Read our article on the five steps for writing a business proposal letter and get a free template with top examples of successful letters.
Proposal software is a sales tool that streamlines the proposal drafting process through customizable templates and a library of ready-made answers to requests for proposal (RFPs). The best proposal software also includes tools to promote faster turnaround, such as activity tracking, esignatures, and integrated payments. We evaluated nearly a dozen proposal software solutions and found the seven best options that’ll help your businesses win bids.
Here are the seven best proposal software:
Proposal software should be reasonably priced and streamline the drafting process by offering users tools like customizable business proposal templates and a searchable content library. In our evaluation, we prioritized the baseline features businesses need to create effective proposals along with overall costs and ease of use. We also took a look at how users can tailor each platform to suit their needs through integrations and customizable elements. User support rounded out our scoring.
Does your business just need a reliable esignature solution instead of full-blown proposal software? If so, then check out our guide to the best esignature software and their use cases.
Note: All monthly prices are with a one-year commitment unless noted.
Per our scoring, the best proposal software is PandaDoc, which also took the top spot in the Cost and Apps & Customization categories. RFPIO also had two criteria wins (Core Features, Customer Support), but its lack of transparent pricing hindered its overall score. Keep reading to see how all seven proposal software on our list fared across every category.
The best overall proposal software helps users create and send proposals in little time thanks to a large template library.
Price Range: Free to $49 per user, per month (14-day free trial)
PandaDoc is a robust document management software that helps businesses create, send, and e-sign proposals. Select a template from a 450-design library, then draft a proposal using drag-and-drop content elements. Upgrade to a Business plan for CRM integration with HubSpot and Zoho CRM, among others. Creating and emailing a proposal in PandaDoc can be done in a short amount of time, which makes it great for teams that need a quick turnaround.
Sales teams can avoid errors by managing approval permissions and integrating with a CRM for automatic data entry.
Price Range: Free to $590 per month for 1 to 10 users (14-day free trial)
Proposify is robust proposal software that keeps sales teams accountable at all stages of the proposal process. Selling teams can lower the likelihood of costly mistakes by assigning user roles and approval permissions and by auto-populating fields using data from an integrated CRM. Once a proposal is out, follow live updates via desktop or the Proposify mobile app. Proposify is the best option for teams that want ample proposal management functions.
Send eye-catching web-based proposals with embedded live chat widgets so client needs can be addressed immediately.
Price Range: $13 to $42 per user, per month (14-day free trial)
Better Proposals is proposal software specializing in web-based proposals with interactive elements like video and live chat. It offers over 75 templates that can be tailored to web design, video production, and other creative jobs. The Proposal AI engine isn’t perfect, but it does provide insight on which phrases yield the best conversions based on live industry data. Creatives who want to go beyond standard PDF proposals will find value in Better Proposals.
B2B sales teams can stand out with highly-visual immersive proposals that are easy to create, send, and track.
Price Range: $66 to $490+ per month for 3 to 10+ users (14-day free trial)
Qwilr is proposal software that helps B2B sales teams stand out with immersive, graphics-rich proposals. Create a Qwilr Page by choosing a template (or make one from scratch), then use the drag-and-drop builder to add text, embedded video, and interactive quotes so clients can choose their price. Track a proposal once it’s sent with the Audit Trail, which logs every milestone for you. Given how pricey adding users can get, Qwilr is best for larger companies.
Creative freelancers who are new to proposal software will like this affordable and straightforward solution.
Price Range: $5.00 to $8.00 per month for 1 user ($1.00 21-day trial)
Prospero is proposal software made with freelance designers and developers in mind. The user interface may be basic compared to other programs on this list, but it’s responsive and easy for individuals to navigate. Building proposals is as simple as choosing one of the over 30 designs and adding ready-made responses from a content library that grows as you create and send more proposals, so it’s great for creatives who are new to using proposal software.
RFPIO is a strong contender thanks to its machine learning engine, robust management tools, and quality support.
Price Range: Call for quote
RFPIO is advanced RFP management software that excels at providing responses that garner high acceptance rates. Its AI engine uses machine learning so it’ll give more precise recommendations over time. There’s also a strong suite of project management tools with real-time proposal tracking and in-app tagging so everyone is kept in the loop. RFPIO is a great enterprise option with a customer support team that many users deem to be excellent.
From collaborative in-app editing tools to custom email or SMS notifications, Proposable keeps teams in the loop.
Price Range: $19 to $500+ per month for 5 to unlimited proposals (14-day free trial)
Proposable is proposal software that keeps teams on the same page from creation to approval. In-app comments allow project members to discuss and make edits before sending a proposal, which happens only it’s approved by designated individuals. After it’s sent, users can customize which actions they want to follow and how they want to be notified (email or SMS). Proposable is made for teams wanting to closely monitor activity from start to finish.
Whether you’re a freelancer or a large business, you’ll want reliable sales software that can help with proposal creation and management. You’ll also stay organized since collaborative tools and activity tracking will keep you abreast of where you are in the proposal process. We believe that using any of the seven proposal software options on this list can help you win more bids — and, in turn, spend less time drafting effective proposals.
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