Roofing software guide
Best Roofing Takeoff Software for Contractors
Compare roofing takeoff software for residential measurements, commercial plans, metal roofs, material quantities, estimating, and bids.
Roofing takeoff software converts a roof plan, aerial image, or field sketch into measurable quantities. A useful takeoff should help an estimator verify roof area, squares, slope, perimeters, ridges, hips, valleys, flashing, openings, waste, and the material assemblies required for the bid.
The category includes very different products. Residential roofers may buy an aerial measurement report. Commercial estimators may trace multi-page plans and build assemblies. Metal roofers may need panel lengths and trim quantities. Choose the input and output workflow before comparing brands. If takeoff is only one part of the decision, use the roofing contractor software overview.
Quick answer
Commercial plans and full estimates? Start with STACK or On-Screen Takeoff plus Quick Bid. Both are designed to move digital plan quantities into detailed estimating workflows.
Residential aerial measurements? Compare RoofSnap and Roofr. Both support address-based measurement workflows, but plan fees, report turnaround, estimating, proposals, and CRM depth differ.
Cloud takeoff for a smaller estimating team? Groundplan and Buildxact are worth comparing when collaboration, templates, cost calculations, and export matter more than a roofing-specific CRM.
Simple desktop takeoff without a large platform? Active Takeoff or PlanSwift may fit estimators who want plan measurement and cost calculations without adopting a full field service system.
Best Roofing Takeoff Software by Use Case
| Use case | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial roofing plan takeoff | STACK or On-Screen Takeoff | Detailed digital plan measurement, assemblies, revisions, and estimate handoff. |
| Residential replacement measurements | RoofSnap or Roofr | Address-based aerial reports and roofing-specific estimate or proposal workflows. |
| Metal roofing takeoff | STACK, On-Screen Takeoff, Groundplan, or PlanSwift | Plan-based measurement is better suited to panels, trim, openings, and layered scope. |
| Cloud collaboration for a small team | Groundplan or Buildxact | Shared takeoffs, templates, estimates, and exports without a roofing-only workflow. |
| Lower-complexity desktop takeoff | Active Takeoff | Focused plan measurement, pitch conversion, cost assignment, and exports. |
| Takeoff tied to roofing CRM and proposals | Roofr | Measurements can flow into proposals, material ordering, and job records. |
Roofing Takeoff vs Estimating vs Measurement Reports
| Category | Primary output | What it may not replace |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial measurement report | Squares, pitch, facets, ridges, valleys, eaves, and diagrams | Labor pricing, bid scope, proposal, and production workflow |
| Blueprint takeoff | Areas, linear measurements, counts, layers, and material quantities | Cost database, markup, customer proposal, and CRM |
| Estimating software | Material, labor, equipment, overhead, markup, margin, and bid price | Lead follow-up, job production, and accounting |
| Roofing CRM | Lead, customer, estimate, job, production, and communication records | Detailed plan takeoff for complex commercial scope |
For a broader quote-to-production comparison, see our roofing estimating software guide. For lead and job management, compare roofing CRM software. When the quantities and price are ready but customer presentation is the bottleneck, use the roofing proposal software guide.
Free download
Download the Roof Takeoff Report Checklist
Compare plan inputs, measurements, assemblies, pricing, waste, estimate handoff, proposals, CRM, integrations, and report fees before choosing a takeoff tool.
Roofing Takeoff Software Comparison
| Product | Best fit | Primary workflow | Pricing visibility | Not ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STACK | Commercial roofers and estimating teams | Cloud plan takeoff plus integrated estimating | Public per-user plans; free version available | Teams that only need occasional residential aerial reports |
| RoofSnap | Residential roofing measurements and estimates | Ordered reports, DIY measurements, estimates, and material ordering | Public report and subscription starting prices | Complex multi-sheet commercial plan takeoff |
| On-Screen Takeoff | Experienced commercial estimators | Detailed plan takeoff with optional AI and Quick Bid handoff | Request pricing; trial and web preview available | Roofers wanting a simple sales CRM |
| Groundplan | Cloud-based small estimating teams | Takeoff, formulas, labor, templates, collaboration, and exports | Trial available; verify current U.S. pricing | Teams requiring a U.S. roofing production CRM |
| Active Takeoff | Estimators wanting a focused desktop tool | PDF/image takeoff, pitch conversion, costs, markup, and exports | 14-day trial; verify current license pricing | Cloud-first teams needing broad collaboration |
| Buildxact | Builders and remodelers also estimating roofing | Takeoff linked to estimates, supplier pricing, and job management | Public plans; verify regional pricing | Roofing-only teams needing insurance restoration depth |
| PlanSwift | Traditional plan-based estimators | Desktop takeoff with roofing templates and plugins | Verify current quote and add-on costs | Teams wanting a browser-only system |
| Roofr | Roofers wanting measurements tied to sales workflow | Aerial reports, DIY measurements, proposals, CRM, and ordering | Public plans and per-report pricing | Detailed commercial blueprint takeoff |
1. STACK
Best for: Commercial roofing contractors and estimating teams that need cloud-based plan takeoff and a priced estimate in one workflow. STACK supports pitched and flat roofs, PDF, TIFF, and aerial image inputs, labor and material costs, waste, taxes, profit margin, and bid output.
