Choosing the right electrical estimating software can make a major difference in how quickly contractors can review plans, perform takeoffs, calculate costs, and prepare professional bids.
Two platforms electrical contractors may consider are VoltTrack and PlanSwift.
Both can help with electrical estimating and takeoff workflows, but they take different approaches.
VoltTrack is built around AI-powered electrical estimating for contractors, while PlanSwift is an established construction takeoff and estimating platform with electrical capabilities.
So which one is right for your business?
Let's compare them.
VoltTrack vs. PlanSwift at a Glance
| Feature | VoltTrack | PlanSwift |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $19.99/month | Verify current pricing |
| Plans | Silver, Gold, Platinum | Professional |
| Free trial | 7 days | 14-day trial |
| Electrical estimating | Yes | Yes |
| AI capabilities | AI-powered electrical estimating | AI-powered Takeoff Boost |
| Blueprint analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Electrical takeoffs | Yes | Yes |
| Material estimating | Yes | Yes |
| Labor estimating | Yes | Yes |
| Riser diagram analysis | Yes | Not a primary advertised feature |
| One-line diagram analysis | Yes | Takeoff-focused workflow |
| NEC assistance | Yes | Not a primary advertised feature |
| Proposal generation | Yes | Estimating/reporting workflow |
| Voice assistance | Yes | Not a primary advertised feature |
| Project memory | Yes | Not a primary advertised feature |
| Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Primary focus | Electrical contractors | Construction estimating and takeoff |
VoltTrack Pricing
VoltTrack offers three monthly plans designed for different electrical contractor needs.
Silver — $19.99/month
The Silver plan provides an affordable entry point for contractors who want to use AI-powered electrical estimating tools.
Gold — $29.99/month
The Gold plan provides additional capabilities for contractors who need more from their estimating workflow.
Platinum — $59.99/month
The Platinum plan is designed for contractors who need the highest level of VoltTrack's available features.
Contractors should review the current VoltTrack pricing page for the exact features included with each plan.
One of the biggest advantages of VoltTrack's pricing structure is that contractors can choose a monthly plan rather than committing to a large software purchase upfront.
PlanSwift Pricing
PlanSwift is an established construction takeoff and estimating platform with electrical estimating capabilities.
PlanSwift currently offers a 14-day trial, while its paid pricing should be verified directly with PlanSwift because pricing and promotions can change.
When comparing estimating software, contractors should look at the total cost of ownership rather than comparing one company's monthly price with another company's annual price without considering the billing structure.
AI Electrical Estimating
AI is becoming increasingly important in construction estimating.
VoltTrack is built around an AI-powered electrical estimating workflow.
The platform is designed to help electrical contractors analyze project information, work with blueprints, perform takeoffs, organize material and labor information, and create estimates.
VoltTrack also includes AI tools designed for electrical-specific tasks such as riser diagram analysis and NEC-related assistance.
PlanSwift has also added AI capabilities through its Takeoff Boost tools.
PlanSwift's AI tools are designed to help automate parts of the digital takeoff process, including measuring, counting, scaling, and navigating plans.
This means contractors should not simply ask whether a platform has AI.
A better question is: How does the AI fit into the estimating workflow?
Blueprint Reading and Electrical Takeoffs
Blueprint takeoffs are an important part of electrical estimating.
VoltTrack is designed to analyze electrical construction drawings and help identify information needed for an estimate.
Its AI capabilities can assist with electrical blueprint analysis and material takeoffs.
Depending on the project, electrical estimating may involve identifying items such as:
- Receptacles
- Switches
- Lighting fixtures
- Panels
- Feeders
- Conduit
- Wire
- Electrical equipment
PlanSwift has an established digital takeoff workflow that allows contractors to measure plans, count items, and connect takeoff information with estimating calculations.
PlanSwift's electrical estimating capabilities include conduit and wire measurements, device counting, material and labor calculations, assemblies, and reporting.
Riser Diagram Analysis
Riser diagrams can be particularly important on commercial electrical projects.
VoltTrack includes an AI riser diagram analysis capability designed to help contractors understand electrical distribution systems.
It can assist with information such as:
- Service entrances
- Switchgear
- Transformers
- Feeders
- Grounding
- Conductor information
This can be useful when reviewing complicated electrical distribution systems.
PlanSwift's primary focus is digital takeoff and estimating rather than an AI-specific riser diagram analysis workflow.
One-Line Diagram Analysis
Commercial electrical projects can also contain complex one-line diagrams.
VoltTrack's AI-focused workflow is designed to help contractors analyze electrical drawings and understand the relationships between major electrical equipment and distribution components.
This can help contractors organize information before completing the final estimate.
As with any AI estimating tool, contractors should verify important electrical information against the original project documents.
NEC Assistance
VoltTrack also provides AI assistance for electrical code-related questions.
Depending on the question, the system can assist with areas such as:
- Conduit fill
- Voltage drop
- Ampacity
- Breaker sizing
This type of assistance can be useful during the estimating process when contractors need to research electrical requirements.
However, AI should not replace professional judgment or verification against the applicable NEC edition, local amendments, project specifications, and authority having jurisdiction requirements.
Voice Assistance
VoltTrack also incorporates voice interaction into its AI workflow.
For electrical contractors who spend significant time in the field, the ability to interact with estimating tools using voice can provide a different workflow from traditional desktop estimating software.
