The Best Better Proposals Alternative for Freelancers in 2026
Better Proposals was built for proposals — and it's good. But it hasn't kept up with AI, and the pricing adds up fast.
Why Freelancers Are Switching From Better Proposals
Better Proposals deserves credit: it's a dedicated proposal tool, not a bloated all-in-one platform. The editor is clean, the templates look professional, and the core workflow — write, brand, send, track — works well. For years, it was one of the best options for freelancers who wanted something nicer than a PDF attachment.
But the proposal software market has moved forward, and Better Proposals hasn't kept pace. Here are the friction points that push freelancers to look elsewhere:
- No AI proposal generation: You're still writing every section manually. In 2026, when AI can generate a complete, client-specific proposal in 30 seconds, a template-first approach feels slow
- Template-first workflow: Better Proposals starts you with someone else's layout. You pick a template, then overwrite the placeholder text. It's faster than a blank page, but slower than having AI write content tailored to your specific client and project
- Pricing adds up quickly: The Starter plan is $19/month but limits you to just 5 proposals per month. For freelancers who send 3–4 proposals monthly, that's cutting it close — and one busy month pushes you to the $29/mo Premium tier
- Key features locked behind higher tiers: Custom domain, content library, and integrations are all restricted to Premium ($29/mo) or Enterprise ($49/mo). The Starter plan feels deliberately limited to force upgrades
- Analytics are decent but basic: You get open tracking and notification emails, which is useful. But compared to newer tools with conversion funnels and engagement scoring, the analytics feel like a first-generation feature
- No multi-currency formatting: If you work with international clients, you can't switch currencies on proposals. You end up manually formatting prices or noting the currency in text — a small thing that erodes professionalism on every international proposal
Better Proposals is still a solid proposal tool. But "solid" isn't enough when newer alternatives offer AI generation, lower prices, and features that Better Proposals charges extra for. Let's compare directly.
Better Proposals vs SoloTools: Feature Comparison
Here's a feature-by-feature look at how the two tools compare. Better Proposals has the edge on template design and its established integration ecosystem. SoloTools wins on AI capabilities, pricing, and international support.
| Feature | Better Proposals | SoloTools |
|---|---|---|
| AI Proposal Generation | ❌ Not available | ✅ Full AI — 30-second proposals |
| Templates | Design-focused library | Niche-specific + AI generation |
| E-Signature | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in |
| Custom Branding | ✅ From $29/mo | ✅ Pro $14.99/mo |
| Analytics | Open tracking | View tracking + conversion funnel |
| Multi-Currency | ❌ Not available | ✅ 15 currencies |
| Content Library | ✅ From $29/mo | 🔜 Coming soon |
| Proposal Limit | 5/mo on Starter | 3/mo Free · Unlimited on Pro |
| Pricing | $19–$49/mo | Free · $14.99/mo Pro |
| AI Features | ❌ None | Full AI generation + section editing |
The comparison reveals a clear pattern: Better Proposals is a mature, template-driven tool with a polished editor. SoloTools is a newer, AI-first tool that generates proposals rather than asking you to build them manually. The price difference is significant — SoloTools Pro at $14.99/month includes everything Better Proposals charges $29–$49/month for, plus AI generation that Better Proposals doesn't offer at any tier.
See what AI-generated proposals look like
Describe your client and project. SoloTools generates a complete, branded proposal in 30 seconds. Free for 3 proposals — no credit card required.
When Each Tool Wins
Neither tool is the right choice for everyone. Better Proposals has genuine strengths — especially if you value visual templates and a mature integration ecosystem. Here's an honest breakdown of when each tool is the better pick.
● You want AI to generate complete proposals
→ Choose SoloTools. This is the fundamental difference between the two tools. Better Proposals gives you a template to fill in. SoloTools takes your project description and produces a finished proposal — scope, deliverables, timeline, pricing — written specifically for that client. You edit and refine; you don't start from a blank template.
● You send fewer than 3 proposals a month
→ Choose SoloTools. The free tier covers you indefinitely — 3 AI-generated proposals per month with all core features, no credit card required. Better Proposals has no free plan. Even their cheapest option is $19/month, which is hard to justify for occasional use.
● You work with international clients
→ Choose SoloTools. Multi-currency support across 15 currencies means your proposals display prices in your client's local currency. Better Proposals doesn't offer currency formatting, which looks unprofessional when quoting to clients in London, Sydney, or Tokyo.
● You want section-level AI editing
→ Choose SoloTools. After AI generates your proposal, you can use AI to rewrite, expand, or refine individual sections. Want the scope section to sound more technical? Need to soften the pricing language? AI handles it in seconds without rewriting the entire document.
