DrawScale vs PlanSwift · Facts as of September 2026
PlanSwift Alternative for Full Takeoff & Estimating
Yes, if you want the takeoff and estimate done for you in the browser, including on a Mac. PlanSwift is an established Windows desktop takeoff and estimating tool whose plans now include AI tools; DrawScale's agent, Momo, runs the whole takeoff, prices the estimate and labels every number with its sheet, scale and formula. If your team is built around PlanSwift on Windows, it remains a capable choice.
What PlanSwift is
PlanSwift is takeoff and estimating software from ConstructConnect. As of September 2026 it installs on Windows, and ConstructConnect says it cannot be installed directly on a Mac. It is sold as annual per-seat subscriptions (Essential and Core) that include AI tools such as Auto Count, Auto Scale and, on Core, Auto Takeoff.
What it does well
- Takeoff and estimating combined in one desktop application.
- AI tools on every plan: Auto Count, Auto Scale and Auto Bookmark.
- Auto Takeoff on the Core plan builds a first-pass takeoff for areas, lengths and counts.
- Annual subscription includes updates, priority support and specialist training.
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 PlanSwift, side by side
PlanSwift 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 | PlanSwift |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Any modern browser on Mac or Windows; nothing to install | Installed Windows application |
| Mac | Yes, in the browser | Not directly; Boot Camp or a Windows virtual machine such as Parallels |
| Automated takeoff | Momo runs the full takeoff: counts, lengths and areas on every relevant sheet | Auto Count, Auto Scale, Auto Bookmark; Auto Takeoff first pass on Core |
| Scale | Set and verified on every measured sheet, with evidence recorded | Auto Scale AI tool on every plan |
| Cost estimate | Priced estimate worksheet with visible formulas and labeled rate assumptions | Takeoff and estimating combined |
| Pricing | Quoted per team; request a demo | Annual per seat: Essential $2,000, Core $3,000 (list) |
Sources for PlanSwift facts
Which one fits your work
When to choose PlanSwift
- Your estimators work on Windows and your templates and assemblies already live in PlanSwift.
- You want a desktop application with a published per-seat price.
- You want to drive the takeoff yourself, with AI tools to speed up counting and scale.
When to choose DrawScale
- You want the full takeoff done by an agent, then reviewed and committed by you.
- Your team uses Macs, or you do not want to manage Windows installs and virtual machines.
- You want every quantity and price labeled with its sheet, scale, formula and rate assumption.
- You want a coverage report that shows what was searched and what was skipped.
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 PlanSwift today
- 1Request a demo and send a plan set from your current bid list.
- 2Set up the takeoff items you normally use; each carries its own formulas.
- 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 PlanSwift project files stay in PlanSwift.
PlanSwift alternative: frequently asked questions
Not directly. As of September 2026, ConstructConnect says PlanSwift cannot be installed on a Mac and must run through Boot Camp or a Windows virtual machine such as Parallels. DrawScale runs in any modern browser on Mac or Windows.
Yes. As of September 2026, PlanSwift's plans list Auto Count, Auto Scale and Auto Bookmark, and the Core plan adds Auto Takeoff for a first-pass takeoff of areas, lengths and counts. DrawScale's Momo runs the full takeoff and also builds the priced estimate.
DrawScale hands you a finished, reviewable takeoff and estimate instead of a toolset you drive. Momo verifies scale on every measured sheet, takes off every item, prices the estimate with labeled rates and reports coverage. Nothing counts until you commit it.
Not as files; you recreate the takeoff items you use. DrawScale works from the PDF plan set, and each takeoff item carries its own formulas, so one measurement can drive several estimate outputs.
Yes. Manual count, linear and area tools always work, even when automation is unavailable, and your own geometry is never overwritten by a later run.
PlanSwift lists Essential at $2,000 and Core at $3,000 per seat per year as of September 2026. DrawScale is quoted per team, so request a demo for a price.
More comparisons
On-Screen Takeoff alternative
OST is Windows takeoff with Takeoff BOOST AI that pairs with Quick Bid. DrawScale does takeoff and priced estimate in one browser product.
Bluebeam alternative
Revu is a PDF markup and document platform with measurement tools. DrawScale runs the full takeoff and builds the priced estimate.
STACK alternative
STACK is cloud takeoff with AI takeoffs and worksheet estimating. DrawScale's agent runs the takeoff and builds the labeled estimate.
See the full takeoff, not just the tools
Send a plan set you know and check Momo's quantities and estimate against it.
Request a demo