The Autodesk Takeoff alternative for Mac
In short
Autodesk Takeoff is cloud software, so it technically opens on a Mac — but it needs an Autodesk Construction Cloud subscription and is built for large contractors doing 2D and model-based takeoff. If you just want to measure PDFs on your Mac without the ACC commitment, Solid Takeoff is a lighter alternative that starts free.
Autodesk Takeoff is part of Autodesk Construction Cloud, so unlike PlanSwift or On-Screen Takeoff it does run in a browser on a Mac. The friction is different: it's an enterprise product priced and packaged for big general contractors, sold through ACC, and heavier than most estimators need for straightforward 2D PDF takeoff.
Solid Takeoff is the opposite end: open a browser on your Mac, upload a PDF, set the scale and measure. No ACC subscription, no BIM setup, a genuinely free plan, and it's just as at home on a MacBook as on a PC or iPad.
| Solid Takeoff | Autodesk Takeoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on Mac | Yes — any browser | Yes — browser (ACC) |
| Subscription to start | No — free plan | Yes — Autodesk Construction Cloud |
| Setup | Upload a PDF and go | ACC project + BIM/2D setup |
| Best for | Estimators wanting fast 2D PDF takeoff | Large GCs, model + 2D takeoff |
| Takeoff | Linear, area, count + conditions & waste | 2D + model-based takeoff |
| Export | Annotated PDF + quantities CSV | ACC reports / integrations |
| Pricing | Free, or Pro ~$29/user/mo | Enterprise / per-seat via ACC |
It's about weight and cost, not the OS
Because Autodesk Takeoff is browser-based, "Mac" isn't really the blocker — the blocker is that you're buying into Autodesk Construction Cloud and an enterprise workflow to do what is often just 2D measurement. For a subcontractor or a smaller estimating team, that's a lot of platform for the job.
Solid Takeoff does the 2D PDF takeoff part — scale, linear/area/count, conditions with waste, clean exports — without the subscription or the ecosystem. Start free, upgrade to Pro (~$29/user/month) only when you want clean exports and collaboration.
When Autodesk Takeoff is still the right call
If you're a large GC already living in Autodesk Construction Cloud, doing model-based quantities from Revit alongside 2D sheets, and you want takeoff inside that single source of truth, Autodesk Takeoff earns its place.
If you mainly measure PDF drawings and want to be moving in minutes on a Mac, that's exactly what Solid Takeoff is for.
The verdict
For large GCs standardised on Autodesk Construction Cloud with model-based takeoff, Autodesk Takeoff fits. For fast, affordable 2D PDF takeoff on a Mac with no subscription to start, Solid Takeoff is the alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Does Autodesk Takeoff work on Mac?
Yes — it's part of Autodesk Construction Cloud and runs in a browser, so it opens on macOS. The catch is that it needs an ACC subscription and is built for enterprise workflows, not quick 2D PDF takeoff.
What's a simpler Autodesk Takeoff alternative for Mac?
Solid Takeoff runs in any browser on a Mac, needs no subscription to start, and does scaled PDF takeoff into conditions with PDF/CSV export — a lighter option than committing to ACC.
Is Autodesk Takeoff free?
No — it's sold through Autodesk Construction Cloud on a subscription. Solid Takeoff has a genuinely free plan (watermarked exports); Pro is about $29 per user per month.
Can it do model-based takeoff?
No — Solid Takeoff is focused on 2D PDF/image takeoff. If you need quantities pulled from a Revit/IFC model, Autodesk Takeoff is the tool built for that.
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.