Togal.AI vs STACK vs PlanSwift: Which Takeoff Tool Wins for Texas Contractors?

If you're a Texas contractor shopping for takeoff software, you've probably landed on these three names. All three do digital takeoffs. None of them do it the same way. Here's how they actually differ once you get past the marketing pages.

Togal.AI: fastest for pure computer-vision takeoffs

Togal.AI leans hardest into automation. It uses computer vision to scan floor plans and identify components - walls, doors, windows, rooms - with minimal manual input, and independent testing has clocked full architectural takeoffs completed in a matter of minutes rather than hours. That speed is the headline feature.

Best for: Mid-size general contractors and subcontractors running 50+ estimates a year who need fast, accurate takeoff volume more than deep project-management features.

Worth knowing: Pricing sits at the higher end of the market for growth-tier plans, and it's a takeoff tool first - you'll likely still need a separate system for scheduling, client communication, and job costing.

STACK: built for cloud-based quantity takeoffs

STACK is popular with subcontractors and builders who work directly off digital plans and need precise material measurements. Its AI-assist features can detect doors, windows, rooms, and walls automatically, and it's built specifically around the takeoff-and-quantity workflow rather than being bolted onto a broader project management suite.

Best for: Teams that live inside plan sets daily and want a dedicated, collaborative takeoff canvas - especially subcontractors who need to hand clean quantities to an estimator or pricing system.

Worth knowing: STACK is strong at measurement but lighter on budgeting and financial reporting, so most firms pair it with a separate system for cost tracking and forecasting, and it doesn't have native accounting integration out of the box.

PlanSwift: the established manual-assist option

PlanSwift has been around longer than the AI-native tools and is built around a more manual, click-to-measure workflow with some automation layered in. It's a known quantity for estimators who've used it for years and don't need - or trust - a fully automated takeoff.

Best for: Estimators who want granular control over every measurement and are comfortable with a more hands-on process, or firms with existing PlanSwift templates and workflows already built out.

Worth knowing: It won't match the raw speed of a computer-vision-first tool like Togal.AI on clean, standard plans, but that manual control is exactly what some experienced estimators prefer for complex or nonstandard drawings.

Quick comparison for Texas firms

| | Togal.AI | STACK | PlanSwift | |---|---|---|---| | Best fit | High-volume automated takeoffs | Cloud-based takeoff + collaboration | Manual precision control | | Automation level | Highest | High | Lower | | Financial/budgeting depth | Limited (takeoff-focused) | Limited (takeoff-focused) | Add-on dependent | | Learning curve | Low | Moderate | Moderate-high |

The real question to ask

None of these tools replace your pricing, budgeting, or client management workflow - they replace the measurement step. The right choice depends on what you're bolting it onto. If you already have a solid estimating and job-costing system and just need faster, more accurate quantities, that narrows the decision fast.

Not sure which takeoff workflow fits your Texas project pipeline? [Get a free estimating consultation] and we'll walk through what actually makes sense for your bid volume.