Estimates win or lose jobs. A slow, inconsistent estimate costs you bids; an estimate that misses a cost line costs you margin. The best estimating software for contractors can help with both, but "estimating software" covers very different tools: remodeling estimators with built-in price databases, all-in-one construction management platforms, quick quote apps for solo contractors, and takeoff tools that measure from plans.
This comparison covers six, with prices from each vendor's pricing page as of October 1, 2026.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joist | $8.34/mo billed annually (5 documents/mo) | Quote and invoice app | Solo contractors |
| Clear Estimates | $59/mo billed annually | Remodeling estimator with line-item database | Remodelers |
| JobTread | $199/mo + $20 per extra user | Construction management with estimating | Builders and remodelers |
| Estimate Rocket | $139/mo (3 users) | Estimating, proposals and jobs | Growing contracting teams |
| STACK | Free version; paid from $249 per user/mo | Cloud takeoff and estimating | Trade contractors bidding from plans |
| PlanSwift | $2,000/year per seat | Takeoff and estimating | Estimators working from digital plans |
Clear Estimates: remodeling estimates from a database
Clear Estimates is built for remodelers. It includes a database of more than 13,000 line items, 400+ preloaded templates and quarterly labor and material rate updates, plus AI estimates, e-signature and payable invoices.
| Plan | Monthly | Billed annually |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $79/mo | $59/mo |
| Pro | $119/mo | $99/mo |
| Franchise | From $249/mo | From $199/mo |
Pro adds AI image and plan uploads, Buildertrend integration, CRM integrations via Zapier, custom reports and additional users at $9 a month. There's a 30-day free trial and no contract.
Estimate Rocket: estimating plus job management
Estimate Rocket handles estimates, proposals, jobs and customer communication, priced by included users:
| Plan | Price | Full users included | Extra full user |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $139/mo | 3 | $79/mo |
| Accelerate | $259/mo | 7 | $39/mo |
| Expand | $359/mo | 15 | $19/mo |
Field users are $10 a month on every plan, training and onboarding are included, and there's a 90-day money-back guarantee. An optional done-for-you setup package was listed at $995 (discounted from $1,595).
JobTread: construction management priced by user
JobTread is $199 a month with every feature included, plus $20 a month per additional internal user (tiered down to $5 for users beyond 30, and 20% less on annual plans). Customers, vendors, subcontractors, and certain field crew who only upload photos, log daily notes, view their schedule or check off tasks can be added free. No contract, no setup fees, free implementation, and a 30-day money-back guarantee on monthly plans.
Best for: builders and remodelers who want estimating, scheduling and job costing in one system.
Joist: quick quotes for solo contractors
Joist is the lowest-priced contractor estimating app here: Basics from $8.34 a month billed annually (up to 5 documents a month), Pro $14.17, Elite $26.67 and Run $58.33 (an introductory price; monthly billing is higher). There's a 14-day free trial. It's made for writing estimates on site, converting them to invoices and offering homeowner financing. See our contractor invoicing software comparison for the full plan table.
STACK: takeoff and estimating from plans
STACK is cloud-based takeoff and estimating for trade contractors who bid from plans. It offers a free version of Takeoff & Estimate; paid Takeoff & Estimate starts at $249 per user per month, and the full platform (takeoff, estimating and field management) starts at $298 per user per month.
PlanSwift: takeoff and estimating with annual pricing
PlanSwift sells annual seats: Essential at $2,000 a year and Core at $3,000 a year, with discounted additional seats. Both include takeoff and estimating with trade assemblies and AI tools (Auto Count, Auto Scale, Auto Bookmark); Core adds an automated first-pass takeoff suite. A 14-day free trial needs no credit card.
How to choose the best estimating software for contractors
- Solo, quick residential quotes: Joist.
- Remodeling with standard line items: Clear Estimates.
- Running whole projects, not just estimates: JobTread or Estimate Rocket.
- Bidding from drawings: STACK or PlanSwift.
Electricians have specific needs (assemblies, supplier pricing, load calculations); see our guide to estimating software for electricians. Roofers should read roofing estimate software.
