Best Bid vs ConEst & Vision
Best Bid Electrical Estimating Software offers everything you need for one low price.
- Unlimited License
- Free Technical Support
- Life-Time Software Updates
- Built In On-Screen Takeoff
- One price, and you own the software
- Free Trial for Real-Time Pricing
- Removal Database
The best support of any software company.
Both ConEst Software Systems and Vision InfoSoft ( EBM) are owned by JDM Technology Group. They are both SaaS monthly subscription software.
They are both good electrical estimating software programs but both:
- Charge monthly subscriptions.
- Extra per license.
- Extra for software updates.
- Extra for Support.
- Extra for On-Screen Takeoffs, which are not built into the software.
Sure Count that is connected with Conest is much better than the choices that the Electrical Bid Manager offers.
The On-Screen Takeoff is Vision’s main weakness. While they both have their place in the market
The main complaints people have about ConEst IntelliBid are usually these:
- Steep learning curve — especially for new estimators or small shops moving from Excel/Bluebeam. Multiple users mention it can take weeks to become efficient.
- Older-feeling interface — compared with newer cloud-native estimating platforms, some users say the UI feels dated and “heavy.”
- Two-program workflow — estimating and takeoff are split between IntelliBid and SureCount, which some contractors find cumbersome versus all-in-one systems.
- SureCount frustrations — several users specifically complain that the automatic counting and takeoff tools are inconsistent or still require manual correction.
- Can get expensive — pricing is not transparent, and training/support/add-ons can raise total cost significantly. Smaller contractors often feel pushed toward higher tiers for features they want.
- Cloud version criticism — some long-time users say the cloud implementation is less mature than the desktop version.
- Very detailed estimating can slow you down — estimators sometimes feel ConEst encourages “exactimating” every connector, screw, and labor unit, which improves precision but can make quick-budget estimates harder and more time-consuming.
- Mixed customer support experiences — opinions are polarized. Some users say support is excellent, while others report poor responsiveness or attitude problems.
Try them for yourself; you may have a different opinion. We feel like the more software you try, the better we look.
A Conest or Vision electrical estimating software alternative would have to be Best Bid.
If you are not a fan of the 5 bullet points above, you need to give Best Bid a try.
See ya at the finish line.
