Estimating Software reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 242 Reddit reviews across 13 subreddits and 48 posts to rank the best Estimating Software brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/estimators, r/LawnCarePros, r/Construction, r/Contractor, r/firealarms. Top-rated brands include Buildxact (4.5/5), Bluebeam (4.3/5), PlanSwift (4.0/5).
Stats
Reviews242
Subreddits13
Posts48
Brands94
Products17
242 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Buildxact
4.5
(35)
"I use buildxact and can't complain."
"Check out buildxact."
"I would definitely give Buildxact a look."
"Take a look at buildxact."
"My team uses buildxact and we really like it."
"I really like buildxact for estimating."
"Ive been using buildxact for a while and its great."
"I'd recommend buildxact, it's the one i use. i really like their new pricing assistant tool they just released."
"I use buildxact for estimating and takeoffs."
"My pick is buildxact! been using it a few years and works well for me."
#2
Bluebeam
4.3
(24)
"Custom columns + extensive use of tool chest solves most of my problems."
"Nothing is better than bluebeam and excel."
"Bluebeam for Markups & QTY."
"The best one I've used."
"Bluebeam is very useful. I am able to build my own database of symbols w/part numbers and wire(line types) and send that to our drafting team."
"Bluebeam and excel."
"With quantity link function it really makes difference in your work flow."
"Vote for Bluebeam Revu here also."
"If you've been using Adobe to look at PDF's, you will love BlueBeam."
"Bluebeam, Planswift, On-Screen takeoff"
#3
PlanSwift
4.0
(23)
"Can significantly simplify your workflow."
"I use PlanSwift in my masonry scope as well. I personalize my parts and assemblies per type of wall that I need."
"And on the other side of the spectrum, Planswift and Excel got the most votes."
"Planswift."
"I’m using PlanSwift and I like it."
"Bit more research into planswift/bluebeam I think is step 1"
"PlanSwift sounds perfect for your needs, it is one of the most customisable platforms on the market."
"Planswift on two of them."
"Need to learn how to use PlanSwift."
"PlanSwift"
#4
OnScreen Takeoff
4.2
(6)
"OnScreen Takeoff hands-down."
"Onscreen Take off would be your best bet in my opinion as i view it as a long term investment."
"OST/Onscreen Takeoff."
"We use onscreen take off."
"OnScreen Takeoff for estimating."
"Commercial division 9: on screen take off and quick bid + excel sheets"
#5
B2W
4.2
(5)
"I used B2W at two companies now and I love it."
"I would hands down recommend B2W."
"B2W for your self preform civil stuff"
"I use B2W, no complaints!"
"Have yet to justify to other co owners and even myself the high cost for Heavybid or B2W."
#6
Service Autopilot
4.0
(5)
"Service autopilot has saved us a ton of time."
"We've been using Service Autopilot for years and love it. We use same-day autopay, two-way QB sync, instantly optimized routes, bulk invoicing, crew/asset tracking, mobile estimates, and automations."
"I use serivce autopilot. Their forms are pretty good and they can do automatic follow ups on our estimates. It's a little pricey every month but saves me the hassle."
"I use service autopilot but it ain’t cheap."
"It's not the best but is widely used and very useful"
#7
Proest
3.8
(5)
"I like proest. Your takeoff goes straight into the estimate."
"ProEst will let you build a cost database and then estimate without doing a takeoff."
"ProEst from memory had a setup possible to use crews"
"Proest is really great."
"Have been using ProEst for awhile. It’s decent, the web version was buggy at first but it’s gotten a little better."
#8
Takeoff
4.5
(4)
"AI actually works. I can collaborate with my guys in the field while I’m on my computer."
"I would recommend taking a look at zzTakeoff. It’s web based and is being developed by the same guy who developed Planswift."
"The only one I have played around with that had AI tools that weren't flashy money grabs was zzTakeoff."
"Zztakeoff for 2d quantity survey."
#9
FocusedQ
4.3
(4)
"It’s perfect for small contractors and lets you import pricing directly from an Excel sheet."
