Best Quote App for Shopify Comparison

Overview

The phrase best quote app for shopify matters when your store sells custom, bulk, or negotiated products and you need a reliable quote-to-order workflow. This guide compares four practical approaches: Shopify Draft Orders (built-in), HulkApps Request a Quote (Shopify app), BSS Commerce Request a Quote (Shopify app), and PandaDoc (external proposal tool integrated with Shopify). I evaluate features, integrations, pricing, and tradeoffs so you can match a tool to your sales process.

Key decision criteria include: ease of customer-facing quoting, catalog and cart integration, support for line-item discounts and custom SKUs, automation and CRM integration, approval and collaboration workflows, and price. Quick summary: use Shopify Draft Orders if you want a low-cost, manual workflow; HulkApps if you need a lightweight in-cart quote request with fast setup; BSS Commerce for more configurable forms, multi-location or quote templates; and PandaDoc if you need polished proposals, eSign, and advanced approval workflows integrated into a sales process.

Best Quote App for Shopify

Quick picks at a glance - best fit by use case:

• Low-cost, manual quoting and in-store order creation: Shopify Draft Orders (built-in).
• Simple in-cart quote requests, fast setup, moderate automation: HulkApps Request a Quote.
• Customizable quote forms, template-driven quotes, B2B features: BSS Commerce Request a Quote.
• Professional proposals, eSign, contract workflows and integrations: PandaDoc via Zapier or API.

Shopify Draft Orders

Overview and Positioning

Shopify Draft Orders is the native approach: create quotes manually in the Shopify admin, send invoices or payment links, and convert accepted quotes into orders. It is not an app but a built-in workflow that fits stores that want full control without adding third-party software.

Key Features and Strengths

• No extra install required; works with all Shopify plans.
• Create draft orders with custom line items, discounts, shipping, and taxes.
• Send an invoice link to the customer email; customer pays to convert the draft into an order.
• Maintains inventory and order records natively in Shopify.
• Good for ad-hoc quoting, phone or email negotiation, and stores with low quote volume.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• Manual process: requires staff to create and manage drafts; not scalable for high volume.
• No customer-side request form during checkout; customers can’t request quotes from the storefront without additional theme edits or apps.
• Limited branding and proposal formatting compared with dedicated proposal apps.
• Lacks approval workflows, eSign, or built-in CRM for quote histories beyond order notes.

Pricing and Value

• Included with any Shopify plan. No additional subscription cost.
• Time cost can be significant if quoting volume grows; factor staff time per quote.

Best For

• Small stores or boutiques that negotiate occasionally.
• Businesses comfortable with manual operations and want inventory and orders centralized in Shopify without extra cost.

Hulkapps Request a Quote

Overview and Positioning

HulkApps Request a Quote is a popular Shopify app designed to add a customer-facing “Request Quote” button on product pages and support quote cart flows. It targets merchants who want a light, in-cart quoting experience with automated notifications and some admin-side tools.

Key Features and Strengths

• Adds a request-a-quote button or hides prices and replaces Add to Cart for selected products.
• Quote cart for customers to build quote requests across multiple products.
• Configurable form fields for customer requirements, shipping and lead-times.
• Admin dashboard to receive, track, and convert quote requests into draft orders or Shopify orders.
• Email templates and automated notifications to both staff and customers.
• Integration options with common CRMs via webhooks or Zapier.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• While feature-rich for quoting, it is not a full proposal tool; formatting and eSign are limited.
• Some advanced features require paid plans or add-ons.
• Customization beyond built-in templates may require developer help for branding and layout changes.
• Pricing can vary by plan and quote volume.

Pricing and Value

• Typical pricing model: free trial; paid plans start around $9.99 to $19.99 per month for basic tiers, with higher tiers ($29.99+/mo) for more automations, unlimited quotes, or priority support. Transaction or per-quote fees may apply on lower tiers. Verify current pricing in the Shopify App Store.
• Good value for merchants needing a storefront quote request flow without major custom development.

Best For

• Retailers and B2B merchants who want a storefront-facing quote request process.
• Stores that need simple automation to convert quote requests into Shopify orders with moderate volume.

BSS Commerce Request a Quote

Overview and Positioning

BSS Commerce Request a Quote is positioned for merchants needing more configurability and B2B features: granular control over which products can be quoted, multi-template quote responses, and more advanced form fields. It aims at mid-market sellers with higher quoting needs or complex catalogs.

Key Features and Strengths

• Hide price and replace Add to Cart on chosen SKUs, collections, or the whole store.
• Quote cart and multi-item requests with configurable fields like desired quantity, lead time, custom requirements.
• Quote templates and ability to send custom price offers from the admin.
• Bulk import and export of quote data for reporting and integrations.
• Conditional display rules and role-based access for staff handling quotes.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• More configuration options can make initial setup heavier; requires time to fine-tune rules and templates.
• Like other quote apps, it focuses on quote capture and conversion; lacks advanced proposal design and eSign.
• Higher-tier plans can become costly for very large catalogs or enterprise workflows.

Pricing and Value

• Typical pricing bands: starts near $12.99 to $19.99 per month for small stores, mid plans around $29.99 to $49.99/month for advanced features, and custom/enterprise pricing for large operations. Some apps provide a free trial period.
• Pricing is reasonable for B2B stores that need flexible display rules and template management.

Best For

• Mid-sized B2B merchants, wholesalers, and suppliers who need per-product control and template-driven quoting.
• Stores with complex catalogs where selective price hiding and rule-based quoting are necessary.

Pandadoc (External Proposal Tool with Shopify Integration)

Overview and Positioning

PandaDoc is a full-featured proposal and eSignature platform that is not Shopify-native but integrates via Zapier, Make, or custom API. It is designed for teams that need professional proposals, line-item pricing, approval workflows, and built-in eSignatures.

