Proposals are the backbone of winning new business, and having the right tools can make all the difference. Studies show that only 36% of sales time is actually spent on sales, while the remaining 64% is spent on other tasks, such as responding to requests for proposals (RFPs). Using the best proposal software can save the time typically spent on creating and managing proposals.
In a competitive market, the ability to quickly craft professional proposals can be a game-changer. In this article, let us look at the top 10 proposal software that you can implement in your business today.
Best Proposal Software - A Quick Overview
- Cone
- PandaDoc
- BetterProposals
- Proposify
- Qwile
- GoProposal
- BidSketch
- Proposable
- RFPIO
- Loopio
What Is A Proposal Software?
A proposal and invoicing software is a digital application that is used for proposal creation, collaboration, and sharing among firms. This software hastens the whole procedure of proposals from preparing to approving them to help business people present their services or products to clients impressively and systematically.
Generally, a proposal software:
- Provides proposal templates that are easy to customize.
- Helps you store and reuse important information like pricing and service descriptions.
- Let multiple team members work on the same proposal at the same time.
- Allows clients to e-sign proposals, making the process faster.
- Tells you when clients open and view your proposal, so you know their level of interest.
Also Read: Proposals vs Contract: Which One Should You Choose?
Key Features of the Best Proposal Software
When picking proposal software, there are a few crucial elements to consider:
Ease of Use: First, the software should be intuitive, with the user interface being as simple as possible. Ensure that there is an easy-to-use interface, especially for creating proposals, so that one does not have to learn complicated things.
Customization Options: The flexibility to tailor your ideas is critical. Whether you're adding your branding, modifying templates, or introducing special phrases, ensure the program allows you to customize proposals to meet your requirements.
Collaboration Features: If you operate in a team, collaboration tools are vital. Look for software that allows many users to simultaneously edit, comment, and review proposals.
Automation: An effective quotation software for small businesses should save you time. Search for tools that can assist in proposal management processes, including automation, notifications, and e-signatures.
Integration with Other Tools: Ideally, the software should be integrated with tools that one already uses, such as CRM systems, accounting systems, or project management tools.
Analytics and Tracking: Identify software that can give you details as to how your proposals are faring. Live monitoring may reveal the time a proposal is opened, the time taken to read it, and even whether it was approved.
Pricing: Make sure the software is within your budget. Compare different pricing plans and software, for example, Proposify vs QuoteWerks and see which features are included at each level. Some software may provide a free trial, so you may try it out before committing.
Also Read: Top 10 Quotes Software for Small Businesses: Streamline Your Operations
Top 10 Best Proposal Software Solutions Compared
When it comes to selecting the best proposal software, one should identify what is needed in planning and executing proposals by their enterprise. At times, the requirements of such a business will be different from that of a business that has a large number of employees. Budget, automation features, scalability and other factors also play an important role in the decision. Here’s how different proposal software in the market compare:
Cone
Cone proposal software is designed as a tool that enables writing proposals, billing, and creating invoices for multiple enterprises. Cone can be used by accounting firms, legal departments, marketing and IT companies, freelance professionals, photographers, and cleaning services.
Best Features:
Affordable Pricing: Cone’s comprehensive services start at just $8 per user/month, while other options often cost $70-$100 per user/month.
Proposal Editor: Create and edit impressive proposals that can attract and engage potential clients effectively.
Invoice Automation: When your proposal is accepted, invoices are automatically generated.
Native Integrations: Works smoothly with accounting software like Xero and QBO, as well as payment gateways like Stripe and GoCardless.
All-Inclusive Features: Streamlines billing, payments, and proposal administration into a single platform, saving you up to 40 hours each month.
Template Library: Use a variety of pre-made proposal templates for various sectors to quickly and easily build professional proposals.
User-Friendly Interface: Cone proposal software has a simple UI that is easy to understand, allowing teams to adapt rapidly.
Sales Pipeline Management: Track leads, select opportunities, and track progress to maximize income.
Pricing
- Essentials: £6.50 or $8 (billed annually) or £9 or $11 (billed monthly).
- Growth: £9 or $11 (billed annually) or £12 or $15 (billed monthly).
PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a software which fulfills the requirements of an organization for document management, business proposals, contracts, bids, and even for e-signatures. It helps to manage proposals with ease and efficiency since they are all gathered in one place. When compared with PandaDoc alternatives, it has many features that can appeal to a diverse team.
Best Features
Drag and Drop Editing: Use drag-and-drop editing to swiftly create proposals from over 750 ready-to-use templates.
Proposal Tracking: Easily track approvals, comments, and version changes in real time.
CRM Integrations: PandaDoc integrates with various CRM systems, allowing you to manage anything without leaving your current apps.
E-sign: Legally binding e-signatures allow you to securely sign papers. You can create pre-approved templates and lock in legal information to maintain compliance.
Forms: Share forms via a direct link or embed them on your website without needing to code.
Payments: Collect payments directly from your contracts, which can increase your close rate.
