Quick Overview
- 1#1: PaintScout - Provides fast, accurate paint quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, and professional bid proposals specifically for painting contractors.
- 2#2: Painting Sessions - Delivers tailored estimating, scheduling, and invoicing software designed exclusively for painting business operations and bidding.
- 3#3: SuccessWare - Offers CRM-integrated estimating and job management tools optimized for commercial and residential painting contractors.
- 4#4: Jobber - Enables painting service pros to create customized quotes, track jobs, and handle payments efficiently.
- 5#5: Housecall Pro - Streamlines quoting, dispatching, and invoicing for home service businesses including painters.
- 6#6: Leap - Automates sales, estimating, and project management for home improvement contractors like painters.
- 7#7: ServiceTitan - Powers enterprise field service management with advanced estimating capabilities for scaling painting operations.
- 8#8: Xactimate - Delivers precise line-item estimating for restoration projects, including detailed painting costs and materials.
- 9#9: PlanSwift - Automates digital takeoffs and cost estimating from blueprints, suitable for paint quantity and bidding calculations.
- 10#10: Bluebeam Revu - Facilitates PDF markups, measurements, and takeoffs for accurate construction estimating including painting projects.
We evaluated tools on targeted painting functionality, accuracy, ease of use, and value, prioritizing solutions that integrate seamlessly with daily operations for both residential and commercial contractors.
Comparison Table
When it comes to streamlining paint bidding processes, choosing the right software can make a significant difference; our comparison table outlines key tools, including PaintScout, Painting Sessions, SuccessWare, Jobber, Housecall Pro, and more, to help you identify the best fit for your business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PaintScout Provides fast, accurate paint quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, and professional bid proposals specifically for painting contractors. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Painting Sessions Delivers tailored estimating, scheduling, and invoicing software designed exclusively for painting business operations and bidding. | specialized | 4.2/10 | 3.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 3.8/10 |
| 3 | SuccessWare Offers CRM-integrated estimating and job management tools optimized for commercial and residential painting contractors. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Jobber Enables painting service pros to create customized quotes, track jobs, and handle payments efficiently. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Housecall Pro Streamlines quoting, dispatching, and invoicing for home service businesses including painters. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Leap Automates sales, estimating, and project management for home improvement contractors like painters. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | ServiceTitan Powers enterprise field service management with advanced estimating capabilities for scaling painting operations. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 6.7/10 |
| 8 | Xactimate Delivers precise line-item estimating for restoration projects, including detailed painting costs and materials. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.1/10 | 7.3/10 |
| 9 | PlanSwift Automates digital takeoffs and cost estimating from blueprints, suitable for paint quantity and bidding calculations. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | Bluebeam Revu Facilitates PDF markups, measurements, and takeoffs for accurate construction estimating including painting projects. | other | 7.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.3/10 | 6.5/10 |
Provides fast, accurate paint quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, and professional bid proposals specifically for painting contractors.
Delivers tailored estimating, scheduling, and invoicing software designed exclusively for painting business operations and bidding.
Offers CRM-integrated estimating and job management tools optimized for commercial and residential painting contractors.
Enables painting service pros to create customized quotes, track jobs, and handle payments efficiently.
Streamlines quoting, dispatching, and invoicing for home service businesses including painters.
Automates sales, estimating, and project management for home improvement contractors like painters.
Powers enterprise field service management with advanced estimating capabilities for scaling painting operations.
Delivers precise line-item estimating for restoration projects, including detailed painting costs and materials.
Automates digital takeoffs and cost estimating from blueprints, suitable for paint quantity and bidding calculations.
Facilitates PDF markups, measurements, and takeoffs for accurate construction estimating including painting projects.
PaintScout
specializedProvides fast, accurate paint quantity takeoffs, cost estimating, and professional bid proposals specifically for painting contractors.
Dynamic paint-specific calculator that auto-computes materials based on square footage, surface types, and real-world waste factors
PaintScout is a specialized bidding and proposal software designed exclusively for painting contractors, enabling rapid creation of professional estimates with precise material takeoffs and labor calculations. It streamlines the sales process by offering customizable templates, CRM tools for lead management, and seamless integration with QuickBooks for invoicing. Users can generate mobile-friendly proposals that clients can approve digitally, significantly reducing bid turnaround times and improving win rates.
Pros
- Tailor-made paint calculators for accurate coverage, coats, and waste estimates
- Stunning, branded proposals that impress clients and boost conversions
- Robust mobile app for on-site estimating and job tracking
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small operations
- Limited third-party integrations beyond QuickBooks
- Initial setup and template customization requires some learning
Best For
Mid-sized painting contractors seeking to professionalize bids, win more jobs, and scale operations efficiently.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Basic), $99/month (Pro), $199/month (Enterprise); annual discounts available.
Painting Sessions
specializedDelivers tailored estimating, scheduling, and invoicing software designed exclusively for painting business operations and bidding.
