STACK vs Esticom

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Our analysts compared STACK vs Esticom based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Takeoff Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

STACK is a cloud-based estimating and materials management software solution that helps users measure plans, collaborate with stakeholders, create proposals and finalize estimates. It is designed for suppliers, manufacturers, general contractors and subcontractors and helps them with team collaboration, plan viewing and reporting. Its engagement inclusions and flexible offerings connect materials to customers.

It has robust callout, markup, invitation and sharing modules that align information between teams. Users can create proposals by adjusting markup tax, costs and overheads. Its centralized hub enables growth and project efficiencies. It also organizes documents and project details.

Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Cloud-based accessibility
  • Collaboration features
  • Mobile app availability
  • Integrations with other tools
Cons
  • Limited free plan features
  • Learning curve for advanced tools
  • Can be slow with large projects
  • Limited customization options
  • Customer support costs extra
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Esticom is a web-based estimation and takeoff software that supports electrical, construction, HVAC, plumbing and residential estimating. It includes quantity takeoff and bid management and helps construction businesses build cost estimates and bid on projects. Its customer service module helps users utilize KPI data to optimize performance. Its project templates streamline processes, lower set up time and simplify the estimating system.

Other features include plan management, auto count, linear and area measurements, proposals, plan and design markup tools, and customizable databases.

Pros
  • Easy to learn & use
  • Intuitive interface
  • Fast takeoff creation
  • Cloud-based access
  • Good customer support
Cons
  • Limited customization
  • Fewer features than some competitors
  • Can be slow with large projects
  • Limited reporting options
  • Integration issues with other software
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$49/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$139/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Improved Efficiency: Streamline workflows with automated calculations, standardized takeoffs, and real-time data access, reducing project time and minimizing manual errors.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Foster seamless communication and project visibility with cloud-based storage, shared models, and integrated communication tools, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.
  • Cost Optimization: Gain accurate material estimates and detailed cost breakdowns early in the planning process, enabling informed decision-making and budget control.
  • Reduced Risk and Errors: Minimize errors with standardized methods, pre-built libraries, and real-time error checking, leading to improved project quality and reduced rework costs.
  • Increased Transparency and Reporting: Generate comprehensive reports and track project progress in real-time, providing stakeholders with clear insights and improving project transparency.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Adapt to projects of all sizes and complexities with customizable workflows, user roles, and integrations with existing software, ensuring a perfect fit for your needs.
  • Improved Mobile Accessibility: Access project information, update quantities, and collaborate with team members on the go using the mobile app, maximizing flexibility and productivity.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Leverage historical project data and industry benchmarks for informed bidding, resource allocation, and project planning, maximizing profitability and competitiveness.
  • Enhanced Team Performance: Empower teams with intuitive tools, automation, and real-time insights, enabling them to work smarter, faster, and achieve better results.
  • Reduced Administrative Burden: Automate repetitive tasks, streamline data management, and centralize project information, freeing up valuable time for strategic work.
