DrawScale vs On-Screen Takeoff · Facts as of September 2026
On-Screen Takeoff Alternative for Full Takeoff & Estimating
Yes, if you want the takeoff and the priced estimate in one browser-based product, including on a Mac. On-Screen Takeoff is a Windows takeoff application that now includes Takeoff BOOST AI tools and pairs with Quick Bid for estimating; DrawScale's agent, Momo, runs the whole takeoff and builds the estimate, with every number labeled. Teams invested in the OST and Quick Bid workflow on Windows may prefer to stay.
What On-Screen Takeoff (OST) is
On-Screen Takeoff (OST) is takeoff software from ConstructConnect. As of September 2026 it requires Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, integrates with Quick Bid and other estimating tools, and includes the Takeoff BOOST suite of AI tools for automated areas, lengths and counts.
What it does well
- Condition-based desktop takeoff, with Smart Detection that identifies wall types and creates conditions.
- Takeoff BOOST AI tools measure areas, lengths and counts, with results you review and refine.
- Auto Count for objects, annotations and callouts using bitmap scanning, and Auto Name for plan pages.
- Integration with Quick Bid and other estimating tools.
What DrawScale is
DrawScale is the first professional commercial construction tool that handles full quantity takeoffs and produces accurate estimates with all information shown and clearly labeled. Its agent, Momo, reads the plan set, verifies scale, takes off every item and prices the estimate. You review and commit before anything counts.
What you get
- A committed quantity ledger, each quantity linked to its sheet, scale and geometry.
- A priced estimate worksheet with visible formulas and labeled rate assumptions.
- A bid-stage schedule built from installed quantities.
- Excel or CSV export with audit columns, limited to committed quantities.
DrawScale vs On-Screen Takeoff, side by side
On-Screen Takeoff facts come from ConstructConnect’s public pages as of September 2026, listed under the table. Products change; check the vendor’s site for current details.
| Capability | DrawScale | On-Screen Takeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Any modern browser on Mac or Windows; nothing to install | Installed Windows application (Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise) |
| Mac | Yes, in the browser | Not natively; Boot Camp on Intel Macs or virtualization, which support does not cover |
| Automated takeoff | Momo runs the full takeoff: counts, lengths and areas on every relevant sheet | Takeoff BOOST: automated areas, lengths and counts; Auto Count |
| Cost estimate | Priced estimate worksheet with visible formulas and labeled rate assumptions | Through Quick Bid or other estimating tools |
| Review before quantities count | Automated output is a proposal worth $0 until an estimator commits it | Vendor advises reviewing and adjusting Takeoff BOOST results |
| Export | Excel or CSV with audit columns; committed quantities only | Works with Excel and estimating tools |
| Pricing | Quoted per team; request a demo | Quoted by licensing; 14-day free trial |
Sources for On-Screen Takeoff facts
Which one fits your work
When to choose On-Screen Takeoff
- Your estimating department runs on OST and Quick Bid and has years of conditions built up.
- Your estimators work on Windows and your IT team manages local installs.
- You want AI assistance inside a takeoff workflow you already drive yourself.
When to choose DrawScale
- You want takeoff and priced estimate in one product, not two applications.
- You want an agent to run the full takeoff, then review and commit its work.
- Your team uses Macs or wants nothing to install.
- You want each quantity linked to its sheet, scale and geometry, and a coverage report for the set.
How Momo runs the takeoff and estimate
Six steps, the same on every job. Manual count, linear and area tools stay available throughout, and your own edits are never overwritten.
- Step 1
Reads the whole set
Momo, DrawScale's takeoff agent, indexes every sheet and confirms sheet numbers and titles before it measures anything.
- Step 2
Sets and verifies scale
Scale is set and verified on every sheet Momo measures, with the method and evidence recorded. Change a scale and every dependent quantity is flagged for re-check.
- Step 3
Takes off every item
Counts, lengths and areas for every takeoff item on every relevant sheet, each linked to the geometry it came from.
- Step 4
Builds the priced estimate
Quantities flow into an estimate worksheet through visible formulas. Unit rates, waste and production rates are labeled assumptions for you to confirm.
- Step 5
Reports coverage
Momo records what it searched, what it skipped and why, so a missing item never looks like a zero.
- Step 6
You review and commit
Everything Momo produces is a proposal that counts for $0 until you accept it. Only committed quantities reach the estimate total and the Excel or CSV export.
Trying DrawScale if you use On-Screen Takeoff today
- 1Request a demo and send a plan set from your current bid list.
- 2Set up the takeoff items you use; an OST condition corresponds to a DrawScale takeoff item.
- 3Let Momo run the takeoff and build the estimate, then review and commit.
- 4Export committed quantities to Excel or CSV with audit columns.
DrawScale starts from the PDF plan set. Your OST and Quick Bid files stay where they are.
On-Screen Takeoff alternative: frequently asked questions
Not natively. As of September 2026, ConstructConnect lists Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, supports Boot Camp on older Intel Macs, and notes that virtualization such as Parallels is not covered by its support. DrawScale runs in any modern browser on Mac or Windows.
Yes. On-Screen Takeoff includes the Takeoff BOOST suite, which measures areas, lengths and counts automatically for you to review, plus Auto Count. DrawScale's Momo runs the full takeoff and also builds the priced estimate.
OST handles takeoff and connects to Quick Bid and other estimating tools for pricing. DrawScale carries quantities straight into a priced estimate worksheet with visible formulas and labeled rate assumptions.
Yes. DrawScale is built for commercial sets, including sets of several hundred sheets. Momo reports what it searched and skipped on every sheet, so coverage is visible, not assumed.
No. Everything Momo produces is a proposal that counts for $0 until an estimator reviews and commits it. Only committed quantities reach the estimate total and the export.
Yes. Manual count, linear and area tools always work, and the coverage report shows which sheets and items still need attention.
More comparisons
PlanSwift alternative
PlanSwift is Windows desktop takeoff and estimating with AI tools. DrawScale runs the full takeoff and priced estimate in the browser.
Bluebeam alternative
Revu is a PDF markup and document platform with measurement tools. DrawScale runs the full takeoff and builds the priced estimate.
Togal.AI alternative
Togal.AI is browser-based AI takeoff with automatic detection. DrawScale runs the takeoff and builds the priced estimate, every number labeled.
One product for the takeoff and the estimate
Send a plan set you know and review Momo's quantities and pricing line by line.
Request a demo