Square Takeoff vs Active Takeoff

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Square Takeoff vs Active Takeoff based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Takeoff Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Square Takeoff Software Tool

Product Basics

Square Takeoff is designed to cater to the needs of contractors and construction businesses seeking a streamlined solution for both takeoff and estimating processes. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized firms that desire an intuitive platform for generating accurate cost estimates and material takeoffs. The software shines with its ability to automate measuring and scaling off of uploaded digital plans, which can significantly cut down on the time traditionally spent on manual takeoffs. Key features that resonate with users include cloud-based access for collaboration, integration capabilities, and dedicated customer support. While the tool delivers on essential functionalities, users should weigh pricing models that can vary based on usage, features, and number of users, with considerations towards the financial commitment that comes with subscription-based services. When compared to other offerings in the market, users have shown appreciation for its user-friendly interface and efficient project management, though the depth of features may differ compared to more expensive or specialized platforms.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Accurate estimates
  • Cloud-based collaboration
  • Mobile app for on-site takeoff
  • Affordable pricing
Cons
  • Limited customization options
  • Learning curve for advanced features
  • May not be suitable for complex projects
  • Limited integration with some software
  • Customer support could be improved
read more...
Active Takeoff streamlines construction takeoffs and estimates, helping businesses of all sizes manage costs efficiently. Users can upload and scale blueprints electronically, then precisely calculate areas and quantities of materials for tasks like flooring, roofing, and painting. It integrates with Excel for flexible cost management and generates professional proposals. While suitable for various construction roles, it particularly benefits estimators, contractors, and design firms seeking user-friendly software at a reasonable price (typically one-time fees or annual subscriptions). Compared to similar options, users praise Active Takeoff's intuitive interface, efficient scaling tools, and accurate calculations. However, some mention limitations in handling specific scales or complex project structures. Ultimately, the best fit depends on individual needs and budget.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Accurate calculations
  • Efficient scaling tools
  • Integrates with Excel
  • Reasonable pricing
Cons
  • Limited scale options
  • Simple project view
  • Not ideal for complex jobs
  • Fewer features than some competitors
  • Occasional bugs reported
read more...
$75/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$59/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Gain Competitive Advantages: Calculate areas, share plans and more to perform quick takeoffs. Prepare bids faster to win work before competitors.  
  • Save Time and Money: Perform material estimations and takeoffs quicker with efficient tools. Make informed decisions to save on needless project costs.  
  • Remote Access: Leverage cloud capabilities to access work remotely. Ensure projects run smoothly from anywhere, anytime.  
  • Perform Quick Takeoffs:  Leverage automated tools to perform estimations and record calculations of floors and ceilings in seconds.  
read more...
  • Increased Efficiency: Simplifies takeoffs with intuitive interface, reducing time spent on manual calculations and measurements.
  • Improved Accuracy: Minimizes errors with automatic scaling and dimensioning tools, ensuring precise material and labor estimations.
  • Cost Management Powerhouse: Integrates seamlessly with Excel for flexible cost breakdowns, markups, and instant cost reports.
  • Streamlined Workflows: Connects directly to plans and documents, eliminating the need for paper-based processes and manual data entry.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Enables easy sharing of takeoff data and estimates with colleagues and clients, boosting project transparency.
  • Proposal Generation at Ease: Generates professional proposals directly from takeoff data, saving time and effort in bidding processes.
  • Scalability for all Sizes: Caters to businesses of all sizes, from small contractors to large enterprises, with flexible pricing options.
  • User-Friendly Experience: Designed with a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy to learn and use, even for those with limited technical expertise.
  • Data Security and Accessibility: Ensures data security with cloud-based storage and accessibility from any device with an internet connection.
  • Mobile-Friendly Access: Offers mobile app compatibility for on-site access to plans, measurements, and estimates, enhancing field productivity.
read more...
  • Accounting: Keep track of project accounting and overall cash flow. Ensure that all payables are processed correctly and on time.
  • Assembly Takeoff: Accelerate the process of calculating material and labor costs for projects seamlessly. Calculate accurately to make better bids.
  • Templates: Leverage custom templates to prepare attractive bids to win work faster. Save time on creating layouts manually and speed up the bidding process.
  • Electrical Estimating: Get labor cost and materials data to put together total project costs. Construct bids based on data and submit them to clients.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Obtain regular reports of work done on an interactive dashboard. Extract actionable insights from analytics and improve certain project areas.
  • Electronic Plans: Save all work, material and labor plans electronically in a centralized database. Provide access to all relevant parties and prevent anyone from misplacing crucial information.
  • Takeoff: Perform accurate material and labor calculations to prepare bids for work. Accelerate the process by using a cloud-based platform and save on capital waste.
read more...
  • Electronic Plan Takeoff: Upload and scale digital blueprints directly in the software for on-screen measurements.
  • Automatic Scaling Tools: Utilize pre-defined scales or manually set custom scales for accurate calculations.
  • Multiple Measurement Tools: Choose from linear, area, volume, perimeter, and other measurement tools for diverse takeoff needs.
  • Material Libraries: Create and manage custom material libraries with specific costs and properties for efficient material takeoffs.
  • Assembly Takeoff: Estimate costs based on pre-defined assemblies of materials and procedures for repetitive tasks.
  • Integrated Cost Management: Seamlessly link takeoffs to Excel for cost breakdowns, markups, and instant cost reports.
  • Proposal Generation: Generate professional proposals directly from takeoff data, including material lists, labor costs, and overall project estimates.
  • Collaboration Tools: Share takeoff data and estimates with colleagues and clients through cloud-based storage and access.
  • Mobile App Compatibility: Access plans, measurements, and estimates on the go with the mobile app for field productivity.
  • Reporting and Exporting: Generate detailed reports in various formats, including PDF, CSV, and XML, for further analysis and sharing.
  • User-Defined Calculations: Create custom formulas and calculations for specific project requirements and material properties.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize keyboard shortcuts for faster data entry and increased efficiency.
  • Customizable Interface: Personalize the user interface with preferred layouts and color schemes for a comfortable workflow.
read more...

