A standalone Autodesk Takeoff alternative
In short
Autodesk Takeoff is part of Autodesk Construction Cloud, so it makes sense only if you're already in the Autodesk ecosystem. Solid Takeoff is a standalone, browser-based alternative for 2D PDF takeoff — no ACC, no platform commitment, free to start.
If you're not on Autodesk Construction Cloud, adopting Autodesk Takeoff means buying into the whole platform to do your quantities. That's a lot of overhead for 2D take-off.
Solid Takeoff is standalone: open a PDF, set scale, measure, export. No ecosystem, no BIM requirement, and a free plan to start.
| Solid Takeoff | Autodesk Takeoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone | Yes — no suite required | No — needs Autodesk Construction Cloud |
| Free plan | Yes | No — ACC subscription (trial) |
| Pricing | Free, or Pro ~$29/user/mo | Per-user ACC subscription |
| 2D / 3D | 2D PDFs and images | 2D + 3D/BIM |
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Cloud (browser) |
| Setup | Minutes | ACC onboarding |
No platform lock-in
Autodesk Takeoff is worth it when you're already invested in ACC and Autodesk models. Outside that, Solid Takeoff gives you 2D take-off without buying a platform — and without a per-user subscription to begin.
Everyday 2D takeoff
Scale, linear/area/count, conditions with waste, markup and export — the parts most estimators use daily — in any browser, free to start.
The verdict
If you're committed to Autodesk Construction Cloud and need BIM takeoff, Autodesk Takeoff fits. If you want standalone 2D takeoff — free to start, no platform — Solid Takeoff is the straightforward alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Autodesk Construction Cloud for Solid Takeoff?
No — Solid Takeoff is fully standalone. Autodesk Takeoff requires an ACC subscription.
Is Solid Takeoff a good Autodesk Takeoff alternative?
For standalone 2D PDF takeoff, yes — simpler, free to start, no platform. It doesn't do 3D/BIM model takeoff like Autodesk Takeoff.
Does it run on Mac?
Yes — browser-based, so macOS, Windows, Chromebook and iPad.
Is there a free version?
Solid Takeoff has a genuinely free plan; Autodesk Takeoff is part of a paid ACC subscription.
Try it on your own plan — free
Open a PDF and measure in your browser. No card, no install, no CAD. Free plan forever.
Comparison based on publicly available information at the time of writing; competitor features and pricing change — check each vendor for current details. All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for identification and comparison only.