Quick Overview
- 1#1: PaintScout - Specialized estimating, proposal, and project management software designed exclusively for painting contractors.
- 2#2: Jobber - All-in-one field service management platform for scheduling, invoicing, and CRM tailored to painting businesses.
- 3#3: Housecall Pro - Comprehensive business management tool for painters handling quoting, dispatching, payments, and customer communication.
- 4#4: ServiceTitan - Enterprise-level platform for scaling painting operations with advanced dispatching, reporting, and marketing automation.
- 5#5: JobNimbus - CRM and project management software optimized for painting and roofing contractors to streamline workflows.
- 6#6: Estimator360 - AI-powered takeoff and estimating software specifically built for accurate painting job bids.
- 7#7: QuickBooks - Industry-leading accounting software for tracking expenses, invoicing, and financial reporting in painting companies.
- 8#8: CompanyCam - Photo documentation and sharing app that helps painters capture before/after images and collaborate on jobs.
- 9#9: Buildertrend - Construction management software for coordinating painting projects, schedules, and client updates.
- 10#10: Procore - Cloud-based construction platform supporting document management, budgeting, and RFIs for painting subcontractors.
Tools were chosen based on industry-specific functionality (estimating, scheduling, CRM), ease of use, reliability, and value, with ranking considering how well they address unique painting demands like takeoff accuracy, photo documentation, and integration with core operations.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores key features, pricing structures, and usability of leading painting company software, including PaintScout, Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, and JobNimbus. Readers will gain insights into how each tool streamlines estimating, scheduling, and invoicing, helping them identify the best fit for their business operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PaintScout Specialized estimating, proposal, and project management software designed exclusively for painting contractors. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Jobber All-in-one field service management platform for scheduling, invoicing, and CRM tailored to painting businesses. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Housecall Pro Comprehensive business management tool for painters handling quoting, dispatching, payments, and customer communication. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | ServiceTitan Enterprise-level platform for scaling painting operations with advanced dispatching, reporting, and marketing automation. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 5 | JobNimbus CRM and project management software optimized for painting and roofing contractors to streamline workflows. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Estimator360 AI-powered takeoff and estimating software specifically built for accurate painting job bids. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 7 | QuickBooks Industry-leading accounting software for tracking expenses, invoicing, and financial reporting in painting companies. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | CompanyCam Photo documentation and sharing app that helps painters capture before/after images and collaborate on jobs. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | Buildertrend Construction management software for coordinating painting projects, schedules, and client updates. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 10 | Procore Cloud-based construction platform supporting document management, budgeting, and RFIs for painting subcontractors. | enterprise | 6.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
Specialized estimating, proposal, and project management software designed exclusively for painting contractors.
All-in-one field service management platform for scheduling, invoicing, and CRM tailored to painting businesses.
Comprehensive business management tool for painters handling quoting, dispatching, payments, and customer communication.
Enterprise-level platform for scaling painting operations with advanced dispatching, reporting, and marketing automation.
CRM and project management software optimized for painting and roofing contractors to streamline workflows.
AI-powered takeoff and estimating software specifically built for accurate painting job bids.
Industry-leading accounting software for tracking expenses, invoicing, and financial reporting in painting companies.
Photo documentation and sharing app that helps painters capture before/after images and collaborate on jobs.
Construction management software for coordinating painting projects, schedules, and client updates.
Cloud-based construction platform supporting document management, budgeting, and RFIs for painting subcontractors.
PaintScout
specializedSpecialized estimating, proposal, and project management software designed exclusively for painting contractors.
The intelligent paint calculator and dynamic proposal builder that generates professional, branded estimates with real-time material/labor calculations and client e-signatures.
PaintScout is an all-in-one software platform tailored exclusively for painting contractors, enabling seamless creation of professional proposals, accurate paint takeoffs, project scheduling, and invoicing. It features a drag-and-drop proposal builder with built-in calculators for paint, labor, and materials, plus CRM tools to manage leads and clients. The mobile-responsive proposals allow clients to review, sign, and pay instantly, streamlining the sales process from estimate to completion.
Pros
- Specialized paint takeoff and calculator tools for precise, industry-specific estimates
- Stunning, customizable proposals that boost close rates with e-signatures and payments
- Integrated scheduling, CRM, and QuickBooks sync for end-to-end workflow efficiency
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit solo painters on tight budgets
- Fewer third-party integrations than broader contractor software
- Initial setup requires time to customize templates fully
Best For
Painting contractors and companies of any size looking for a specialized, user-friendly platform to handle estimates, projects, and client management in one place.
Pricing
Starts at $97/month (Solo plan for individuals), $197/month (Pro for teams), with custom Enterprise pricing.
Jobber
specializedAll-in-one field service management platform for scheduling, invoicing, and CRM tailored to painting businesses.
