What are the most popular configure price quote (cpq) software in 2026?

Predicting the exact "most popular" CPQ software in 2026 involves a degree of speculation, as the market is dynamic and influenced by technological advancements (especially AI), mergers, and evolving customer needs. However, based on current market leadership, strategic investments, and industry trends, we can identify the strong contenders that are highly likely to remain or become the most popular.

Here are the CPQ software solutions expected to be among the most popular in 2026, along with the reasons why:

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### Top Contenders for 2026 Popularity:

1. **Salesforce CPQ (formerly SteelBrick):**

* **Why:** Salesforce's dominant position in the CRM market gives its integrated CPQ a massive advantage. They continuously invest in innovation, leveraging AI (Einstein) for predictive pricing, guided selling, and intelligent recommendations. Its robust ecosystem, extensive partner network, and strong focus on user experience ensure its continued leadership. It's a go-to for companies already on the Salesforce platform.

2. **SAP CPQ (formerly CallidusCloud):**

* **Why:** As a leader in ERP and CRM for large enterprises, SAP CPQ benefits from deep integration with SAP's broader suite. It's designed for complex, global organizations and will continue to be the preferred choice for existing SAP customers. SAP's significant investment in cloud solutions and AI capabilities will keep it competitive, especially in industries with intricate product configurations and pricing.

3. **Oracle CPQ (formerly BigMachines):**

* **Why:** Similar to SAP, Oracle CPQ is a powerhouse for large enterprises, particularly those already invested in Oracle's CRM, ERP, and SCM solutions. It offers robust capabilities for complex product configurations, pricing, and quoting, with a strong focus on scalability and performance. Oracle's ongoing cloud transformation and AI integration will ensure its relevance for its extensive customer base.

4. **Conga CPQ (formerly Apttus CPQ):**

* **Why:** Conga has consolidated its position as a leader in Revenue Operations, with CPQ being a core component. Their strength lies in comprehensive document generation, contract lifecycle management (CLM), and e-signature capabilities alongside CPQ. This end-to-end approach to the revenue process makes it highly attractive for companies looking for a unified solution beyond just quoting.

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### Strong Niche & Growing Players:

5. **Tacton CPQ:**

* **Why:** Tacton excels in complex manufacturing and industrial sectors, offering highly advanced configuration capabilities, visual configuration, and design automation. As product complexity increases, especially with mass customization and engineer-to-order scenarios, Tacton's specialized configurator engine will remain invaluable. Their focus on AI-driven configuration and pricing will further solidify their position.

6. **PROS Smart CPQ:**

* **Why:** PROS stands out with its strong emphasis on AI-driven pricing optimization. While offering full CPQ functionality, its core strength lies in helping companies achieve optimal pricing strategies, which is a critical differentiator. As businesses increasingly seek to maximize margins and respond dynamically to market conditions, PROS's predictive pricing and recommendation engines will be highly sought after.

7. **DealHub.io CPQ:**

* **Why:** DealHub is gaining significant traction, particularly in the mid-market, due to its focus on a streamlined, intuitive user experience and its comprehensive Sales Engagement Platform. It integrates CPQ, CLM, e-signature, and sales collateral management into a single, unified platform, simplifying the entire sales process from quote to close. Its ease of use and rapid deployment are key advantages.

8. **Infor CPQ:**

* **Why:** For companies already using Infor's ERP solutions (especially in manufacturing), Infor CPQ provides seamless integration and industry-specific functionalities. It's designed to handle complex product structures and pricing rules common in discrete and process manufacturing, making it a strong contender within its ecosystem.

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### Key Trends Driving Popularity in 2026:

* **AI and Machine Learning:** Predictive pricing, intelligent product recommendations, automated configuration validation, and AI-driven insights will be standard features.

* **Seamless Integration:** Deep integration with CRM, ERP, PLM, and e-commerce platforms will be non-negotiable.

* **Subscription and Usage-Based Pricing:** CPQ solutions must effectively handle complex recurring revenue models.

* **Enhanced User Experience (UX):** Intuitive, mobile-friendly interfaces that empower sales reps to create accurate quotes quickly will be crucial.

* **Industry Specialization:** CPQ solutions tailored to specific industry needs (e.g., manufacturing, high-tech, services) will gain traction.

* **Low-Code/No-Code Configuration:** Empowering business users to manage product rules and pricing without heavy IT involvement.

* **Revenue Operations (RevOps) Focus:** CPQ will be seen as a critical component of a broader RevOps strategy, integrating with CLM, billing, and sales engagement.

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In summary, while Salesforce, SAP, and Oracle will likely maintain their enterprise dominance due to their vast ecosystems and continuous innovation, specialized players like Tacton and PROS will thrive in their niches, and agile platforms like Conga and DealHub.io will continue to grow by offering comprehensive, user-friendly solutions that address the evolving needs of modern sales organizations.