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
- ArcSite leads for field drawings that auto-build material takeoffs, starting at $99 per month.
- Visual Fence Pro and Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Planner both offer genuinely free tiers, good for shops that want to test before committing.
- QuoteIQ packs estimating into a full fencing CRM for $29.99 per month, the lowest starting price in this lineup.
- Fence Cloud and mySalesman each start at $175 per month, but serve different needs: deep industry-specific estimating versus instant lead-generating quotes.
- The right pick depends on whether you need takeoffs, customer-facing quotes, or a full back-office system, not just the monthly price.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 ArcSite | Drawing-based estimates in the field | $99 per month (Takeoff plan) | Free trial |
 Visual Fence Pro | All-in-one fence business management | $79 per month (Starter plan) | Yes |
 QuoteIQ | Fencing CRM with estimating included | $29.99 per month (Essentials plan) | Free trial (14 days) |
 Dirt Face | Contractors who also fabricate or wholesale | $99 per month | Free trial (14 days) |
 Fence Cloud | Detailed material-based estimating | $175 per month | No |
 mySalesman | Instant online quotes that generate leads | $175 per month | No |
 Joist | Quick estimates and invoicing on a budget | See website | Free trial (14 days) |
 Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Planner | Free fence design with a materials list | Free | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?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 fence estimating software
Roughly $1.42 million in contractor quotes flow through the mySalesman platform every day, according to the company's own figures on its homepage. That number says a lot about how central estimating has become to the fencing trade: quotes are no longer a side task, they are the sales pipeline.
Most fence companies still lose hours every week doing takeoffs by hand or rebuilding quotes in spreadsheets. A bad estimate eats your margin; a slow one loses the job to the competitor who answered first. Fence estimating software closes both gaps by measuring the property once and turning that measurement into materials, labor, and a professional proposal. Some tools focus purely on the takeoff, others bundle estimating with a CRM, scheduling, and payments.
Here are eight options worth comparing.
Starting price$99 per month (Takeoff plan)
Free planFree trial
ArcSite started as a mobile CAD drawing tool and grew into full field software for contractors, which shows in how it works. You sketch the fence line on a tablet, scan with LiDAR, or trace a satellite map, and ArcSite builds the bill of materials and a branded proposal from that drawing. The proposal can collect credit card, ACH, or financing payments on the spot, so the sale can close at the kitchen table.
The Draw Basic plan at $10 per month handles drawing, but fence contractors will want the Takeoff plan at $99 per month for full estimating, or Draw Pro at $30 per month as a middle ground. ArcSite connects with QuickBooks, ServiceTitan, and Salesforce, and offers an API for custom workflows. It is a strong fit for companies that win jobs by looking precise and professional during the first visit.
What we like- Drawing auto-builds material takeoffs and proposals
- Works offline in the field with cloud sync
- AR scanning and satellite tracing included
Watch out for- The Draw Basic plan lacks full takeoff features
- Per-user cost adds up for larger crews
Starting price$79 per month (Starter plan)
Free planYes
Visual Fence Pro is the newest-feeling product on this list, and it targets the whole fence business rather than just the estimate. The satellite estimator draws fence lines from an address, places posts automatically, and builds a live bill of materials from your own prices. Quotes go out as a shareable link with e-signature and deposit payments, and accepted quotes convert into work orders and calendar events.
The free tier supports one user with ten estimates per month, which makes it a genuine trial rather than a demo. Paid plans start at $79 per month for Starter, with Pro at $179 per month adding QuickBooks sync, Stripe payments, and a customer portal where clients can track progress and approve change orders. For small shops that want a polished client experience, it is a compelling package.
What we like- Free forever plan covers light use
- Satellite takeoff with automatic material lists
- E-signatures and online payments built in
Watch out for- Paid plans cost more per extra users
- Some advanced features sit on the higher tiers
Starting price$29.99 per month (Essentials plan)
Free planFree trial (14 days)
QuoteIQ is an all-in-one field service platform that covers quoting, scheduling, invoicing, payments, and a contractor CRM, with trade-specific configurations for fence companies. Its Options Estimates present good, better, and best pricing tiers in one quote, which is exactly how many fence shops sell upgrades from wood to vinyl or ornamental. The MapMeasure tool calculates linear footage from satellite imagery before you ever visit the site.
Pricing runs from $29.99 per month for a single user on Essentials up to plans for larger crews, with the Pro tier at $149.99 per month adding job costing, pipelines, ClientHub texting, and QuickBooks sync. AI features such as photo-based estimating and a virtual call team come standard. It suits growing fence companies that want estimating inside a full back-office system at a modest price.
