What is the difference between ACI Sketch and WinSketch?

ACI Sketch and WinSketch are different tools with different strengths. The best choice depends on your workflow, budget, and whether you need features like 3D scanning, floor plan generation, GLA calculation, or design capabilities. This page breaks down a direct comparison.

Which is better for real estate appraisers — ACI Sketch or WinSketch?

Aci Sketch and Winsketch serve different workflows. Aci Sketch is better suited for one use case while Winsketch fits another — the right choice depends on whether you need field capture or office-based GLA calculation from existing floor plans.

Can ACI Sketch and WinSketch be used together?

Aci Sketch and Winsketch can complement each other in some workflows — for example, using one for field capture and the other for GLA calculation and reporting. Check the comparison table above for specific integration details.

How much does ACI Sketch cost compared to WinSketch?

ACI Sketch and WinSketch have different pricing models — one may charge per user, per project, or via annual subscription, while the other may offer a free tier or pay-per-use option. Check the comparison table above for current pricing details and which offers better value for your volume of work.

Which is easier to use — ACI Sketch or WinSketch?

Ease of use depends on your starting point. ACI Sketch tends to fit one type of user or workflow, while WinSketch is designed for another. If you are working from an existing floor plan PDF and need to calculate square footage quickly, a browser-based tool like PlanSnapper may reduce the learning curve entirely — no software installation required.

Do I need ACI Sketch or WinSketch if I already have a floor plan PDF?

If you already have a floor plan as a PDF or image, you may not need either tool. PlanSnapper lets you upload the PDF directly and trace walls in your browser to calculate GLA — no software installation required. Both ACI Sketch and WinSketch are most useful for creating sketches from scratch or capturing measurements in the field.

Which works better for calculating GLA — ACI Sketch or WinSketch?

Both ACI Sketch and WinSketch can support GLA calculation, but the workflow differs. One may require field measurement and sketch entry while the other may allow importing existing floor plans. If your starting point is an existing PDF or image floor plan, PlanSnapper provides a faster path — upload, trace, and get the GLA figure without entering either tool's workflow.

Is WinSketch still being actively developed?

WinSketch has a long history in residential appraisal but has a smaller user base compared to Apex Sketch and Total Sketch. Appraisers considering WinSketch should verify that active updates and support are available before committing, particularly for compatibility with current Fannie Mae and lender delivery requirements.

Does ACI Sketch or WinSketch work on a Mac?

Neither ACI Sketch nor WinSketch has a native Mac version. Both require a Windows environment. Appraisers on Mac can use Parallels or Boot Camp, or opt for a browser-based alternative like PlanSnapper that runs on any device without installation.

Compare · 6 min read

ACI Sketch vs WinSKETCH: Which Floor Plan Tool Is Right for Appraisers?

ACI Sketch and WinSKETCH are two of the most established floor plan sketching tools in residential appraisal. Both are Windows desktop applications built for drawing property sketches from field measurements and calculating ANSI-compliant GLA. Here is how they compare, and when each makes more sense.

The short version

ACI Sketch: The sketch module inside ACI (Appraisal Certification Institute) appraisal software. Tightly integrated with ACI forms. Best for appraisers already in the ACI ecosystem.
WinSKETCH: Bradford Technologies' standalone sketch tool, native to ClickForms. Can also be used independently. Known for its straightforward geometry-based drawing interface and long track record in the industry.

ACI Sketch vs WinSKETCH: at a glance

	ACI Sketch	WinSKETCH
Made by	ACI (Appraisal Certification Institute)	Bradford Technologies
Part of what platform	ACI appraisal form software	ClickForms (also standalone)
Platform	Windows	Windows
ANSI Z765 GLA	Yes	Yes
Drawing method	Segment-by-segment wall entry	Segment-by-segment wall entry
Multi-floor support	Yes	Yes
Standalone use	Primarily within ACI platform	Yes (licensed separately)
Form software integration	Seamless within ACI	Seamless within ClickForms
Upload existing floor plan image	No	No
Price	Included with ACI subscription	Included with ClickForms or standalone license

What ACI Sketch does well

If you are already using ACI for your appraisal forms, ACI Sketch integrates cleanly into that workflow. The sketch output flows directly into your ACI report, GLA calculations are automatic, and you do not need to export or import anything between programs.

ACI has a long history in the appraisal industry and a loyal user base. For appraisers who trained on ACI software, the interface is familiar and the support documentation is extensive.

What WinSKETCH does well

WinSKETCH has been the sketch tool of choice for ClickForms users for decades. Its drawing interface is optimized around the way appraisers actually work in the field -- measuring each wall segment, calling out room labels, and building up the floor plan incrementally. The GLA auto-calculation, grade separation, and sketch addendum output are all purpose-built for residential appraisal.

WinSKETCH can also be licensed and used standalone, giving it more flexibility than ACI Sketch if you want a dedicated sketch tool without switching form software platforms.

Where both fall short

Neither supports floor plan upload. Both ACI Sketch and WinSKETCH require you to draw the floor plan from scratch using manually entered wall dimensions. If you receive a floor plan from CubiCasa, Matterport, iGUIDE, or any other scanning service, you cannot use it directly -- you re-enter all the measurements by hand.
Windows only. Neither tool runs on Mac, iPad, or in a browser. If you need cross-platform access or want to work from a tablet in the field, both are off the table.
Legacy interfaces. Both have been around for a long time and their interfaces reflect it. They are functional and familiar to experienced users, but not the easiest for someone coming in fresh.

Which should you choose?

The answer is almost entirely determined by which form software you use. If you are on ACI, use ACI Sketch. If you are on ClickForms, use WinSKETCH. Switching sketch tools to use the other platform's sketching module adds complexity without meaningful benefit.

If you are starting fresh and choosing a form software platform, both ACI and ClickForms are solid choices -- see our TOTAL vs ClickForms comparison for a broader look at the appraisal software landscape. If you need to measure GLA from an existing floor plan image rather than draw from scratch, neither ACI Sketch nor WinSKETCH handles that -- that is a different problem requiring a different tool.

Already have the floor plan?

Upload any floor plan PDF or image and calculate ANSI Z765-compliant GLA in minutes. Works with CubiCasa, Matterport, iGUIDE exports, and any floor plan image.

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