Quoting Software (2026): 10 Tools Compared

A quote is often the moment a customer decides whether to hire you. If it arrives late, looks messy or leaves them guessing what's included, they'll quietly go to someone else. Good quoting software fixes that. You build a clear document from saved items, send it by link, see when it's opened and let the customer accept it online.

Here are ten quoting tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Some are built for tradespeople, others for agencies, IT providers or sales teams, and a few are established names. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and directory listings, so check the current details on the tool's own site before you sign up. If you work in the trades, my guide to quoting faster as a plumber or electrician is a handy companion.

Quoting software side by side

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site shows a permanent free plan. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. No means neither is shown, often because you book a demo instead. A free plan can cover only part of the job, for example signing documents but not building quotes, so check what's included before you rely on it.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Better Proposals	Proposal software	Designed proposals with tracking and e-signatures	Trial only
Estimate Rocket	Contractor all-in-one	Estimates, scheduling and invoices for contractors	Trial only
Fergus	Trade job management	Quotes, jobs and invoices for trades	Trial only
PandaDoc	Documents and e-sign	Quotes, contracts and e-signatures together	Yes
QuoteWerks	Quoting and CPQ	Quotes from product catalogues and CRM data	Trial only
Quotient	Quote and estimate software	Quotes with online acceptance and follow-ups	Trial only
Qwilr	Interactive proposals	Web-page style proposals and quotes	Trial only
Salesbuildr	Quoting for IT providers	Quotes for managed service providers	No
Tradify	Trade job management	Quotes built on site from a phone	Trial only
Zoho Invoice	Simple invoicing tool	Approved quotes that become invoices	Yes

Ten quoting and estimating tools to compare

Better Proposals

Best for: Agencies and freelancers who want polished web-link proposals from templates, with open tracking and signatures built in.

Estimate Rocket

Best for: Service contractors who want estimates, proposals, scheduling and invoicing together in a single system.

Fergus

Best for: Tradespeople who want quoting, scheduling, job tracking and invoicing in one app with a mobile version.

PandaDoc

Best for: Sales teams who want quotes, contracts and signatures in one document tool, with a free e-signature plan to start.

QuoteWerks

Best for: Resellers and sellers of configurable products who want quotes built from connected catalogues and customer data.

Quotient

Best for: Small service firms who want quotes with optional extras, online acceptance and automatic follow-ups.

Qwilr

Best for: Sales teams who prefer interactive, web-page style quotes that track engagement and collect signatures and payments.

Salesbuildr

Best for: Managed service providers who want quotes built from their own catalogue and synced to their service desk tools.

Tradify

Best for: Small trade businesses who want to build quotes on site, then turn accepted ones into jobs and invoices.

Zoho Invoice

Best for: Freelancers and small firms who want simple quotes that become invoices once approved, using a free tool.

How to choose quoting software for your business

Quoting software ranges from simple estimate builders to full job management systems and sales tools. Start with the job you need done, then see which type fits.

• Saved items. Look for a catalogue of products, services and labour that you can drop into a quote in seconds.
• Options and extras. Many customers like to choose between packages or tick optional items. Check the tool supports this.
• Online acceptance. A customer should be able to accept and sign from their phone without printing anything.
• Follow-ups. Automatic reminders for quotes nobody has answered save you a lot of chasing.
• What happens next. The best set-ups turn an accepted quote into a job, an order or an invoice without retyping.
• Your look. Make sure you can add your logo, wording and terms so the quote looks like you.

Questions to ask before you commit to quoting software

• Do I send a handful of quotes a week or hundreds?
• Do I quote from site visits, from a desk or both?
• Do I need a mobile app for quoting on the go?
• Does it connect to my accounting software, CRM or job system?
• Can I try it on a real quote before I commit?
• Can I export my templates and customer data if I leave?

Which type of quoting software suits which business

• Tradespeople and contractors usually do best with job management tools where the quote, the schedule and the invoice live together.
• Agencies and consultants often prefer proposal tools that present a quote as a designed web page with signatures.
• IT service providers and resellers may need tools that build quotes from product catalogues and connect to their service desk.
• Freelancers may only need a simple tool that turns an approved quote into an invoice.
• Sales teams often want quotes tied to their CRM, with approvals and tracking.

If you're comparing invoicing tools at the same time, my comparison of cloud invoicing software may help, and construction firms might like my notes on AI tools for writing construction quotes.

Writing a clear quote that customers say yes to

Software helps, but the document still has to make sense. These habits make a quote easier to accept, whichever tool you use.

• Describe exactly what's included and what isn't.
• Break the work into clear line items so nothing feels hidden.
• Offer two or three options instead of one take-it-or-leave-it choice.
• State how long the quote stays valid and what happens next.
• Put your terms, timings and contact details on the same page.
• Follow up quickly while the job is fresh in their mind.

For tax, VAT and legal wording on quotes and invoices, check with your accountant or solicitor, as the rules differ by country and business type.

Why a smaller quoting tool can be a smart pick

Smaller quoting tools often focus on one kind of business and speak its language, whether that's trades, agencies or IT providers. They can be quicker to set up and friendlier to talk to when you need help.

Before you rely on one, check that it's still being updated, read the help pages, try it on a couple of real quotes and see how easily you could export your templates and customer details later.

Quoting software mistakes to avoid

• Choosing a big system when a simple quote builder would do.
• Skipping a trial and finding the quote layout doesn't suit your trade.
• Building templates before you've decided how you want to present options.
• Letting quotes sit unanswered with no follow-up.
• Forgetting to check how the tool handles your customers' personal data.

Do you make quoting or estimating software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

A checklist before you pick a quoting tool

Write down how you quote today, shortlist two tools that match that style and try each on the same real job. Compare how quickly you can build the quote, how it looks on a customer's phone and what happens once it's accepted. Keep the tool that makes the whole journey, from enquiry to invoice, feel simplest.

Frequently asked questions

What is quoting software?

It's software for building, sending and tracking quotes or estimates. Most let you reuse saved items, offer options, collect an online acceptance and then turn an accepted quote into a job or invoice.

What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?

An estimate is usually an approximate guide that can change. A quote is a firm offer for stated work. The rules and wording differ by country and trade, so check what applies to you.

Is there free quoting software?

A few tools on this page show a free plan on their own sites, though it may cover only part of the job. Many others offer a free trial instead, so check the current terms.

Do I need a mobile app for quoting?

If you quote on site, such as in a customer's home, a mobile app is very useful. If you quote from a desk, a web-based tool is usually enough.

Can quoting software connect to my accounts?

Many tools connect to popular accounting and CRM systems. Check the integrations list on the tool's own site before you commit.