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It is Thursday afternoon, the tender closes on Monday, and the drawings have just landed. If you price in Candy estimating software, you know the routine. Your master file holds the rates, resources and worksheets that every new bill leans on. That is a real strength, and plenty of South African quantity surveyors trust it. Even so, teams now work across more laptops and more site offices. More AI now does the first pass on drawings. This guide compares six Candy alternatives for South African QS and estimating teams, with the AI features set side by side. By the end, you can decide whether to stay or switch.
A note before we start: IntoAEC publishes this blog, and IntoAEC is one of the six tools below. This is our own comparison, not an independent review, and we have not run hands-on benchmarks of every product. We built it from each vendor’s public pages and from published user reviews, checked on 20 October 2026. The numbering is for readability only and is not a ranking.
What does Candy estimating software do well, and why do teams look elsewhere?
RIB Candy is an estimating, planning and project control package that began in South Africa. It links the bill of quantities, the estimate and the programme.
Candy comes from CCS, a Johannesburg software company that has served the industry since 1982. RIB Software bought a 70 per cent stake in CCS in 2019. RIB describes Candy as an interactive link between the bill of quantities, the estimate and the programme in one interface. Capterra lists its modules as quantity take-off, estimating, planning, subcontract management, forecasting, cash flow, valuations and earned value management.
So why do teams look around? We found no single reason, but reviewers on Capterra and GetApp raise a handful of practical points. One says setting up projects, libraries or master data can be time-consuming at first. Another says pricing becomes quick once the database and master are established. One wanted a manual that covers every feature, and one says multi-user collaboration is not easily possible. One reviewer says AI has not been integrated into pricing or quantity take-off. These are individual opinions, and your experience may differ.
Deployment is worth checking too. Capterra lists Candy’s deployment as cloud, SaaS, web-based and Windows desktop, so confirm with RIB which version your licence covers. RIB asks buyers to contact it for pricing, and one reviewer calls the software expensive for individual users. None of this makes Candy a poor choice. It means your workflow, team size and budget should decide.
How did we choose these six Candy alternatives?
We applied the same five tests to every tool: documented capability, deployment, AI approach, South African availability and pricing transparency.
Each tool had to meet the same tests before it made the list:
- Documented capability. The vendor publishes what the software does, so you can check it.
- Deployment. We noted whether it runs in the cloud, on the desktop, or both.
- AI approach. We recorded what the vendor says is automated, and left out anything we could not source.
- South African availability. The tool is listed for South African buyers, or works through a web browser.
- Pricing transparency. Where pricing is on request, we say so rather than guess a number.
Other tools also deserve a look using the same checklist, including Beam AI, Togal.AI and Autodesk Forma Takeoff. We kept the list to six products we could document properly.
What do the six Candy alternatives look like at a glance?
The six alternatives differ most on deployment, on where the AI sits, and on how far each tool reaches beyond takeoff.
| Tool | Best for | Deployment | AI approach | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIB Candy (reference) | Integrated estimating, planning and project control | Listed as cloud, web-based and Windows desktop | None documented in the sources we checked | Contact RIB |
| IntoAEC | Takeoff, BoQ, estimates and procurement in one platform | Web, iOS, Android | Zyra AI in takeoff, estimates, proposals and schedules | Per user, on request; free trial |
| Kreo | AI-assisted takeoff and estimating | Confirm with vendor | AI takeoff features such as auto takeoff | Plans from a Lite tier with no AI tools to a Pro tier with AI; free trial |
| Civils.ai | QA-reviewed AI takeoff and document review | Web service | AI takeoff with human QA review | Per project or subscription; free trial |
| RIB CostX | 2D and 3D/BIM takeoff with live-linked spreadsheets | Confirm with vendor | Auto takeoff features; ask RIB which use AI | Contact RIB |
| STACK | Cloud takeoff and estimating | Cloud | Described by the vendor as AI-accelerated | Check current plans with the vendor |
| Buildxact | Residential builders and renovators | Cloud | Blu AI assistants | Flat-rate plans with free trial, listed in US dollars |
Which six Candy alternatives are worth a closer look?
