The best takeoff software measures quantities from digital drawings, such as areas, lengths and counts, so estimators can build accurate bids without a scale ruler and highlighter. Some tools are classic on-screen takeoff, others use AI to detect and measure elements automatically, and a few are built for one trade. Eleven options follow in no particular order.
Takeoff is the part of estimating nobody brags about. Hours of clicking around a drawing, counting light fittings and tracing walls, all before you can work out a single number for the bid.
Takeoff software speeds that up, and AI is now doing a lot of the clicking. The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. If you're winning more work, my piece on what construction project management involves covers what comes after the bid.
Takeoff software side by side
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source release. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beam AI | Done-for-you takeoff service | Done-for-you takeoffs | Not stated |
| Bluebeam | Drawing review and collaboration | Takeoffs inside drawing review | Trial only |
| Countfire | Electrical and mechanical estimating | Electrical, fire and security trades | Trial only |
| Drawer AI | Electrical takeoff with AI | Counting fixtures and routing conduit | Not stated |
| eTakeoff | Takeoff software | Many trades from concrete to roofing | Trial only |
| Kreo | AI takeoff and estimating | Cloud takeoff with AI detection | Trial only |
| On-Screen Takeoff | Estimating and takeoff | General contractors and subcontractors | Trial only |
| PlanSwift | Takeoff software | Quick takeoffs with plugins | Trial only |
| Square Takeoff | Online takeoff software | Browser takeoff on Windows or Mac | Trial only |
| STACK | Takeoff and estimating platform | Cloud takeoff with a free account | Yes |
| Togal | AI takeoff tool | Automatic detection and measuring | Not stated |
Eleven takeoff tools to consider
Beam AI
Best for: Subcontractors and suppliers who want done-for-you AI takeoffs across trades such as flooring, roofing and structural steel.
Bluebeam
Best for: Architects, engineers and contractors who want takeoffs inside the drawing review and markup tool many construction teams already use.
Countfire
Best for: Electrical, fire alarm, security and mechanical contractors who want takeoff and estimating built for their trades, with a trial to start.
Drawer AI
Best for: Electrical estimators who want AI to count fixtures, route conduits and speed up electrical preconstruction work.
eTakeoff
Best for: Estimators across trades from concrete to roofing who want the award-winning Dimension takeoff tool, with a free trial.
Kreo
Best for: AEC professionals who want cloud-based AI that detects elements on drawings and turns measurements into estimates, with a 7-day trial.
On-Screen Takeoff
Best for: General contractors and subcontractors who want established on-screen takeoff software from On Center, with a free trial.
PlanSwift
Best for: Contractors in trades from concrete to HVAC who want to measure takeoffs in minutes, with plugins and a free trial.
Square Takeoff
Best for: Smaller contractors who want online construction takeoff that runs on Windows and Mac, with a free trial.
STACK
Best for: Contractors who want cloud quantity and material takeoff with AI, integrated estimating and a free account to start.
Togal
Best for: Estimators who want an AI-powered takeoff tool built by estimators that detects, measures and compares directly from drawings.
Which tool suits which estimator
- AI that detects and measures for you: Togal, Kreo or Beam AI.
- Electrical and fire trades: Countfire or Drawer AI.
- Established on-screen takeoff: On-Screen Takeoff, PlanSwift or eTakeoff.
- Takeoffs inside drawing review: Bluebeam.
- Cloud takeoff with a free account: STACK.
- Smaller contractors on Windows or Mac: Square Takeoff.
The UK measurement rules behind a takeoff
RICS publishes the New Rules of Measurement as a suite of three volumes. NRM 1 deals with early estimating and planning for capital building works, NRM 2 covers detailed measurement for building works, and NRM 3 deals with estimating and planning for building maintenance works.
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If your takeoff feeds a UK bill of quantities, it's usually measured to NRM 2. Check that the software lets you set up measurement rules and item descriptions that match, or your quantities won't line up with what the client's surveyor expects.
Manual, assisted or AI takeoff?
Manual on-screen takeoff is still the most common: you trace and click, and the software does the maths. It's precise, but it takes time on big drawing sets.
Assisted takeoff adds automatic counting and area detection that you then check. It speeds up repetitive work such as fixtures and rooms.
Full AI takeoff tries to read the whole drawing and give you quantities to review. It's fast, and it's improving quickly, but someone experienced still needs to check the output before it goes into a bid.
What to check before you commit
- Does it read the drawing formats your clients send?
- Can it count and measure automatically, then let you edit?
- Does it have tools for your trade?
- Can quantities flow straight into your estimate?
- Can several estimators work on one project?
- Does it run in a browser or need installing?
Estimators with practical tips are welcome to read the construction guest post guidelines.
Signs it's time to upgrade your takeoff
- Takeoffs take longer than bids allow. Add automation.
- Quantities are retyped into estimates. Link the two.
- You still print drawings. Move to digital takeoff.
- Only one person can do takeoffs. Use shared projects.
Do you make takeoff or estimating tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on takeoff software
Run the same real drawing through two or three tools on trial and time yourself. The one that gets you to a trustworthy quantity fastest, for your trade, is the one to pick, whatever the feature list says.
Treat AI takeoff as a fast first draft, not the final word, and keep an experienced eye on every bid. My guide to AI tools for writing construction quotes covers the next step.
Frequently asked questions
What is takeoff software?
It's software that measures quantities such as areas, lengths and counts from digital drawings, so estimators can build accurate bids faster than by hand.
What's the difference between takeoff and estimating?
Takeoff measures what's needed. Estimating turns those quantities into a bid with labour, materials and margin. Many tools now do both.
Can AI do construction takeoffs?
Yes. Several tools now detect and measure elements on drawings automatically, though an estimator should still review the results.
What is NRM 2?
It's the RICS New Rules of Measurement volume for detailed measurement for building works, often used for UK bills of quantities.
Is there free takeoff software?
Some tools offer a free account and many offer a free trial. Check the free plan column above and confirm on the vendor's site.
Do I need trade-specific takeoff software?
If you work in one trade, such as electrical or fire alarms, a trade-specific tool can count symbols and items much faster than a general one.