"If you’re looking for modern estimating and invoicing software, check out FocusedQ. It’s ideal for lawn care and landscaping businesses, offering customizable quote templates, easy follow-ups, and online payment options."
"Offloading your logic from Excel to FocusedQ will take your estimating to the next level."
"FocusedQ could be an excellent fit."
#10
Trimble
4.3
(4)
"Have been on projects with several Electricians and Plumbers that use Trimble and love it."
"I use Trimble Autobid."
"Accubid pro"
"I just started using Trimble Accubid Anywhere + LiveCount Cloud. Pretty cool so far."
#11
Buildern
4.0
(4)
"Buildern has an estimating feature, you can check it out with free demo"
"We use Buildern, so any other )))"
"For estimating I would suggest Buildern."
"For construction management, we use buildern, and it has a takeoff feature, so we stick with that. Haven't been disappointed yet."
#12
SharpeSoft
5.0
(3)
"Got a SharpeSoft trial and we love it!! Thank you for the suggestion."
"I would 1000 percent say SharpeSoft for heavy civil."
"Check out SharpeSoft. Super easy to use."
#13
Microsoft Excel
4.7
(3)
"A well built excel spreadsheet will outperform anything on the market."
"Worked perfectly well using Excel spreadsheets we had built in house over the years."
"I don't find myself using anything other than excel and bluebeam."
#14
Methvin
4.7
(3)
"We moved from planswif which is great for general contractors to https://methvin.org for it insane cost estimating capacity."
"Methvin is the only way to customise each worksheet."
"Methvin, their autoestimate feature lets you directly put in material rates along with labour. very simple and easy to use both takeoff and estimate software."
#15
Sage
3.5
(4)
"Sage Timberline for estimating."
"Sage estimating, have been using it for 25 years."
"Sage & Planswift"
"Anyone here using Sage + etakeoff as the main estimating solution?"
#16
Stack
4.3
(3)
"We just switched from Bluebeam to Stack and I much prefer STACK."
"I use Stack CT and love it."
"Check out Stackt Takeoff. It’s somewhat new, cloud based and really easy to use."
#17
Xactimate
4.3
(3)
"It covers everything and has been the industry standard for 20 years plus."
"Xactimate, when used as intended."
"I use Xactimate."
#18
OST
4.3
(3)
"Have been in the top spot for decades."
"It’s pricey, but it just works and as long as you got plenty of ram, you shouldn’t crash."
"OST and QB"
#19
Cubit
4.0
(3)
"Had a local contractor recommend Cubit too."
"Cubit estimating software is great."
"Cubit is really good probably the best in the market but it’s expensive."
#20
Microsoft
4.0
(3)
"Built our work order/job ticketing program out of Microsoft access 20 years ago and it does everything the packaged softwares that are out there can do and more."
"Microsoft Excel (Or, alternatively, Google Sheets). In the 20-something years I've been in the print industry I have yet to find a software package that did everything we wanted it to, do all in one."
"Excel for estimates, bluebeam for takeoffs and if you want a CRM idealcrm is about $35 per user/month."
#21
HCSS
4.0
(3)
"HCSS HeavyBid."
"For estimating I'm an HCSS person but honestly it is hard to justify the cost."
"Historical cost tracking with HCSS or B2W."
#22
Accubid
3.7
(3)
"Accubid Mech and Elec"
"IMO, Accubid is a really great product once you have it set up."
"I am using accubid, and it feels very clunky and slow."
#23
Procore
3.3
(3)
"I demo'd procore but i didn't sign up as the price was out of my budget."
"ProCore"
"Procore doesn’t have a cost database as far as I recall."
#24
RFMS Measure
5.0
(2)
"Commercial Flooring: RFMS Measure. Not sure it can get much better."
"Measure by RFMS is my favorite for blueprint takeoffs."
#25
FieldEdge
5.0
(2)
"Have you thought about using FieldEdge? Our techs use it to generate mobile estimates and bids."
"We switched to FieldEdge a few years ago and never looked back! We generate mobile estimates using their pricebooking feature."
#26
Kubla
4.5
(2)
"Works for the company i work for."
"Kubla is for earthwork calcs. (excellent program)."
