Side by side
Beam AI vs Tofu
Both stand on plumbing estimating software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid AndroidiPhoneWeb
Choose Beam AI if your team needs cloud-based takeoffs, bid tracking, and PDF or Excel outputs. Its Done For You service may suit teams that want QA-checked takeoffs, while DIY is limited to three listed trades. Consider another option if you need a free plan.
Visit Beam AI Free trial AndroidiPhoneWeb
Choose Tofu if your field service business needs crew-visible scheduling, job documentation, and a path from estimates to invoices and online payments. Its plans are paid, and transaction fees include an additional 1% charge from Tofu on successful transactions.
Visit TofuThe facts
| Beam AI | Tofu | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Web | Android, iPhone, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Do It Yourself – Construction plans: $8,000 a year | Solo: $29 a month |
| Plans published | 8 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | ibeam.ai | tofu.com |
| On plumbing estimating software | #2 of 19 | #6 of 19 |
Beam AI: what it does well
- Done For You construction takeoffs are QA-checked before delivery.
- Takeoff tools include editing, derived measurements, and discrepancy callouts.
- The bid dashboard tracks deadlines, addenda, RFIs, and ITBs.
- Exports include PDF, Excel, and shareable links.
- Cloud access through the iBeam Portal requires no on-premise installation.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- The DIY construction license covers only HVAC, plumbing, and steel.
- Takeoff capacity varies by trade, project complexity, and license tier.
Tofu: what it does well
- Recurring visits and crew-visible drag-and-drop scheduling are supported.
- Approved estimates can be turned into invoices.
- Completed jobs can generate invoice drafts for review.
- GPS location and timestamps document job visits and photos.
- The mobile app works offline and syncs when reconnected.
What to know first
- The paid plans start at $29 a month for one user.
- Plans are billed monthly.
- The mobile app is listed for Android and iOS; web is also supported.
- Tofu charges an additional 1% per successful transaction.