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STACK Alternatives for Commercial Roofing Takeoffs
Disclosure: Sharp Pencil sells commercial roofing takeoffs, so we have a stake in this topic. Every feature and price below for another company comes from that company's own page, linked and checked on 2026-10-28. Where a vendor does not publish a price, we say so instead of guessing. Vendors change plans and prices often, so check their current pages before you buy. We have not run a head to head test of their tools on the same set.
Last updated: 2026-10-28. Sources checked on 2026-10-28.
STACK is cloud takeoff and estimating software that your estimator runs, priced per user per month. For commercial roofing, the alternatives are other takeoff software (PlanSwift, Bluebeam, The EDGE), AI takeoff tools, or an outsourced roofing takeoff service. Sharp Pencil is the service option: you send the commercial set and we return a four-file package you can check line by line. Usually within one business day. Delivered within 48 hours*.
What STACK is, from its own pages
STACK sells cloud software for takeoff, estimating and field work. Your estimator does the measuring.
On stackct.com/pricing (checked 2026-10-28), STACK lists Takeoff & Estimate as low as $299 per user / month, with Quantity, Labor & Material Takeoff, Flexible Estimates & Proposals, and Unlimited Plans & Projects. Build & Operate is as low as $49 per user / month. Full STACK Platform is as low as $348 per user / month. The same pricing FAQ says that for Takeoff & Estimate, STACK offers a free version of the software, and that for Build & Operate there is a two-week free trial.
On stackct.com/roofing (checked 2026-10-28), STACK describes takeoffs that measure pitched or flat roofs, with the option to import images from its Aerial Imagery library, plus estimates with markup, overhead and regional cost data, and proposals.
We do not quote third-party renewal claims, reviewer quotes, or STACK customer testimonials here. Vendors change plans often, so check STACK's current pricing page before you buy.
STACK alternatives compared
The table below sticks to what each vendor publishes on its own pages. We have not run a head to head test on the same set.
| Option | Who does the takeoff | Published price (vendor's page) | Roofing notes from the vendor's page | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STACK | Your estimator | Takeoff & Estimate from $299 per user per month, with a free version offered (stackct.com/pricing, checked 2026-10-28). Build & Operate from $49. Full STACK Platform from $348. | Pitched or flat roofs, aerial imagery import, estimates and proposals | stackct.com/pricing, stackct.com/roofing |
| PlanSwift | Your estimator | As shown on our sister page checked Oct 15: Essential $2,000 and Core $3,000 per seat per year (planswift.com/pricing) | Desktop takeoff with assemblies | planswift.com/pricing, PlanSwift vs Bluebeam vs The EDGE |
| Bluebeam Revu | Your estimator | As shown on our sister page checked Oct 15: $260 to $440 per user per year and Max $590 introductory | PDF markup with measurement tools | Bluebeam pricing, PlanSwift vs Bluebeam vs The EDGE |
| The EDGE / On Center | Your estimator | Not published on the pages we checked | Roofing estimating software | On Center roofing page |
| AI takeoff tools | Varies | See that page | See that page | Beam AI alternatives for commercial roofing takeoffs |
| Sharp Pencil | We do, from the drawings you send | First takeoff free, one per contractor, on a job you're bidding or quoting. After that, $395 per new set, or monthly plans | Commercial roofing takeoffs for low slope (TPO, EPDM, PVC, mod bit, BUR) and steep slope (standing seam and shingle). Four-file package. Every quantity names its source sheet and basis. Questions tab for open items. | Pricing, sample |
When staying on STACK makes sense
If your team uses STACK for takeoff, estimating and proposals in one place and has the hours to run it, swapping tools may cost more than it saves. Stay on STACK when the cloud workflow already fits how your estimators bid, and compare only on STACK's own current pricing page when the seat cost is the question.
Other takeoff software (when you still want to measure in house)
When the swap is still "your estimator measures," PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, and The EDGE are the common desktop or estimating options named in Table 1. For the three-way fit, see PlanSwift vs Bluebeam vs The EDGE for commercial roofing. For categories and published software price ranges, see roofing takeoff software compared. We do not rebuild those tables here.
AI takeoff tools
If you want AI help on plan takeoffs, see Beam AI alternatives for commercial roofing takeoffs. Any AI first pass still needs a roofing check on scale, other discipline sheets, taper, edge profiles and steep slope pitch.
For the difference between an AI takeoff and an AI estimate, see AI roofing takeoff vs AI estimating.
A takeoff service (when the problem is hours, not software)
Another seat does not add estimator hours. A commercial roofing takeoff service does the measuring. Your team checks, prices and decides.
What you send: the full set (architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, specs if you have them).
What comes back: four files. START HERE, marked-up drawings PDF, Takeoff.xlsx with a Questions tab, and the material order list. See the roofing takeoff sample.