#27
HCSS Heavybid
4.0
(2)
"Estimating or takeoff? Hcss heavybid."
"HCSS Heavybid is the big player in the Heavy Civil world."
#28
Buildertrend
4.0
(2)
"We’re likely to switch to Buildertrend."
"Do some free trials and see what you like best. i'll never go back to excel after using software lol"
#29
Homewyse
4.0
(2)
"Use Homewyse.com to check your estimates."
"You can use the online estimators on homewyse for free."
#30
Sage Estimating
4.0
(2)
"I use Sage estimating for pricing database and use both Bluebeam and On-Screen takeoff for take-off."
"As for estimating I’ve used a few: sage estimating, InEight, heavybid with the last being the best id say."
#31
CostX
4.0
(2)
"CostX is probably the best. Not cheap though"
"I recommend cost x."
#32
Autodesk
4.0
(2)
"I use AutoDesk Revit for room designs/signal flow/rack layouts."
"Autocad, Sketchup and Autodesk Revit might be what youre looking for"
#33
Quotesoft
4.0
(2)
"Quotesoft"
"I use Quotesoft which was already in place before I started."
#34
trackfront.com
4.0
(2)
"Check out trackfront.com it's $10/user per month."
"Check out trackfront.com."
#35
Parallels
4.0
(2)
"I think the easiest way is to use Parallels."
"I only use Macs and run Windows programs on them using PARALLELS software."
#36
HeavyBid
4.0
(2)
"HeavyBid for sure. If you do piling only, Basic (Mercedes) is the level that’ll suit your needs."
"Have yet to justify to other co owners and even myself the high cost for Heavybid or B2W."
#37
Printers Plan
3.5
(2)
"It does 80-85% of what the big systems do....at about 20% of the price. Decent scheduling module as well."
"Printers plan does the trick for us. And paired with Plan Prophet is very impressive"
#38
Sakura Estimating
3.0
(2)
"Sakuraestimating.com"
"Sakuraestimating.co.uk"
#39
Sharpe Software
5.0
(1)
"We use Sharpe Software i'm suprised they weren't on here."
#40
C-Cube
5.0
(1)
"We love that. sign online, order, timesheets, invoices, etc... we do with c-cube."
#41
Dynamics 365 Business Central
5.0
(1)
"I would suggest you to opt more a more reliable and advanced solution."
#42
Quick Bid
5.0
(1)
"It just works and as long as you got plenty of ram, you shouldn’t crash."
#43
Cubit Estimating
5.0
(1)
"Very similar to CostX set up."
#44
Estimating Edge
5.0
(1)
"Can handle that and much more."
#45
Esticom/Procore
5.0
(1)
"I can do fairly large projects in a couple hours."
#46
Contractor Cost Estimator
5.0
(1)
"Contractor Cost Estimator $25 and it’s yours for life."
#47
Sapphire
5.0
(1)
"I’m using Sapphire. It’s without a doubt the best i’ve used for takeoffs."
#48
ePlanTakeoff
5.0
(1)
"I found ePlanTakeoff the best."
#49
LawnManage
5.0
(1)
"We use lawnmanage and love it. It’s super easy to use and affordable. It does our invoicing, estimates, customer management, scheduling etc."
#50
DeepLawn
5.0
(1)
"I would look into deeplawn.com – they're way ahead of the game. We use them for everything from automating lawn measurements to generating instant quotes and processing payments."
#51
DoubleCAD
4.0
(1)
"DoubleCAD XT5 for drawing - it does most everything that AutoCAD does, but it's free."
#52
QuoteSoft
4.0
(1)
"QuoteSoft Pipe by ConstructConnect has an Industrial Module that includes the Work Activity Method."
#53
Comput-Ability
4.0
(1)
"This is pretty good for insulation http://www.comput-ability.com/products/mike.html"
#54
Costminer
4.0
(1)
"Costminer"
#55
Relay Construction Solutions
4.0
(1)
"Relay Construction Solutions is the only one flexible enough to replace a cost-estimating spreadsheet."
