Beam AI vs Bluebeam
Beam AI: The #1 alternative takeoff software for Bluebeam in 2026
Beam AI is the only Bluebeam alternative with human-reviewed QA for 100% automated AI-based outputs. Save 90% time, submit 3-5X more bids, and enjoy built-in bid tracking capabilities.
Trusted by 1200+ businesses across the US & Canada
Bluebeam vs. Beam AI: A Bluebeam alternative that actually saves time
Bluebeam vs. Beam AI: A Bluebeam alternative that actually saves time
Features
Beam AI
Bluebeam
100% automated takeoffs
Done-for-you, AI-based takeoffs
Manual takeoffs using PDF, user traces everything
Takeoffs for multiple trades
100% automated takeoffs for trades
Yes, but requires manual setup
Auto-detect addenda/ revisions
Auto-detects changes and generates a variance report
Has document compare tools, takeoffs are updated manually
Real-time collaboration with team
Cloud-based, easy team access and review
Studio allows real-time review and markups
Built-in quality checks
Human QA ensures ±1% accuracy
No built-in QA; accuracy depends on human review
Automated detection of specs
Reads plans/specs and extracts quantities automatically
Cannot read or interpret specs automatically
Auto-calculated measurements
Get derived measurements & easily add custom calculations
Measurements require manual tracing
In-built bid tracking software
Track every bid, its status, due date, addenda, RFIs, and ITBs in a single, organized dashboard.
No native bid-tracking features
Clean shareable links for stakeholder communication
Live takeoff links for easy sharing
Only PDF/Excel sharing, no live link feature
Bluebeam keeps you away from your bids. And your customer.
Beam AI helps you reclaim the 30-50% of the time during a bid cycle which is spent just on doing takeoffs
Why contractors choose Beam AI as their Bluebeam Alternative
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See What Our Customers Have to Say
From saving time on takeoffs to winning more bids, hear from our customers firsthand how we’re helping them succeed
"With Beam AI, we have cut 80% of the time on takeoffs to focus on bigger projects and send on more proposals."
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Maxwell Henderson
Business Owner, Desert Rat Welding, LLC
"We’re saving a week’s worth of time on takeoffs and recording 1.5x business growth after switching to Beam AI."
Roy Cabrera
Estimator, Pilkington Construction Co.
"With Beam AI, we’re saving 2 days of work/week. Our bid volume has doubled, and we’ve grown from $900K to $2M in just a couple of months!"
Bryan Ramirez
Senior Estimator, Rays Stairs Inc.
"We are now bidding 8 more projects/month without increasing our headcount and have recorded a revenue growth of $500K - $ 1M with increased bid capacity."
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Ryan Meers
Estimator/Project Manager, Bommarito Construction
"With significantly less time spent on takeoffs, we can now focus more on securing better pricing from suppliers and verifying material availability."
Laura De Sanctis
Assistant Director, JBG Flooring and Installation Ltd.
"Beam AI is helping us modernize our business and has become a key part of our bidding process, saving up to 2 days on takeoffs."
Dylan Wiman
CEO & President, Rocky Mountain Steel, Inc
"By adopting Beam AI, we have halved our takeoff time while significantly improving bid accuracy. It is an integral part of our business growth now."
Lead Estimator at a large-sized concrete services company based in Texas
"It has helped us turn around bids faster and free up 5–8 hours a week, time we now spend on pricing strategy and customer needs."
Brent Wright
Senior Estimator, Merritt Contracting
"We are now saving 40+ man-hours per takeoff while ensuring no critical details are missed. Beam AI is helping us build better estimates, faster."
Ricardo Pacheco
CTO, Building Preservation Material Technologies
"I’m saving 4-6 hours a day, and now, I can focus on clients, visit job sites, and grow the business instead of just keeping it running."
Vice President, South Florida-based demolition contractor
"I used to spend 25 hours a week on takeoffs, now it's just 5. Beam AI has freed up enough time that I could potentially handle 800 projects a year instead of 400, without hiring another estimator."