● You prefer design-heavy visual templates
→ Choose Better Proposals. Better Proposals has invested heavily in its template library. The designs are polished, with strong visual layouts, custom cover pages, and interactive elements. If the look of your proposal is as important as the content — particularly for creative agencies — Better Proposals' templates are genuinely good.
● You want a built-in content library right now
→ Choose Better Proposals. The content library (available from $29/mo) lets you save reusable blocks — about sections, case studies, team bios, pricing tables — and drop them into proposals. SoloTools has this on the roadmap but doesn't have it yet. If you rely on a library of pre-written sections, Better Proposals has the edge today.
● You need a mature integration ecosystem
→ Choose Better Proposals. Better Proposals integrates with Zapier, Stripe, FreshBooks, and several other tools. If your workflow depends on proposals triggering payment links, accounting entries, or CRM updates, Better Proposals' integration library is more developed. SoloTools is focused on the proposal itself — not the surrounding workflow.
● You've already built a workflow around Better Proposals
→ Stay with Better Proposals. Switching tools has a real cost — rebuilding templates, updating branding, relearning an interface. If Better Proposals is working well for you and you don't feel the lack of AI, the switching cost may outweigh the benefits. Don't fix what isn't broken.
Pricing Face-Off
Pricing is where the gap between the two tools becomes most obvious. Better Proposals uses a traditional tiered model with meaningful feature gates. SoloTools offers a generous free tier and a single paid plan that undercuts Better Proposals across the board.
Better Proposals Starter — $19/month
The entry point gives you 5 proposals per month, basic analytics, e-signatures, and access to the template library. But it deliberately limits you: no custom domain, no content library, no integrations. For a freelancer sending 3–5 proposals monthly, it works — but one busy month and you're over the limit with no option but to upgrade.
Better Proposals Premium — $29/month
Unlimited proposals, content library, custom domain, Zapier integration, and better analytics. This is the tier most serious freelancers end up on, because the Starter limitations feel artificially restrictive. The jump from $19 to $29 buys you features that arguably should be in the base plan.
Better Proposals Enterprise — $49/month
Team features, approval flows, and advanced permissions. Built for agencies with multiple proposal senders. If you're a solo freelancer, you'll never need this tier — it exists for small teams who want Better Proposals' simplicity without moving to Proposify.
SoloTools Free — $0/month
3 AI-generated proposals per month with all core features: AI generation, e-signatures, view tracking, multi-currency formatting, and section-level AI editing. No forced branding on your proposals. The free tier is designed to be genuinely usable for freelancers who send a few proposals each month — not a trial that expires or a teaser that withholds essential features.
SoloTools Pro — $14.99/month
Unlimited proposals, full custom branding (your logo, colours, domain), priority AI generation, advanced analytics, and every feature SoloTools offers. No tiers within tiers, no feature gates, no "upgrade for content library" upsells.
The key insight: SoloTools Pro at $14.99/month costs less than Better Proposals Starter at $19/month — and includes significantly more. You get unlimited proposals (vs. 5/month), AI generation (vs. none), multi-currency (vs. none), and custom branding (vs. locked to Premium). Over a year, that's $180 for SoloTools Pro vs. $348 for Better Proposals Premium — a $168 annual saving with more features.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does SoloTools compare on design?
SoloTools takes a cleaner, content-first approach. AI generates the proposal content, and the professional preview layout handles the design — clean typography, structured sections, consistent formatting. On the Pro plan, you add your own branding (logo, colours). Better Proposals offers more visual template variety with custom cover pages and interactive layouts. If you want maximum design control, Better Proposals has a wider template library. If you want professional-looking proposals without spending time on layout, SoloTools' AI approach is faster.
Does Better Proposals have AI?
As of 2026, Better Proposals does not offer AI proposal generation. You select a template, then write or paste your content into each section manually. There's no AI writing assistance, no automated content generation, and no section-level AI editing. The tool is template-first by design — it helps you structure and design proposals, but the writing is entirely on you.
Can I switch from Better Proposals easily?
Yes. There's no import tool, but the switch is straightforward: sign up for SoloTools, describe your typical project type, and AI generates a proposal in seconds. Most freelancers find that AI-generated proposals are a step up from their Better Proposals templates because the content is written specifically for each client rather than adapted from a generic template. You can recreate your core proposal types in under an hour.
Is SoloTools good for agencies?
SoloTools is currently optimised for solo freelancers and independent consultants. It doesn't have team collaboration features, approval workflows, or multi-seat management. If you run an agency with multiple people sending proposals, Better Proposals Enterprise or Proposify is a better fit today. Team features are on SoloTools' roadmap, but they're not available yet — and solo users are the priority.