Each of the six covers a different need, from an all-in-one platform to a residential builder tool.
1. IntoAEC: best for takeoff, BoQ, estimates and procurement in one platform
Who is IntoAEC best for? Quantity surveyors, estimators and contractors who move quantities from a takeoff tool into a spreadsheet. From there, the numbers travel into procurement, scheduling and invoicing.
Why it made this list. IntoAEC’s 2D Takeoff, BoQ and estimates sit in the same cloud platform as RFQ, purchase orders, scheduling and invoicing. IntoAEC also runs a South African site. For a team that keeps rates, bills and purchasing in separate files, the connection matters more than any single feature.
Key features
- 2D takeoff from PDF plans, with plan detection that scans a drawing when you upload it
- A Zyra AI panel in takeoff that generates trade assemblies
- Write with AI in Estimates: describe the job in plain language and Zyra drafts line items, materials, quantities and rates, with budget alternatives and rate analysis
- A BoQ built on a pre-built library, your own items and templates
- RFQ, purchase orders, work orders and goods receipt in the same workspace
- Scheduling with baseline and critical path, milestone-based invoicing, and accounting integrations for Xero, QuickBooks and Zoho
- Web, iOS and Android access
Pros and cons
- Pro: takeoff, BoQ, estimate and purchasing live in one place, so quantities feed forward without retyping
- Pro: browser and mobile access, so you are not tied to one office machine
- Con: newer to market than Candy, with a public launch in late 2025
- Con: takeoff is built around 2D plans
- Con: pricing is per user and given on request, so confirm currency and VAT treatment in a demo
- Con: any estimating tool needs its rates kept current, and IntoAEC’s own items library is no exception
- Con: if you only want a standalone takeoff seat, a broader platform may be more than you need
As with any AI output, an estimator should review what Zyra generates before it goes into a bid. Our earlier guide to construction estimating software in South Africa covers the manual-takeoff side in more depth.
2. Kreo: best for AI-assisted takeoff
Who is Kreo best for? Estimating teams whose biggest bottleneck is measuring drawings.
Why it made this list. Kreo describes itself as an AI-driven takeoff and estimating solution for 2D and BIM measurement. It is listed for South African buyers on GetApp, with a free trial. Its Pro plan adds AI capabilities and team collaboration.
Key features
- AI features such as auto takeoff and a bucket-fill tool, which reviewers single out
- PDF, CAD and image support, unlimited projects and a 3D view, per a third-party listing of the Lite plan
- Estimating and takeoff features in the same product, per directory listings
- A third-party site lists the Lite plan from US$35 per user per month billed annually, without AI tools, so confirm on Kreo’s own pricing page
Pros and cons
- Pro: speed on measurement, especially floor plans, according to a third-party review
- Con: that review also says the AI can be inconsistent on complex, dense drawings
- Con: its listings centre on takeoff and estimating, not procurement, scheduling or financials
- Con: pricing is listed in US dollars
3. Civils.ai: best for QA-reviewed AI takeoff
Who is Civils.ai best for? Quantity surveyors and civil teams who want takeoffs prepared for them and checked before delivery.
Why it made this list. Civils.ai describes itself as a QA-reviewed AI takeoff and document-intelligence service. You describe the scope in plain language, the AI measures it, and its QA team reviews the result. You then receive an annotated PDF and an Excel export. It also covers civil data such as boreholes, reinforcement drawings and subsurface utilities.
Key features
- Plain-language scope prompts across trades
- A human QA review on every takeoff, according to Civils.ai
- Annotated PDF and Excel outputs
- Document search across specs and contracts
- Per-project and subscription pricing, with a free trial
Pros and cons
- Pro: a checked deliverable rather than a result you verify entirely yourself
- Pro: civil and engineering data alongside quantities
- Con: Civils.ai states that human review remains essential, as with any AI takeoff
- Con: it is a takeoff and document service, not an estimating, procurement or financial platform
- Con: confirm South African availability, rand pricing and turnaround times with the vendor
4. RIB CostX: best for 2D and 3D/BIM takeoff
Who is RIB CostX best for? Estimators who work from native design files and want takeoff linked to spreadsheets.
