6 Best ProEst Alternatives for Contractors in 2024

ProEst has been around for a while, and it does one thing well: cloud-based construction estimating for large commercial projects. If you’re a big general contractor bidding on multi-million dollar jobs, ProEst might make sense.

But here’s the thing. Most contractors don’t fit that mold.

If you’ve tried ProEst and found it too expensive, too complex, or too limited outside of estimating, you’re not alone. A lot of contractors are looking for something that handles more of their daily work without the enterprise price tag.

This guide covers six solid alternatives to ProEst. We’ll break down what each one does well, where it falls short, and who it’s best for.

Why Contractors Look for ProEst Alternatives

Before we get into the options, let’s talk about why so many contractors move away from ProEst in the first place.

Enterprise Pricing That Doesn’t Fit Most Budgets

ProEst doesn’t publish pricing on their website, which is usually a sign that it’s not cheap. Based on what contractors report, you’re looking at $5,000 or more per year. For a large commercial GC doing millions in revenue, that’s a rounding error. For a growing residential or specialty contractor, that’s a big chunk of your software budget spent on just one tool.

Steep Learning Curve

ProEst is a powerful estimating platform, but that power comes with complexity. New users regularly report that it takes weeks or months to get comfortable with the system. If you’re running a small team, you don’t have time to send everyone through extensive training just to create an estimate.

Limited Beyond Estimating

This is the biggest issue for most contractors. ProEst focuses on estimating and preconstruction. That’s great if estimating is your only need. But most contractors also need project management, scheduling, invoicing, time tracking, and CRM tools. With ProEst, you’ll end up paying for and managing multiple software platforms to cover everything.

Built for Large Commercial GCs

ProEst’s feature set, pricing, and workflows are designed for large commercial general contractors. If you’re a residential builder, remodeler, or specialty sub, many of those features won’t apply to your work. You end up paying for capabilities you’ll never use.

The 6 Best ProEst Alternatives

1. Projul (Best All-in-One Alternative)

Best for: Contractors who want estimating, project management, and business tools in one platform.

If your main frustration with ProEst is that it only handles estimating, Projul is worth a serious look. It was built by contractors who got tired of juggling five different tools to run their business.

What Projul Does Well:

Projul gives you construction estimating that’s actually easy to use. You can build estimates from scratch or use templates, pull in your cost data, and send professional proposals to clients. When a client approves, that estimate converts directly into a project with all the details already filled in.

But estimating is just one piece. Projul also handles project management, job costing, invoicing, scheduling, time tracking, CRM, and lead management. Everything your office and field teams need lives in one place.

The pricing model is straightforward and contractor-friendly:

• Core: $399/mo ($4,788/yr)
• Core+: $599/mo ($7,188/yr)
• Pro: $1,199/mo ($14,388/yr)

Every plan includes unlimited users. That’s a big deal. Most construction software charges per user, which means your costs climb every time you hire a new project manager or add a foreman to the system. With Projul, your price stays the same whether you have 5 users or 50.

Check out Projul’s pricing page for full plan details.

Where Projul Falls Short:

Projul is built for small to mid-size contractors. If you’re a large commercial GC running $50M+ in annual revenue with complex preconstruction workflows, you might need more specialized estimating tools. But for the vast majority of contractors, Projul covers everything you need and then some.

Bottom Line: Projul replaces ProEst and several other tools at once. You get better estimating for everyday construction work, plus all the project management and business tools that ProEst doesn’t offer.

2. PlanSwift

Best for: Contractors who need takeoff and estimating with plan-based measurements.

PlanSwift focuses on digital takeoffs and estimating. If your estimating process starts with measuring blueprints and plans, PlanSwift makes that part fast and accurate.

What PlanSwift Does Well:

PlanSwift lets you import digital plans and perform on-screen takeoffs. You can measure lengths, areas, and counts directly from blueprints, then tie those measurements to your cost assemblies. It’s a solid tool for contractors who do a lot of plan-based estimating.

