Tarmika vs Semsee vs QuoteSweep: Commercial Quoting Compared (2026)

Tarmika, Semsee, and QuoteSweep are the three most-discussed comparative raters for commercial insurance. All three solve the same fundamental problem — agents waste hours re-keying client data into carrier portals — but they take fundamentally different technical approaches. This guide breaks down how each works, what they cost, and which agencies they fit best.

If you're evaluating commercial quoting tools for your agency, this comparison will help you make an informed decision without sitting through three separate sales demos.

Tarmika connects to ~35 carriers via API; Semsee connects to ~30. QuoteSweep uses browser automation to reach any carrier with a web portal — including the regional and specialty carriers that API-only tools can't access. The right choice depends on which carriers your agency is appointed with and which AMS you run.

Quick Comparison

The table tells one story. The details below tell the rest.

Tarmika: The Applied Systems Play

Tarmika launched as an independent comparative rater for commercial lines and was acquired by Applied Systems in August 2022. That acquisition is the single most important fact about Tarmika today — it shapes the product's integrations, roadmap, and best-fit audience.

How Tarmika Works

Tarmika uses direct API connections to approximately 35 carrier partners. When an agent submits a quote through Tarmika, the platform sends that data via API to each connected carrier's rating engine and returns quotes in real time. The agent fills out one form, and Tarmika handles the data translation and submission to each carrier's system.

This API-based approach has clear advantages: it's fast, reliable, and returns structured data that flows cleanly back into the agency's management system. Tarmika supports multiple lines of business including BOP, workers' compensation, general liability, commercial auto, cyber, and professional liability.

Tarmika's Carrier Network

Tarmika's carrier panel includes approximately 35 carriers, with notable names like Travelers, CNA, Chubb, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Acuity, Hanover, Markel, MAPFRE, Westfield, Employers, and AmTrust. The carrier list has grown steadily since launch, with recent additions including Cowbell Cyber and Corvus for cyber liability.

Carrier availability varies by state and line of business. An agent in Massachusetts will see a different carrier selection than an agent in Texas, even within the same Tarmika account.

AMS Integration

Post-acquisition, Tarmika's deepest integrations are with Applied products — Applied Epic and EZLynx. If your agency runs on Applied Epic, the Tarmika experience is seamless: quote data flows directly into your management system without manual re-entry. Tarmika also integrates with AgencyZoom, Better Agency, DONNA, and Neon.

For agencies on other management systems — HawkSoft, NowCerts, QQ Catalyst, or others — the integration story is thinner. The platform still works, but you lose the bidirectional data flow that makes the Applied ecosystem compelling.

Pricing

Tarmika pricing has historically been bundled with Applied Systems products. Association-discounted pricing starts at approximately $225 per month for up to five users through partnerships with organizations like IIAT and KAIA. Standard pricing is not publicly available and varies by agency size and contract terms. Agencies already paying for Applied Epic or EZLynx may get Tarmika at a bundled rate.

Who Tarmika Fits Best

Tarmika is the strongest choice for agencies that:

• Already run on Applied Epic or EZLynx
• Primarily quote with the major national carriers that Tarmika connects to
• Value deep AMS integration over breadth of carrier access
• Want a proven, established platform backed by a major technology company

Where Tarmika Falls Short

The API-only approach means Tarmika can only access carriers that have built API partnerships with the platform. The approximately 35 connected carriers represent a small fraction of the roughly 2,700 P&C carriers in the United States. If your agency is appointed with regional carriers, specialty markets, or smaller mutuals, Tarmika can't reach them. You're still logging into those portals manually.

This limitation is structural, not a product oversight. Building API connections requires both Tarmika and the carrier to invest engineering resources. For carriers writing $50 million to $200 million in premium, the business case for building an API specifically for comparative rater integration is often thin. The result: the carriers most likely to offer competitive pricing for your specific accounts — the regional specialists who know your territory — are exactly the carriers Tarmika is least likely to support.

For a deeper look at why this gap exists and what it means for agencies, see our analysis of why 98% of carriers have no API.

Semsee: The Carrier-Subsidized Option

Semsee is an independent company (not acquired by a larger platform) that takes a different approach to both technology and business model. Founded in 2017 by Philip Charles-Pierre, Semsee has focused on making small commercial quoting accessible to agencies of all sizes.

How Semsee Works

Semsee uses API connections to carrier rating systems, similar to Tarmika's approach. The platform connects to approximately 30 carriers across all 50 states. Agents fill out a single application, and Semsee routes that data to connected carriers and returns quotes.

In late 2025, Semsee launched "Agent Intelligence" — an AI-powered feature that lets agents upload documents (like an existing ACORD application or a renewal dec page) and have Semsee extract the data, classify the business, check carrier appetite, and pre-populate the submission. This is a significant workflow improvement over manual form entry.

Semsee's Carrier Network

Semsee partners with approximately 30 carriers and MGAs, with carrier availability varying by state and line of business. The platform supports commercial package, property, general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, cyber, and special events coverage.

