Vu360 vs Active Takeoff

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Vu360 vs Active Takeoff based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Takeoff Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Vu360 Software Tool

Product Basics

Vu360 by Bluebook International lets users annotate PDFs, export quantities and search keywords. It can be deployed on-premise for Windows and Linux. It facilitates viewing, communication and markup of users’ construction documents. It supports smart links that connect it to the Blue Book Network. Designed for small to medium-sized businesses, its project repository has custom filters like size, structures and location that let users search for documents and projects.

Its integrated web browser lets users search for data on requirements and projects. View documents in multiple formats like HTML, TIFF and PDF. Use various methods to analyze plans. Its relationship builder helps search for current and prospective clients. It integrates with Project Pipeline, ProView and ONETEAM.
read more...
Active Takeoff streamlines construction takeoffs and estimates, helping businesses of all sizes manage costs efficiently. Users can upload and scale blueprints electronically, then precisely calculate areas and quantities of materials for tasks like flooring, roofing, and painting. It integrates with Excel for flexible cost management and generates professional proposals. While suitable for various construction roles, it particularly benefits estimators, contractors, and design firms seeking user-friendly software at a reasonable price (typically one-time fees or annual subscriptions). Compared to similar options, users praise Active Takeoff's intuitive interface, efficient scaling tools, and accurate calculations. However, some mention limitations in handling specific scales or complex project structures. Ultimately, the best fit depends on individual needs and budget.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Accurate calculations
  • Efficient scaling tools
  • Integrates with Excel
  • Reasonable pricing
Cons
  • Limited scale options
  • Simple project view
  • Not ideal for complex jobs
  • Fewer features than some competitors
  • Occasional bugs reported
read more...
Undisclosed
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$59/User, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
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

  • Streamline Takeoffs: Get accurate calculations and drawings quickly at the site. Leverage the numbers to prepare better bids for clients. 
  • Bid & Estimate Accurately: Provide accurate calculations of walls, ceilings and floors to set estimates for each to speed up the process.  
  • Reduce Resources: Avoid printing plans and carry drawings and measurements on a secure, digital platform. Reduce the money spent on purchasing paper and invest in hiring more employees to finish tasks quickly. 
  • Access All Types of Work: Leverage a construction lead database to get unrestricted access to all available private and public projects.  
read more...
  • Increased Efficiency: Simplifies takeoffs with intuitive interface, reducing time spent on manual calculations and measurements.
  • Improved Accuracy: Minimizes errors with automatic scaling and dimensioning tools, ensuring precise material and labor estimations.
  • Cost Management Powerhouse: Integrates seamlessly with Excel for flexible cost breakdowns, markups, and instant cost reports.
  • Streamlined Workflows: Connects directly to plans and documents, eliminating the need for paper-based processes and manual data entry.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Enables easy sharing of takeoff data and estimates with colleagues and clients, boosting project transparency.
  • Proposal Generation at Ease: Generates professional proposals directly from takeoff data, saving time and effort in bidding processes.
  • Scalability for all Sizes: Caters to businesses of all sizes, from small contractors to large enterprises, with flexible pricing options.
  • User-Friendly Experience: Designed with a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy to learn and use, even for those with limited technical expertise.
  • Data Security and Accessibility: Ensures data security with cloud-based storage and accessibility from any device with an internet connection.
  • Mobile-Friendly Access: Offers mobile app compatibility for on-site access to plans, measurements, and estimates, enhancing field productivity.
read more...
  • Seamless Document Viewing: Ability to view and annotate PDF, TIFF and all HTML web pages.
  • Documents Retrieval: Click on markups and takeoffs to retrieve all the PDFs in the plan room and view selected files.
  • Snapshot Feature: Communicate information through email or PDF.
  • Keyword Search: Search the specification book and predetermined markups to speed up the decision-making process.
  • Export: Export all quantities, including linkups and specification books, to Excel or XML.
read more...
  • Electronic Plan Takeoff: Upload and scale digital blueprints directly in the software for on-screen measurements.
  • Automatic Scaling Tools: Utilize pre-defined scales or manually set custom scales for accurate calculations.
  • Multiple Measurement Tools: Choose from linear, area, volume, perimeter, and other measurement tools for diverse takeoff needs.
  • Material Libraries: Create and manage custom material libraries with specific costs and properties for efficient material takeoffs.
  • Assembly Takeoff: Estimate costs based on pre-defined assemblies of materials and procedures for repetitive tasks.
  • Integrated Cost Management: Seamlessly link takeoffs to Excel for cost breakdowns, markups, and instant cost reports.
  • Proposal Generation: Generate professional proposals directly from takeoff data, including material lists, labor costs, and overall project estimates.
  • Collaboration Tools: Share takeoff data and estimates with colleagues and clients through cloud-based storage and access.
  • Mobile App Compatibility: Access plans, measurements, and estimates on the go with the mobile app for field productivity.
  • Reporting and Exporting: Generate detailed reports in various formats, including PDF, CSV, and XML, for further analysis and sharing.
  • User-Defined Calculations: Create custom formulas and calculations for specific project requirements and material properties.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Utilize keyboard shortcuts for faster data entry and increased efficiency.
  • Customizable Interface: Personalize the user interface with preferred layouts and color schemes for a comfortable workflow.
read more...

