Quick Overview
- 1#1: IRRICAD - Designs and analyzes pressurized irrigation systems with automatic hydraulic calculations, material takeoffs, and cost estimating.
- 2#2: Land F/X - Provides advanced irrigation design tools integrated with AutoCAD for hydraulic sizing, layouts, and accurate quantity estimating.
- 3#3: RainCAD - Offers CAD-based irrigation design software for creating detailed plans, sections, and material lists for cost estimation.
- 4#4: LMN - Streamlines irrigation project estimating with customizable templates, labor costing, and integration for landscape contractors.
- 5#5: Aspire - Enables precise irrigation estimating through job costing, scheduling, and real-time financial tracking for landscape businesses.
- 6#6: Arborgold - Supports irrigation estimating with CRM-integrated quoting, inventory management, and job profitability analysis.
- 7#7: ServiceTitan - Delivers enterprise-level job costing and estimating for irrigation services with mobile dispatching and reporting.
- 8#8: Jobber - Facilitates quick irrigation quotes and estimates for field service pros with invoicing and client management tools.
- 9#9: EPANET - Simulates hydraulic behavior in irrigation pipe networks to support design validation and sizing estimates.
- 10#10: HydroCAD - Performs hydrologic modeling for irrigation and stormwater systems to aid in preliminary sizing and cost planning.
Tools were evaluated based on feature breadth (including hydraulic modeling, takeoffs, and integration options), technical reliability, user-friendliness, and value, ensuring alignment with the needs of both small contractors and large operations.
Comparison Table
Irrigation estimating software is vital for optimizing project planning and accuracy in water management; this comparison table features IRRICAD, Land F/X, RainCAD, LMN, Aspire, and more, providing a clear look at key tools in the industry. Readers will gain insights into how each platform’s unique features, usability, and project suitability can guide their software selection.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IRRICAD Designs and analyzes pressurized irrigation systems with automatic hydraulic calculations, material takeoffs, and cost estimating. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Land F/X Provides advanced irrigation design tools integrated with AutoCAD for hydraulic sizing, layouts, and accurate quantity estimating. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | RainCAD Offers CAD-based irrigation design software for creating detailed plans, sections, and material lists for cost estimation. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | LMN Streamlines irrigation project estimating with customizable templates, labor costing, and integration for landscape contractors. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Aspire Enables precise irrigation estimating through job costing, scheduling, and real-time financial tracking for landscape businesses. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Arborgold Supports irrigation estimating with CRM-integrated quoting, inventory management, and job profitability analysis. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | ServiceTitan Delivers enterprise-level job costing and estimating for irrigation services with mobile dispatching and reporting. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 6.4/10 |
| 8 | Jobber Facilitates quick irrigation quotes and estimates for field service pros with invoicing and client management tools. | other | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | EPANET Simulates hydraulic behavior in irrigation pipe networks to support design validation and sizing estimates. | specialized | 5.8/10 | 6.2/10 | 3.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | HydroCAD Performs hydrologic modeling for irrigation and stormwater systems to aid in preliminary sizing and cost planning. | specialized | 2.8/10 | 1.5/10 | 3.5/10 | 2.0/10 |
Designs and analyzes pressurized irrigation systems with automatic hydraulic calculations, material takeoffs, and cost estimating.
Provides advanced irrigation design tools integrated with AutoCAD for hydraulic sizing, layouts, and accurate quantity estimating.
Offers CAD-based irrigation design software for creating detailed plans, sections, and material lists for cost estimation.
Streamlines irrigation project estimating with customizable templates, labor costing, and integration for landscape contractors.
Enables precise irrigation estimating through job costing, scheduling, and real-time financial tracking for landscape businesses.
Supports irrigation estimating with CRM-integrated quoting, inventory management, and job profitability analysis.
Delivers enterprise-level job costing and estimating for irrigation services with mobile dispatching and reporting.
Facilitates quick irrigation quotes and estimates for field service pros with invoicing and client management tools.
Simulates hydraulic behavior in irrigation pipe networks to support design validation and sizing estimates.
