Carlson Takeoff vs RIB Candy

Carlson Takeoff7.9Visit RIB Candy7.5Visit

Higher score 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

RIB Candy #8 in Earthwork Estimating Software 7.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 3 features Contact RIB Software

• Carlson Takeoff fits best

  Estimators handling roads, trenches, and cut/fill

• RIB Candy fits best

  Construction teams handling estimates and tenders

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Side by side

Feature	Carlson Takeoff 7.9/10 Visit ↗	RIB Candy 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.9	7.5
Ranking	#2 in Earthwork Estimating Software	#8 in Earthwork Estimating Software
Best for	Estimators handling roads, trenches, and cut/fill	Construction teams handling estimates and tenders
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 30-day trial	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	Not checked yet
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Carlson Takeoff 1/3 · RIB Candy 1/3
Cut-fill analysis	✓	✓
Material cost database	Not checked yet	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	Supports both 2D and 3D quantity takeoff Combines estimating, tender preparation, planning, and cost control Resource and rate calculations support estimate building
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 Pricing requires contacting sales Feature set spans construction estimating, not only earthwork
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 →	For contractors and quantity surveyors, RIB Candy brings construction estimating and project control into a Windows desktop product. Its scope runs from preparing estimates and calculating resources and rates to tender and bid preparation,… 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

• RIB Candy — where it wins

  • Supports both 2D and 3D quantity takeoff
  • Combines estimating, tender preparation, planning, and cost control
  • Resource and rate calculations support estimate building

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only desktop deployment
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Feature set spans construction estimating, not only earthwork

• 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 →
• RIB Candy7.5/10 · Pricing on request

  2D/3D takeoff and estimating with planning and cost control in a Windows desktop product.

  Contact RIB SoftwareFull verdict →