Construction Estimating Apps and CostKit Alternatives

CostKit: a first pass from your scope

Describe your project, location and measurements to draft a phase-by-phase estimate. Review it against site conditions and supplier quotes. Supported plan upload reads written schedules and notes; it does not measure drawings or count symbols.

Free accounts include 2 estimates/month and watermarked PDFs. Monthly plans: Starter $39, Pro $89, Team $179 with 5 seats. Annual billing: $360, $840 and $1,680 respectively. Paid plans add editing, branding and client delivery.

Try an anonymous estimate preview · Understand estimate review

PlanSwift

Drawing takeoff and estimating for contractors working from plans.

PlanSwift lists AI AutoCount, AutoScale and AutoBookmark, with AutoTakeoff in Core. Evaluate it with your own drawings when measured takeoff is central to your work.

• Essential: $2,000/year. One seat; annual subscription.
• Core: $3,000/year. One seat; annual subscription. Includes AutoTakeoff.
• Trial: 14 days. Confirm current trial terms with vendor.

Reviewed 2026-10-04. PlanSwift official pricing

Buildxact

Evaluate Buildxact alongside CostKit against your estimating and construction-management requirements.

Buildxact packages and regional offers can change. We have removed older price figures and unsupported claims that it has no AI. Confirm current estimating, takeoff, management and AI inclusions directly before comparing total cost.

• Current US pricing: Check vendor. Current US prices and AI tier inclusions could not be independently retrieved in this review. Request an itemized quote.

Reviewed 2026-10-04. Buildxact official pricing

STACK

Cloud takeoff, estimating and optional field-management tools.

STACK combines drawing takeoff, item and assembly estimating, and proposal tools. Its site lists AI takeoff. The $49/user/month Build & Operate product is not the Takeoff & Estimate plan.

• Takeoff & Estimate: As low as $299/user/month. Advertised starting rate; confirm billing commitment and required tier.
• Full STACK Platform: As low as $348/user/month. Includes field tools; confirm scope, seats and contract terms.
• Free version: Available for Takeoff & Estimate. Check current usage and feature limits.

Reviewed 2026-10-04. STACK official pricing

Clear Estimates

Estimating with a cost library, templates and AI assistance.

Clear Estimates lists unlimited AI estimates, a cost library, templates and payable invoices in Standard. Pro adds image and plan uploads. Test the workflow against your own scopes and rates.

• Standard: $79/month. Monthly billing. Annual option: $59/month billed annually ($708/year).
• Pro: $119/month. Monthly billing. Annual option: $99/month billed annually ($1,188/year).
• Franchise: $249+/month. Monthly billing; request a quote for your configuration.
• Trial: 30 days. Confirm current terms with vendor.

Reviewed 2026-10-04. Clear Estimates official pricing

Sage Estimating

Estimating, bid analysis and connections to Sage construction accounting.

Sage describes collaborative estimating, bid analysis, Sage Ai insights and an eTakeoff Dimension connection. Its product page also lists links to Sage construction accounting and third-party cost databases.

• Configured solution: Request a quote. No numeric public price verified on the linked product page.

Reviewed 2026-10-04. Sage Estimating official product information

Check the full cost before choosing

Confirm the billing commitment, number of seats, required add-ons, implementation support and taxes. An advertised monthly equivalent may require annual payment. Ask for a demonstration of your required workflow; having an AI feature alone does not establish accuracy or suitability.

Start with a blank construction estimate template or review a synthetic roofing example.