Comparison · Bid and cost estimating software
BidVariance vs STACK: which is better in 2026?
BidVariance78.0#5 in best bid and cost estimating software
STACK83.5#4 in best bid and cost estimating softwareSTACK ranks higher in our list of bid and cost estimating software (#4 against #5, score 83.5 against 78.0).
- 78.0Editorial score83.5
- 1Platforms1
- YesFree to useNo
- NoOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose BidVariance if you want
Fixed-price bids that need a loss probability.
Monte Carlo cost simulation that shows the probability of loss at a bid, with one-time paid licenses and free calculators. It models effort ranges rather than measured quantities, so the results depend on the ranges entered.
Choose STACK if you want
Contractors and estimators who bid and run jobs in one tool.
Takeoff, estimating and proposals in one cloud product, with a field app that carries bids into project delivery. Per-user pricing makes it costlier for large estimating teams than narrower takeoff tools.
The main differences
- BidVariance can be used for free; STACK requires payment.
Side by side
| BidVariance* | STACK | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 78.0 | 83.5 |
| Rank in list | #5 of 10 | #4 of 10 |
| Price | Free plan, paid upgradesFree calculators; one-time licenses from $129 (Pro), $249 and $399 | SubscriptionPer-user monthly plans; demo available |
| Free to use | Yes | No |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | WebWeb | WebWeb |
| Made by | Not stated | Not stated |
| Digital takeoff from drawings | No | Yes |
| Monte Carlo simulation | Yes | No |
| Main users | Fixed-price project bids | Contractors and subcontractors |
| Best for | Fixed-price bids that need a loss probability | Contractors and estimators who bid and run jobs in one tool |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about BidVariance vs STACK
- Is STACK better than BidVariance?
- STACK ranks higher in our list of bid and cost estimating software (#4 against #5, score 83.5 against 78.0). BidVariance* is best for: fixed-price bids that need a loss probability. STACK is best for: contractors and estimators who bid and run jobs in one tool.
- Which is cheaper, BidVariance or STACK?
- BidVariance*: Free calculators; one-time licenses from $129 (Pro), $249 and $399. STACK: Per-user monthly plans; demo available.
- Do BidVariance and STACK run on the same platforms?
- BidVariance* supports Web. STACK supports Web.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.Read more about BidVariance and STACK
All articles- Guides · 5 min readHow to choose bid and cost estimating softwareChoose bid and cost estimating software by job, trade, platform and pricing. Compare PlanSwift, BuildingConnected, Buildxact, STACK and BidVariance.
- Explainers · 5 min readMonte Carlo bid estimating: what P50, P80 and P90 meanMonte Carlo simulation for bid estimators: model cost ranges, read P50, P80 and P90 and the chance of meeting a price, with a worked example and common mistakes.
Made by, or connected to, the publisher of this site or people the publisher works with. Listed on the same criteria as everything else, with the lift described in How we rank and Disclosure.