Credit where credit is due, Bidsketch were first to the scene. They've been around a long long time in the online proposal space but like with all things, age catches up to you. Times have changed massively in the last 5 years and their software seemingly hasn't been updated much, if at all since its inception.
This is a look at some key differences between Better Proposals and Bidsketch in terms of software, features and approach.
Bidsketch |
Better Proposals |
|
|---|---|---|
| Digital signatures | ||
| Digital Signatures |  |
|
| Ready to use templates | ||
| Ready to use templates | |
250+ |
| Document analytics | ||
| Document analytics |
Limited |
|
| Integrations | ||
| Integrations |
7 |
40+ |
| Free trial | ||
| Free trial | |
|
| Custom domain | ||
| Custom domain | |
|
| Custom branding | ||
| Custom branding |
|
|
| Document tracking | ||
| Document tracking | |
|
| Live chat integration | ||
| Live chat integration |  |
|
| Document importer | ||
| Document importer | |
|
| Multiple brands | ||
| Multiple brands | |
|
| Payment integrations | ||
| Payment integrations | |
Stripe, GoCardless, PayPal |
If you get annoyed at most online editors you'll absolutely hate this. One of the biggest issues with Bidsketch if you read online is how antiquated it feels when using the editor, you know, the bit you spend 98% of your time using?
It's not "preview as you go" so you're filling in text fields for each part of your proposal giving you little to no control over how it actually appears to your clients. Want a section to fit nicely on one page? Be prepared to press 'back' and 'next' a lot.
Better Proposals shows you what your content will look like as you're typing it. You're in full control of how everything looks but we don't let you make things look bad. Everything looks great by default.
Zero learning, automatically designed, lightning fast.
Every business is struggling in some way or another at the moment but one thing we're finding easy is get proposals signed and deals done thanks to how quick and easy it is for us to create proposals and our clients to sign them
Bidsketch’s proposals use a traditional page layout, so you’re still arranging content around the dimensions of a sheet of paper even when your client reads it on a screen. As you add text and images, you need to consider what fits on each page and where the content breaks. A small edit can mean adjusting the layout again.
With Better Proposals, your working with a web page, so each section can take up as much space as it needs. You can explain your approach, include examples, and add images without squeezing everything into a fixed page size. Add your content and let the automatic designer handle the layout, giving you more time to focus on what you want to say to the client.
Scroll through one of our proposals on the left, compare it to Bidsketch's on the right
Bidsketch’s templates give you sample content to work from, but you’ll need to rewrite much of it to make a convincing sales proposal. You may even want a professional to help turn that starting point into something ready to send.
On the other hand, the templates in the Better Proposals marketplace are based on proposals that have won real business - for our customers, our former digital agency, and businesses run by people we know. You’ll still need to tailor them to each client, but you’re starting with content that has already helped close deals.
Process, share, and store your proposals quicker, easier, and more securely than ever.
And the best part is, you won't need a team to make it perfect.
Bidsketch have been around a long time and definitely seem to have rested on their laurels somewhat. Their pricing isn't really geared up for small businesses and doesn't really seem suitable for high senders either. While their lowest plan at $15/month is seemingly more affordable than Better Proposals’ at $19, there’s a catch. Bidsketch only allows for annual subscriptions on their lowest plan and, more importantly, digital signatures aren’t included. And if you’re wondering why you’d even need proposal software without being able to collect digital signatures, you’re not alone.
So, if you’re already going to commit to the lowest plan for a year, Better Proposals is not only more affordable, but also gives you the option to collect digital signatures. Billed annually, it’s only $13/month and you’re getting more value for your money.
Perfect when just starting out.
$13/user per month
$19 /user per month when paid monthly
Try it FreeCore features:
Ideal for any small business.
$21/user per month
$29 /user per month when paid monthly
Try it FreeEverything in Starter, plus:
Designed for sales teams.
$42/user per month
$49 /user per month when paid monthly
Try it FreeEverything in Premium, plus:
Bidsketch has been around for years, and building a product with that staying power deserves credit. There seems to have been little progress on the product recently, so we hope they relaunch someday.
If you’re looking for an easier way to create proposals now, give Better Proposals a try. You can put together documents your clients will enjoy reading, spend less time preparing them, and get started without working through a training manual. Try it free, then choose a plan when you’re ready.
