PlanSwift vs ProEst

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Our analysts compared PlanSwift vs ProEst based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Estimating Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

ProEst Software Tool

Product Basics

PlanSwift, a ConstructConnect offering, is an estimation software designed for general and specialty contractors. It helps manage concrete, drywall, electrical, flooring, framing, HVAC and more while improving accuracy, saving time and increasing profit margins.

Users can complete estimation for simple and complex areas, volumes, items, perimeters and length with point and click support. They can also drag-and-drop assemblies like labor costs, waste and materials and calculate expenses. It can do internal, material and labor calculations and export them to users’ Excel sheets.

Pros
  • Easy to learn & use
  • Fast, accurate takeoff
  • Flexible reporting tools
  • Good customer support
  • Cloud-based & mobile
Cons
  • Limited 3D capabilities
  • Fewer integrations
  • Higher cost for some projects
  • Can be slow on complex models
  • May require training for advanced features
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ProEst is an estimating, bidding and pre-construction management tool that helps general contractors and subcontractors navigate business operations. Deploy it on the cloud and desktops with macOS, Windows and Linux. Its cost database provides accurate material, labor and equipment cost estimates to enable winning bids. Users can manage client and prospect information, create cost estimates, and create proposals.

It streamlines material counts and pre-construction workflows. Construction professionals can use it to manage accounting, plumbing and electrical estimation.
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$1,749 Annually
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$5,000 Annually
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Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
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Medium 
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Large 
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Small 
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Medium 
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Large 
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Faster Takeoff Times: Drag-and-drop interface and automated calculations dramatically reduce manual work, saving significant time on takeoffs.
  • Improved Accuracy: Eliminate manual errors with PlanSwift's precise measurements and automatic calculations, leading to more reliable estimates.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Real-time cloud-based access allows teams to collaborate efficiently, ensuring everyone works with the latest information.
  • Streamlined Estimating: Generate professional estimates quickly and easily with flexible reporting tools and customizable templates.
  • Increased Project Visibility: Gain insights into material needs, costs, and potential risks with detailed takeoff reports and visual aids.
  • Reduced Material Waste: Accurate takeoffs lead to more precise material ordering, minimizing waste and saving costs.
  • Improved Bidding Competitiveness: Submit faster, more accurate bids with confidence, giving you an edge in the competition.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Access project data and takeoffs on the go with the mobile app, enhancing flexibility and productivity.
  • Scalability for Growth: As your business grows, PlanSwift easily adapts to handle larger and more complex projects.
  • Peace of Mind: Trustworthy customer support and regular software updates ensure you have the ongoing assistance you need.
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  • Increase Revenue: Utilize the ROI calculator to understand the company’s financial standing. Share ROI reports with employees to promote transparency. 
  • Improve Collaboration: Enable teams to access and share data in real time. Automatically send alerts to workers to keep projects on track. Encourage employees to upload files via web-enabled devices. 
  • Streamline Workflows: Leverage automated functionalities to speed up business processes. Integrate with project management and accounting tools to help reduce errors. 
  • Generate Accurate Estimates: Analyze past quotes to identify trends and resolve issues. Automatically recalculate costs to help create conceptual estimates. 
  • Build Meaningful Relationships: Track clients, subcontractors, vendors and industry partners from a central location. View close-rate percentages and project details via the dashboard. 
  • Make Informed Decisions: Generate reports to assess business performance. Measure employees’ productivity to achieve project goals. 
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  • Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simplify takeoffs with point-and-click measurements and direct placement of pre-defined assemblies onto plans.
  • Automatic Calculations: Eliminate manual errors with PlanSwift's automatic calculations for lengths, areas, volumes, and more.
  • Multiple File Format Support: Seamlessly import and work with various file formats, including PDFs, DWGs, and images.
  • Customizable Assemblies: Create and save reusable assemblies for frequently used materials and components, streamlining takeoffs.
  • Advanced Measurement Tools: Handle complex shapes and curved lines with tools like arc calculations and automatic cut-out deductions.
  • Color Coding and Annotation Tools: Highlight different takeoff items, track progress, and add notes directly on plans for clear communication.
  • Powerful Reporting Tools: Generate detailed takeoff reports with customizable layouts, filtering options, and cost summaries.
  • Cloud-Based Collaboration: Work together on projects in real-time with team members and clients, regardless of location.
  • Mobile App Integration: Access project data, view plans, and perform basic takeoffs on the go with the mobile app.
  • Open API Integration: Connect PlanSwift with other software you use through its open API for increased data flow and automation.
  • Scalability and Customization: Adapt PlanSwift to your specific needs with customizable settings, user roles, and data fields.
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  • CRM: Manage prospects and maintain client relationships to obtain leads. Organize and prioritize leads as per business requirements. 
  • Takeoff: Automatically calculate costs from takeoffs to create accurate estimates. Perform on-screen takeoffs of scanned blueprints using an electronic mouse. Eliminate printing expenses and save storage space. 
  • Estimation: Edit or add items to estimates. Filter estimates by codes, descriptions and types. Automatically calculate markups such as profits and overhead costs. Enable subcontractors to view bid summaries to receive accurate bids. 
  • Integrations: Integrate with Procore, Acumatica, ComputerEase, QuickBooks, CMiC, Buildertrend, Vista and Foundation Software to reduce costly errors. 
  • Reporting: Generate labor reports, estimate summaries and material lists. Create custom reports to analyze estimated plans. Conduct historical data analysis to measure reliability of quotes. 
  • Cost Database: Access built-in databases to search for items and assemblies. 
  • Activity Dashboard: Track teams’ activities, identify flaws and analyze productivity levels of workers. 
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Product Ranking

