Beam AI vs Sketchdeck.ai
The #1 alternative steel takeoff software for Sketchdeck.ai in 2026
Beam AI takeoff software is the only leading Sketchdeck.ai alternative with human-reviewed QA for 100% automated AI-based outputs.
Trusted by 1200+ businesses across the US & Canada












Complete AI-based takeoff software for steel estimators: #1 Sketchdeck.ai alternative
Beam AI stands out among top Sketchdeck.ai alternatives by delivering complete and fully automated steel takeoffs.
Features
Beam AI
Sketchdeck.ai
Complete steel takeoffs

Beams, columns, joists, lintels, plates, anchors, stairs, railings & more

Limited to basic beams and columns only
Joist coverage

Different joist types with bifurcation and unit weight

Not supported
Miscellaneous steel coverage

Plates, base caps, kickers, braces, hangers, stiffeners, etc.

Not supported
Connection detailing

Includes shear tabs, moment connections, weld info, and anchoring

Limited connection analysis
Finish details

Differentiates galvanized, powder-coated, and painted steel

Not available
Speed of delivery

Delivered in 24–72 hours, bid-ready

Instant output, but not bid-ready
Estimator effort required

Minimal review time required

High estimator input needed for validation & fixes
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
Sketchdeck.ai 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 Beam AI is the best Sketchdeck.ai alternative for steel estimators


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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
What is the main difference between Beam AI and Sketchdeck.ai?

Beam AI is built as a complete Sketchdeck.ai alternative, delivering 100% automated, bid-ready steel takeoffs across structural, architectural, miscellaneous steel, and other key construction trades. Sketchdeck.ai primarily detects basic beams and columns and often requires manual review and correction. Beam AI gives you QA-checked outputs, making it a stronger alternative software for Sketchdeck.ai.
Does Sketchdeck.ai support Mac, and what are the alternatives?

Sketchdeck.ai supports Mac, but many teams still look for a Sketchdeck.ai Mac alternative or Sketchdeck.ai alternative for Mac when they need more automation and broader trade coverage. Beam AI runs in the browser and works across devices, making it a practical option among Sketchdeck.ai alternatives.
Are there free alternatives to Sketchdeck.ai?

There are limited tools positioned as a free alternative to Sketchdeck.ai or Sketchdeck.ai free alternative, but most only support basic measurements or partial automation. If you’re looking to scale your estimating capacity, explore Beam AI annual pricing. Your investment directly translates into higher revenue growth.
Which option works better for beginners with no estimating background?

Beam AI is easier for beginners because it removes manual steps. As an alternative software for Sketchdeck.ai, Beam AI only requires users to upload plans and define scope. Sketchdeck.ai still requires manual QA and corrections. Teams evaluating alternatives to Sketchdeck.ai often find Beam AI faster to adopt.
How do AI features compare between both platforms?

Sketchdeck.ai uses AI to detect a limited number of elements (mostly beams and columns). Beam AI goes further as a complete Sketchdeck.ai software alternative, automatically detecting specs, notes, addenda, and multi-trade quantities. This makes Beam AI one of the most advanced Sketchdeck.ai alternatives.

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