Excel is flexible and everyone already knows it: for a few quotes a month, it can be enough. Software like SubmitX becomes useful when you need to track several quotes, keep CCQ rates up to date, or work as a team or from the job site. SubmitX has a permanent Free plan with no limit on quotes.
7-day free trial, no card requiredPermanent Free plan · Starter · Database hosted in Canada (Montreal)
Transparency: this page is written by SubmitX, so we are both judge and party. Excel is an excellent spreadsheet; the question is at what point specialized software saves you time. Facts about the CCQ (Commission de la construction du Québec) point to the official CCQ website (accessed October 1, 2026). SubmitX launched publicly in June 2026: it is a young company.
A spreadsheet like Excel lets you build your own quote templates, with complete freedom over formatting and calculations. The trade-off: rates, prices and templates are kept up to date by hand, and tracking (quote sent, accepted, refused) happens somewhere else.
CCQ wage rates are increased every year under the collective agreements; in 2026, the new rates took effect on April 26. In a spreadsheet, this update is manual.[1][2]
| Criterion | Excel | SubmitX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Often already included in a Microsoft 365 subscription | Permanent Free plan; Starter; Pro |
| Formatting freedom | Complete | Customizable quote templates |
| CCQ rates | Manual update[1][2] | CCQ payroll included |
| Quote tracking | You organize it yourself (files, folders) | Tracking by client and by status |
| Teamwork | Shared files; risk of multiple versions | User accounts (3 on Starter, 25 on Pro) |
| From the job site | Possible, not practical on a phone | iOS and Android app |
| Writing | Manual | Draft generated by AI, reviewed and validated by the contractor (AI credits depending on the plan) |
| SEAO monitoring | No | SEAO tender monitoring |
| Accounting | Manual export | GST/QST; QuickBooks Online sync; Acomba and Sage 50 exports |
Yes, if you want to track your quotes, work as a team or keep CCQ rates up to date without manual entry. For a few quotes a month with templates that work, Excel can be enough. SubmitX has a permanent Free plan with unlimited quotes so you can test at no cost.
It depends on your volume. The SubmitX Free plan costs nothing (unlimited quotes, no AI credits). Paid plans (Starter, Pro) add users and AI credits; a 7-day trial with no card lets you judge before you pay.
Yes. Wage rates are increased under the collective agreements; in 2026, the new rates took effect on April 26 (CCQ). In Excel, you have to update them by hand.
No. The AI prepares a draft; the contractor reviews and validates it before anything is sent to the client.
See also: All comparisons · SubmitX vs Elper · SubmitX vs Maestro ERP · SubmitX vs Excel · Which software should you choose?
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