HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

Tectonic vs Kreo: Measurement Platform or Bid Workflow?

Kreo is a capable takeoff and measurement platform with AI features on its Pro tier. Tectonic is an end-to-end AI bidding workflow for trade contractors. Which one matches how you bid?

Quick Verdict

Kreo is a solid measurement platform, especially if you work with CAD files or want a team standardizing on shared takeoff tooling, but its AI features require the $175 per user Pro plan. Tectonic includes AI takeoff on every tier and carries the work through to a priced, reviewable draft bid at a flat monthly rate, which is usually the better fit for a small trade contractor whose goal is submitting more bids, not just measuring faster.

Tectonic Advantages

  • Flat monthly pricing from $97, not per user per year
  • AI takeoff included on every tier, not reserved for the top plan
  • Goes past quantities: cost application, assumptions, review flags, draft proposal
  • Trade-specific outputs for landscaping, concrete, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and more
  • Free plan analysis lets you grade the AI on your own project before paying

Kreo

Strengths

  • Mature takeoff platform supporting PDF, CAD, and images
  • AI features on Pro: Auto Measure, One-Click Area, Auto Count, and Caddie AI chat
  • Tiered pricing with a cheaper non-AI entry point (Lite at $35/user/mo)
  • Assemblies database, reports, and Excel import/export on Plus and above
  • 7-day free trial on the Pro plan

Weaknesses

  • AI automation is gated to the Pro tier at $175 per user per month, billed annually
  • Per-user annual billing adds up for teams
  • Measurement and takeoff focused: bid pricing and proposals live in your other tools
  • Custom report templates and API access require talking to sales
  • Feature tiers take some study to know what you are actually getting

Feature Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of key capabilities

FeatureTectonicKreo
AI takeoff from PDF plansYes, all tiersYes, Pro tier ($175/user/mo)
Published starting price$97/mo flat (Starter)$35/user/mo (Lite, no AI tools)
Price with AI features$97/mo$175/user/mo billed annually (Pro)
Pricing modelFlat monthly tiersPer user, billed annually
Estimate and proposal outputYes, priced draft bidQuantities, reports, Excel export
File supportPDF plan setsPDF, CAD, images
Free trial7-day trial plus free analysis7-day trial on Pro
Best forSmall trade contractors bidding jobsTeams standardizing measurement

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kreo.

How much does Kreo cost?

As of September 2026, Kreo's published US pricing is $35 per user per month for Lite, $70 for Plus, and $175 for Pro, all billed annually, with a custom-priced Enterprise tier. The AI automation features (Auto Measure, Auto Count, One-Click Area, Caddie AI) sit on the Pro plan.

What is the main difference between Tectonic and Kreo?

Kreo is a takeoff and measurement platform: you get quantities, reports, and exports, then price the bid elsewhere. Tectonic runs the takeoff and continues into pricing, assumptions, review flags, and a draft proposal, priced as a flat monthly subscription instead of per user.

Which is cheaper for a small contractor?

For one user who wants AI automation, Tectonic Starter at $97 per month is less than Kreo Pro at $175 per user per month billed annually. Kreo's Lite tier is cheaper at $35 but does not include the AI measurement tools.

Does Kreo handle CAD files?

Yes, Kreo supports PDF, CAD, and image files, which matters if you regularly receive DWG drawings. Tectonic is built around PDF plan sets, which is what most small trade contractors receive on bid day.

Do I still need to review AI takeoffs in either tool?

Yes. Both tools produce AI-assisted output that an estimator should verify. Tectonic structures that review with flags and clarification questions; in Kreo you verify measurements in the drawing interface.

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