Performs hydrologic modeling for irrigation and stormwater systems to aid in preliminary sizing and cost planning.
IRRICAD
specializedDesigns and analyzes pressurized irrigation systems with automatic hydraulic calculations, material takeoffs, and cost estimating.
Proprietary hydraulic solver that delivers industry-leading accuracy in flow, pressure, and energy calculations for reliable estimates
IRRICAD is a professional-grade irrigation design and analysis software that enables users to model complex hydraulic networks, simulate system performance, and generate precise material takeoffs and cost estimates. It supports a vast library of irrigation components for landscapes, agriculture, and sports fields, ensuring designs meet real-world hydraulic standards. The integrated estimating tools automatically calculate quantities, costs, and reports from the design model, streamlining workflows for contractors.
Pros
- Exceptional hydraulic analysis for accurate flow and pressure simulations
- Vast customizable component database with automatic estimating
- Seamless integration of design, analysis, and bill of materials generation
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to advanced functionality
- High upfront cost for perpetual license
- Primarily desktop-based with limited cloud/mobile options
Best For
Professional irrigation designers and contractors managing complex projects who need precise hydraulic modeling and estimating.
Pricing
Perpetual licenses start around $6,000 USD with annual maintenance (~20%); volume discounts and quotes available via irricad.com.
Land F/X
specializedProvides advanced irrigation design tools integrated with AutoCAD for hydraulic sizing, layouts, and accurate quantity estimating.
Real-time hydraulic engine that automatically sizes pipes, calculates flows, and balances systems directly within the CAD drawing
Land F/X is a powerful CAD-based software suite tailored for landscape professionals, with advanced irrigation design and estimating tools that integrate seamlessly with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and BricsCAD. It automates the creation of irrigation layouts, performs real-time hydraulic calculations, sizes pipes and valves, and generates precise material takeoffs, cost estimates, and bid documents. The software features extensive manufacturer databases for nozzles, rotors, and piping, making it ideal for detailed project planning and quoting.
Pros
- Seamless CAD integration with automated hydraulic analysis and pipe sizing
- Comprehensive product databases from leading manufacturers for accurate estimating
- Generates professional takeoffs, proposals, and reports to streamline bidding
Cons
- Steep learning curve, especially for non-CAD users
- High subscription cost may deter small firms
- Limited standalone functionality without host CAD software
Best For
Landscape architects and irrigation designers working in CAD environments who require precise, automated design-to-estimate workflows.
Pricing
Annual subscription starting at approximately $2,000 per user, with network licensing options for teams.
RainCAD
specializedOffers CAD-based irrigation design software for creating detailed plans, sections, and material lists for cost estimation.
Seamless integration of CAD design with one-click hydraulic calculations and automated cost estimating
RainCAD is an AutoCAD-based software specialized for irrigation system design and estimating, enabling users to create detailed layouts with manufacturer-specific product libraries. It automates hydraulic calculations, pipe sizing, material takeoffs, and cost estimates directly from CAD drawings. The tool generates professional bid reports, proposals, and BOMs, streamlining the process from design to quoting for irrigation professionals.
Pros
- Extensive customizable libraries of irrigation products from major manufacturers
- Accurate automatic hydraulic analysis and material estimating from designs
- Generates detailed, professional bid documents and reports
Cons
- Requires separate AutoCAD license and familiarity with CAD workflows
- Steep learning curve for non-CAD users
- Higher upfront cost without subscription model flexibility
Best For
Experienced irrigation designers and estimators in firms relying on AutoCAD for precise, design-integrated bidding.
Pricing
Perpetual license ~$2,500 plus optional annual maintenance (~$500); requires AutoCAD subscription (~$1,800/year).
LMN
enterpriseStreamlines irrigation project estimating with customizable templates, labor costing, and integration for landscape contractors.
Pre-built irrigation assemblies with automated zone calculations and hydraulic adjustments for faster, error-free bid generation
LMN (golmn.com) is a comprehensive business management platform tailored for landscape contractors, with specialized irrigation estimating tools that enable rapid creation of detailed bids using pre-built assemblies and digital takeoffs. It supports PDF and CAD imports for accurate quantity takeoffs, automatic pricing from a dynamic database, and labor/material forecasting specific to irrigation systems like zones, heads, and piping. Beyond estimating, it integrates CRM, scheduling, and financial tracking to streamline full project lifecycles for irrigation jobs.
