For most job shops, Costimator is the default pick for part costing, with Paperless Parts the top choice when quotes start from 3D models and Tempus Tools the best low cost option for laser cutting work. Most dedicated costing tools publish no list price, so expect a sales quote for Costimator, Paperless Parts, aPriori, and SecturaFAB, while MRPeasy, Katana, Tempus Tools, and DigiFabster publish at least one plan price. Katana changed its pricing model in 2026, and now sells Advantage as a custom annual contract starting at $1,500 per month, which replaces the older Core plan that started at $299 per month.
Part costing software turns a drawing, a 3D model, or a bill of materials into a cost that a shop can defend. The tools below cover three different ways of doing that work. Dedicated estimating tools such as Costimator and Paperless Parts build the cost from features, cycle times, and shop rates. Design side tools such as aPriori cost the part while it is still in CAD, before any metal is cut. MRP and ERP tools such as MRPeasy and Katana cost the part from the bill of materials, stock, and production orders, which suits repeat work. Pick the type first, then compare prices, because a cheap tool that costs the wrong way will still produce quotes you cannot trust.
On this page
Best software for calculating part costs: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costimator | Mixed-process job shops that want ready-made cost models | quote only | No | Visit |
| 2 | Paperless Parts | Custom CNC and sheet metal shops quoting from 3D models | quote only | No | Visit |
| 3 | aPriori | Large manufacturers costing designs before production | quote only | No | Visit |
| 4 | MRPeasy | Small manufacturers that need MRP with part costing | $49 per user/month | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 5 | Katana | Multi-channel makers that need inventory and production costing | $1,500 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | Tempus Tools | Laser cutting shops quoting from drawings | $75 per month per quoting user | No | Visit |
| 7 | DigiFabster | Shops that want instant online quotes on their own website | $990 per month | Free trial (7 days) | Visit |
| 8 | SecturaFAB | Metal fabricators adding a dedicated quoting layer | quote only | No | Visit |
The 8 best best software for calculating part costs, in detail
Costimator
Best for: Mixed-process job shops that want ready-made cost models
Costimator comes from MTI Systems, which has sold the tool to manufacturers since 1982. Its main strength is the library of more than 330 industry-validated cost models, which are cycle time calculators for turning, milling, sheet metal, welding, laser cutting, bending, and assembly. An estimator picks the process, enters the part details, and the model produces cycle times and costs from the shop rates stored in the system.
- That library is the reason Costimator suits mixed-process shops, because one estimator can price a machined part in the morning and a welded assembly
- The tool also includes a built-in shop rate calculator that helps a shop work out accurate machine and labor rates before those rates feed into the co
- Costimator exports estimate data to Epicor, JobBOSS, E2 Shop System, and ProfitKey through XML export, so a quote can move into an ERP without retypin
- Pricing is available on request only, and MTI Systems offers a free demo so a shop can test the models on its own parts first.
Pros
- More than 330 pre-loaded cost models for machining, sheet metal, welding, and assembly
- works with or without a 3D model
- built-in shop rate calculator
Cons
- No published price, so budgeting needs a sales quote
- sold as a perpetual license or a subscription, which makes total cost harder to compare
Paperless Parts
Best for: Custom CNC and sheet metal shops quoting from 3D models
Paperless Parts is quoting software built for manufacturers that price highly variable, custom-engineered parts. Its geometry quoting engine analyzes 3D models and 2D drawings to detect features, flag potential issues, and build standardized cost structures for estimators. A single part that takes up to two hours to quote by hand can be quoted in about 15 minutes with the tool, according to the vendor, and a complex assembly that takes up to four days by hand is the kind of job where that speed matters most.
- The system then applies the shop own pricing rules to the calculated cost, so every estimator starts from the same base.
- Wingman, the built-in AI tool, reads RFQ emails and prints and extracts materials, tolerances, certifications, and special requirements, which estimat
- Paperless Parts also sends digital quotes that customers can review, compare by quantity, and approve in a branded online portal, which cuts out round
- It integrates with M1, JobBOSS2, E2, Epicor, Infor VISUAL, Global Shop Solutions, and ProShop.
