Keep plans organized
Group sheets into folders and use AI-assisted page naming to prepare your drawing set. Keep your plans, markups, and measurements in the same project.
PLANS, MARKUPS & TAKEOFFS IN ONE WORKSPACE
Your Bluebeam® Alternative for Plans, Markups & Takeoffs
Organize plans, add markups, and measure quantities with your team in one browser-based workspace. Work on PC or Mac, with shared templates and assemblies ready when you need to estimate.
14 days. No credit card required.
- Plans and markups in your browser
- Real-time team collaboration
- Shared templates and assemblies
Why contractors choose zzTakeoff
Open your workspace on PC or Mac
Access your plans and markup tools in a browser without installing a desktop application. Open the same project on another computer or review it on mobile.
Review and measure together
Add annotations and work on quantities in a shared project, with changes visible as they happen. Reuse company templates and assemblies when it is time to estimate.
FROM BLUEBEAM TO ZZTAKEOFF
Why a YouTuber with 55,000+ subscribers chose zzTakeoff
Considering the same move? Hear what led Tim to choose zzTakeoff for his takeoff workflow and what matters when making the switch from Bluebeam.
Tim Fairley from ContractorOS
Compare your everyday workflow
Keep plans, quantities, and shared assemblies together in one browser workspace.
| Feature | Bluebeam | zzTakeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Plans and takeoffs | ||
| Plan annotations and markups | ||
| Length and area measurements | ||
| Count measurements | Core and above | |
| Reusable takeoff tools | Tool Chest sets | Templates and assemblies |
| Assembly workflows | Custom tools, Spaces and formulas | Reusable assemblies with child material and labor items |
| Advanced takeoff tools | ||
| Dedicated joist layout tool | No dedicated generator documented; use measurements and custom tools | Generate joists from an area, spacing and direction |
| Dedicated rebar and ceiling grid tool | No dedicated generator documented; Multiply repeats markups | Set horizontal and vertical spacing with Grid Tool |
| Beam lengths and bearing allowances | Measurements and custom formulas | Beam Tool with bearing and cut-from-length settings |
| Sloped lengths and roof areas | Slope settings in Revu | Slope, pitch and hip/valley measurement types |
| Offset takeoff shapes | Max required for Offset; Multiply is a separate tool | Offset areas, lines and segments in Pro |
| Convert or duplicate as another takeoff type | Max required for Convert to / Duplicate as | Convert takeoffs or apply another template in Pro |
| Find and count repeated symbols | VisualSearch + Count in Revu, Core and above | Auto Count with vector and image matching |
| Access and collaboration | ||
| Browser access on PC and Mac | Bluebeam web tools | |
| Same takeoff workspace on PC and Mac | Revu is Windows-only; web tools differ | |
| Real-time team collaboration | Studio Sessions | Shared projects and takeoffs |
| Edit a teammate’s takeoff without transferring ownership | Studio Session markups stay author-owned; reassignment is a separate step | Edit the same shared takeoff with project permissions |
| Shared estimating library | Shared Tool Chest sets | Company templates and assemblies |
| Plan setup and AI | ||
| Batch page naming | PDF page labels on Core+ | AI-assisted page naming |
| Drawing scale setup | Manual calibration; set scale in Revu before web Sessions | AI-assisted highlight-to-scale in your browser |
| Connect an AI assistant through MCP | Max plan | Pro plan |
| Reports and exports | ||
| Quantity reports | Markups List summaries | Customizable reports |
| Spreadsheet export | CSV on Core and above | Excel and CSV |
| PDF export | ||
Available · Not available for the stated workflow, or no dedicated tool documented. zzTakeoff takeoff features require Pro. Comparison covers selected workflows. Bluebeam features vary by plan and between Revu and its web app. Explore our features or choose your zzTakeoff plan.
MCP INCLUDED IN PRO
MCP INCLUDED IN PROPut your AI assistant to work in zzTakeoff
Connect a compatible AI assistant to organize your project, help build assemblies, and prepare first-pass takeoffs. Review every change in zzTakeoff.
Try your Bluebeam workflow in zzTakeoff
Start with one project
- Upload a familiar drawing set
- Try the Bluebeam import tool on a sample file
- Check imported markups, scales, and quantities
- Identify any settings or tools you need to recreate
Test the way your team works
- Organize sheets into project folders
- Add notes, callouts, and markups
- Review and measure with a teammate
- Export marked-up plans and quantity reports
Import results depend on your files. Check what transfers and what needs setting up before moving more work across. Talk to us about your project.
Questions from Bluebeam users
Can zzTakeoff replace my Studio Sessions workflow?
zzTakeoff supports shared plans, annotations, and simultaneous takeoff work. Studio Sessions has dedicated review features such as session chat, activity records, reports, attendee permissions, and expiration settings. If those are essential to your process, keep that review workflow while you evaluate zzTakeoff for plan organization and estimating. Test your requirements before replacing it.
Why choose zzTakeoff for construction takeoffs?
Our workspace brings measurements, shared templates, assemblies, and customizable reports together in your browser. Your team can work on the same project and takeoff at the same time, with quantities organized for estimating.
Can I bring Bluebeam work into zzTakeoff?
We offer a Bluebeam import tool. Results depend on the source files and the markups or quantities you need. Try a representative project and check the imported measurements, pages, properties, and reports before switching.
Will my custom columns, tool sets, and formulas transfer?
Transfer depends on your source files and how your workflow is set up. Test a representative project to establish what imports and what needs to be recreated in zzTakeoff. Check imported scales and quantities against the original before using them in an estimate.
Can I move my takeoffs first and keep my existing document-review workflow?
Yes. Start with one project in zzTakeoff and build your templates, assemblies, and quantity reports around the way you estimate. You can keep using Bluebeam separately for other document-review tasks while you move your takeoff workflow across. Check a sample import before you move more projects.
Can I use zzTakeoff on a Mac or PC?
Yes. Open your projects in a browser on Mac or PC without installing a desktop takeoff application. Your plans, quantities, templates, and reports stay together in your online workspace.
Can my team work on the same takeoff?
Yes. Team members can work together in the same project and even the same takeoff, with changes visible as they happen. Shared templates and assemblies help everyone follow a consistent process across jobs.
How can zzTakeoff reduce repetitive takeoff work?
Use AI-assisted page naming and scaling to help prepare your plans, Auto Count to find repeated symbols, and shared templates and assemblies to reuse your setup across projects. Review automated results before using the quantities in an estimate.
What can an AI assistant do through MCP?
Our MCP connection lets an AI assistant work in your open zzTakeoff project. It can help set up folders, create templates and assemblies, make bulk changes, prepare first-pass takeoffs for your review, and build plugins or custom tools. MCP access is included with Pro. Review generated work and quantities before using them in an estimate.
Can I try zzTakeoff before buying?
Yes. Try a real project with our 14-day free trial. No credit card is required.
Can you show me how to switch from Bluebeam?
Yes. to see zzTakeoff in action and ask questions about your workflow. Test imports and project setup during your trial.
We are independent and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Bluebeam, Inc. Bluebeam® is a trademark of Bluebeam, Inc.
Bring your next project into zzTakeoff
Start your free 14-day trial or let us show you how your Bluebeam workflow translates to zzTakeoff.