IronKit vs STACK

IronKit vs STACK:
Which estimating tool fits your shop?

STACK is professional takeoff software for estimating teams at mid-to-large contractors — starting at $2,999/yr for one user. IronKit is a trade workflow toolkit for solo welders, fab shops, and small crews — $29/mo, no dedicated estimator required. They’re not competing for the same customer.

$2,651/yr cheaper than STACK Start — for a 5-person shop, that’s real money

Try IronKit free — no card required All tools included. $29/mo after 14-day trial.

Feature comparison

What each product actually does. No spin.

Feature	IronKit	STACK
PricingAnnual cost, single user	$29/mo ($348/yr)All 5 tools included	$2,999/yr (~$250/mo)Takeoff & estimating only
Blueprint / plan takeoffMeasure from uploaded drawings	✓AI blueprint analyzer — all plans	✓Professional digital takeoff with AI autocount
Quote / estimate generationClient-ready pricing documents	✓All plans	✓Full estimate + proposal builder
Inspection reportsPre-pour, structural, MEP forms	✓All plans	✗Not available at any tier
WPS generationAWS D1.1, ASME IX, API 1104	✓All plans — welding-specific	✗Not available at any tier
Materials calculatorBOM from plans or specs	✓All plans	△ PartialTakeoff quantities; manual BOM assembly
Target customer	Solo trades, fab shops, 1–30 employees	GC / sub estimating teams with dedicated estimators
Learning curve	Under 10 minutes	Hours to daysOnboarding support available
Integrations	Standalone — no setup	Procore, Acumatica, Sage, MS Dynamics, Excel
Free access	✓14-day trial, no card required	✓Free tier (limited — no autocount/cost data)

$2,651 saved per year vs STACK Start

STACK’s entry plan is $2,999/yr for one user — that’s $249/mo before you’ve hired the estimator to run it. IronKit is $29/mo with all 5 tools included. For a 5-person fab shop, that difference pays for equipment maintenance, not software.

When to choose STACK instead

You have a dedicated estimating team. STACK is built for professional estimators working from digital plans full-time. If you have an estimating department running 20+ bids simultaneously, STACK’s workflow, collaboration features, and ERP integrations earn their price.
You’re integrated into a Procore or Acumatica stack. STACK connects natively to Procore, Acumatica, Sage 300 CRE, and Microsoft Dynamics. If your back office runs on these platforms and you need data flow from takeoff to accounting, STACK fits.
You do high-volume complex takeoff from multi-trade plans. Large GC or multi-specialty subcontractor bidding 50+ complex projects per year? STACK’s professional takeoff tools, AI autocount, and bid management are worth the investment.
You need field operations alongside estimating. STACK’s Build & Operate module handles document control, field collaboration, daily reports, and project management. If you need bid management and field operations in one platform, STACK covers it.

When to choose IronKit

You’re a solo welder, fab shop, or small construction crew. Welding shops, structural steel fabricators, mechanical contractors, electricians quoting from drawings — IronKit has your workflow. STACK is built for estimating departments, not for the owner-operator quoting between jobs.
You need WPS forms. STACK has no welding procedure specification generation. IronKit generates AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX, and API 1104 WPS documents. If you weld, there’s no comparison.
You need inspection reports. Pre-pour, structural, MEP inspection templates — IronKit generates them. STACK doesn’t offer inspection forms at any tier.
$2,999/yr doesn’t make sense for your business. A 5-person fab shop doesn’t need enterprise estimating software. IronKit at $29/mo gives you the tools you actually use without the overhead of a platform designed for 50-person estimating departments.
You need to start quoting today, not after a rollout. No sales call, no implementation specialist, no onboarding package. Open IronKit, run your first quote in 10 minutes.

$29/mo. All 5 tools. No card required to start.

Quote writer, inspection reports, blueprint analyzer, materials calculator, and WPS generator — everything a trade shop needs to bid fast and win more work.

AI Quote Generator Inspection Reports Blueprint Analyzer Materials Calculator WPS Generator

Start 14-day free trial No credit card for trial. $29/mo after. Cancel anytime.

IronKit vs STACK:Which estimating tool fits your shop?