RSMeans Data Online vs On-Screen Takeoff

Procore

Groundplan

STACK

Procore is a cloud-based construction management platform connecting field and office teams throughout the project lifecycle. It offers tools for project execution, cost, resource, and lifecycle management, including bid management, estimating, scheduling, quality tracking, budgeting, invoicing, and workforce management. With document management, analytics, and mobile access, it supports contractors, owners, specialty contractors, and public agencies across various construction projects.

Groundplan is a cloud-based takeoff software used by estimators to measure, design, store, markup, and collaborate on construction project plans

STACK is the best, cloud-based takeoff and estimating software for construction contractors. STACK software is easy-to-use, Mac & PC compatible, and has powerful, time-saving AI features.

RSMeans™ Data Online on Gordian Cloud Platform provides reliable, location-specific construction cost data along with the tools to build, validate and manage estimates at any stage. Estimators use it to access current labor, material and equipment costs at the line-item or assembly level.

Audit Trail

Change Order Management

Cost Database

Cost Estimating

Cost Tracking

Electrical Estimating

For AEC Industry

Historical Database

HVAC Estimating

Multiple Projects

Plumbing Estimating

Project Management

Proposal Generation

Quotes/Estimates

Reporting/Analytics

Takeoff

Some users report that RSMeans Data Online offers comprehensive pricing data, which they feel justifies the cost for frequent use. However, reviewers indicate the software is expensive, confusingly priced, and lacks value for small businesses or educational groups.

Value for money

By industry, RSMeans Data Online reviewers are most commonly professionals in construction (49%). The most frequent use case cited is construction estimating (94% of reviewers).

Proprietary

RSMeans Data Online

Web-based

Core

Complete

Complete Plus

Rigid and frustrating search function

61% of reviewers feel negative about RS Means’ search functionality. Some users report that the search feature is too rigid, requiring exact keywords or industry terminology to find items, which leads to frequent ‘not found’ results. Reviewers indicate that the lack of filtering options and a comprehensive index makes locating specific work items challenging. Users think the search engine is slow, sometimes unresponsive, and difficult for beginners to use. Some reviewers feel frustrated when searches yield too many or too few results, and navigating back after viewing references is cumbersome.

Convenient remote accessibility

88% of reviewers feel positive about RS Means’ online access. Some users say they value being able to access estimates and data from any location with an internet connection, which helps them work efficiently on the go. Reviewers appreciate that the web-based platform allows quick lookups and ensures information is always current. Users think the ease of use and setup, combined with not needing to reinstall software, makes their workflow smoother. Some reviewers find that online access supports standardization across teams and sectors, making collaboration and remote work more manageable.

Sr. Project Manager

Working on a medical university setting I find that the the program is good for basic costing but it is difficult to compare the complications of the environment that I work in, for example, I can be involved in project on campus in active lab spaces, medical equipment/chemical usage and storage, and even nuclear materials, RS means can not help with the complications that we deal with in these scenarios.   

Project Manager

The ability to search the data base and have the latest up to date data information drove the transition from the books to the online data base.

Cost Estimator 

User interface and search for lines could be slicker and include filters. When scrolling lines it tends to load new lines every 20 or so and is slow

Project Manager 

Intuitive features, lots of options, i do like to cost per sf estimator

Owner

We are do a lot of drywall finishing and Black Iron for ceiling  support, and there are not much details for pricing labor.

Personal Assistant

The least about this software I liked, was that the free trial was limited on fearures

Estimator

The quick estimates are predominantly building types and combinations not relevant to the types of buildings we build on the west coast.  

Senior Operations Manager

Provides 99% of cost data, to accurately project costs for a construction project.  

Principal

It provides what I need without having another piece of software to maintain, update and take up space on my laptop.

I need the ability to individually choose more options in order to make a ROM estimate meaningful and useful.

Owner/ Designer

While it is a very detailed software, it's not very intuitive, nor easily self-taught.

We are an open shop but even using the union scale datasets, it is sometimes as low as 50% of actual.  

Librarian

Depending on projects students need all data and the academic version RSMeans has does not work for our students.

Architect

With the move to the software I'm finding it doesn't really allow me to have a short cut into my purchased program.  

Manager, EE Dept.

It csts extra to be able to add my own line items/cost datat.

From a subcontractor POV, these rates are extremely inaccurate but it's currently data that contracts are being bound to.

Sr. V.E. Coordinator

I can few information and based on that it has capability to generate estimate.

