Means & Methods Lab, home
Facts: desk research, not tested · Reviews: members' opinions

Countfire vs Kreo

Two cloud takeoff and estimating tools with AI counting, aimed at different estimators. Countfire is built for electrical, mechanical, fire and security, data and AV and lighting contractors, with symbol counting across a whole project and Smart Select AI that names items as it counts; it publishes no prices. Kreo is a general takeoff and estimating platform with Auto Measure, the Caddie agent and published per-user prices. Desk research from vendor pages read Oct 26, 2026; not tested, no winner.

DESK RESEARCH, NOT TESTED. Compiled from vendors' public websites (accessed Oct 26, 2026). Vendor claims are not verified by Means & Methods Lab. No scores or rankings.

In short: Countfire (Takeoff & estimating; no public prices (quote / sales)) vs Kreo (Takeoff; vendor publishes prices). Facts last checked Oct 26, 2026. No winner declared; not tested.

Side by side

Countfire vs Kreo: vendor-published facts side by side
Sheet rowCountfireKreo
CategoryTakeoff & estimatingTakeoff
AI role (our label)AI features added to established productAI-first
What it doesPDF takeoff and estimating software that counts symbols across every drawing in a project, with built-in checks for missed or incomplete counts. The checks flag missed symbols or incomplete counts. "Smart Select" is described as AI trained on real takeoff data that names and organizes items as it counts. Also auto-counts revised drawings, compares specifications, and produces client-ready Excel quotes from your price list. Re-checked Oct 19, 2026: the homepage still leads with Smart Select and adds Measure updates built for mechanical takeoffs; the FAQ still offers a free 7-day trial and notes an information security program that follows much of the criteria set forth by the SOC 2 framework (vendor statement). Cloud-based in a desktop browser on PC or Mac (FAQ says tablets and mobile are not supported); integrates with Excel and Dropbox. Part of TAG Software Group (Valsoft). Re-checked Oct 20, 2026: homepage and FAQ unchanged in substance (Smart Select, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, desktop browser only, Excel and Dropbox, free 7-day trial); the sectors menu lists electrical, lighting, fire sprinkler, security and fire alarm, data and AV, and mechanical. The savings calculator (5 days and £1,500 per estimator per month) and the 20+ countries line are vendor claims not used here. Re-checked Oct 21, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (Smart Select, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, symbol counting across every drawing, auto-count of revised drawings, pre-priced Excel quotes, spec compare). Its savings calculator, customer quotes and the 20+ countries line are vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 22, 2026: homepage and FAQ unchanged in substance (Smart Select, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, desktop browser only, Excel and Dropbox, free 7-day trial); the menu now includes a For enterprise page, and the FAQ says training takes about 2.5 hours across Takeoff and Estimate and that price lists and kits are set up before estimating. The savings calculator, £150 million priced-projects line, 20+ countries line and customer quotes are vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 23, 2026: homepage and FAQ unchanged in substance (Smart Select, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, browser-based and optimised for desktop, Excel quotes, free 7-day trial). The savings calculator, priced-projects and countries lines and customer quotes remain vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 24, 2026: homepage and FAQ unchanged in substance (Smart Select, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, in-built accuracy checks, auto-counting of revised drawings, Excel quotes, spec comparisons, free 7-day trial). The savings calculator, priced-projects and countries lines and customer quotes remain vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 25, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (Smart Select AI that names and organises items as it counts, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, in-built accuracy checks, counting across every drawing in a project, Excel quotes, spec compare and a Start trial call to action; electrical, lighting, fire sprinkler, security and fire alarm, data and AV and mechanical sector pages). Country counts, savings figures and customer quotes remain vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 26, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (Smart Select AI that names and organises items as it counts, Measure updates for mechanical takeoffs, in-built accuracy checks, counting across every drawing in a project, auto-counting of revised drawings, Excel quotes, spec compare, PC or Mac in the browser; the contact page says Countfire is part of TAG Software Group, an operating group of Valsoft Corporation). The savings calculator, country and priced-projects lines and customer quotes remain vendor material not used here.Cloud-based AI takeoff and estimating software for PDF, CAD and image plans, whose agentic AI detects elements and turns measurements into estimates. Vendor says its agentic AI detects elements, cross-references data across sheets, generates reports, and turns measurements into cost estimates. Re-checked Oct 19, 2026: the pricing page lists Pro AI features as one-click area and line measurements, auto symbol counting, AI takeoff of rooms, walls, doors and windows, custom AI takeoff requests, AI scale detection and drawing naming, batch AI takeoff across sheets, the Caddie AI assistant and Reusable Skills automation; Business adds API access for projects and AI, and Enterprise a custom AI allowance and AI fine-tuning. Re-checked Oct 20, 2026: the Pro AI feature list is unchanged. Re-checked Oct 21, 2026 (pricing rendered in a headless browser): the Pro AI feature list, Pilots and API add-ons are unchanged. Re-checked Oct 22, 2026: the homepage now leads with agentic AI takeoff and announces Auto Measure 3.0, which Kreo says adds a second review pass inside the model that checks and re-fits its outlines before returning results; it also describes the Caddie agent with a self-serve skill builder and ready-made skills, and an AI Scope Builder that breaks drawn