Comparison
Mirage vs Kreo
Kreo is a tiered, self-serve AI takeoff and estimating platform — its AI tools are only included from the Plus tier up. Mirage is a forward-deployed AI agent, deployed by engineers directly into your existing estimating workflow.
Executive Summary
Kreo is a cloud-based AI takeoff and estimating platform: upload a plan set, measure quantities with AI-assisted or manual tools, build a cost estimate, and generate a report, priced across four tiers.
Kreo's entry-level Lite plan ($35/user/month, billed annually) does not include the AI takeoff tools — those start at the Plus tier ($70/user/month), with Pro ($175/user/month) and a custom-priced Enterprise tier above that.
Mirage doesn't sell a self-serve tiered product. Engineers deploy the agent directly into your existing plan formats and estimating workflow, typically in under 4 weeks, with no separate charge to unlock AI capability once deployed.
A US rail contractor case study documents an 87% reduction in plan-set takeoff time using Mirage's agent; Kreo's own materials describe AI-assisted measurement and one-click report generation without publishing an equivalent time-reduction figure.
Key Takeaways
- Kreo gates its AI takeoff tools behind the Plus tier and above; Mirage's agent reads plans by default.
- Kreo is priced $35-$175/user/month by tier; Mirage is scoped per engagement.
- A US rail contractor case study reports 87% less plan-set takeoff time using Mirage's agent.
- Kreo is self-serve from signup; Mirage is deployed by engineers into your existing systems.
At a Glance
| Aspect | Mirage | Kreo |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Forward-deployed AI agent, wired into your existing plan formats and estimating workflow | Self-serve, tiered cloud AI takeoff and estimating platform |
| AI takeoff availability | Included — the agent's core function, not a separate tier | Only from the Plus tier ($70/user/month) up; the Lite tier ($35/user/month) has no AI tools |
| Reported results | 87% reduction in plan-set takeoff time (US rail contractor case study, 9-week deployment) | No independently published takeoff-time or accuracy benchmark found |
| Deployment time | Under 4 weeks on average to production; first usable takeoff within days | Self-serve signup; usable immediately, no deployment phase |
| 2026 pricing | Scoped per engagement, not published publicly | $35/user/month (Lite, no AI) to $175/user/month (Pro); Enterprise is custom |
| System integration | Wired directly into your existing estimating software and ERP by Mirage engineers | Cloud-based platform with its own estimating and reporting tools |
| Team involvement | Mirage engineers embedded in your operation during and after rollout | Self-serve; your team configures and runs the platform |
Key Differences
AI is a paid tier vs. AI by default
Kreo's cheapest plan (Lite, $35/user/month) explicitly excludes the AI measurement tools — they only unlock from Plus ($70/user/month) up. Mirage doesn't have a non-AI tier; the agent's automated reading of the plan set is the product.
Forward-deployed agent vs. self-serve SaaS
Mirage's engineers work inside your operation to map your specific plan formats and downstream systems. Kreo is a product your own team signs up for and configures across its tiers.
Time reduction is the documented metric, not accuracy
Mirage's construction case studies report time saved (80-87%), not an accuracy percentage. Kreo's public materials describe its AI capabilities without publishing an equivalent, independently verifiable figure.
Advantages and Limitations
Mirage
Advantages
- AI takeoff is the core product, not an upsell tier
- 87% reported reduction in plan-set takeoff time in a documented case study
- Integrates directly into your existing estimating software and ERP
- Under 4 weeks on average to a production deployment
Limitations
- Pricing is scoped per engagement, not published publicly
- No self-serve entry point — every deployment involves Mirage engineers
Kreo
Advantages
- Published, predictable per-user pricing across 4 tiers
- Self-serve — no deployment engagement required to start
- Cloud-based collaboration and one-click report generation
- Lower entry price point than most dedicated AI takeoff tools
Limitations
- AI takeoff tools are gated behind the Plus tier and above ($70+/user/month)
- No published independent benchmark for takeoff time or accuracy
Real-World Use Cases
Teams that want AI takeoff without a tier decision
Teams that don't want to evaluate which pricing tier unlocks the AI tools they actually need are a closer fit for Mirage, where automated reading of the plan set is the default.
Small teams wanting a low-cost self-serve start
Teams comfortable starting on Kreo's Lite tier for manual/collaborative takeoff, and upgrading to Plus or Pro if AI tools prove necessary, are a closer fit for Kreo's tiered model.
High-volume bidding with tight turnaround
The US rail contractor case study reports 87% less time on plan-set takeoff and 11 hours/week recovered per project manager, using Mirage's agent.
Mirage Products
Takeoff & Estimating
Mirage's AI agent for construction quantity takeoff — reads plan, section, and detail sheets together and returns quantities with their source attached.
Learn more →Construction
Mirage's AI agents for construction operations — takeoff, bid leveling, specification review, document intelligence, and more.
Learn more →How to Choose
Kreo's tiering means the real comparison isn't Mirage vs. the cheapest Kreo plan — the Lite tier doesn't include AI takeoff at all. The fair comparison is Mirage vs. Kreo's Plus or Pro tier, where the AI tools actually apply.
From there, the question is the same as with any self-serve AI takeoff tool: do you want your team configuring and running the platform themselves, or do you want engineers to deploy the agent directly into your specific plan formats and existing systems.
FAQ
Mirage for Construction Takeoff
Takeoff & Estimating
Mirage's AI agent reads plan, section, and detail sheets together and returns quantities with their source attached — deployed by engineers who work inside your estimating workflow.
Discover Takeoff & Estimating→