#7

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#11

among all
Construction Estimating Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

61
65
8
90
38
63
89
78
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Takeoff Capabilities
Document and Database Management
Reports and Dashboards
Takeoff Capabilities
Bid Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

PlanSwift
ProEst
+ Add Product + Add Product
Bid Management Cost Management Document And Database Management Estimate Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Takeoff Capabilities 8 38 89 65 62 34 65 99 90 63 78 60 44 68 92 91 0 25 50 75 100
0%
0%
100%
86%
0%
14%
38%
0%
62%
63%
0%
37%
100%
0%
0%
82%
0%
18%
67%
0%
33%
59%
0%
41%
60%
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40%
50%
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50%
25%
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75%
75%
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25%
67%
0%
33%
100%
0%
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100%
0%
0%
88%
0%
12%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

67%
0%
33%
33%
0%
67%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 411 reviews
Great User Sentiment 79 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

PlanSwift has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 411 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

81%
of users recommend this product

ProEst has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 79 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.3 (23)
4.3 (32)
4.3 (377)
3.8 (44)
4.0 (11)
4.4 (3)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated PlanSwift and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Takeoff Capabilities.

Takeoff Capabilities Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Friendly Interface: Planswift is praised for its intuitive and straightforward interface which allows users to easily navigate and utilize the software, enhancing productivity for takeoff and estimating tasks.
Accurate Takeoffs: Users appreciate the precision that Planswift provides, enabling them to quickly generate accurate materials and labor estimates, essential for competitive bidding and managing project margins.
Customizable Templates: With Planswift, the ability to create custom templates for various project types helps streamline the estimating process, saving valuable time while ensuring consistency across estimates.
Integration with Other Software: The software's compatibility with third-party applications ensures a seamless workflow, allowing for the easy import and export of data and enhancing overall efficiency.
On-Screen Takeoff: The on-screen takeoff feature allows users to directly measure plans on their computer screen, reducing the need for physical plans and promoting a paperless environment.
Support and Training: Responsive customer support combined with a robust set of training resources empowers users to maximize the potential of the software.
Cost-Effective: Many users find Planswift to be an affordable solution without compromising the functionality required for managing takeoff and estimating complexities.
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Intuitive Interface: Users praise ProEst's user-friendly design, finding it easy to navigate and utilize for creating estimates, even without extensive software experience.
Detailed Reporting: ProEst's reporting features provide comprehensive insights into project costs, allowing for better decision-making and cost control.
Integration Capabilities: ProEst integrates seamlessly with other software commonly used in the construction industry, streamlining workflows and reducing manual data entry.
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Steep Learning Curve: For new users, PlanSwift can be quite daunting to learn and master, particularly for those with limited tech experience, potentially delaying project starts.
Occasional Bugs: Users have reported running into software glitches that can disrupt the takeoff and estimating process, requiring workarounds or customer support intervention.
Inconsistent Customer Support: While some users find the support helpful, others report slow response times and varying levels of assistance when facing issues with the software.
Performance Issues with Large Files: Handling large and complex projects can sometimes slow down the software, leading to longer loading times and decreased responsiveness.