Pricing transparency: STACK publishes a free option and paid Takeoff & Estimate plans. At the time of research, Premium started at $249 per user per month billed annually and Pro at $299 per user per month billed annually; monthly billing and add-ons cost more. Verify current terms at STACK pricing.
Not for: Contractors who only order a few aerial residential reports each month.
2. RoofSnap
Best for: Residential roofing contractors that want ordered measurement reports, DIY measurements, estimates, material ordering, deposits, and payments in a roofing-focused application.
Pricing transparency: RoofSnap currently lists pay-as-you-go reports starting at $13 per order, monthly subscriptions starting at $105 per user, and annual pricing that varies by team size. Report charges remain separate. Verify current pricing at RoofSnap pricing.
Not for: Estimators who need detailed multi-sheet commercial assemblies and bid alternates.
3. On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid
Best for: Commercial roofing estimators working from digital plans. On-Screen Takeoff measures flat and sloped roof areas, membranes, insulation, adhesive, fasteners, flashing, linear items, and counts. Quick Bid turns those quantities into labor and material estimates.
The workflow is deeper than a simple aerial report and more appropriate for estimators who must review scope and addenda. Takeoff Boost can automate a first pass, but the estimator still needs to review the returned quantities.
Pricing transparency: Request pricing. A 14-day trial and a free web preview are available through On Center's roofing page.
Not for: Small residential roofers shopping for a CRM, lead follow-up, or homeowner proposal app.
4. Groundplan
Best for: Teams that want cloud takeoff, reusable templates, formulas, waste calculations, labor, parts, team collaboration, Excel exports, and links to selected job management systems.
Groundplan positions its roofing workflow for both residential and commercial projects. It measures areas, slopes, valleys, ridges, hips, and other linear features, then can convert the takeoff into quantities and cost calculations.
Pricing transparency: A seven-day trial is available. Confirm U.S. plan pricing and integrations at Groundplan roofing takeoff.
Not for: Buyers expecting a roofing-specific CRM or insurance restoration platform.
5. Active Takeoff
Best for: Estimators who want a focused desktop application for PDF and image takeoff. Active Takeoff supports area, perimeter, volume, roof pitch conversion, ridge, eave and valley lengths, costs, markups, and PDF or Excel output.
Pricing transparency: A 14-day trial is published. Confirm current licensing at Active Takeoff.
Not for: Distributed teams that require a browser-first collaborative platform and CRM.
6. Buildxact
Best for: Builders, remodelers, and mixed-trade contractors who need roof takeoff inside a broader estimating and project management workflow. Buildxact links takeoff measurements to estimates, supplier pricing, quotes, schedules, and job management.
Pricing transparency: Buildxact publishes plan options, but pricing varies by market. Verify the U.S. plan and required features at Buildxact roofing software.
Not for: Roofing businesses that need supplements, storm restoration, or a roofing-specific sales pipeline.
7. PlanSwift
Best for: Plan-based estimators who prefer a configurable desktop takeoff environment. PlanSwift supports measurement and estimating, and it publishes a commercial roofing starter pack for roof assemblies.
Pricing transparency: Verify the current license, support, plugins, and roofing package costs at PlanSwift.
Not for: Teams that require browser-only access and simple per-report residential measurements.
8. Roofr
Best for: Residential roofing companies that want aerial measurements to move directly into proposals, e-signatures, material calculations, ordering, invoicing, and a lightweight CRM workflow.
Pricing transparency: Roofr currently lists Starter at $0 per month with $19 reports, paid measurement and CRM plans with $13 reports, Essentials at $249 per month, and Scale at $349 per month. Measurement reports remain pay-as-you-go. Verify current plan terms at Roofr pricing.
Not for: Commercial estimators who need complex blueprint assemblies and bid version control.
Residential vs Commercial Roofing Takeoff
Residential replacement work often begins with an address and an aerial image. Speed, report turnaround, proposal handoff, homeowner options, and material ordering may matter more than multi-page plan management.
Commercial and new-construction work begins with drawings, specifications, addenda, alternates, and layered assemblies. The software should help an estimator identify scope, track revisions, standardize conditions, and move quantities into a repeatable labor and material estimate.
Metal Roofing Takeoff Requirements
A metal roofing takeoff should account for roof geometry and the actual system being installed. Total squares alone may not be enough. Confirm that the software can support:
- Panel or sheet lengths and coverage widths.
- Pitch-adjusted surface dimensions.
- Ridge, hip, valley, rake, eave, and flashing lengths.
- Openings, penetrations, curbs, transitions, and trim.
