Best Landscaping Estimating Software in 2026
Independent comparison of the top landscaping estimating software tools for landscapers and lawn care businesses. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing (scheduling now requires Pro at $399/mo) and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - reshaping the value pick for landscaping crews.
Last updated: July 2026
Quick Comparison: At a Glance
| Feature | Buildxact | BuilderTrend |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $169 | $399 |
| Overall Rating | ||
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Core Features | ||
| Estimating | ||
| Digital Takeoff | — | |
| Scheduling | ||
| Project Mgmt | ||
| Business Tools | ||
| CRM | — | |
| QuickBooks | ||
| Reporting | ||
| Proposals | ||
| Advanced | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Inventory | — | |
| BIM | — | — |
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Pricing verified as of July 2026. Features based on vendor documentation.
Buildxact
Foundation plan now includes unlimited users and digital takeoffs - no more per-user pricing
Try Buildxact Free →BuilderTrend
Handles everything — estimates, scheduling, change orders, even warranty tracking
Visit Official Site →Pricing verified as of July 2026. Prices may vary.
Which Landscaping Estimating Software Is Right for You?
Not every contractor needs the same tool. Here's our honest take based on your situation.
Solo landscaper or 2-person crew
→ Buildxact ($169/mo flat)
$199/mo Foundation with unlimited users and digital takeoffs. Add Pro at $399/mo for scheduling and job management.
Landscaping business with 3–10 crew members
→ JobTread ($199/mo)
$199/mo base plus $20/user. Built-in accounting, scheduling, and inventory tracking for materials.
Landscape design-build firm doing commercial projects
→ BuilderTrend ($399/mo)
Full project management with customer portals. Proven track record with landscape contractors.
Not sure? Take our 5-question quiz — we'll match you to the right tool.
Total Cost Reality Check: What You'll Actually Pay
Monthly prices hide the real cost. Here's the annual total by team size.
| Software | 1 Tech | 3 Techs | 5 Techs | 10 Techs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buildxact | $2,030/yr | $2,030/yr | $2,030/yr | $2,030/yr |
| JobTread | $2,388/yr | $2,868/yr | $3,348/yr | $4,548/yr |
| BuilderTrend | $4,788/yr | $4,788/yr | $4,788/yr | $4,788/yr |
Annual costs calculated from vendor pricing as of July 2026. Prices may vary.
Our Honest Recommendation
Go with Buildxact
Best value for small landscaping crews. Buildxact Foundation at $199/mo includes unlimited users and digital takeoffs - add Pro at $399/mo if you need scheduling.
If you have 3+ crew members, JobTread's $199/mo base plus $20/user still undercuts Buildxact Pro at $399/mo.
Detailed Reviews: What We Found
Buildxact is our top pick. Here's why — and how the others compare.
Buildxact
Simple estimating and job management — ready in under an hour
Price
$169
/mo flat
Best For
HVAC, General
Free Trial
14 days
Bottom Line: Still the fastest setup we've tested, but the 2026 pricing overhaul (Foundation $169/mo annual vs old $49/mo) ends its run as the budget pick. Now competes with Projul on value. Best for residential contractors who want AI estimating and digital takeoffs in one platform.
BuilderTrend
The biggest name in construction management — used by 1M+ contractors
Price
$399
/mo
Best For
General, Roofing
Free Trial
14 days
Bottom Line: The industry standard if you're a growing company that needs everything in one platform. But if you mainly need estimating, Projul does that better for the same price.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Download our Excel template — built for landscaping contractors. Free.
Browse Other Trades
HVAC
Independent comparison of the top HVAC estimating software tools. Tested by our editorial team for accuracy, speed, and HVAC-specific features. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - both up sharply from 2025, reshaping the value pick for HVAC crews.
Electrical
Independent comparison of the top electrical estimating software tools for electricians and electrical contractors. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - both up sharply from 2025, changing the value calculus for electrical contractors.
Plumbing
Independent comparison of the top plumbing estimating software tools for plumbers and plumbing contractors. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - both up sharply from 2025, reshaping the value pick for plumbing crews.
Roofing
Independent comparison of the top roofing estimating software tools for roofers and roofing contractors. July 2026 pricing update: PlanSwift raised its annual subscription to $2,000/yr per user, and Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing - reshaping the value pick for roofers.
General Contractor
Independent comparison of the top construction estimating software for general contractors and builders. July 2026 pricing update: JobTread shifted from flat-rate to $199/mo base plus $20/user, and Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing - changing the value calculus for GCs of every size.
Small Contractor
Affordable estimating software picks for solo operators and small crews (1–10 people). Flat-rate pricing, easy setup, no bloat. July 2026 pricing update: JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user and Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing - Clear Estimates at $59/mo annual is now the clear budget pick.
Free Construction Estimating
The top free and low-cost construction estimating software options. Find tools with free trials, freemium plans, and budget-friendly picks. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact now offers a free Go plan (5 AI credits) alongside $199/mo Foundation, and Clear Estimates starts at $59/mo annual - the cheapest paid option remains accessible for tight budgets.
Painting
Independent comparison of estimating software for painting contractors and painting companies. Tools that handle paint takeoff, material pricing, and crew bids. July 2026 pricing update: Buildxact moved to $199/mo unlimited-user Foundation pricing (scheduling now requires Pro at $399/mo) and JobTread shifted to $199/mo base plus $20/user - reshaping the value pick for painting crews.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Marcus Webb
Lead Reviewer & Construction Tech Analyst
Marcus spent 8 years working with general contractors and trade businesses before focusing on construction technology. He has personally tested 30+ estimating and project management tools with real project data.
About Marcus →