# 10 essential proposal software features to win more deals in 2026 Did you know that there are [261 different proposal management software apps on G2](https://www.g2.com/categories/proposal#all_tools) as of February 2026? The choice is overwhelming, especially if you're part of the 30% of sales teams that don't use proposal software. Companies that do use it submit 46% more proposals, quotes, and bids every year. They also increase their overall win rate by at least 10%. You're missing out on an important source of productivity and revenue growth by not using software to help you write better proposals. If you're in the market for a new proposal solution, this guide is for you. We'll explore key features, how they work, and the benefits you can expect. ## What is proposal software? [Proposal software](/content/blog/what-is-proposal-software/index.html) helps sales teams create, send, track, and manage business proposals. It is a specialized tool that improves the proposal-creation process with features not found in generic document editors. These features improve efficiency, ensure brand consistency, and increase win rates. The best platforms connect directly to your CRM, automatically pulling deal data and syncing proposal activity back to your pipeline. This means reps spend less time on admin work and more time selling. ## Why proposal management software matters for sales teams - Close deals faster: Eliminate repetitive work with templates and CRM integration. This allows reps to send more proposals in less time. - Gain buyer insights: See which stakeholders review your proposal and what content they focus on. This intel is invisible in email threads and PDFs. - Align buying committees: Keep all 6-10 stakeholders in a complex B2B deal aligned in one place. This prevents deals from stalling. - Maintain brand consistency: Ensure every proposal is professional and on-brand with pre-approved templates and content. ## Essential proposal management software features The best proposal software doesn't just help you create documents. It transforms how you engage buyers, manage sales cycles, and close deals. This list of features is based on our in-depth analysis of the most popular proposal software for 2026, including GetAccept, PandaDoc, Qwilr, Better Proposals, and more. To positively impact your business, you need these 10 non-negotiable features: ### These 10 features are: 1. CRM integration 2. Content creation 3. Content library 4. CPQ (configure, price, quote) 5. Signing order and roles 6. Edit after sending 7. Tracking 8. Chat functionality 9. Electronic signatures 10. Contract management ## 1. CRM integration A good [CRM integration](/content/integrations/index.html) allows you to form a two-way connection between your proposal software and your CRM system. Examples of how this works include: - Automatic population of contract fields in your proposal software with data from your CRM - Automatic updating of opportunity status based on proposal status - You can choose to store copies of signed contracts in your CRM automatically ## 2. Intuitive content creation tools [Content creation](https://help.getaccept.com/en/articles/994942-how-to-build-your-template) features help you to quickly produce pixel-perfect proposals, quotes, bids, contracts, and other commercial documents. ## 3. Content library A content library lets you centrally store pre-configured content that your sales team can use in their proposal creation process. 1. [**Templates**](/content/free-proposal-templates/index.html) 2. **Pre-approved content**: To keep your messaging consistent. ## 4. CPQ [CPQ](/content/blog/what-is-cpq/index.html) helps you quickly create accurate pricing tables for quotes and proposals. ## 5. Signing order and roles [Signing order and roles](https://help.getaccept.com/en/articles/5451270-how-to-create-a-signing-order) functionality gives you granular control over who should view and sign proposals. ## 6. Edit after send [Edit after send](/content/blog/edit-after-send/index.html) allows you to easily update the document post-delivery. ## 7. Proposal tracking and analytics [Proposal tracking](/content/product/tracking-and-analytics/index.html) lets you see who opened your proposal and how they engaged with it. ## 8. Real-time collaboration and chat Real-time collaboration features allow for efficient communication with prospects. ## 9. Electronic signatures [Electronic signatures](/content/product/electronic-signatures/index.html) streamline the signing process, making it faster and easier. ## 10. Contract management A robust [contract management](/content/product/proposals-and-contracts/index.html) feature will help you manage contract versions centrally. ## AI-powered proposal automation Modern proposal software uses AI to eliminate repetitive work and personalize content at scale. ## Proposal software feature checklist As you consider procuring proposal management software for your business, consider the essential features and how they fit into your requirements. ### Reference guide | Feature | Use Case | Benefit | |---------|----------|---------| | ✅ CRM integration | To keep sales records up to date. | Create a central source of the truth. | | ✅ Content creation | Create stunning proposals. | Present your company in the best light. | | ✅ Content library | Centralize pre-approved content. | Reduce time for high-quality proposals. | | ✅ CPQ | Quickly produce accurate pricing. | Pre-approved pricing with no errors. | | ✅ Signing order and roles | Assign permissions to your team. | Control who sees and signs proposals. | | ✅ Edit after sending | Update documents as needed. | Edit in real time based on feedback. | | ✅ Tracking | Know who viewed your proposal. | Track engagement and identify stakeholders. | | ✅ Chat functionality | Keep communication open with prospects. | Overcome objections and close deals. | | ✅ Electronic signatures | Digitally sign proposals. | Close deals quickly without printing. | | ✅ Contract management | Central storage of contracts. | Instant access to latest information. | ## Transform your proposal process with GetAccept Proposal software boosts sales productivity and increases win rates. The average sales rep sends 179 proposals a year using proposal management software versus 145 without.