assemblies into materials. The Auto Measure 3.0 accuracy percentages, review rating and customer logos are vendor material and are not used. Re-checked Oct 23, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (agentic AI takeoff, Auto Measure 3.0 with a second review pass, the Caddie agent with a skill builder, AI Scope Builder). The accuracy percentages, review rating and customer logos remain vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 24, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (Caddie AI assistant described as an autonomous agent inside Kreo, Auto Measure, takeoff and estimating). Re-checked Oct 25, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (agentic AI takeoff; Auto Measure 3.0 with a second review pass inside the model; the Caddie agent with a self-serve skill builder, ready-made skills and voice questions; AI Scope Builder; AI scale detection; PDF, CAD and image support); the hero line now reads Hey, Spot: just point at the drawing and ask. Accuracy percentages, the review rating and customer logos remain vendor material not used here. Re-checked Oct 26, 2026: homepage unchanged in substance (agentic AI takeoff; Auto Measure 3.0 with a second review pass inside the model; the Caddie agent with a self-serve skill builder and ready-made skills; the Hey, Spot hero line). Auto Measure accuracy percentages, the review rating and customer logos remain vendor material not used here.
Who it's forElectrical and mechanical contractors' estimating teams.AEC professionals and estimating teams.
Pricing (as publicly stated)Not publicly listed. countfire.com/pricing still redirects to the contact page (live chat, phone, email, help centre); the site's calls to action include "Start trial". No prices shown. (Checked Oct 16, 2026; unchanged Oct 19, 2026: countfire.com/pricing still redirects to the contact page; no prices shown; FAQ still offers a free 7-day trial.) Re-checked Oct 20, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices). Re-checked Oct 21, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices; Start trial remains the call to action). Re-checked Oct 22, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices; Start trial remains the call to action; the FAQ says cancellation takes effect at the end of the current paid term). Re-checked Oct 23, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices; Start trial remains the call to action). Re-checked Oct 24, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices; Start trial remains the call to action). Re-checked Oct 25, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices; Start trial remains the call to action). Re-checked Oct 26, 2026: unchanged (countfire.com/pricing still lands on the contact page; no prices; Start trial remains the call to action).Per-user subscription, billed annually. Essential $100/user/mo (listed as without AI); Pro $175/user/mo adds AI tools (Auto Measure, One-Click Area, Auto Count); Business $250/user/mo with 5 seats included (billed at $15,000 every 12 months); Enterprise custom. 7-day free trial on Essential, Pro and Business. (Pricing re-checked Oct 17, 2026; Lite and Plus tiers no longer listed.) Re-checked Oct 19, 2026: unchanged (Essential billed at $1,200 and Pro at $2,100 every 12 months; Business $15,000 every 12 months with 5 seats). Re-checked Oct 20, 2026: plan prices unchanged ($100, $175 and $250 per user per month billed annually; Business includes 5 seats and is billed at $15,000 every 12 months). The pricing page also says Pro covers up to 4 users and Business 5 to 20, and that guests who only view and comment are free. It lists paid Pilots (a 1-month Pro Pilot and a 1- to 3-month Business Pilot, with the fee credited to an annual plan if you move within 14 days; no Pilot fee shown) and API add-ons on Pro: Core Platform API $140 per user per year, Items and Assemblies API $160 per user per year, and Auto Measure API $840 a year plus per-launch usage. Business includes all three APIs and 200 Auto Measure API launches a month, with extra launches 25% cheaper than on Pro; an Excel Add-in is in early access and currently free. Re-checked Oct 21, 2026: unchanged ($100, $175 and $250 per user per month billed annually; Pro up to 4 users, Business 5 to 20 users with 5 seats included at $2,100 per user a year; Core Platform API $140 and Items and Assemblies API $160 per user per year, Auto Measure API $840 a year plus per-launch usage; guests free). Re-checked Oct 22, 2026: unchanged ($100, $175 and $250 per user per month billed annually; Business includes 5 seats and is billed at $15,000 every 12 months; Pro up to 4 users, Business 5 to 20; same Pilots and API add-ons; guests free). The pricing page also shows GBP (Essential £80, Pro £125, Business £210) and EUR (€90, €150, €220) per user per month billed annually; prices exclude VAT and sales tax. Re-checked Oct 23, 2026 (pricing rendered in a headless browser): unchanged ($100, $175 and $250 per user per month billed annually; Business includes 5 seats and is billed at $15,000 every 12 months; Core Platform API $140 and Items and Assemblies API $160 per user per year, Auto Measure API $840 a year plus per-launch usage). Re-checked Oct 24, 2026: unchanged ($100, $175 and $250 per user per month billed annually; Business with 5 seats and all APIs $15,000 a year; Core Platform API $140 and Items and Assemblies API $160 per user a year; Auto Measure API $840 a year plus per-launch billing; guests free). Re-checked Oct 25, 2026 (pricing rendered in a headless browser): unchanged ($100 Essential, listed as without AI, $175 Pro and $250 Business per user per month billed annually, billed at $1,200, $2,100 and $15,000 every 12 months; Business includes 5 seats; Enterprise custom; 7-day free trial on each paid plan; paid Pro and Business Pilots credited to an annual plan; guests who only view and comment are free; GBP and EUR prices also shown). Re-checked Oct 26, 2026: unchanged ($100 Essential, listed as without AI, $175 Pro and $250 Business per user per month billed annually, billed at $1,200, $2,100 and $15,000 every 12 months; Business includes 5 seats and covers up to 20 users; Pro covers up to 4 users; Enterprise custom; 7-day free trial; Pro and Business Pilots credited to an annual plan; guests free; GBP and EUR prices also shown).
User reviewsNo reviews yet. Read or writeNo reviews yet. Read or write
Vendor links
Sources

