Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

STACK Takeoff Estimating VS DevStack.co.nz

Compare STACK Takeoff Estimating VS DevStack.co.nz and see what are their differences

STACK Takeoff  Estimating logo STACK Takeoff Estimating

Streamline your bid process with easy-to-use online takeoff and estimating software. Quickly and accurately quantify materials and labor, markup plan pages, and complete estimates through STACKโ€™s collaborative, paperless platform.

DevStack.co.nz logo DevStack.co.nz

A free curated directory of 42 New Zealand property development tools, arranged in the order you use them on a real deal, plus three free calculators for infrastructure levies, development finance and feasibility.
  • STACK Takeoff  Estimating Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-15

Drive maximum efficiency and improve project profitability using our industry-leading, cloud-based software. STACK is designed to be your centralized hub for planroom management, team collaboration, quantity & material takeoff, project reporting and more. See for yourself!

  • DevStack.co.nz Landing page
    Landing page //
    2026-08-16

DevStack is a free hub for New Zealand property developers, bringing useful property development tools, calculators, data and resources together in one place.

Finding the information you need for a development often means jumping between council websites, property platforms, government databases and spreadsheets. DevStack makes this easier by organising useful tools around the way a property development actually happens, from site finding and due diligence through to feasibility, planning, finance and construction.

DevStack currently includes 42 curated property development tools and 3 free calculators, with a strong focus on Auckland and New Zealand property development.

Key features include:

  • 42 curated NZ property development tools
  • 3 free property development calculators
  • Development feasibility and residual land value analysis
  • Development finance comparison
  • Auckland zoning and planning resources
  • Property due diligence and market data
  • Development contributions and infrastructure costs
  • Construction and NZ Building Code resources
  • Environmental and natural hazard information
  • AI tools and workflows for property development
  • Free to browse with no account required

DevStack's free tools include a Development Feasibility Calculator, Development Finance Calculator and Watercare Infrastructure Growth Charge Calculator, helping developers quickly assess potential projects and understand development costs.

The platform also brings together useful resources from Auckland Council, Watercare, LINZ, Stats NZ, RBNZ and other organisations, alongside commercial property and construction tools.

Each resource includes practical information on what it does, when to use it, what it costs and where it fits into the development process.

The goal is simple: spend less time searching for information and more time working out whether a development actually stacks up.

STACK Takeoff Estimating features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    STACK offers a highly intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, which allows users, even with limited technical skills, to efficiently perform takeoffs and estimates.
  • Cloud-Based Access
    As a cloud-based solution, STACK provides the advantage of accessing projects and data from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote collaboration and flexibility.
  • Comprehensive Features
    STACK includes a wide array of features such as digital takeoff, estimating, reporting tools, and integrations, which streamline the construction estimating process.
  • Time-Saving
    The software automates many manual processes, significantly reducing the time needed for takeoffs and providing quicker project completion.
  • Collaboration Tools
    STACK facilitates collaboration through sharing capabilities and real-time updates, enabling teams to work more effectively together.

Possible disadvantages of STACK Takeoff Estimating

  • Cost
    STACK can be expensive for small businesses or individual contractors, particularly when considering ongoing subscription fees.
  • Learning Curve
    While designed to be user-friendly, some users may initially encounter a learning curve when getting accustomed to all of the softwareโ€™s functionalities.
  • Internet Dependency
    As a cloud-based tool, STACK requires a reliable internet connection, which may be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Limited Offline Functionality
    Due to its online dependency, users have limited access when offline, which can hinder productivity in certain situations.
  • Customization Limitations
    While STACK offers many features, some users may find it lacks certain customizable options specific to their business needs.

DevStack.co.nz features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to STACK Takeoff Estimating and DevStack.co.nz)
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Construction Estimating Software
Tool
100 100%
0% 0
Real Estate
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing STACK Takeoff Estimating and DevStack.co.nz.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

DevStack.co.nz's answer:

DevStack is primarily designed for people working in property development, including property developers, development managers and other property professionals in Auckland and across New Zealand.

However, you don't need to be a professional developer to find it useful. Property owners, investors and anyone researching their next property purchase can use DevStack to learn about the tools, data and resources available to help them make better-informed property decisions.

What makes your product unique?

DevStack.co.nz's answer:

DevStack hasn't tried to reinvent the wheel. It has vetted and identified which tools and resources are actually useful for property professionals working in Auckland and New Zealand.

Rather than being a long list of links, the tools are organised around the property development process, making it easier to find the right resource when you need it. The focus is on tools that are genuinely useful for property development, from site research and due diligence through to feasibility, planning, finance and construction.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

DevStack.co.nz's answer:

DevStack is free to use, so rather than traditional customers, its users include property developers, builder-developers, property professionals, investors and property owners looking for better information and resources.

It's particularly useful for people involved in Auckland property development who want to understand what tools are available and how they can use them in real projects.

I also share practical examples of how I use AI in property development and construction. For developers and builder-developers who want to go further, I offer a separate guide covering 13 areas where I currently use AI to save time, improve workflows and get more from the information available to us in New Zealand.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

DevStack.co.nz's answer:

None of the third-party tools listed on DevStack are my own. DevStack itself started as a side project while I was learning to build websites and improve SEO for my own businesses.

What started as a simple place to organise the property development tools I use every day gradually became a passion project. I found it so useful in my own work that I decided to make it available to other property developers and property professionals in New Zealand.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

DevStack.co.nz's answer:

DevStack is an easy choice because it's free, requires no sign-up, and lets you customise your own toolkit by pinning the resources you use most often in whatever order works for you.

You can also save tools you don't use regularly but don't want to forget. Instead of keeping links scattered across bookmarks, emails, spreadsheets and notes, DevStack gives you one place for the property development tools and resources you actually use.

What's the story behind your product?

DevStack.co.nz's answer:

My background started with a university property degree, a BProp, followed by property valuations, development management, managing a subcontracting business, and eventually returning to property development.

Throughout that time, I used many of these tools constantly and realised I had links saved all over my computer. They were in email drafts, spreadsheets, notes, bookmarks and sticky notes. I wanted one consistent place I could trust to keep the tools I use, as well as the ones I only need occasionally but don't want to forget.

We're fortunate in Auckland to have a huge amount of property and development information readily available. The problem is that it can take some effort to find and extract it. DevStack grew from my own need to make that process easier.

User comments

Share your experience with using STACK Takeoff Estimating and DevStack.co.nz. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

What are some alternatives?

When comparing STACK Takeoff Estimating and DevStack.co.nz, you can also consider the following products

iTWO costX - iTWO costX is an all in one construction estimation software that sanctions you to improve accuracy, efficiency, and takeoff speed.

Buildxact - Buildxact is an easy online estimating and job management software for custom builders and trades.

Houzz Pro - Houzz Pro software is trusted by 2.5 million+ contractors & design pros

Procore - Procore is the world's most widely used construction project management software. Easy to use, mobile platform with unlimited user licenses.

CostWorks - RSMeans Online is a web-based service that provides accurate and up-to-date cost information to help you build competitive estimates in less time.

DevAssets - DevAssets is a place for any developer to find you the best free and paid resources available, submit your own ones and also get them featured on the top of every page!