Semsee has been expanding its carrier network and adding new lines of business. Like Tarmika, the carrier list skews toward national and larger regional carriers that have invested in API infrastructure.

AMS Integration

Semsee integrates with HawkSoft, NowCerts, and several other agency management systems. For agencies not in the Applied ecosystem, Semsee's AMS integration story is often stronger than Tarmika's.

Pricing

Semsee offers a free Essential tier with basic carrier access and multi-carrier submission, plus paid plans starting at $50 per user per month for the Professional tier. Some agencies — particularly members of agency networks or associations like IIAT — access Semsee at no cost through network partnerships.

The free tier makes Semsee attractive for cost-conscious agencies as a low-risk entry point into commercial comparative rating.

Who Semsee Fits Best

Semsee is the strongest choice for agencies that:

• Want a low-cost or free entry point into comparative rating
• Are on HawkSoft, NowCerts, or other non-Applied management systems
• Focus primarily on small commercial (BOP and GL)
• Are members of agency networks that provide Semsee access

Where Semsee Falls Short

Like Tarmika, Semsee is limited to carriers with API connections. The approximately 30 connected carriers still represent a small slice of the total carrier market. Agencies with extensive regional carrier appointments face the same gap: their local and specialty carriers aren't accessible through the platform.

Semsee's focus on small commercial also means it's less suited for mid-market or complex commercial accounts. If your agency regularly writes accounts with $5 million or more in revenue, multi-location operations, or specialized coverage needs like environmental liability or professional E&O, Semsee's tooling may not cover the full submission workflow. The platform is optimized for straightforward BOP and GL placements where the underwriting is relatively automated.

QuoteSweep: The Browser Automation Approach

QuoteSweep takes a fundamentally different technical approach from both Tarmika and Semsee. Instead of relying on carrier API partnerships, QuoteSweep uses browser automation to interact directly with carrier web portals — the same portals agents log into manually every day.

How QuoteSweep Works

When an agent submits a quote through QuoteSweep, the platform doesn't call a carrier's API. Instead, it opens the carrier's actual web portal, fills out the forms using the agent's own credentials and field mapping intelligence, navigates the carrier's workflow, and extracts the quote. It does this across multiple carriers in parallel — the same process an agent would do manually, but simultaneously across every matched carrier.

This approach has a critical advantage: it works with any carrier that has a web portal, regardless of whether that carrier has built an API. Given that roughly 98% of P&C carriers have no API for commercial quoting, this means QuoteSweep can reach carriers that API-based tools structurally cannot.

Carrier Access

Because QuoteSweep interacts with carrier portals rather than APIs, it isn't limited to a fixed carrier list. If your agency is appointed with a regional mutual in Ohio, a specialty workers' comp carrier, or a state-specific MGA — and that carrier has a web portal — QuoteSweep can quote through it.

This is the core differentiator. Per the Big I's 2024 Agency Universe Study, the average independent agency holds 17 carrier appointments — and a significant portion of those are regional or specialty markets that Tarmika and Semsee don't connect to. QuoteSweep fills that gap.

Appetite Pre-Checking

Before dispatching quotes, QuoteSweep runs an automated appetite check against your carrier panel. This filters out carriers that won't write a particular risk — by class code, state, revenue size, or other eligibility criteria — before the agent wastes time on submissions that will be declined. Neither Tarmika nor Semsee offers this level of pre-submission filtering as a core feature.

Lines of Business

QuoteSweep currently supports BOP, workers' compensation, and general liability, with additional lines expanding. This is narrower than both Tarmika and Semsee, which support commercial auto, cyber, and professional liability. If your quoting volume is concentrated in those additional lines, that's a factor to weigh.

Pricing

QuoteSweep uses a base subscription plus overage model, starting at $249 per month. This is transparent and straightforward — no bundling with other products, no carrier subsidies influencing the platform.

Who QuoteSweep Fits Best

QuoteSweep is the strongest choice for agencies that:

• Are appointed with regional carriers, specialty markets, or smaller mutuals that API-based tools can't reach
• Want to quote their full carrier panel, not just the 35-40 carriers with API partnerships
• Need appetite pre-checking to avoid wasted submissions
• Value carrier-agnostic technology not tied to a single ecosystem

Where QuoteSweep Falls Short

Browser automation depends on carrier portals being accessible and stable. When a carrier redesigns its portal or changes its workflow, QuoteSweep's automation needs to adapt. The platform also currently supports fewer lines of business than Tarmika or Semsee, though this is expanding. And because it's newer to market, it doesn't yet have the depth of AMS integrations that the more established platforms offer.

How Each Tool Handles the Quoting Workflow

Beyond carrier access and pricing, the day-to-day quoting experience differs between platforms.

Tarmika's workflow is optimized for speed within its API network. You enter client details, select carriers, and quotes return in real time. The experience is polished, especially when connected to Applied Epic where quote data flows directly into your management system. The limitation surfaces when you need to quote a carrier outside the API network — that requires a separate manual process.