Interactive virtual painting sessions for client engagement during estimates
Painting Sessions is a niche software platform primarily designed for booking and managing interactive painting workshops and social art events, but positioned here as a paint bidding solution for contractors. It enables users to schedule virtual or in-person 'painting sessions' for client demos, estimates, and collaborative project visualization. However, it lacks core bidding functionalities like automated cost calculations, bid templates, or CRM integrations specific to painting contractor workflows.
Pros
- User-friendly booking interface for scheduling sessions
- Supports virtual sessions for remote client interactions
- Engaging visual tools for creative project previews
Cons
- No dedicated bidding, estimating, or quoting tools for painting jobs
- Not built for contractors; focused on art classes and events
- Lacks industry-specific features like material takeoffs or subcontractor management
Best For
Art instructors or small creative teams needing session booking, not professional paint contractors requiring true bidding software.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for basic plans; event-focused tiers up to $99/month with add-ons for virtual hosting.
SuccessWare
specializedOffers CRM-integrated estimating and job management tools optimized for commercial and residential painting contractors.
Room-by-room paint estimating engine that automatically computes precise quantities, waste factors, and costs based on real-world coverage rates
SuccessWare is a comprehensive business management platform tailored for painting contractors, offering specialized tools for estimating, bidding, scheduling, and job tracking. Its paint bidding software excels in calculating material quantities, labor costs, and room-specific estimates with industry-standard formulas for coverage and prep work. Beyond bidding, it integrates CRM, invoicing, and mobile access to streamline the entire painting business workflow from lead to completion.
Pros
- Highly accurate paint-specific estimating with auto-calculations for rooms, surfaces, and materials
- All-in-one platform combining bidding, CRM, scheduling, and invoicing for painting businesses
- Mobile app enables field teams to access bids, update jobs, and capture signatures on-site
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for small operations without scaling discounts
- Limited integrations with non-construction-specific tools like advanced marketing software
Best For
Mid-sized painting contractors seeking a robust, industry-tailored solution for professional bidding and full business management.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $149/user/month for Essentials plan, up to $299+/user/month for Pro/Enterprise with custom quotes.
Jobber
otherEnables painting service pros to create customized quotes, track jobs, and handle payments efficiently.
ClientHub portal allowing customers to view, approve, and pay bids self-service without phone calls
Jobber is an all-in-one field service management software designed for home service businesses, including painting contractors, to handle quoting, scheduling, invoicing, and client communication. For paint bidding, it offers a customizable quote builder where users can add line items for labor, materials, paint quantities, and photos, with options for digital signatures and client approvals. While versatile, it integrates these bidding tools with broader operations like GPS routing and payments, but lacks specialized paint industry calculators for coverage or color matching.
Pros
- User-friendly drag-and-drop quote builder for quick, professional bids
- Strong mobile app for on-site estimate creation and client sign-off
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks and payment processors
Cons
- No built-in paint-specific tools like square footage calculators or coverage estimators
- Pricing is per-user and can add up for larger teams
- Advanced automation features locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized painting contractors who need an intuitive platform for creating bids alongside scheduling and invoicing in one app.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Solo plan, 1 user), Core at $139/month (up to 7 users), Connect at $279/month (up to 30 users); annual billing saves 20%.
Housecall Pro
otherStreamlines quoting, dispatching, and invoicing for home service businesses including painters.
Real-time customer booking portal that allows clients to view, approve, and pay for paint bids instantly from their phone
Housecall Pro is an all-in-one field service management platform designed for home service pros, including painters, offering tools for creating estimates, scheduling jobs, and managing payments. For paint bidding, it provides customizable quote templates, line-item pricing, photo attachments, and digital delivery with e-signatures, streamlining the bidding process. While versatile for overall business operations, its estimating features are general-purpose rather than specialized for paint-specific calculations like material takeoffs or coverage rates.
Pros
- User-friendly mobile app for on-site bidding and job management
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks and payment processors
- Customizable templates speed up quote creation for repeat paint jobs
Cons
- Lacks advanced paint-specific tools like automated square footage calculators or paint quantity estimators
- Pricing can add up for teams with multiple users
- Overkill for painters focused solely on bidding without needing full CRM features
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting contractors seeking an integrated platform for bidding alongside scheduling, invoicing, and customer management.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month for Basic (1 user), $129 for Essentials, $229 for Max; custom enterprise pricing available.
Leap
otherAutomates sales, estimating, and project management for home improvement contractors like painters.
Leap Estimator app, which allows creating and sending professional paint bids in under 5 minutes directly from the job site
Leap is an all-in-one CRM and operations platform tailored for home service contractors, including painters, that excels in streamlining the bidding process through its mobile Estimator app. It enables on-site bid creation with photo uploads, measurements, templates, and instant pricing calculations to generate professional proposals quickly. Beyond bidding, it integrates scheduling, invoicing, payments, and customer management to support end-to-end operations.
Pros
- Mobile-first Estimator app for rapid on-site bidding and photo-based measurements
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks and other tools for smooth workflows
- Strong focus on sales conversion with instant scheduling from bids
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for solo painters or small teams
- Bidding templates lack deep customization for specialized paint jobs
- Full functionality requires reliable internet, limiting offline use
Best For
Growing painting contractors who need an integrated platform for bidding, sales, and operations beyond just estimates.
