QuotedPartComparisons · Updated 2026-10-30
Paperless Parts vs Costimator
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Paperless Parts is the stronger shortlist when the shop needs a shared RFQ queue, customer workflow and live ERP integrations. Costimator is stronger when the estimating team needs feature-based cycle-time and cost models for machining, sheet metal, laser cutting or welding, with optional 3DFX solid-model recognition. Neither publishes a simple price on the pages checked October 30, 2026. Compare them on the part families where model depth changes the quote, not on the number of menu items.
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A platform versus a cost-model workbench
Paperless Parts describes a cloud quoting platform that views CAD and PDFs, detects geometric attributes, nests parts and sends data to ERP, CRM and accounting systems. Costimator's public material describes feature-based cycle-time and cost models, including machining, sheet metal, laser and welding, with optional 3DFX for solid-model features. Those are complementary strengths. Paperless Parts organizes the RFQ process; Costimator can model how a particular operation should run.
Use a 14-gauge bent enclosure and a 6061 milled plate as the proof. The enclosure should expose bend, laser and weld assumptions; the plate should expose setup, pocket, hole and tooling assumptions. Ask both vendors to show where the time came from and how a change in thickness or tolerance changes the estimate.
| Question | Paperless Parts | Costimator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | No blanket price or price range; priced by modules, integrations, onboarding and contract length, not by seats | Pricing is supplied after a demo based on modules, user count and configuration; no dollar list price appears on the demo/pricing page. |
| Model depth | 62+ geometric attributes and configurable pricing formulas. | Feature-based cycle-time and cost models cover machining, sheet metal, laser cutting and welding; optional 3DFX reads solid-model features. |
| Workflow | RFQ, quote, customer communication and ERP/CRM/accounting integrations. | Specialist estimating and cost-model workflow; confirm collaboration features. |
| ERP handoff | Live ERP integrations named: Epicor (10/11/Kinetic), ECI (E2 Shop, JobBOSS, JobBOSS², M1), Fulcrum, Global Shop Solutions, Infor VISUAL/SyteLine, ProShop, Made2Manage, MIE Trak Pro | The demo page describes XML estimate export into Epicor, JobBoss, E2 and ProfitKey. |
| Demo | Vendor demonstration and implementation scope. | Free specialist-led demo can use your own CAD files or drawings and shop rates. |
Pick Paperless Parts for the quote operation
Paperless Parts wins when the work is moving RFQs through a team and keeping the customer-facing record consistent. A shop with several estimators can standardize templates, revisions and approvals while its ERP remains the production system. The named ERP list is a practical advantage for a shop already on Epicor, E2, JobBOSS², Fulcrum, Global Shop Solutions, ProShop or MIE Trak Pro.
The cost is the platform project. Ask which parts of the pricing model your team must maintain, what the implementation includes, and how a Costimator-style operation model would be represented if the shop needs that depth.
Pick Costimator for model fidelity
Costimator wins when a wrong cycle-time or operation assumption is the main source of lost margin. Its public description of feature-based models and 3DFX is a better fit for an engineering-led team that wants manufacturing logic visible in the estimate. The free demo can use your own CAD files or drawings and shop rates, so make the vendor prove the two test parts above rather than accepting a generic tour.
QuotedPart is a lighter third option for shops that need transparent setup, material and run arithmetic without a specialist model library. Paperless Parts is stronger on the shared RFQ workflow; Costimator is stronger on modeled operations. Choose the tool that answers the question your estimator gets wrong today.
Sources and limits
Claims are dated where they can change. Product calculations are examples from the stated inputs, not a promise about a customer's quote. Competitor wording is attributed to the source shown.
- Paperless Parts: No blanket price or price range; priced by modules, integrations, onboarding and contract length, not by seats (their words: “Paperless Parts does not have a blanket price range.”) — source (checked 2026-11-04)
- Paperless Parts: Detects 62+ geometric attributes in a 3D CAD model for pricing formulas (their words: “Detect 62+ different geometric attributes in a 3D CAD model to better inform your pricing formulas.”) — source (checked 2026-10-30)
- Paperless Parts: Live ERP integrations named: Epicor (10/11/Kinetic), ECI (E2 Shop, JobBOSS, JobBOSS², M1), Fulcrum, Global Shop Solutions, Infor VISUAL/SyteLine, ProShop, Made2Manage, MIE Trak Pro (their words: “We currently have live integrations for the following ERP systems: Epicor (10/11/Kinetic), ECI (E2 Shop, JobBOSS, JobBOSS², M1), Fulcrum, Global Shop Solutions, Infor VISUAL / SyteLine, ProShop, Made2Manage, MIE Trak Pro.”) — source (checked 2026-11-04)
- Costimator: Pricing is supplied after a demo based on modules, user count and configuration; no dollar list price appears on the demo/pricing page. — source (checked 2026-10-30)
- Costimator: Free specialist-led demo can use your own CAD files or drawings and shop rates. — source (checked 2026-10-30)
- Costimator: Feature-based cycle-time and cost models cover machining, sheet metal, laser cutting and welding; optional 3DFX reads solid-model features. — source (checked 2026-10-30)
- Costimator: The demo page describes XML estimate export into Epicor, JobBoss, E2 and ProfitKey. — source (checked 2026-10-30)
- QuotedPart offers a focused shop-rate quoting workflow at $199 per shop per month; it does not claim Costimator's feature-based simulation. — source (checked 2026-10-30)
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