A free PlanSwift alternative for quick measuring

PlanSwift is a capable takeoff and estimating program for contractors. If you only need to read lengths and areas off a plan, ScaleDraw gets you there for free, in a browser, on any device.

What PlanSwift costs

PlanSwift Professional is sold as an annual subscription. Software review sites listed it at about $2,000 per user per year in October 2026, with trade plugins and extra training priced separately. Ask PlanSwift for a current quote.

ScaleDraw and PlanSwift side by side

	ScaleDraw	PlanSwift
Price	Free to start	About $2,000 per user per year
Runs on	Any modern browser, including iPad and phone	Windows desktop
Calibrate a plan and measure lengths and areas	Yes	Yes
Sketching and notes on an infinite board	Yes	No
Assemblies, materials and pricing	No	Yes
Export to Excel and estimating systems	No	Yes

Choose ScaleDraw if…

You want lengths and areas from a drawing in a minute, not a full priced takeoff.
You use a Mac, an iPad or a phone.
You're a small firm, a sole trader or a homeowner, and a yearly licence doesn't add up.

Stick with PlanSwift if…

You produce priced estimates with assemblies and material lists every day.
Your takeoffs feed straight into a spreadsheet or estimating system.

Questions

Can ScaleDraw do a full takeoff like PlanSwift?

It measures lengths and areas accurately, but it doesn't build priced estimates with assemblies and material lists.

Does ScaleDraw run on a Mac or iPad?

Yes. It runs in any modern browser, including Safari on Mac and iPad.