Cubit

Cubit, developed by Australian company Buildsoft, is the most widely used estimating software among quantity surveyors and commercial builders in Australia. It's a purpose-built estimating platform designed for detailed construction cost estimation — from initial feasibility through to final tender pricing.

The platform handles digital plan takeoff (measuring quantities from PDF drawings), cost estimation using rate libraries, trade-by-trade breakdowns, and tender comparison. It integrates tightly with Australian construction methods, cost structures, and industry standards. The rate libraries can be populated with real supplier pricing and historical project data.

Strengths: Cubit is the industry standard for AU quantity surveying — if you're tendering commercial work, many QS firms and builders already use it and expect it. The takeoff tools are fast and accurate for measuring quantities from digital plans. Rate libraries save enormous time once populated. The estimating workflow is deeply aligned with how AU construction projects are costed. Both perpetual licence and subscription options are available.

Limitations: Cubit is an estimating tool, not a job management platform. It doesn't handle scheduling, invoicing, field operations, or customer communication. The learning curve is steep — this is specialist software that requires training. The pricing is significant — subscriptions start around $150/month and perpetual licences run $995-$2,495. The interface is functional but dated compared to modern SaaS tools. It's Windows-only for the desktop version.

If you're a quantity surveyor, estimator, or commercial builder who needs accurate takeoff and cost estimation for AU construction, Cubit is the established choice. For residential tradies who just need to quote jobs, it's overkill — Buildxact or GroundPlan are better fits.