- Fasteners, clips, closures, underlayment, insulation, and waste.
- Different roof zones, materials, gauges, and alternates.
Roof Takeoff Report: Fields to Review Before Bidding
A roof takeoff report should be traceable, not just a total number of squares. Before pricing the job, record the drawing or imagery version, roof areas, slopes, every edge type, penetrations, assemblies, waste assumptions, alternates, exclusions, reviewer, and review date. A second estimator should be able to connect every estimate quantity back to the measured condition.
| Report field | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Plan and revision control | Correct drawings, scale, addenda, address, estimator, and version date |
| Areas and slopes | Section totals, pitch factors, roof zones, and reconciliation to total area |
| Edges and penetrations | Eaves, rakes, ridges, hips, valleys, curbs, drains, vents, and openings |
| Assemblies and allowances | Layers, insulation, flashing, fasteners, waste, laps, cuts, and minimum orders |
| Bid handoff | Base scope, alternates, exclusions, estimate version, reviewer, and approval date |
Use the downloadable checklist above as a roof takeoff report QA sheet. It does not replace field verification, plan interpretation, manufacturer requirements, or an estimator's judgment.
Who This Guide Is Not For
- Homeowners looking for a rough shingle count. Use the roof shingle calculator.
- Roofers mainly choosing a lead and production platform. Start with the roofing CRM guide.
- Contractors comparing proposal presentation and follow-up. Use the roofing estimating guide.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
- Does the tool accept PDF plans, TIFF files, aerial images, or all three?
- Can it calculate area, linear items, counts, pitch, and waste?
- Can conditions and assemblies be standardized across estimators?
- How does it handle plan revisions, addenda, and alternates?
- Are labor, material, overhead, markup, and margin part of the same workflow?
- Can quantities export to Excel, estimating, accounting, CRM, or project software?
- Are AI takeoff, aerial imagery, reports, users, storage, and onboarding extra?
- Can you validate one completed job before migrating the whole estimating team?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best roofing takeoff software?
STACK is a strong first comparison for commercial roofers measuring digital plans and building priced estimates. RoofSnap and Roofr are more practical for residential contractors who want aerial measurements and proposal workflows. On-Screen Takeoff is relevant for experienced commercial estimators handling layered assemblies and detailed plan takeoffs. The best choice depends on whether the input is a blueprint, aerial image, or field measurement.
What is the difference between roofing takeoff and estimating software?
Roofing takeoff software measures quantities such as area, squares, ridge, valley, flashing, insulation, fasteners, and panels. Estimating software applies labor, material costs, waste, overhead, markup, and margin to those quantities. Some platforms combine both, while measurement-report services may stop after delivering quantities.
What is the best commercial roofing takeoff software?
Commercial roofers should compare STACK, On-Screen Takeoff with Quick Bid, Groundplan, PlanSwift, and other blueprint-based takeoff platforms. Prioritize plan version control, assemblies, layers, addenda, alternates, material and labor databases, estimate handoff, and support for flat or low-slope roofing systems.
What is the best metal roofing takeoff software?
Metal roofing takeoff requires more than total roof area. Compare tools that can measure panel or sheet coverage, slope-adjusted lengths, ridges, hips, valleys, eaves, trim, flashing, openings, fasteners, and waste. Blueprint-based tools such as STACK, On-Screen Takeoff, Groundplan, and PlanSwift are relevant for detailed commercial or architectural metal work.
Can roofing takeoff software calculate waste?
Many tools support waste factors or material formulas, but the estimator still needs to validate roof complexity, material type, panel layout, starter, ridge cap, flashing, penetrations, damaged decking, and project-specific allowances. Treat automated quantities as a starting point that requires review.
Is free roofing takeoff software enough?
Free tools can be enough for occasional measurements, plan viewing, or testing a workflow. They are less likely to be enough for a commercial estimator who needs assemblies, revisions, multiple estimators, standardized conditions, cost databases, bid history, and reliable estimate handoff. Compare the ongoing cost against estimator time and missed scope, not only the subscription price.
Does roofing takeoff software replace a roofing CRM?
Usually not. Takeoff software calculates project quantities. A roofing CRM manages leads, follow-up, job stages, production, documents, customers, invoices, and reporting. Roofr, RoofSnap, and some broader systems combine more of the workflow, while dedicated takeoff platforms normally need a separate CRM or project system.
Should roofers use aerial measurement reports or blueprint takeoff?
Aerial reports are often faster for residential replacement roofs with a known address. Blueprint takeoff is usually more appropriate for new construction, commercial bids, metal systems, alternates, and jobs where the estimator must interpret plan sheets and specifications. Some contractors need both workflows.
Methodology
We grouped products by takeoff input, estimating output, roofing workflow, pricing visibility, and the type of contractor each tool appears designed to serve. Product and pricing statements come from public vendor pages. We did not fabricate user ratings or claim hands-on implementation.