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  • Increased Efficiency: Intuitive interface and automated calculations accelerate takeoffs and estimate creation, saving valuable time and resources.
  • Improved Accuracy: Cloud-based platform reduces manual errors and inconsistencies, leading to more precise and reliable estimates.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Real-time access and project sharing enable seamless collaboration between estimators, project managers, and stakeholders.
  • Streamlined Workflow: Integrated takeoff, estimating, and bid management tools eliminate cumbersome data transfer and manual processes.
  • Optimized Bidding: Powerful quoting tools help generate professional bids quickly and accurately, increasing bid competitiveness.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Customizable reports and insights provide valuable data for informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud-based architecture adapts to the needs of growing businesses and diverse project types.
  • Reduced Costs: Improved efficiency, accuracy, and bidding processes contribute to overall project cost savings.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Access projects and data from anywhere on any device, ensuring greater flexibility and responsiveness.
  • Enhanced Client Satisfaction: Timely and accurate estimates coupled with improved communication lead to better client experiences.
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  • Comprehensive Takeoff & Estimating: Calculate accurate material quantities and costs with advanced tools like multi-dimensional takeoffs, automatic assemblies, and integrated cost databases.
  • Cloud-Based Collaboration: Store project documents, plans, and models securely in the cloud, enabling real-time access, version control, and seamless collaboration across teams.
  • Mobile App for Field Productivity: Access project information, capture data, update quantities, and collaborate with team members directly from the field using the mobile app.
  • Integrated Issue & Punch List Management: Identify, track, and resolve issues and deficiencies efficiently with photo markups, task assignments, and progress tracking tools.
  • Advanced Drawing & Markup Tools: View, annotate, and collaborate on plans and drawings with features like layer control, dimensioning tools, and cloud-based markups.
  • Customizable Reports & Dashboards: Generate comprehensive reports and dashboards tailored to your needs, providing real-time insights into project progress, costs, and performance.
  • Open API & Integrations: Integrate STACK with existing software and tools like accounting systems, project management platforms, and industry-specific applications.
  • Role-Based Permissions & Security: Control access to project data and features based on user roles and permissions, ensuring data security and project integrity.
  • Offline Functionality: Access essential project data and tools even without an internet connection, maximizing productivity in remote locations.
  • Advanced Quantity Takeoff Tools: Utilize features like automatic takeoffs from 2D and 3D models, takeoff libraries, and integrations with estimating software for faster and more accurate material calculations.
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  • Automating Cost Estimates: Remove time-consuming Excel sheets and build accurate construction cost estimates on the web-based system.
  • Bid Management: Catalog projects according to bid due date, estimator or project value to keep track of deadlines.
  • Review: Review projects with the management team and improve performance through key performance data.
  • Cloud-Based Software: Access construction takeoff and estimating software from anywhere, any time on any device.
  • Ready-Made Templates: Get project templates to bid on more projects and streamline takeoff and estimating processes.
  • Area & Linear Measurements: Measure conduits, wire runs and add fittings automatically.
  • Customizable Database: Customize the database with out-of-the-box parts and assemblies, including labor units and material prices.
  • Plan Management: Organize plan sheets into folders by automatically renaming them. Update projects with new versions of the software.
  • Proposals: Customize bid proposals by adding a company logo, inclusions, exclusions and detailed pricing.
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Product Ranking

