Vs.
Tempus Tools vs. CutQuote: laser cutting quoting software comparison
CutQuote is laser cutting quoting software focused on fast file-based quoting, customer portals, and shop-management features. Tempus Tools is a complete quoting platform for laser cutting and fabrication shops, covering drawing prep, rules-based pricing, self-serve online ordering, and the handoff to production.
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Looking for a CutQuote alternative for laser cutting quoting?
CutQuote focuses on fast file-based laser quoting, with additional portal and shop-management features on higher plans. Tempus Tools is built around the broader quoting workflow many laser cutting and fabrication shops need day-to-day.
For most laser cutting and fabrication shops, the quote is one step in a bigger process: preparing messy customer files, keeping pricing consistent, taking repeat and online orders, and moving approved work to the floor.
Want fast quoting from a drawing?
Tempus prices from CAD or PDF geometry using your rules.
Want customers to order online?
The Tempus Web Store lets customers upload parts, get pricing, order, and pay through your site.
Re-quoting the same parts often?
The Part Library stores customer parts and pricing for fast repeat quoting.
Need quotes to reach production cleanly?
Tempus generates production documents from the approved quote.
Tempus Tools vs
CutQuote
Key differences
Features
Primary focus
Complete quoting-to-production platform
Lightweight quick-quote tool
Quoting from cutting files
From CAD and PDF geometry
Fast quoting from uploaded files
3D file support
Quotes from 70+ file types, with bend detection
STEP files only
PDF to CAD conversion
Built-in PDF-to-CAD workflow
Business plan supports vector PDF drawing import for quote-only parts
Drawing cleanup
Drawing Doctor for comprehensive customer-file cleanup
DXF/DWG auto-cleanup
Secondary process pricing
Folding, welding, coating, and other shop-defined processes
Folding costed; broader processes not clearly stated
True-shape nesting and sheet layout
Shows a real nested sheet layout, included in your plan
Included on Business; a $200/mo add-on on Pro
Repeat-part workflow
Customer-specific Part Library
CRM/customer history
Customer online ordering
Web Store for customer self-quoting and ordering
Website quote widget on Business
Production handoff
Work orders, dockets, labels, and production documents
Business plan includes production tracking, job cards, scheduling, and packing slips
Accounting integrations
Xero, QuickBooks Online, Google Drive
Xero and MYOB; QuickBooks listed as coming soon
Free trial
Yes
14-day
Published pricing
From $75/mo or $900/year
From $71/mo (billed annually)
Still comparing options? Read our guide to the best fabrication quoting software for a broader look at Tempus Tools, CutQuote, Paperless Parts, DigiFabster, SecturaFAB, and other quoting tools for fabrication shops.
What sets Tempus Tools apart
A complete quoting workflow
Tempus covers the whole process with a workflow designed around how laser cutting and fabrication shops move from customer drawing to approved job.
Drawing cleanup with Drawing Doctor
Tempus finds and fixes common issues in customer drawings before quoting, so messy files don't slow you down or cause errors later.
Self-serve ordering with Web Store
Customers upload parts, get instant pricing, order, and pay through your own branded website, bringing work in around the clock.
Part Library for repeat work
Save customer parts with their pricing and history, so returning customers can be re-quoted in moments.
Built by fabrication people
Tempus is built by a team with deep laser and fabrication experience, and backed by onboarding, training, and support.
Broad file support
Tempus quotes from more than 70 file types, including 3D models, and detects bends automatically, so you're not limited to a single format.
Where CutQuote might be a better fit
Tempus Tools is built for shops that want a complete quoting workflow. CutQuote may suit you better if:
You only need a fast, single-purpose quoting tool and nothing around it.
You mainly quote from 3D STEP files and want quick unfolding and bend detection.
You want to compare CutQuote's portal, widget, and pricing model against Tempus' Web Store and quoting workflow.
Why laser cutting shops
choose Tempus Tools
over CutQuote
Drawing prep with Drawing Doctor
Customer-specific Part Library for repeat work
Quote-to-production documents
Web Store for branded online ordering
Onboarding, training, and support included
Tempus Tools vs.
CutQuote pricing
Tempus Tools
Plans starting at
$75/mo
or $900/year*
Tempus Tools offers transparent annual pricing with multiple plans depending on the capabilities your shop needs.
Includes key features like:
- Comprehensive quoting tools (QuickPart, DrawingDoctor, and more)
- Secondary process pricing, dedicated machine table rates, and material groups
- Production-ready outputs
- Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks Online, and Google Drive
- Free onboarding, training, and support
*Local currency pricing is available inside the app for international customers.
CutQuote
CutQuote publishes plan-based pricing, billed annually:
Entry pricing is similar to Tempus Tools. The difference is what each plan covers, so it's worth comparing what's included at the price rather than the headline figure alone.
- Starter: $71/mo
- Professional: $308/mo
- Business: $675/mo
- Includes a 14-day free trial
What laser cutting teams say about Tempus Tools
“Since implementing Tempus Tools, we’ve found it is much more accurate, reliable, and fast. Instead of two people quoting full time, we can now have one person do a better job in a quarter of the time.”
Olivier S.
,
MSG Industries
“I like that my laser machine operator and I can get an accurate idea of material usage, time, labour, and other relevant data for each job – and it greatly reduces the risk of human error, because Tempus Tools is a rules-based program.”
Frank M.
Owner
,
Rolleston Sheetmetal
Final verdict:
Tempus Tools
vs
CutQuote
Both Tempus Tools and CutQuote produce fast quotes for laser cutting work. The difference is scope.
Tempus Tools is the better fit if:
- You want a complete quoting workflow, from file prep to production handoff
- You want customers to quote and order through your own website
- You want repeat work, drawing cleanup, and pricing consistency handled in one place
CutQuote is worth a look if you want a lightweight, single-purpose quick-quote tool and don't need the wider workflow around it.
For most laser cutting and fabrication shops, quoting is one part of a bigger process. Tempus Tools is built to handle the whole thing, not just the quote.
Ready to see the full quoting workflow?
See how Tempus Tools helps laser cutting and fabrication shops quote from drawings, clean up files, take online orders, and move work to production, all in one place.
Fast, rules-based quoting from drawings
Self-serve ordering through the Web Store
A complete workflow from quote to production
FAQs
What is the difference between Tempus Tools and CutQuote?
Both are laser cutting quoting software platforms. CutQuote focuses on fast DXF/STEP-based laser quoting, with customer portal and shop features available across different plans. Tempus Tools focuses on a broader laser and fabrication quoting workflow, including 70+ supported file types, Drawing Doctor, PDF-to-CAD, customer-specific Part Library, Web Store ordering, live order status, and production documents.
Which is better for laser cutting shops, Tempus Tools or CutQuote?
If you only want fast quoting and nothing around it, CutQuote may be enough. If you want quoting plus file preparation, repeat ordering, online ordering, and production documents in one system, Tempus Tools is built for that fuller workflow.
How much does CutQuote cost?
CutQuote publishes plan-based pricing, billed annually: Starter at $71/mo, Professional at $308/mo, and Business at $675/mo, with a 14-day free trial. Tempus Tools publishes pricing starting at $75/mo or $900/year. Entry pricing is similar, so it's worth comparing what each plan includes.
Are third-party Tempus Tools comparisons always accurate?
Not always. Some third-party comparison pages may include outdated or incomplete information about Tempus Tools. Alongside quoting, Tempus Tools includes Drawing Doctor, PDF-to-CAD conversion, a customer-specific Part Library, Web Store, and production documents for the shop floor.