The modern PlanSwift alternative
In short
Looking to move off PlanSwift — whether it's the Windows-only requirement, the per-machine install, or the shift away from perpetual licences? Solid Takeoff is a browser-based alternative that does the same core takeoff, works on any device, and starts free.
PlanSwift is a capable Windows desktop takeoff tool, but a few things send estimators looking: it's Windows-only, it installs and updates per machine, and its move away from perpetual licences left long-time owners re-evaluating.
Solid Takeoff runs in the browser. There's nothing to install, it works on Macs and Chromebooks as well as PCs, and there's a free plan you can use for real jobs before paying anything.
| Solid Takeoff | PlanSwift | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Windows desktop only |
| Install | None | Per-machine install + updates |
| Free plan | Yes — every tool | Trial only |
| Pricing | Free, or Pro ~$29/user/mo | Per licence; model changed |
| Takeoff | Linear, area, count + conditions & waste | Full takeoff (Windows) |
| Collaboration | Real-time co-editing + presence | Desktop files |
| Export | Annotated PDF + quantities CSV | Reports/exports |
Move your takeoff to the browser
Everything you do in PlanSwift day to day — set the scale, measure lengths, areas and counts, group into conditions with waste, mark up and export — Solid Takeoff does in the browser. Your work saves to the cloud, so it's on every device you sign into.
No installs to manage across the team, no per-machine licensing, and it runs the same on a Mac as on a PC.
Pricing without the lock-in
Instead of a licence you have to re-buy, Solid Takeoff is free to start and Pro is billed per active user per month. Scale up for a big bid, scale down afterwards.
The verdict
For a like-for-like desktop replacement on Windows, PlanSwift has depth. For a modern alternative that runs anywhere, skips installs and per-seat licences, and starts free, Solid Takeoff is the easy switch.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best PlanSwift alternative?
If you want off Windows-only desktop software, a browser-based tool like Solid Takeoff is the natural move — same core takeoff, runs anywhere, free to start. If you specifically need a Mac, see our PlanSwift-alternative-for-Mac page.
Can I switch without losing capability?
For everyday take-off — linear/area/count, conditions with waste, markup and PDF/CSV export — yes. PlanSwift has a deeper niche-assembly library; most trades don't need it.
Is it cheaper?
There's a free plan, and Pro is about $29 per user per month. PlanSwift is per-licence and pricing changes — check the vendor.
Do I need to install anything?
No — Solid Takeoff is a web app. Open a plan in your browser and measure.
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.