Ferra

Ferra vs Steel Genie

Both read structural drawings and build an estimating model. Ferra adds the two steps around the takeoff: deciding which jobs to bid, and pricing the job on your own rates.

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Ferra and Steel Genie, side by side

What each tool does today, row by row. Bring one of your own sets to a demo and test the rows that matter to your shop.

Built for
FerraStructural steel only. Built and tested by Ferra's in-house structural steel estimators.
Steel GenieStructural steel, from ALLPLAN, the Nemetschek Group company that also makes SDS2.
Takeoff scope
FerraBeams, columns, joists, and braces, plus base plates, cap plates, anchor bolts, and studs. Column properties come off the schedule, each linked to where it was read.
Steel GenieBeams, columns, braces, and other members, with simple connections calculated to AISC standards for estimating.
Misc metals
FerraIn beta, starting with stairs, ladders, and railings.
Steel GenieStairs, rails, and additional steel scope, per its US product page.
Revisions
FerraCompares two sets side by side. The estimator confirms each change, so nothing gets double-counted into tonnage.
Steel GenieCompares revisions and shows added, removed, and changed members in the estimating model.
Pricing the job
FerraEnter your labor rates, material prices per ton, and buy items. Ferra works out shop hours, erection hours, labor, material, and paint. Rapid Estimate gives a conceptual price before the takeoff.
Steel GenieLabor and material pricing isn't described on its product page.
Which jobs to bid
FerraBid Intelligence reads the ITB, specs, and drawings for scope, risk, and fit, so you can make the go or no-go call before committing estimator hours.
Steel GenieNo go or no-go scoring is published.
Exports
FerraTekla PowerFab CSV, custom CSV formats, Excel, STRUMIS, IFC for Tekla Structures and SDS2, and Bluebeam markups.
Steel GenieExcel, KISS, Bluebeam Studio, marked-up PDFs, IFC, and Tekla PowerFab. Its IFC model also works in SDS2, STRUMIS, Tekla Structures, Revit, Advance Steel, and Bentley ProStructures.
How you buy it
FerraSoftware your estimators drive. Plans are tiered by shop size, and the standard plan has unlimited users and sets.
Steel GenieSoftware you drive, sold per license.

Steel Genie details come from Steel Genie’s own website, checked . Something out of date? Tell us at hello@bidferra.com.

Where Steel Genie is strong

  • It comes from ALLPLAN, which also makes SDS2, so the handoff to SDS2 is short.
  • It calculates simple connections to AISC standards for estimating, and builds an estimating-level 3D model.
  • The estimator reviews detected members, sections, and connections before anything is finalized.

What you get with Ferra

Ferra Bid Intelligence for a distribution center: a risk score, scope findings with their source sheets and spec sections, and a go recommendation

Know which jobs to bid

Scope, risk, and fit pulled from the ITB and specs, each finding linked to its source, before anyone starts counting.

Ferra job pricing: the shop's labor rates and material prices per ton on the left, and the shop hours, erection hours, material, and paint Ferra calculates on the right

Priced on your rates

Your labor rates and material prices per ton turn the takeoff into shop hours, erection hours, and dollars. The margin stays your call.

Ferra steel takeoff for one floor: beams, columns, joists, and braces with piece counts, tons, and each family marked reviewed

Takeoff the estimator can check

Beams, columns, joists, and braces detected across the set, with every member in a review list before anything is exported.

A three-level steel frame in Ferra's 3D model with one floor highlighted, member counts, and IFC export to Tekla Structures and SDS2

3D model and IFC

The takeoff becomes an estimating-level 3D model, exported as IFC for Tekla Structures and SDS2.

Which one fits your shop

Pick Steel Genie if

  • Your shop is committed to SDS2 and the ALLPLAN products.
  • You want KISS or Bluebeam Studio exports.

Pick Ferra if

  • You want a go or no-go read on a job before committing estimator hours.
  • You want the takeoff priced on your own labor and material rates.
  • Several estimators need access without buying a license each.

From a Ferra customer

“Ferra gives us clarity on which jobs are worth bidding before we commit estimator time. Being able to quickly understand scope and risk upfront has changed how we evaluate opportunities and where we focus our effort.”

TH
Trent Hollis
President, Holley Steel

FAQ

Ferra vs Steel Genie questions

What is the main difference between Ferra and Steel Genie?

Both do AI takeoff for structural steel with an estimating 3D model and revision comparison. Ferra adds Bid Intelligence, which scores scope, risk, and fit from the ITB and specs, and it prices the takeoff on your shop's labor rates and material prices. Steel Genie's strength is its place in the ALLPLAN family alongside SDS2.

Does Ferra work with SDS2?

Yes. Ferra exports IFC for SDS2 and Tekla Structures, plus Tekla PowerFab CSV, STRUMIS, Excel, and Bluebeam markups.

How is Ferra priced compared to Steel Genie?

Steel Genie is sold per license. Ferra's plans are tiered by shop size, and the standard plan has unlimited users and sets, so adding an estimator doesn't add a license.

How do I compare Ferra and Steel Genie fairly?

Run the same real job through both, ideally one without a clean column schedule. Compare columns, connections, a revision, and how long it takes to get to a priced number. Book a demo and bring the set; we run it with you on the call.

Bring a set you know

Send us a job you already ran through Steel Genie, or one you're bidding now. We'll run it in Ferra with you on the call.

JF

Send me a drawing set. We’ll run it and show you what Ferra found.

Josh Ford · Co-Founder, Ferra