Trimble Quest vs Clear Estimates

Trimble Quest9.3Visit Clear Estimates8.5Visit

Higher score Trimble Quest #1 in Project Estimation Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Trimble Quest

vs

Clear Estimates #5 in Project Estimation Software 8.5/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 5 features Try Clear Estimates

• Trimble Quest fits best

  Contractors needing resource-based cost forecasting

• Clear Estimates fits best

  Small contractors needing estimates and invoices

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Side by side

Feature	Trimble Quest 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Clear Estimates 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.5
Ranking	#1 in Project Estimation Software	#5 in Project Estimation Software
Best for	Contractors needing resource-based cost forecasting	Small contractors needing estimates and invoices
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	$59/mo
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	30 days	30 days
Free trial length	30 days	30 days
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Docs	Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Trimble Quest 2/5 · Clear Estimates 0/5
Scenario planning	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Resource capacity	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cost estimation	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Historical data	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Agile estimation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Estimation method	Bottom-up	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	First-principles estimating with reusable resource-based costing libraries Compares supplier and subcontractor quotes with markups and selling rates Links estimates to schedules and tracks budgets against actual costs	Reusable templates with regional labor and material pricing Proposals, change orders, invoices, and payment collection in one product Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
Cons	Designed for civil contractors rather than general-purpose project teams Runs through the web, with no additional platform listed Recurring pricing requires contacting sales	Focused on estimating rather than scheduling or project management No free plan Advanced integrations and reporting require the Pro plan
Our verdict	Trimble Quest is cloud-based construction cost estimating and budget management software for civil contractors. Its bottom-up approach centers on first-principles, resource-based estimating, with tools for creating or importing bids,… Read the review →	Clear Estimates is cloud-based estimating software for residential remodelers, contractors, and handymen. Its core workflow covers reusable project templates, regional labor and material pricing, customizable parts and proposal text,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Trimble Quest — where it wins

  • First-principles estimating with reusable resource-based costing libraries
  • Compares supplier and subcontractor quotes with markups and selling rates
  • Links estimates to schedules and tracks budgets against actual costs

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed for civil contractors rather than general-purpose project teams
  • Runs through the web, with no additional platform listed
  • Recurring pricing requires contacting sales

• Clear Estimates — where it wins

  • Reusable templates with regional labor and material pricing
  • Proposals, change orders, invoices, and payment collection in one product
  • Works across web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on estimating rather than scheduling or project management
  • No free plan
  • Advanced integrations and reporting require the Pro plan

• Trimble Quest9.3/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A resource-based estimating suite for contractors managing bids, budgets, and forecasts.

  Visit Trimble QuestFull verdict →
• Clear Estimates8.5/10 · 30-day trial

  A focused estimating tool with templates, regional pricing, invoicing, and payment collection.

  Try Clear EstimatesFull verdict →