Contractors can use voice-based interaction to communicate with the AI and assist with estimating-related tasks where supported by the platform.
Proposal Generation
Estimating does not end when the numbers are calculated.
The contractor eventually needs to present the estimate to the customer.
VoltTrack includes an AI proposal-generation capability designed to help turn estimating information into a professional customer proposal.
A proposal may include information such as:
- Project scope
- Exclusions
- Warranty information
- Payment schedule
- Project pricing
This connects the estimating process with the customer-facing side of the business.
Material and Labor Estimating
Material and labor are two of the most important components of an electrical estimate.
VoltTrack is designed to help contractors organize both material and labor information as part of the estimating workflow.
The platform can work with contractor-specific pricing information, which is important because electrical contractors may have different supplier prices, labor rates, markups, and project costs.
PlanSwift also supports material and labor calculations as part of its estimating workflow.
Its electrical estimating software includes customizable assemblies and tools for calculating project costs.
The best option depends on how the contractor prefers to build estimates and manage pricing.
Project Memory
VoltTrack also includes project memory capabilities designed to help maintain relevant project information throughout the estimating process.
This can be useful when working with larger projects that contain multiple drawings, revisions, and estimating requirements.
Keeping project information organized can reduce the need to repeatedly provide the same information during an estimating workflow.
Where VoltTrack May Be a Better Fit
VoltTrack may be a strong option for electrical contractors who want an AI-focused estimating platform.
Potential advantages include:
- Starting at $19.99/month
- Three monthly plan options
- Electrical contractor focus
- AI blueprint analysis
- Electrical material takeoffs
- Riser diagram analysis
- One-line diagram analysis
- NEC assistance
- Labor and material estimating
- Proposal generation
- Voice assistance
- Project memory
VoltTrack may be particularly attractive to smaller electrical contractors who want to experiment with AI estimating without making a large upfront software commitment.
Where PlanSwift May Be a Better Fit
PlanSwift may be a better fit for contractors who want an established construction takeoff and estimating environment.
Potential advantages include:
- Established estimating workflow
- Digital plan takeoffs
- Customizable takeoff templates
- Electrical estimating
- Assemblies
- Material calculations
- Labor calculations
- Reports
- Support for multiple construction trades
- AI-powered Takeoff Boost tools
Contractors who already have experience with PlanSwift may also prefer its existing workflow and customization capabilities.
Which Is Better for Small Electrical Contractors?
Small electrical contractors often have different needs from large construction companies.
Budget can be especially important.
VoltTrack's monthly plans start at $19.99:
- Silver — $19.99/month
- Gold — $29.99/month
- Platinum — $59.99/month
This gives smaller contractors several price levels to choose from.
A contractor who specifically wants AI-powered electrical estimating may find VoltTrack appealing.
A contractor who needs a broader construction takeoff and estimating platform may prefer PlanSwift.
Which Is Better for Commercial Electrical Estimating?
Commercial electrical projects can involve complicated drawings and large quantities of electrical equipment.
Examples include:
- Switchgear
- Transformers
- Distribution equipment
- Feeders
- Panels
- Lighting
- Conduit
- Wire
- Emergency systems
- Generators
- Transfer switches
VoltTrack's blueprint analysis, material takeoff, riser diagram analysis, and AI estimating capabilities can be useful for contractors working with complex electrical projects.
PlanSwift's established takeoff workflow, assemblies, material calculations, labor calculations, and reporting capabilities can also be useful for commercial electrical estimating.
The best choice depends on the contractor's preferred workflow.
Which One Should You Choose?
There isn't one estimating platform that is automatically best for every contractor.
VoltTrack may be the better fit if you:
- Want an AI-focused electrical estimating platform
- Primarily perform electrical estimating
- Want a lower monthly starting price
- Want AI blueprint analysis
- Want electrical material takeoffs
- Want AI assistance with riser diagrams
- Want NEC-related AI assistance
- Want proposal generation
- Want voice interaction
PlanSwift may be the better fit if you:
- Want an established construction estimating platform
- Need extensive takeoff customization
- Use assemblies heavily
- Want a mature digital takeoff workflow
- Estimate multiple construction trades
- Want established material and labor calculation tools
- Want access to PlanSwift's newer AI Takeoff Boost features
The best way to decide is to test the software using real projects similar to the work your company performs.
VoltTrack and PlanSwift both provide tools that can help contractors with electrical estimating, but their approaches are different.
VoltTrack is focused on bringing AI-powered estimating capabilities directly to electrical contractors.
Its features include AI blueprint analysis, electrical takeoffs, riser diagram analysis, one-line diagram analysis, NEC assistance, labor and material estimating, proposal generation, voice assistance, and project memory.
PlanSwift is an established construction takeoff and estimating platform with electrical capabilities, customizable takeoff tools, assemblies, material and labor calculations, reporting, and newer AI-powered Takeoff Boost capabilities.
For an electrical contractor deciding between the two, the most important factors are:
Price, electrical focus, AI capabilities, takeoff workflow, project complexity, customization, and ease of use.
VoltTrack offers three monthly plans:
Silver — $19.99/month
Gold — $29.99/month
Platinum — $59.99/month
If you're an electrical contractor looking for an AI-focused estimating platform, VoltTrack is worth evaluating.