I'd like a simple option to create a desktop link without going to RS Means on-line every time.  

I have not found it to be even close at all in cost to qualified bids on individual scopes of work on projects.  

We use it to reference data on all our bids.

Senior Estimator

Trying to get it intergrated wioth Sage estiamting so that the ionformation is "at my fingertips" so to speak.  

Project Consultant

However, there is no option to export this information on an excel file.

Access in academia works best with ip addresses and not by seats.

I have used RS Means for years in book form for quick reference and always found it accurate and easily accessible.

Senior Associate

Access to data is compartmentalized (commercial, residential, earthwork, etc.).

President

I cannot scroll through without it stopping to look for the data to insert.  

Vice President

I have used this for several projects and it has proven to be accurate when compared to bids received.

Favorites section of data to not have to manually dig each time

Easy and effective platform to provide cost estimates with reliable cost data.

Sales/estimator

This is understandable, especially when the client request is for a particular brand of equipment.

It sucks that there is no unit conversion with this software.

Development Manager

Many times the alternate was a less expensive simpler version of the item I was trying to price out.  

We are currently looking for alternative Estimating & Database solutions

As a result, I will be credited at a lower amount than the actual construction cost.

Having synonyms for lookup would be helpful.

I wish there is a unit conversion in the tool.

This could be my issue, but a short cut hasn't been available that I can find.

Environmental Engineer

Hard to navigate, unless your search is exact, nothing similar will come up

sometimes I couldn't find what I need in the maintenance section.

Wish it was easier to search for specific data.  

Associate Principal

I like that I am able to use it for the government work.

I wish I had the ablility to do both with the standard package.

The process of changing the city/state locations

I used the software for maintenance purposes.

Pricing

Maintenance Section

Line Items

Search

Bugs and Issues

Purchase Limitations

Data Information

Bidding

Unit Conversion

Version Updates

Freelancers

Small Business

Large Enterprises

Mid-size Business

Some users report that RSMeans Data Online offers comprehensive and regularly updated pricing data, which justifies its cost for firms needing quick and reliable estimates. Reviewers appreciate features like unit prices, assembly prices, and square foot models included in higher-tier plans, and value the free trial option. Some users say the software is expensive, especially for small businesses or infrequent use, and find the pricing structure confusing or restrictive. Reviewers indicate that missing features, limited accuracy in some areas, and costly group or educational plans reduce perceived value for money.

Gordian

Contractor Foreman

Contractor Foreman is an all-in-one construction management software designed for small to medium-sized contractors. It offers a range of features, including project management, financial tracking, team collaboration, and document management, all in an easy-to-use and affordable platform.

PlanHub

PlanHub is a preconstruction software that helps construction professionals find projects, manage bids, network, and more. The platform offers a range of tools, including project finder, takeoff and estimation, prequalification, and bid management, all designed to simplify the preconstruction process and enable construction professionals to work more efficiently.

On-Screen Takeoff® is the trusted digital takeoff solution that contractors use to measure plans faster, smarter, and more accurately.

2D Drawing

Accounting

Annotations

Assembly Takeoff

Bill of Materials

Document Management

Electronic Plans

Estimating

For Residential

Issue Management

Project Planning/Scheduling

Subcontractor Management

On-Screen Takeoff

Windows

Linux

PlanSwift

Sage Construction Suite

Senior Project Manager

Working in Multifamily construction, this software is a must have for estimating.

I liked the ability to accurately estimate radius' and curved structures.

Estimator - Project Manager

Software is easy to use and with the right training and knowledge, which is very well provided, we can provide accurate budgets for our customers.

This software is a great tool for those looking for an easy use and learn estimating software.

Landscape Designer

you can overlay different versions of the plan on top of each other the old will be red and new blue that way you can see purple if noting changed or moved and blue if something changed.

Electrical Engineer

Civil Designer

It does not identify CAD files and does not have a smart algorithm to identify the elements.

best tool in construction industry for quantity take.

Its pretty simple and easy to perform takeoffs.

Estimator 

Another feature I wish it had was preconstructed conditions so you wouldn't have to build them.

people cant be in the same file at the same time and edit.

It does not do automated quantity recognition.

However, whenever I had projects which are very specialized, this software did not help much.

It is very fast, does not require much of a space on hard drive and works perfectly!

RSMeans Data Online vs On-Screen Takeoff Comparison (2026)

RSMeans Data Online

On-Screen Takeoff

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives