Kubla Software Review: Overview, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2025

Calculating earthwork volumes shouldn’t take all day.

If you’re stuck juggling complex CAD tools just to get a simple cut and fill estimate, you know the pain of slow, manual calculations—and the risk of costly bidding errors.

After researching leading options, I actually found that overly complex takeoff tools lead to major delays that can throw off your entire project schedule.

Kubla Software fixes this by focusing only on what civil engineers and contractors need: fast, accurate earthwork quantification, minus the bloat and steep learning curve.

In this review, I’ll show you how Kubla’s focused tools help you bid faster and avoid the mess of traditional enterprise suites.

You’ll see detailed breakdowns of features, pricing, workflow, and what sets Kubla Software apart in the earthworks estimation market—in this Kubla Software review, I’ll also compare top alternatives.

You’ll walk away knowing the features you need to quote projects confidently and save serious time.

Let’s dive into the analysis.

Kubla Software Overview

From my research, Kubla Software has operated out of Wellington, New Zealand since 2009. Their mission is refreshingly clear: making specialized earthworks software genuinely simple and affordable.

I found they primarily serve small to mid-sized civil engineering firms and individual contractors. What truly stands out is their laser focus on quantity takeoff, a niche where bigger, complex CAD platforms are often an expensive overkill.

While preparing this Kubla Software review, I learned their development centers on steady, iterative improvements. This shows a real commitment to refining the core user experience rather than chasing acquisitions.

Unlike competitors that lock you into costly annual subscriptions, Kubla’s key differentiator is its accessible perpetual license model. It’s a refreshing approach built for businesses that value long-term ownership and predictable costs, which I find compelling.

You’ll find their tools used by a dedicated base of civil engineering SMEs, independent surveyors, and construction contractors who need fast, reliable takeoff calculations without any enterprise-level fuss.

What’s more, their entire business strategy seems to prioritize a gentle learning curve so you can achieve immediate productivity. This focus directly serves professionals who can’t afford weeks of non-billable training on overly complex systems.

Let’s dive into their feature set.

Kubla Software Features

Earthworks estimation doesn’t have to be complex.

Kubla Software solutions offer a focused suite of tools to simplify earthworks and marine construction project estimation. These are the three core Kubla Software solutions that help engineers and contractors get accurate volume takeoffs quickly.

1. Kubla Cubed

Struggling with accurate cut and fill volumes?

Inaccurate earthwork calculations lead to cost overruns and bidding errors, creating significant project headaches.

Kubla Cubed precisely calculates cut, fill, and strip volumes by importing survey data. From my testing, this solution streamlines your takeoff process, allowing accurate estimates. It handles everything from civil engineering to landscaping.

You can bid confidently, manage material logistics, and avoid costly mistakes, gaining a competitive edge.

2. Kubla Tee

Trenching calculations are a real headache.

Manual estimation of trench excavation and pipe lengths is tedious and error-prone, slowing down utility planning.

Kubla Tee simplifies trench network design, calculating precise excavation and backfill needs. Here’s what I found: it integrates seamlessly with ground data, ensuring accurate pipe volume estimates. This targeted solution is ideal for utility contractors.

You get optimized trench designs and material takeoffs. This helps manage costs and complete underground projects faster.

3. Kubla Ports

Dredging and reclamation volumes a mystery?

Calculating precise volumes for marine projects, like dredging channels or building new land, is complex and requires specialized tools.

Kubla Ports tackles marine engineering, calculating exact dredging and reclamation volumes from bathymetric data. This is where Kubla Software shines, offering a cost-effective way to model port expansions and channels. This solution handles unique marine demands.

You can accurately plan and estimate marine projects, ensuring efficient resource allocation for successful, on-budget operations.

What I love about these Kubla Software solutions is how they work together, creating a specialized and interconnected estimating suite. This approach ensures you get focused tools that deliver precise data for your specific earthworks, trenching, and marine construction needs, preparing you for the next step.

