Solid Takeoff vs Esticom
In short
Esticom, part of ConstructConnect, is a cloud takeoff and estimating tool aimed at specialty/trade contractors, sold by subscription with no free plan. Solid Takeoff covers the takeoff cleanly in the browser, with a genuinely free plan and simple per-user pricing.
Esticom pairs cloud takeoff with estimating for trade contractors, inside the ConstructConnect family. It's a capable package if you'll use the estimating side too.
If you mainly need quantities off a PDF — and would rather start free — Solid Takeoff focuses on the takeoff and exports to whatever you price in.
| Solid Takeoff | Esticom | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Focused takeoff + markup + export | Cloud takeoff + estimating |
| Free plan | Yes | No — subscription (trial/demo) |
| Pricing | Free, or Solo $12.99/mo · Team $49.99/mo | Per-user subscription |
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Cloud (browser) |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes — live co-editing + presence | Team features |
| Best for | Trades & estimators who need quantities | Trade contractors wanting takeoff + estimate |
Takeoff first, estimate where you like
Esticom bundles estimating with takeoff. If you already price in a spreadsheet or another package, that bundle is extra cost. Solid Takeoff measures and exports a clean CSV into whatever you already use.
Start free
Esticom is subscription software. Solid Takeoff's free plan does real take-off; Solo ($12.99/month) or Team ($49.99/month for 3 users) adds clean exports (no footer), collaboration, more storage and your team.
The verdict
Esticom suits trade contractors who want takeoff and estimating together. If you just need the takeoff — free to start, on any device — Solid Takeoff is the focused, cheaper option.
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
Does Esticom have a free plan?
Esticom is subscription-based with a trial/demo rather than a permanent free plan. Solid Takeoff has a genuinely free tier for takeoff.
Is Solid Takeoff a good Esticom alternative?
If you want the takeoff without a bundled estimating package, yes — it's focused, free to start, and exports to your existing tools.
Can I collaborate with my team?
Yes — on Solo and Team, teammates edit the same plan live with presence.
What does it cost?
Free to start; Solo is $12.99 a month, Team $49.99 for 3 users. Check ConstructConnect for Esticom's 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.