Quick Overview
- 1#1: PaintScout - Specialized software for painting contractors that automates digital takeoffs, paint calculations, and professional proposals.
- 2#2: Stack - AI-powered takeoff and estimating tool tailored for painters with instant area calculations and cost breakdowns.
- 3#3: Jobber - All-in-one field service software enabling quick painting estimates, scheduling, and invoicing for small businesses.
- 4#4: Housecall Pro - Comprehensive management platform with mobile estimating, quoting, and payment tools for painting services.
- 5#5: ServiceTitan - Enterprise-grade software offering advanced estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for painting companies.
- 6#6: PlanSwift - Digital takeoff software that allows painters to measure plans quickly and generate accurate cost estimates.
- 7#7: Bluebeam Revu - PDF-based markup and measurement tool used by painters for precise takeoffs and collaborative estimating.
- 8#8: Buildertrend - Construction management software with estimating features for painting jobs including change orders and budgeting.
- 9#9: Procore - Cloud-based construction platform supporting painting estimates through bid management and quantity takeoffs.
- 10#10: Service Fusion - Field service app providing customizable estimating templates and job costing for painting contractors.
Tools were evaluated based on key metrics: feature depth (automation, cost breakdowns, proposal generation), usability (intuitive design, minimal learning curve), reliability (consistent performance, support), and scalability (alignment with small to enterprise needs).
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines top painting estimate software tools, such as PaintScout, Stack, Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, and others, highlighting key features, pricing, and usability to guide users in selecting the right solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PaintScout Specialized software for painting contractors that automates digital takeoffs, paint calculations, and professional proposals. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Stack AI-powered takeoff and estimating tool tailored for painters with instant area calculations and cost breakdowns. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Jobber All-in-one field service software enabling quick painting estimates, scheduling, and invoicing for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Housecall Pro Comprehensive management platform with mobile estimating, quoting, and payment tools for painting services. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | ServiceTitan Enterprise-grade software offering advanced estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for painting companies. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 6 | PlanSwift Digital takeoff software that allows painters to measure plans quickly and generate accurate cost estimates. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Bluebeam Revu PDF-based markup and measurement tool used by painters for precise takeoffs and collaborative estimating. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 8 | Buildertrend Construction management software with estimating features for painting jobs including change orders and budgeting. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 9 | Procore Cloud-based construction platform supporting painting estimates through bid management and quantity takeoffs. | enterprise | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.2/10 | 5.9/10 |
| 10 | Service Fusion Field service app providing customizable estimating templates and job costing for painting contractors. | specialized | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
Specialized software for painting contractors that automates digital takeoffs, paint calculations, and professional proposals.
AI-powered takeoff and estimating tool tailored for painters with instant area calculations and cost breakdowns.
All-in-one field service software enabling quick painting estimates, scheduling, and invoicing for small businesses.
Comprehensive management platform with mobile estimating, quoting, and payment tools for painting services.
Enterprise-grade software offering advanced estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for painting companies.
Digital takeoff software that allows painters to measure plans quickly and generate accurate cost estimates.
PDF-based markup and measurement tool used by painters for precise takeoffs and collaborative estimating.
Construction management software with estimating features for painting jobs including change orders and budgeting.
Cloud-based construction platform supporting painting estimates through bid management and quantity takeoffs.
Field service app providing customizable estimating templates and job costing for painting contractors.
PaintScout
specializedSpecialized software for painting contractors that automates digital takeoffs, paint calculations, and professional proposals.
Patented photo takeoff technology that allows measuring walls, doors, and surfaces directly from job-site photos for ultra-accurate estimates without blueprints.
PaintScout is a specialized estimating and proposal software designed exclusively for painting contractors, enabling fast and accurate job takeoffs directly from photos, PDFs, or sketches. It automates pricing calculations based on materials, labor, and overhead, while generating professional, branded proposals that can be sent via email or shared digitally. Beyond estimating, it offers job management tools like scheduling, invoicing, change orders, and client communication to streamline the entire painting project workflow.
Pros
- Tailored specifically for painting contractors with industry-specific tools like photo takeoffs and paint calculators
- Generates professional, interactive proposals that impress clients and boost close rates
- Comprehensive job management including scheduling, invoicing, and progress tracking in one platform
Cons
- Primarily focused on painting, limiting versatility for other trades
- Higher-tier plans required for teams and advanced features
- Initial learning curve for maximizing photo takeoff accuracy
Best For
Painting contractors and estimators seeking a all-in-one tool to create precise bids, win more jobs, and manage projects efficiently.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (billed annually) for Pro plan; scales to $99/user/month for teams with unlimited jobs and advanced features.
Stack
specializedAI-powered takeoff and estimating tool tailored for painters with instant area calculations and cost breakdowns.
Lightning-fast, AI-assisted PDF takeoffs that measure areas and perimeters 10x faster than traditional methods
Stack (stackct.com) is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating software tailored for construction trades, including painting contractors, enabling rapid digital measurements from PDF plans. It features customizable assemblies for painting-specific calculations like square footage, gallons needed, and labor hours, automating estimate generation. The platform supports real-time collaboration, bid management, and integrations with accounting tools, streamlining the entire preconstruction workflow for painting projects.
