Creating and managing proposals is of huge importance in the present time business world. It is essentially gaining or losing clients on the proposal. The problem with creating compelling propositions is that it usually takes a lot of time. Here is where the proposal software tools enter, making things easier, saving time, and raising the quality of the produced proposals.
This article will explore what proposal software is, what makes a tool special, the benefits of using such tools, and conclude with a list of the top 12 proposal software tools.
What Do You Mean by Proposal Software?
Proposal software is often made of any digital tool that could help the individuals and business entities to create, send, and manage their professional proposals. Mostly, those tools are often equipped with templates, collaboration, analytics, e-signatures, and integrations with other software.
By automating repetitive tasks, proposal software lets its users focus upon creating higher quality content on what their audience needs. It provides precision, professionalism, and uniformity making this tool invaluable for industries such as sales, marketing, and consulting.
What Makes the Best Proposal Software?
The best proposal software is designed to facilitate the entire process smoothly at the same time of solving specific client needs. Thus, here are some key points characteristic of top propositions software:
Ease of Use
It has to be user-friendly as an intuitive interface with a very friendly design. This tool should prove easy to navigate, even with people with a minimum of technical expertise.
Customization options
Templates, design, and content can be customized in order to ensure that proposals have the identity and direction expected of a brand.
Automation features
Time-saving automation tools can auto-fill sections, generate pricing and send reminders for approvals or follow-ups.
Collaboration tools
Live edition comment and team sharing makes collaboration more effective.
Integrate
Tools such as CRM’s (for example, Salesforce), accounting software, and project management platforms integrate seamlessly in order to be on the effective workflow.
Analytics and Reporting
Suggest views, time spent on pages, and customer interactions can be referred to from insightful data to refine strategies and enhance conversion rates.
Benefits of Using Proposal Software Tools
Time Efficiency
The proposal software dramatically reduces time taken by the organization to prepare and submit proposals. With inbuilt templates having automation to lessen the repetition of tasks, thus saving business time for strategy and personalization.
Improved Accuracy
Applications that have in-built spell check, pricing calculations, amongst other validation content so that the proposals are error-free and very professional.
Increased Collaborations
The team members can collaborate in real-time, share their feedback and implement instant changes thus avoiding delays and miscommunication.
Better Conversion Ratio
Professional designs, content toward a target audience, and real-time analytics enable businesses to draft proposals that resonate with the clients thereby increasing chances of acceptance.
Brands Consistency
Templates, fonts, and designs ensure that all the proposals carry the same brand attributes and help to build credibility and trust.
Top 12 Proposal Software Tools
The difference between closing high-value contracts and losing big in today’s business environment may come down to having the right proposal software. Check out below for an in-depth look at the top 12 proposal software tools that can ease your process of creating proposals.
1. PandaDoc
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Best For: All-around proposal management and e-signatures
PandaDoc is one of the best proposal software tools which is a versatile document automation platform that’s done superbly well with creating, sending, and tracking proposals. An intuitive interface can help teams work collaboratively in real-time when creating proposals, but advanced analytics provide insights into client engagement. The software offers hundreds of templates and customization options as well as the potential to suit businesses of all sizes.
PandaDoc’s e-signature capabilities and integrations with CRM make the whole process of creating a proposal easier from creation through to closing. Besides all these, the platform also has content management features that help enforce brand consistency across all proposals.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop editor for documents
- Real-time collaboration tools
- Advanced analytics and tracking
- e-signatures
- Custom approval workflows
- Integration with CRM
- Managing a content library
Pricing
| Plan | Pricing |
| Free | eSign Plan |
| Essential | $19/user/month |
| Business | $49/user/month |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing |
Website:
www.pandadoc.com
2. Qwilr
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Best For: Design-focused, web-based proposals
Qwilr transforms static documents into interactive web pages for brilliant proposals, with multimedia items and even interactive pricing tables. It’s ideal for creative agencies and modern businesses with a focus on design. Proposals are mobile-responsive, and real-time analytics are available about views on the proposal.
Other features include the software as having its own branding options available and integrates well with all forms of CRM. It is a great tool for different sales teams to stand out.
Key Features:
- Web-based interactive proposals
- Analytics integrated
- Custom branding options
- Interactive pricing tables
- Online payment acceptance
- Mobile responsive
- CRM integration
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Business | $35/user/month |
| Enterprise | $59/user/month(Custom Solutions are available on request) |
Website:
www.qwilr.com
3. Proposify
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Best For: Sales teams and detailed proposal tracking
Proposify specializes in helping a sales team create complex and track proposals with minimal effort. It possesses an extensive library of customizable templates and has an exceedingly powerful editor that manages to maintain brand consistency in all the documents created. It also builds a robust workflow management system, allowing teams to work together without losing control over versions.
It provides analytics that are rather detailed and show what prospects are doing with proposals-that is, time spent on each section as well as where the content is most resonating. It also has advanced fee tables and optional content sections that may be applied to a client of special needs.
Key Features:
- Advanced proposal editor
- Detailed analytics dashboard
- Electronic signatures
- Fee tables and optional content
- Template library
- Workflow automation
- Integration capabilities
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Basic | $19/user/month |
| Team | $41/user/month |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing |
Website:
www.proposify.com
4. Loopio
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Best For: RFP response automation
It is particularly designed to ease the response to RFPs through intelligent automation. The tool makes use of machine learning to assist teams in responding to RFPs, RFIs, as well as security questionnaires more efficiently. Its content library continuously learns from past responses to suggest relevant content for new proposals.
Loopio helps teams coordinate responses from across departments while ensuring that quality control standards are upheld through its project management features. The software is also useful because it can handle sophisticated requirements on compliance. It is, therefore, especially ideal for enterprises that have detailed technical proposals.
Key Features:
- AI-powered content suggestions
- Management of the content library
- Tracking of projects
- Collaboration
- Import and export
- Version control
- Powerful search functionality
Pricing
Custom Solutions are available on request
Website:
www.loopio.com
5. Jotform
- Rating: 4.4/5
- Best For: Form-based proposals and small businesses
Jotform is unique in the way it combines form-building with proposal templates to create proposals. It’s more ideal for businesses that need to take information while proposing. The drag-and-drop interface provides extensive customization options, so users without technical know-how can easily use it. Jotform allows for seamless flows of data among different business tools for use and its payment processing features let clients take immediate action. The software also has automated workflows and conditional logic to make dynamic proposals.
Key Features:
- Form-based proposal templates
- Payment processing
- Mobile-friendly design
- Integration options
- Automated workflows
- PDF generation
- Custom branding
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Starter | Free |
| Bronze | $34/month |
| Silver | $39/month |
| Gold | $49/month |
Website:
www.jotform.com
6. Nusii
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Best For: Freelancers and small agencies
Nusii is designed for freelancers and smaller agencies, with a simple approach to building and managing proposals. The features of this platform are easy use but still professional standards in the design of any proposal. In particular, templates of content are specifically developed for creative professionals and service-based businesses.
Besides, Nusii has an automatic reminder system about the proposals sent, as well as features related to scheduling for proposal automation. The software also gives a lot of insight into how proposals are performing and where clients are engaging.
Key Features:
- Content templates
- Auto reminders
- Proposal scheduling
- Electronic signature
- Client tracking
- Custom branding
- Mobile optimized
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Freelancer | $29/month |
| Agency | $49/month |
| Business | $129/month |
Website:
www.nusii.com
7. Bonsai
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Best For: Freelancers and proposal automation
With Bonsai, freelancers can work on making proposals and managing contracts and invoices with an all-in-one tool. This tool sports intelligent automation of writing proposal content while assisting in making the client communications constant at all times.
Different freelance industries have various proposal templates for Bonsai, which you can avail at the touch of a button-changed to fit in perfectly. Bonsai’s time-tracking and project management features were very useful to the freelancers as they presented an ability to track the entire client relationship cycle.
Key Features:
- Contract templates
- Time tracking
- In-built invoicing
- Client CRM
- Project management
- Automated workflows
- Payment processing
Pricing
| Plan | Pricing |
| Basic | $9/user/month |
| Essential | $19/user/month |
| Premium | $29/user/month |
Website
www.hellobonsai.com
8. Bidsketch
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Best For: Custom proposal design and small teams
Bidsketch focuses on helping businesses write professional proposals quickly using its catalog of customizable templates and content. Its strength is that it maintains consistency with creative flexibility in proposal design, including reusable content sections and fee tables that can be easily adapted to other clients. Bidsketch analytics include the pattern in viewings of proposals and when they need to be followed up. The software also has features such as electronic signatures and client approval tracking.
Key Features:
- Customizable templates
- Fee tables
- Electronic signatures
- Proposal analytics
- Content library
- Client tracking
- Mobile view
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Solo | $29/month |
| Team | $79/month |
| Business | $149/month |
Website:
www.bidsketch.com
9. FastSpring IQ
- Rating: 4.1/5
- Best For: Software companies and subscription-based services
FastSpring IQ excels in offering software companies and subscription-based services. The application can be easily integrated with the majority of the payment processing systems and hundreds of subscription management tools. Its proposal building tool involves complex functionality of software licensing and subscription pricing models.
FastSpring IQ provides intricate analytics related to the performance of the proposal thereby working for feature management with intricate pricing schemes. It automates the generation of proposals for businesses operating on recurring revenues, making the proposals seamless.
Key Features
- Subscriptions management
- Payment processing
- Licensing management
- Analytical dashboard
- Custom pricing tables
- Integration options
- Automation workflows
Pricing
It is custom and based on revenue. Please contact sales for a quote.
Website:
www.fastspring.com
10. Responsive
- Rating: 4.1/5
- Best For: Mobile-first proposal design
Responsive develops proposals that look ideal on any screen with a mobile-first design. It allows the creation of an interactive proposal with visual appeal across all sizes of screens. The drag-and-drop editor helps develop a variety of multimedia-enhanced and interactive proposition content.
Responsive provides in real-time collaboration tools and includes tracking features for how a proposal is engaged across various devices. So, it has advanced branding and layout customizations available.
Key Features:
- Mobileness
- Interactive contents
- Real-time co-authoring
- Track engagement
- Branding customizable
- Multi-media support
- Responsive templates
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Basic | $29/month |
| Pro | $49/month |
| Enterprise | Pricing custom depending on the organization |
Website:
www.responsive.io
11. InDesign
- Rating: 4.0/5
- Best For: Design-intensive proposals and creative agencies
Adobe InDesign is not exactly a proposal tool, but it provides an unparalleled opportunity to craft high-end proposals based on its limitless design flexibility. The software satisfies the needs of agencies that require top-notch design quality because it comes with complete control over layout, typographies, and visual elements.
Numerous business graphics and images can also be added to your project by other applications from Adobe Creative Cloud. Master pages ensure that a long multi-page proposal is consistent, thanks to the advanced template feature of InDesign. The software also supports team collaboration with Creative Cloud. When using various designing tools at once, you may notice that your Adobe Indesign starts to work slowly. Check these details to fix this.
Key Features:
- Advanced Design Tools
- Typography Control
- Master Pages
- Creative Cloud Integration
- Template building
- Multiple collaboration options
- Publish to print and digital products
Pricing
| Plan | Pricing |
| Individual | $20.99/month |
| Business | $33.99/user/month |
| Enterprise | Custom Pricing |
Website:
www.adobe.com/products/indesign
12. Prospero
- Rating: 4.0/5
- Best For: Simple, direct proposal creation
Prospero has an approach of simple simplicity in the creation of proposals, focusing on ease and efficiency. The software allows basic templates and necessary tools to produce proposals that look professional but are not overwhelming about complex features. Thereby, its stream-lined user interface makes it somewhat highly appropriate to those businesses that require rapid proposal generation. Prospero includes key tracking features and offers fairly basic customization options yet is hard to use. The software also offers rather simple collaboration tools and basic proposal analytics.
Key Features:
- Basic Templates
- Simple Editor
- Proposal tracking
- Basic analytics
- Collaboration tools
- Custom branding
- PDF export
Pricing:
| Plan | Pricing |
| Basic | $19/month |
| Professionals | $39/month |
| Team | $79/month |
Website:
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Tips on Which Proposal Software Should You Use
It also involves selecting a proposal software that serves well the requirements and budget that is best suited for your business. Some guidelines in choosing one would be as follows:
- Define Your Needs: Determine what type of proposals you will be making and the features that you would need. Do you need collaboration tools, e-signatures, or detailed analytics?
- Ease of Use: Use software that is user-friendly with ease to navigate and learn by the team within a short time. The faster your team can save on training, the faster you can start applying it.
- Customization: Select tools that allow you to customize templates, designs, and branding, thus making the proposals unique.
- Integration Capabilities: It must be that the chosen software integrates with the other tools you use, say CRMs, accounting platforms, or project management systems.
- Scalability: You’ll choose a software that grows with your business. A very small team will need only quite straightforward features, but a bigger business requires a good bit more advanced analytics and automation.
- Free Trials and Demos: Usually, any proposal tool offers free trials or demos. Avail of them to test how the tool would work for your specific needs.
- Pocket-Friendly Tools: Compare the pricing plans to get as much value as possible with your money, because many tools offer tiered plans based on business size.
Conclusion
Proposal software tools have changed the way companies develop proposals, even manage them, and how they close deals. They save hours of time by automating repetitive jobs and cutting down paperworks using professional designs. So, to choose the right tool, you have to understand your needs and use features such as customization, collaboration, and analytics. With the right tool in your pocket, you can craft proposals that win clients and drive growth.
FAQs
1. What is proposal software?
This proposal software helps businesses to create, send, and manage professional proposals with templates and analytics features like e-signatures.
2. Is proposal software beneficial to small businesses?
Absolutely, as it simplifies processes and saves time for small businesses.
3. Are there any free proposal software tools?
Other tools, such as Better Proposals and Proposify offer free trial or a free basic plan with limited features.
4. Which industries most use the proposal software?
Sales, marketing, consulting, and design are some industries that significantly use proposal software.