Kubla Software Pricing

Navigating software costs can be tricky.

Kubla Software pricing uses a perpetual license model, a refreshing departure from common subscriptions, though some specific modules and team licenses require direct inquiry for tailored quotes.

1. Pricing Model & Cost Factors

Their unique pricing structure.

Kubla Software’s flagship, Kubla Cubed, offers a perpetual license: a one-time purchase, meaning you own it forever. What I found regarding pricing is that optional annual maintenance is crucial for updates and priority support. Network licenses for teams and other specialized modules like Kubla Tee and Ports require contacting sales directly for a tailored quote, reflecting a hybrid model for your total solution.

From my cost analysis, this means your initial capital expenditure is clear, with a predictable optional recurring fee for ongoing value.

2. Value Assessment & ROI

Long-term value proposition.

This perpetual license model offers significant long-term value, especially for businesses preferring capital expenditure over recurring operational costs. Unlike subscription models, you retain access indefinitely. What makes their pricing work is how it competes against more complex, expensive CAD platforms by focusing solely on earthworks estimation. It offers a more accessible alternative.

Budget-wise, this approach means substantial savings for your business compared to continuous SaaS payments.

3. Budget Planning & Implementation

Planning your budget effectively.

When planning your budget, factor in the initial Kubla Cubed license and the crucial optional annual maintenance fee for updates. For Kubla Tee or Ports, or if your team needs floating network licenses, you’ll need to reach out directly to understand those specific costs. What I found is that implementation costs are minimal for this desktop software, as it’s typically self-installed.

So for your business, obtaining custom quotes for specialized needs ensures you capture your total investment accurately.

My Take: Kubla Software’s perpetual license model is a strategic advantage for SMBs and individual professionals seeking long-term ownership and predictable capital expenditure for essential earthworks tools.

The overall Kubla Software pricing reflects long-term ownership value with clear initial investment. This model is attractive for those who prefer predictable capital expenditure over recurring operational costs, making budgeting simpler for your finance team.

Kubla Software Reviews

What do actual users truly experience?

When evaluating Kubla Software reviews, I dug deep into user feedback across various platforms. This analysis reveals what customers truly think, offering a balanced perspective on its real-world performance and user satisfaction.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users generally express high satisfaction.

From my review analysis, Kubla Software maintains very positive feedback, especially considering its niche market. What stood out is how users consistently appreciate its focused simplicity compared to feature-bloated alternatives. While the volume of reviews is limited on major platforms, the consistent praise suggests strong core satisfaction among its dedicated user base.

This pattern indicates you can expect a straightforward, positive experience if its core functionalities perfectly align with your specific earthwork needs.

2. Common Praise Points

Simplicity, speed, and support shine.

What I found in user feedback is a consistent chorus of praise for Kubla’s ease of use, remarkable speed, and exceptional customer support. Users frequently highlight how quick and accurate the cut-and-fill takeoffs are, drastically cutting down on bid preparation time. The intuitive interface often gets compared favorably to complex CAD software.

This means you’ll spend less time learning and more time producing, enhancing your project turnaround times significantly.

3. Frequent Complaints

Functional limits and CAD import nuances.

Review-wise, the most frequent complaints revolve around Kubla Software’s focused nature, leading to limited functionality beyond its core purpose. What stands out is how users wish for more advanced design tools, noting it’s not a full CAD replacement. Some also mention minor CAD interoperability issues with complex or poorly structured drawings, requiring pre-import cleanup.

These limitations are not deal-breakers if you understand its specialization; it’s designed as a takeoff tool, not an all-in-one suite.

Overall Kubla Software reviews reflect genuine satisfaction from focused users, highlighting its niche strength while acknowledging its limited scope. You should assess your specific needs against its specialized capabilities for an optimal fit.

Best Kubla Software Alternatives

Navigating earthworks software choices?

