Quick Answer: BuzzBID Advanced is our pick for the best acoustical ceiling takeoff software for commercial contractors, because it combines computer vision takeoff for ceilings, ACT support, assembly-based estimating, and bid proposals at a published $250 a month. The EDGE, STACK, PlanSwift, and On-Screen Takeoff with Quick Bid are also worth comparing, depending on your workflow and budget.
The best acoustical ceiling takeoff software measures ceiling areas fast, turns them into acoustical ceiling tile (ACT), grid, wall angle, and hanger wire quantities, and prices the labor to install them. Many ceiling contractors also bid drywall and framing, so the right tool should handle walls and ceilings in the same estimate.
This guide ranks six options for commercial acoustical ceiling contractors, shows published prices side by side, and explains what to look for before you buy. BuzzBID publishes this guide, so the ranking reflects our view. Competitor details come from each vendor's own website or from published industry coverage.
| Software | Best For | Published Price |
|---|---|---|
| BuzzBID Advanced | Wall and ceiling contractors who want takeoff and estimating in one tool | $250 a month or $1,750 a year |
| The EDGE | Ceiling contractors who want a dedicated acoustical estimating module | Not published, demo required |
| STACK | Teams that want cloud takeoff with prebuilt assemblies | Takeoff & Estimate "As Low As" $299 per user per month, plus a free version |
| PlanSwift | Contractors who want desktop takeoff with a grid tool | $2,000 a year (Essential) or $3,000 a year (Core) per seat |
| On-Screen Takeoff with Quick Bid | Long-time OST users with built-out Quick Bid databases | Not published, quote required |
| Bluebeam Revu | Measuring ceiling areas on PDFs, with pricing done elsewhere | $260 to $590 per user a year |
BuzzBID Advanced earns the top spot because it handles acoustical ceilings and drywall in the same estimate, with a published price. According to BuzzBID's commercial drywall and ceiling estimating page, ClickONCE™ computer vision takes off "wall partitions and acoustical ceilings," up to 500% faster, estimator verified.
The team behind On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid built BuzzBID, and BuzzBID Advanced won AWCI's 2025 Excellence in Construction Innovation Award. Compare every plan on BuzzBID's pricing page.
The EDGE by Estimating Edge offers an acoustical module built around ceiling calculations. Its acoustical estimating software page says it "automatically calculates ceiling grid requirements and tile quantities based on room specifications," handles "incremental areas and wall angles," and "Calculates hanger wires and fasteners." It also deducts ceiling lights and diffusers, and its Smart Labor feature adjusts labor costs "based on ceiling height and complexity."
Watch for: Estimating Edge does not publish a price, so you need a demo and a quote to compare costs.
STACK markets a dedicated acoustic ceiling takeoff and estimating page with prebuilt assemblies for grid, tile, suspension, and insulation quantities. STACK says it "supports a variety of grid systems, tile sizes, and material types."
Watch for: STACK's pricing page lists Takeoff & Estimate "As Low As" $299 per user per month, so costs add up as your team grows. Our STACK vs. BuzzBID comparison covers the full differences.
PlanSwift includes a Grid Tool area takeoff that, according to ConstructConnect's PlanSwift help article, "is useful for automatically calculating a grid on top of an area" to find quantities for tile and T-bar ceilings.
Watch for: PlanSwift's pricing page lists Essential at $2,000 a year and Core at $3,000 a year for one seat, billed annually.
On-Screen Takeoff handles the takeoff, and Quick Bid handles the estimate. Walls & Ceilings magazine reported in 2016 that On Center added CertainTeed's ceiling products to the Quick Bid material database.
Watch for: ConstructConnect does not publish a price for either product, and it plans to move Quick Bid to subscription-only licensing. Our guides to On-Screen Takeoff pricing and how much Quick Bid software costs explain what to ask before you renew.
Bluebeam Revu can measure ceiling areas on PDF plans, and Bluebeam's pricing page shows counts starting at the Core plan. Revu does not build assemblies or price labor, though. You still need Excel or a separate estimating program. Our BuzzBID vs. Bluebeam comparison explains the gap.
You estimate an acoustical ceiling by measuring each ceiling area by type, converting that area into grid, tile, and support quantities, and then pricing the labor for the height and access on that job. Good acoustical ceiling takeoff software handles most of these steps for you:
Many ceiling contractors also bid the drywall soffits, bulkheads, and walls around the ceiling. Our list of the best drywall estimating software covers that side of the work, and BuzzBID handles both in one estimate.
Acoustical ceiling estimating software ranges from a free version for basic takeoff to several thousand dollars a year, and some vendors don't publish a price at all. Here is what each vendor's own pricing page shows:
Compare the full cost, including the estimating side. A cheaper takeoff tool can cost more once you add a separate estimating program or the hours your team spends in spreadsheets.
Yes, STACK offers a free version of its Takeoff & Estimate software, and free online ceiling calculators can rough out tile and grid counts for a single room. Those calculators don't price labor or build a bid, so commercial contractors outgrow them fast.
Yes, some drywall estimating software handles acoustical ceilings too. BuzzBID Advanced supports drywall and ACT in the same application, so you can take off and price walls, soffits, and ceilings in one estimate. If the job also includes gypsum board ceilings, our guide to Level 4 vs. Level 5 drywall finish explains how the finish level changes the estimate.
BuzzBID Advanced is our pick for commercial contractors who bid both walls and ceilings, because it combines computer vision takeoff, ACT support, assembly-based estimating, and bid proposals at a published price. The EDGE is a strong choice if you want a dedicated acoustical module and don't mind quote-based pricing.
The best acoustical ceiling takeoff software saves time on the measuring and keeps your labor and material pricing in the same estimate. Compare BuzzBID's published plans or contact the BuzzBID team to see a wall and ceiling estimate built on your own plans.