Head-to-head
PlanSwift vs STACK: which one in 2026?
PlanSwift is a desktop takeoff and estimating product with AI tools for counting symbols and reading scales, sold per seat per year. STACK is a cloud construction platform that pairs takeoff with field management and prices per user per month. The difference is a flat annual license for estimators versus a monthly multi-module platform.
Verdict
PlanSwift is the clearer buy for a dedicated estimating desk: its AI tools are named and mapped to plans, and the full-feature trial lets you test them first. STACK fits contractors who also need field reporting and want monthly billing, but its pricing page leaves AI features, data handling and the free version undefined. A buyer comparing the two should price a realistic seat count over twelve months and ask STACK which plan includes its AI Takeoff.
PlanSwift and STACK side by side
| PlanSwift | STACK | |
|---|---|---|
| Price entry | $0 for 14 days (Free Trial); $2,000 per year per seat (Essential) | As low as $49 per user per month (Build & Operate) |
| Billing rhythm | Annual license per seat: Essential at $2,000 a year and Core at $3,000 a year, with discounted extra seats for teams. | Monthly per user, shown as As Low As: $49 for Build & Operate, $299 for Takeoff & Estimate and $348 for the full platform. |
| Trying it first | A 14-day trial includes every feature, all AI tools and all trades, needs no credit card, and nothing renews automatically. | A two-week trial is shown for Build & Operate only. A free Takeoff & Estimate version exists, but its limits are not described. |
| How measuring works | Point-and-click takeoff of areas, lengths and counts on PDF, CAD and image plans, with 18+ trades covered and assemblies built in. | Quantity, labor and material takeoff with estimates and proposals inside the takeoff plan, plus unlimited plans and projects. |
| AI features named | Auto Count finds matching symbols, Auto Scale reads title blocks, Auto Bookmark links sheets, and Auto Takeoff generates measurements on Core. | AI Takeoff and STACK IQ appear in navigation, but the pricing page neither describes them nor says which plan includes either. |
| Beyond the estimate | Focused on takeoff and estimating, with bids sent to Excel or your estimating system rather than a field module. | Issues, punch lists, daily reports and customizable workflows cover the project after the bid is won. |
| Team scaling | Teams buying 10 or more licenses may qualify for volume pricing, and that is arranged through a conversation with the sales team. | Per-user pricing scales with headcount, and a seat count is the main input to the monthly total. |
| Data statements | The pages read have no data handling statement; they link to a ConstructConnect privacy policy without summarizing it. | Only the pricing page was opened, so no privacy, hosting or security detail can be reported for this review. |
| Integrations named | Excel is the named integration, and bids can also be sent to whichever estimating system your company already uses. | No integrations are listed on the pricing page that was opened, so connection options need to be confirmed with the vendor. |
Where each one wins
PlanSwift wins on
- A fully documented AI toolset, from Auto Count to Auto Takeoff, with plan tiers that say which feature sits where
- The 14-day trial unlocks everything, so an estimator can test AI takeoff on a real plan set
- Predictable annual cost per seat with training hours included in Essential
STACK wins on
- Field tools for punch lists, daily reports and issues extend the platform past the estimate
- Monthly per-user billing and a low-cost Build & Operate entry suit small crews
- A free version of Takeoff & Estimate is offered, though its limits were not published
Which to pick
Pick PlanSwift if
Your estimators work mainly from drawings, want AI counting and scale detection, and prefer one annual seat price they can budget in advance.
Pick STACK if
You want estimating and field management in one subscription, pay monthly per user, and are fine confirming AI features and limits with the vendor.
Each tool in context: PlanSwift profile, STACK profile, and the full Best AI Construction Estimating Software in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PlanSwift cost compared with STACK?
PlanSwift lists Essential at $2,000 per year and Core at $3,000 per year, each for one seat. STACK lists As Low As prices per user per month: $49, $299 and $348 across three plans. Over a year, one Takeoff & Estimate user at $299 monthly lands near $3,588 before any discount.
Which tool has AI takeoff?
PlanSwift names Auto Count, Auto Scale and Auto Bookmark on Essential and Auto Takeoff on Core. STACK names AI Takeoff and STACK IQ in its navigation, but the pricing page does not describe them or say which plan carries them, so confirm scope with the vendor before relying on it.
Can I try both before paying?
PlanSwift offers a 14-day trial with every feature and no credit card. STACK shows a two-week free trial for Build & Operate and mentions a free Takeoff & Estimate version without describing its features or limits. Test with a real plan set in each, since limits show up in daily use.
Does either tool include project management?
STACK does, through issues, punch lists, daily reports and customizable workflows in Build & Operate and the full platform. PlanSwift concentrates on takeoff and estimating and sends results to Excel or another estimating system, so teams needing field tracking would add a separate tool.