Pricing
- Essentials: $19 or $29 per user per month
- Business: $49 or $59 per user per month
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Also Read: PandaDoc vs Proposify vs Cone: Finding the Right Proposal Software for You
Better Proposals
Better Proposals is a cloud-based business documentation platform for creating and sending proposals, contracts and agreements as well as to manage their status. The purpose is to help users to create such documents and make them more presentable so that you can attract clients and make sales swiftly. Here’s what to know about Better Proposals Pricing and other features.
Best Features
Customizable Templates: Edit and rebrand premade templates that are designed professionally.
Real-Time Document Tracking: View when the clients opened, read, forwarded, or signed the documents to make follow-ups at the most appropriate time.
Legally Binding eSignatures: Offers legally valid printable eSignatures that include recording the date of signing, the IP address of the signee, and freezing the document after signing.
Easy-to-Use Editor: The intuitive editor handles spacing and formatting for you, making document creation quick and stress-free.
Integrations: Connect with over 40 popular tools, send documents directly from your CRM, manage projects, and handle billing seamlessly.
Pricing
- Starter - $19 (monthly) or $13 (annually)
- Premium - $29 (monthly) or $21 (annually)
- Enterprise - $49 (monthly) or $42 (annually)
Pro Tip: If you're exploring better proposal alternatives, it's worth considering reading Better Proposals Alternatives: Top 10 Competitors to Try in 2024.
Proposify
Proposify is a business solution software used by organisations in developing, issuing and tracking of professional proposals, quotes, and contracts. This is to remove the complexities of sealing business deals through templates, e-signatures and even tracking of the documents in real time. Before exploring Proposify alternatives, here’s what you must know:
Best Features
Proposal Automation: Save time and effort on professional on-brand proposals through automation.
Interactive Quotes: Send editable quotes where clients can highlight, click on choices, change quantity, and immediately receive an updated quote.
Electronic Signatures: Integrates with e-signature, where the clients can sign documents on the platform.
Tracking and Analytics: Easily know when a document has been opened, which parts were read most often, and how much time the viewer spend on each part.
CRM Integration: Proposify integrates with most CRMs including Hubspot, Salesforce, and Zoho.
Also Read: Better Proposals vs Proposify: The Best Option to Choose in 2024?
Pricing
Basic: $35 (monthly) or $29 (annually)
Team: $49 (monthly) or $41(annually)
Business: $65
Qwilr
Qwilr is a piece of software that enables businesses to create professional, engaging proposals, quotes, and sales documents that get buyers excited. It replaces the conventional paper-based documents with interactive web pages that can also be edited, shared, and even monitored. For more alternatives, then check out Qwilr alternatives.
Best Features
Easy To Use: Drag and drop building blocks to make beautiful proposals in minutes.
Interactive: Add videos, images, and other engaging content to grab your client's attention.
Signed and sealed: Clients can sign your proposals and pay you directly within Qwilr, saving you time.
Track Progress: Follow the engagement clients have on the propositions and know which aspects concern them.
Templates: Proposal templates for sales, marketing, and accounting make it easier to create instant, professional-looking proposals.
Pricing
- Business - $35 per user per month
- Enterprise - $59 per user per month
GoProposal
GoProposal is accounting business proposal software. It enables the creation of professional-quality and standardized proposals and engagement letters. The tool helps manage clients’ interactions and improve the overall operations of the practice to increase its revenue. You can also check out more about GoProposal alternatives.
Best Features
Professional Proposals: Professionally design your proposals and engagement letters in a short time.
Consistent Pricing: It has a pricing module that assists you in building appropriate, profitable rates that are consistent.
Automated Renewals: GoProposal can autoflow the renewal process for your clients, avoiding any renewal lapse.
Compliance with Regulations (OverSuite Add-On): With the OverSuite add-on, users can always be on par with the changes to the regulations.
Unlimited Clients: GoProposal provides an unlimited number of client management capabilities, so you do not have to worry about the software hindering your practice expansion.
Pricing
- Solo - £65
- Basic - £95
- Standard - £130
- Premium - £205
BidSketch
An excellent tool for proposal automation solution is Bidsketch that helps to present proposals that will appeal to any client. Using Bidsketch makes Proposal initiation, sending those proposals and still following them up less of a problem.
Best Features
Pre-made Proposals: Create custom proposals in minutes by editing pre-written content, pricing items, and designs.
E-Signatures: Clients can sign proposals online, making the approval process faster and more convenient.
Client Landing Pages: The proposal’ custom landing page makes it easy for clients to view, comment on, and approve your proposals.
Optional Fees: Visibility of the optional pricing is an upsell feature that helps you add more services concerning the clients you serve.
Automated Follow-Up Messages: Depending on the response of a particular client to your proposal, Bidsketch can follow it up with an autoresponder.
Pricing
- Business - $119 (yearly) or $149 (monthly)
- Team - $47 (yearly) or $79 (monthly)
- Solo - $23 (yearly) or $29 (monthly)
Proposable
Proposable is a proposal software for freelancers that allows users to create, send, track, as well as sign sales proposals effortlessly. It is for salespeople, managers, and businesses who want to avoid time-consuming traditional proposal processes and want to increase sales or turnovers.
