Wondering what is the difference between manual quote mode and auto quote mode in WooCommerce? In short, manual quote mode handles pricing offline, while auto quote mode generates an instant, system-priced quote. Both run inside WooCommerce Quotes and Orders, the a3rev extension that converts your store’s Add to Cart function into an Add to Quote function. However, the two modes suit very different sales workflows. Below, we break down how each one works and when to use it.
Quotes mode in WooCommerce Quotes and Orders
First, some context. WooCommerce Quotes and Orders lets site visitors add unlimited items to a ‘Quote’ cart and proceed through the WooCommerce Checkout to request a quote. As a result, your storefront becomes a quote request generator rather than a fixed-price shop. A dedicated Quotes payment gateway hides the usual payment options, and every request is saved as a real WooCommerce Order. From there, you choose how prices are handled: manually or automatically.
What is manual quote mode?
Manual quote mode works like a traditional, offline quotation process. The customer adds items to the quote cart, but no price is ever calculated or shown on the site. Because the Manual Quote rule hides prices everywhere, prices stay hidden even on the order email and the order details. Meanwhile, the request is created as a WooCommerce order with the ‘Quote’ status, ready for you to edit.
After the request arrives, you add the pricing yourself. Then you use a WooCommerce Order Action to send the finished quote to the customer by email from the Order edit page. This control matters when prices depend on volume, custom specs, or negotiation. For example, a B2B supplier can tailor each line item before the customer sees a single figure.
- Prices are hidden everywhere, including in quote request emails.
- The request becomes a WooCommerce Order with the ‘Quote’ status.
- You enter pricing manually in the admin, then send the quote by email.
- By default, a Manual Quote Role account is auto-created for the user.
- Guest checkout can be enabled so no account is created on request.
What is auto quote mode?
Auto quote mode automates the whole quoting process. When the customer submits the request, the system instantly generates a quote that includes itemized product prices, shipping, and taxes. Those figures appear in the WooCommerce Order Received email the customer receives. As a result, there is no waiting for a staff member to price the request by hand.
Importantly, the user still cannot see any product prices on your storefront, even after completing a quote request. They only see the prices on their quote. Better still, the customer can then open their My Account dashboard, click Pay, and complete the transaction through any active WooCommerce payment gateway. Because of this, auto quote mode doubles as a fast, self-service checkout while keeping shop prices private.
Manual quote mode and auto quote mode compared
So, what is the difference between manual quote mode and auto quote mode in WooCommerce when you put them side by side? The core split is timing and control. Manual mode gives you full pricing control but adds an offline step. Auto mode trades that hands-on step for instant, system-generated quotes and immediate payment.
- Pricing speed: manual is priced offline by you; auto is priced instantly by the system.
- Quote email: manual hides prices; auto includes product prices, shipping, and tax.
- Payment: manual is sent for offline follow-up; auto lets the customer pay via your gateways.
- Storefront prices: both keep shop prices hidden from the user.
- Best for: manual suits custom or negotiated pricing; auto suits ready-to-sell catalogs.
Which quote mode should you choose?
Choose manual quote mode when prices vary per customer or require approval. For instance, wholesalers, fabricators, and service providers often negotiate every order. Choose auto quote mode when your prices are set but you still want to hide them from the public and capture payment quickly. Either way, both quotes are saved as WooCommerce Orders and integrate fully with WooCommerce My Account.
There is also a third option for true B2B ordering. ‘Add to Order’ mode converts WooCommerce into an online ordering machine, with billing handled offline in your regular cycle. Note that you cannot run Request a Quote and Add to Order at the same time for the same role, because both rely on the Add to Cart function. To explore every mode and setting, see WooCommerce Quotes and Orders. For broader background, the official WooCommerce quote and orders documentation will be a useful resource.
Ultimately, the manual versus auto choice comes down to how much pricing control you need against how fast you want quotes delivered. Manual keeps you in the loop on every figure. Auto keeps your customers moving. With WooCommerce Quotes and Orders, you can switch between them as your store grows.