Best Estimating Software for General Contractors

Every "best estimating software" list ranks the same two or three tools. The real question is which one matches your takeoff workflow and project-management platform.

By The StackMatch Research Team

Two estimating tools — $39/mo or $200/mo. The right pick depends on project complexity.

$39/moJoist — lightweight estimating

$200/moSTACK — plan-based takeoff

2-100Employee range covered

Joist for simple scopes, STACK for plan-based estimating on every project.

Search "best estimating software for general contractors" and you'll get a dozen nearly identical lists, most sponsored by whichever vendor pays the biggest placement fee. The tools themselves aren't wrong — STACK and Joist are both legitimate — but a ranked list can't tell you which one is right for a 5-person remodeler versus a 40-person GC. That's a fit question, not a features question.

STACK — $200/mo

STACK is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating platform used to measure plans, price materials and labor, and generate professional proposals. It integrates directly with Procore, which means if you run Procore, the estimate flows into the project budget without manual re-entry. At $200/mo it's built for GCs doing plan-based estimating on every project, typically 2-100 employees.

Joist — $39/mo

Joist is a lightweight estimating, invoicing, and payment app for smaller contracting jobs. It integrates with QuickBooks Online. At $39/mo it's the right fit for GCs doing simpler scopes where a full plan-based takeoff is overkill — think bathroom remodels, decks, and small additions rather than full custom builds.

The right estimating tool depends on project complexity, not generic rankings.

How to actually pick

Plan-based estimating on every project, integrated with Procore: STACK is the clear fit at $200/mo. Smaller scopes, simpler estimates, need invoicing and payments in the same tool: Joist covers the job at a fifth of the cost ($39/mo).

Plan-based estimating on every project, integrated with Procore: STACK is the clear fit.
Smaller scopes, simpler estimates, need invoicing and payments in the same tool: Joist covers the job at a fifth of the cost.
Using Buildertrend or CoConstruct: both have built-in estimating modules; add STACK only if you need plan-based takeoff depth.

Our engine ranks these purely on your project complexity and PM integration fit against the vertical data above — it has no visibility into which vendor pays the biggest affiliate bounty. Run the free audit to see which one fits your GC firm, plus the rest of your stack.

Run your own audit