STACK vs PlanSwift.
This is the classic cloud-vs-desktop manual takeoff debate. Both are good at what they do; the catch is that what they do is manual. Here's the honest split, and what changes if you go automated.
The real difference
STACK is cloud-based: browser access, real-time collaboration, decent reporting, subscription per seat. PlanSwift is the desktop classic: fast point-and-click on Windows, drag-and-drop assemblies, a per-seat license plus maintenance, and increasingly some AI-assist features. STACK wins on collaboration and access; PlanSwift wins on raw point-and-click speed for people who've used it for years. But both put the measuring in your hands — the time savings are workflow, not automation.
Side by side
| STACK | PlanSwift | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Cloud / browser | Windows desktop |
| Takeoff style | Manual / assisted | Manual point-and-click |
| Collaboration | Strong, real-time | Local / single-machine |
| Assemblies | Yes | Yes, drag-and-drop |
| Pricing | Per-seat subscription | Per-seat license + maintenance |
Based on public documentation as of 2026. STACK and PlanSwift are trademarks of their owners; this is an independent comparison.
The automated option
If the real goal is fewer hours per takeoff, neither manual tool gets you there the way automation does. Pilars reads the set and spec, counts and measures for you, flags code, and returns confidence-scored quantities to review — in the browser, $100 per trade. You stop choosing between two ways to measure by hand.
Questions estimators actually ask
Is STACK or PlanSwift better?
STACK if you want cloud access and collaboration; PlanSwift if you want fast desktop point-and-click and already know it. Both are manual takeoff, so the decision is mostly platform and habit.
Is PlanSwift being replaced by cloud tools?
The market is moving to cloud and to automation, but PlanSwift still has a large, loyal base for desktop speed. If you're on a Mac, though, it's a non-starter.
What does automated takeoff change versus both?
Instead of measuring faster, you don't measure at all — you review AI output. That's the difference between a better manual tool and Pilars.
Pricing for Pilars?
$100 per trade, per plan, no per-seat fees, unlimited projects.