Best Features
Unique Proposal Creation: With the drag-and-drop feature, edit text, images, video, and other elements to make proposals look unique.
eSignatures: Obtain electronic signatures within the proposals, thus enabling clients to sign your documents easily.
Proposal Analytics: See when a proposal is opened, the time spent on it, and put up alarms for the most important events to happen.
CRM Integration: Proposable integrates with your current CRM to sync your contacts, deals, and proposals effectively.
Payment Collection: Enable a proposal to collect initial payments as soon as a client accepts your proposal so you don't have to chase down payments.
Pricing
- Solo - $19/user per month
- Team - $39/user per month
- Enterprise - $500+/month
Responsive
Responsive is an artificial intelligence software solution that is aimed at making a quick and easy response to RFPs, RFIs, and other challenging questionnaires. It is most beneficial to groups where the preparation of many proposals is a common occurrence and informative coordination is necessary.
Best Features
AI-Powered Responses: Responsive uses mechanisms of artificial intelligence for responding to RFPs and other similar requests to respond faster.
Mobile Compatibility: Responsive automatically adjusts to different screen sizes, allowing clients and teams to view, edit, and approve proposals on any device.
Customized Sales Proposals: High-quality, responsive templates that are easy to customize allow you to maintain brand consistency.
Decision Support: Responsive assists you in deciding whether to pursue or decline a potential client opportunity by examining key variables in your proposals.
Global Reach: Responsive offers multilingual support in 22 languages.
Pricing
Responsive offers three plans:
- Professional
- Business
- Enterprise
To know the price, you can contact their sales team.
Loopio
Loopio is an artificial intelligence-based tool that was designed to manage and respond to RFPs and any other sales inquiries a firm may encounter. This eliminates a lot of roof-level formalities, making it easier and faster for teams to deliver accurate and quality proposals.
Best Features
AI-Powered Drafting: Loopio uses artificial intelligence to swiftly create answers from a secure content library, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Content Library: Centralizes your content, making it easy to store, organize, and reuse previous RFP responses and company knowledge.
Collaboration Workflow: Loopio enables teams to work together effortlessly, tag internal experts, handle numerous responses.
Integrations: Connects with other tools like Salesforce, Slack, and Microsoft Office, making it easier to manage proposals within your existing tech stack.
Reporting and Analytics: Loopio provides insights into the impact of your responses on revenue and helps improve the accuracy of your content over time.
Pricing
Loopio offers 4 plans
- Essentials
- Plus
- Advanced
- Enterprise
You can get a quote for these plans once you contact their sales team.
How Can I Choose the Best Proposal Software?
Choosing the best proposal software does not have to be complicated. Here is a simple guide to help you make the proper decision:
Step 1: Identify Your Needs
What do you need? List down the features you want. What are your preferences? when a configurator is needed, automated billing system, or an interface ease? The larger the range of potential partners, the higher the risk and uncertainty—this is why it is important to know exactly what you want.
Step 2: Check for Essential Features
Be on the lookout for the program that is going to provide a set of simple templates for you to choose from. If you are in an organization, you look for software that supports several people working on the project at the same time. It should also be fully compatible with other tools you employ, for instance, CRM for accountants or Accounts Receivable systems.
Step 3: Ease of Use
It is expected that the user does not require an operator’s manual to be able to accomplish tasks on the software. Clutter-free and simple is the best design strategy as it will be less time-consuming. See whether the software is informative enough with good and prompt customer care and with well-detailed tutorials for beginners.
Step 4: Scalability
Choose the best proposal software for accountants that can grow with your business. If you plan to expand, make sure the tool can handle more users, proposals, or features.
Step 5: Cost
Compare pricing plans. Some software might seem cheap but could lack important features. Others might be pricier but offer everything you need. Find a balance between cost and value.
Step 6: Read Reviews
Look at what other users are saying. Reviews can give you insights into the software’s pros and cons. Many tools offer free trials. Use them to test the software before committing.
Also Read: How to Write a Business Proposal - Templates & Examples
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best proposal software for small businesses means finding the ideal fit for your goals, budget, and future growth. Take your time exploring different possibilities, testing them out, and reading user reviews. This approach will help you make a confident decision that supports your business goals.
Try the best proposal software like Cone and see the difference for yourself.
FAQs
- Why should I utilize proposal management software?
Proposal management software supports improvements in proposal development, reduces plan errors, accelerates response to customers, and controls proposal outcomes. It can also help team members collaborate more effectively and assure proposal consistency.
- Can proposal management software be integrated with other tools?
Yes, most of the proposal management software is connected with other tools like CRM, accounting software, project management software and many more.
- Is proposal management software appropriate for smaller businesses?
Absolutely. Many proposal management software alternatives are intended to be scalable, making them appropriate for organizations of all sizes, including small firms.
- What level of assistance can I expect from proposal management software providers?
Look for companies that give customer service across numerous channels, such as phone, email, and chat. Good providers also offer training resources and documentation.
- Does this software allow me to measure proposal success?
Yes. Your proposal management software usually provides tracking and analytics features that allow you to keep track of proposal status, success rates, and other key indicators.