Pros
- Geometry quoting engine reads 3D models and 2D drawings
- Wingman AI reviews requirements from prints and emails
- digital quotes customers can approve online
Cons
- No published price and no free trial
- pricing depends on shop size, modules, integrations, and contract length
aPriori
Best for: Large manufacturers costing designs before production
aPriori is a product cost management platform that estimates the cost of a part directly from its CAD model, based on the materials to be used and the factory where it will be produced. It extracts geometry such as radius, surface area, and the number and structure of holes, then runs that data through a routing engine and cost models to produce a should-cost estimate. Engineers can test design changes and see the cost effect at once, which makes it a design side tool rather than a shop floor quoting tool.
- The platform covers machining, casting, sheet metal, molding, and more, and it includes more than 450 manufacturing process simulations and more than
- That depth is why aPriori fits large automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment makers with dedicated cost engineering teams.
- Sourcing teams can also use its should-cost output to check supplier quotes against an independent cost model.
- The trade-off is scale and cost.
Pros
- Costs parts directly from 3D CAD geometry
- more than 450 manufacturing process simulations
- should-cost tools for procurement teams
Cons
- No published price and no free trial
- implementation and digital factory setup can take months and add large one-time costs
MRPeasy
Best for: Small manufacturers that need MRP with part costing
MRPeasy is cloud MRP software built for small and medium manufacturers with up to 200 employees. It costs parts from multi-level bills of materials, production planning, stock control, and purchasing, so a part cost follows the same data that drives the production order. Starter at $49 per user per month covers production planning, BOM management, lot traceability, inventory, purchasing, CRM, and standard accounting.
- Professional at $69 per user per month adds a product configurator, quality control, serial numbers, and disassembly BOMs.
- Enterprise at $99 per user per month adds code scanning, multi-site structure, and maintenance management.
- Unlimited at $149 per user per month adds API access and needs a two-user minimum.
- The billing model has one detail that changes the math for larger teams.
Pros
- Published prices from $49 to $149 per user per month
- multi-level bills of materials with lot traceability
- 30-day trial with no card required
Cons
- Barcode scanning and multi-site structure sit in the Enterprise plan at $99 per user per month
- API access needs the Unlimited plan at $149 per user per month
Katana
Best for: Multi-channel makers that need inventory and production costing
Katana is cloud inventory and MRP software for manufacturers and assemblers that sell across several channels. It costs production from multi-level bills of materials with subassemblies, production planning, shop floor control, and contract manufacturing tracking, so the true production cost of a finished item includes its components, labor, and outside work. The free plan covers up to 30 SKUs with unlimited users, unlimited locations, and all core features, and the first 15 days allow unlimited SKUs so a new user can test the full catalog.
- Only Shopify integrates with the free plan for ecommerce, which is a real limit for sellers on other channels.
- Katana changed its pricing in 2026, and that change is the fact most roundups still get wrong.
- The vendor now sells Advantage as a custom annual contract starting at $1,500 per month, which includes unlimited users, inventory, manufacturing, pur
- Older listings that quote Core from $299 per month describe a plan structure Katana has replaced.
Pros
- Free plan covers up to 30 SKUs with unlimited users and locations
- multi-level BOMs with subassemblies
- unlimited users on the subscription plan
Cons
- Advantage is a custom annual contract starting at $1,500 per month, with no self-serve monthly option
- manufacturing cost insights need add-ons on the older Core plan
Tempus Tools
Best for: Laser cutting shops quoting from drawings
Tempus Tools is laser cutting quoting software for small fabricators and job shops. It quotes directly from drawings, calculates machine and material costs automatically, and generates production documents from the quote. The workflow covers 2D and 3D file uploads in DXF, DWG, STEP, and more than 70 other formats, plus a Quick Part generator for quoting without a CAD file.
- It adds folding, coating, and other secondary processes to the cost, and its Drawing Doctor tool cleans up drawings before quoting.
