TRACEBUILD vs On-Screen Takeoff
Both quantify plans for bidding. TRACEBUILD Lite runs in the browser, free while in early access, with one-click room and run detection. On-Screen Takeoff is a mature, paid Windows tool with deep bid-day workflows. Here is where each one fits.
Side by side
| Capability | TRACEBUILD | On-Screen Takeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Runs in the browser | Yes, in Lite | No, Windows desktop |
| Cost to start | Free (Lite, early access) | Paid subscription |
| Mac and Chromebook | Yes, any browser | No, Windows only |
| PDF markup and measurement | Yes | Yes |
| Area, length, count to scale | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-detect rooms and runs | Yes, one click | Manual conditions |
| Conditions and bid workflow | Estimating in Pro | Yes, mature |
| On-device AI estimating | Pro, coming soon | No |
| Export to Excel | Yes | Yes |
| Nothing to install | Yes | No |
| Drawings stay on your device | Yes | Yes, local |
| Bid-day depth and maturity | Newer, focused | Deep, established |
Comparison reflects our understanding of publicly available information as of July 2026 and may change. Verify current features and pricing with each vendor.
Where TRACEBUILD leads
Free and cross-platform
Any browser on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook, with nothing to install. Free while in early access.
One-click detection
Detect Spaces and Detect Runs quantify a sheet automatically instead of tracing every condition by hand.
On-device AI, coming to Pro
The Windows app turns a priced takeoff into a basis of estimate with a local AI model, fully offline.
Low barrier to start
No seat to provision and little training to get a first takeoff out the door.
The road ahead
On-Screen Takeoff has deep, proven bid-day workflows built over many years, and that experience is real. TRACEBUILD is building the modern counterpart, fast and browser-based, with automation and AI doing more of the heavy lifting. Here is what is coming next.
- Estimating and priced proposals. Quantities roll up into a bid with labor and material, coming in the Pro app.
- On-device AI estimating. A private local model turns a takeoff into a basis of estimate, no cloud.
- AI auto-takeoff. One pass detects and quantifies a sheet for you to review and refine.
- Live sessions. Review and mark up together, right in the browser.
Early-access members help shape what ships next.
Common questions
Is TRACEBUILD a free alternative to On-Screen Takeoff?
TRACEBUILD Lite is free in the browser during early access and does real area, length, and count takeoff with one-click detection. On-Screen Takeoff is a paid Windows desktop tool with deep, established bid-day workflows.
Do I need to install anything?
On-Screen Takeoff is a Windows desktop application you install. TRACEBUILD Lite runs in the browser with nothing to install, on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook.
Can TRACEBUILD handle large plan sets?
Yes. TRACEBUILD opens full plan sets, mixes sheet sizes, and searches text across every sheet, including scanned drawings via OCR.