RIB CostX

Pros: Its accuracy and efficiency in measurement and cost planning. The ability to extract quantities directly from drawings and link them effortlessly to rates saves significant time, reduces manual errors, and makes benchmarking and cost comparisons across projects far more reliable.

Cons: When writing formulas, you have to look up the cell and enter it manually. Can not group Workbooks in folders

Pros: Extremely user friendly and easy to pick up. The constant updates really take on board feedback from users.

Cons: The login process changed in a recent update and now it takes longer to login. Previously this was quicker.

Pros: The user interface is clear and generally easy to navigate. I like the way drawings, measurement, and workbook functions are combined in one platform, which makes quantity take-off and review more efficient.

Cons: The main limitation is that it does not appear to be well integrated with AI or more automated workflows. Some processes still feel quite manual, and better AI support could improve productivity and reduce repetitive tasks.

Pros: CostX is very efficient for takeoffs and estimating, especially on larger commercial projects. The live-linking between drawings and quantities saves a lot of time, and the revision tracking makes it easy to compare drawing updates without starting from scratch. The Excel integration is also one of the stronger features for building custom estimate templates and workflows.

Cons: The software can feel quite heavy and occasionally slow on large jobs with multiple revisions loaded. Some functions are not very intuitive for new users, and there’s definitely a learning curve before you can use it efficiently. Licensing and setup can also be a bit restrictive compared to newer cloud-based estimating platforms.

Pros: Complete integration of the entire estimating process. Endless features that I've barely even begun to touch on

Cons: To be able to access their cloud based storage solutions you need to purchase a minimum of 4 licenses which makes it difficult for smaller companies. These companies are generally the ones without a dedicated server which negates the need for cloud based storage. It's a upside down in my opinion

Pros: What I liked most about RIB CostX was its integrated 2D/3D BIM takeoff capability and the efficiency it brought to cost planning and estimating workflows. The software’s dynamic linking between measured quantities, workbooks, and drawing revisions significantly reduced manual recalculations and improved estimate accuracy. I also found the layer-based measurement tools, auto-revisioning features, and centralized rate libraries particularly valuable for maintaining consistency across BOQs and tender estimates. Additionally, the ability to work directly from live drawing files and generate detailed reporting streamlined the overall estimating process and improved turnaround times on projects.

Cons: One aspect I liked least about RIB CostX was that performance could slow down when working with very large or highly detailed drawing sets and BIM models. I also found that some advanced functions and workbook customizations had a fairly steep learning curve, particularly when setting up complex estimate structures or templates. In collaborative environments, managing file versions and ensuring consistency across shared databases could sometimes be challenging without well-defined workflows.

Pros: Very easy to use, helps me to win jobs with quick quoting. We basically use cost x when accurate measurements are required for job ordering

Cons: No AI incorporation yet, would love it to just detect and auto calc everything. There are softwares that can do this out there, but we do still use Cost X for accuracy over these softwares. Combine the two and Cost X would win hands down.

Pros: Relatively easy to use program. Used it for close to 14 years. Familiar functionality and workbook experience.

Cons: Easily the worst customer service and sales experience I have come across. Enough to move our whole company away from the platform. Starting to fall behind AI alternatives and AI integrations. The network solution is clunky, expensive and time consuming to use. The maintenance cost is beyond ridiculous.

Pros: 2D PDF quantities take off 3D Revit if we can refresh quantities when updating revit model Drawing management

Cons: customer support nice people

Pros: Intuitive interface and fast takeoff tools. Accurate, reliable quantity measurement. Seamless BIM integration with 2D/3D models. Efficient reporting and customizable outputs. Responsive customer support and helpful documentation. Manageable learning curve with useful training resources. Strong project collaboration features for team workflows. Clear invoicing and cost-tracking tools.

Cons: Occasional performance slowdowns with very large models. Limited advanced customization in some reports. Initial setup and full feature mastery can take time. Occasional delays in feature requests or roadmap communication.