What we like- Lowest entry price of any full-featured option here
- Options estimates show good/better/best tiers
- AI estimating and call answering built in
Watch out for- Many fence-specific features appear only on higher tiers
- No free plan, only a trial
Starting price$99 per month
Free planFree trial (14 days)
Dirt Face takes an unusual angle: instead of serving only installers, it covers the whole fence supply chain in one platform. Contractors get fence estimating with accurate takeoffs, labor, and markup. Manufacturers get production orders and shop routing from the same catalog. Wholesalers get a dealer store with price tiers, POS, and online orders. One system, one catalog, no juggling apps.
For installers, the practical features include fence design on satellite maps, shop drawings with elevations for commercial jobs, a lead-generation app that puts instant quotes on your website, and a customer portal for review, signature, and payment. Built-in two-way SMS keeps conversations tied to the right quote. Pricing starts at $99 per month with a 14-day free trial. It is the most interesting pick for shops that build what they install.
What we like- Handles estimating, fabrication, wholesale, and crew scheduling in one system
- Satellite-based fence design tool
- Inventory and dealer price tiers
Watch out for- Broader than most estimators need if you only install
- Newer product with a smaller review base
Starting price$175 per month
Free planNo
Fence Cloud comes from Software Design Associates, a company that has built fencing software for decades, and it shows. The product focuses on one thing: fast, accurate, material-based estimates for chain link, vinyl, ornamental, wood, and other fence types. You enter the measurements, pick an estimating engine and supplier, and the software produces a complete material breakdown with industry-standard part counts.
The estimating is backed by more than 100 manufacturer datasets and supplier catalogs, plus job documents like shop drawings, contracts, packing lists, and labor worksheets. Built-in CRM capabilities handle leads, scheduling, and contact management. At $175 per month, it is not cheap, but established fence companies that live and die by takeoff accuracy tend to find the price easy to justify.
What we like- Built exclusively for the fencing industry
- Over 100 supplier material catalogs preloaded
- Intelligent estimating engines need little customization
Watch out for- Highest entry price among pure estimators
- No free plan or public trial
Starting price$175 per month
Free planNo
mySalesman flips the usual model: instead of your estimator doing the takeoff, the customer does it. The tool embeds on your website, where homeowners draw their fence on an aerial view of their property, pick materials, and receive an instant budget. Both you and the customer get the report, so your sales team follows up with a pre-qualified lead who already knows the price range.
The company reports over $2.87 billion in qualified leads processed through the platform, which suggests the approach converts. Plans run $175 per month with no contracts and unlimited users. One honest caveat: mySalesman itself produces budget estimates, not construction-grade takeoffs, so many users pair it with ArcSite through the official integration. That combination handles both ends of the sales funnel.
What we like- Customers get instant estimates from your website 24/7
- Pre-qualifies leads before your team gets involved
- Unlimited users on every plan
Watch out for- Generates leads rather than full detailed estimates
- Pairs best with ArcSite, which adds to the monthly cost
#7
Joist
Best for: Quick estimates and invoicing on a budget
Visit joist.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (14 days)
Joist is not fence software at all, which is exactly why it belongs on this list. Many small fence shops do not need supplier catalogs or takeoff engines; they need a fast way to send a professional estimate from the jobsite, convert it to an invoice, and get paid. Joist does that well, with mobile-first estimating, one-click invoice conversion, payments by card, bank transfer, or PayPal, and financing options for homeowners.
The company says more than 1.3 million contractors trust the platform. QuickBooks sync, expense tracking, job scheduling, and an AI receptionist for missed calls round out the package. Joist works best as the financial half of your stack: use it for estimates, invoices, and payments, and handle takeoffs with a fence-specific tool if you need them.
What we like- Fast estimate-to-invoice workflow built for contractors
- Accepts payments and offers homeowner financing
- Over 1.3 million contractors use it
Watch out for- Not fence-specific, so no material takeoffs or fence catalogs
- Pricing is not published on the homepage
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Simpson Strong-Tie gives away its Fence Planner as part of its free Outdoor Living Solutions suite, and for a free tool it is genuinely useful. You design the fence in minutes, picking styles, materials, colors, and connector hardware, then view the whole yard in 2D or 3D. The app produces a complete project guide with a materials list and a connector location sheet, so you can start building right away.
Contractors can use it during early conversations to help customers visualize options, and it is handy for smaller jobs that do not justify a full takeoff. It will not produce a branded quote, track the pipeline, or process a payment. Think of it as a free front-end design aid rather than business software, and it excels in that role.
What we like- Completely free and easy to use
- 2D and 3D visualization of the fence design
- Generates a project guide with a materials list
Watch out for- A design tool, not a quoting or business system
- No CRM, scheduling, or payments
How we chose
We compared tools by looking at their official pricing pages, product documentation, and publicly listed features, focusing on products that handle fence-specific estimating or that fence contractors actually adopt. We weighed takeoff accuracy, material and labor handling, quote presentation, mobile field use, and integrations with accounting and CRM tools. We also checked public review sources like G2, Capterra, and contractor forums for recurring praise and complaints. We did not claim hands-on testing; our assessments come from documented features and pricing.
