What is the difference between Apex Sketch and Total Sketch?

Apex Sketch and Total Sketch 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 — Apex Sketch or Total Sketch?

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

Can Apex Sketch and Total Sketch be used together?

Apex Sketch and Total Sketch 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 Apex Sketch cost compared to Total Sketch?

Apex Sketch and Total Sketch 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 — Apex Sketch or Total Sketch?

Ease of use depends on your starting point. Apex Sketch tends to fit one type of user or workflow, while Total Sketch 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 Apex Sketch and Total Sketch both produce ANSI Z765-compliant GLA?

Yes — both Apex Sketch and Total Sketch are designed for residential appraisal sketching and produce ANSI Z765-compliant GLA as part of their core workflow. The differences lie in the sketching interface, multi-level handling, and how they integrate with appraisal report software. Either tool meets lender requirements for ANSI-compliant GLA measurement.

Can you calculate GLA from an existing floor plan in Apex Sketch or Total Sketch?

Both tools are primarily designed for field sketching — you enter measurements and the software draws the floor plan and calculates GLA. If you already have a PDF floor plan and need to extract GLA from it without re-sketching from scratch, a tool like PlanSnapper is faster: upload the PDF, trace the perimeter, and get GLA in minutes.

Which sketch tool is more widely used — Apex Sketch or Total Sketch?

Apex Sketch has historically been one of the most widely used sketch tools in residential appraisal. Total Sketch, as the integrated sketch component of a la mode's TOTAL platform, has strong adoption among appraisers in the TOTAL ecosystem. If your office already uses TOTAL, Total Sketch is a natural fit. Independent appraisers evaluating both tools often choose based on pricing, integration, and familiarity.

Can you use Apex Sketch and Total Sketch sketches in any appraisal report software?

Apex Sketch exports in formats compatible with several appraisal platforms beyond a la mode TOTAL, including ClickForms and ACI. Total Sketch is tightly integrated with TOTAL but may have limited portability to competing platforms. Appraisers who work across multiple software environments should verify export compatibility before committing to either tool.

Compare · 8 min read

Apex Sketch vs Total Sketch: Which Appraiser Sketch Software Is Better?

Apex Sketch and Total Sketch (from ACI) are the two most widely used dedicated sketch tools among residential appraisers. Both are desktop applications designed for creating ANSI-compliant floor plan sketches and calculating GLA. The choice often comes down to which appraisal form software you use.

The short version

Apex Sketch: Integrates natively with ACI appraisal software. Preferred by ACI users. Clean interface, long track record.
Total Sketch: Part of the ACI suite. Direct integration with ACI forms. Often bundled with ACI subscriptions.

Apex Sketch vs Total Sketch: at a glance

	Apex Sketch	Total Sketch
Type	Standalone desktop app	Integrated with ACI suite
Platform	Windows	Windows
ANSI Z765 compliant	Yes	Yes
Best with	Any form software	ACI forms
Pricing	Separate purchase	Included with ACI

Apex Sketch

Apex Sketch is a standalone Windows application for creating floor plan sketches. It uses a shape-based approach where you draw walls as lines and the software assembles them into a closed perimeter. GLA is calculated automatically as you draw, with the ability to designate areas as living, garage, porch, and other types per ANSI Z765.

Apex Sketch exports sketches in a format compatible with most appraisal form software including ACI, WinTOTAL, and others. It has been an industry standard for decades and has a large user base.

Total Sketch

Total Sketch is ACI's native sketch tool, tightly integrated with ACI appraisal forms. For appraisers who use ACI's form software, Total Sketch offers the most seamless workflow — sketches created in Total Sketch populate directly into ACI forms without exporting and reimporting.

Total Sketch is included with ACI subscriptions, which may make it effectively free for existing ACI users. Feature-wise it covers the same core functionality as Apex Sketch.

Which to choose

If you use ACI forms: Total Sketch is likely the path of least resistance — it's already in your ecosystem. If you use a different form platform or want flexibility: Apex Sketch has broader compatibility and a larger independent user community.

Both comply with ANSI Z765 requirements when used correctly. The technical differences between them are minor for most users.

Already have the floor plan?

If you're looking for a lighter-weight alternative — especially for reviewing a floor plan PDF rather than drawing from scratch — PlanSnapper works directly with uploaded floor plans. Upload the PDF, set the scale, trace the perimeter, and get GLA without installing desktop software.

Try PlanSnapper free →