The honest comparison:
SimplyWise vs Houzz Pro
Houzz Pro combines a homeowner marketplace with a contractor PM suite. SimplyWise is a focused AI estimator you run from your phone. Here is where each one is the right fit.
★★★★★ 4.8 on the App Store • 7-day free trial
★★★★★4.8 App Store (27,000+ ratings)
★★★★★4.6 Trustpilot
Three things Houzz Pro can’t do yet
Every advantage traces back to how SimplyWise was built. Mobile-first, for a contractor standing on a jobsite with a phone. SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a jobsite photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, and it is free to try, then $29.99 per month or about $20 per month on the annual plan ($239.99 per year).
AI photo-to-estimate
Snap a photo, walk away with an estimate. Houzz Pro’s estimating flow is built around their 3D design tool, not photo speed.
LiDAR room measurement
Capture dimensions from your phone’s LiDAR sensor. Houzz Pro has no LiDAR scanning.
Smart upsell suggestions
AI surfaces upsells based on what’s in the photo. Houzz Pro doesn’t market this capability.
Feature-by-feature: every box a working contractor needs to tick
Pulled from the live SimplyWise release and Houzz Pro’s public website, April 2026.
| Feature | SimplyWise | Houzz Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Estimate speed | Snap a photo, estimate in seconds | Manual + 3D design flow |
| Photo-to-estimate AI | Yes | No |
| LiDAR room scanning | Yes | No |
| Real-time local pricing | Yes, real-time pricing | Limited |
| Before & after AI visualization | Yes | Yes, 3D design |
| Smart upsell suggestions | Yes | No |
| Professional PDF proposals | Yes | Yes |
| E-signatures | Yes | Yes |
| Change orders | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace leads | No | Yes |
| 3D room design tool | Renders only | Full 3D studio |
| Mobile-first field workflow | Yes | Desktop-first |
Data verified live from simplywise.com and Houzz Pro’s public website on April 21, 2026.
“Excellent app with amazing customer service. Real help from a real person within hours. The AI rendering is great for showing the customer what it will look like, and the estimates are very accurate.”
What contractors are saying
Verified 5-star reviews from contractors using SimplyWise Cost Estimator on the jobsite.
★★★★★
“I started using SimplyWise to help with estimates. I didn’t have experience doing estimates. The ease of access was amazing.”
★★★★★
“The prices it’s putting out are what we should be making. I wish everyone used it. Could actually make money in this business.”
★★★★★
“I run a business that uses this estimator tool daily. A task that used to take me hours now takes minutes, and I can get an estimate to a client and contract signed within the same visit.”
How SimplyWise stacks up against every major estimating tool
Common questions, answered
Test the estimator, keep your marketplace
Start a free SimplyWise trial to see how much faster your estimates go. Pair it with whatever you use for lead gen.
Houzz Pro Alternatives for Contractors
Houzz Pro pairs a homeowner marketplace with a contractor PM suite, but many contractors want a focused estimator instead. Here are the leading Houzz Pro alternatives for contractors who want fast estimating and invoicing.
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1
SimplyWise Cost Estimator
The leading Houzz Pro alternative for contractors who want photo-to-estimate, LiDAR room scanning on a Pro iPhone, real-time material pricing, and invoicing in one app. SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a jobsite photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Priced at $29.99 per month standard, or about $20 per month on the annual plan ($239.99 per year), with a 7-day free trial.
Best for: Solo contractors and small crews who need fast on-site estimates plus invoicing in one app.
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2
Buildertrend
Full construction project management platform for residential builders and remodelers, covering estimating, scheduling, change orders, and client portals.
Best for: Mid-size remodeling and home-building companies.
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3
Jobber
Field service management platform with scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, and CRM. Best for crews with recurring service work such as HVAC, lawn care, and cleaning.
Best for: Service-based contractors managing recurring jobs and multi-person crews.
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4
Joist
An estimate-and-invoice app contractors have used for years. Manual line-item estimating with no photo capture or room scanning.
Best for: Contractors who want a simple, low-cost invoicing and estimating app.
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5
Contractor Foreman
All-in-one construction management platform covering estimating, invoicing, project management, daily logs, and time tracking.
Best for: Contractors who want one platform for everything and are willing to invest setup time.
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6
Square Invoices
Free invoicing tied to Square Payments, the simplest option in the category. No photo estimating, no project management, no scheduling.
Best for: Solo handymen and contractors who already use Square for in-person payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does SimplyWise Cost Estimator cost?
SimplyWise Cost Estimator is $29.99 per month standard, or about $20 per month on the annual plan ($239.99 per year), with a 7-day free trial. It includes photo-to-estimate, LiDAR room scanning on a Pro iPhone, real-time material pricing, branded PDF proposals, and invoicing in one app.
What are the best Houzz Pro alternatives for contractors?
The leading Houzz Pro alternatives for contractors are SimplyWise Cost Estimator (best for fast photo-to-estimate and invoicing in one app), Buildertrend (full construction project management), Jobber (scheduling and dispatch for service crews), Contractor Foreman (all-in-one construction management), and Joist (simple, low-cost invoicing). SimplyWise is free to try, then $29.99 per month or about $20 per month on the annual plan ($239.99 per year).
Is there a cheaper Houzz Pro alternative for estimating?
Yes. SimplyWise Cost Estimator is a lower-cost Houzz Pro alternative focused on estimating. It turns a jobsite photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, adds LiDAR room scanning on a Pro iPhone and real-time material pricing, and includes invoicing in one app, with published pricing you can start without a sales call: free to try, then $29.99 per month or about $20 per month on the annual plan ($239.99 per year).