STACK vs RSMeans Data Online

PlanHub

Contractor Foreman

Jobber

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.

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.

Jobber is field service management software that helps home service businesses stay organized and deliver great customer experiences. With AI tools like Jobber Copilot and automated marketing features, teams can manage more work while delivering five-star service.

Their customer service isnt good and doesnt really take care of issues than i thought they would

Project Estimator

The readiness of agents with helping with questions and problems and their willingness to think outside the box to come up with creative solution is definitely the best part of Stack.

Easy-to-use, cloud-based takeoff and estimating software for construction contractors. Mac & PC compatible with powerful, time-saving AI features. Create A Free Account Today!

Activity Dashboard

Aerial Measurement

Assembly Takeoff

Audit Trail

Automatic Backup

Bid Management

Billing & Invoicing

Built-In Database

Calendar Management

Collaboration Tools

Commercial

Commercial/Industrial

Contract/License Management

Contractor Database

Cost Database

Cost Estimating

Cost Tracking

Customer Database

Customizable Reports

Data Import/Export

Dispatch Management

Document Management

Document Storage

Electrical Estimating

Electronic Plans

Estimating

For AEC Industry

For Commercial and/or Industrial Electrical Contractors

For General Contractors

For HVAC Companies

For Plumbing Industry

For Residential

Historical Database

HVAC Estimating

Job Costing

Job Management

Labor Cost Reporting

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Plumbing Estimating

Prebuilt Assembly

Project Estimating

Projections

Project Management

Project Planning

Project Planning/Scheduling

Project Tracking

Project Workflow

Proposal Generation

Quotes/Estimates

Real-Time Analytics

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Notifications

Real-Time Reporting

Real-Time Updates

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Scheduling

SSL Security

Subcontractor Monitoring

Takeoff

Task Scheduling

Work Order Management

By industry, STACK reviewers are most commonly professionals in construction (81%). The most frequent use case for STACK cited by reviewers is construction estimating (65% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some users report that STACK’s customizable pricing and cost breakdowns help them improve accuracy, and reviewers appreciate the included training and fair pricing for contractors. However, some users say the annual fee is steep, and reviewers find the pricing structure confusing and expensive for small businesses.

Value for money

The STACK integration most frequently cited by reviewers is Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet product rated 4.6 out of 5 for its integration with STACK.

Integrations

STACK is a takeoff solution with key features that include takeoff and electronic plans, and more.

STACK

Web-based

Linux

Windows

Chromebook

Bluebeam Revu

PlanSwift

Procore

On-Screen Takeoff

Autodesk Forma

ProEst

Buildertrend

Procore Estimating

Square Takeoff

The EDGE

Houzz Pro

RSMeans Data Online

B2W Estimate

Takeoff & Estimate

Build & Operate

Enterprise

Refund and pricing concerns

Owner

I have been in the industry for some time, and for a zero-refund policy to be enforced on a product with virtually no demo is unheard of, especially when they can log on and see that I have received NOTHING of value from them.

63% of reviewers feel negative about Stack’s subscription and payment policies. Some users report dissatisfaction with the lack of refund options and misleading free trial offers. Reviewers indicate that annual subscriptions and per-user fees are expensive and difficult to justify for small businesses. They say cancellation processes are unclear, and access to estimates may be restricted after ending a subscription. Some reviewers find sales tactics aggressive and communication about renewals insufficient, leading to frustration over payment and feature limitations.

Disorganized and challenging printing

47% of reviewers feel negative about Stack’s printing capabilities. Some users report difficulty printing drawings in the correct order, requiring extra time to organize sheets. Reviewers indicate that the print-to-PDF feature produces mixed-up or low-quality images. They say printing specific parts of plans or cropping areas is not straightforward, and the process can be glitchy or arduous. Some reviewers find that printing reports and takeoffs is challenging, especially when dealing with large or multi-page documents.

Slow and disorganized file handling

46% of reviewers feel negative about Stack’s file upload process. Some users report slow upload speeds, especially with large plan sets, and multiple attempts are often needed to complete uploads. Reviewers indicate that files frequently load out of order, making takeoffs more difficult and time-consuming. They say deleting unnecessary files is tedious, as batch deletion is limited. Some reviewers find that organizing plans into sections is confusing, and glitches during upload can further complicate project setup.

