Introduction
Creating persuasive, visually appealing proposals is a key part of winning new business. However, using generic templates and cobbling together documents in Word can be time-consuming and leave customers wanting more. This is where modern proposal software comes in. These dedicated platforms provide beautiful pre-made templates, powerful multimedia tools, tight collaboration features, and analytics to help you close more deals. In this post, we review 15 of the leading proposal software options to help you choose the right one for your business.
Methods of Evaluation
To evaluate and rank each proposal software, we considered key factors like features, ease of use, pricing, support, and real user reviews. We also analyzed things like the number of backlinks, average monthly traffic, and keyword search trends to understand which solutions are most popular and establishing an online presence. This comprehensive evaluation approach provides a good overview of each product’s strengths to help readers make the best choice.
1. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a popular PDF software suite developed by Adobe Inc. that allows users to create, edit, sign, and share PDF documents.
Pros: Key advantages of Adobe Acrobat include: – Familiar interface for existing Adobe users – Powerful editing tools for manipulating PDF documents – Version control and markup tools for collaboration – Tight integration with the Adobe Document Cloud platform
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Adobe Acrobat has a relatively high upfront and ongoing subscription cost compared to some free and open-source PDF editors.
Pricing: Adobe Acrobat pricing starts at $14.99/month for the individual plan billed annually. Commercial and enterprise plans are also available starting at $18.99/month per user billed annually.
Some key stats about Adobe Acrobat include: – Over 500 million users worldwide – Available on Windows and Mac platforms – Supports major file formats including PDF, XPS, DOC, PPT, XLS
2. Typeform
Typeform is an online form builder and survey tool that allows users to create beautiful and engaging online forms without any coding. Founded in 2012 and based in Barcelona, Spain, Typeform makes it easy for anyone to create interactive online forms to collect responses, conduct surveys, generate leads, and more.
Pros: Some key advantages of Typeform include:
– Visual and engaging templates that are optimized for getting responses.
– Built-in analytics to see response trends and demographics.
– Easy to share and embed forms on websites and in emails.
– Integrations allow for automatically saving responses to CRM, CMS and other apps.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free plan only allows for one active form at a time which could be limiting for some use cases.
Pricing: Typeform offers three pricing plans:
– Free plan allows one active form and includes all basic features.
– Plus plan is $8/user/month and unlocks additional templates, integrations and support.
– Business plan starts at $24/user/month and includes enterprise-level support, custom branding, and unlimited forms.
Some key stats about Typeform include:
– Used by over 150,000 companies worldwide including IBM, Spotify, and Anthropic.
– Features over 50 beautiful pre-made templates for quizzes, surveys, applications and other common form types.
– Integrates with over 200 apps including Google Sheets, Airtable, Hubspot and Salesforce.
– Collects over 2 million responses per month.
3. salesforce
Salesforce is a leading CRM provider that offers powerful proposal capabilities through its Sales Cloud. The proposal functionality is integrated directly into the Salesforce platform, allowing users to create comprehensive proposals, contracts, and quotes seamlessly.
Pros: Key advantages of Salesforce’s proposal software include:
– It is part of a full CRM suite, providing functionality beyond just proposals
– Users can customize templates and styles to match their company’s branding
– Proposals seamlessly integrate with the Salesforce Sales Cloud for tracking opportunities from lead to close
– Built-in collaboration features allow multiple users to work on proposals simultaneously in real-time
Cons: A potential downside is that Salesforce proposals require being part of a larger Salesforce subscription, which comes at a higher cost compared to standalone proposal tools.
Pricing: Pricing for Salesforce proposals depends on the tier of CRM subscription chosen. Standard Sales Cloud prices start at $25 per user per month. Custom and Enterprise editions are also available and include additional features and support, with costs varying based on the number of user licenses.
Some key stats about Salesforce’s proposal capabilities include:
– Used by over 150,000 companies worldwide
– Features customizable templates and layouts
– Integrates with the rest of the Salesforce platform for a full view of customers and opportunities
– Allows for real-time collaboration on proposals between teams
4. Airtable
Airtable is a low-code platform that allows users to build databases, apps, and workflows to manage projects, tasks and information. Founded in 2012, Airtable’s mission is to expand human productivity by allowing anyone to create apps for anything without writing code. With its flexible and customizable interface, Airtable lets teams collaborate visually to store, organize and access information.