When the real question is hire versus outsource, see hire a roofing estimator vs outsource. For per-set pricing, see what a commercial roofing takeoff costs.
Example, made up for illustration: 12 months at STACK's own Takeoff & Estimate list of $299 per user per month is $3,588 per seat per year at that list price. Sharp Pencil is $395 per new set after the free first takeoff (or monthly plans). This example uses only that published per-seat arithmetic next to the published per-set price. It does not invent estimator hours.
How to choose
- Using STACK end to end and the hours are there: stay, or compare on STACK's own current pricing page.
- Want a different tool your estimator runs: PlanSwift, Bluebeam or The EDGE (see PlanSwift vs Bluebeam vs The EDGE).
- Want AI help inside your estimating room: see the Beam AI alternatives page.
- Short on hours, or overflow sets sitting: send them to a commercial roofing takeoff service.
- Not sure: run one live bid both ways. Sharp Pencil's first takeoff is free, one per contractor, on a job you're bidding or quoting.
FAQ
What are STACK alternatives for commercial roofing takeoffs?
For commercial roofing, STACK alternatives fall into three groups: other takeoff software your estimator runs (PlanSwift, Bluebeam, The EDGE), AI takeoff tools (see our Beam AI alternatives page), and an outsourced commercial roofing takeoff service such as Sharp Pencil that returns a finished four-file package.
How much does STACK cost?
On stackct.com/pricing (checked 2026-10-28), Takeoff & Estimate is as low as $299 per user / month, Build & Operate is as low as $49 per user / month, and Full STACK Platform is as low as $348 per user / month. The pricing FAQ says Takeoff & Estimate offers a free version of the software, and Build & Operate has a two-week free trial. Check STACK's current pricing page before you buy.
Does STACK do roofing takeoffs?
STACK's roofing page (stackct.com/roofing, checked 2026-10-28) describes takeoffs that measure pitched or flat roofs, with the option to import images from its Aerial Imagery library, plus estimates with markup, overhead and regional cost data, and proposals. Your estimator runs the software.
Is a takeoff service an alternative to STACK?
Yes. STACK is software your estimator runs. An outsourced commercial roofing takeoff service such as Sharp Pencil is a different buy: you send the drawings, we do the measuring, and you get a downloadable four-file package you can check line by line. Use a service when the problem is hours, not which seat to buy.
What does Sharp Pencil cost, and what do you get back?
First takeoff free, one per contractor, on a job you're bidding or quoting. After that, $395 per new set of drawings, or monthly plans. You get four files: START HERE, marked-up drawings PDF, Takeoff.xlsx with a Questions tab, and the material order list. Usually within one business day. Delivered within 48 hours*.
*Clock starts once any questions we send you are answered.
Why send your takeoffs to Sharp Pencil
A takeoff backlog hurts most in the jobs you no-bid because nobody had the hours. Here's how we handle the usual problems.
- Usually within one business day. Delivered within 48 hours*. A takeoff stuck in a week-long queue does you no good when the bid is due sooner.
- Every page gets read. Send the full set: architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and the spec book if you have it.
- Every quantity names its sheet. Every quantity carries its source sheet and its basis, so you can check it against the drawings.
- Questions instead of guesses. If the set leaves something open, it goes on the Questions tab in Takeoff.xlsx, not into the number as a guess.
- Checked before it goes out. Every paid takeoff is checked before delivery.
- Four files, one package. START HERE, marked-up drawings PDF, Takeoff.xlsx with a Questions tab, and the material order list.
- Your plans stay yours. A plan set you send us will never be used to compete with you, and plan sets are deleted whenever you ask. See what happens to your plans.
- First takeoff free, one per contractor, on a job you're bidding or quoting. After that, $395 per new set of drawings, or monthly plans. See what a takeoff costs and how it works.
Commercial roofing takeoffs for low-slope (TPO, EPDM, PVC, mod bit and BUR), standing seam and shingle roofs. Residential is not our focus today, but ask if you have a job in mind. See our commercial roofing takeoff services and where every number comes from.
Get your first takeoff free · See full pricing and plan terms · Or email [email protected]
*Clock starts once any questions we send you are answered.
The Sharp Pencil team
Sources
- STACK pricing: stackct.com/pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
- STACK roofing: stackct.com/roofing (checked 2026-10-28)
- PlanSwift and Bluebeam figures: as shown on /planswift-vs-bluebeam-vs-edge-roofing (sister page checked Oct 15)
- Beam AI alternatives (AI row): /beam-ai-alternatives-roofing-takeoff
- Sharp Pencil: /#pricing, /roofing-takeoff-sample, /commercial-roofing-takeoff-cost, /hire-roofing-estimator-vs-outsource, /your-data (checked 2026-10-28)