Paid vs Free Construction Estimating Software – Which Is Best for You?

Free construction estimating software is often a limited or ‘freemium’ version of paid-for estimating software. This means that while basic functionality is available, features that you may find necessary or useful for your business are locked behind a paywall.   

Other free solutions may be open source, meaning that they are maintained by a community of users rather than a dedicated vendor.  

Free construction cost estimating software can be feature-rich and accessible, with good community support. However, product support is a potluck and can be unreliable, prone to change, or even non-existent. Software bugs can sometimes take years to be fixed.   

Any integration with your systems or customisation to your processes through open-source software will need in-house development - which can be very expensive and time-consuming.   

Free construction estimating software can help estimating teams automate many of the time-consuming elements of the estimating process, such as  takeoff, creating a bill of quantities, and putting together client quotes.  

Free solutions often have basic estimating functionality such as basic item libraries, templates, and measurement tools. However, more advanced functionality such as subcontractor bid management, expanded libraries and reporting tools are frequently only available in paid versions.  

Every solution is different. It is worth comparing the features and functionality of free construction estimating software if that is the route you choose.  

Be aware, however, that many solutions advertised as ‘free’ are 30-day free trials and require the user to purchase the full licence to continue using beyond the trial period.

Here is a list of the top 3 free construction estimating software solutions. Many of the search results for free construction estimating software return free trials for 15 or 30 days, which is not truly ‘free’ software. The solutions listed below are free solutions and are not time limited by a ‘free trial’.  

ESTIMATE by Wanhive  

Estimate by Wanhive is a free, open-source construction estimating tool that is supported by the user and developer community.  The main features are: 

• Supplier and client database 
• Generation of cost sheets and bill of quantities 
• Analysis of subcontractor and vendor quotes 
• Web-based interface 
• No user limits 

Methvin Free 

Methvin Free is online construction management and estimating software which comes with the following features for their free package. Methvin also offer paid versions of this software with more features and fewer restrictions. 

• Online estimating 
• Gantt scheduler 
• 2D takeoff tool 
• One free app for a single user 
• Collaboration with 1 user only 

Stack Free Account 

Stack offers a free account as a trial. The free account isn’t time limited but offers a reduced feature set to their paid versions. Features of Stack include the following but bear in mind these are limited in the free version.  

• 2D takeoff tool 
• Online estimating 
• Client quote and proposal 
• Template library 

The Table below compares the top 3 free construction estimating software solutions for functionality, scalability, support, and ease of use.  

There are significant differences between paid-for and free construction estimating software.

While free solutions have the advantage of saving money on licences, paid versions often include a greater selection and quality of features, better support and the ability to scale as a business grows.  

Paid-for solutions often include multiple user licences for the product depending on the package. This means that businesses are not limited to just one login, and project teams can work collaboratively on the tool. 

For free versions of paid software such as Methvin Free and Stack Free Trial, the user limits are often just for one user. This is designed to encourage users to buy their paid packages. The exception to this is open-source software such as ESTIMATE by Wanhive, which allows unlimited licences.  

One of the biggest differences between paid-for and free construction estimating software is their product functionality and ease of use. Paid-for products develop the most advanced features, regularly introduce new features, maintain development and ensure that they are user-friendly to encourage user adoption.  

While open-source software can be feature rich, it often lags in functionality due to a lack of resources and may not have the most modern or intuitive design.

Choosing between paid and free construction estimating software ultimately depends on your business size, the complexity of your projects, and your available resources.

Small builders and sole traders: prioritise cost and simplicity

For sole traders, free construction cost estimating software may be enough.

These free tools often offer simple estimating functionality like basic 2D takeoff, templates, and quote generation which are great for those who don’t have the capital to invest in new software upfront.

However, when using free software, users should watch out for any hidden surprises that could impede a workflow if they pop up at the wrong time. This can include user limits, restricted features, or time-limited trials disguised as “free”.

Growing SMEs: think scalability and support

For growing small and medium sized construction companies, estimators may quickly find that their needs quickly surpass what free estimating software can offer.

To find estimating software that will help support growth, prioritise finding an estimating solution that supports team collaboration, data accuracy, and smoother workflows.

Free (or open source) estimating software often struggles with multi-user functionality, integrations, or providing support for its users when issues arise.

Mid to large contractors: invest in full functionality

Free estimating software options are unlikely to support the needs of construction businesses delivering larger projects. A team of estimators, surveyors, and subcontractors will require the advanced functionality that comes with paid options.

With larger projects, small inefficiencies in the estimating process can quickly snowball into inaccurate tenders, major delays and budget overruns.

Mid to large-sized contractors investing in construction estimating software should look for:

• 3D takeoff
• Quote comparison and supplier management
• Advanced reporting and audit trails
• Centralised libraries and cloud access
• Multi-user collaboration and permissions

These features are rarely found in free tools, but you will find them as standard in most professional construction estimating software. These systems are built for contractors working across multiple projects and regions.

At this level, teams often find that dedicated construction estimating tools give them greater confidence in their numbers and streamline workflows between estimating, procurement and preconstruction teams.

Solutions like Access ConQuest are designed with this complexity in mind; not only offering more comprehensive features, but the control, integration, and support that larger construction businesses require.

If you're still relying on spreadsheets to manage complex tenders, Access ConQuest could be the next step in your estimating journey.

Trusted by over 1,000 contractors across the UK and Ireland, Access ConQuest is designed to give you total control and visibility across preconstruction, from takeoff and BoQ generation through to subcontractor enquiries, valuations and reporting.

Access ConQuest estimating software at-a-glance:

• Estimate 70% faster than spreadsheets with an intuitive interface and over 10 million cost items ready to customise
• Build accurate BoQ’s and switch between elemental and trade pricing
• Manage subcontractor bids: create and send trade packages, compare quotes, and update your BoQ instantly
• Integrated 2D and 3D takeoff for rapid quantity extraction from PDFs, CAD and BIM files
• Advanced analytical estimating with support for both first principles and trade pricing
• Detailed reporting and valuations, including cost value reconciliations, tender summaries and resource breakdowns
• Cloud-hosted for secure collaboration and remote working

Access ConQuest brings together takeoff, estimating, tendering and valuations in one system, helping construction teams work faster, reduce risk, and improve margins, especially as project complexity grows.

Need more information? why not explore our construction estimation software solutions or get in touch to speak to one of our construction experts.