Solid Takeoff vs Autodesk Takeoff
In short
Autodesk Takeoff is the takeoff module of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) — 2D and 3D quantities inside the wider Autodesk ecosystem, sold per user with no free plan. Solid Takeoff is a standalone, browser-based takeoff tool you can use free, without buying into a whole platform.
Autodesk Takeoff lives inside Autodesk Construction Cloud, so it makes most sense for teams already committed to ACC (Docs, BIM Collaborate, Build) and working with Autodesk models.
If you're not in the Autodesk world — or you just want quantities off a PDF without the platform and per-user subscription — Solid Takeoff does the 2D take-off in the browser, free to start.
| Solid Takeoff | Autodesk Takeoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of a suite | No — standalone, focused | Yes — 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 model takeoff |
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Cloud (browser) |
| Setup | Sign up and measure in minutes | ACC onboarding |
| Best for | Trades, fit-out, small teams | Teams already on Autodesk/BIM |
Standalone vs platform
Autodesk Takeoff shines when you're already in ACC and want quantities tied to Autodesk models and documents. Outside that ecosystem, you're paying for — and learning — a platform to do takeoff.
Solid Takeoff is deliberately standalone: open a PDF, measure, export a CSV or annotated PDF, done. No suite, no BIM commitment, no per-user subscription to begin.
Free to start
There's no free tier for Autodesk Takeoff — it's part of a paid ACC subscription. Solid Takeoff's free plan does real 2D take-off, with Pro (around $29/user/month) for clean exports, collaboration, more storage and your team.
The verdict
If your team lives in Autodesk Construction Cloud and needs BIM takeoff, Autodesk Takeoff fits. If you want standalone 2D takeoff off PDFs — free to start, no platform — Solid Takeoff is the leaner option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Solid Takeoff an Autodesk Takeoff alternative?
For standalone 2D PDF takeoff, yes — it's simpler, free to start, and doesn't require Autodesk Construction Cloud. Autodesk Takeoff adds 3D/BIM model takeoff within the ACC ecosystem, which Solid Takeoff doesn't do.
Do I need Autodesk Construction Cloud to use it?
No — Solid Takeoff is completely standalone. You just open a PDF in your browser and measure.
Does Solid Takeoff do 3D/BIM takeoff?
No — it's a 2D PDF/image takeoff tool. For model-based 3D quantities, Autodesk Takeoff is the fit.
Is there a free version?
Solid Takeoff has a genuinely free plan; Autodesk Takeoff is part of a paid ACC subscription. Check Autodesk for current pricing.
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.