Pros: The main reason why I wanted to try CostX was for the ability to import native design files for 3D takeoff, 2D takeoff with the ability to switch on and off layers and to try the auto takeoff features

Cons: There is no trial of the software, to try it you have to buy it, and I have to say I'm disappointed. The user interface is REALLY un-intuitive, there is a huge learning curve, and it's difficult to use. The system is slow, navigating around a drawing is very laggy. Auto takeoff features don't work well at all, particularly on civil engineering drawings with many intersecting lines or areas

Pros: The ability to read pretty much any file type used in the industry and integrate them together. You can have a design made up of scanned hand sketches for one dissipline and a fully federated model from another and seamlessly combine them together.

Cons: The subcontractor vetting module is ok for fully documented projects but doesn't have the ability to deal with substantial changes in design.

Pros: The functionality, flexibility and easy of use. I've always found it useful when presenting cost plans / tenders to stakeholders, in particular linked dimensions to drawings..

Cons: Creating formulas within workbooks could be a bit more automated and measuring curves is quite clunky.

Pros: I liked how RIB CostX offers integrated and reliable estimating tools that streamline quantity takeoffs and cost planning within one platform. It saves time and improves accuracy, making the estimating process much more efficient.

Cons: What I liked least about RIB CostX is that it heavily relies on keyboard shortcuts, which can be hard to memorise and slows down productivity for new or occasional users.

Pros: User friendly Transparency One stop shop for all estimating purposes It provides the option to do a detailed comparison of subcontractors which is very helpful for decision making and final estimation

Cons: BIM support can be fine tuned to to provide more easy and efficient use. Sometimes it lags and takes time to perform.

Pros: Easy to spot measure and the layers of the workbook make it great to calculate complex items that can't always be measured.

Cons: a few things here: - No ability to measure slanting walls - Workbook needs to be able to function slightly more like excel it is clunky and doesn't allow for formulas to be correctly input with ease. - Drawings should be stored within the costx file - this way if they are moved on the companies server all drawings aren't lost. - When printing reports in levels that don't apply to all line items in a workbook, they should not show up with an empty bar - should just have a line item to clean up the printout.

Pros: Users often highlight its ability to significantly improve accuracy, efficiency, and collaboration in the pre-construction phase. It's particularly praised for its integrated approach, which combines takeoff and estimating functionalities in one platform, helping to reduce errors and streamline workflows.

Cons: Some users have found setting up projects or navigating certain aspects of the software to be initially unintuitive without proper naming conventions or professional expertise.

Pros: I particularly appreciate the comprehensive and user-friendly interface of RIB CostX. The software’s ability to seamlessly combine both 2D and 3D takeoff capabilities makes it incredibly versatile.

Cons: While RIB CostX offers a powerful set of features, I find that the learning curve can be steep for new users, especially those not familiar with BIM or advanced cost estimation software.

Pros: CostX provides a great way to measure and price a project seamlessly. The software is very stable and technical support staff are always available ready to solve any issues or queries.

Cons: To undertake project revisions can sometimes be frustrating especially if it is not completely clear on the screen where any un-amended dimensions still need to be reviewed, This is often where a very small section of a line has not been reviewed and can be tricky to locate on a drawing.

Pros: Fast and efficient onscreen measurement for most trades. In addition, our clients have the ability to review in detail exactly what we have measured giving them an extra measure of confidence in the Builders BoQ's we produce for tender purposes

Cons: Converts to Buildsoft Global but does not convert to Cubit. We measure tenders for groups of builders, and now Global is being discontinued we are left in the situation where some builders in the group want CostX and some want Cubit (but few want Global), but the process of transferring first to Global then to Cubit is lengthy as the Global conversion has no headings, secondary quantities or Q coding transferred over (and the Q coding system is only compatible with two digit codes). Direct conversion from CostX to Cubit is essential

Pros: Customer service, like when we have an issue opening the CostX file due to the low version installed the customer service team helps to get it resolved asap.

Cons: Price :) Sometimes it feels very expensive when we are going for renewal, but overall, no complaints about the software.

Pros: 1. 2D measurement is easy to use and very efficient if polyline is used 2. Workbook pricing functional works as excel (incl. formula-based function) is very powerful

Cons: 1. A bit slow if loading a 3D BIM model with revit or ifc format 2. Can't printing multiple drawings with measurement in one go (only allow to print one by one)