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A On-Screen Takeoff alternative for drywall, framing and CMU takeoffs

Short answer: On-Screen Takeoff is a long-standing Windows desktop program where estimators measure conditions by hand. ReadMyBlueprint runs in your browser and does the wall counting for you: framing, drywall, insulation and CMU, read from the plan's own geometry and wall legend,, priced per plan set.

Side by side

What's the best On-Screen Takeoff alternative for takeoff?

On-Screen Takeoff details from its public site and published comparisons, September 2026. Check their site for current terms.

On-Screen TakeoffReadMyBlueprint
Where it runsWindows desktop installAny browser, Windows or Mac
How a wall gets countedYou draw conditions and measure by handRead automatically from the plan's geometry and wall legend
PricingLicensed; quote from the vendorPer plan set; first plan set free; monthly option
TradesAny tradeMetal and wood framing, drywall, plywood, insulation, CMU
Scanned plansCan measure on image-based plansNo: needs CAD-exported vector PDFs
What we won't claim: we haven't run side-by-side accuracy tests against this tool, so we don't say our counts are "more accurate." What we can show is how our numbers are produced, including a real end-to-end test on a 21-page plan set, with the parts that didn't fully resolve.
Honest fit

Should you use On-Screen Takeoff or ReadMyBlueprint?

ReadMyBlueprint fits if you

  • Bid drywall, metal or wood framing, insulation or masonry
  • Get CAD-exported PDFs from the architect or GC
  • Want the wall counts done for you, with every uncertain wall flagged
  • Bid a few jobs a month and don't want a yearly contract
  • Want to skip clicking every wall

On-Screen Takeoff fits better if you

  • Measure every trade by hand and like full control
  • Have years of OST templates set up
  • Work from scanned plans

How to do a construction takeoff · Bobyard alternative · STACK alternative · Togal.AI alternative · PlanSwift alternative · Kreo alternative · Bluebeam alternative · eTakeoff alternative

Questions

Common questions

Is there an On-Screen Takeoff alternative that works on Mac?

Yes. ReadMyBlueprint runs in any browser, including on a Mac.

How is ReadMyBlueprint different from On-Screen Takeoff?

In OST you draw and measure conditions yourself. ReadMyBlueprint measures walls automatically and flags any it isn't sure of for you to confirm.

Does ReadMyBlueprint work on scanned plans?

No. It needs vector PDFs exported from CAD or Revit, because it measures the real drawing lines. On a scanned page it tells you it can't measure it instead of guessing.

Does ReadMyBlueprint measure the picture or the drawing data?

The drawing data. It reads the line geometry inside a CAD-exported PDF, calibrated to each sheet's own printed scale, and measures each wall's length and drawn thickness. It does not trace the page as an image.

Try it on the plan set in front of you.

Your first plan set is free. No sales call, no subscription, nothing to install.

Get started

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