A STACK alternative for lumber and framing takeoffs
STACK is a cloud takeoff and estimating platform for many trades, where AI speeds up your measuring and assemblies turn it into materials. Aximos reads the plan set and drafts the whole framing takeoff and material list for you, and you check every number against the plan.
Faster measuring, or a finished draft to check
STACK and Aximos both run in the browser. The difference is who does the takeoff. Here is how they compare for framing and lumber, when STACK is the better fit, and what moving a framing workflow over takes.
STACK describes itself as an AI preconstruction platform for takeoff and estimating. Its AI reads sheets, names pages, suggests counts and measurements, and finds symbols, and its item and assembly libraries turn your measurements into materials and costs. It covers many trades and runs estimating and bid work in the same place.
Aximos is built only for wood framing. The AI calibrates every sheet, traces the framing by layer, reads notes and sections, and drafts the material list by size and length on your own SKUs. First drafts are typically 80–95% accurate to final quantities. You review with the plan beside the list: click any quantity to see its trace and formula, fix what is off, and export.
Two ways to the same lumber list
- AIUpload; AI names and links pages
- YouMeasure, with AI count suggestions
- YouApply assemblies
- YouCheck the list
Aximos- YouUpload the plan set
- AITracing and material list drafted
- YouCheck each number against its trace
- YouExport to Excel or CSV
Both use AI. In STACK it speeds up your measuring; in Aximos it drafts the takeoff, and your time goes into checking.
The whole framing list, drafted for you.
Not just measurements
Studs, plates, headers, sheathing, joists and rafters come back as a list by size and length, on your own SKUs.
Hours, not days
Typically 2–6 hours for a plan set, never more than a day. First drafts are typically 80–95% accurate to final quantities.
Material List 1· 3 sheets · 131 rows
ApprovedExportLevel 1 · Framing — Main
Roof
Every number shows where it came from.
Click a quantity, see its trace
Each number links to the lines it was traced from and the formula that turned them into pieces.
Gaps flagged for you
Built-in checks flag things like an opening with no header, so review starts from a list of things to look at.
Needs your attention (3)
- !Skylight opening — skewed flat rafters not traced yet
- !Chimney opening at B228 — no header traced
- !Ridge beam B304 changes size along its run (A–D)
Roof framing
- 2x12 Rafters · 92 EA
- 2x8 Rafters · 42 EA
- 2x10 Rafters · 50 EA
- 2x12 Rafters · 20 EA
- 11 7/8" LVL Beam · 6 EANo stock length
Cost that follows the work.
Per project, not per seat
STACK plans are per user on 12-month terms. Aximos is a subscription plus a per-project fee you see before you run, monthly or annual.
On your catalog
The list lands on the SKUs you stock and exports to Excel or CSV.
Material libraryAI mapped
Your listYour SKU
- osb 7/167/16" OSB 4×8 SHT
- 2x4 stud2x4x92⅝" Pre-Cut Stud
- 16d nails 50lb?16d HDG Sinker Nails 50lb
- lvl 1.75x11.8751¾" × 11⅞" LVL
When STACK is the better fit
You take off many trades
Concrete, drywall, electrical and framing on one platform. Aximos only does wood framing and lumber.
You want estimating and bids in one place
STACK runs takeoff, estimating and bid work together, with many viewers on a project.
From two real plan sets
of the lines the AI drew stayed as drawn after an estimator reviewed them
change in roof area, exterior walls and trusses on the first house after review
of the products on the final material list were already in the AI draft
Moving framing work from STACK
- 01
Send us your product list
Tell us the lumber and products you stock or order, and we load them as your catalog. Your framing rules, such as spacing, plates, headers and waste, are set once.
- 02
Run a plan set you’re bidding, with us
Upload a framing package on a call. The AI drafts the takeoff and you compare it with how you would have built it in STACK.
- 03
Keep STACK for the rest if you like
Export the approved list to Excel or CSV. Teams that use STACK for other trades can keep it there and run framing through Aximos.
STACK vs. Aximos at a glance
Built for
Aximos: Wood framing and the lumber material listSTACK: Many trades, plus estimating and bids
What the AI does
Aximos: Reads the whole plan set and drafts the takeoff: tracing plus the material listSTACK: AI takeoffs, count and measurement suggestions, symbol search, page naming, AI chat
The material list
Aximos: Drafted for you by size and length, on your SKUsSTACK: Built from your measurements with item and assembly libraries
Checking a number
Aximos: Click it: trace on the plan, formula and built-in checksSTACK: Look at your measurements and assemblies
Turnaround on a plan set
Aximos: Typically 2–6 hours for the AI draft, never more than a daySTACK: As fast as you measure, with AI help
Runs on
Aximos: Web browserSTACK: Web browser
Billing
Aximos: Monthly or annual; subscription plus a per-project feeSTACK: Per user, 12-month terms (upfront or monthly)
Best fit
Aximos: Lumber yards, LBM dealers and framing contractors quoting framing packagesSTACK: Multi-trade contractors and GCs who want takeoff and estimating in one platform
STACK column based on stackct.com and its pricing page as of October 2026. Aximos wrote this page. STACK is a trademark of its owner, used here only to identify the product. Check their site for current features and pricing.
STACK alternative questions
Is Aximos a replacement for STACK?
For wood framing and lumber material lists, yes. For other trades or full estimating and bid management, no. Aximos only does framing and lumber.
STACK has AI too. What is the difference?
STACK’s AI helps you measure, count and organize plans faster, and your assemblies turn that into materials. Aximos’s AI drafts the whole framing takeoff and the material list from the plan set, and you check it against the plan.
Can I bring my STACK assemblies?
Not directly. Send us the products you stock and your framing rules, and we set them up as your catalog and rules.
How accurate is the AI draft?
First drafts are typically 80–95% accurate to final quantities. On two real plan sets, 94–97% of the AI tracing stayed as drawn after review.
Do I have to commit to a year?
You can start monthly, and annual plans are available if you prefer. Pricing is a subscription plus a per-project fee that depends on the size of the plan set, shown before you run.
Run a framing package you’d normally do in STACK
Bring one you’re bidding. We run the AI draft with you and you compare it line by line.