Solid Takeoff vs Bluebeam Revu
In short
Bluebeam Revu is the go-to for PDF markup and measurement, but it's Windows-focused, now subscription-only, and older perpetual versions are reaching end-of-life. Solid Takeoff gives you the same day-to-day takeoff and Bluebeam-style markup — text, arrows, callouts, clouds — in any browser, with a free plan.
Bluebeam Revu earned its reputation as the best PDF markup tool in construction, and its measurement tools made it a takeoff staple. If you've used Revu, Solid Takeoff will feel familiar.
Two things are pushing people to look around: Revu moved to a subscription, and older perpetual versions (Revu 20) are reaching end-of-life, so estimators who bought a licence outright need a new plan. Solid Takeoff is browser-based, free to start, and keeps the markup workflow you already know.
| Solid Takeoff | Bluebeam Revu | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Windows (Revu for Mac was discontinued) |
| Free plan | Yes — every tool | No — subscription (trial only) |
| Version history | Every drawing keeps a timeline — restore any point in one click (paid plans) | No takeoff version history — you manage your own file copies |
| Pricing | Free, or Solo $12.99/mo · Team $49.99/mo | Per-user subscription; perpetual retired |
| Takeoff | Linear, area, count + conditions & waste % | Measurement tools; less estimating structure |
| Markup | Text, box, callout (aimable), arrow, pen | Extensive markup & tool sets |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes — live co-editing + presence | Studio sessions (heavier setup) |
| Best for | Fast quantities + markup, any device | Deep PDF document workflows on Windows |
Keep the markup you know
Solid Takeoff includes the Bluebeam-style markup estimators rely on: text notes, boxed text, leader callouts (with an arrow you can aim any direction), arrows, freehand pen, plus colour and size controls, drag-to-move and multi-select.
The difference is where it runs. Revu is a Windows application; Revu for Mac was discontinued years ago. Solid Takeoff runs in the browser, so the whole team — Mac or PC — is on the same tool.
If your perpetual Revu is reaching end-of-life
When a perpetual version stops being supported, you're choosing between a new subscription and something different. Solid Takeoff lets you move your day-to-day takeoff and markup to the browser without a big licence commitment — start on the free plan, and upgrade to Solo or Team per user only when you need clean, clean exports (no footer) and your team.
You don't lose the essentials: set scale, measure lengths/areas/counts, group into conditions with waste, mark up, and export a clean annotated PDF or a CSV for your estimate.
The verdict
For heavy PDF document workflows on Windows, Bluebeam Revu is hard to beat. But if you mainly need takeoff plus markup, want it on a Mac or any browser, and would rather not commit to a subscription to start, Solid Takeoff covers the day-to-day for free.
Sources and comparison method
We compare the products' published capabilities with the Solid Takeoff features and prices shown on this site. Vendor products change, so use the linked first-party sources to confirm a detail before buying.
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 free Bluebeam alternative?
It's a free way to do the takeoff and markup most estimators use Revu for — measure PDFs, group quantities into conditions, and mark up with text, arrows and callouts. Free exports carry a small footer credit; Solo and Team remove it and add collaboration and more storage.
Does Bluebeam Revu run on Mac?
Bluebeam discontinued Revu for Mac; current Revu is Windows-focused. Solid Takeoff runs in any browser, so it works on macOS, Windows, Chromebook and iPad.
My Bluebeam Revu 20 is end-of-life — what now?
You can move your takeoff and markup to Solid Takeoff in the browser and start free. There's no perpetual-vs-subscription lock-in — paid plans are month-to-month.
Can I still mark up PDFs like in Bluebeam?
Yes — text, text boxes, leader callouts (with an aimable arrow), arrows and freehand pen, with colour and size, then export an annotated PDF.
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.