Limited Cloud Capabilities: Compared to competitors, PlanSwift's cloud features are not as robust, potentially hindering collaboration and remote access for teams.
Cost Prohibitive for Small Businesses: The pricing structure can be on the higher end, presenting financial challenges for small firms or independent contractors.
Outdated Interface: Some users feel that the user interface is not as modern or intuitive as other solutions, affecting user experience and efficiency.
Limited Integration with Other Platforms: PlanSwift's ability to integrate with other construction management or accounting software is often seen as insufficient or overly complex.
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Steep Learning Curve: ProEst's extensive features and functionalities can overwhelm new users, requiring significant time investment to master the platform effectively.
Customization Challenges: Tailoring ProEst to specific workflows or unique estimating requirements can be complex, often necessitating assistance from ProEst support or engaging in advanced configuration processes.
Integration Limitations: Integrating ProEst with existing software ecosystems or third-party applications may pose challenges due to compatibility issues or limited API capabilities, potentially hindering seamless data exchange and workflow automation.
Mobile App Functionality: The mobile app's features and user experience may not fully replicate the desktop version's capabilities, potentially limiting on-the-go access and productivity for field-based users.
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Users consistently praise Planswift's user-friendliness and affordability compared to industry giants like Bluebeam Revu and OnCenter Estimating. Newcomers find its interface intuitive and training resources abundant, enabling them to become productive quickly. Additionally, Planswift's subscription model makes it financially accessible to smaller firms and individual contractors. However, some users lament a perceived lack of advanced features present in competitors. While Planswift boasts core functionalities like 3D takeoff and integration with popular CAD programs, it may not cater to highly complex projects requiring specialized tools for intricate assemblies or detailed cost estimating. A key differentiator highlighted by users is Planswift's customer support. They commend its responsiveness and helpfulness, often exceeding expectations compared to competitors. This personalized support is crucial for users encountering technical issues or seeking guidance on advanced functionalities. Ultimately, user reviews depict Planswift as a valuable tool for those prioritizing ease of use, affordability, and reliable customer support. However, users requiring in-depth features for highly specialized projects might find themselves needing to explore alternative solutions. Weighing individual needs against Planswift's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for making an informed decision.

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Is ProEst the most "pro" solution for your estimating needs? Users appreciate ProEst's accuracy, attributing it to the software's use of diverse data sources like historical costs and current labor rates, which helps them create competitive bids. The platform's user-friendly interface and helpful support resources make it easy for both seasoned pros and newcomers to navigate the software. A standout feature is its integration with other construction management tools, such as Buildertrend, streamlining workflows and boosting overall project efficiency. This seamless data flow between platforms eliminates the need for manual data entry, reducing errors and saving valuable time. However, some users have expressed concerns about occasional software glitches and the learning curve associated with mastering all of ProEst's advanced features. While the software offers a robust suite of tools, some users find the sheer number of options overwhelming, especially those accustomed to simpler estimating solutions. Despite these drawbacks, ProEst emerges as a powerful tool for contractors of all sizes who need accurate estimates and efficient project management. Its comprehensive features and integrations make it particularly well-suited for larger firms handling complex projects, where precise cost management and seamless collaboration are paramount.

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Screenshots

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