DrawScale vs STACK · Facts as of September 2026
STACK Alternative for Full Takeoff & Estimating
Yes, if you want an agent to run the whole takeoff and hand you a priced, labeled estimate to review. STACK is a cloud takeoff and estimating platform with AI takeoff, symbol search and worksheet-style estimating; DrawScale's agent, Momo, does the full takeoff and builds the estimate, then holds everything as a proposal until you commit it. If you want broad measurement types and a free entry plan, STACK is a strong option.
What STACK Takeoff & Estimate is
STACK is cloud-based takeoff and estimating software. As of September 2026 its plans include AI Takeoffs, symbol search and recognition and automatic plan naming, and its paid plans list worksheet-style estimating, item and assembly libraries, STACK for Excel and proposal generation.
What it does well
- Cloud-based, with dedicated tools for area, linear, arc, pitched, count and volume takeoff.
- AI Takeoffs, symbol search and recognition, and automatic plan naming and hyperlinking.
- Worksheet-style estimating with item and assembly libraries, STACK for Excel and proposals.
- A limited free plan, and an aerial image takeoff add-on.
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 STACK, side by side
STACK facts come from STACK Construction Technologies’s public pages as of September 2026, listed under the table. Products change; check the vendor’s site for current details.
| Capability | DrawScale | STACK |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Any modern browser on Mac or Windows; nothing to install | Browser-based cloud application |
| Mac | Yes, in the browser | Yes, in the browser |
| Automated takeoff | Momo runs the full takeoff: counts, lengths and areas on every relevant sheet | AI Takeoffs; symbol search and recognition |
| Cost estimate | Priced estimate worksheet with visible formulas and labeled rate assumptions | Worksheet-style estimating with item and assembly libraries (paid plans) |
| Export | Excel or CSV with audit columns; committed quantities only | STACK for Excel integration |
| Pricing | Quoted per team; request a demo | Limited free plan; paid plans from $249 per user per month, billed annually |
Sources for STACK facts
Which one fits your work
When to choose STACK
- You want a wide set of measurement types, including pitched, arc and volume.
- You want a free entry plan or a published per-user price.
- You prefer to drive the takeoff yourself with AI assistance and build your own worksheet.
When to choose DrawScale
- You want an agent to run the full takeoff across every relevant sheet.
- You want scale verified with recorded evidence on every measured sheet.
- You want every quantity and price labeled with its sheet, formula and rate assumption.
- You want automated work held at $0 until you review and commit it.
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 STACK today
- 1Request a demo and send a plan set from your current bid list.
- 2Set up the takeoff items and assemblies you use.
- 3Let Momo run the takeoff and build the estimate, then review and commit.
- 4Export committed quantities to Excel or CSV with audit columns.
Both products work from PDF plan sets in the browser, so you can compare them on the same job.
STACK alternative: frequently asked questions
DrawScale's agent runs the full takeoff and builds the estimate for you to review, instead of giving you tools to drive. Both are cloud-based and both support estimating. DrawScale labels every number with its sheet, scale and formula and keeps automated work at $0 until you commit it.
Yes. As of September 2026, STACK's plans list AI Takeoffs, symbol search and recognition, and automatic plan naming and hyperlinking.
Yes. STACK's paid plans list worksheet-style estimating, item and assembly libraries, STACK for Excel and proposal generation as of September 2026.
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.
DrawScale is quoted per team, so request a demo for a price. STACK lists a limited free plan and paid plans from $249 per user per month, billed annually, as of September 2026.
More comparisons
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.
PlanSwift alternative
PlanSwift is Windows desktop takeoff and estimating with AI tools. DrawScale runs the full takeoff and priced estimate in the browser.
Bobyard alternative
Bobyard is AI takeoff and estimating for the trades, rooted in landscaping. DrawScale runs the full commercial takeoff and labeled estimate.
Let Momo run the takeoff you would have driven
Send a plan set you know and review the quantities and estimate line by line.
Request a demo