Pros
- Extremely fast PDF takeoffs with precise tools for walls, ceilings, and trim measurements
- Comprehensive painting assemblies and databases for accurate material/labor costing
- Seamless cloud collaboration for teams to review and revise estimates in real-time
Cons
- Initial learning curve for mastering advanced takeoff and assembly customization
- Higher pricing may deter solo painters or very small operations
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality for on-site use
Best For
Mid-to-large painting contractors and estimating teams managing complex commercial projects with frequent plan takeoffs and collaborative bidding.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $125/user/month for Pro plan, scaling to $295/user/month for Enterprise with advanced features; annual discounts available.
Jobber
specializedAll-in-one field service software enabling quick painting estimates, scheduling, and invoicing for small businesses.
Client Hub for sharing interactive quotes and enabling self-service approvals and payments
Jobber is an all-in-one field service management platform designed for home service businesses like painting contractors, offering robust quoting and estimating tools to generate professional estimates quickly. It supports customizable templates for painting jobs, including square footage calculations, material lists, and labor costs, with seamless integration into scheduling and invoicing workflows. While not exclusively painting-focused, its features enable efficient estimate creation on desktop or mobile, helping contractors win more jobs and manage operations end-to-end.
Pros
- Intuitive quote builder with painting-specific templates for fast estimates
- Strong mobile app for on-site measurements and quoting
- Integrated scheduling, invoicing, and QuickBooks sync streamline workflows
Cons
- Lacks advanced painting-specific tools like automated paint quantity calculators or 3D takeoffs
- Pricing scales quickly with users and features, less ideal for solo painters
- Customization for complex estimates requires setup time
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting contractors needing a full business management suite beyond just estimating.
Pricing
Lite ($69/mo), Core ($169/mo), Grow ($349/mo), Plus (custom); annual billing discounts available, minimum 1 user.
Housecall Pro
specializedComprehensive management platform with mobile estimating, quoting, and payment tools for painting services.
Seamless workflow from digital estimates to scheduled jobs and automated invoicing with real-time updates.
Housecall Pro is a comprehensive field service management platform designed for home service businesses, including painting contractors, offering tools for creating customizable estimates, scheduling jobs, dispatching technicians, and processing payments. It supports mobile estimating with photo attachments, line-item pricing for labor and materials, and quick conversion of estimates to invoices or jobs. While not exclusively tailored for painting, it enables efficient quoting for painting projects through templates and integrations, making it suitable for businesses needing end-to-end operations management.
Pros
- All-in-one solution combining estimating, scheduling, and invoicing
- Mobile app for on-site estimate creation and e-signatures
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks and payment processors
Cons
- Lacks painting-specific calculators for square footage or paint quantities
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for custom templates and automations
Best For
Small to mid-sized painting businesses seeking a full field service management platform beyond just estimating.
Pricing
Starts at $65/month (Basic, annual billing) for core features; Essentials at $129/month, Max at $229/month; custom Enterprise plans available.
ServiceTitan
enterpriseEnterprise-grade software offering advanced estimating, dispatching, and profitability tracking for painting companies.
Real-time profitability insights built into every estimate, showing margins instantly based on dynamic pricing and costs
ServiceTitan is an all-in-one field service management platform designed for home service businesses, including painting contractors, offering robust estimating tools for creating detailed, on-site quotes. It features customizable pricebooks, mobile estimating with photo integration, and real-time calculations for labor, materials, and markups specific to painting jobs. Beyond estimates, it streamlines job scheduling, invoicing, and customer CRM, making it a comprehensive solution for operational efficiency.
Pros
- Highly customizable pricebooks tailored for painting materials and labor
- Mobile app enables fast, accurate on-site estimates with photos and measurements
- Seamless integration with scheduling and invoicing for end-to-end workflow
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- High cost makes it less accessible for small painting operations
- Overkill for businesses focused solely on estimating without full operations needs
Best For
Mid-sized to large painting companies seeking an integrated platform for estimating, dispatching, and business management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $300-500 per user per month, with minimum user requirements and annual contracts.
PlanSwift
specializedDigital takeoff software that allows painters to measure plans quickly and generate accurate cost estimates.
Drag-and-drop assemblies that instantly apply painting formulas (e.g., sq ft coverage, coats) across entire plans with a single action
PlanSwift is a powerful digital takeoff and estimating software tailored for construction trades, including painting, enabling users to perform precise on-screen measurements from PDF plans and blueprints. It supports custom assemblies for painting tasks such as calculating square footage for walls, ceilings, trim, and doors, with automated labor and material cost computations. The tool excels in speeding up the estimating process and integrates seamlessly with accounting software like QuickBooks for streamlined workflows.
Pros
- Lightning-fast point-and-click takeoff for painting areas
- Highly customizable assemblies for paint-specific calculations
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks and Excel
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Windows-only compatibility limits accessibility
- Relatively high pricing for smaller painting operations
Best For
Mid-to-large painting contractors who frequently work from digital plans and need robust takeoff capabilities for complex projects.
Pricing
Subscription starts at around $1,745/year per user; legacy perpetual licenses available but require annual maintenance.
