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Head-to-head · Construction Estimating Software

OpenConstructionERP vs CostX

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score OpenConstructionERP #1 in Construction Estimating Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site
CostX #8 in Construction Estimating Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 5 features Visit CostX

OpenConstructionERP leads on 0 checks, CostX on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenConstructionERP · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly OpenConstructionERP
  • Most featuresOpenConstructionERP · 4 of 5

OpenConstructionERP scores higher on our rubric for construction estimating software: 9.4 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

On platform, OpenConstructionERP gives you Hybrid where CostX offers Desktop.

OpenConstructionERP is the better fit for open-source teams needing full estimating depth. CostX is the better fit for windows-based estimating departments.

  • OpenConstructionERP fits best

    Open-source teams needing full estimating depth

  • CostX fits best

    Windows-based estimating departments

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OpenConstructionERP 9.4/10 Visit ↗ CostX 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in Construction Estimating Software #8 in Construction Estimating Software
Best for Open-source teams needing full estimating depth Windows-based estimating departments
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Phone
Integrations 6 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenConstructionERP 4/5 · CostX 3/5
Digital takeoff ✓ ✓
Assembly library ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Labor and material costs ✓ ✓
Bid management ✓ ✓
Accounting integrations — Not checked yet
Specs
Estimate limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Platform Hybrid Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • BOQ, cost databases, assemblies, and hierarchical estimate management
  • CAD/BIM and PDF takeoff across major construction file formats
  • Free AGPL-3.0 model with web, desktop, API, and self-hosted options
  • Combines 2D, 3D/BIM takeoff with auto-revisioning
  • Live-links drawings, data repositories, workbooks and Excel
  • Supports BOQs, tendering, subcontractor comparison and bid-day workflows
Cons
  • Accounting integrations are not included
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple estimating teams
  • AI-assisted workflows require connections to external LLM providers
  • Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed
  • Platform coverage is focused on Windows
  • CostX Cloud requires at least four users and a 12-month term
Our verdict

OpenConstructionERP is an open-source, self-hosted construction ERP for companies managing estimating and project workflows. Its core scope covers bills of quantities, hierarchical cost estimates, construction cost databases, resource…

Read the review →

CostX is construction estimating software for quantity surveyors, estimators, contractors and construction consultants. Its core workflow connects digital measurement with estimating workbooks, allowing teams to take off quantities from…

Read the review →
  1. OpenConstructionERPConstruction Estimating Software 9.4Free plan
  2. CostXConstruction Estimating Software 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenConstructionERP — where it wins

    • BOQ, cost databases, assemblies, and hierarchical estimate management
    • CAD/BIM and PDF takeoff across major construction file formats
    • Free AGPL-3.0 model with web, desktop, API, and self-hosted options

    Where it doesn't

    • Accounting integrations are not included
    • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of simple estimating teams
    • AI-assisted workflows require connections to external LLM providers

  • CostX — where it wins

    • Combines 2D, 3D/BIM takeoff with auto-revisioning
    • Live-links drawings, data repositories, workbooks and Excel
    • Supports BOQs, tendering, subcontractor comparison and bid-day workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed
    • Platform coverage is focused on Windows
    • CostX Cloud requires at least four users and a 12-month term
  • OpenConstructionERP9.4/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source estimating platform with unusually broad takeoff, modeling, and tendering coverage.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • CostX8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    A deep Windows-focused estimating suite for takeoff, revisions, tendering and bid workflows.

    Visit CostXFull verdict →

More comparisons

All construction estimating software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update