Facts last checked: Oct 26, 2026. Prices change; check the vendor page before relying on them.

Where the vendor descriptions differ

  • What each sells (vendor wording): Countfire calls itself PDF takeoff software built for estimating teams, purpose-built for M&E, with sector pages for electrical, lighting, fire sprinkler, security and fire alarm, data and AV and mechanical. Kreo calls itself agentic AI takeoff for AEC professionals, with pages for quantity surveyors, cost estimators and contractors and trade pages from flooring and concrete to steel and masonry.
  • AI: Countfire counts symbols across every drawing in a project, and Smart Select, described as AI trained on real historic takeoff data, names and files items under the right heading as it counts; Countfire also stresses in-built accuracy checks and human-verified accuracy. Kreo's Pro plan adds AI takeoff of rooms, walls, doors and windows, auto symbol counting, AI scale detection and drawing naming, batch AI takeoff across sheets and Caddie, an AI agent that runs measurements and reusable skills. Countfire is tagged AI features added to established product; Kreo AI-first.
  • Estimating and revisions: Countfire auto-counts revised drawings, builds bids from pre-priced items into a client-ready Excel quote, and compares specifications to show client changes. Kreo links estimates live to measurements with custom assemblies and a shared company cost database, drawing comparison and plan overlay, Excel import and export and PDF reports, with IFC export and API access on Business.
  • Where they run: both are cloud-based. Countfire says it works on PC or Mac with no downloads and has UK, US and Australia sites. Kreo shows prices in USD, GBP and EUR.
  • Ownership (vendor statement): Countfire's site says it is part of TAG Software Group, an operating group of Valsoft Corporation.
  • Pricing (checked Oct 26, 2026): Countfire publishes no prices; its pricing link lands on the contact page and the call to action is Start trial. Kreo lists Essential $100 (described as without AI), Pro $175 and Business $250 per user per month billed annually; Pro covers up to 4 users and Business includes 5 seats and covers up to 20; Enterprise custom; 7-day free trial and paid Pilots credited to an annual plan.
  • Not used here: Countfire's savings calculator, average days-saved line, priced-projects and countries figures and customer quotes, and Kreo's Auto Measure accuracy percentages, review rating and customer logos (vendor content).

Paraphrased from the sources listed above. Vendor claims are reported as claims.

What users say

The facts above come from vendor websites. Whether either tool is any good for your work is something only people who use them can say. These are member reviews, all ratings shown, never edited or removed for being negative.

Used either of these? Share your take

Good or bad, an honest review from an estimator, PM or super helps the next team more than another vendor demo. You post under a handle; your email is never shown.

Questions to ask in your review

  • Whether your work is mainly M&E symbol counting (Countfire's focus) or broader area, length and volume takeoff (Kreo's focus)
  • How accurate each tool's AI counts are on your own drawings, including poor-quality PDFs
  • What you actually pay, and on what basis (neither publishes full prices)
  • What did you use it for, on what kind of work and project size?
  • How long did setup and training take, and who on your team did it?
  • What does it cost you in practice, compared with what the sales call said?

How reviews work: review guidelines and methodology. All reviews: reviews hub.

Related