Key Features and Strengths

• Create branded proposals and contracts with rich content, product catalogs, and line-item pricing.
• Built-in eSign, legally binding signatures, document analytics, and approval workflows.
• Templates, variables, and conditional content to speed proposal creation.
• Integrates with CRMs and can be linked to Shopify via Zapier, webhooks, or custom middleware to sync products and customer data.
• Collaboration features: comments, internal notes, and approvals.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

• Not a plug-and-play Shopify app; requires integration work to sync products, inventory, and convert accepted proposals back into Shopify orders.
• Higher per-user pricing relative to simple Shopify quote apps.
• Overkill for stores that just need a simple “request a quote” button and draft order conversion.

Pricing and Value

• Pricing (as of Jan 2026) typically: Free tier with basic eSign; paid plans start near $19 per user/month for Essentials; Business tiers around $49 per user/month; enterprise pricing for advanced features and SSO. Actual prices depend on seat counts and add-ons.
• Good ROI for teams who need polished proposals, contract management, and eSign that reduce close cycles and professionalize the sales process.

Best For

• Sales teams that issue complex proposals, need legal eSign, and require document analytics.
• Merchants transitioning to a formal sales process with account managers and negotiated contracts.

How to Choose

Decision checklist - 4 to 5 points to evaluate before picking:

1. Quote volume and complexity - Are you issuing tens of quotes per month or hundreds? High volume favors dedicated apps with automation or an external proposal tool with templates.
2. Customer experience - Do you need a storefront button and quote cart, or are quotes managed offline by sales reps? If storefront capture matters, pick HulkApps or BSS Commerce.
3. Proposal polish and legal requirements - If you need branded proposals, eSign, and analytics, choose PandaDoc or a similar proposal platform and invest in integration.
4. Automation and integrations - Do you need CRM, ERP, or accounting integration? Consider apps or external tools with native integrations or strong webhook/Zapier support.
5. Budget and operational overhead - Native Draft Orders cost nothing extra but require manual labor. Apps add monthly fees but reduce staff time. Evaluate cost per quote including staff hours.

Use this flow: low-cost + low-volume -> Shopify Draft Orders; storefront-driven capture with moderate volume -> HulkApps; selective/catalog-driven quoting -> BSS Commerce; enterprise-grade proposals and eSign -> PandaDoc with integration.

Quick Comparison

Feature | Shopify Draft Orders | HulkApps Request a Quote | BSS Commerce Request a Quote | PandaDoc (with Shopify integration) — | —: | —: | —: | —: Pricing (typical) | Included with Shopify plan (no app fee) | $9.99 - $29.99+ / month | $12.99 - $49.99+ / month | Free tier; $19 - $49+ / user / month Setup complexity | Low (manual) | Low to medium | Medium | Medium to high (integration work) Storefront quote capture | No (requires theme or app) | Yes | Yes | Not native - requires integration Automated conversions to order | Manual (convert draft to order) | Semi-automated | Semi-automated | Requires custom sync or manual transfer Proposal formatting / eSign | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Advanced (templates, eSign, analytics) Best for | Occasional quotes, manual ops | Small to mid B2B storefront quoting | Mid B2B, selective quoting rules | Sales teams needing professional proposals and eSign

Pricing breakdowns - sample monthly cost scenarios:

• Very small store: Shopify Basic plan included + Draft Orders = $0 additional.
• Small quoted volume: HulkApps basic plan = $9.99/mo; staff time to respond.
• Mid B2B: BSS Commerce mid-plan = $29.99/mo; fewer manual steps, templates.
• Sales team with proposals: PandaDoc Business at $49/user/mo for 2 users = $98/mo plus integration costs.

FAQ

How Do I Let Customers Request a Quote From My Shopify Storefront?

Use a request-a-quote Shopify app like HulkApps or BSS Commerce to add a “Request a Quote” button and a quote cart. Alternatively, customize your theme to show a contact form and manually create draft orders in Shopify when you receive requests.

Can I Convert a Quote Into a Shopify Order Without Manual Re-Entry?

Many quote apps can convert request entries into draft orders that you can review and then send as an invoice. Draft Orders are Shopify-native and convert to orders when payment is received. For external proposal tools like PandaDoc, you will need an integration (Zapier, Make, or custom API) to automate order creation in Shopify.

Is Esignature Supported Inside Shopify Quote Apps?

Most Shopify “request a quote” apps do not include legally-binding eSignatures. If eSign is required, use a proposal/eSignature platform like PandaDoc, DocuSign, or Proposify and integrate with Shopify to sync data.

What About Inventory and Taxes When Issuing Quotes?

Using Shopify Draft Orders or quote apps that convert to draft orders is safest for inventory and tax consistency because they use Shopify’s product data and tax settings. If you use external proposal tools, ensure your integration syncs SKU, price, tax, and inventory rules to avoid mismatches.

Should I Use a Free App or Pay for a Premium Quoting Solution?

Start with a simple approach if quote volume is low: Draft Orders or a low-cost app. If quotes are frequent, require templates, approvals, or eSign, invest in a paid app or external proposal software. Compare total cost including staff time, conversion rate improvements, and closing speed.

Can Quote Apps Handle Wholesale or Tiered Pricing?

Some Shopify quote apps support wholesale workflows, hidden prices, and role-based visibility; BSS Commerce and similar B2B-focused apps often include these features. For complex tiered pricing, consider combining a B2B pricing app with your quote solution or use a full B2B suite.

Further Reading

• Best Shopify B2b App for Wholesalers and Distributors
• Best Quantity Breaks Shopify App Guide
• Best Shopify Inventory Management App Guide
• Best Shopify Checkout App Guide