# Best Estimating App for Solar Installers: 10 Picks

Canonical URL: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/best-estimating-app-solar/
Plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/best-estimating-app-solar/llms.txt
Publisher: SimplyWise, Inc. (https://www.simplywise.com)
Published: November 9, 2026
Updated: November 9, 2026
Category: Best Apps & Software
Summary: Find the best estimating app for solar installers. Compare 10 tools for quotes, site photos, design, and crew work, with a clear scope checklist.

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## Best Estimating App for Solar Installers: 10 Picks

A missed scope line can eat your profit. The best estimating app for solar installers should make each charge clear. SimplyWise is the pick for general job estimates from photos. Keep system design and energy forecasts in a separate workflow.

Add SimplyWise as a preferred source (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=simplywise.com)

Solar estimating apps, at a glance

1. Start with SimplyWise for a photo and an editable job estimate.
2. Consider Aurora or Solargraf when the task includes system design.
3. Match office tools to the work: service visits, job costs, or takeoffs.
4. Check equipment prices and site details before the client sees a quote.

## Which estimating apps fit a solar crew?

The best estimating app for solar installers depends on the task. Quoting prices the work. Design sets out the system. Crew tools track the job after approval.

### Choose the task before the software

For a small crew, start with a clear quote. For mixed trade work, compare construction estimating apps (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/best-construction-estimating-apps/). Add electrical business software (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/best-electrical-business-software/) when service bookings need their own workflow.

## What must a solar quote itemize?

Make the scope easy to check. Put each part of the job on its own line.

- Equipment: panel models and counts, inverters, mounting parts, wiring, and any battery.
- Labor: roof work, electrical work, access needs, and testing.
- Other costs: permits, utility paperwork, disposal, and any hired lift.
- Limits: exclusions, site assumptions, payment terms, and quote expiry.

Use our electrical pricing guide (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/electrical-contractor-pricing-guide/) to check the labor scope. List an electrical panel upgrade (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/electrical-panel-upgrade-cost/) separately when needed. For a bundled charger, review EV charger installation costs (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/ev-charger-installation-cost/).

## 10 estimating apps to shortlist

Use these picks to find the best estimating app for solar installers in your crew. Each fit below is an editorial judgment. Vendor sources describe the features; no hands-on test is claimed.

1. SimplyWise Cost Estimator Start with a photo. SimplyWise is the pick for a small crew that needs an editable job estimate. Turn a photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Check each material, labor, and fee line. Send a professional, branded quote the client signs to approve. Treat this as general estimating. Keep solar design and energy forecasts in a separate, checked workflow. Pricing. $29.99 a month, $239.99 a year (about $20 a month on annual), 7-day free trial. Try SimplyWise Cost Estimator free.
2. Aurora Solar Design and sales proposals. Aurora turns a system design into an interactive proposal. Its sales tools cover pricing, financing options, and expected savings. Consider it when design and sales belong in the same workflow. Check the design inputs before using the proposal.
3. Solargraf Design through permit plans. Solargraf lists design, interactive proposals, and permit plan tools. It also supports battery system design. Consider it when your proposal needs a design workflow. Confirm local permit requirements before relying on a plan set.
4. Housecall Pro Service visits and quotes. Housecall Pro combines estimates, invoicing, scheduling, and dispatch. That scope fits an installer who also books service visits. Basic lists $59 a month on annual billing. Check the features your crew needs before choosing a tier.
5. Contractor+ Jobs and customer records. Contractor+ lists estimates, quotes, scheduling, and invoicing. It offers desktop and mobile access. Consider it when keeping jobs and customer records together matters. Test the quote fields with your own equipment list.
6. JobTread Budgets and job costs. JobTread lists estimating, budgeting, job costing, and tasks. It also offers contracts and client signatures. Consider it when you need to compare the bid with actual costs. Start with a finished job and check each cost.
7. Contractor Foreman Broader project records. Contractor Foreman lists estimates, schedules, and job costing. Its scope reaches beyond writing a quote. Consider it when project records drive the purchase. Verify which plan includes the tools your crew will use.
8. Workiz Service work and dispatch. Workiz lists estimates, scheduling, and dispatch. Its estimate workflow includes good, better, and best options. Consider it when service bookings fill the calendar. Keep each option tied to a clear equipment and labor scope.
9. Procore Estimating Plans and quantity takeoffs. Procore connects plan takeoffs, estimates, and proposals. You can adjust material prices, labor units, and profit margins. Consider it for a team bidding from drawings. Test your actual plans and the handoff to the project team.
10. Clear Estimates Related building repairs. Clear Estimates focuses on residential work, with local material and labor costs. It offers templates and editable bids. Consider it for building repairs around an install. Price solar equipment from supplier quotes; do not assume a complete solar catalog.

