The ProEst alternative
that automates the takeoff.
ProEst is a solid cloud estimating platform with a real cost database — the pricing side is its strength. The takeoff inside it is still largely manual, and that's the slow part of any bid. Pilars automates the takeoff and feeds your estimate.
What ProEst is good at
ProEst (now part of Autodesk) is a cloud estimating system with cost databases, assemblies and reporting, plus digital takeoff. Teams like it for organized estimating and a maintained cost catalog. But its takeoff is the conventional manual/assisted kind — you measure on screen — so the bottleneck that limits how many bids you can run is still there.
Where Pilars is different
Pilars isn't trying to be your pricing system — it's the automated takeoff engine in front of it. It reads the set and spec, checks code, returns confidence-scored quantities, and exports them to Excel, Sage, WinEst or whatever you price in. Keep your cost database; remove the manual takeoff feeding it.
| Capability | Pilars | ProEst |
|---|---|---|
| Fully automated takeoff | Yes | Manual / assisted |
| Reads the spec book | Yes | No |
| Code-compliance flagging | Yes | No |
| Confidence score per quantity | Yes | No |
| Exports to your estimating tool | Yes | Built-in estimating |
| Pricing | $100 per trade, per plan | Per-seat subscription |
Based on public documentation as of 2026. ProEst is a trademark of its owner; this is an independent comparison.
Questions estimators actually ask
Is Pilars a full estimating system like ProEst?
No — and that's deliberate. ProEst handles pricing and cost databases; Pilars automates the takeoff and exports clean quantities into your pricing tool. Many teams use Pilars to feed an estimating system they already have.
Can I use Pilars with my existing cost database?
Yes — it exports quantities to Excel, Sage, WinEst and others, so you keep your labor units and pricing where they are.
Why not just use ProEst's takeoff?
You can — it's competent manual takeoff. Pilars is for teams that want the takeoff produced automatically, with spec reading and code flagging, so they can bid more.
How does pricing compare?
Pilars is $100 per trade, per plan, no per-seat fees. ProEst is a per-seat subscription.