ClientHub portal for self-service quote requests, invoice viewing, and online payments
Jobber is a robust field service management platform tailored for home service businesses like painting companies, offering tools for scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and client management. It enables efficient job dispatching, crew tracking via GPS, and seamless payment processing, all accessible through a user-friendly web and mobile app. The software integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting tools, helping painting contractors streamline operations from estimate to completion.
Pros
- Intuitive scheduling and real-time GPS tracking for crews
- Automated quoting and invoicing with QuickBooks integration
- Strong mobile app for field updates and client communication
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Limited painting-specific tools like material calculators
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting companies with multiple crews seeking an all-in-one solution for job management and client relations.
Pricing
Lite plan starts at $69/month (billed annually for solo users), Core at $169/month, Grow at $349/month, and Plus at $599+/month; free trial available.
Housecall Pro
specializedComprehensive business management tool for painters handling quoting, dispatching, payments, and customer communication.
Automated marketing automation with review requests and email campaigns to help painting businesses generate leads and repeat jobs effortlessly
Housecall Pro is an all-in-one field service management platform tailored for home service businesses, including painting companies, offering tools for scheduling, dispatching, quoting, invoicing, and payments. It enables painting contractors to manage jobs from lead capture through completion with features like customizable estimate templates, crew tracking via mobile app, and QuickBooks integration. The software also includes customer portals for online booking and payments, helping streamline operations and improve cash flow for painting services.
Pros
- Comprehensive scheduling and real-time dispatching with GPS tracking
- Strong mobile app for on-site job management and photo uploads
- Integrated invoicing, payments, and accounting sync for quick painter payouts
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly for multi-user painting teams
- Learning curve for advanced customization like paint-specific templates
- Limited built-in estimating tools tailored exclusively to painting jobs
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting companies needing an all-in-one solution for job management, customer communication, and growth tools.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month (Essential, 1 user, billed annually) up to $229/month (Max plan); enterprise custom pricing.
ServiceTitan
enterpriseEnterprise-level platform for scaling painting operations with advanced dispatching, reporting, and marketing automation.
The Smart Dispatch board that uses AI-driven optimization for real-time technician assignment and route planning
ServiceTitan is a robust field service management platform tailored for home service businesses, including painting companies, offering end-to-end tools for scheduling, dispatching, estimating, invoicing, and customer relationship management. It enables painting contractors to manage jobs from lead generation to final payment with real-time visibility into operations via a powerful mobile app for technicians. The software excels in scaling operations for growing teams, providing analytics on job profitability and performance metrics specific to service-based trades.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform covering scheduling, CRM, and financials
- Advanced dispatching board with GPS tracking and route optimization
- Strong reporting tools for job costing and profitability analysis
Cons
- High cost makes it less accessible for small painting businesses
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Overkill for simple painting operations without heavy dispatching needs
Best For
Mid-sized painting companies with multiple crews needing scalable, enterprise-grade job management and analytics.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $265+ per technician per month plus setup fees, with no public tiers.
JobNimbus
specializedCRM and project management software optimized for painting and roofing contractors to streamline workflows.
Drag-and-drop job boards with customizable workflows for visual pipeline management
JobNimbus is an all-in-one CRM and project management platform tailored for contractors, including painting companies, to streamline operations from lead capture to invoicing. It offers tools for job scheduling, task assignment, time tracking, and customer communication via a user-friendly mobile app. The software excels in workflow automation and integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks, making it suitable for managing painting projects efficiently.
Pros
- Robust CRM for lead management and customer follow-ups
- Intuitive job boards and scheduling for crew coordination
- Strong mobile app and QuickBooks integration for field-to-office workflow
Cons
- Limited painting-specific tools like automated paint calculators or color matching
- Advanced customization requires time to set up
- Pricing scales quickly for teams with many users
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting companies needing customizable CRM and job tracking without overly complex industry-specific features.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month for Launch plan (1 user), $149/month for Grow (up to 5 users), and $349+/month for Pro/Enterprise; additional users $25-$59 each.
Estimator360
specializedAI-powered takeoff and estimating software specifically built for accurate painting job bids.
The comprehensive painting-specific calculator that auto-populates costs for walls, ceilings, trim, and surfaces from supplier databases.
Estimator360 is a cloud-based estimating and takeoff software designed specifically for painting contractors, enabling digital plan takeoffs from PDFs and accurate bid generation using a vast database of painting materials and labor rates. It streamlines the process from estimate to job completion with features like project management, scheduling, and mobile field access. The platform integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks for invoicing and accounting, making it a focused solution for painting businesses.
Pros
- Specialized painting database with accurate material and labor calculations
- Fast digital takeoff tools and mobile app for field use
- Strong QuickBooks integration for seamless accounting
Cons
- Higher pricing for advanced plans may deter small operations
- Moderate learning curve for complex takeoffs
- Limited third-party integrations beyond accounting software
Best For
Mid-sized painting companies needing precise, industry-specific estimating and takeoff without general construction software bloat.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for Starter plan (basic estimating), $199/month for Pro (full features and support), with Enterprise custom pricing.