Pricing
Starts at $199/month for Pro plan (1 user), scales to $499+/month for teams with advanced features; custom enterprise pricing available.
ServiceTitan
enterprisePowers enterprise field service management with advanced estimating capabilities for scaling painting operations.
Real-time job costing that dynamically updates bids based on actual labor and materials used
ServiceTitan is a comprehensive field service management platform tailored for home service businesses, including painting contractors, offering robust estimating and quoting tools for creating detailed paint bids. It enables mobile-based job estimates with customizable pricebooks, material and labor calculations, and seamless conversion to jobs with scheduling and invoicing. While versatile for full operations, its paint bidding features are part of a broader ecosystem rather than a specialized standalone solution.
Pros
- Powerful mobile estimating for on-site paint bids
- Integrated scheduling and job costing for accurate bidding
- Advanced reporting and analytics for bid performance
Cons
- High cost not ideal for small painting operations
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Less specialized for painting compared to niche tools
Best For
Mid-to-large painting companies requiring end-to-end field service management alongside bidding.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $265+ per technician/month with minimums and add-ons.
Xactimate
specializedDelivers precise line-item estimating for restoration projects, including detailed painting costs and materials.
Vast, insurance-vetted line-item library with automated paint quantity calculators and regional pricing
Xactimate is a robust construction estimating software widely used in insurance restoration and contracting, offering detailed line-item bidding capabilities tailored for painting projects through its extensive database of paint products, labor rates, and materials. It enables precise quantity takeoffs, area calculations via integrated sketching tools, and professional report generation compliant with insurance standards. While powerful for complex bids, it's adaptable for painting contractors needing accurate, regionally adjusted pricing.
Pros
- Comprehensive, regularly updated price database with paint-specific line items and regional adjustments
- Advanced tools like Sketch for accurate area measurements and photo documentation
- Seamless integration with insurance platforms for faster claim approvals
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring significant training for new users
- High subscription costs that may not suit small-scale painting operations
- Overly complex interface for straightforward paint bidding tasks
Best For
Larger painting contractors or restoration firms handling insurance claims and complex commercial projects.
Pricing
Subscription-based; X1 Online starts at ~$289/month, with desktop licenses and premium tiers up to $500+/month including training.
PlanSwift
enterpriseAutomates digital takeoffs and cost estimating from blueprints, suitable for paint quantity and bidding calculations.
Drag-and-drop assemblies that allow instant application of pre-configured paint formulas across entire plans
PlanSwift is a digital takeoff and estimating software primarily for construction trades, enabling paint contractors to measure areas, lengths, and counts directly from PDFs, CAD files, or scanned plans. It supports customizable assemblies for calculating paint quantities, labor, and costs based on coverage rates and material databases. Users can generate detailed bids and reports, integrating with accounting tools like QuickBooks for streamlined workflows.
Pros
- Highly accurate digital takeoffs with point-and-click measuring
- Flexible assemblies for paint-specific calculations like sq ft coverage and multi-coat jobs
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks and Excel for bid export
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to complex interface
- Lacks paint industry-specific tools like color databases or scheduling
- Expensive upfront and ongoing costs for small operations
Best For
Mid-sized painting contractors who handle large blueprints and need precise quantity takeoffs for competitive bidding.
Pricing
Perpetual license starts at $1,749 per user plus 20% annual maintenance; subscription plans from $135/month.
Bluebeam Revu
otherFacilitates PDF markups, measurements, and takeoffs for accurate construction estimating including painting projects.
Dynamic measurement tools with automatic scaling, area fill, and quantity tracking for precise paint quantity estimation from plans
Bluebeam Revu is a robust PDF editor and markup tool tailored for the AEC industry, providing precise digital takeoff and measurement capabilities that support paint bidding by enabling accurate area and linear measurements from blueprints. Contractors can create custom markups, generate quantity reports, and export data for cost estimation, making it a versatile tool for plan-based bidding workflows. While not a dedicated paint bidding platform, its construction-focused features bridge the gap for users handling digital plans.
Pros
- Highly accurate digital measurement and takeoff tools for surface areas and perimeters
- Customizable legends and automated quantity reporting for efficient bid preparation
- Seamless integration with other construction management software
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users
- No built-in paint cost databases or automated bid generation
- Relatively high cost without specialized painting features
Best For
Paint contractors in the construction industry who primarily work with PDF blueprints and need advanced takeoff tools integrated into an existing workflow.
Pricing
Subscription-based: Basics ($239/user/year), Core ($349/user/year), Complete ($449/user/year); volume discounts available.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools provide robust solutions for paint contracting, each with distinct strengths to streamline estimating and bidding. At the top, PaintScout leads with fast, accurate quantity takeoffs and tailored bid proposals, making it the ideal choice for painters. Painting Sessions and SuccessWare follow as strong alternatives—Sessions for specialized operational tools, and SuccessWare for CRM-integrated management, ensuring there’s a fit for various contractor needs.
Begin your journey to more efficient bidding by trying PaintScout, the top-ranked tool engineered to simplify and strengthen your contracting workflow.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
