Solid Takeoff vs PlanSwift
In short
PlanSwift is a capable Windows desktop takeoff tool, but it only runs on Windows and its pricing has shifted away from the perpetual licences many estimators bought. Solid Takeoff does linear, area and count takeoff in any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook or iPad — with a genuinely free plan and simple per-user pricing.
If you measure quantities off PDF drawings, PlanSwift is one of the names you'll have come across. It's a mature Windows desktop application with point-and-click takeoff and a big library of trade-specific tools.
The catch: it's Windows-only, it installs on each machine, and recent changes to its licensing have left long-time perpetual-licence users looking for something simpler. Solid Takeoff takes a different approach — it runs entirely in the browser, so there's nothing to install, it works on a Mac or Chromebook, and there's a free plan you can use for real work.
| Solid Takeoff | PlanSwift | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Windows desktop only (no native Mac) |
| Install | None — open a link and measure | Per-machine install + updates |
| Free plan | Yes — every tool, watermarked exports | Trial only |
| Pricing | Free, or Pro ~$29/user/mo | Per licence; model changed from perpetual |
| Sources | PDF and images/scans | PDF and images |
| Real-time collaboration | Yes — edit the same plan live | Desktop files; no live co-editing |
| Learning curve | Minutes — no CAD background needed | Feature-rich, steeper |
The big difference: browser vs Windows desktop
PlanSwift is desktop software that installs on a Windows PC. If your team is on Macs, you're into Parallels, Boot Camp or a Windows VM just to run it — extra cost and hassle. Chromebooks and iPads are out entirely.
Solid Takeoff runs in the browser. You open a plan, set the scale and start measuring — on whatever device you already have. Nothing to install, nothing to update, and your takeoffs sync to the cloud so they're on every device you sign in from.
Pricing that doesn't punish you
Estimators who bought a PlanSwift perpetual licence expecting to own it were understandably frustrated when the model shifted. Solid Takeoff keeps it simple: a free plan that actually works for small jobs, and Pro billed per active user per month — add and remove people as your workload changes.
Because it's per-user and month-to-month, a one-off estimator or a small fit-out team isn't paying enterprise seat prices for software they use a few days a month.
The verdict
PlanSwift is a solid choice if you're committed to Windows and want its deep assembly library. But if you're on a Mac, want to skip installs and per-seat pricing, or just want to start for free, Solid Takeoff gets you from PDF to quantities faster — on any device.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a PlanSwift version for Mac?
PlanSwift is a Windows desktop application; there's no native Mac version, so Mac users typically run it through Parallels or a Windows VM. Solid Takeoff runs in the browser, so it works natively on macOS, Windows, Chromebook and iPad with nothing to install.
Can Solid Takeoff do everything PlanSwift does?
For core estimating — linear, area and count takeoff, grouping into conditions with waste %, Bluebeam-style markup and PDF/CSV export — yes. PlanSwift has a deeper library of niche trade assemblies; Solid Takeoff focuses on a fast, clean workflow that most trades and fit-out estimators need day to day.
Do I have to install anything?
No. Solid Takeoff is a web app — open your plan in a browser and measure. PlanSwift installs on each Windows machine and needs updating.
Is Solid Takeoff cheaper than PlanSwift?
There's a genuinely free plan, and Pro is around $29 per user per month. PlanSwift is sold per licence and pricing changes over time — check their site for current figures.
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.