Janitorial businesses on the growth path must manage multiple customer bids, each at different stages of the sales funnel, with unique project details and specifications. 

Bid management can quickly become time-consuming and error-prone, especially when using manual processes or paper spreadsheets. And in competitive markets, there’s immense pressure to get bids out the door quickly.

Some software solutions lack key features janitorial businesses need to generate estimates in the field and manage customer bids. 

If you’re searching for a tool to simplify bid management, some of the best software options include:  

• Aspire

• Jobber

• Janitorial Manager

• Clean Guru

• CleanlyRun

• Route

• Clean Proposals

• KickServ

In this guide, find a full comparison between these platforms, including use case, pricing, and downsides.

Disclaimer: The information below is accurate as of August 2023.

Best janitorial apps with bid management: Comparison table (with ratings & pricing)

As you search for the best bid management software for commercial cleaning service companies, compare features, pricing, and ratings. The following table shows a comparison of top janitorial options.

Best janitorial bidding apps by use case

Cleaning companies need user-friendly bidding software with key features to manage estimates across all stages of the customer journey. 

The best janitorial software apps based on use case are:

• Aspire— Best overall janitorial software with bid management

• Jobber — Best for home service businesses

• Janitorial Manager — Best for specialty work

• CleanGuru — Best customer support

• CleanlyRun — Best for companies that also provide construction services

• Route — Best for managing subcontractors

• Clean Proposals — Best for documenting walk-throughs

• KickServ — Best for small businesses

Learn more about each bid management solution, including core features and limitations.

Platform #1: Aspire

Image Source: Aspire

Aspire, a ServiceTitan company, is an all-in-one, cloud-based business management platform for janitorial and commercial cleaning businesses.

Aspire streamlines and automates commercial cleaning operations, empowering businesses to work more efficiently and profitably. In addition to offering bid management and estimating features, Aspire’s comprehensive platform simplifies:

• Scheduling

• Customer relationship management (CRM)

• Inventory management

• Time tracking

• Invoicing and accounting

• Reporting

Trusted by 800+ clients managing more than $6.4 billion in client revenues, Aspire Software has been repeatedly listed as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. 5000.

Top features

• Real-time job costing: Discover how actual job costs compare to estimates so you can offer profitable pricing and hit revenue targets.

• Cloud-based CRM: Gain complete visibility into opportunities in your sales pipeline, track bids and proposals in real-time, and make the most of every opportunity to win more deals.

• Calendar and email integrations: Two-way calendar syncing ensures seamless booking, while email integrations with Outlook or Gmail enable your team to access customer schedules and communications without leaving Aspire.

• Schedule visibility: Use Aspire’s live scheduling board to monitor job progress, quickly respond to schedule changes as they happen, and enhance communication between the field and office.

Downsides to consider

Because Aspire is a comprehensive all-in-one software for managing and optimizing daily operations, users may experience a learning curve during onboarding and implementation. 

Pricing

Aspire business software stands out from competitors because its pricing plans include the same core functions for unlimited users.

• Corporate: For commercial cleaning businesses with a minimum annual revenue of $5 million

• Enterprise: For commercial businesses with annual revenue above $15 million

For smaller cleaning companies, Aspire offers:

• Crew Control: $30 per month per crew

• Crew Control Plus: $50 per month per crew

Platform #2: Jobber

Jobber is a web-based software program for home service companies in several field service industries.

Image Source: Jobber

The industries Jobber serves include cleaning, landscaping, and pest control. Its field service management software helps business owners streamline day-to-day operations by simplifying job scheduling, crew management, invoicing, and payment processing.

Top features

• Drag-and-drop calendar: Easily schedule jobs, reassign crews, and make data-driven scheduling decisions.

• Job quoting: Quickly build quotes and automate bid follow-ups to close more deals.

• Paperless financing: Integrations with Wisetack allow instant customer financing at the job site.

• Client hub: Allow customers to review and approve bids, send appointment reminders, and collect payment online.

Downsides to consider

Users report a lack of pricing functionality in the description area of job bids and estimates.

Pricing

Jobber offers four plans:

• Lite: $9/mo. for one user

• Core: $49/mo. for one user; additional users, $29/mo. each

• Connect: $129/mo. for up to five users; additional users, $29/mo. each

• Grow: $249/mo. for up to 15 users; additional users, $29/mo. each

Platform #3: Janitorial Manager

Janitorial Manager is a cloud-based software designed to help cleaning companies manage operations better.

Image Source: Janitorial Manager

Janitorial Manager simplifies work order management and offers messaging, time tracking, janitor inspections, employee performance tracking, and supply tracking, among other features. Custom inspections, QR codes, checklists, and instructions improve quality control and customer service.

Top features

• JM Connect: Enables employee communications and allows workers to clock in and out via a mobile app.

• Invoicing integrations: Accounting integrations streamline billing and invoicing.

• Built-in calculator: Create more accurate bids based on margins or use the expense calculator to estimate costs associated with unique work orders.

• Payroll integrations: Export partners include payroll software solutions such as ADP, Paychex, and Paylocity.

Downsides to consider

While Janitorial Manager streamlines employee communication and inventory management, the software lacks robust estimating capabilities.

Pricing

Janitorial Manager does not list pricing on its website. Those interested in pricing must complete a form to receive a personalized proposal.