Product Ranking

#18

among all
Takeoff Software

#29

among all
Takeoff Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

70
62
80
73
75
75
14
0
Show More Show More
Trades Management
Project Management
Reports and Dashboards
Trades Management
Reports and Dashboards

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Square Takeoff
Active Takeoff
+ Add Product + Add Product
Measurement Management Measurement Tools Mobile Capabilities Plans Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Trades Management 80 75 14 77 78 88 86 91 73 75 0 52 70 73 86 100 0 25 50 75 100
80%
0%
20%
73%
0%
27%
75%
0%
25%
75%
0%
25%
14%
0%
86%
0%
0%
100%
76%
0%
24%
53%
0%
47%
75%
0%
25%
67%
0%
33%
88%
0%
12%
75%
0%
25%
86%
0%
14%
86%
0%
14%
91%
0%
9%
100%
0%
0%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

20%
0%
80%
10%
0%
90%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 16 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 186 reviews
88%
of users recommend this product

Square Takeoff has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 16 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

Active Takeoff has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 186 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.0 (9)
4.64 (94)
4.9 (7)
4.6 (92)

Awards

we're gathering data

Active Takeoff stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-friendly interface: Streamlined design and intuitive tools make it easy to learn and navigate, even for those new to takeoff and estimating software.
Faster and more accurate estimates: Automated takeoff, pre-built assemblies, and real-time cost updates reduce manual calculations and errors, leading to quicker and more precise estimates.
Cloud-based collaboration: Real-time project updates and accessible cloud storage enable seamless teamwork and communication, improving project management and efficiency.
Mobile app for on-site takeoff: Capture measurements and project data directly on-site with the mobile app, saving time and ensuring accurate data collection.
Affordable pricing: Competitive subscription plans and per-project options cater to various business sizes and budgets, making it accessible for contractors of all scales.
Integration with popular software: Connects with accounting and project management tools, streamlining data flow and eliminating manual data entry, saving time and effort.
Historical data and reporting: Provides insights into past projects, material usage, and costs, enabling informed decision-making and improved future estimating accuracy.
Show more
User-Friendly Interface: Active Takeoff provides an intuitive and easy-to-use platform, which reduces the learning curve for professionals managing construction takeoffs and estimates.
Precision: Users appreciate the high degree of accuracy in measurements, which is crucial for effective takeoff and estimating processes.
Flexibility: The software supports various file formats, including PDF, CAD, and image files, enabling versatility in handling different types of construction plans.
Customization: Active Takeoff allows users to customize materials and labor costs, ensuring the estimates are tailored to specific project requirements.
Integrated OCR: The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature streamlines the takeoff process by quickly converting plans into actionable data.
Cloud-Based: Being cloud-based facilitates easy access to project data from any location, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.
Scalability: It suits a variety of project sizes, making it a practical solution for both small contractors and larger construction firms.
Responsive Support: Users report a positive experience with customer support, highlighting their responsiveness and helpfulness in resolving issues.
Cost-Effective: Many find Active Takeoff to be affordable without compromising on functionality, striking a good balance between cost and value.
Show more
Limited customization: While offering pre-built assemblies, users mention limited options for creating highly customized assemblies or material lists, potentially impacting flexibility for specific project needs.
Learning curve for advanced features: Some advanced features, like cost breakdowns or integrations, might require more technical understanding, potentially hindering user experience for beginners or those unfamiliar with similar software.
Limited for complex projects: While suitable for many projects, users report potential limitations for highly intricate or specialized builds. These might require software with more advanced features like 3D modeling or detailed cost analysis.
Mixed customer support experiences: User reviews suggest varying experiences with customer support, with some praising responsiveness and helpfulness, while others mention occasional wait times or limited technical expertise.