Henry Greenberg
President, Guardian Roofing & Exteriors Inc. and Director of Sales & Marketing, T.U.F.F. Exteriors Inc.
"Since switching to Beam AI, we’ve submitted 10X more bids. I used to spend 2–3 hours per takeoff, but now I’m done in 30 minutes."
Mike Gibson
President, New View Roofing
"We went from 2 bids a week to 8–9, with no extra hires, thanks to Beam AI."
Danell Zarrelli
Assistant Project Manager, Harner Plumbing
"With Beam AI, we’re submitting 25% more bids, without adding another estimator to the team."
Stephen Mendoza
Outside Sales Representative, Cape Cod Winwater
"We’re winning more jobs, growing the business, and doing it all without expanding our team. Beam AI has become an essential part of how we operate."
Viri Ramirez
Co-owner, Cart Construction
"We’re now sending up to 5 bids a week, have taken on larger projects, and even repurposed an estimator to focus on inventory and purchasing."
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Dylan Kaminski
Business Development Manager, Tactical Construction Inc.
"With Beam AI, we’ve doubled our revenue from $6M to $12M and cut our bid turnaround from five days to just two. Beam AI has been exceptionally helpful!"
Project Manager & Business Development Services, Minnesota-based HVAC Contractor
FAQs
How does Beam AI compare to Bluebeam for takeoff and markup work?
Beam AI is a true Bluebeam alternative built specifically for fully automated takeoffs. Bluebeam focuses mainly on manual markup and measurement. Beam AI handles the entire takeoff process for you using AI, scanning drawings, detecting specs, and delivering ready-to-use quantities. Bluebeam requires estimators to manually trace, count, and measure, which makes Beam AI a stronger alternative software for Bluebeam when speed and scale matter.
Is Bluebeam available for Mac?
Bluebeam Revu has limited Mac functionality and often relies on workarounds or older versions. Many contractors now look for a Bluebeam Mac alternative or Bluebeam alternative for Mac that works seamlessly in the browser. Beam AI is cloud-based and works smoothly across Mac and Windows, making it a practical option for teams searching for modern Bluebeam alternatives.
Does Beam AI automate takeoffs more than Bluebeam Revu?
Yes. Beam AI is designed as a fully automated alternative to Bluebeam, delivering 100% done-for-you takeoffs. Unlike Bluebeam Revu, which relies on manual measurements, Beam AI automatically scans plans, detects symbols, reads specs, and generates quantities with built-in quality checks. This makes it a more advanced Bluebeam software alternative for contractors who want real automation.
Can Beam AI replace Bluebeam for quantity extraction?
Yes. Beam AI is built to replace manual quantity extraction as a Bluebeam alternative. Instead of tracing and counting by hand, Beam AI uses AI to extract quantities across sheets and trades automatically. For contractors seeking reliable alternatives to Bluebeam, Beam AI eliminates repetitive manual work while improving speed and accuracy.
Does Bluebeam support AI-based takeoffs?
No. Bluebeam is primarily a PDF markup and measurement tool and does not offer native AI-based automated takeoffs. This is why many teams explore Bluebeam alternatives or alternative software for Bluebeam, like Beam AI, which delivers true AI-powered automation.
Are there free alternatives to Bluebeam for basic estimating tasks?
There are limited tools positioned as a free alternative to Bluebeam or Bluebeam free alternative, but most free tools only offer basic viewing or markup features. Beam AI offers a no-cost first AI takeoff experience, giving teams a practical way to test a more powerful Bluebeam alternative without upfront commitment.
Which tool is easier for teams to learn and adopt?
Beam AI is generally easier to adopt because it removes manual steps. As a modern Bluebeam alternative, it only requires you to upload plans and define the scope. Bluebeam typically requires training for markup tools, layers, and measurement workflows. Teams looking for simpler Bluebeam alternatives often find Beam AI faster to onboard.
What does Bluebeam free alternative pricing look like?
If you’re looking to scale your estimating capacity, explore Beam AI annual pricing. Your investment directly translates into higher revenue growth.
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