What to look for before you buy
Start by deciding which half of the job you are buying software for. Some tools excel at takeoffs: measuring the property and calculating exact materials. Others excel at quoting: presenting the price beautifully and getting it signed. A few do both, and those cost more. If you mostly install standard residential fences, a quoting-focused tool may be enough. If you bid commercial work or fabricate in-house, takeoff accuracy matters far more.
Match the tool to your sales process
A shop that responds to inbound website leads gets the most from something like mySalesman, which turns visitors into qualified quotes around the clock. A shop that wins through in-person site visits benefits more from ArcSite or Visual Fence Pro, which put a polished proposal in front of the homeowner on the spot. Your process should dictate the software, not the other way around.
Check the real monthly cost
Sticker prices rarely tell the full story. Some tools charge per user, so a crew of five multiplies the bill. Add-ons for extra trades, QuickBooks sync, or payment processing can push the effective cost higher. Ask for the total for your exact team size before committing, and confirm whether annual billing offers a meaningful discount.
Test with real jobs, not demos
Every vendor offers a trial or a demo. Run at least two or three of your typical jobs through it: a standard privacy fence, a corner lot with a slope, something with gates. Watch how long the takeoff takes and whether the material counts match your own math. A tool that looks great in a guided demo can still slow you down on your real work.
Fence-specific estimating beats generic construction software
Generic construction estimating tools were built for trades like roofing or general contracting, where the material logic is different. Fence estimating has its own vocabulary: post spacing, concrete footings, gate hardware, slope adjustments, and material types that behave differently in the math. Tools built for fencing, like Fence Cloud, Dirt Face, and Visual Fence Pro, speak that language out of the box instead of requiring heavy customization. If estimating is your daily work, that difference compounds into hours saved every week and fewer expensive mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does fence estimating software cost?
Most fence-specific estimating tools start between $79 and $175 per month, with free plans available from Visual Fence Pro and Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Planner. Budget options like Joist handle basic estimating and invoicing at lower prices, while full fencing CRMs like QuoteIQ start at $29.99 per month for a single user. Expect to pay more as you add users and advanced features like inventory tracking or QuickBooks sync.
Is there free fence estimating software?
Yes. Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Planner is completely free and produces a 2D or 3D design with a materials list, though it is a design aid rather than a quoting system. Visual Fence Pro offers a free forever plan with ten estimates per month. Both work well for trying the workflow before committing to a paid plan.
What is the difference between fence estimating software and a fencing CRM?
Estimating software focuses on the takeoff: measuring the property and calculating materials, labor, and price. A fencing CRM covers the whole customer relationship: leads, quotes, scheduling, job tracking, invoicing, and payments, with estimating as one feature. QuoteIQ, Dirt Face, and Visual Fence Pro are closer to the CRM end, while Fence Cloud and ArcSite lean toward pure estimating.
Do these tools work on mobile phones and tablets?
Most do. ArcSite, Visual Fence Pro, Dirt Face, QuoteIQ, and Joist all offer mobile apps or web apps designed for field use, which matters because fence estimates usually happen at the job site. ArcSite even works offline, syncing when you are back in signal range. Confirm offline support if your service area includes rural properties with weak coverage.
Can I measure a property without visiting it first?
Yes, with satellite-based tools. Visual Fence Pro, QuoteIQ's MapMeasure, Dirt Face, and ArcSite let you trace fence lines on satellite or aerial imagery and generate measurements remotely. mySalesman goes further by letting the homeowner do it on your website. Remote measurement speeds up quoting but should be verified on site before you commit to the final price.
Which tool is best for a small fence company with one crew?
For a small crew, Visual Fence Pro's free tier or $79 Starter plan covers estimating, quotes, and payments without complexity. QuoteIQ at $29.99 per month is the cheapest path to a full CRM. Joist is worth considering if you mainly need fast estimates and invoicing rather than fence-specific takeoffs.
Sources we checked (14)
- https://www.arcsite.com/
- https://www.arcsite.com/pricing
- https://visualfencepro.com/
- https://visualfencepro.com/signup.html
- https://myquoteiq.com/
- https://myquoteiq.com/crm-for-fence-contractors/
- https://dirtface.com/
- https://fence.cloud/
- https://mysalesman.com/
- https://mysalesman.com/solutions/fence-companies/
- https://www.joist.com/
- https://go.strongtie.com/outdoorliving
- https://blog.strongtie.com/free-backyard-planning-software-for-upgrading-your-outdoor-living-space/
- https://slashdot.org/software/comparison/Fence-Cloud-vs-PinPoint-Analytics/
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.