Square Takeoff vs Takeoff Live

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Our analysts compared Square Takeoff vs Takeoff Live 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
Takeoff Live 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
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Takeoff Live is a digital estimation software assisting architects in performing accurate calculations of square feet and volumes. Ideal for contractors, architects and subcontractors, it digitizes construction calculations and measurements to make the entire process hassle-free. It provides users the much-needed flexibility and features to streamline their daily work.

Some capabilities are accessible in the basic, free pricing tier, with additional functionality offered in paid standard and extended packages. It provides exports to Excel and allows users to work off of PDF drawings. All changes are color-coded, which simplifies progress tracking. It speeds up manual calculations and saves time for contractors.

Pros
  • Fast project setup
  • Easy collaboration
  • Scalable platform
  • Cost-effective
  • User-friendly interface
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Fewer integrations
  • Learning curve for features
  • Support response time
  • Limited offline capabilities
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$75/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$49/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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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.  
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  • Improved Efficiency and Speed: Streamline processes with automated takeoff, estimates, and material lists, saving you time and resources.
  • Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: Real-time project updates and shared workspaces facilitate seamless collaboration between teams, improving project transparency and communication.
  • Accurate Costing and Budgeting: Generate precise estimates based on real-time market data and historical project information, ensuring accurate budgeting and financial planning.
  • Reduced Errors and Risk Mitigation: Eliminate manual errors with automated calculations and standardized processes, minimizing risk and ensuring project quality.
  • Increased Scalability and Flexibility: Adapt to changing project demands with a scalable platform that accommodates diverse project sizes and complexities.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage comprehensive reporting and analytics to gain valuable insights into project performance, enabling informed decision-making.
  • Improved Project Visibility and Control: Gain real-time visibility into project progress, costs, and resource allocation, fostering better control and decision-making.
  • Enhanced Mobile Accessibility: Access project information and manage tasks on the go with mobile app compatibility, increasing flexibility and agility.
  • Simplified Workflows and Streamlined Processes: Automate repetitive tasks and implement standardized workflows, allowing teams to focus on higher-value activities.
  • Improved Communication with Clients and Stakeholders: Share project updates, reports, and visualizations with clients and stakeholders in real-time, fostering transparency and trust.
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  • 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.
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  • Import Multiple Files: Save time on lengthy file conversions by importing all construction-related files into a single software.
  • Assembly Takeoff: Calculate the total materials and staff required for a project quickly. Provide accurate estimates to clients and win more work.
  • Excel Export: Export component data, measurements and charts to Excel and make them accessible to all. Save additional paper costs and keep adding new data to Excel sheets.
  • Highlighter: Color the necessary parts of a drawing that require attention. Track changes by coloring new additions to bring them to everyone’s attention.
  • Sheet Manager: From accounting sheets to blueprints, collect and coordinate sheet storage in a centralized location. Ensure that the team has access to all required files.
  • Insert Notes: Highlight important portions or add additional information in the form of notes in drawings. Resolve issues and get approval faster.
  • Estimating: Submit accurate project estimates to clients on time. Carefully review material quantities and workers required to complete the project successfully.
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Product Ranking

#18

among all
Takeoff Software

#34

among all
Takeoff Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

70
52
80
73
75
50
14
0
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Trades Management
Project Management
Reports and Dashboards
Trades Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Square Takeoff
Takeoff Live
+ 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 50 0 69 64 0 29 100 0 25 50 75 100
80%
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73%
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27%
75%
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50%
14%
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86%
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100%
76%
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24%
71%
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29%
75%
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25%
58%
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42%
88%
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12%
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100%
86%
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14%
29%
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71%
91%
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9%
100%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

20%
0%
80%
20%
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80%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 16 reviews
Great User Sentiment 63 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.

84%
of users recommend this product

Takeoff Live has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 63 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.5 (1)
4.0 (9)
4.16 (31)
4.9 (7)
4.2 (31)

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.
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Effortless Takeoffs: Users praise the intuitive interface and point-and-click simplicity for quick material quantification, saving them hours compared to manual methods.
Accuracy Boost: Reviewers highlight the software's precise measurements, reducing errors and ensuring accurate estimates, leading to cost savings and project efficiency.
Flexibility for All: Takeoff Live's compatibility with various file formats (PDFs, CADs, photos) and scaling options cater to diverse project types and data sources.
Collaboration Made Easy: Users appreciate the real-time collaboration features, enabling teams to work on projects simultaneously, share tasks, and track progress, improving communication and project management.
Time-Saving Automation: Macros and scripting features automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more strategic work and reducing the risk of human error in calculations.
Budget-Friendly Choice: Compared to competitors, Takeoff Live's pricing is seen as affordable and accessible, making it a valuable tool for small businesses and individual contractors.
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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.
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Learning Curve Concerns: Some users find the initial learning curve steeper than expected, requiring extra time to become proficient in using all features effectively.
Limited Mobile Options: While Takeoff Live offers cloud access, a dedicated mobile app is lacking, which can hinder flexibility and on-site project management for some users.
Occasional Glitches: Some users report encountering occasional bugs or glitches that can disrupt workflow, although updates are frequent.
Customization Limitations: While Takeoff Live offers flexibility, some users wish for more advanced customization options for specific workflows or complex project needs.
Limited Free Trial: The free trial period is considered short by some users, making it difficult to fully evaluate the software's suitability for their needs.
Support Response Times: While support options exist, some users report occasional delays in receiving responses from customer service.
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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.

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Users' experiences with Takeoff Live in the past year paint a picture of a user-friendly, accurate, and affordable takeoff software solution, but not without its limitations. While lauded for its intuitive interface, time-saving automation, and budget-conscious pricing compared to competitors like Planswift and OnCenter, Takeoff Live faces critiques for its initial learning curve, lack of a mobile app, and occasional technical glitches. Positive reviews highlight the ease of use, with users particularly impressed by the ability to quickly quantify materials from diverse file formats and scales. This efficiency translates to significant time savings compared to manual methods, a crucial advantage for busy contractors. Accuracy is another strength, with users praising the software's precise measurements, leading to more reliable estimates and reduced project costs. Additionally, Takeoff Live's pricing structure is seen as more accessible for small businesses and individual contractors, making it a standout in a market dominated by pricier options. However, some users found the initial learning curve steeper than anticipated, requiring extra effort to master all features. The absence of a dedicated mobile app also presents a hurdle for users seeking on-site project management flexibility. While Takeoff Live offers cloud access, a mobile app would further enhance its usability and cater to the increasingly mobile workforce. Occasional bug reports and limited customization options raise concerns for specific workflows and complex projects. Finally, the short free trial period and reported delays in customer support responses leave some users wanting more. In conclusion, Takeoff Live's strengths lie in its user-friendliness, accuracy, affordability, and diverse file format compatibility. However, a steeper learning curve, lack of mobile app, and occasional technical issues are noteworthy weaknesses. Ultimately, users seeking an intuitive and cost-effective takeoff solution will find Takeoff Live a valuable tool, but those requiring advanced customization, extensive mobile functionality, and immediate customer support might need to consider alternative options.

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Screenshots

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