Pros
- Extensive library of irrigation assemblies and templates for quick, accurate estimating
- Dynamic pricing database with real-time material cost updates
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks, payroll, and mobile apps for field use
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to feature-rich interface
- Higher pricing may not suit very small operations
- Lacks advanced 3D hydraulic modeling found in niche irrigation design tools
Best For
Mid-sized landscape firms with irrigation divisions needing an all-in-one platform for estimating, job management, and growth planning.
Pricing
Starts at $197/month for Essentials (basic estimating and time tracking), $347/month for Growth (full CRM and scheduling), up to $447/month for Pro; custom enterprise plans available.
Aspire
enterpriseEnables precise irrigation estimating through job costing, scheduling, and real-time financial tracking for landscape businesses.
Dynamic estimating linked directly to real-time job tracking and crew dispatch via mobile app
Aspire is an all-in-one business management software tailored for landscaping and irrigation contractors, offering advanced estimating tools for creating precise bids on irrigation projects including pipe sizing, head placement, and material takeoffs. It combines estimating with job scheduling, crew management, invoicing, and CRM to streamline operations from bid to payment. While versatile for the green industry, its irrigation estimating capabilities leverage customizable assemblies and integrations for accurate cost projections.
Pros
- Robust estimating with irrigation-specific assemblies and takeoff tools
- Seamless integration with scheduling and mobile crew apps
- QuickBooks and payment gateway integrations for efficient workflows
Cons
- Not exclusively focused on irrigation, lacking advanced hydraulic design simulations
- Steep learning curve for full feature set
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced reporting and multi-user access
Best For
Mid-sized landscaping firms handling irrigation alongside other services that need integrated estimating and operations management.
Pricing
Starts at $97/month for basic solo plans, scaling to $197+/month for teams with full features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Arborgold
enterpriseSupports irrigation estimating with CRM-integrated quoting, inventory management, and job profitability analysis.
Drag-and-drop estimating wizard with real-time inventory syncing and automated pricing updates
Arborgold is a comprehensive business management platform designed for tree care, landscaping, and lawn maintenance companies, featuring robust estimating tools adaptable for irrigation projects. It allows users to create detailed quotes with material takeoffs, labor calculations, equipment costs, and customizable pricing markups. The software integrates estimating with CRM, scheduling, invoicing, and routing for end-to-end workflow management.
Pros
- Versatile estimating module with customizable templates for irrigation takeoffs
- Seamless integration with full business tools like scheduling and invoicing
- Mobile app supports on-site estimating and job management
Cons
- Lacks irrigation-specific design tools or hydraulics calculations
- Steep learning curve due to extensive feature set
- Pricing can be high for small firms focused only on estimating
Best For
Mid-sized landscaping businesses needing integrated estimating for irrigation alongside broader operations.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing; typically starts at $129/month for basic access, scales to $300+/month based on users, modules, and company size.
ServiceTitan
enterpriseDelivers enterprise-level job costing and estimating for irrigation services with mobile dispatching and reporting.
Dynamic pricebooks with flat-rate pricing and automatic upsell recommendations tied to job estimates
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive field service management platform designed for home service businesses, including irrigation contractors, offering on-the-go estimating via mobile apps and customizable pricebooks. It streamlines quoting, job costing, and invoicing but focuses more on general service operations than specialized irrigation design or material takeoffs. While robust for overall business management, its estimating tools lack advanced features like hydraulic calculations or CAD integration specific to irrigation systems.
Pros
- All-in-one platform integrating estimating with scheduling, dispatching, and accounting
- Mobile-first estimating with real-time pricebook access for field techs
- Strong analytics for job profitability tracking
Cons
- No specialized irrigation tools like pipe sizing, zone calculations, or design integration
- High cost makes it less ideal for estimating-only needs
- Overly complex for small irrigation firms focused solely on takeoffs
Best For
Mid-sized irrigation service companies needing full business operations management alongside basic mobile estimating.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $200-400 per user/month with minimums and add-ons.