QuickBooks
enterpriseIndustry-leading accounting software for tracking expenses, invoicing, and financial reporting in painting companies.
Job costing and project profitability reports that break down costs by painting job for accurate bidding and margins
QuickBooks is a versatile cloud-based accounting software from Intuit that helps painting companies manage invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting essential for contractor businesses. It includes project tracking and job costing in higher-tier plans like Plus and Advanced, making it suitable for monitoring painting job profitability. While it excels in financial management, it relies on third-party integrations from its extensive app marketplace for specialized features like estimating, scheduling, and crew management.
Pros
- Comprehensive accounting tools including automated invoicing, bank reconciliation, and payroll integration
- Project profitability tracking and job costing in mid-to-high tiers
- Vast ecosystem of integrations with painting apps like Jobber or Housecall Pro for estimating and scheduling
Cons
- No native tools for job estimating, material takeoff, or field scheduling without add-ons
- Pricing escalates quickly with advanced features and required integrations
- Steeper learning curve for contractors new to accounting software
Best For
Painting companies prioritizing robust financial management and profitability tracking while integrating separate tools for operational tasks like bidding and dispatching.
Pricing
QuickBooks Online starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced); contractor job costing requires Plus ($90/month) or higher, plus add-on fees.
CompanyCam
specializedPhoto documentation and sharing app that helps painters capture before/after images and collaborate on jobs.
Automatic geotagging, timestamping, and AI-powered photo organization for effortless before/after job albums
CompanyCam is a mobile photo documentation platform tailored for contractors, enabling teams to capture, automatically geotag, timestamp, and organize job site photos in real-time. For painting companies, it excels at creating before-and-after albums, annotating images with notes or drawings, and sharing visual progress updates with clients or internal teams. It integrates with popular contractor tools like QuickBooks and Jobber, streamlining documentation without replacing full business management software.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick photo capture and organization
- Real-time sharing and collaboration features boost team efficiency
- Strong integrations with CRM and accounting tools used by painters
Cons
- Lacks comprehensive painting-specific tools like estimating or scheduling
- Per-user pricing can become expensive for larger crews
- Limited advanced reporting beyond photo management
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting companies prioritizing visual job documentation and client communication over full-suite management.
Pricing
Free limited plan; Pro at $29/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Buildertrend
enterpriseConstruction management software for coordinating painting projects, schedules, and client updates.
Integrated client portal with 360° photo uploads and real-time messaging for transparent project updates
Buildertrend is an all-in-one construction management software designed for contractors, including painting companies, to streamline project workflows from estimating and scheduling to invoicing and client communication. It provides tools for job costing, time tracking, daily logs, and a client portal for real-time updates and approvals. While versatile for trade contractors, it excels in larger-scale projects rather than simple painting jobs.
Pros
- Comprehensive project management with scheduling, budgeting, and time tracking tailored for contractors
- Robust mobile app for on-site updates and photo documentation
- Strong client portal for seamless communication and change order approvals
Cons
- Steep learning curve and interface can overwhelm small painting crews
- Pricing is high and quote-based, less ideal for solo operators
- Lacks painting-specific tools like advanced color matching or paint inventory calculators
Best For
Mid-sized painting companies managing multiple residential or commercial projects that require detailed tracking and client involvement.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically starting at $300-$500/month for basic plans, scaling with users and features (no public tiers).
Procore
enterpriseCloud-based construction platform supporting document management, budgeting, and RFIs for painting subcontractors.
Unified Daily Logs and Photos for real-time field documentation of painting progress, punch lists, and quality issues
Procore is a comprehensive cloud-based construction management platform that supports painting companies in managing projects from bidding and estimating to field execution and financial closeout. It provides tools for scheduling, document control, daily logs, RFIs, submittals, and financial tracking, enabling collaboration between painters, general contractors, and owners. While versatile for construction subcontractors like painters, it lacks specialized features for paint inventory, color matching, or surface-specific estimating calculators.
Pros
- Robust project management and collaboration tools ideal for coordinating with GCs
- Strong mobile app for field updates like daily logs and photos of painting progress
- Excellent integrations with accounting and estimating software
Cons
- High cost makes it unsuitable for small painting contractors
- Steep learning curve and overkill for simple residential painting jobs
- No painting-specific tools like paint calculators or material takeoff for coatings
Best For
Mid-to-large painting companies acting as subcontractors on commercial construction projects requiring end-to-end management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $375-$625 per month per user or project, with annual contracts starting around $5,000+.
Conclusion
The top painting software tools provide tailored solutions, with PaintScout leading as the best choice—specializing in estimating, proposals, and project management for painting contractors. Jobber impresses as a versatile all-in-one field service tool, and Housecall Pro stands out for comprehensive management, including payments and customer communication, making them strong alternatives for diverse needs.
Take the first step toward smarter operations: try PaintScout, the top-ranked software built to simplify estimating, managing, and growing your painting business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison