OpenConstructionERP vs RIB CostX

OpenConstructionERP9.4Visit RIB CostX8.6Visit

Higher score OpenConstructionERP #1 in Construction Estimating Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site

vs

RIB CostX #7 in Construction Estimating Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit RIB CostX

• OpenConstructionERP fits best

  Open-source teams needing full estimating depth

• RIB CostX fits best

  Cost planners needing 2D, 3D, and carbon analysis

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Side by side

Feature	OpenConstructionERP 9.4/10 Visit ↗	RIB CostX 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.6
Ranking	#1 in Construction Estimating Software	#7 in Construction Estimating Software
Best for	Open-source teams needing full estimating depth	Cost planners needing 2D, 3D, and carbon analysis
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Desktop	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenConstructionERP 4/5 · RIB CostX 0/5
Digital takeoff	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Assembly library	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Labor and material costs	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Bid management	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Accounting integrations	—	Not checked yet
Specs
Estimate limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Platform	Hybrid	Not checked yet
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 and 3D/BIM quantity takeoff with estimating Links estimating spreadsheets, drawings, and cost databases Adds revision tracking, quote comparison, reports, and carbon calculations
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 handled through contact sales Core takeoff and estimating workflows are centered on Windows Its wider feature set may exceed the needs of takeoff-only teams
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 →	RIB CostX is construction takeoff, estimating, and reporting software for quantity surveyors, estimators, BIM managers, and construction consultants. It measures quantities from scans, PDFs, CAD files, and BIM models, then connects those… Read the review →

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

• RIB CostX — where it wins

  • Combines 2D and 3D/BIM quantity takeoff with estimating
  • Links estimating spreadsheets, drawings, and cost databases
  • Adds revision tracking, quote comparison, reports, and carbon calculations

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is handled through contact sales
  • Core takeoff and estimating workflows are centered on Windows
  • Its wider feature set may exceed the needs of takeoff-only teams

• OpenConstructionERP9.4/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• RIB CostX8.6/10 · Pricing on request

  A deep estimating suite for teams working across drawings, BIM models, costs, and carbon.

  Visit RIB CostXFull verdict →