The software runs as a desktop application, which some contractors prefer for performance when working with large plan files. The one-time license model (around $1,600) can be more affordable long-term than monthly subscriptions, depending on how long you use it.

Where PlanSwift Falls Short:

PlanSwift is takeoff and estimating only. There’s no project management, no invoicing, no scheduling, and no field tools. You’ll need separate software for everything else. It’s also a desktop app, which means it’s harder to access from the field or collaborate in real time with your team.

The interface feels dated compared to newer cloud-based tools. And while the upfront cost seems reasonable, you’ll pay for annual maintenance and upgrades on top of the license.

Bottom Line: PlanSwift is a good takeoff tool, but it won’t replace ProEst as your central platform. You’ll still need additional software for project management and daily operations.

3. Clear Estimates

Best for: Residential contractors and remodelers who want simple, affordable estimating.

Clear Estimates is built specifically for residential construction. If you’re a remodeler, home builder, or handyman, this tool makes estimating fast and simple.

What Clear Estimates Does Well:

Clear Estimates comes loaded with pre-built cost data for residential work. You can create an estimate in minutes using their templates, adjust pricing for your market, and send professional proposals to homeowners. The learning curve is minimal, which is a huge advantage over ProEst.

Pricing starts around $59 per month, making it one of the most affordable estimating tools on the market. For a solo contractor or small remodeling crew, that’s easy to justify.

Where Clear Estimates Falls Short:

Clear Estimates is residential-only. If you do any commercial work, you’ll outgrow it quickly. It also lacks project management features, so you’ll need a separate tool to manage jobs after the estimate is approved.

The cost data is US-focused, which limits its usefulness for contractors in other markets. And while the simplicity is a strength for basic estimates, it can feel limiting when you need to build complex, multi-phase proposals.

Bottom Line: Clear Estimates is great for residential contractors who just need a simple way to create estimates. But if you want a full business management platform, you’ll need to pair it with other tools.

4. STACK

Best for: Subcontractors and estimators who need cloud-based takeoff and estimating.

STACK (formerly STACK Construction Technologies) offers cloud-based takeoff and estimating. It’s similar to PlanSwift in concept but runs entirely in the browser.

What STACK Does Well:

Being cloud-based is STACK’s biggest advantage over desktop tools like PlanSwift. You can access your plans and estimates from any device, collaborate with team members in real time, and avoid the headaches of software installation and updates.

STACK handles both 2D takeoffs and estimating, with tools for measuring plans and building cost estimates from those measurements. The interface is modern and relatively easy to learn compared to ProEst.

They offer a free plan with limited features, which is a nice way to test the platform before committing. Paid plans start around $2,999 per year for individual users, with team pricing available.

Where STACK Falls Short:

Like ProEst, STACK is focused on preconstruction. It handles takeoffs and estimates well, but it doesn’t manage your projects, invoicing, scheduling, or field operations. You’ll need additional software for day-to-day job management.

The pricing for paid plans is significant, especially for smaller contractors. And while the free plan is useful for basic takeoffs, you’ll hit its limits quickly on real projects.

Bottom Line: STACK is a modern, cloud-based alternative to ProEst for takeoffs and estimating. But it shares the same fundamental limitation: it’s an estimating tool, not a full construction management platform.

5. Buildertrend

Best for: Residential builders and remodelers who want project management with some estimating.

Buildertrend approaches construction software from the opposite direction of ProEst. Where ProEst focuses on estimating, Buildertrend focuses on project management and adds estimating as a feature.

What Buildertrend Does Well:

Buildertrend is a well-known platform in residential construction. It covers project management, scheduling, client communication, financial tools, and estimating in one platform. The client portal is a standout feature, giving homeowners a window into their project’s progress.

The estimating tools include proposal generation, change order management, and basic cost tracking. For residential contractors, these features are usually enough to handle typical estimating needs.

Buildertrend also offers good mobile apps for field teams, document management, and warranty tracking.

