BuildSoft Review: Overview, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2025

Still wasting hours on slow, error-prone estimates?

If you’re comparing construction estimating software, you’re probably dealing with late nights and stressful deadlines just trying to get bids out the door with any accuracy.

The real headache? Lost time and costly mistakes from double-handling data every single day—making your job harder for no good reason.

I’ve spent weeks digging into BuildSoft’s suite—Cubit Estimating, Cubit Select, and MudShark—to see how they actually fix these problems. Their platform is all about unifying your takeoff, estimating, and tender management with time-saving automation and rock-solid data accuracy that stands out from older legacy tools.

In this review, I’ll show you how BuildSoft helps you cut out wasted effort from your pre-construction workflow for good.

In this BuildSoft review, you’ll see where the platform excels, what it lacks, exactly how the features work, the new Valsoft acquisition’s impact, and how it stacks up against other options on your shortlist.

You’ll walk away knowing if these are the features you need to finally make estimating smooth—and your decision a confident one.

Let’s get started.

BuildSoft Overview

BuildSoft has developed dedicated construction software for the industry since 1985. From their headquarters in Sydney, Australia, they are committed to solving the daily digital challenges professional estimators and commercial builders face.

They specifically target quantity surveyors, builders, and trade estimators who demand absolute precision. I find their unwavering focus on preconstruction workflows refreshing, as they deliberately avoid the overwhelming complexity you find in many generic, all-in-one project management platforms.

The company’s recent acquisition by Valsoft Corporation injects fresh investment while wisely keeping its expert leadership team intact. We’ll explore what this strategic move means for you through this BuildSoft review.

Unlike broader platforms like Procore, BuildSoft doesn’t manage the entire project lifecycle. You’ll feel how their deep expertise in estimating and takeoff translates directly into a far more practical and refined user experience for your preconstruction team.

I’ve seen they work with thousands of construction firms across more than 50 countries, supporting everyone from small trade businesses to large enterprises that depend on highly accurate preconstruction data to win bids.

Their current strategy centers on tightly integrating specialized tools like Cubit Estimating and Cubit Select. For your business, this creates a truly cohesive workflow that connects initial takeoff directly to the final tender management process.

Now let’s examine their capabilities.

BuildSoft Features

Still wrestling with outdated estimating methods?

Buildsoft features offer an integrated approach to streamline your preconstruction process from takeoff to tender management. Here are the five main Buildsoft features that solve critical construction estimating challenges.

1. Cubit Estimating

Is slow, error-prone estimating costing you bids?

Traditional methods often lead to inaccuracies and missed deadlines. This can result in lost projects and frustrated clients.

Cubit Estimating provides a seamless estimating and takeoff experience, helping you create accurate bids faster. What I found impressive is how you can perform takeoff directly on plans and integrate 3D visualization with a single click. This feature truly accelerates your entire estimating workflow.

This means you can confidently submit competitive bids and secure more projects with improved speed and precision.

2. Cubit Select

Tired of endless spreadsheets for managing quotes?

Manually collating subcontractor and supplier quotes is incredibly time-consuming. This often leads to missed opportunities and increased bid application stress.

Cubit Select centralizes all your quotes in a cloud-based system, simplifying tender management. From my testing, the itemized cost comparisons and collaboration tools are game-changers, making data-led decisions straightforward. This solution helps you streamline communication and ensure you get the best prices.

The result is you can reduce deadline pressure and make more informed decisions, enhancing your overall tender management process.

3. MudShark

Struggling with complex earthwork estimates?

Accurately calculating earthwork volumes can be a major headache. This often leads to costly errors in project planning and execution.

MudShark is Buildsoft’s dedicated onscreen takeoff software for earthmoving projects. What I love about this is how it simplifies the complexities of site contours and volumes, providing precise calculations effortlessly. This feature ensures you account for every cubic yard.

This means you get highly accurate earthwork estimates, which directly impacts your project profitability and reduces financial risks.

4. Customization Options

Does your estimating software feel rigid and unadaptable?

Generic software often restricts how you present information. This can make it difficult to brand your reports and tailor layouts to your specific needs.

Buildsoft’s Cubit Estimating offers extensive customization for reports and layouts. You can save preferred display settings and personalize reports with your company logo and specific columns. This feature allows you to maintain consistency while showcasing your brand.

So, you can create professional, branded estimates and reports that truly reflect your business, enhancing your client presentations.

5. Integrations

Is data stuck in isolated software silos?

Disconnected tools force manual data re-entry, leading to errors and wasted time. This can seriously impede your overall workflow efficiency.

Buildsoft solutions integrate with essential software like Xero, Excel, and BuilderTREND. What I found particularly useful is the direct integration with Xero for purchase orders, streamlining your accounting workflow. These features help you maintain a cohesive digital environment.