Product Ranking

#15

among all
Takeoff Software

#29

among all
Takeoff Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

we're gathering data
62
we're gathering data
73
we're gathering data
75
we're gathering data
0
Show More Show More

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Vu360
Active Takeoff
+ Add Product + Add Product
Measurement Management Measurement Tools Mobile Capabilities Plans Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Trades Management 73 75 0 52 70 73 86 100 0 25 50 75 100
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
73%
0%
27%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
75%
0%
25%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
0%
0%
100%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
53%
0%
47%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
67%
0%
33%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
75%
0%
25%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
86%
0%
14%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
100%
0%
0%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
10%
0%
90%

User Sentiment Summary

we're gathering data
Excellent User Sentiment 186 reviews
we're gathering data
92%
of users recommend this product

Active Takeoff has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 186 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.64 (94)
n/a
4.6 (92)

Awards

we're gathering data

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

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Easy to Use: Users find the interface intuitive and easy to navigate, even for those new to warehouse management systems. They appreciate the straightforward design and clear labeling of features.
Real-Time Visibility: The system provides real-time updates on inventory levels, order status, and shipment tracking, allowing users to make informed decisions and avoid delays. This is particularly helpful for managing high-volume orders and ensuring timely deliveries.
Mobile Access: The mobile app allows users to access key information and perform tasks from anywhere, anytime. This is crucial for warehouse staff who need to be mobile and responsive to changing needs.
Integration Capabilities: Vu360 integrates seamlessly with other systems, such as e-commerce platforms and shipping carriers, streamlining workflows and reducing manual data entry. This helps to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Strong Customer Support: Users praise the responsive and helpful customer support team, which is available to assist with any issues or questions. This ensures a smooth onboarding experience and ongoing support.
Show more
User-Friendly Interface: Active Takeoff provides an intuitive and easy-to-use platform, which reduces the learning curve for professionals managing construction takeoffs and estimates.
Precision: Users appreciate the high degree of accuracy in measurements, which is crucial for effective takeoff and estimating processes.
Flexibility: The software supports various file formats, including PDF, CAD, and image files, enabling versatility in handling different types of construction plans.
Customization: Active Takeoff allows users to customize materials and labor costs, ensuring the estimates are tailored to specific project requirements.
Integrated OCR: The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature streamlines the takeoff process by quickly converting plans into actionable data.
Cloud-Based: Being cloud-based facilitates easy access to project data from any location, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders.
Scalability: It suits a variety of project sizes, making it a practical solution for both small contractors and larger construction firms.
Responsive Support: Users report a positive experience with customer support, highlighting their responsiveness and helpfulness in resolving issues.
Cost-Effective: Many find Active Takeoff to be affordable without compromising on functionality, striking a good balance between cost and value.
Show more
Limited Customization: Some users have found that Vu360's customization options are limited, making it difficult to tailor the platform to their specific needs. For example, they may not be able to create custom reports or dashboards that align with their unique business processes.
Steep Learning Curve: The platform's interface can be complex and challenging to navigate, especially for users who are new to warehouse management software. This can lead to frustration and a longer time to become proficient with the system.
Integration Challenges: Integrating Vu360 with other systems, such as ERP or accounting software, can be a complex and time-consuming process. This can lead to data inconsistencies and difficulties in managing inventory across different platforms.
Lack of Mobile Functionality: Some users have reported that Vu360's mobile app is limited in functionality, making it difficult to manage inventory and track orders on the go. This can be a significant drawback for businesses that rely on mobile access for their operations.
Show more
Complex User Interface: Some users find Active Takeoff’s user interface overly complex, which can lead to a steep learning curve for new users, particularly those who are not tech-savvy or unfamiliar with takeoff software.
Limited Integration: Users have cited limitations in integrating Active Takeoff with other construction management tools and platforms, potentially creating extra steps in the workflow.
Performance Issues: There are reports of the software occasionally running slowly or lagging, especially when handling larger projects with more extensive takeoff requirements.
Cost Prohibitive: For small businesses or independent contractors, the cost of Active Takeoff can be a barrier, with some users feeling it does not offer a sufficient cost-to-benefit ratio for less frequent use.
Limited Customer Support: A few users have mentioned challenges in getting timely and effective customer support when encountering issues or needing assistance with the software.
No Mac Support: Active Takeoff is not natively available for Mac OS, which can deter users who are working on Apple's platform and do not wish to use emulation or other workarounds.
Feature Limitations: Some users feel that while the basic takeoff features are solid, Active Takeoff lacks advanced features and customizations that are available in competing products.
Show more

