"ChatGPT is free. Why pay for estimates?"
Great question. Here's the uncomfortable answer: free AI estimates are worth exactly what you pay for them. When a client asks "how much?", you need numbers you can defend, not AI hallucinations.
The Problem with AI Estimates
LLMs are incredible at many things. Consistent numerical estimates is not one of them. Here's what happens when you ask ChatGPT to estimate a project:
ChatGPT vs StacksFinder
| Aspect | ChatGPT / Claude | StacksFinder |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing accuracy | Hallucinates numbers based on training data | Deterministic lookup tables, updated quarterly |
| Consistency | Different answer every time you ask | Same specs = identical estimate |
| Transparency | "Trust me bro" - black box reasoning | Full breakdown: hours, complexity, risks |
| Professional output | Copy-paste chat into a doc | Export-ready PDF quotes |
| Market context | Outdated training data (months old) | Live competitor & pricing research |
| Cost | 20 €/month for GPT-4 | Free tier available, Pro from 29 € |
Our Approach: Best of Both Worlds
We don't throw away AI. We use it where it excels, and use deterministic systems where consistency matters.
Scope Analysis
Claude analyzes your specs and identifies:
- Feature breakdown with complexity
- Technical risks and dependencies
- Hours estimates per component
- Project type and industry
Pricing Engine
Versioned lookup tables calculate:
- Hourly rates by region & seniority
- Complexity multipliers
- Risk buffers
- Final price ranges
Full Transparency
Every estimate shows exactly how we calculated it:
Built by Developers, for Developers
"I used to spend 2 hours on initial estimates. Now I drop the spec into StacksFinder, review the breakdown, and send a professional quote in 10 minutes. The transparency helps me justify rates to clients."
Ready for estimates you can actually trust?
Stop guessing. Stop hallucinating. Get project estimates backed by data, not vibes.