Compare · 6 min read
TOTAL Sketch vs Apex Sketch: Which Appraisal Sketching Tool Is Better?
TOTAL Sketch and Apex Sketch are both purpose-built floor plan sketching tools for residential appraisers. Both draw sketches from field measurements and calculate ANSI-compliant GLA. But they have different ecosystems, pricing models, and feature sets. Here is a straightforward comparison.
The short version
- TOTAL Sketch (a la mode): The sketch tool built into TOTAL appraisal software. Best for appraisers already in the a la mode ecosystem who want seamless report integration. Requires a TOTAL subscription.
- Apex Sketch: A standalone sketching application that integrates with multiple appraisal form platforms including TOTAL, ClickForms, and ACI. Preferred by appraisers who want more control over their sketching workflow or use platforms other than TOTAL.
TOTAL Sketch vs Apex Sketch: at a glance
| TOTAL Sketch | Apex Sketch | |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | a la mode (same company as TOTAL software) | Apex Software Technologies |
| Standalone or bundled | Bundled with TOTAL (not available separately) | Standalone (integrates with TOTAL, ClickForms, ACI) |
| Form software integration | Native TOTAL only | TOTAL, ClickForms, ACI, others |
| ANSI Z765 GLA | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile companion app | TOTAL for Mobile / ClickMeasure | Apex Sketch on Mobile (iOS, Android) |
| Sketch import/export | DXF, PNG; native TOTAL transfer | DXF, SKI, PDF, PNG |
| Platform | Windows (primary) | Windows + mobile |
| Pricing | Included in TOTAL (~$99-149/mo) | ~$20-40/mo standalone |
| Learning curve | Moderate (integrated with TOTAL UI) | Moderate (purpose-built, dedicated interface) |
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Measure your floor plan →What TOTAL Sketch does well
TOTAL Sketch's biggest advantage is native integration with TOTAL. The sketch flows directly into your appraisal report -- no export, no import, no format conversion. For appraisers who live in TOTAL and use Mercury Network as their primary AMC portal, this seamless workflow is worth a lot.
The ClickMeasure mobile companion allows on-site measurement with a phone or tablet, syncing sketch data back to your TOTAL report. If you use TOTAL anyway, TOTAL Sketch adds no additional cost.
Where TOTAL Sketch falls short
- Locked to TOTAL. You cannot use TOTAL Sketch with ClickForms, ACI, or any other form platform. If your firm or preferred workflow uses a different platform, TOTAL Sketch is not available to you.
- No standalone option. TOTAL Sketch requires a full TOTAL subscription. You cannot pay just for the sketching functionality.
- Interface built around TOTAL's conventions. Some appraisers prefer Apex Sketch's more focused, dedicated sketching interface over TOTAL's integrated approach.
What Apex Sketch does well
Apex Sketch is the most platform-agnostic dedicated sketching tool in the residential appraisal market. It integrates with TOTAL, ClickForms, ACI, and other form platforms -- making it the right choice if you switch form software, work for multiple firms with different platform requirements, or simply prefer to keep your sketch tool separate from your report software.
The interface is purpose-built for sketching, which some appraisers find more intuitive than TOTAL Sketch. The dedicated design means features are organized around the sketching workflow specifically, rather than embedded in a larger platform.
Apex also has a well-regarded mobile app for in-field sketching, and the SKI format allows easy transfer between Apex and supported form platforms.
Where Apex Sketch falls short
- Additional cost if you already use TOTAL. If TOTAL is your form software, Apex Sketch adds cost for functionality you already have. The integration between Apex and TOTAL adds a small workflow step that the native TOTAL Sketch avoids.
- Another subscription to manage. Apex Sketch is a separate subscription, login, and update cycle. For appraisers trying to simplify their software stack, this adds friction.
Which should you choose?
Choose TOTAL Sketch if: You use TOTAL as your form software and want native, no-friction sketch integration within the same platform you already pay for.
Choose Apex Sketch if: You use ClickForms, ACI, or multiple form platforms; you prefer a dedicated sketching interface; or you want sketching software that works independently of your report tool.
What neither tool handles
Both TOTAL Sketch and Apex Sketch require you to enter field measurements manually -- you walk the property, measure each wall, and enter the dimensions. Neither is designed for the increasingly common workflow where an appraiser receives a floor plan from CubiCasa, Matterport, or iGUIDE and needs to extract GLA from it without remeasuring. That is where a tool like PlanSnapper fills the gap: upload the floor plan image, trace the perimeter, set one scale reference, and get ANSI-compliant GLA in under two minutes.
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.
Get StartedRelated reading
- Appraisal sketch requirements for ANSI compliance
- ANSI Z765 square footage standard explained
- What is gross living area (GLA)?
- Floor plan measurement tool for GLA calculation
- TOTAL Sketch vs iGUIDE: comparison
- TOTAL Sketch vs CubiCasa: comparison
- TOTAL Sketch vs WinSketch: comparison
- Appraisal sketch software alternatives for 2026
- How to read a floor plan: symbols, scales, and dimensions
- Blueprint dimensions: how to read architectural drawing scales
- Appraisal sketch requirements: UAD and ANSI standards: FAQ
- What changed in ANSI Z765-2021? Key updates for appraisers
- Appraisal sketch addendum: what it must contain and how to produce a clean one
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Total Sketch and Apex Sketch?
Total Sketch and Apex 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: Total Sketch or Apex Sketch?
Total Sketch and Apex Sketch serve different workflows. Total Sketch is better suited for one use case while Apex Sketch fits another: the right choice depends on whether you need field capture or office-based GLA calculation from existing floor plans.
Can Total Sketch and Apex Sketch be used together?
Total Sketch and Apex 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 Total Sketch cost compared to Apex Sketch?
Total Sketch and Apex 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: Total Sketch or Apex Sketch?
Ease of use depends on your starting point. Total Sketch tends to fit one type of user or workflow, while Apex 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 I need Total Sketch or Apex Sketch 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 Total Sketch and Apex Sketch are most useful for creating sketches from scratch or capturing measurements in the field.
Which works better for calculating GLA: Total Sketch or Apex Sketch?
Both Total Sketch and Apex Sketch 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.
How do Total Sketch and Apex Sketch handle existing floor plan PDFs?
Neither Total Sketch nor Apex Sketch is primarily designed to import and calculate square footage from an existing PDF floor plan. Both tools are built around creating or capturing floor plans from scratch. If you already have a PDF floor plan, PlanSnapper lets you upload it directly, trace the walls, and get an accurate GLA figure without redrawing anything.
Which is better for occasional users: Total Sketch or Apex Sketch?
Total Sketch and Apex Sketch are both specialized tools with learning curves that reward regular use. Occasional users often find dedicated subscription tools hard to justify. For someone who needs to calculate square footage a few times a month, PlanSnapper is designed for exactly that: no training required, no annual contract, upload and measure in minutes.