- Automatic nesting cuts material waste, and the system sets machine table rates and material groups per shop.
- Pricing is per active quoting user, not per staff member, and non-quoting users are free.
- Starter is $100 per month, or $75 per month when billed annually, and it is limited to 20 quotes per month.
Pros
- Published monthly prices from $75 to $375 per quoting user
- automatic nesting and secondary process pricing
- extra quoting users at 50 percent off
Cons
- Starter is limited to 20 quotes per month
- web store and PDF to CAD converter need the Regular plan at $225 per month when billed annually
DigiFabster
Best for: Shops that want instant online quotes on their own website
DigiFabster is an instant quoting and online storefront platform for manufacturers. Customers upload CAD files to the shop website, get instant pricing, and place orders at any hour, while the shop reviews quotes that exceed set thresholds. The platform supports 3D printing, CNC milling and turning, and 2D cutting and sheet metal, and it accepts up to 30 CAD files at once in STEP, STL, IGES, OBJ, and 3MF formats.
- It offers four ways to handle an RFQ: instant pricing, manual review, manual review with a price threshold, and TBD mode, so a shop can automate simpl
- DigiFabster uses machine learning to predict a price from the shop own data and data from hundreds of shops, and it refines the pricing algorithm as e
- It connects with QuickBooks, HubSpot, Shopify, and other accounting, CRM, and ERP tools.
- The vendor says its clients pay between $2,000 and $50,000 a year, and its pricing page lists Growth + Marketing from $990 per month when billed annua
Pros
- Instant quoting widget customers use on the shop own website
- four RFQ modes including instant pricing and manual review
- 7-day trial with no card required
Cons
- Growth + Marketing starts at $990 per month, which is high for a small shop
- processing fees of 0.99 percent to 4.99 percent apply to orders on top of the subscription
SecturaFAB
Best for: Metal fabricators adding a dedicated quoting layer
SecturaFAB is a cloud quoting and estimating layer built for metal fabricators, job shops, and steel service centers. It generates pricing from real production data and actual costs, using formula based pricing across more than 30 processes, including laser cutting, milling, lathe work, and other fabrication operations. It accepts DWG, DXF, PDF, and STEP files, and even sketch drawings, so an estimator can price work that arrives without a clean CAD file.
- The vendor says a quote can be produced in seconds once the shop rates and rules are set, and the estimator can see the expected profit on the job bef
- SecturaFAB integrates with ERP systems so quote data moves across without double entry, and it also handles order tracking, reporting, and invoicing f
- It does not replace a production system, so a shop still needs an ERP or MRP tool for shop floor work, scheduling, and stock.
- Pricing is not published, and costs vary with configuration, users, and implementation, with setup or annual maintenance fees possible depending on th
Pros
- Formula based pricing across more than 30 processes including milling and lathe work
- accepts DWG, DXF, PDF, STEP, and sketch files
- integrates with ERP systems to avoid double entry
Cons
- No published price, and setup and annual maintenance fees may apply depending on configuration
- quoting only, with no production management included
How we chose
We picked tools that calculate a part cost from real inputs, such as material, labor, machine time, outside processes, and margin, rather than tools that only format a price list. Each tool had to be a real product with an official homepage, a published feature set, and a price from its own pricing page or a clear quote only status where the vendor publishes no price. Prices and plan limits come from official vendor pricing pages and docs opened on 2026-11-12. We did not test any tool hands-on. Where a vendor hid the price, we wrote quote only instead of repeating a third-party estimate as if it were the vendor price. The unique angle in this guide is the pricing split: only four of the eight tools publish a price, and Katana now sells Advantage as a custom annual contract starting at $1,500 per month, which replaces the older Core plan that many roundups still list at $299 per month.
