Carlson Takeoff vs Kubla Cubed

Carlson Takeoff7.9Visit Kubla Cubed7.9Visit

Carlson Takeoff #2 in Earthwork Estimating Software 7.9/10 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Carlson

vs

Kubla Cubed #3 in Earthwork Estimating Software 7.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Kubla Cubed

• Carlson Takeoff fits best

  Estimators handling roads, trenches, and cut/fill

• Kubla Cubed fits best

  Small teams seeking free terrain and volume modeling

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Side by side

Feature	Carlson Takeoff 7.9/10 Visit ↗	Kubla Cubed 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.9
Ranking	#2 in Earthwork Estimating Software	#3 in Earthwork Estimating Software
Best for	Estimators handling roads, trenches, and cut/fill	Small teams seeking free terrain and volume modeling
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	14 days
Free trial length	30 days	14 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Support	Email, Phone	Community, Email
Integrations	5 integrations	1 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Carlson Takeoff 1/3 · Kubla Cubed 1/3
Cut-fill analysis	✓	✓
Material cost database	Not checked yet	—
Bid templates	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Takeoff method	Both	Both
Plan input formats	Mixed	Mixed
Included projects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Calculates cut/fill, strata, topsoil, subgrade, and over-excavate volumes Supports road profiles, cross-sections, end-area volumes, and mass haul Exports machine-control surfaces for Topcon, Trimble, and Leica	Free plan never expires and supports basic terrain and cut-and-fill work TIN-based phased modeling handles swell, compaction and formation adjustments Imports PDF, DWG/DXF, LandXML and survey data; exports reports and CAD
Cons	Windows desktop deployment may not suit teams needing other platforms Pricing requires contacting Carlson Software The CAD engine choice may add setup considerations for some buyers	Windows-only desktop deployment limits cross-platform access Free edition has limited features and works as a project reader No material cost database for cost-based estimating
Our verdict	Carlson Takeoff is desktop CAD software for estimating earthwork quantities and preparing data for field stakeout and machine control. It is aimed at estimators working with roads, trenches, cut and fill, and mixed paper and digital plans.… Read the review →	Kubla Cubed is Windows desktop software for earthwork contractors, estimators, quantity surveyors and civil engineers. It imports site information from PDF and CAD drawings, LandXML, survey points and other data, then creates existing and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Carlson Takeoff — where it wins

  • Calculates cut/fill, strata, topsoil, subgrade, and over-excavate volumes
  • Supports road profiles, cross-sections, end-area volumes, and mass haul
  • Exports machine-control surfaces for Topcon, Trimble, and Leica

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows desktop deployment may not suit teams needing other platforms
  • Pricing requires contacting Carlson Software
  • The CAD engine choice may add setup considerations for some buyers

• Kubla Cubed — where it wins

  • Free plan never expires and supports basic terrain and cut-and-fill work
  • TIN-based phased modeling handles swell, compaction and formation adjustments
  • Imports PDF, DWG/DXF, LandXML and survey data; exports reports and CAD

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only desktop deployment limits cross-platform access
  • Free edition has limited features and works as a project reader
  • No material cost database for cost-based estimating

• Carlson Takeoff7.9/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial

  A desktop CAD tool for detailed earthwork quantities, road and trench workflows, and machine-control exports.

  Visit CarlsonFull verdict →
• Kubla Cubed7.9/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  Free, terrain-focused earthwork estimating with phased cut-and-fill modeling.

  Visit Kubla CubedFull verdict →