Looking for an On-Screen Takeoff alternative?
On-Screen Takeoff (OST) is the industry's long-running plan-measurement tool. PreconIntel operates in the phase after takeoff — AI bid parsing, ITB workflow, Procore integration — covering what OST doesn't.
PreconIntel vs. On-Screen Takeoff
The features that matter to GC estimators, side by side.
| Capability | PreconIntel | On-Screen Takeoff |
|---|---|---|
On-screen takeoff & plan measurement Measure quantities directly on drawings. | — | Yes |
AI bid parsing from email | Yes | — |
Gmail inbox sync | Yes | — |
Invitation-to-bid workflow | Yes | — |
AI-generated ITB scope notes | Yes | — |
Subcontractor directory with win-rate scoring | Yes | — |
Permit-driven sub discovery | Yes | — |
Procore bidirectional integration | Yes | Partial |
Cost benchmarking from bid history | Yes | — |
Side-by-side bid leveling | Yes | — |
Sage Estimating / Quick Bid integration | — | Yes |
Comparison based on publicly documented features as of April 2026. On-Screen Takeoff feature details may have changed; see their documentation for current capabilities. Not an independent third-party review.
When PreconIntel is the better fit
- →Your estimators aren't taking off plans — your subs are, and you're leveling their bids.
- →You want to stop re-keying bid amounts from PDFs into a spreadsheet.
- →You run on Procore and want commitments + COs feeding your next estimate automatically.
- →You want subcontractor intelligence and permit-driven discovery alongside bid management.
When On-Screen Takeoff is the better fit
- →Your estimators do their own quantity takeoff from plans — OST is industry-standard and deeply integrated with Sage/Quick Bid.
- →You're a specialty sub (MEP, drywall, concrete) doing the measurement yourself rather than aggregating sub bids.
We don't think every GC should be a PreconIntel customer. When On-Screen Takeoff is the right fit, we'll say so.
Frequently asked questions
Do you do plan takeoff?
No, and we don't plan to. OST, Planswift, and STACK are purpose-built for on-screen measurement. PreconIntel starts where takeoff ends — when bids come back from subs, we parse, classify, level, and push to Procore.
Can OST and PreconIntel work together?
Yes. Many commercial GCs use OST for conceptual GC-side takeoff, then use PreconIntel for ITB, bid aggregation, and Procore sync. Both tools integrate with Sage/Procore cost codes.
What do you do that OST doesn't?
Everything past the quantity stage: AI bid parsing, AI-generated ITB scope notes, subcontractor intelligence with win-rate scoring, permit-driven sub discovery, bidirectional Procore sync, and cost benchmarking built from your bid history.
How does pricing compare?
PreconIntel starts at $349/mo for 3 seats. OST pricing is per-seat and typically runs in a similar range depending on bundle. Different tools for different phases, so direct price comparison isn't the usual decision driver.