Platform #4: CleanGuru

CleanGuru is a cloud-based business management system for janitorial services and cleaning businesses.

Image Source: CleanGuru

CleanGuru software provides bidding, invoicing, timekeeping, and scheduling capabilities for commercial and residential cleaning companies, including janitorial, carpet cleaning, and maid service contractors. 

The software provides industry-specific features, including alerts and notifications for monitoring night-shift janitors, employee text messaging, and reporting cleaning-job problems.

Top features

• Templates: Create standard invoices based on prewritten descriptions.

• Automation: Automatically email customer invoices on a set schedule.

• Email verification: See the date and time when customers view invoices.

• Reports: Easily find additional invoice data.

Downsides to consider

Some customer reviews mention a lack of user friendlessness and difficulty getting acclimated with the software, stating the need for training.

Pricing

CleanGuru offers four plans:

• Basic: $55/mo.

• Deluxe: $75/mo.

• Max: $95/mo.

• Max Plus: $125/mo.

Platform #5: CleanlyRun

CleanlyRun provides bid management software for businesses that offer janitorial services, construction clean-up, apartment move-outs, and residential cleaning.

Image Source: CleanlyRun

ClearlyRun helps cleaning services streamline bid management with customizable templates and cleaning proposals. The web-based software requires no download and allows customers to cancel anytime.

Top features

• Customizable proposals: Use drag-and-drop functionality to customize bids and proposals with company logos and images.

• Construction and residential templates: The software includes prebuilt templates for services beyond janitorial, including construction cleaning, apartment move-outs, vacation rentals, and more.

• Building-specific proposals: Whether an office complex, private residence, or construction site, the software includes templates for several building types.

Downsides to consider

Unlike all-in-one solutions, ClearlyRun focuses solely on bid management and lacks features that come standard with other janitorial software.

Pricing

The software costs $24.99 per month for unlimited janitorial business proposals. ClearlyRun also offers a free 30-day trial for new customers.

Platform #6: Route

Route is a comprehensive business management software for commercial cleaning companies.

Image Source: Route

Route software helps commercial cleaning businesses connect bidding, job management, and contractor relationships in one platform. The software also includes features like CRM, task management, billing and invoicing, and more.

Top features

• Route Marketplace: The software sends notifications for nearby jobs, enabling cleaning contractors to bid on jobs instantly.

• Enhanced Direct Communication: The EDC feature promotes seamless communication for contractors and subcontractors, bridging the gap between separate entities.

• Contract analysis: The software surfaces actionable contract insights, including production rate, hourly charges, cost, and profit. 

Downsides to consider

Customer reviews mention dissatisfaction with the ease of use and a need for more customization with the bidding templates.

Pricing

Plans start at $49 per month and increase as the cleaning business requires more features and customer support.

Platform #7: Clean Proposals

Clean Proposals provides CRM, walk-through, and bid management software for commercial and residential cleaning service providers.

Image Source: Clean Proposals

Built by veterans of the cleaning industry, Clean Proposals provides comprehensive tools to help janitorial businesses of all sizes streamline customer management, simplify the bidding process with customizable proposal templates, and collect e-signatures from a mobile device.

Top features

• Walk-throughs: The feature organizes photos and job notes by location so cleaning businesses can document pain points and take note of special needs at the worksite.

• Special projects: The software includes 20 project-type filters for services like window and tile cleaning, ensuring proposals accurately match the job.

• Proposal builder: Choose from 25 professional proposal template designs and use approved job contracts for all 50 states to secure the next big project.

Downsides to consider

Clean Proposals lacks several features of job management software, including dispatching, crew management, and scheduling.

Pricing

The janitorial software solution offers a $49 all-inclusive monthly fee. Users can sign up for a 14-day free trial before being billed. 

Platform #8: KickServ

Kickserv offers job management software for cleaning and other service businesses.

Image Source: KickServ

Kickserv helps service-business owners with estimating, scheduling, job management, CRM, invoicing, and time and expense tracking. Kickserv aims to simplify operations so businesses can better manage jobs. It’s one of the most affordable options with free and low-cost plans.

Top features

• Invoice scheduling: Set a schedule to send customers invoices for repeat services.

• Track open estimates: Stay on top of open estimates and close more deals.

• Tracking: Easily view paid and unpaid invoices.

• Online payments: Customers can view and pay invoices online.

Downsides to consider

While Kickserv integrations include QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, if you create an invoice and sync it to Kickserv, you won’t be able to change the invoice in Kickserv. Also, not all the plans feature custom reporting capabilities.

Pricing

Kickserv plans include:

• Free: For two users

• Lite: $47/mo. for five users

• Standard: $95/mo. for 10 users

• Business: $159/mo. for 20 users

• Premium: $239/mo. for unlimited users

Kickserv also offers a free 14-day trial.

Looking for janitorial software with bid management?

Running a high-growth cleaning business requires savvy multitasking of daily operations to maintain existing routes and secure new clients. 

Successful janitorial businesses scale their operations by implementing efficient processes to increase cash flow by improving accuracy and simplifying daily tasks—such as bidding.

Aspire janitorial business software with estimating and bid management features standardizes processes and produces highly professional bid proposals to win more jobs. With centralized data and real-time reporting, you know exactly where your business stands and can quickly identify challenge areas to improve. 

Ready to streamline your company’s bid management with an all-in-one business management software built for the janitorial industry? Schedule a demo today.