Ask Donnie vs Kreo: AI Takeoff vs Code-Cited Estimates + CM (2026)
Kreo and Ask Donnie both touch estimating but lead with different strengths. Kreo is a cloud-based AI takeoff and estimating platform: upload drawings in the browser, let its AI auto-detect and measure building elements, then turn quantities into a costed estimate. If your core need is fast automated quantity takeoff from clean vector drawings, Kreo is purpose-built for it.
Ask Donnie is not a one-click area-takeoff engine. It reads plans, but its differentiators sit elsewhere: jurisdiction-aware building-code answers cited to the exact section, deterministic (non-hallucinated) cost estimates with an AACE accuracy range and a basis-of-estimate, and a full construction-management suite. For many teams the two solve different problems.
What Kreo does best (credit where it's due)
Kreo genuinely automates a high-pain task — manual quantity takeoff — and reviewers confirm real speed gains. It's modern browser SaaS that runs on Mac or Windows with no heavy install, it's rated easy to use versus legacy takeoff packages, and its support and demos are repeatedly praised.
Where Kreo's AI has limits (factual, not a knock)
By reviewers' accounts, Kreo's auto-measure accuracy is drawing-dependent — strong on clean vector drawings, hit-and-miss on scanned or information-dense plans, to the point some users skip the AI on messy sets. It's cloud-only (no offline mode, lag on large files), and the auto-measure output can need reorganizing, which offsets some of the time saved.
What Ask Donnie adds that a takeoff tool doesn't
Code answers cited to the adopted section for your jurisdiction. Deterministic estimates built from a real catalog and exact arithmetic — with an AACE accuracy class and a basis-of-estimate — rather than a number an AI inferred. And the rest of the job: RFIs, submittals, change orders, daily logs, CPM scheduling, earned-value cost control, and closeout.
What Ask Donnie is NOT (so you don't overbuy)
Ask Donnie does not do one-click automated quantity takeoff the way Kreo does. If your bottleneck is measuring quantities off drawings at volume, a dedicated takeoff engine wins that task — and you can pair it with Ask Donnie for the code, the deterministic check, and managing the work.
Pricing
Kreo publishes per-user pricing billed annually (tiers roughly from a Lite plan up through estimating tiers). Ask Donnie is freemium: start free with a $5 wallet (no card), then Pro $150/mo or Business $250/mo.
Frequently asked
Does Ask Donnie do automated takeoff like Kreo?
No. Ask Donnie reads plans and estimates deterministically, but it is not a one-click auto-measure takeoff engine. Use Kreo (or a similar tool) for high-volume quantity takeoff and Ask Donnie for code-cited answers, a deterministic estimate, and construction management.
Can I use Kreo and Ask Donnie together?
Yes. A common pattern is to take off quantities in one tool and use Ask Donnie for jurisdiction-specific code answers, an independent deterministic estimate, and running the rest of the job.
Which gives more accurate estimates?
They rest on different foundations. Kreo's estimate depends on AI takeoff accuracy, which is drawing-dependent. Ask Donnie's numbers are deterministic arithmetic from a catalog with a stated accuracy range — not an AI guess.
Does Kreo answer building-code questions?
No — Kreo is takeoff and estimating. Ask Donnie answers building-code questions and cites the section adopted in your jurisdiction.
How does pricing compare?
Kreo is public per-user annual pricing. Ask Donnie is freemium: a free $5 wallet to start, then $150/mo Pro or $250/mo Business.
See it on your own job
Ask Donnie is free to start — a $5 wallet, no card. Cited code answers and a deterministic estimate from your plans in minutes.
Try Ask Donnie →Comparisons reflect publicly available information about each product at the time of writing and our honest read of where each fits. Verify current features and pricing with each vendor.