CostX vs STACK

CostX is an integrated construction environment for capturing dimensions, developing feasibility studies, and preparing Bills of Quantities. It takes off areas, lengths, and counts from scanned, PDF, CAD, and other 2D drawings. Quantities and costs can also be estimated from BIM or 3D models. Spreadsheet workbooks link live to drawings and data repositories, while revision mode compares drawings and highlights design changes. Users can prepare estimates, tenders, Bills of Quantities, subcontractor comparisons, and customised reports. The CostXL add-in links dimensions, workbook values, rates, and constants with Microsoft Excel. CostX Core includes 2D takeoff, linked workbooks, subcontractor comparison, and reports; BIM and auto-revisioning require the full platform. CostX Viewer is free to use and distribute for read-only review, with tender prices saved for import into CostX. Pricing is on request. Licenses can be standalone for one PC or network-based with a central database.

STACK is project software for working with plan pages, measurements and cost estimation. Its Free plan supports one active project per month, up to 300 plan pages, 50 measurements per project and one viewer seat. Premium and Pro list unlimited projects, plan pages, measurements and viewer seats, though neither plan has a listed price. STACK is freemium, with a free plan at free and a 7-day trial. It is available on Android, iOS, web and Windows. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The listed plan details make the free tier’s project, page, measurement and seat allowances explicit; the two paid tiers specify the same unlimited allowances for those categories. Cost estimation is also listed as a capability.