Why it made this list. CostX is now sold under the RIB name, so it comes from the same company as Candy. Capterra describes it as 2D and 3D/BIM takeoff with live-linked spreadsheets and customisable reports, and lists it for South African buyers.
Key features
- 2D takeoff and 3D/BIM takeoff in one tool
- Live-linked spreadsheets and customisable report outputs
- Native design file import and layer control, which one reviewer cites as the reason for trying it
- Auto takeoff features, per the same reviewer, so ask RIB which of them use AI
Pros and cons
- Pro: strong takeoff depth on larger commercial projects, according to a Software Advice reviewer
- Pro: a familiar vendor if your team already deals with RIB
- Con: it comes from the same vendor as Candy, so moving to it keeps you in the RIB family
- Con: pricing is on request
- Con: one Capterra reviewer hopes to see AI takeoff added, so check the current roadmap
5. STACK: best for cloud takeoff and estimating on Mac and PC
Who is STACK best for? Contractors across several trades who want cloud takeoff that works on both Mac and PC.
Why it made this list. STACK runs in the cloud on a floating licence, so users can sign in from different machines. Capterra’s South African site lists it at 4.5 out of 5 from 1,398 reviews. STACK describes its software as AI-accelerated.
Key features
- Digital plan measurement, assemblies and customisable estimate reports
- An integrated cost database, with the option to import your own pricing
- Takeoff and estimating in a single cloud workspace
Pros and cons
- Pro: works on Mac and PC, with no local install
- Pro: a large pool of published user reviews to read before you commit
- Con: it is primarily a takeoff and estimating product
- Con: ask about rand pricing, South African support hours and whether the cost database suits local rates
6. Buildxact: best for residential builders and renovators
Who is Buildxact best for? Small to medium residential builders and renovators.
Why it made this list. Buildxact is cloud-based and lists takeoffs, quoting and scheduling in one tool. Capterra’s South African site lists it at 4.6 out of 5 from 183 reviews. Its Blu AI assistant covers a Takeoff Assistant that scales uploaded plans, an Estimate Generator, an Estimate Reviewer and a Recipe or Assembly Assistant.
Key features
- Takeoff, quoting and scheduling in one cloud tool
- Blu AI assistants inside the estimating workflow
- Supplier pricing connections, although the partners named in its announcements are Australian and US retailers, so ask what is available in South Africa
- Flat-rate plans with a free trial, listed in US dollars on Capterra
Pros and cons
- Pro: user-friendly and built for small builders
- Pro: AI assistants built into the estimating workflow
- Con: residential focus, so commercial or civil QS teams should check the fit
- Con: its published examples are residential renovation estimates
- Con: ask about South African supplier pricing, VAT and rand billing
How do the AI features compare across these tools?
AI means different things in different tools: some automate the measuring, some draft the estimate, and some add a human check.
Every vendor now uses the word AI, but they do not mean the same thing. This table shows what each vendor says it automates, based on public pages and reviews.
| Tool | AI in takeoff | AI beyond takeoff |
|---|---|---|
| RIB Candy | None documented in the sources we checked | None documented in the sources we checked |
| IntoAEC | Plan detection on upload; Zyra AI panel generates trade assemblies | Write with AI in estimates, proposals and questionnaires; schedule templates drafted from a prompt |
| Kreo | Auto takeoff and AI-assisted measurement | Pro plan lists AI capabilities and team collaboration |
| Civils.ai | AI measurement with a human QA review | Document search across specs, contracts and civil data |
| RIB CostX | Auto takeoff features per a reviewer; ask RIB which use AI | Not documented in the sources we checked |
| STACK | Described by the vendor as AI-accelerated; ask for a demo of the exact tools | Not detailed in the sources we checked |
| Buildxact | Blu Takeoff Assistant scales uploaded plans | Estimate Generator, Estimate Reviewer, Recipe and Assembly Assistant |
Treat any time-saving or accuracy figure a vendor quotes as a vendor claim. We have not repeated them here, because the only fair test is your own bill of quantities.