Semsee's workflow has evolved with the Agent Intelligence feature. You can now upload a document — an existing ACORD application, a dec page, even a handwritten note — and Semsee's AI extracts the data and pre-populates the submission. This is a genuine productivity improvement for agencies that receive submissions in varied formats. The quoting itself follows the same API-based model as Tarmika.

QuoteSweep's workflow starts with appetite checking: before any quotes are dispatched, the platform identifies which carriers on your panel will write this specific risk. Then it dispatches to all eligible carriers simultaneously via browser automation. Quotes return as each carrier's portal processes them, typically within a few minutes. The key difference is that the entire process — from appetite check to quote comparison — covers your full carrier panel, not just the API-connected subset.

For agencies evaluating these tools, the best test is to run the same account through each platform and compare: How many of your carrier appointments returned quotes? How long did it take? How much manual work remained?

Which Tool Is Right for Your Agency?

There is no single "best" commercial quoting platform. The right choice depends on your agency's specific situation:

Choose Tarmika if...

• You're an Applied Epic or EZLynx shop and want seamless AMS integration
• Your carrier panel is concentrated in the ~35 national carriers Tarmika connects to
• You value the stability of an established platform backed by Applied Systems
• You're already paying for Applied products and can get Tarmika bundled

Choose Semsee if...

• You want a low-cost or free entry point (especially through agency network access)
• You're on HawkSoft or NowCerts and want solid AMS integration
• Your quoting is focused on small commercial BOP and GL
• You're attracted to the new Agent Intelligence AI features

Choose QuoteSweep if...

• You're appointed with regional or specialty carriers that API tools don't support
• You want to quote your full panel, not a subset
• Appetite pre-checking before submission matters to your workflow
• You want a carrier-agnostic platform not tied to a single technology ecosystem

Can You Use More Than One?

Yes — and many agencies do. There's no rule that says you have to pick one tool and abandon the others. A practical approach:

• Use Tarmika for your API-connected national carriers where it's fast and reliable
• Use QuoteSweep for your regional carriers, specialty markets, and any carrier Tarmika doesn't connect to
• Use Semsee as a supplemental free tool for basic BOP/GL quotes

The overlap between these tools' carrier networks is smaller than you'd think. Combining two tools can give you coverage across your entire carrier panel rather than quoting only a fraction of your appointments.

The Bottom Line

All three platforms solve the core problem of commercial quoting inefficiency. The differences come down to technical approach (API vs browser automation), carrier breadth (fixed list vs any portal), ecosystem alignment (Applied vs independent), and pricing model (subscription vs carrier-subsidized vs base-plus-overage).

The market is moving toward broader carrier access and smarter pre-submission intelligence — appetite checking, AI-assisted data extraction, and parallel quoting across the full carrier landscape. Regardless of which tool you choose today, the days of manually logging into 10 carrier portals for a single commercial account are numbered.

For a deeper dive into how comparative raters work, see our complete guide to commercial insurance comparative raters. For a focused look at Tarmika's limitations and what agents are doing about them, read 5 reasons agents are moving beyond Tarmika in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tarmika free?

No. Tarmika is a paid subscription. Association-discounted pricing starts at approximately $225 per month for up to five users. Agencies on Applied Epic or EZLynx may receive bundled pricing. Contact Applied Systems for current rates.

Is Semsee free for agents?

Semsee offers a free Essential tier with basic functionality. Some agency networks and associations also provide Semsee access at no cost through partnerships. Paid plans start at $50 per user per month for additional features. Check their pricing page or ask if your agency network includes Semsee access.

How many carriers does each platform support?

Tarmika connects to approximately 35 carriers via API. Semsee connects to approximately 30 carriers via API. QuoteSweep can access any carrier with a web portal through browser automation, which covers the vast majority of the roughly 2,700 P&C carriers operating in the United States.

Can I switch from Tarmika to QuoteSweep?

Yes. QuoteSweep works with your existing carrier appointments — there's no migration process for carrier connections since it interacts with carrier portals directly. You can also run both tools simultaneously during evaluation.

Which tool has the best AMS integration?

Tarmika has the deepest integration with Applied Epic and EZLynx. Semsee integrates well with HawkSoft and NowCerts. QuoteSweep is expanding its AMS integrations. If AMS integration is your top priority, match the tool to your management system.

Do these tools work for mid-market commercial, or just small commercial?

All three tools are primarily designed for small commercial quoting — accounts with relatively standard risk profiles (BOP, GL, WC). For mid-market accounts with complex risk characteristics, multi-location operations, or specialty coverage needs, the quoting process typically involves more underwriter interaction regardless of the tool. That said, the data entry and initial submission step can still be automated for mid-market accounts, even if the final quote requires underwriter review.

How do these tools handle multi-state agencies?

All three tools support quoting across multiple states. Carrier availability varies by state on each platform. Tarmika and Semsee show which of their API-connected carriers write in each state. QuoteSweep's browser automation approach works with any carrier portal regardless of state, but appetite checking verifies state eligibility before submission.