Originally published on the Ezelogs blog on 10/10/2024. Updated and fact-checked in November 2026; vendor details were checked against vendor pages on 11/10/2026.
Accurate cost estimation is a cornerstone of construction project management. Whether it is a small residential project or a large commercial development, reliable estimating software helps reduce errors and keep projects within budget.
Estimating software helps contractors measure quantities from drawings, price them against cost data and turn the result into a bid. The six tools below differ mainly in how takeoff works, where cost data comes from, and how well the finished estimate carries into project cost tracking.
How to choose estimating software
- Takeoff method. Do you measure on PDFs and drawings inside the tool, or import quantities from a separate takeoff program? Check scale calibration, counts and plan-revision overlays.
- Cost data and assemblies. Does it come with a cost database, or will you load your own prices? Can you build reusable assemblies (material and labor) for your trade?
- Bid tools. Look for subcontractor bid comparison, alternates and proposal output if you bid competitively.
- Hand-off after award. Check how the estimate becomes the project budget and job-cost codes — by integration, export or the same platform.
- Desktop or cloud. Cloud tools let several estimators work at once; some desktop products are being retired (see ProEst below).
1. Autodesk ProEst
ProEst is Autodesk's cloud estimating product. It combines cost estimating, 2D takeoff and bid-day analysis, and Autodesk sells it as part of its Forma for Preconstruction bundle.
- Cost estimating and 2D takeoff in one cloud tool.
- Bid-day analysis for comparing and finalizing bids.
- Note for current users: Autodesk is retiring ProEst Desktop on 12/31/2026 (or at the end of your subscription, if sooner). The supported path is ProEst Cloud; Autodesk also sells a separate cloud product, Forma Estimate.
Best for: commercial contractors that want deep, configurable estimating inside the Autodesk ecosystem.
2. PlanSwift
PlanSwift, part of ConstructConnect since 2018, is known for straightforward digital takeoff with estimating built in.
- Click-to-measure takeoff for areas, lengths, volumes and counts on PDFs, DWGs and scanned plans.
- Assemblies with material and labor costing, plus trade-specific plugins (sold separately).
- Excel export and integration with selected estimating software; overlay comparison between plan versions.
- AI takeoff tools (Takeoff BOOST: Auto Takeoff, Auto Count, Auto Scale, Auto Bookmark), added in 2026.
Best for: trade contractors and subcontractors who want fast takeoff with simple pricing.
3. STACK
STACK (STACK Construction Technologies) is a cloud platform with takeoff and estimating together; since 2021 it has also added field and bid-lead tools.
- Cloud takeoff for area, linear, arc, pitched, count and volume, with plan overlay to compare revisions.
- Worksheet-style estimating with items and assemblies, a regional cost library and proposal generation (in its Pro plan).
- Plan and spec management with automatic page naming, hyperlinking and plan search.
Best for: contractors and suppliers who want takeoff, estimate and proposal in one cloud tool.
4. Sage Estimating
Sage Estimating is a long-established estimating program, especially strong for companies already using Sage accounting.
- Trade-specific cost databases — use a prepopulated database or load your own costs; advanced assembly databases.
- Multiple takeoff methods, including electronic plan takeoff.
- Bid analysis tools for leveling subcontractor bids, with several estimators working on one estimate at once.
- Job-cost integration: an accepted estimate can be transferred to Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate Job Cost without re-entry.
Best for: mid-size and large contractors that run Sage for accounting and job cost.
5. Bluebeam Revu
Bluebeam Revu (Bluebeam, a Nemetschek Group company) is best known for PDF markup and document collaboration, and it is widely used for takeoff.
- Measurement tools for length, polylength, perimeter, area, volume, count and more, with scale calibration.
- Custom columns to attach material and price data to markups, and Quantity Link to sync quantities with Excel.
- Studio Sessions let several people mark up the same drawings at the same time.
Best for: teams that already work on PDFs and want takeoff without a separate estimating database.
6. Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a construction management platform for residential builders and remodelers, with estimating built in.
- Estimates from templates or from scratch, connected to the rest of the job.
- Client portal for updates and approvals.
- Accounting integrations including QuickBooks, Xero and Sage Intacct.
- CoConstruct: Buildertrend acquired CoConstruct in 2021, and CoConstruct is now part of the Buildertrend platform rather than a separate product.
Best for: home builders and remodelers who want estimating, scheduling and client communication in one system.
Estimating in Ezelogs
Ezelogs also has estimating and job costing modules. Which features are available depends on how your account is set up. If you are comparing estimating tools, ask for a demo and judge the Ezelogs estimating and job costing workflow against the checklist above.
Related reading
Top construction estimator programs for accuracy · Top estimating tools for accuracy and efficiency · How estimator software is revolutionizing construction bidding
Sources
Autodesk ProEst product overview and ProEst Desktop end-of-life FAQ; PlanSwift and ConstructConnect product pages; ConstructConnect press release (04/09/2018); STACK takeoff-and-estimating and pricing pages; Sage Estimating product page and Sage 300 Job Cost integration guide; Bluebeam takeoffs-and-estimation workflow page; Buildertrend comparison and marketplace pages. Product capabilities change; confirm current features with each vendor.