Potential storage limitations: The free plan might have limited storage, requiring upgrades for larger projects, adding to overall costs. Users recommend carefully considering storage needs when choosing a plan.
Show more
Complex User Interface: Some users find Active Takeoff’s user interface overly complex, which can lead to a steep learning curve for new users, particularly those who are not tech-savvy or unfamiliar with takeoff software.
Limited Integration: Users have cited limitations in integrating Active Takeoff with other construction management tools and platforms, potentially creating extra steps in the workflow.
Performance Issues: There are reports of the software occasionally running slowly or lagging, especially when handling larger projects with more extensive takeoff requirements.
Cost Prohibitive: For small businesses or independent contractors, the cost of Active Takeoff can be a barrier, with some users feeling it does not offer a sufficient cost-to-benefit ratio for less frequent use.
Limited Customer Support: A few users have mentioned challenges in getting timely and effective customer support when encountering issues or needing assistance with the software.
No Mac Support: Active Takeoff is not natively available for Mac OS, which can deter users who are working on Apple's platform and do not wish to use emulation or other workarounds.
Feature Limitations: Some users feel that while the basic takeoff features are solid, Active Takeoff lacks advanced features and customizations that are available in competing products.
Show more

Square Takeoff garners mixed reviews from users in the construction industry, often highlighting its ease of use, affordability, and cloud-based collaboration as key strengths. Newcomers to takeoff and estimating software appreciate its intuitive interface and pre-built assemblies, which streamline tasks and reduce errors compared to manual calculations. Additionally, its competitive pricing plans cater to various business sizes, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious contractors. The cloud-based nature facilitates seamless collaboration and information sharing, keeping teams and clients on the same page throughout projects. However, some users point out limitations compared to competitors. Square Takeoff might lack the extensive customization options and advanced features found in pricier software, potentially hindering its suitability for highly complex or specialized projects. For instance, users mention limited flexibility in creating custom assemblies or detailed cost breakdowns, which are crucial for intricate builds. Additionally, while offering integrations with popular software, some users report occasional limitations or technical hurdles compared to more established competitor offerings. Ultimately, user satisfaction hinges on project complexity, budget, and individual preferences. For contractors comfortable with a standardized approach and prioritizing affordability and user-friendliness, Square Takeoff offers a compelling solution. However, those tackling intricate projects or demanding extensive customization might find its limitations outweigh its strengths, necessitating exploration of more advanced competitor options.

Show more

Active Takeoff garners praise for its user-friendly interface and efficient scaling tools, making it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals in the construction industry. Users commend its intuitive layout, streamlined workflows, and accurate calculations, often highlighting its time-saving benefits compared to manual takeoff methods. Compared to competitors, some users find Active Takeoff less feature-rich, particularly for complex projects. However, its affordability and ease of use are often cited as major strengths, attracting users who prioritize user experience and value over advanced functionalities. One key differentiator is Active Takeoff's cloud-based storage and mobile app compatibility. Users appreciate the accessibility and convenience of accessing plans, measurements, and estimates from any device, boosting field productivity and collaboration. Additionally, its integration with Excel allows for flexible cost management and reporting, something users value when dealing with diverse project requirements. Ultimately, user reviews suggest Active Takeoff is a solid choice for contractors, estimators, and design firms seeking user-friendly and efficient takeoff software at a reasonable price. While it might not be the most feature-packed option, its strengths in usability, affordability, and accessibility make it a compelling solution for various construction needs.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Takeoff Software


Active Takeoff

Autodesk Takeoff

Bluebeam

Buildxact

Countfire

Esticom

eTakeoff

Methvin

On-Screen Takeoff

PlanSwift

PrebuiltML

Procore

STACK

Stratosphere

Takeoff Live

Related Categories

Head-to-Head Comparison

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings