McCormick Estimating vs PlanSwift
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit.
McCormick Estimating
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical estimating software with built-in takeoff, from Foundation Software
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Best team size
- 1-100
- Free trial
- None listed
PlanSwift
Point-and-click takeoff and estimating software from ConstructConnect, sold by quote
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Best team size
- 1-100
- Free trial
- None listed
What actually separates them
Only the points where our data on McCormick Estimating and PlanSwift differs. A feature or integration missing from one tool's list means our entry does not record it, not that the tool lacks it. Everything they share is further down.
- → Trades served: McCormick Estimating serves Fire Protection & Life Safety; PlanSwift serves General Contractors, Landscaping & Lawn Care, Painting, Flooring. The other tool's entry does not list them.
- → Integrations listed for one tool only: PlanSwift: quickbooks.
- → Fit for shared trades: McCormick Estimating scores higher for Electrical (8/10 vs 7/10).
- → Features listed for one tool only: McCormick Estimating: proposals, supplier pricing integration, change orders; PlanSwift: annotations, excel export.
Quick verdict
McCormick Estimating: Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors who want trade-specific estimating with built-in takeoff, preloaded items and labor units, and supplier price updates.
PlanSwift: Contractors and subcontractors who want fast point-and-click quantity takeoffs and assemblies that turn measurements into material and labor estimates.
Vertical fit favors McCormick Estimating in 1 of 3 shared trades.
PlanSwift lists more integrations in our data (1 vs 0).
Decision matrix: which one is right for you?
Pick McCormick Estimating if…
- → Your situation matches McCormick Estimating's target profile: Electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors who want trade-specific estimating with built-in takeoff, preloaded items and labor units, and supplier price updates
- → You work in Electrical: McCormick Estimating has the higher vertical-fit score there (Electrical: 8/10 vs 7/10)
- → You want a longer track record: McCormick Estimating was founded in 1979, PlanSwift in 2007
Pick PlanSwift if…
- → Your situation matches PlanSwift's target profile: Contractors and subcontractors who want fast point-and-click quantity takeoffs and assemblies that turn measurements into material and labor estimates
- → QuickBooks matters: PlanSwift lists a QuickBooks integration (QuickBooks (product not specified)); our entry for McCormick Estimating lists none
- → You serve several trades: PlanSwift serves 7 trades in our data, against 4 for McCormick Estimating
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | McCormick Estimating | PlanSwift |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Custom quote: quote | Custom quote (per seat): quote |
Neither McCormick Estimating nor PlanSwift publishes a price, so both need a quote before you can compare them. Request quotes for the same team size and feature set, and get what is included (users, integrations, onboarding) in writing.
Pros & cons
McCormick Estimating
- + Higher vertical-fit score for Electrical
- + Founded in 1979
- − No published pricing, it covers estimating rather than field operations, and it is built for electrical, plumbing and mechanical work rather than general trades
- − No QuickBooks integration in our data (PlanSwift lists one)
- − No published price: you need a quote
PlanSwift
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks (product not specified))
- + Serves 7 trades in our data
- + Founded in 2007
- − No published price (quoted by seat count and business needs), trade-specific plug-ins are sold separately, and it is a takeoff and estimating tool, not project management or accounting
- − No published price: you need a quote
Feature comparison
Features as listed in our entries. The lists use different words for similar features, so check a feature you need on both vendors' sites.
Listed for McCormick Estimating only
- + proposals
- + supplier pricing integration
- + change orders
- + reporting
Listed for both
- ✓ estimating
- ✓ material takeoffs
- ✓ takeoffs
Listed for PlanSwift only
- + annotations
- + excel export
Integrations
Listed for McCormick Estimating only
None
Listed for both
None in common in our data
Listed for PlanSwift only
- + quickbooks
Which fits better in each trade
| Trade | McCormick Estimating fit | PlanSwift fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 | Tie |
| Plumbing | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 | Tie |
| Electrical | 8 / 10 | 7 / 10 | McCormick Estimating |
Vertical-fit scores (1-10) rate how well each tool is built for the trade, checked against the trades the vendor's own pages say it serves. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, McCormick Estimating or PlanSwift?
It depends on your trade, team size and budget. McCormick Estimating is best for electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors who want trade-specific estimating with built-in takeoff, preloaded items and labor units, and supplier price updates. PlanSwift is best for contractors and subcontractors who want fast point-and-click quantity takeoffs and assemblies that turn measurements into material and labor estimates. See the decision matrix above, and the trade-by-trade fit table if you work in one trade.
Is McCormick Estimating cheaper than PlanSwift?
Neither publishes a price. Request quotes from both for the same team size and features.
Can McCormick Estimating and PlanSwift integrate with QuickBooks?
Our entry for McCormick Estimating lists no QuickBooks integration. PlanSwift lists QuickBooks (product not specified). Check which way each sync runs, and on which plans, in each tool's full review before you buy.
Do McCormick Estimating or PlanSwift offer a free trial?
McCormick Estimating: no free trial in our data. PlanSwift: no free trial in our data.
Can I move from McCormick Estimating to PlanSwift (or the other way)?
Our data does not record migration support for either tool. Ask both vendors which records they import and export (customers, jobs, invoices, recurring agreements, price books), in which file format, and whether they help with the import.
McCormick Estimating vs PlanSwift: which has better customer support?
Our data does not record support channels or response times for either tool. Ask each vendor which support comes with the plan you would buy. Each full review links to G2 and Capterra, where you can read current user reviews.
Which suits a solo contractor, and which a growing team?
Our data puts McCormick Estimating's best team size at 1-100 and PlanSwift's at 1-100. McCormick Estimating's entry price is no published price (quote only); PlanSwift's is no published price (quote only). Price both at the team size you expect to have, not only today's.
Need a deeper look?
See our full reviews with each tool's pricing tiers, integrations and weaknesses.
Should your product be in this comparison?
We check McCormick Estimating and PlanSwift against their own websites and list the cons next to the pros. If you build a competing product that is not listed here, you can submit it for editorial review. An evaluation can end with or without a listing.
Listings are free. We do not accept payment for inclusion, for placement, for a score, or to remove a documented con. Read this page first and decide whether you want that.