This means you can eliminate data replication, ensure consistency across your platforms, and ultimately reduce administrative overhead.

You’ll actually appreciate how these Buildsoft features work together as an integrated suite, eliminating disconnected workflows and streamlining your entire preconstruction process.

BuildSoft Pricing

Confused about BuildSoft’s pricing?

BuildSoft pricing is quite transparent, offering subscription-based plans with clear monthly rates billed annually, making budgeting straightforward for your construction business.

Plan	Price & Features
Cubit Estimating	Starts from $161 + GST per month (billed annually) • Core estimating and takeoff • Supports PDF, CAD, image import • Detailed calculation sheets • 12 months Software Assurance
Cubit Estimating Professional	Starts from $215 + GST per month (billed annually) • Most popular tier • All Cubit Estimating features • Advanced takeoff tools • Priority support
Cubit Estimating Enterprise	Starts from $241 + GST per month (billed annually) • BIM-based estimating (IFC) • Custom report builder • Bill of quantities • BIM revision management
Cubit Select	Starts from $109 per month (billed annually) • Centralized quote management • Supplier collaboration tools • Itemized cost comparisons • Integrates with Cubit Estimating

1. Value Assessment

Great pricing value here.

From my cost analysis, BuildSoft’s subscription model for Cubit Estimating delivers strong value by providing comprehensive takeoff and estimating tools. What makes their pricing different is how it bundles essential features for accurate bidding, avoiding hidden costs that can derail your project budget.

This means your budget gets a predictable monthly expense while ensuring highly accurate project cost calculations.

2. Trial/Demo Options

Smart evaluation approach available.

BuildSoft offers a 14-day free trial for both Cubit Estimating and Cubit Select, allowing you to test core functionalities. What I found regarding pricing is that they also offer personalized demonstrations upon request, which is invaluable for understanding the specific features relevant to your workflows.

This lets you fully evaluate how the software fits your needs before committing to the full pricing plan.

3. Plan Comparison

Choosing the right tier matters.

For basic estimating, Cubit Estimating is sufficient, but the Professional tier offers broader functionality that most users appreciate. Budget-wise, the Enterprise tier unlocks advanced BIM capabilities for complex projects and custom reporting, justifying its higher pricing.

This tiered approach helps you match pricing to actual usage requirements rather than overpaying for unused capabilities.

My Take: BuildSoft’s pricing is straightforward and value-driven, catering to various construction business sizes by offering clear tiers that scale with your estimating and tender management needs.

The overall BuildSoft pricing reflects transparent value without hidden surprises.

BuildSoft Reviews

What do real customers actually think?

To help you understand what actual users think, I’ve analyzed various BuildSoft reviews, examining real user feedback and experiences to provide balanced insights into its performance.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users seem genuinely impressed.

From my review analysis, BuildSoft boasts an impressive 98% support satisfaction rating, with an average online rating of 4.5 for BuildSoft Pro. What impressed me most is how this feedback strongly emphasizes exceptional support as a key driver of positive sentiment.

This suggests you can expect reliable assistance, which significantly boosts overall user experience.

2. Common Praise Points

Users consistently love the efficiency.

Customers frequently praise Cubit Estimating for its seamless takeoff and estimating process, noting its ability to help them work faster and more profitably. From the reviews I analyzed, users highlight the significant time savings, reporting up to 10x faster estimating than traditional methods.

This means you can expect substantial efficiency gains and improved profitability for your projects.

3. Frequent Complaints

Limited public complaints were found.

While specific complaints are scarce in public feedback, the primary point of contention often revolves around the learning curve for new features and advanced functionalities. What stood out in user feedback is how additional training may be required for complex features, even with free webinars available.

This suggests that while the software is powerful, you might need to invest time in mastering its full potential.

The overall BuildSoft reviews indicate strong user satisfaction rooted in excellent support and efficiency gains, with minor learning curve considerations.

Best BuildSoft Alternatives

Considering your BuildSoft alternatives?

The best BuildSoft alternatives include several strong options, each better suited for different construction business sizes, budget allocations, and specific project management needs.

1. Procore

Need a comprehensive, full lifecycle solution?

Procore offers a much broader suite of construction management features beyond just preconstruction, covering financial management, work orders, and more. From my competitive analysis, Procore provides extensive project lifecycle management, which Buildsoft’s specialized focus doesn’t encompass, albeit at a higher price point.

Choose Procore if you need an all-in-one platform for your entire construction project, not just estimating.

2. STACK Construction Technologies

Prioritizing a cloud-native takeoff experience?

STACK is an all-in-one cloud-based takeoff and estimating solution, similar to Buildsoft’s core offerings. What I found comparing options is that STACK provides a highly integrated cloud-first solution that might appeal more if you’re seeking a modern, browser-native alternative for your preconstruction workflow.