Bluebeam Revu
enterprisePDF-based markup and measurement tool used by painters for precise takeoffs and collaborative estimating.
Dynamic measurement summaries with custom formulas that auto-calculate paint coverage and quantities from scaled plan measurements
Bluebeam Revu is a robust PDF editing and markup software tailored for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, with strong takeoff and measurement capabilities from digital blueprints. For painting estimation, it enables precise area and linear measurements of walls, ceilings, and trim, allowing users to scale plans accurately and apply custom formulas for paint quantities. While not a dedicated estimating tool, it integrates well with spreadsheets for cost calculations and supports collaborative markups for team reviews.
Pros
- Exceptionally accurate digital takeoff tools for measuring painting surfaces from PDFs
- Customizable toolsets and formulas for paint quantity calculations
- Seamless collaboration via Bluebeam Studio cloud sharing
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Lacks built-in painting-specific templates, material databases, or automated proposals
- Relatively expensive for estimators not needing full AEC functionality
Best For
Painting contractors focused on digital plan takeoffs who already use PDF workflows in construction projects.
Pricing
Annual subscriptions start at $240/user (Essentials), $360 (Core), up to $600 (Complete); perpetual licenses also available.
Buildertrend
enterpriseConstruction management software with estimating features for painting jobs including change orders and budgeting.
Seamless workflow from estimate to project completion with built-in scheduling and change order tracking
Buildertrend is an all-in-one construction management platform that includes robust estimating tools adaptable for painting contractors, allowing users to create detailed bids with takeoffs, assemblies, and cost tracking. It integrates estimating seamlessly with scheduling, job costing, invoicing, and client communication features. While not painting-specific, it supports painting estimates through customizable templates and material/labor calculations, making it suitable for businesses needing broader project oversight.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration of estimates with full project management and client portals
- Mobile app for on-site estimate adjustments and job tracking
- Customizable assemblies and cost databases for accurate painting bids
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-construction pros focused only on painting estimates
- Higher pricing not ideal for solo painters or small crews
- Lacks specialized painting tools like automated square footage calculators or paint-specific databases
Best For
Mid-sized painting contractors seeking an all-in-one solution for estimating, project management, and client relations rather than standalone estimating software.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Essentials plan, billed annually) up to $500+/month for Pro/Premier plans; custom enterprise pricing available.
Procore
enterpriseCloud-based construction platform supporting painting estimates through bid management and quantity takeoffs.
Integrated preconstruction bidding suite that links estimates directly to project execution and financial tracking
Procore is a robust cloud-based construction management platform that includes estimating and bidding tools adaptable for painting contractors. It enables users to create detailed cost estimates, perform quantity takeoffs, and manage bids through customizable templates and integrations with takeoff software. While powerful for larger operations, it is more of a full-suite solution rather than a specialized painting estimation tool.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration with project management, scheduling, and financials
- Customizable estimating templates and quantity takeoff capabilities
- Mobile access and real-time collaboration for teams
Cons
- High cost makes it less viable for small painting businesses
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- Not specialized for painting-specific calculations like paint coverage or wall textures
Best For
Mid-to-large painting contractors needing integrated estimating within broader construction project management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $500+/month per project or $300-600/user/year.
Service Fusion
specializedField service app providing customizable estimating templates and job costing for painting contractors.
Real-time job costing with QuickBooks sync, allowing painters to track profitability on estimates instantly
Service Fusion is an all-in-one field service management software designed for home service businesses, including painting contractors, offering robust estimating tools to create detailed quotes with line items for labor, materials, and markups. It streamlines the entire workflow from lead capture and scheduling to invoicing and payments, with mobile access for on-site estimate approvals. While versatile for general contractors, its estimating module supports custom templates but lacks painting-specific calculators like automated square footage or paint quantity computations.
Pros
- Comprehensive FSM platform covering estimating, scheduling, and invoicing in one tool
- Strong QuickBooks integration for seamless accounting and job costing
- Mobile app enables field technicians to generate and send estimates on-site
Cons
- Lacks specialized painting tools like built-in paint calculators or wall measurement aids
- Steeper learning curve due to extensive features overwhelming for small painting crews
- Pricing can be high for solo painters or very small operations
Best For
Growing painting businesses needing an integrated field service solution beyond basic estimating.
Pricing
Starts at $195/month for up to 3 users (Essentials plan), with higher tiers up to $495+/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
Conclusion
After evaluating the top 10 painting estimate software options, it’s evident each brings distinct strengths, yet PaintScout stands as the clear leader, excelling with its specialized focus on automating digital takeoffs, paint calculations, and professional proposals for contractors. Stack and Jobber follow closely—Stack for AI-powered instant area calculations and cost breakdowns, Jobber for a versatile all-in-one platform combining estimates with scheduling and invoicing. With such robust choices, selecting based on specific needs makes sense, though PaintScout remains the top pick for its targeted efficiency. That said, the other top tools offer compelling alternatives for different business sizes and workflows.
Don’t let manual estimating slow you down—start using PaintScout today to experience streamlined, accurate, and professional estimating that saves time and boosts your bottom line.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