#2

among all
Takeoff Software

#7

among all
Takeoff Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

82
66
87
76
90
62
57
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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

STACK
Esticom
+ Add Product + Add Product
Measurement Management Measurement Tools Mobile Capabilities Plans Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Trades Management 87 90 57 88 72 63 100 100 76 62 0 63 0 84 71 79 0 25 50 75 100
87%
0%
13%
80%
0%
20%
92%
0%
8%
67%
0%
33%
57%
0%
43%
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88%
0%
12%
69%
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31%
67%
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33%
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63%
0%
37%
86%
0%
14%
100%
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57%
0%
43%
100%
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82%
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18%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

70%
0%
30%
30%
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70%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 1077 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 114 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

STACK has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 1077 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

90%
of users recommend this product

Esticom has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 114 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.8 (1)
n/a
3.7 (10)
5.0 (1)
4.5 (1066)
4.5 (110)
n/a
4.9 (3)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated STACK and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Reports and Dashboards. STACK stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Reports and Dashboards Award

Esticom stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Friendly Interface: Users appreciate STACK's intuitive and modern interface that simplifies navigation and reduces the learning curve for new users.
Cloud-Based Accessibility: Being cloud-based enables team members to access project information and collaborate in real-time from any location, enhancing flexibility and remote work possibilities.
Accurate Takeoffs: STACK provides precise and reliable takeoff capabilities, which is critical for construction professionals to estimate materials, labor, and costs accurately.
Integrated Cost Estimating: Users can seamlessly transition from takeoffs to cost estimating, improving workflow and reducing potential for error between these integrated processes.
Customizable Reporting: The software offers customizable reporting features, allowing users to generate detailed and specific reports tailored to their needs.
Responsive Support Team: The customer support team is noted for being responsive and helpful, providing quality assistance when users encounter issues.
Continuous Updates: STACK is commended for its ongoing updates and feature enhancements, keeping the platform up-to-date with the latest industry standards and user requirements.
Comprehensive Training Resources: The provision of extensive training materials and webinars facilitates user education and maximizes the software’s value.
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Ease of Use: The solution offers an intuitive and user friendly interface, according to 75% of users.
Functionality: According to 81% of users who reviewed this pro, the software offers a complete product suite for construction companies to optimize their processes.
Cost: About 87% of users affirmed that the application is worth the price range. The features and user-friendly interface justify the price completely.
Support: Regarding support, approximately 76% of users said the support team quickly responds to calls and resolves issues efficiently.
Connectivity and Integrations: According to 75% of users, the application integrates seamlessly with third-party solutions.
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Limited Customization: Some users report that STACK's customization options are not as extensive as they would prefer, leading to a less personalized experience that may not precisely fit unique workflows.
User Interface Complexity: The learning curve for new users can be steep, with some finding the interface and navigation to be not as intuitive, affecting onboarding and productivity.
Integration Challenges: Certain users have encountered difficulties when trying to integrate STACK with other systems, which can disrupt data flow and overall project management efficiency.
Performance Issues: There are occasional reports about the software lagging or being unresponsive, especially when handling large and complex projects or datasets.
Cost Considerations: For some small businesses or independent contractors, the cost of STACK can be prohibitive, particularly when considering the additional features and users that may be necessary.
Limited Reporting Features: Feedback indicates that the reporting functionality may not be as robust or versatile as required by some users for in-depth analysis and decision-making.
Customer Support Concerns: There have been instances where users have expressed dissatisfaction with customer support response times and the effectiveness of the assistance received.
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Data Visualization: According to 84% of users, navigating the solution and locating icons can be challenging at times.
Learning Curve: With a complete suite of features, the solution can be difficult to leverage and learn without step-by-step guidance according to 78% of users.
Performance: About 75% of users said that the solution tends to lag in the event of internet failure.
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User reviews of STACK in the past year highlight its user-friendly interface, cloud-based accessibility, and collaborative features as key strengths. Many users appreciate the intuitive design and the ability to access project information and collaborate with team members from anywhere. Compared to competitors like PlanSwift or OnCenter, STACK is often praised for its ease of use, especially for those new to construction software. However, some users mention a learning curve for advanced features and limited customization options compared to more specialized estimating software. Another frequently cited advantage is STACK's mobile app, allowing users to capture data and update quantities on the go. This is seen as a significant benefit for field work and real-time project tracking, differentiating it from desktop-only competitors. However, some users report performance limitations with very large projects, which can be a drawback for complex builds. Overall, STACK seems to be a popular choice for small and medium-sized construction companies or teams valuing ease of use, collaboration, and mobile accessibility. While it may not offer the same depth of features as advanced estimating software, its user-friendliness and cloud-based platform resonate with many users. Carefully considering your project needs and team's technical expertise is crucial before deciding if STACK is the right fit.

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Esticom users in the past year have lauded its ease of use and intuitive interface, praising its fast learning curve compared to competitors. They emphasize the time-saving benefits of features like auto-count and pre-built libraries, enabling them to generate estimates quickly and efficiently. The cloud-based platform is also a major plus, allowing for real-time collaboration and access from anywhere. However, some users have expressed concerns about limited customization options compared to more established software. While Esticom offers basic customization, it may not cater to highly specialized needs. Additionally, the reporting capabilities have been cited as less robust than some competitors, potentially hindering in-depth project analysis. A key differentiator for Esticom is its competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for smaller companies and startups. Its scalability is also praised, allowing users to upgrade as their needs grow. However, larger companies may find its feature set less comprehensive compared to industry giants. Overall, Esticom is a strong contender in the takeoff and estimating software market, particularly for ease of use, affordability, and time-saving features. However, users seeking in-depth customization, advanced reporting, and experience with larger projects may need to consider alternative solutions.

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