- Built for residential builders
- Pay annually or in monthly installments
Cons
- Annual commitment required
- Extra users cost more
- Less suited to commercial bidding
Key features
- Digital takeoff
- Estimates and quotes
- Cost catalog
- Scheduling and invoicing
5. Clear Estimates
Best for remodelers on a budget
Our rating4.2 / 5
Starting price$79 / month
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Clear Estimates is estimating software for remodelers and small residential contractors. It includes templates and cost data for common remodeling jobs, so you can build a professional proposal without starting from a blank sheet. Pricing is a flat $79 a month with no per-user fees, after a 30-day free trial with no contract or setup fees. It is built for remodeling estimates rather than detailed takeoff from large plan sets, and the built-in costs need adjusting to your local labor and material prices.
Pros
- Flat price with no per-user fees
- 30-day free trial with no contract
- Remodeling templates speed up estimates
Cons
- Not built for detailed plan takeoff
- Default costs need local adjustment
Key features
- Remodeling templates
- Cost database
- Branded proposals
- Cancel anytime billing
Compare the top construction estimating software
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STACK | Cloud takeoff and estimating in one tool | $299 / user / month (billed annually) | Yes | 4.7 |
| Bluebeam | Estimators who work in PDFs | $260 / user / year | Free trial | 4.5 |
| Togal.AI | High-volume automated takeoff | $299 / user / month (billed annually) | No | 4.4 |
| Buildxact | Residential builders who want estimating tied to jobs | $1,596 / year | No | 4.3 |
| Clear Estimates | Remodelers on a budget | $79 / month | Free trial (30 days) | 4.2 |
How to choose construction estimating software
Decide whether you need takeoff, estimating, or both
Takeoff measures quantities from plans. Estimating applies costs, labor, and markup to those quantities. STACK and Buildxact do both. Bluebeam and Togal.AI focus on takeoff, and Clear Estimates focuses on the estimate. Know which half you are missing before you pay for both.
Match the price model to how often you bid
A full-time estimator can justify $299 per user per month for faster takeoffs. A remodeler who prices a few jobs a week gets more value from a flat $79 a month or Bluebeam’s annual license. Count your bids per month, then work out the cost per bid.
Bring your own cost data
Built-in cost databases are a starting point, not your numbers. Ask each vendor how you load your own labor rates, supplier prices, and assemblies, and how easily you can update them when material prices move.
Check plan file handling
Large plan sets with hundreds of sheets slow some tools down. During a trial, upload your biggest recent set, check scale detection on several sheets, and time how long a full takeoff takes.
Frequently asked questions
What is construction estimating software?
Construction estimating software helps contractors calculate what a project will cost to build. It measures quantities from digital plans, applies material and labor costs, and adds overhead and markup to produce a bid or proposal. Some tools also convert the estimate into a budget and schedule once you win the job.
How much does construction estimating software cost?
Construction estimating software ranges from free to about $350 per user per month. STACK has a free plan, Clear Estimates costs $79 a month, and Bluebeam starts at $260 per user per year. Buildxact’s Entry plan is $1,596 a year, and STACK Premium and Togal.AI Growth cost $299 per user per month billed annually.
What is the difference between takeoff and estimating?
Takeoff is measuring the quantities on a set of plans, such as square feet of drywall or linear feet of pipe. Estimating turns those quantities into a price by adding material costs, labor, equipment, overhead, and profit. Many tools handle both, but some specialize in one step.
Can AI do construction takeoffs?
Yes, for many plan types. Togal.AI detects and measures rooms, walls, and areas automatically, which saves hours on large plan sets. An estimator still needs to review the results, because unusual drawings, unclear scales, and design changes can produce errors that only a person will catch.
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