#56
IBIS
4.0
(1)
"**Europe:** IBIS TRAD software combined with Bluebeam for measuring."
#57
History Pro
4.0
(1)
"History Pro Costs for commercial cost database storage, bluebeam, and excel"
#58
OnScreen
4.0
(1)
"I estimate in OnScreen using a database I made for masonry."
#59
Agtek
4.0
(1)
"I’ve used Agtek for years and have grown fond of it and all of its quirks."
#60
Edge Estimating
4.0
(1)
"I use Edge estimating. I do roofing yet it’s very versatile and might be more than you need."
#61
FreshBooks
4.0
(1)
"For smaller projects such as repair estimates, we use Freshbooks to send over the estimate."
#62
Insite
4.0
(1)
"I use insite for mass ex/earthwork and utility takeoffs."
#63
ConstructConnect
4.0
(1)
"Check out our software, we brought On Screen, Planswift, and Quotesoft together."
#64
Procore Estimating
4.0
(1)
"Procore Estimating is the best option because it is user friendly."
#65
Intuitive Takeoff
4.0
(1)
"Intuitive Takeoff paired with HeavyBid and Agtek Earthwork is the way we all roll."
#66
BidBow
4.0
(1)
"You may want to check us out at BidBow."
#67
InSite Software
4.0
(1)
"For the price it worked great for us."
#68
Jobber
4.0
(1)
"I just switched to Jobber so far so good."
#69
Bidscreen
4.0
(1)
"Might I recommend Bidscreen by Vertigraph."
#70
Buildee
4.0
(1)
"Buildee is easy to use"
#71
FireCad
4.0
(1)
"I have recently found a software called FireCad that caught my interest but I haven't used it."
#72
Projul
4.0
(1)
"Projul is something that would work great for flooring."
#73
BuildPartner
4.0
(1)
"If you're based in the UK try out BuildPartner."
#74
Measure
4.0
(1)
"Measure is good for takeoffs and seaming diagrams."
#75
ConEst Intellibid
4.0
(1)
"I prefer ConEst Intellibid."
#76
Vu360
4.0
(1)
"If you are looking for a very light takeoff program I would ask that you try Vu360."
#77
Esticom
4.0
(1)
"Procore has cloud-based takeoff and estimating software."
#78
Quickeye
4.0
(1)
"An estimator buddy of mine estimates all of his projects on a Mac and swears by Quickeye."
#79
Lula Build
4.0
(1)
"I can recommend [Lula Build]. It is very flexible and not expensive at all."
#80
EFI
4.0
(1)
"Printsmith super easy to use and the ability to create templates for repeat jobs saves so much time."
#81
Hindsite Software
4.0
(1)
"I really like Hindsite Software. Seamless integration with QuickBooks and they are adding a lot of neat features lately with their field central product."
#82
Buildsoft
4.0
(1)
"Buildsoft cubit."
#83
Monday.com
4.0
(1)
"We use gravity forms and monday.com, works perfect for us."
#84
FastEst
4.0
(1)
"I personally use FastEst for plumbing. Works for me it’s simple and straight forward."
#85
WorkView
4.0
(1)
"Hey, try workview.io. I am founder and would help with any invoice / quote customisations you need. I am building it for lawn care."
#86
Stuart AI
4.0
(1)
"'Try Stuart AI' automatically highlights indirect costs in long tender documents."
#87
On-Screen Takeoff
4.0
(1)
"On screen takeoff"
#88
Beck Technologies
4.0
(1)
"Check out Beck Technologies as they have one. It's expensive but has all the bells and whistles."
#89
fastEST
3.0
(1)
"I haven't gotten it yet but fastEST makes fastDUCT which might cover what you are looking for."
#90
ETakeoff
3.0
(1)
"I use Excel and ETakeoff. It's very basic but gets the job done."
#91
Capterra
3.0
(1)
"Check out capterra and search estimating software."
#92
Causeway
3.0
(1)
"By far the best features; resource levelling, nested buildups."
#93
Success Estimator
3.0
(1)
"Success Estimator is a great price of software that is open source."
#94
basisboard
3.0
(1)
"There's this one company called basisboard."
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