Consider this alternative if a fully cloud-native, modern interface is a top priority for your estimating.

3. ProEst

Do you require integrated CRM functionality?

ProEst integrates CRM capabilities directly with its estimating and pre-construction tools, a feature not central to Buildsoft’s specialized suite. Alternative-wise, ProEst offers combined CRM and estimating capabilities for better client relationship management alongside bids.

Choose ProEst if you need your estimating software to also manage client relationships and sales pipelines.

4. CoConstruct

Seeking broader project and client communication tools?

CoConstruct focuses more on full project management, client communication, and financial tracking for home builders, extending beyond preconstruction. From my analysis, CoConstruct provides robust client communication and project oversight that Buildsoft’s core estimating solutions don’t emphasize.

Choose CoConstruct if your business needs broader project management and client communication beyond just detailed estimating.

The best BuildSoft alternatives depend on your specific business’s scope and integration requirements rather than just features.

BuildSoft Setup

Worried about software setup and adoption?

This BuildSoft review focuses on practical implementation. It provides realistic analysis of what it takes to successfully deploy and adopt the software in real business environments, setting clear expectations.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

Starting with BuildSoft is quite straightforward.

BuildSoft Pro is known for its user-friendly interface and relatively straightforward setup, often taking a few days for small businesses and a couple of weeks for larger organizations. From my implementation analysis, the installation process is considered relatively easy, with helpful guides available to support you.

You’ll find that minimal extensive project planning is required, allowing for quick deployment and initial use.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

Technical needs are practical and manageable.

BuildSoft software requires a 64-bit Windows 11 system; it doesn’t run natively on Mac, but virtual environments work. What I found about deployment is that an internet connection is only required for initial activation, not for ongoing use of Cubit Estimating.

Ensure your IT setup aligns with these Windows specifications, but you won’t need constant connectivity for core operations.

3. Training & Change Management

User adoption is supported by available resources.

BuildSoft offers weekly webinars and free “how-to” videos for Cubit Estimating to help users get started quickly and address the learning curve. From my analysis, the company emphasizes ease of use, which naturally aids in smoother user adoption without extensive resistance.

Prepare for continuous learning through their free resources, and consider additional paid training for more in-depth knowledge.

4. Support & Success Factors

Vendor support is a key differentiator.

BuildSoft provides unlimited, Australian-based support with high satisfaction ratings and quick response times, even offering TeamViewer sessions for direct assistance. What I found about deployment is that their commitment to exceptional support significantly boosts your chances of a successful and smooth implementation journey.

Plan to leverage their comprehensive support channels—help center, knowledge base, and direct assistance—to ensure optimal setup and ongoing use.

Overall, BuildSoft setup is notably user-friendly, offering strong support for successful deployment. This makes it a solid choice for businesses seeking efficient implementation.

Bottom Line

What’s the final verdict on BuildSoft?

My BuildSoft review shows a specialized solution perfectly tailored for construction professionals prioritizing accurate estimating, digital takeoff, and efficient tender management in their preconstruction phase.

1. Who This Works Best For

Construction professionals focused on preconstruction.

BuildSoft is ideal for Quantity Surveyors, Estimators, and Commercial Builders, from SMBs to large enterprises, needing precise cost estimates and digital takeoffs. What I found about target users is that teams aiming to optimize bid management will find this software an invaluable asset, especially those working with 3D or BIM models.

You’ll particularly succeed if your core business involves detailed tender management and you want to accelerate preconstruction workflows.

2. Overall Strengths

Unmatched accuracy and speed in estimating.

The software excels by offering seamless takeoff and estimating in one process, leading to up to 10 times faster results than traditional methods. From my comprehensive analysis, the 3D visualization and BIM integration capabilities are standout features for modern construction projects, providing unparalleled detail.

These strengths directly translate into improved efficiency and more profitable bids for your construction business, enhancing overall productivity.

3. Key Limitations

Specialized focus means limited broader features.

While powerful in its niche, BuildSoft doesn’t offer comprehensive construction management features like full accounting or extensive field operations. Based on this review, businesses needing an all-in-one ERP solution for all project phases might find its scope too narrow, requiring integrations.

I’d say these limitations are manageable if your core need is preconstruction, but they become deal-breakers for a holistic construction management platform.

4. Final Recommendation

BuildSoft is highly recommended for its niche.

You should choose this software if your priority is a powerful, dedicated solution for accurate estimating, digital takeoff, and efficient tender management. From my analysis, this solution empowers dedicated preconstruction teams to achieve greater speed and accuracy, proving its value.

My confidence is high for businesses seeking specialized preconstruction tools, but less so for those needing a full-suite construction ERP.

This BuildSoft review highlights strong value for preconstruction specialists, providing a powerful, dedicated solution while acknowledging its focused scope.