Which tool fits your shop size and budget
| Shop type | Best pick | Entry cost to budget for | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo estimator, mixed processes | Costimator | quote only, plus demo time | No published price, so get the quote in writing |
| Custom CNC or sheet metal shop | Paperless Parts | quote only, contract length matters | No trial, so ask for a live demo on your own parts |
| Large design team | aPriori | quote only, plus setup costs | Implementation can run 6 to 18 months |
| Small maker, up to 200 staff | MRPeasy | $49 per user per month, Starter | $79 per 10 users after the first 10 users |
| Multi-channel maker, 30 SKUs or fewer | Katana | $0 on the free plan | Advantage starts at $1,500 per month when you outgrow 30 SKUs |
| Laser cutting shop | Tempus Tools | $75 per month per quoting user, billed annually | Starter caps at 20 quotes per month |
| Shop that sells online | DigiFabster | $990 per month, Growth + Marketing, billed annually | Order fees of 0.99 percent to 4.99 percent on top |
| Metal fabricator with an ERP | SecturaFAB | quote only, plus setup fees | Quoting only, so keep your ERP for production |
Frequently asked questions
How much does part costing software cost?
Entry prices in this guide run from $0 on Katana free plan for up to 30 SKUs, to $49 per user per month for MRPeasy Starter, $75 per month per quoting user for Tempus Tools Starter when billed annually, $990 per month for DigiFabster Growth + Marketing when billed annually, and $1,500 per month for Katana Advantage. Costimator, Paperless Parts, aPriori, and SecturaFAB publish no price, so their cost comes from a sales quote that depends on shop size, modules, and setup.
Which is the best software for calculating part costs for a small job shop?
Costimator is the best default for a small job shop that quotes mixed processes, because its library of more than 330 cost models covers machining, sheet metal, welding, and assembly with or without a 3D model. If most work is laser cutting, Tempus Tools is the better pick at $75 per month per quoting user when billed annually. If the shop quotes repeat parts, MRPeasy at $49 per user per month costs from the bill of materials inside the same system that plans production.
Which is the best software for calculating part costs from a 3D model?
Paperless Parts is the best choice for costing from a 3D model, because its geometry engine reads the model, detects features and setups, and applies the shop own rates and pricing rules. aPriori is the better choice earlier in design, because it costs the part from CAD geometry before production and adds should-cost tools for procurement. Costimator also works with a 3D model, but it can cost a part without one, which suits shops that still receive drawings and sketches.
Can I calculate part costs with MRP software instead of a dedicated costing tool?
Yes, when most of your parts repeat. MRPeasy costs from multi-level bills of materials at $49 per user per month for Starter, and Katana costs from multi-level bills of materials with a free plan up to 30 SKUs. MRP costing suits repeat work because material, labor, and stock data already sit in the system. It suits new custom parts less well, because it does not read CAD geometry or apply process cycle time models the way Costimator, Paperless Parts, or aPriori do.
Does any part costing software offer a free plan?
Yes. Katana offers a free plan for up to 30 SKUs with unlimited users and locations, and the first 15 days allow unlimited SKUs. MRPeasy offers a 30-day trial with no card required, and DigiFabster offers a 7-day trial with no card required. Costimator offers a free demo, Paperless Parts, aPriori, and SecturaFAB offer no free plan and no trial, so ask each vendor for a live demo on your own parts before you commit.
What should a part cost include?
A complete part cost includes material, labor, machine time, outside processes such as plating or heat treatment, setup and tooling spread across the batch, overhead, and the margin you set. A quote that leaves out setup time or outside processes will look cheap and lose money on the job. Check that the tool you pick can hold your shop rates, material prices, and pricing rules, and that it shows the cost breakdown before it applies margin.
Sources
- https://www.mtisystems.com/
- https://www.mtisystems.com/cost-estimating-software.html
- https://www.paperlessparts.com/
- https://www.paperlessparts.com/manufacturing-software/
- https://www.apriori.com/
- https://www.mrpeasy.com/
- https://www.mrpeasy.com/pricing/
- https://katanamrp.com/
- https://katanamrp.com/pricing/
- https://tempustools.com/
- https://tempustools.com/pricing
- https://digifabster.com/
- https://digifabster.com/pricing/
- https://www.secturasoft.com/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.