The On-Screen Takeoff alternative for Mac
In short
On-Screen Takeoff by ConstructConnect is Windows desktop software, so Mac users have to run it in Parallels, Boot Camp or a Windows VM. Solid Takeoff does the core OST job — scaled PDF takeoff into conditions — natively in the browser on macOS, with a free plan.
If you're searching for an On-Screen Takeoff alternative for Mac, the reason is almost always the same: OST is Windows-only and you're on a Mac. The usual workaround — Parallels, Boot Camp or a hosted Windows desktop — means another OS licence, a heavier machine, and files shuffled between macOS and Windows.
Solid Takeoff runs in Safari or Chrome. Open a MacBook or iMac, upload a PDF, set the scale and start measuring — nothing to install and no virtual machine. The same account works on Windows, a Chromebook or an iPad too.
| Solid Takeoff | On-Screen Takeoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Native on macOS | Yes — runs in Safari/Chrome | No — Windows only (VM required) |
| Install | None | Windows install (+ VM on Mac) |
| Free plan | Yes — every tool | Trial / quote only |
| Takeoff | Linear, area, count + conditions & waste | Conditions-based takeoff (Windows) |
| Bid/estimate link | CSV export to Excel / estimate | Quick Bid integration |
| Collaboration | Real-time co-editing + presence | Desktop files |
| Pricing | Free, or Pro ~$29/user/mo | Per-seat licence |
Conditions, the way OST users think
On-Screen Takeoff's whole model is conditions — a named item (say, 100mm blockwork) with a colour, that you total across the drawings. Solid Takeoff works the same way: create conditions, classify them as linear, area or count, add a waste percentage, and every measurement rolls into that condition's total and your export.
So the mental model carries over; you just don't need Windows to use it.
Why not run OST in a VM on your Mac?
You can, but you're licensing Windows, giving up RAM and battery to a virtual machine, and moving PDFs and exports across the macOS/Windows boundary. For day-to-day takeoff that's a lot of friction.
A browser-native tool removes it entirely — macOS is a first-class platform, and your work saves to the cloud so it's on every device you sign into.
The verdict
If your office is standardised on Quick Bid and Windows, OST fits that stack. If you're on a Mac and want conditions-based takeoff that just runs — no VM, free to start — Solid Takeoff is the alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Does On-Screen Takeoff work on Mac?
No — OST (ConstructConnect) is Windows desktop software with no native Mac version. Mac users run it via Parallels, Boot Camp or a hosted Windows desktop. Solid Takeoff runs natively in the browser on macOS.
What's the best On-Screen Takeoff alternative for Mac?
A browser-based takeoff tool avoids the Windows requirement. Solid Takeoff does conditions-based linear, area and count takeoff with waste and CSV/PDF export on macOS, with a free plan.
Can I still get quantities into my estimate?
Yes — Solid Takeoff exports a CSV that opens in Excel or imports into most estimating tools. OST's tie-in is specifically with Quick Bid.
Is it free?
There's a free plan with every tool (watermarked exports); Pro is about $29 per user per month for clean exports, storage and collaboration.
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.