Internet-dependent slowdowns

88% of reviewers feel negative about Stack’s performance and speed. Some users report frequent lag, slow loading times, and sluggish response when working with large files or complex projects. Reviewers indicate that internet connection quality heavily impacts speed, causing interruptions and delays during takeoffs. They say the web-based nature can lead to crashes or freezing, especially when bandwidth is limited. Some reviewers find that switching between functions or uploading documents is time-consuming, and performance issues are more pronounced in remote or high-volume scenarios.

Recurring glitches and crashes

77% of reviewers feel negative about Stack’s bugs and issues. Some users report frequent glitches, such as freezing, disappearing buttons, and tool malfunctions that require restarting the program. Reviewers indicate that browser compatibility problems and random crashes disrupt their workflow. They say bugs affect key functions like copying, pasting, and plan naming, and that troubleshooting often takes too long. Some reviewers find that errors can lead to lost work or confusion, making the software less reliable for consistent use.

Productivity and process improvements

93% of reviewers feel positive about Stack’s efficiency. Some users report that the software significantly boosts their productivity, allowing them to complete more bids and tasks in less time. Reviewers indicate that frequent updates and enhancements help streamline workflows and improve quoting accuracy. Some users say the platform’s intuitive interface and responsive support contribute to smoother operations. They find that Stack reduces time spent on repetitive tasks and helps businesses modernize their processes. Reviewers appreciate ongoing improvements that address user feedback and drive better decision-making for their teams.

Streamlined bidding workflow

95% of reviewers feel positive about Stack’s bidding capabilities. Some users report that the software enables them to organize and track bids across multiple locations, making it easier to manage won and lost opportunities. Reviewers appreciate the clear layout for bid information and the ability to quickly adjust dates and details. They find that Stack allows them to submit more bids in less time, increasing their chances of winning projects. Some reviewers feel the platform helps them build accurate estimates and provides tools to keep their bidding process efficient and systematic.

Remote access and collaboration

95% of reviewers feel positive about Stack’s cloud functionality. Some users report that cloud-based access allows them to work from any location and device, supporting remote teams and flexible schedules. Reviewers appreciate immediate file saving and backup, which reduces concerns about data loss and storage limitations. They find that cloud storage enables collaboration across multiple workstations and conference rooms. Some reviewers say the platform’s cloud features solve issues with local servers and make it easy to manage, share, and edit projects regardless of physical location.

Automated saving and task reduction

99% of reviewers feel positive about Stack’s time-saving features. Some users report that automatic saving prevents data loss and allows them to resume work seamlessly. Reviewers appreciate tools that automate manual tasks, such as takeoff counts and unit conversions, which reduce errors and improve accuracy. They say the ability to store and access previous jobs in the cloud helps them review and verify quantities efficiently. Some reviewers find that Stack saves hours on estimating, freeing up resources for other business needs and contributing to overall cost savings.

Intuitive learning and user interface

94% of reviewers feel positive about Stack’s ease of use. Some users report that the software is simple to learn, even for beginners, thanks to helpful tutorials and training videos. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive interface, which reduces the time needed to become proficient and minimizes training requirements. They find that Stack offers straightforward tools for takeoffs and estimating, making daily tasks less complicated. Some reviewers say the program is accessible for users with basic web skills and that support resources are readily available to assist with onboarding.

I particularly like the "Item & Assembly" structure—it ensures that when I measure a wall, I'm not just getting linear footage, but a full breakdown of studs, drywall, and insulation.

Operations Manager

For example if I want to take off a concrete slab. If I use volume 2D type measurement, I’m able to takeoff a polygon area and set the thickness. When I go to estimates I only have the option to price via CY.

Estimator

Cloud-based scaling, auto-count features, and the ease of measuring areas and linear items make the initial estimation process incredibly fast.

Exterior Estimator

It does not entirely capture how we process our estimates and does not have the flexibility of just exporting it as an Excel sheet and transferring the takeoffs to a workbook.

