PlanSwift® vs. Autodesk® Takeoff

An Honest Comparison for Estimators and Contractors

PlanSwift® and Autodesk® Takeoff are both used to measure construction plans and generate quantities, but they were built for different environments. This page compares what each platform does today, where they overlap, and which is the better fit depending on your work.

Quick Answer:

How PlanSwift and Autodesk Takeoff Compare

PlanSwift and Autodesk Takeoff both produce construction quantities, but they solve the problem from different starting points. The most meaningful difference is this: PlanSwift is a desktop tool that measures 2D plans and prices them in the same application. Autodesk Takeoff is a cloud tool whose signature strength is generating quantities directly from 3D BIM models, with pricing handled downstream.

PlanSwift is a construction takeoff and estimating platform for general contractors and specialty trade contractors. It combines point-and-click 2D measurement, AI-assisted takeoff through the Takeoff Boost™ suite, and drag-and-drop material and labor assemblies that calculate cost and labor hours automatically as you take off. It integrates with Excel®, supports PDF, DWG, JPG, and TIFF plan files. PlanSwift also provides advanced reporting and proposal functions, so you can submit a bid right out of the product.

Autodesk® Takeoff (now Forma Takeoff) is a cloud-based quantification tool within Autodesk Construction Cloud. It lets estimators perform 2D takeoff (linear, count, and area) and automatically generate quantities from 3D building information models (BIM) in a single environment, then roll up combined 2D and 3D quantities by classification, type, and material. Autodesk Takeoff can hold unit costs for rough conceptual budgets, but detailed estimating is handled by exporting to Excel or connecting to a separate Autodesk estimating product.

Feature Comparison

PlanSwift vs. Autodesk Takeoff: What’s the Difference?

Autodesk Takeoff is now branded Forma Takeoff and is part of Autodesk Construction Cloud. This table reflects each platform’s capabilities as documented and observed in current product versions.

Feature

PlanSwift with Takeoff Boost™

Autodesk Takeoff (Forma Takeoff)

Product category

Purpose-built desktop takeoff and estimating platform.

Cloud-based quantification tool within Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Primary takeoff method

2D takeoff from plans and drawings (areas, lengths, volumes, counts).

2D takeoff plus automated quantity generation from 3D BIM models, combined in one environment.

AI-Assisted Takeoff

Built-in suite of AI tools called Takeoff Boost™ that does the takeoff itself. Auto Takeoff generates area, linear, and count measurements in minutes. Auto Count detects repeated symbols across up to 10 pages in minutes. Auto Scale sets scale automatically. Auto Bookmark organizes plan pages in minutes.

Autodesk AI automated symbol detection: trace one symbol and it detects and counts all matching symbols. Quantities are generated automatically from 3D models.

Built-in estimating

Drag-and-drop material and labor assemblies calculate cost and labor hours automatically as measurements are taken.

Unit costs can be added to takeoff types for rough/conceptual budgets (cost updates in the inventory panel), but detailed estimating happens in a separate product or in Excel.

Trade assembly libraries

Mature assembly library across 18+ trades (concrete, drywall, electrical, framing, HVAC, plumbing, roofing, and more); additional trade plugins.

Not offered as trade assembly libraries. Uses custom classification systems to standardize and roll up quantities.

Excel integration

Yes, including a live Excel link.

Yes, quantities export to Excel to connect to estimating solutions.

Deployment

Windows® desktop application.

Cloud/web-based, part of Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Where PlanSwift Stands Out

Where Autodesk Takeoff Stands Out

AI That Auto-Generates the Takeoff, Not Just Counts Symbols Both tools offer AI symbol counting: PlanSwift's Auto Count and Autodesk's automated symbol detection both let you identify one symbol and count every match. PlanSwift goes a step further with Auto Takeoff, which generates a full page of takeoff in minutes (walls, ceilings, openings, fixtures, and areas) directly on your 2D plans. Auto Scale and Auto Bookmark also automate plan setup (scaling and page navigation), so you spend less time getting a plan set ready to measure. What this means for you: If you bid from 2D plans and PDFs, as most trade contractors and many GCs do, PlanSwift's AI removes the click-by-click grind of the measurement itself, not just the counting. You review and refine instead of drawing everything from scratch, and you don't need a 3D model to get the benefit.

Quantities Straight From the 3D Model Autodesk Takeoff's signature strength is generating quantities directly from 3D BIM models, then combining those 3D quantities with 2D takeoff in a single environment and rolling them up by classification, type, and material. For teams whose projects are designed and delivered in Revit, that means quantities can flow from the model instead of being re-measured by hand. What this means for you: If your projects are model-based and you want quantities that stay in sync with the design as it changes, a model-driven takeoff tool captures information a purely 2D tool can't read from a drawing.

Takeoff and Estimating in One Tool In PlanSwift, cost and labor hours calculate automatically as you take off, using drag-and-drop assemblies built for 18+ trades. The priced estimate builds itself alongside the measurement. In Autodesk Takeoff, you can add unit costs to takeoff types for a rough conceptual budget, but a detailed, trade-level estimate typically means exporting quantities to Excel or moving them into a separate estimating product. What this means for you: Less handoff between tools and fewer places for a formula to break. Your takeoff and your priced estimate stay connected in one desktop application, and a live Excel link carries the numbers out to your spreadsheets, and from there into accounting.

Deep Integration with the Autodesk Ecosystem Autodesk Takeoff lives inside Autodesk Construction Cloud alongside Revit, AutoCAD, Docs, and Build, sharing a common cloud data environment. Drawings, models, and quantities stay connected across preconstruction and construction workflows without leaving the Autodesk platform. What this means for you: If your organization already runs on Autodesk (designing in Revit and managing documents in Autodesk Construction Cloud) Autodesk Takeoff slots into workflows and files your team already uses, which shortens setup and keeps everything in one place.