Jobber
otherFacilitates quick irrigation quotes and estimates for field service pros with invoicing and client management tools.
Customizable quote builder with real-time client approval and automated follow-ups
Jobber is a versatile field service management platform designed for landscaping and irrigation businesses, offering tools for creating estimates, scheduling jobs, invoicing, and managing client relationships. While it supports basic irrigation estimating through customizable quote templates with line items for materials, labor, and equipment, it lacks specialized features like hydraulic calculations or irrigation design integration. It's best suited as an all-in-one operations tool rather than a dedicated estimating solution.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-site estimating
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for cost tracking
- Client portal for quote approvals and payments
Cons
- No irrigation-specific tools like CAD design or pipe sizing calculators
- Limited advanced reporting for detailed material takeoffs
- Higher pricing tiers required for full features
Best For
Small to mid-sized irrigation service companies needing general business management alongside basic estimating.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Core plan) up to $349+/month (Connect plan); annual discounts available, with per-user scaling.
EPANET
specializedSimulates hydraulic behavior in irrigation pipe networks to support design validation and sizing estimates.
Extended-period simulation that models time-varying demands and dynamic pressures in irrigation systems over 24+ hours.
EPANET is a public domain software from the U.S. EPA designed for modeling hydraulic and water quality behavior in pressurized pipe networks, such as water distribution systems. While not specifically built for irrigation estimating, it can simulate pipe flows, pressures, and pump requirements in irrigation networks, aiding in sizing and design once water demands are known. However, it lacks integrated tools for crop evapotranspiration, soil moisture, or irrigation scheduling, making it more suited for hydraulic analysis than comprehensive irrigation estimation.
Pros
- Completely free and public domain with no licensing costs
- Powerful hydraulic modeling for pipe networks, pumps, and pressures
- Supports complex extended-period simulations for dynamic irrigation scenarios
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring hydraulics expertise
- No built-in irrigation-specific tools like ET calculations or crop demand estimation
- Outdated interface and limited user-friendliness for non-engineers
Best For
Civil engineers or hydraulic specialists designing large-scale irrigation pipe networks who need precise flow and pressure simulations.
Pricing
Free (public domain software from EPA).
HydroCAD
specializedPerforms hydrologic modeling for irrigation and stormwater systems to aid in preliminary sizing and cost planning.
Comprehensive hydrograph routing for complex flow networks, adaptable but not optimized for irrigation systems
HydroCAD is a stormwater modeling software designed for hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, including rainfall-runoff simulations, detention pond design, and culvert sizing. It is not built for irrigation estimating, lacking tools for sprinkler layout, drip system design, water demand calculations, or material cost takeoffs typical in irrigation software. While it can perform some basic hydraulic computations that might indirectly relate to irrigation hydraulics, it requires significant customization and is ill-suited for irrigation professionals seeking estimation capabilities.
Pros
- Powerful hydrologic modeling engine for accurate flow calculations
- Graphical interface with CAD integration for site visualization
- Free basic version available for simple projects
Cons
- No dedicated irrigation estimating or design tools
- Steep learning curve for non-engineers
- High cost for full features irrelevant to irrigation workflows
Best For
Civil engineers needing stormwater analysis who might repurpose basic hydraulics for irrigation-related runoff modeling.
Pricing
Free Basic edition; Silver ($995 one-time), Gold ($2,495 one-time), Platinum ($3,995 one-time) with annual maintenance.
Conclusion
Evaluating the landscape of irrigation estimating software reveals IRRICAD as the top choice, leading in integrated design, hydraulic analysis, and cost calculation. Land F/X and RainCAD follow closely, offering standout strengths like AutoCAD integration and detailed plan creation, each suiting different user needs. These tools collectively demonstrate how innovation streamlines project planning for irrigation professionals.
Explore IRRICAD today to unlock efficient, accurate, and comprehensive irrigation estimating—optimize your workflow and take your projects to the next level.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