Which Candy alternative fits your team?
The right alternative depends on your main constraint: AI, platform, vendor, or how much of the job you want in one place.
Start with the problem you actually have, then match it to a tool:
- You like Candy but want AI and easier collaboration. Ask RIB what is on its roadmap first, because staying put may be the simplest fix.
- You want to stay with the same vendor. RIB CostX is worth a demo.
- Measuring is your bottleneck. Kreo is built around AI takeoff, and Civils.ai adds a human QA review.
- Your team mixes Mac and PC. STACK and the browser-based tools remove the Windows dependency.
- You build or renovate homes. Buildxact was designed for that market.
- You want takeoff, BoQ, estimates and procurement in one platform. IntoAEC is built for that scope.
Whichever you shortlist, put the same questions to every vendor. Does it bill in rand and handle VAT? Is support available in South African working hours? Can it produce a bill of quantities in the layout your clients expect, for example following the ASAQS Standard System of Measuring Building Work? Can it import your existing Candy rates, or will you rebuild them? Does it connect to your accounting package? Where is your data hosted, and how does the vendor handle personal information under POPIA?
One more check matters for contract work. If you price under JBCC or NEC contracts, your estimate becomes the baseline you defend when variations and payment claims arise. Ask how each tool keeps your estimate traceable once the job starts. This is a process question rather than legal advice, so speak to your adviser about your own contracts. If you are also weighing tools outside the Candy family, our PlanSwift alternatives guide uses the same method.
How do you switch from Candy without risking a live tender?
Switch by running a closed job through the new tool first, and retire your old workflow only after the numbers match.
- Pick a closed job. Use a bill you have already priced, so you know the right answer.
- Rebuild your most-used items first. Your top rates and assemblies cover most day-to-day work, so ask each vendor what import path exists for your master data.
- Run the same drawings through the new tool. Compare quantities and totals line by line against your Candy estimate.
- Check measurement rules, units and VAT on every sheet. A wrong rule is the quickest way a fast takeoff becomes an expensive mistake.
- Run both tools side by side on one live tender. Only retire the old workflow once the numbers match.
Make the switch decision on your own bill of quantities
The best Candy alternative is the one that prices your last three tenders without surprises. Shortlist two or three tools from this list and run a closed job through each. Want to see how IntoAEC handles takeoff, BoQ, estimates and procurement in one workspace? Book a demo and bring a bill of your own.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your workflow. RIB CostX suits teams that want to stay with the same vendor. Kreo suits AI-assisted takeoff, Civils.ai suits teams that want QA-reviewed takeoff, and STACK suits mixed Mac and PC teams. Buildxact suits residential builders, and IntoAEC suits firms that want takeoff, BoQ, estimates and procurement in one platform. Test two or three on a closed job before you decide.
Capterra lists RIB Candy’s deployment as cloud, SaaS, web-based and Windows desktop. Because that wording covers several options, confirm with RIB which version and licence your team would use.
We found no documented AI features for Candy in the sources we checked, and one Capterra reviewer says AI has not been integrated into pricing or quantity take-off. RIB may have added features since, so ask RIB for its current product notes.
RIB asks buyers to contact it for pricing, so we found no public price list. One reviewer says it can be expensive for individual users. Ask for a quote that spells out modules, users and support.
Capterra’s South African site lists Kreo, STACK, RIB CostX and Buildxact. IntoAEC runs a South African site and works in a browser, and Civils.ai is a web service. Confirm rand pricing and support hours with each vendor.
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Product information in this article was compiled from public vendor pages and published reviews on 20 October 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details with each vendor. Reviewer comments are individual opinions. All product names are trademarks of their respective owners, and IntoAEC is not affiliated with any of the other companies named.