Where Buildertrend Falls Short:

Buildertrend’s estimating is functional but not deep. If you’re comparing it to ProEst specifically because you need advanced estimating capabilities, Buildertrend will feel lightweight. There are no real takeoff tools, and the estimating workflow is more about proposals than detailed cost building.

Pricing is per user and can get expensive quickly. Their Essential plan starts around $499 per month for the first user, with additional users adding to the cost. For a team of 10, you could be paying significantly more than you would with Projul’s unlimited user model.

The platform is also heavily focused on residential construction. Commercial contractors and specialty subs often find that the workflows don’t match how they operate.

Bottom Line: Buildertrend is a solid project management tool for residential builders, but its estimating features are basic compared to ProEst. If you’re switching from ProEst because you need more than just estimating, Buildertrend is worth considering. Just watch the per-user pricing.

6. Buildxact

Best for: Residential builders who want estimating and takeoffs with basic job management.

Buildxact is an Australian-born platform that has expanded into the US market. It focuses on estimating and takeoffs for residential builders, with some basic project management features included.

What Buildxact Does Well:

Buildxact combines estimating, digital takeoffs, and basic project management in one platform. You can import plans, perform takeoffs, build estimates with supplier pricing, and manage basic job details after the estimate is approved.

The estimating workflow is designed for residential construction, with features like supplier price lists, material ordering, and quote requests built into the platform. For home builders who want to connect their estimates to their suppliers, Buildxact makes that process simple.

Pricing is more accessible than ProEst, with plans starting around $149 per month for a single user.

Where Buildxact Falls Short:

Buildxact’s project management features are basic compared to dedicated PM tools. You won’t get the depth of scheduling, time tracking, or field management that you’d find in Projul or Buildertrend.

The platform was built for the Australian market first, and some US contractors report that the cost databases and workflows don’t always translate perfectly. Per-user pricing also applies, which increases costs as your team grows.

Buildxact is also best suited for new home construction. Remodelers, commercial contractors, and specialty trades may find that the templates and workflows don’t match their needs.

Bottom Line: Buildxact is a good fit for residential home builders who want estimating and takeoffs with some basic job management. It’s simpler and cheaper than ProEst, but it won’t cover all your business management needs.

How to Choose the Right ProEst Alternative

Picking the right tool depends on what you actually need. Here’s a quick framework:

If you only need estimating and takeoffs: PlanSwift (desktop) or STACK (cloud) will handle that job.

If you need simple residential estimating: Clear Estimates is affordable and easy to learn.

If you need estimating plus project management: Projul or Buildertrend give you both in one platform. Projul wins on pricing with unlimited users, while Buildertrend offers a strong client portal.

If you’re a residential home builder focused on takeoffs: Buildxact combines takeoffs with basic job management.

If you want to replace ProEst and all your other tools at once: Projul is the pick. It handles estimating, project management, job costing, invoicing, scheduling, time tracking, CRM, and more in one platform with unlimited users.

Making the Switch from ProEst

Switching estimating software feels like a big move, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Here are a few tips:

Export your data first. Pull your cost databases, estimate templates, and client information from ProEst before you cancel. Most of this data can be imported into your new platform or rebuilt from exported files.

Start with a trial. Every tool on this list offers either a free trial or a demo. Take advantage of that to test the estimating workflow with a real project before committing.

Don’t just replace estimating. If you’re already using multiple tools for different parts of your business, this is a good time to consolidate. Look for a platform that handles more of your workflow so you can cut down on the number of subscriptions you’re managing.

Get your team involved. The best software in the world is useless if your team won’t use it. Pick a tool that your estimators, project managers, and field crews can all get comfortable with quickly.

Final Thoughts

ProEst is a capable estimating platform for large commercial general contractors. But for the majority of contractors, it’s too expensive, too complex, and too narrow in scope.

If you’re looking for a ProEst alternative, the right choice depends on your specific needs. For contractors who want a single platform that handles estimating and everything else, Projul is the strongest option on this list. You get real estimating tools, full project management, and unlimited users at a price that makes sense for growing contractors.

Whatever you choose, make sure it fits how your team actually works. The best construction software is the one your people will use every day.