Pros: Some key advantages of Airtable include:
– Flexible form and database building without code
– Powerful workflow automations that integrate different tools and services
– Deep collaboration features for real-time teamwork
– Integrations with hundreds of popular tools for extending functionality
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that more complex programming logic and integrations may require the paid Business or Enterprise plans for access to things like scripts and private APIs.
Pricing: Airtable offers three pricing tiers:
– Free plan for up to 3 databases and 3GB of storage
– Business plan starting at $10/user/month for unlimited databases and storage
– Enterprise plan with custom pricing for additional features and support
Some key stats about Airtable include:
– Used by over 250,000 paying organizations worldwide
– More than 15,000 integrations with other popular tools like Google Sheets, Slack, Microsoft Teams and many others
– Over 1 million templates and apps created by the community
5. Formstack
Formstack is an online form building and workflow automation platform. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Formstack allows users to create customizable online forms, surveys, and digital documents to capture responses and feedback from customers, employees, and stakeholders. Users can configure automated workflows with triggers, approvals, and actions powered by the responses.
Pros: Some key advantages of Formstack include:
– Customizable forms and templates that can be created without coding
– Tight integration with Google Workspace for collaboration and sharing
– Robust reporting and analytics tools to track form responses over time
– Integrations with CRM and ticketing systems like Salesforce and Zendesk
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Formstack does not offer free plan options. Even the lowest paid tier starts at $15/month which may be too expensive for some very small businesses or individuals.
Pricing: Formstack offers three pricing tiers:
– Standard: Starts at $15/user/month billed annually
– Premier: Starts at $25/user/month billed annually
– Enterprise: Customized enterprise pricing for large organizations
Some key stats about Formstack include:
– Used by over 150,000 organizations worldwide
– Integrates with over 150 apps including Google Workspace, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, and Zoho
– Processed over 1 billion submissions to date
6. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a leading work management platform that allows teams to plan, capture, manage, automate, and report on work. Founded in 2005 with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, Smartsheet has more than 100,000 paying customers including 83% of the Fortune 100.
Pros: Some key advantages of Smartsheet include:
– Visual work planning and management with Gantt charts, calendars and kanban views
– Tight integrations with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace
– Robust analytics and reporting capabilities to track project progress
– Automation of common workflows through built-in rules and Zapier integrations
Cons: One potential disadvantage of Smartsheet is that the free version has limited capabilities which may require upgrading for more advanced use cases.
Pricing: Smartsheet pricing starts at $15/user/month for the Standard plan which includes unlimited users, 1GB storage and basic features. The Premier plan is $25/user/month and unlocks additional features like advanced reporting and template gallery. There is also an Enterprise plan for larger teams and customizable features.
Some key stats about Smartsheet include:
– Over 100,000 paying customers including 83% of the Fortune 100
– Founded in 2005 and has over 2,000 employees
– Raises over $500 million in funding from investors like CapitalG and Innovation Endeavors
– Integrates with over 200 apps like Microsoft, Slack, and Google Workspace
7. Monday.com
Monday.com is a work management solution that provides customizable templates for tasks like project management, CRM, marketing and more. Founded in 2014, Monday.com has its headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel and focuses on providing an open and flexible platform for teams to manage all their work.
Pros: Some key advantages of Monday.com include:
– Customizable templates that allow creating boards and tools for any workflow
– Integrated project management functionality for tracking tasks, statuses and deadlines
– Real-time collaboration features that enable simultaneous work across teams
– Powerful integrations that connect Monday.com to various other business tools and apps
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Monday.com does not offer the depth of features found in specialized project management tools. It provides more of an open workflow platform rather than focused task and resource planning functionality.
Pricing: Monday.com offers three pricing plans:
– Free Plan: Limited to 2 boards and 5 collaborators, ideal for lightweight use.
– Plus Plan: $8/user per month billed annually. Includes unlimited boards and collaborators.
– Pro Plan: $24/user per month billed annually. Adds more advanced capabilities like custom domains and SSO.
Some key stats about Monday.com include:
– Used by over 150,000 organizations worldwide
– Integrations with over 500 apps including Gmail, Slack, GitHub and more
– Supports over 30 languages
– Customers include IBM, Toyota, Philips and Canon
8. Visme
Visme is a leading online visual communication platform that allows users to create professional presentations, infographics, videos and other designs. Founded in 2013, Visme has grown tremendously and now supports over 15 million users in 190 countries. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Visme makes it easy for users to develop visually engaging proposals, presentations and other business materials.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of using Visme for proposal creation include:
– Visual proposal creation: Design visually stunning proposals using various templates, themes, images and multimedia.
– Flexible design templates: Choose from hundreds of professionally designed free templates optimized for different layouts.
– Collaborative tools: Invite teammates to collaborate on proposals in real-time through comments, annotations and revision tracking.
– Option to embed interactive content: Add interactive charts, quizzes, videos and more to make proposals more engaging.
Cons: While Visme is quite feature-rich, one potential limitation could be:
– Storage limits on free plans: The free plan offers limited storage. Paid plans may be needed for larger teams or complex projects involving big files.
Pricing: Visme offers the following pricing plans:
– Free Plan: Offers basic features sufficient for individual use. Storage limited to 1 GB.
– Premium Plan: $12/month billed annually. Unlimited storage along with additional features for teams.
Some key stats about Visme include:
– Over 15 million users worldwide
– Supports 190 global markets
– Wide range of templates for various design needs like presentations, infographics, brochures etc.
– Intuitive interface for easy visual content creation
9. Lucidchart
Lucidchart is an online diagramming software that allows users to create flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, and more. Founded in 2013, Lucidchart is based in Silicon Slopes, Utah and offers both free and paid subscription plans.
Pros: Some key advantages of Lucidchart include:
– Visual diagramming interface that is intuitive to use.
– Tight integration with Microsoft Office apps like Word and PowerPoint.
– Real-time collaboration features for easy teamwork.
– Variety of diagram types like flowcharts, network diagrams, floor plans and more.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version has limited storage and file sharing capabilities. For larger scale projects or teams, a paid subscription may be required.
Pricing: Lucidchart offers three paid subscription plans starting at $9.99/month for individual users and scaling up to enterprise plans for large organizations. The free basic account gives access to basic features but has limits on storage and team collaboration features.
Some key stats about Lucidchart include:
– Used by over 30 million people globally.
– Integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Box for easy collaboration.
– Offers real-time collaboration so multiple people can work on diagrams simultaneously.
– Provides version controls so you can see changes over time.
10. DocuSign
DocuSign is the global standard for electronic signatures and document management. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, DocuSign offers the most comprehensive and connected agreement cloud for sending, signing, tracking, and storing documents. With over a billion users in 188 countries, DocuSign is a leader in secure electronic signature and document workflow automation.
Pros: Some key advantages of DocuSign include:
– Integrated eSignature functionality that allows documents to be signed from any device
– Collaborative tools like comments, tasks and automatic routing that streamline processes
– Robust document management capabilities for storing, finding and reporting on agreements
– Tight integration with tools like Salesforce, Microsoft, Google and more
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that DocuSign lacks some of the proposal and bidding features of specialized proposal software solutions.
Pricing: DocuSign offers several pricing plans starting from a free individual plan. Commercial plans start at $15/month per user for the lowest tier Standard plan which supports up to 3 users. Higher tier Professional and Enterprise plans provide additional features and scale from there.
Some key stats about DocuSign include:
– Over 1 billion users globally
– Used in 188 countries worldwide
– Processes over $5.5 trillion in commerce annually
– 8 out of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies use DocuSign
11. docsend
Docsend is a secure document sharing platform that makes it easy to send, track, and eSign important documents. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, Docsend has transformed how businesses securely share confidential information with clients and partners.
Pros: Some key advantages of Docsend include:
– Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for preparing documents.
– Advanced collaboration tools like comments, annotations, and version control.
– Flexible options for sharing documents privately or publicly via links.
– Integrations allow sharing documents directly from other popular solutions.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free tier only allows sharing up to 25 documents per month which may not suffice for high-volume document sharing needs.
Pricing: Docsend offers the following paid plans:
– Professional: $15/user/month – Removes document sharing limits and allows watermark branding.
– Business: $25/user/month – Includes all Professional features plus user management and SAML SSO.
Some key stats about Docsend include:
– Over 100,000 companies use Docsend including organizations like Uber, Amazon, and Microsoft.
– Docsend users have shared over 1 billion documents on the platform.
– The platform offers integrations with 250+ applications including Salesforce, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Office.
12. SAP Ariba
SAP Ariba is a leading spend management solution that provides end-to-end procurement capabilities. With over 30 years in business, Ariba helps organizations globally manage their direct and indirect spending. The cloud-based platform allows customers to automate procurement processes, manage catalogs, and leverage analytics to drive cost savings.
Pros: Key advantages of SAP Ariba include:
– End-to-end procurement solutions that span sourcing, contracting and spend management
– Highly configurable product catalogs that are easy for suppliers to maintain
– Robust workflow and rules automation to streamline purchase-to-pay processes
– Comprehensive reporting and analytics to provide real-time spend visibility
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that SAP Ariba has a high total cost of ownership due to the premium pricing for its flagship spend management platform. It may not be suited for organizations with smaller procurement spend.
Pricing: SAP Ariba pricing starts at $1500 per user per year for its Essentials edition. The Pro edition starts at $3000 per user per year and offers additional capabilities like sales contracts and catalogs. Custom pricing is available for the company’s high-end procurement solutions tailored for very large enterprise customers.
Some key stats about SAP Ariba include:
– Over $3.5 trillion in annual commerce running through the Ariba Network
– Used by over 4 million companies globally
– Handles 750+ events per second on the Ariba Network
13. PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a leading proposal and contract management software that helps businesses streamline document workflows. Founded in 2013 and based in Lithuania, PandaDoc has grown to support over 50,000 customers globally with its all-in-one solution.
Pros: Key advantages of PandaDoc include:
– Easy to use drag-and-drop builder for creating personalized document templates
– Built-in collaboration tools for working with internal and external stakeholders
– Powerful document automation with conditional fields and rules
– Insightful reporting and analytics on document usage and approval cycles
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free plan only allows for 3 active documents, so it may not be suitable for larger volume users.
Pricing: PandaDoc offers several paid plans starting at $29/month for their Basic plan which includes unlimited documents and advanced features. They also offer Team and Enterprise plans for larger organizations with additional support and customizable options.
Some key stats about PandaDoc include:
– Used by over 50,000 clients worldwide
– SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliant security
– Average customer sees a 40% reduction in time spent on document workflows
14. Paperform
Paperform is an online form builder created by Paperform that allows users to easily create customized digital forms. Founded in 2015, Paperform provides a flexible form building solution that combines intuitive design capabilities with powerful backend functionality.
Pros: Some key advantages of Paperform include:
– Visually engaging templates that are appealing and easy to use
– Ability to edit forms both online and offline for flexibility
– Built-in collaboration tools for teams to work on forms together
– Integrations that allow forms to be connected to various other apps
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the free plan only allows a single form and has limited storage, so the paid plans may be needed for complex uses.
Pricing: Paperform offers several paid plans starting at $8/month for individuals and $15/user/month for teams. The plans unlock additional features like unlimited forms, storage, data export, and integrations.
Some key stats about Paperform include:
– Used by over 50,000 teams worldwide
– Includes 37 visually engaging form templates
– Supports both online and offline form editing
– Integrations with Google Workspace, Slack, and more
15. QuickBase
QuickBase is a no-code platform for custom application development, work management, and process automation. Founded in 1993, QuickBase remains one of the most established and popular low-code development platforms. QuickBase can be used for a wide range of use cases like CRM, project management, issue tracking, and more.
Pros: Some key advantages of QuickBase include:
– Customizable forms and templates allow for quick development of tailored solutions
– Real-time collaboration features keep teams informed and workstreams aligned
– Advanced reporting capabilities provide insights into key business metrics
– Tight integration with tools like Gmail, Slack, Excel, and others streamline operations
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the lack of true programming capabilities compared to fully-coded solutions. The no-code nature may limit some advanced customization options available in developer-built platforms.
Pricing: QuickBase pricing starts at $25/user per month for the Standard plan. Additional pricing tiers include Professional at $50/user and Premier at $100/user. Larger organizations can request custom enterprise pricing.
Some key stats about QuickBase include:
– Used by over 250,000 customers including 60% of Fortune 500 companies
– Supports custom forms, screens, reports, and workflows
– Has nearly 2 million monthly active users
Conclusion
While there are many strong options, some proposal software platforms clearly stand out based on comprehensive feature sets, innovative functionality, ease of use, and positive user feedback. By researching the feature lists, pricing plans, reading reviews of real users, and trialing some of the top solutions, you can determine which one will work best for your specific business needs in generating winning proposals in 2023 and beyond.