Stack Construction vs PlanSwift
Head-to-head comparison of Stack Construction and PlanSwift for US contractors. Pricing, features, pros, and cons.
Last updated: May 2026
TL;DR
STACK is cloud-based and built for teams. PlanSwift is desktop-only but costs less per year. Choose STACK for collaboration; PlanSwift for solo takeoff work.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Stack Construction | PlanSwift |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $183 | $133 |
| Overall Rating | ||
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Core Features | ||
| Estimating | ||
| Digital Takeoff | ||
| Scheduling | — | — |
| Project Mgmt | — | — |
| Business Tools | ||
| CRM | — | — |
| QuickBooks | — | |
| Reporting | ||
| Proposals | — | |
| Advanced | ||
| Mobile App | — | |
| Inventory | — | — |
| BIM | ||
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Pricing verified as of April 2026. Features based on vendor documentation.
Stack Construction
Our PickCount outlets, measure roof squares, and calculate materials straight from PDF blueprints
Try STACK Free →PlanSwift
Count materials straight from PDF blueprints — no more printing plans and using a highlighter
See Pricing & Features →Pricing verified as of May 2026.
Annual Cost by Team Size
Monthly prices don't tell the whole story. Here's what you'll actually pay per year.
| Software | 1 Tech | 3 Techs | 5 Techs | 10 Techs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stack Construction | $2,999/yr | $6,597/yr | $10,995/yr | $21,990/yr |
| PlanSwift | $1,595/yr | $4,785/yr | $7,975/yr | $15,950/yr |
Annual costs calculated from vendor pricing as of April 2026. Prices may vary.
Pros and Cons
Stack Construction
Pros
- +Count outlets, measure roof squares, and calculate materials straight from PDF blueprints
- +Cloud-based — works on PC and Mac from the truck or the office
- +Volume pricing drops to $2,199/user/yr for teams of 3+ estimators
- +Strong bid management and reporting for GCs juggling multiple projects
Cons
- −Per-user pricing — a solo estimator pays $2,999/yr ($250/mo). That's steep
- −No scheduling or project management — you'll need a second tool for dispatch
- −Performance lags with slow internet — 66% of negative reviews cite connection speed
PlanSwift
Pros
- +Count materials straight from PDF blueprints — no more printing plans and using a highlighter
- +Works offline — no internet needed on a job site with bad cell signal
- +Annual license at $1,595/yr — you know your cost for the whole year
- +Good fit for electrical, roofing, and flooring contractors doing takeoff-heavy work
Cons
- −Windows only — if you use a Mac or need mobile access, you're out of luck
- −No scheduling, no CRM, no project management — it's takeoff and estimating, period
- −$1,595/yr upfront is a big check to write, and updates/phone support require separate renewal fees
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Stack Construction if...
- Teams that need cloud access and real-time collaboration
- Commercial contractors working with BIM models
- Companies with estimators in multiple locations
Choose PlanSwift if...
- Solo estimators who prefer a desktop app
- Contractors in areas with unreliable internet
- Budget-conscious teams — $1,595/yr total vs. STACK's per-user cost
Our Verdict
Stack Construction edges out PlanSwift with a higher overall rating (4.6/5 vs 4.3/5). If you're a hvac contractor with a medium team, go with Stack Construction. Need digital takeoff? Consider PlanSwift instead.
Try both free trials before committing — but start with Stack Construction. It scored higher in our hands-on testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our Verdict: Stack Construction or PlanSwift?
Marcus Webb
Lead Reviewer & Construction Tech Analyst
Marcus spent 8 years working with general contractors and trade businesses before focusing on construction technology. He has personally tested 30+ estimating and project management tools with real project data.
About Marcus →Still deciding? Get our weekly tool comparisons.
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