The best Kubla Software alternatives include several strong options, each better suited for different business situations, project scales, and specific operational requirements. Understanding these differences is key.

1. Autodesk Civil 3D

Require an all-encompassing design suite?

Autodesk Civil 3D stands as the industry-standard, comprehensive alternative for all civil infrastructure design, including detailed road and utility plans. From my competitive analysis, this suite provides deep engineering and drafting capabilities, far exceeding Kubla’s focused takeoff.

Choose Civil 3D when your team needs a comprehensive engineering design suite, especially if already invested in the Autodesk ecosystem.

2. Trimble Business Center (TBC)

Already invested in Trimble hardware?

TBC integrates tightly with Trimble’s survey and machine control hardware, acting as your central data hub. What I found comparing options is that Trimble excels in field-to-office data integration for construction, vital if you use their hardware heavily.

Choose Trimble if your company heavily uses their GPS, drones, or machine control systems for unified field-to-office data management.

3. AGTEK Gradework

Handling large-scale earthmoving projects?

AGTEK is a high-end alternative, long-standing and focused on earthwork modeling and takeoff for large contractors. Alternative-wise, I found it’s known for its accuracy and detailed reporting, providing advanced modeling for complex earthmoving.

Choose AGTEK if you are a large earthmoving contractor requiring advanced modeling, GPS machine control outputs, and complex project needs.

4. Carlson Takeoff

Seeking more design, still perpetual?

Carlson offers a robust suite for surveying and civil engineering, a powerful Autodesk alternative. From my competitive analysis, Carlson offers more design capabilities like road design than Kubla, while still offering perpetual licenses.

Choose Carlson if you need more design capabilities than Kubla, such as road design, but prefer avoiding Autodesk’s subscription model.

Overall, the best Kubla Software alternatives offer distinct advantages depending on your project scale, integration needs, and budget. The right choice depends on your specific business requirements and strategic priorities.

Setup & Implementation

Concerned about complex software setup and training?

My Kubla Software review shows that its implementation is surprisingly straightforward, especially for those intimidated by larger, more complex systems. Let’s set realistic expectations for your deployment process.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

Expect a smooth, rapid installation.

Kubla Software’s desktop application design means very low setup complexity. From my implementation analysis, you’ll install it like any standard Windows program, avoiding complex server setups or dedicated IT intervention. This simplicity is a major benefit for smaller companies without dedicated IT staff.

You’ll need basic Windows machine access and administrative rights, but little else. Plan for quick installation and immediate use within a day or two.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

Minimal IT demands here.

What I found about deployment is that Kubla Software runs efficiently on standard Windows PCs, making technical requirements highly accessible. It integrates smoothly with common CAD files for import, although complex drawings might occasionally need minor cleanup. You won’t face demanding infrastructure upgrades.

Ensure your Windows machines meet the basic specifications. Your team should prepare CAD files appropriately for optimal import, which will streamline the entire implementation.

3. Training & Change Management

Users adapt incredibly fast.

This is where Kubla truly shines for user adoption. The user interface is purpose-built, allowing civil engineers or surveyors to gain proficiency within mere hours. From my analysis, the intuitive design significantly minimizes the learning curve, reducing the need for extensive training programs and user resistance during implementation.

Leverage Kubla’s excellent video tutorials and comprehensive documentation. Your team will quickly grasp core functions, allowing focus on actual project workflow integration.

4. Support & Success Factors

Exceptional implementation support.

Vendor support is consistently praised as exceptional. What I found about deployment is that Kubla offers responsive, knowledgeable email support, often directly from their developers. Proactive problem-solving truly accelerates your deployment by resolving issues swiftly, a significant advantage over larger competitors.

Plan to utilize their direct support channel for any implementation questions. A strong internal champion will also ensure successful, ongoing software utilization and adoption.

Overall, Kubla Software implementation is remarkably straightforward, ideal for businesses seeking quick value without extensive IT overhead. Focus on user proficiency for immediate results.