Project Manager

Our account allows one user to edit at a time which I know is something we can fix but I do wish there was a better way to allow multiple users to edit at the same time.

Cheif Operations Officer

It works but AI will make it obsolete for many customers if you don’t stay ahead of the curve and start offering customer focused solutions. Why would I pay these huge subscriptions otherwise

VP of Sales and Estimating

It allows the team to quickly measure plans and adjust quantities as needed.

Electrical Contractor

The takeoff tools, assemblies, and templates make it easier to price projects accurately and save time on repeat scopes.

I especially like the overlay feature which allows me to see any discrepancies between drawings.

President and Founder

I’m a huge fan of how quickly I can move through a project, and the interface is fantastic; clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. While the software does have some limitations and occasional glitches from time to time, the overall experience has been extremely positive for our workflow.

Modern cloud based software that runs smoothly and doesn’t require a local organization and links to plan files.

I’d love to see user-specific or tiered pricing so we aren't forced to pay for upgrades that don't add value to our specific workflow

I wish it could have the history feature in project, where you can see who did what previously in that project.

I am 100% satisfied with the product and eager to see future updates, just because multiple people work on a project and we cannot currently track who made the changes.

It has the capacity to build out large databases to make assemblies

SENIOR ESTIMATOR

Sometimes the platform feels a little slow, although it may be related to my internet connection or when using a VPN.

Poor AI integration to be able to get estimate into your own presentation template

There have been a lot of changes to the UI recently which causes a minor learning curve for each patch, but overall, it's not a big deal.

Being able to customize your library the way that you see fit for your industry is extremely beneficial.

Partner

For us, STACK is overly developed on the estimating side, but not developed enough on the project management side.

Marketing Manager

I love that you can access a job from anywhere thanks to Stack's cloud storage service.

Outside Sales

The live chat feature is great, anytime I have had a question or needed help I have got the answer within a few minutes.

Construction Division Manager

needs to be individual in our case for every item due to conditions at each site.  

I would say it is an ok experience, but it could be better, I wish that you had the option for turning the snap points on and off just like the cardinal direction for the lines.

For instance a volume measurement will only bring cubic yards into the estimate by default.

Overall it is a great tool for plans and having access, I like how you can open up multiple sheets at once.

Have an automatic save function and be able to return to previous versions.

Every other estimating program has this flexibility and a have requested this feature time and time again only to be ignored.

There’s also cases where the system forces you to use them to make up for lacking features.

Option to save overlayed floor plans to review them later.

This is our go to software for plan reviewing and take-offs.

Project Manager and Estimator

Sometimes you have to sign out and then sign back in for certain features and functions to work properly

The ability to give your drawings a colored key is an big plus.

I would have to utilize formulas and items to pull the SF and price from that.

Account Manager- Outside Sales

I like the idea of an AI feature but for civil the plans can get pretty messy.

Overall, STACK has been a valuable tool for our electrical estimating workflow.

Project Manager, Owner, Estimator

Sometime it’s a bit slow and has some issues with reloading sheets.

Estimating and sales

For the first time I'm able to stop and start my takeoff between phone calls.  

Good, makes our jobs a lot easier and more efficient with the ability to use stack software.

The amount of charges we pay it is totally value for money tool in our system.

Project Coordinator

It helps us a lot when we need to bid projects.

Hardscape superintendent

We track many aspects of our projects with it and it is extremely helpful.

President

I understand there is a contract verbiage to notify 30 days in advance (which I failed to do) but to charge us fully for the entire year is unreasonable in my opinion.

Take off tools work great, including the ability to overlay plans.  

Takeoff tasks change to alphabetical order instead of the order entered.  

years in the past i would do estimating at 4am shooting for uninterrupted time.

Project manager

It offers a wide variety of preloaded steel members for easy takeoff.

President in training

I would honestly say the lack of AI support for underground utilities projects and waterworks.

User interface and flexibility for building estimates.

STACK estimating software is easy to use, highly responsive, and makes completing takeoffs incredibly fast.

STACK vs RSMeans Data Online Comparison (2026)

STACK

RSMeans Data Online

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives