How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- The big three (Trimble Accubid, ConEst IntelliBid, McCormick) publish no prices and offer no trials: every deal starts with a sales demo. Budget for a procurement process, not a signup.
- Procore Estimating (formerly Esticom, cloud, free trial) is the modern alternative for small to mid-size electrical contractors.
- If your bottleneck is counting symbols on drawings, Countfire ($249 per month) automates takeoff. If it is bid assembly, you need a trade database: Accubid, ConEst or McCormick.
- Budget pick: Electrical Bid Manager starts under $1,000 per year with one-time license options, the cheapest credible electrical database.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Trimble Accubid | Mid-size to large electrical contractors | See website (no public pricing; demo/quote sales process) | No (no free trial offered) |
 ConEst IntelliBid | Commercial, low-voltage, datacom and solar contractors | See website (no public pricing; demo sales process) | No (no free version) |
 McCormick Systems | Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors wanting fast takeoff | See website (no vendor-published price) | No (no free trial offered) |
 Procore Estimating | Small to mid-size electrical and low-voltage contractors | See website (request pricing from the vendor) | Free trial (available; confirm terms on the vendor page) |
 TurboBid | Smaller US and Canadian contractors moving off spreadsheets | From $135/month (listed); cloud tier listed around $99/month | No (demo available; one-time purchase option exists) |
 ProEst | Larger general contractors running complex projects | $5,000/year (listed; vendor quotes by tier) | No (no free trial) |
 STACK | Contractors that want cloud takeoff with fast collaboration | From $249/month (listed; Takeoff and Estimating) | Yes (free tier available) |
 Countfire | Electrical estimators drowning in symbol counting | $249/month (Pro, listed); $399/month (Business, listed) | Free trial (available) |
 Electrical Bid Manager | Small to mid-size contractors wanting an affordable electrical database | From $995 (single-user license, listed); vendor states options start under $1,000/year | No (demo available) |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best electrical estimating software
Most electrical estimating software is sold like it is 2005: no prices on the website, no trial, talk to sales. The category leaders have deep trade databases and decades of refinement, and they also have the sales process to match. The good news is that the market has split. You can still buy the legacy suites through a demo, or you can sign up for cloud tools with published prices and free trials. Which half you belong in depends on your bid volume, your trade focus, and your tolerance for sales calls. These nine cover both.
Starting priceSee website (no public pricing; demo/quote sales process)
Free planNo (no free trial offered)
Accubid is the original full-featured electrical estimating suite, and it shows in the depth. The Classic desktop product runs the entire construction workflow, the database carries tens of thousands of items and assemblies with TRA-SER material pricing, and LiveCount handles graphical takeoff. Accubid Anywhere moves estimating, change management and pricing into a Trimble-managed cloud subscription.
Nothing about buying it is self-serve. No published price, no trial, and the ecosystem modules add up. Third-party estimates suggest entry around $150 per user per month, but that is not the vendor's number, so budget by quote. For a mid-size to large contractor that wants one platform from takeoff through billing, the completeness justifies the procurement effort.
What we like- Full workflow from estimating through purchasing, project management and billing
- 42,000-plus item database with live material pricing
- Accubid Anywhere adds cloud collaboration
Watch out for- No public pricing and no trial
- Legacy depth means a real implementation and training investment
#2
ConEst IntelliBid
Best for: Commercial, low-voltage, datacom and solar contractors
Visit conest.com
Starting priceSee website (no public pricing; demo sales process)
Free planNo (no free version)
ConEst's philosophy is takeoff-first. Assemblies like a receptacle with branch prompt for boxes, conduit lengths and heights, then auto-adjust labor factors per condition, with NEC-table smart substitution built in. The three editions (Standard, PLUS, PRO) scale from takeoff to change orders and bid analysis, and SureCount digital takeoff cuts manual counting sharply.
The sales process mirrors Accubid: no price on the page, everything through an estimating specialist demo. The hundreds of variables reward power users while casual estimators stick to the included assemblies. Get a written quote itemizing the IntelliBid edition, SureCount and any cloud options before comparing against the other legacy suites.
What we like- Industry-leading electrical database with automatic labor factoring
- Three editions scaling from takeoff to bid analysis
- SureCount digital takeoff feeds directly in
Watch out for- No published pricing
- The formula system is powerful but complex
#3
McCormick Systems
Best for: Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors wanting fast takeoff
Visit mccormicksys.com
Starting priceSee website (no vendor-published price)
Free planNo (no free trial offered)
McCormick's claim to fame is takeoff speed. Open multiple windows, grab items, and the multi-window system keeps pace with veteran estimators, with auto-counting and Auto Home Run built in. The database (55,000-plus items, 25,000 assemblies, NECA labor levels) is among the deepest in the trade, and the four tiers scale from solo shops to large contractors.
Like its legacy rivals, nothing is self-serve: pricing comes only from sales, there is no trial, and onboarding is lengthy. It connects with FOUNDATION accounting to remove double entry, with pricing updates via NetPricer or Trade Service. Confirm edition, user count and support terms in the quote.
What we like- 55,000-plus items and 25,000 prebuilt assemblies with NECA labor levels
- Patented multi-window takeoff built for speed
- Four tiers from one-person shops to large contractors
Watch out for- No public pricing and no trial
- Steep learning curve
Starting priceSee website (request pricing from the vendor)
Free planFree trial (available; confirm terms on the vendor page)
Procore Estimating is the anti-legacy option: cloud takeoff, estimating, proposals with your logo and inclusions/exclusions, and team collaboration in one web app that works from any device. This is the product formerly known as Esticom: Procore acquired it and now sells it as Procore Estimating, available as a standalone product at estimating.procore.com. Being inside Procore's platform strengthens the roadmap and the integrations.
The ceiling is lower than the desktop suites: no deduct alternates, no per-line labor margin percentages, limited customization. For a small to mid-size electrical or low-voltage contractor that wants modern estimating without a sales process, the trade is an easy one to make.
What we like- Cloud takeoff, estimating and bid management in one web app
- Pre-built trade libraries with auto-count tools
- Backed by Procore's construction platform
Watch out for- Cloud-only, so a dead connection stops work
- Pricing is quote-based rather than published
- Reporting depth trails the legacy desktop tools
#5
TurboBid
Best for: Smaller US and Canadian contractors moving off spreadsheets
Visit turbobid.com
Starting priceFrom $135/month (listed); cloud tier listed around $99/month
Free planNo (demo available; one-time purchase option exists)
TurboBid was built by a working electrical contractor, and it feels like it. The wizard breaks bids into small steps, and one subscription handles residential takeoffs, remodels and flat-rate service quotes with weekly material price updates and supplier pricing connections. It is the gentlest on-ramp from spreadsheets in this category.
Large commercial teams will find the workflow basic, and Mac users need Windows via Parallels. Pricing lists a $135-per-month subscription alongside four-payment and one-time purchase options, with the cloud tier listed around $99 per month. Bundles with PlanSwift on-screen takeoff are available. Verify current pricing before comparing totals.
What we like- Wizard-driven estimating built by a working electrical contractor
- Covers new construction, remodels, service work and flat-rate pricing
- Weekly material price updates
Watch out for- Too basic for large commercial teams
- Windows-only (Mac needs Parallels)
#6
ProEst
Best for: Larger general contractors running complex projects
Visit proest.com
Starting price$5,000/year (listed; vendor quotes by tier)
Free planNo (no free trial)
ProEst is a general construction estimator, not an electrical-trade specialist, and that distinction matters. Its strengths are the cost database, 2D and 3D BIM takeoff with real-time collaboration, and integrations across the construction stack. For a large GC managing complex projects, the precision justifies the $5,000-per-year listed entry.
Electrical-only shops should weigh the BIM strengths against the trade-specific databases of Accubid, ConEst or McCormick. New users face a steep curve and the mobile app trails the desktop. Confirm tier pricing with the vendor: this is a quote-driven purchase despite the listed entry point.
What we like- Detailed cost database built on historical costs and current labor rates
- Strong integrations with Procore, QuickBooks and Buildertrend
- 2D and 3D BIM takeoff in one workflow
Watch out for- $5,000-per-year entry prices out small contractors
- Steep learning curve
#7
STACK
Best for: Contractors that want cloud takeoff with fast collaboration
Visit stackct.com
Starting priceFrom $249/month (listed; Takeoff and Estimating)
Free planYes (free tier available)
STACK wins on accessibility. Browser-based takeoff, cloud plan management, estimates that flow from quantities without handoffs, and trade-specific plugins for electrical and plumbing, all with no installs and Mac support. The free tier is genuinely useful for evaluating real takeoff work before spending anything.
For pure electrical assembly-based estimating, the legacy databases run deeper. Paid plans are listed around $249 to $299 per month for takeoff and estimating. For an electrical sub whose main need is measurement speed and collaboration, STACK is the fastest path to digital takeoff.
What we like- Cloud digital takeoff with integrated estimating and multi-user collaboration
- Works on Mac and PC with no installs
- Genuinely useful free tier
Watch out for- Electrical assembly depth is thinner than the legacy trio
- Tier details vary across listings
Starting price$249/month (Pro, listed); $399/month (Business, listed)
Free planFree trial (available)
Countfire does one thing extremely well: it counts. Upload PDFs and it counts similar symbols across the entire project simultaneously, splits quantities automatically, and recounts revised drawings by copying symbols over. Built-in accuracy checks and quality-control reports are designed for electrical estimators. The vendor claims 5 days saved per estimator per month.
Pro is listed at $249 per month and Business at $399, which is steep for solo estimators. It is a takeoff tool, not a full estimating suite: pair it with a database tool if you need bid assembly logic. If symbol counting is your bottleneck, nothing else here automates it this thoroughly.
What we like- True automated takeoff counting similar symbols across all drawings at once
- Automatic quantity splitting and revised-drawing recounts
- Built-in accuracy checks
Watch out for- Pricing climbs quickly with team size
- Niche takeoff focus limits appeal outside the trade
#9
Electrical Bid Manager
Best for: Small to mid-size contractors wanting an affordable electrical database
Visit visioninfosoft.com
Starting priceFrom $995 (single-user license, listed); vendor states options start under $1,000/year
Free planNo (demo available)
Electrical Bid Manager is the budget alternative to the legacy trio. The vendor prices entry under $1,000 per year, and perpetual licenses (listed at $995 single-user, $3,795 for 10 users) mean no subscription treadmill. The electrical-specific database carries material pricing and labor, with EPIC Pricing Services updating millions of items across manufacturer catalogs.
The experience is dated: the interface shows its age, the learning curve is real, and cloud use requires Windows virtual machines. It integrates with PlanSwift and On-Screen Takeoff for electronic plan takeoff. If you bid mostly electrical work and want the cheapest credible trade database, this is it.
What we like- Electrical-specific database with 10,000-plus items and assemblies
- EPIC Pricing Services covers 2M-plus items with regular updates
- One-time license options avoid subscriptions
Watch out for- Dated interface with a steep learning curve
- Windows-only
What to look for in electrical estimating software
Start with the database, because that is what you are really buying. Count the items and assemblies in your trade, check that labor units match how your crews actually work (NECA levels versus national averages), and confirm material pricing updates come from your supply house or a service you trust. A beautiful interface on a thin database will cost you bids.
Then check the takeoff method. On-screen takeoff, automated symbol counting, and BIM takeoff solve different bottlenecks: pick the one that matches where your estimators actually lose time. Finally, map the workflow past the bid. Change orders, purchasing, project management and billing integrations determine whether the tool pays for itself after bid day. The legacy suites cover the full workflow; the cloud tools mostly stop at the proposal.
How we chose
We started with the tools electrical contractors actually evaluate: the legacy trade-database suites, the cloud estimating platforms, the takeoff automation specialists, and the budget alternatives. For each candidate we checked the vendor's own pricing page, compared database depth and takeoff methods, and read public reviews on G2, Capterra and practitioner discussion on Reddit. This category rarely publishes prices, so where a price could not be verified on the vendor's page we wrote "See website" rather than guessing, and listed figures are flagged as vendor listings, not confirmed rate cards.
Takeoff vs. estimating: buy for your bottleneck
Takeoff and estimating are different jobs, and the tools split along that line. Takeoff tools (Countfire, STACK, SureCount) measure the drawings: counts, lengths, quantities. Estimating tools (Accubid, ConEst, McCormick, Procore Estimating, Electrical Bid Manager) turn quantities into bids with material pricing, labor units and assemblies.
Most contractors feel one bottleneck more acutely. If your estimators spend days counting symbols, automated takeoff pays for itself in weeks. If counting is fine but bid assembly is slow or inconsistent, the trade database is the investment. Some tools do both adequately; none do both best-in-class. Buy for the bottleneck you have, not the suite you imagine.
Frequently asked questions
How much does electrical estimating software cost?
It splits by generation. Cloud tools publish prices: STACK from $249 per month, Countfire from $249 per month; Procore Estimating prices by quote. The legacy suites (Accubid, ConEst, McCormick) publish nothing and sell by quote. Budget options: TurboBid from $135 per month and Electrical Bid Manager under $1,000 per year.
What is the difference between takeoff and estimating software?
Takeoff software measures the drawings (counts, lengths, quantities). Estimating software turns those quantities into a bid using material pricing, labor units and assemblies. Many tools do both, but the specialists (Countfire for takeoff, the legacy suites for estimating depth) each do one job better.
Do I need the big legacy suites as a small contractor?
Probably not. If you bid residential, remodels or service work, TurboBid, Procore Estimating or Electrical Bid Manager cover you at a fraction of the cost and procurement effort. The legacy suites earn their keep on high-volume commercial bidding where database depth and change-order workflows matter.
Can I try electrical estimating software before buying?
Sometimes. Procore Estimating offers a free trial, STACK has a free tier, and Countfire offers a trial. The big three (Accubid, ConEst, McCormick) offer no trials: evaluation means a sales demo. Always trial the cloud tools on a real past bid before committing.
Does estimating software integrate with my accounting?
The better ones do. McCormick connects with FOUNDATION accounting, ProEst integrates with QuickBooks, and Procore Estimating connects with common accounting tools; confirm your accounting package specifically, because double entry between estimating and accounting is the hidden cost of a disconnected stack.
Sources we checked (11)
- https://construction.trimble.com
- https://conest.com
- https://mccormicksys.com
- https://estimating.procore.com
- https://www.turbobid.com
- https://www.proest.com
- https://www.stackct.com/pricing/
- https://www.countfire.com/pricing/
- https://www.visioninfosoft.com
- https://www.g2.com/categories/construction-estimating
- https://www.capterra.com/construction-estimating-software/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.