Is Vu360 the real deal or just a takeoff on other software? Vu360 is a software that helps contractors manage tasks like takeoff. While it's not clear how Vu360 compares to similar products, it's clear that users are not impressed. Vu360 is not mentioned in the Capterra article, which lists several alternatives to Vu360. The alternatives are all highly rated, with users praising their ease of use, affordability, and feature sets. For example, Contractor Foreman is praised for its affordability and ease of use, while PropertyIntel is lauded for its powerful features and cloud-based technology. Active Takeoff is praised for its simplicity and accuracy, while Buildxact is praised for its ability to save time and improve accuracy. These alternatives are all highly rated, suggesting that Vu360 may not be meeting the needs of its users. Based on the available information, Vu360 is not a popular choice among contractors. The lack of user reviews and the fact that it is not mentioned in a list of alternatives suggests that it may not be a viable option for contractors. If you are looking for a software to help you manage tasks like takeoff, there are many other options available that are highly rated and well-regarded by users.

Show more

Active Takeoff garners praise for its user-friendly interface and efficient scaling tools, making it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned professionals in the construction industry. Users commend its intuitive layout, streamlined workflows, and accurate calculations, often highlighting its time-saving benefits compared to manual takeoff methods. Compared to competitors, some users find Active Takeoff less feature-rich, particularly for complex projects. However, its affordability and ease of use are often cited as major strengths, attracting users who prioritize user experience and value over advanced functionalities. One key differentiator is Active Takeoff's cloud-based storage and mobile app compatibility. Users appreciate the accessibility and convenience of accessing plans, measurements, and estimates from any device, boosting field productivity and collaboration. Additionally, its integration with Excel allows for flexible cost management and reporting, something users value when dealing with diverse project requirements. Ultimately, user reviews suggest Active Takeoff is a solid choice for contractors, estimators, and design firms seeking user-friendly and efficient takeoff software at a reasonable price. While it might not be the most feature-packed option, its strengths in usability, affordability, and accessibility make it a compelling solution for various construction needs.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Takeoff Software


Active Takeoff

Autodesk Takeoff

Bluebeam

Buildxact

Countfire

Esticom

eTakeoff

Methvin

On-Screen Takeoff

PlanSwift

PrebuiltML

Procore

Square Takeoff

STACK

Stratosphere

Takeoff Live

Related Categories

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings