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An ArcSite Alternative for Showing, Not Drafting

ArcSite turns site measurements into precise drawings and estimates. PaperPlan turns one phone photo into the finished deck. Different jobs, and only one of them happens before the homeowner says yes.

By Monty, Founder, PaperPlan · Updated September 29, 2026

Explore my deck ideas

US$19 once for 3 concepts and 2 refinements. Clean downloads, one project, no subscription. Generation starts after payment. See plans.

Phone showing PaperPlan workflow: backyard photo upload, material selection, finished deck render

Why this page exists

A picture, not a plan view

ArcSite’s output is a precise drawing. PaperPlan’s output is the homeowner’s backyard with the deck built, the thing they actually want to see.

One photo of input

No measuring session before the first visual. Take the photo, mark the deck, render.

Materials the homeowner can shop

Named boards from Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, and Fiberon, compared on the same yard photo.

Proposal when they’re ready

Pro turns the winning render into a branded PDF with scope, pricing, timeline, and terms.

How it works

Upload the site photo. Use a phone photo of the homeowner’s backyard. No measurements or CAD file needed for the first visual.
Mark the deck area. Drag to outline where the deck goes and add stairs if you want them.
Choose material and design. Pick composite, PVC, cedar, or pressure-treated. Compare looks on the same photo.
Render, share and propose. A render takes about a minute. Share it with the homeowner, or attach it to a branded proposal with Contractor Pro.

ArcSite Alternative for Showing, Not Drafting

ArcSite is CAD drawing plus estimating for field contractors: accurate site plans and takeoff-driven quotes from a tablet. It’s a precision tool. PaperPlan is a persuasion tool. The honest comparison is about which moment of the job each one serves.

Feature	ArcSite	PaperPlan
Core job	CAD site drawings + takeoff estimates	Photorealistic deck render on the real yard
What the homeowner sees	A precise technical drawing	Their own backyard with the finished deck
Input	On-site measuring and drawing	One phone photo
Time to first visual	A drawing session	About a minute per material
Estimating	Takeoff-driven line items	Your numbers, presented in the proposal around the render
Best for	Precision quoting across trades	Deck sales conversations

If your close rate depends on takeoff-accurate line items, ArcSite earns its keep and PaperPlan won’t replace it. PaperPlan replaces the moment before that, when the homeowner still can’t picture the deck and won’t sign anything. Render first, then measure the job you’ve already won.

Common questions

Does PaperPlan do takeoffs or material estimates?

Not takeoffs. PaperPlan has a deck material calculator for rough quantities and cost guides for ranges, but precise takeoff math is ArcSite’s territory. Bring your own numbers to the proposal.

Is PaperPlan affiliated with ArcSite?

No. Independent product, independent company. This comparison exists because contractors evaluate both.

Can I use ArcSite and PaperPlan together?

Yes, and it’s a sensible stack: PaperPlan to sell the deck visually, ArcSite to draw and price the won job precisely.

What does PaperPlan cost?

The homeowner Deck Ideas Pack costs US$19 once for three concepts and two refinements. Contractor Pro is US$99/month or US$840 billed annually for 250 renders a month, the full material library and proposal export.

Keep researching

A RedX Decks Alternative for the Sales Conversation: RedX Decks draws permit-ready construction plans. PaperPlan handles the sale before that: the finished deck on the homeowner’s own backyard photo.
A Cedreo Alternative Built Only for Decks: A Cedreo alternative for deck-only crews: skip the 3D scene and show the finished deck on the homeowner’s real backyard photo, right from your phone.
Deck Design Software, Built for the Sale: Deck design software for small contractors: render the deck on the homeowner’s backyard photo, share it and export a branded proposal. No CAD to learn.
Deck Proposal Software That Starts With the Render: Deck proposal software for small crews: lead with a render of the deck on the homeowner’s own backyard, then send a branded PDF with scope and pricing.
Deck Visualizer for Real Backyards: Visualize a deck on your own backyard photo. Compare wood, composite and PVC looks side by side with before and after. US$19 once, no subscription.