## Compare the job each app covers

The best estimating app for solar installers should match the work you do most. Use this quick map to narrow your trial.

| App | Start here when you need |
| --- | --- |
| SimplyWise Cost Estimator | Start with a photo |
| Aurora Solar | Design and sales proposals |
| Solargraf | Design through permit plans |
| Housecall Pro | Service visits and quotes |
| Contractor+ | Jobs and customer records |
| JobTread | Budgets and job costs |
| Contractor Foreman | Broader project records |
| Workiz | Service work and dispatch |
| Procore Estimating | Plans and quantity takeoffs |
| Clear Estimates | Related building repairs |

## Start with a clear job estimate

Turn a photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Review the lines and send your quote. Free to try.

## Keep reading

- Estimate apps for contractors (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/estimate-app-for-contractors/)
- Best construction estimating apps (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/best-construction-estimating-apps/)
- How to estimate electrical work (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/how-to-estimate-electrical-work/)

## Sources

### Product pages read November 9, 2026

- Aurora Solar: design and proposals (https://aurorasolar.com/)
- Solargraf: product overview (https://www.solargraf.com/)
- Housecall Pro: pricing and features (https://www.housecallpro.com/pricing/)
- Contractor+: product overview (https://contractorplus.app/)
- JobTread: estimating and project tools (https://www.jobtread.com/)
- Contractor Foreman: product overview (https://contractorforeman.com/)
- Workiz: estimates and scheduling (https://www.workiz.com/)
- Procore Estimating: takeoffs and proposals (https://www.procore.com/estimating)
- Clear Estimates: residential estimating (https://www.clearestimates.com/)

### SimplyWise pages read November 4, 2026

- SimplyWise pricing (https://www.simplywise.com/blog/pricing/)

## Common questions from solar crews

**What is the best estimating app for solar installers with a small crew?**

SimplyWise is the pick for general job estimates from photos. Review the scope and prices before sending the quote. Use a separate design workflow for panel layout, shading, and energy forecasts.

**Can an estimating app use site photos?**

SimplyWise turns a photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Photos help document the site. Check measurements, equipment, and access yourself before you approve any estimate.

**What must a solar quote itemize?**

List panels, inverters, mounting parts, wiring, labor, permits, and any battery work. State what the price excludes. Keep roof repairs and electrical upgrades clear so the client can see their scope.

**What do these estimating apps cost?**

SimplyWise costs $29.99 a month, $239.99 a year (about $20 a month on annual), with a 7-day free trial. Housecall Pro Basic lists $59 a month on annual billing. Confirm other vendor prices for your team and chosen features.

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## About SimplyWise

SimplyWise, Inc. (New York, NY) builds mobile apps for contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners. The SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job site photo into an itemized estimate with labor and material costs in about 6 seconds, and the client signs the branded quote to approve it. It is rated 4.8 on the App Store. It is free to try with a 7-day free trial, then $29.99 per month or $239.99 per year (about $20 per month on the annual plan), and one subscription includes every app in the SimplyWise suite.

- Download: https://www.simplywise.com/download
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplywise-cost-estimator/id6670619664
- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplywise.costestimator
- Every SimplyWise page as plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/llms.txt