Estimating guide
Best Estimating Software for Contractors (2026)
Whether you're bidding roofing jobs or quoting a panel upgrade, the right estimating tool wins more deals and protects your margins.
Quick comparison
| Software | Category | Starting price | Free trial | Rating | Best for | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joist | Estimating | Free | Yes | 4.4 | Solo contractors who need estimates and invoices, not a full FSM. | Visit |
| Jobber | All-in-one | $29/mo | Yes | 4.7 | Owner-operators and crews of 2–15 in trades and home services. | Visit |
| ServiceTitan | All-in-one | Custom | No | 4.5 | Multi-truck trade businesses ready to professionalize operations. | Visit |
| Housecall Pro | All-in-one | $65/mo | Yes | 4.6 | Established home service companies that want sales + marketing automation. | Visit |
Top picks
Joist
Estimating
Joist lets contractors create professional estimates and invoices from their phone.
- Great free tier
- Mobile-first estimating
- Quick invoice + payments
Starting price
Free
Jobber
All-in-one
Jobber helps home service businesses quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid — all from one app.
- Excellent mobile apps for field crews
- Built-in payments and automated follow-ups
- Client hub for self-serve quote approvals
Starting price
$29/mo
ServiceTitan
All-in-one
ServiceTitan is the leading enterprise platform for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and other trades at scale.
- Deepest reporting and dashboards in the industry
- Powerful dispatch + capacity planning
- Call tracking and sales scripts
Starting price
Custom (typically $300+/user/mo)
Housecall Pro
All-in-one
Housecall Pro automates scheduling, dispatch, invoicing, marketing, and payments for home service businesses.
- Best-in-class dispatch board
- Built-in marketing automation
- Consumer financing for big tickets
Starting price
$65/mo
FAQ
What's the best free estimating app for contractors?+
Joist is the most popular free estimating app — you can send professional-looking estimates from your phone in under a minute.