A simpler STACK alternative for small teams
In short
STACK is a full preconstruction platform priced and built for larger contractors. If you just need takeoff, Solid Takeoff is a simpler alternative — the same cloud, browser-based approach, focused on measuring and exporting, with a genuinely free plan.
STACK bundles takeoff with bid management and preconstruction workflow, which is great if you'll use all of it — and a lot of platform (and cost) if you won't.
For a subcontractor, fit-out firm or trade estimator who mainly needs quantities off a plan, Solid Takeoff is a right-sized alternative: focused takeoff, in the browser, free to start.
| Solid Takeoff | STACK | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Focused takeoff + markup + export | Broad preconstruction suite |
| Free plan | Yes | No — subscription (trial/demo) |
| Pricing | Free, or Solo $12.99/mo · Team $49.99/mo | Higher per-user; sales quote |
| Setup | Minutes | Platform onboarding |
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Cloud (browser) |
| Collaboration | Real-time co-editing + presence | Team features (enterprise) |
| Best for | Trades, fit-out, small teams | Larger commercial GCs |
Pay for takeoff, not a whole suite
STACK's strength — breadth — is also why it costs more and takes longer to adopt. If you don't need bid management and the rest, you're paying for shelfware around your takeoff.
Solid Takeoff does the takeoff cleanly: scale, linear/area/count, conditions with waste, markup and export. Sign up and you're measuring in minutes.
Start free, add people as you go
STACK's free account gives Pro-level features "for 7 days" (its own pricing page's words) — a trial in effect, ahead of a subscription from $249 per user per month billed annually at the time of writing. Solid Takeoff's free tier has no clock and is usable for real work; paid plans are $12.99–$49.99 a month, so a small team isn't locked into enterprise seat counts.
The verdict
If you need a full preconstruction platform, STACK fits. If you need takeoff — fast, on any device, free to start — Solid Takeoff is the simpler, cheaper alternative for small teams.
Working on a Mac? Most desktop takeoff tools are Windows-only — see takeoff software for Mac for the options that actually run on macOS.
Frequently asked questions
Is Solid Takeoff a good STACK alternative for small teams?
Yes — it focuses on takeoff rather than a full preconstruction platform, starts free, and is priced per user month-to-month, which suits trades and small teams.
Does STACK have a free plan?
STACK offers a free account, but it's Pro features "for 7 days" — a trial in effect, not a plan you can keep working on. Solid Takeoff's free plan has no time limit.
Can we work together on a plan?
Yes — on Solo and Team, teammates edit the same plan live with presence, so you can split a drawing without overwriting each other.
What does it cost?
Free to start; Solo is $12.99 a month, Team $49.99 for 3 users. STACK is typically a higher, quoted per-user subscription — check the vendor.
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.