Solid Takeoff vs Trimble estimating
In short
Trimble sells a family of professional estimating and takeoff tools (AutoBid, Estimation MEP, WinEst) aimed at established mechanical, electrical and commercial contractors — Windows-based, licensed and enterprise-priced. Solid Takeoff is a simple, browser-based takeoff tool for everyday quantities, free to start.
Trimble's estimating range is deep and industry-specific — especially strong in mechanical and electrical estimating — with the licensing, implementation and cost of enterprise software.
If you run a large MEP estimating operation, Trimble has purpose-built tools. If you need to measure a PDF and export quantities without an enterprise rollout, Solid Takeoff does that in the browser, free to start.
| Solid Takeoff | Trimble | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Focused takeoff + markup + export | Enterprise estimating suites (by trade) |
| Runs on | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad | Windows desktop |
| Free plan | Yes | No — licensed (quote) |
| Pricing | Free, or Pro ~$29/user/mo | High; enterprise licensing |
| Setup | Minutes | Implementation & training |
| Best for | Trades, fit-out, small–mid teams | Large MEP/commercial estimating teams |
Enterprise depth vs everyday speed
Trimble's tools carry trade-specific databases and assemblies built for high-volume MEP estimating — powerful, but a big investment to license, implement and learn.
Solid Takeoff targets the everyday need: set scale, measure lengths/areas/counts, group into conditions with waste, mark up and export. No implementation project, no per-seat enterprise licence.
Any device, free to start
Trimble estimating is Windows desktop software. Solid Takeoff runs in the browser on Mac, PC, Chromebook and iPad, and you can start for free — with Pro per active user when you need it.
The verdict
Trimble's estimating suites are built for large, specialised (often MEP) teams. If you want straightforward takeoff off PDFs — any device, free to start — Solid Takeoff is the simpler, more affordable tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is Solid Takeoff a Trimble alternative?
For general 2D PDF takeoff it's a much simpler, cheaper option. Trimble's estimating suites go far deeper for specialised MEP and large commercial estimating, which Solid Takeoff doesn't target.
Does Trimble estimating run on Mac?
Trimble's estimating tools are Windows-based; Solid Takeoff runs natively in any browser, including macOS, Chromebook and iPad.
Is it suitable for MEP estimating?
Solid Takeoff handles the measurement (lengths, areas, counts) that underpins any estimate, but it doesn't include trade-specific MEP databases the way Trimble's specialist tools do.
How does pricing compare?
Solid Takeoff is free to start and ~$29/user/month; Trimble's tools are enterprise-licensed and quoted. Confirm with 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.