Softwr

Construction · head to head

PlanSwift vs Tekla Structures

PlanSwift logo

PlanSwift

Construction

Digital takeoff and estimating software

From
$1499/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tekla Structures logo

Tekla Structures

Construction

BIM software for structural engineering and construction

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PlanSwift only one published plan tier (Professional at $2,000 annually); Tekla Structures no specific pricing published; three subscription options available but require sales contact
  • They diverge on capability: PlanSwift covers Digital takeoff, Tekla Structures covers 3D structural modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PlanSwift and Tekla Structures actually diverge.

Attributes where PlanSwift and Tekla Structures differ
AttributePlanSwiftTekla Structures
Starting price$1499/year$400/month
Founded20001978

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in PlanSwift

  • Digital takeoff
  • Estimating
  • Assemblies
  • Reporting
  • Plan viewing
  • QuickBooks
  • Sage
  • Excel

Only in Tekla Structures

  • 3D structural modeling
  • Steel detailing
  • Concrete detailing
  • Drawing production
  • Fabrication support
  • Trimble Connect
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD

Both cover

  • Access controls
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PlanSwift

  • Taking off quantities from construction drawings on screennot Tekla Structures
  • Producing material and labour estimates from digital plansnot Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures

  • Structural designnot PlanSwift
  • Steel detailingnot PlanSwift
  • Rebar detailingnot PlanSwift
  • Fabrication managementnot PlanSwift

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PlanSwift

  • Only one published plan tier (Professional at $2,000 annually)
  • Annual renewal required; no monthly subscription option stated
  • No multi-user or team-based pricing options published

Tekla Structures

  • No specific pricing published; three subscription options available but require sales contact
  • Flexible licensing that adjusts as company develops and grows, but specific rates not disclosed

Pricing, plan by plan

PlanSwift

$1499/year
  • PlanSwift Pro$1499/year
    • Digital takeoff
    • Estimating
    • Assemblies
  • PlanSwift Pro+$2099/year
    • Everything in Pro
    • Advanced reports
    • Priority support

Tekla Structures

$400/month
  • Tekla Structures$400/month
    • 3D modeling
    • Detailing
    • Drawing production
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Multi-user
    • Advanced features
    • Custom configurations

Which should you pick?

Choose PlanSwift if

  • You need digital takeoff.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want estimating.
PlanSwift review

Choose Tekla Structures if

  • You need 3d structural modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want steel detailing.
Tekla Structures review

Questions people ask

Is PlanSwift or Tekla Structures better?
Neither clearly leads. PlanSwift starts at $1499/year and Tekla Structures at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PlanSwift or Tekla Structures?
PlanSwift starts at $1499/year and Tekla Structures at $400/month.
Does PlanSwift or Tekla Structures run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is PlanSwift best used for?
PlanSwift is most often used for taking off quantities from construction drawings on screen, producing material and labour estimates from digital plans. Of those, taking off quantities from construction drawings on screen and producing material and labour estimates from digital plans are not what Tekla Structures is typically brought in for.
What can PlanSwift do that Tekla Structures cannot?
PlanSwift covers Digital takeoff, Estimating, Assemblies, Reporting. Tekla Structures covers 3D structural modeling, Steel detailing, Concrete detailing, Drawing production. Both handle Access controls, Windows support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PlanSwift: How much does PlanSwift cost?

PlanSwift Professional costs $2,000 USD per year as an annual subscription. The price includes software access, updates, support for 12 months, and 2 hours of training.

Source
Tekla Structures: Is there a free trial for Tekla Structures?

Yes, a 30-day free trial is available at https://download.trimble.com/tekla-structures/free-trial

Source
PlanSwift: Does PlanSwift offer a free trial?

Yes, PlanSwift offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. This allows users to evaluate the software and its Takeoff Boost AI tools before committing to the annual subscription.

Source
Tekla Structures: What subscription options are available?

Tekla Structures offers three material-independent subscription options designed for specific user needs. Each subscription includes Trimble Connect Business Premium and Tekla Model Sharing collaboration platform. Contact Tekla for specific pricing and plan details.

Source
PlanSwift: What is included in PlanSwift Professional?

PlanSwift Professional includes full software access, 1 year of updates and support, 2 hours of training, and Takeoff Boost, a suite of AI tools that automates measuring, counting, and scaling tasks.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on PlanSwift

More on Tekla Structures

Keep looking

Other head to heads