Best Bid vs McCormick
- 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
Key detail (this trips people up)
- The onscreen takeoff is not always included in every base package.
- It’s typically:
- Included in Pro versions or
- Added as the Design Estimating Pro module
That’s why you’ll sometimes hear people say:
- “Yes, it has onscreen takeoff”
- Others: “You need the Pro Version to get it”
Both are true depending on the setup.
With McCormick, don’t assume you are getting an on-screen takeoff.
⚙️ Why Best Bid / OST often feels smoother
Even when it’s embedded (like in Best Bid), OST-style engines come from a takeoff-first design philosophy:
- Built originally just for measuring and counting
- Highly optimized mouse workflows
- Minimal friction between clicks, snaps, scaling, etc.
👉 That’s why many estimators describe using a built-in On-Screen Takeoff as:
- Faster response
- More “fluid” drawing interaction
- Less clunky navigation
Best Bids, OST has a reputation for being one of the most refined takeoff engines in the industry.
⚡ Where McCormick feels different (and sometimes worse for takeoff)
Even though McCormick Design Estimating Pro is built-in and capable:
- It’s part of a larger estimating system, not a pure takeoff engine
- Every click ties into:
- assemblies
- labor units
- pricing logic
That adds overhead.
👉 Result:
- Slightly heavier feel
- More steps behind the scenes
- Sometimes less “snappy” than OST-style tools
Even McCormick’s own positioning emphasizes workflow integration over raw takeoff speed
🧠 The real technical difference is:
- Best Bid includes a built-in On-Screen Takeoff
👉 Optimized for human interaction and speed - McCormick:
👉 Optimized for data + estimating accuracy in real time
🥊 So who’s “better” strictly for OST?
If we isolate just the onscreen takeoff experience:
- Best Bid / OST → smoother, faster, more intuitive
- McCormick → more powerful behind the scenes, but heavier
🧠 Where Best Bid actually has advantages
👍 1. Tech support (this comes up a lot)
- Users consistently rate Best Bid very high for customer support
- Feedback tends to describe it as:
- Direct access to real people
- Faster responses
- More hands-on help (especially during setup)
From reviews:
“Customer service and support has been top notch”
👉 In contrast:
- McCormick has solid support, but it’s more structured/corporate
- Sometimes slower, more “ticket-based,” especially for smaller users
🧭 2. Navigation / usability (this is a big one)
Best Bid’s strengths:
- Simpler menus
- Less buried functionality
- More “what you see is what you do”
Users highlight:
- Ease of navigation after basic training
👉 Why it feels better:
- It doesn’t try to expose every database and feature at once
- Less screen clutter than McCormick
3. Learning curve (huge difference)
Best Bid:
- You can realistically get productive in days, not weeks
- Training is lighter and more practical
McCormick:
- Common estimate: 4–8 weeks to become productive
👉 That’s not exaggeration — it’s a known barrier.
💰 4. Cost structure (underrated advantage)
Best Bid:
- Often one-time purchase or lower upfront cost
- No heavy recurring subscription
From real users:
“Buy one license once… no monthly subscription”
McCormick:
- Ongoing cost (license + maintenance)
- Higher total cost over time
👉 For smaller shops, this alone can decide it.
⚙️ 5. Simplicity of workflow
Best Bid:
- Takeoff → estimate feels direct and clean
- Less configuration required
User sentiment:
“Takeoff to estimate is flawless”
McCormick:
- More setup:
- databases
- assemblies
- labor adjustments
👉 Powerful, but heavier
🧩 6. Less “overkill” for smaller operations
Best Bid is often better suited for:
- Small to mid-size contractors
- Solo estimators
- Fast bid environments
Because:
- You’re not forced into a full enterprise workflow
- You don’t need to manage a massive database to get results
Best Bid is a software that suits most estimators needs.