Built for 2D Plan-Based Bidding Across Trades PlanSwift ships with a mature, trade-specific assembly library (concrete, drywall, electrical, framing, HVAC, insulation, masonry, plumbing, roofing, and more) plus additional plugins. It's a purpose-built takeoff-and-estimating tool that works directly from the 2D plans and PDFs contractors already receive, with no dependence on a 3D model or a BIM workflow. What this means for you: You can adopt trade-specific workflows out of the box and start bidding from a plan set on day one, whether or not the project was designed in a BIM tool.

Cloud-Native Access and Collaboration Because Autodesk Takeoff is browser-based, multiple team members can access projects and collaborate from anywhere without installing desktop software, and takeoff data lives in a centralized cloud environment. What this means for you: For distributed preconstruction teams that need shared, always-current access to models and quantities, a cloud-native tool avoids the version-passing that desktop files can create.

Making the Right Call

Trade-offs to Consider

If you choose PlanSwift

If you choose Autodesk Takeoff

You get integrated takeoff-and-estimating and AI that auto-generates 2D takeoff, but it's a Windows desktop application built around 2D plans. It is not a BIM/model-based tool and won't pull quantities from a 3D Revit model.

You get best-in-class model-based quantities and tight Autodesk integration, but detailed estimating isn't built in. Cost and pricing logic live in Excel or a separate estimating product, so a priced trade estimate is a downstream step.

You get AI measurement automation, assemblies, and a live Excel integration, but it isn't part of the Autodesk Construction Cloud environment if this is something your team is already using.

You get powerful 3D quantities, but only if you have BIM models. If you mostly bid from 2D PDFs and drawings, much of the model-based value doesn't apply, and you're paying for a platform built for a BIM ecosystem.

You get Auto Takeoff, the AI-powered feature that generates a full page of takeoff, but only in the PlanSwift Core/Premium Maintenance. The Essential/Advanced Maintenance includes other AI tools like Auto Count, Auto Scale, and Auto Bookmark but not Auto Takeoff.

You get standardized quantities through custom classification systems, but no pre-built trade assembly libraries for material-and-labor cost calculation.

Choosing the Right Tool

Which Platform Fits Your Workflow?

The right choice depends largely on whether you work from 2D plans or from 3D BIM models, and on whether you want estimating built in.

Situation

Consider

You want takeoff and a priced estimate in one tool.

PlanSwift

You bid primarily from 2D plans, PDFs, and drawings.

PlanSwift

You want AI that auto-generates the 2D takeoff, not just counts symbols.

PlanSwift

You want cost and labor hours to calculate automatically as you perform a takeoff.

PlanSwift

You're a specialty trade contractor who needs assembly libraries out of the box.

PlanSwift

Your projects are designed and delivered in Revit/BIM.

Autodesk Takeoff

You want quantities pulled directly from 3D models.

Autodesk Takeoff

Your team already runs on Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Autodesk Takeoff

You handle detailed estimating in a separate tool or in Excel.

Autodesk Takeoff

Frequently Asked Questions

How PlanSwift Compares to Autodesk Takeoff

What is the main difference between PlanSwift and Autodesk Takeoff?

PlanSwift is a purpose-built desktop takeoff-and-estimating platform: it measures 2D plans, runs AI-assisted takeoff through the Takeoff Boost™ suite, and turns quantities into a priced estimate using built-in material and labor assemblies.

Autodesk Takeoff (now Forma Takeoff) is a cloud quantification tool within Autodesk Construction Cloud whose signature strength is generating quantities from 3D BIM models and combining them with 2D takeoff. Pricing is handled by exporting to Excel or a separate estimating product.

PlanSwift leads on integrated 2D takeoff-and-estimating, while Autodesk Takeoff leads on model-based quantities and Autodesk ecosystem integration.

Does Autodesk Takeoff include estimating?

Not full estimating. Autodesk Takeoff lets you add unit costs to takeoff types for rough or conceptual budgets, with costs updating in the inventory panel as quantities change. A detailed, trade-level estimate typically means exporting quantities to Excel or connecting to a separate Autodesk estimating product (such as Forma Estimate or ProEst). PlanSwift includes estimating directly: drag-and-drop material and labor assemblies calculate cost and labor hours automatically as you take off, so the priced estimate builds alongside the measurement.

Do I need 3D BIM models to use these tools?

Not for PlanSwift. PlanSwift is built to work from 2D plans, PDFs, and drawings, so you can bid whether or not the project was designed in a BIM tool. Autodesk Takeoff can do 2D takeoff as well, but much of its distinctive value comes from generating quantities from 3D models. If you rarely receive BIM models, a large part of that advantage doesn’t apply.

What file formats do PlanSwift and Autodesk Takeoff support?

PlanSwift accepts PDF, DWG, JPG, and TIFF plan files. Autodesk Takeoff works with 2D formats (PDF, DWG/DXF) and 3D BIM models such as Revit and IFC, which supports its model-based quantity workflow.

Does PlanSwift integrate with Excel?

Yes. PlanSwift includes a live Excel link, so material costs, labor data, and quantities move between PlanSwift and your spreadsheets without manual re-entry. From Excel, that data can flow into accounting software.

Which is the right choice for my business?

If your primary need is bidding from 2D plans with AI measurement automation, trade assemblies, automatic cost and labor calculation, and a live Excel link, PlanSwift is the better fit. If your projects are designed in Revit, you want quantities pulled directly from 3D models, and your team already works inside Autodesk Construction Cloud, Autodesk Takeoff is purpose-built for that ecosystem, with detailed estimating handled downstream in Excel or a separate tool