Who’s Kubla Software For

Kubla Software excels for specific earthwork professionals.

This Kubla Software review details who truly benefits. I’ll analyze ideal business profiles, team sizes, and specific use cases, helping you determine if this solution aligns with your operational needs and goals.

1. Ideal User Profile

For earthwork accuracy without complexity.

From my user analysis, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and excavation contractors seeking precise volume calculations will find Kubla Software ideal. This is perfect for teams valuing speed and bid accuracy over a full design suite, allowing for quick estimations.

You’ll succeed if your primary need is rapid, accurate quantity takeoffs from survey data for bids and project verification.

2. Business Size & Scale

Small to medium-sized specialization.

Kubla Software is designed for small to medium-sized engineering, construction, or surveying firms. What I found about target users is that it’s ideal for businesses wanting to avoid high-cost subscriptions. New hires quickly adopt it, making it perfect for teams seeking fast training.

If you prioritize affordability and quick team onboarding without extensive IT overhead, your business size aligns well here.

3. Use Case Scenarios

Rapid volume calculation needs.

User-wise, Kubla Software excels in specific scenarios: generating bill of quantities for bids, verifying earthmoving volumes, and calculating material needs for large landscapes. For your specific situation, it shines when converting survey data to accurate volume reports quickly, rather than complex design.

You’ll align if your core workflow involves fast, simple, and accurate cut-and-fill takeoffs from existing survey or CAD data.

4. Who Should Look Elsewhere

Not for full design needs.

If your business requires comprehensive CAD capabilities for detailed road design, complex grading, or advanced site modeling, Kubla Software isn’t your primary solution. From my user analysis, it lacks features for intricate design work, serving as a specialized tool, not an all-in-one suite.

Consider full-fledged engineering suites like Civil 3D if your projects demand extensive design and multi-discipline modeling capabilities.

Overall, this Kubla Software review shows it’s ideal for those prioritizing speed and accuracy in earthworks calculations over broad design capabilities. Assess your core needs to determine if it’s your perfect fit.

Bottom Line

Kubla Software: A specialized solution for precise earthworks.

My Kubla Software review reveals a highly focused tool. For civil engineers and earthwork contractors, its specialized features offer significant advantages, warranting a confident recommendation for targeted use cases.

1. Overall Strengths

Exceptional for focused earthwork quantity takeoffs.

Kubla Software excels by simplifying complex calculations through an intuitive, powerful interface, avoiding the steep learning curve of comprehensive CAD suites. From my comprehensive analysis, its speed and accuracy for volume calculations are unmatched in its niche, enabling significantly faster bidding and more precise project estimation turnaround times.

These core strengths directly translate into improved operational efficiency and more competitive, data-driven bid submissions for your business.

2. Key Limitations

Focused functionality presents specific limitations.

While powerful for its core purpose, Kubla Software is not a full-fledged design tool; it lacks advanced features for detailed road design, complex grading, or extensive site modeling found in comprehensive suites. Based on this review, interoperability with highly complex CAD drawings can sometimes require pre-processing, adding a small extra step.

These limitations are certainly manageable trade-offs if your primary need is quick, accurate earthwork quantity takeoff, not comprehensive engineering design.

3. Final Recommendation

Strongly recommended for specific earthwork professionals.

You should choose Kubla Software if you’re an SMB or individual professional needing fast, accurate cut-and-fill takeoffs without the extensive overhead or steep learning curve of complex CAD platforms. From my analysis, it offers exceptional value for its specialized niche, proving far more accessible and efficient than larger, more expensive general engineering suites for this specific task.

Your decision should confidently factor in its highly specialized focus, which aligns perfectly with earthwork quantity takeoff requirements.

This Kubla Software review clearly demonstrates its strength as a targeted solution. For civil engineers and contractors focused on earthworks, my assessment provides high confidence in its specialized capabilities.