Comparison

TradeOff vs CostX

The enterprise power of CostX isn't for everyone — TradeOff is built for subcontractors.

No credit card required · Free 1 project trial

RIB CostX is a powerful enterprise estimating platform for large QS firms, with 2D and 3D/BIM quantity extraction and live-linked workbooks. It's superb — and priced and scoped accordingly, with custom enterprise licensing often in the thousands per year. Most subcontractors don't need BIM workbooks; they need fast takeoff, a priced estimate and UK-ready billing. That's exactly what TradeOff does, in the browser, at a fraction of the cost.

 
TradeOff
CostX
Best for
UK subcontractors & small trade firms
Enterprise QS firms & BIM/3D estimating
Platform
Any browser — nothing to install
Windows desktop / enterprise
AI takeoff
Built-in: detects scale, reads schedules & legends, auto-counts symbols
2D & 3D/BIM quantity extraction (advanced, complex)
Price the takeoff
One-click AI pricing from your own rate library
Live-linked workbooks & rate libraries
CIS & VAT reverse charge
Automatic on Applications for Payment
General estimating; not UK-subcontractor billing
Progress billing
Schedule-of-values billing & Applications for Payment
Enterprise valuations (heavyweight)
Xero accounting sync
One-click draft invoices, CIS & reverse charge handled
Enterprise integrations
Get paid online
Clients pay by card (Stripe) or BACS
Not built in
Pricing
Free plan, then £29–£79/month
Custom enterprise (reported £5,000–£15,000+/yr)
Free plan
Yes — no card required
No

CostX details reflect our understanding of publicly available information as of 2026 and may change — always check CostX's own website for the latest. Pricing shown is indicative.

Why UK subcontractors choose TradeOff

One tool, whole workflow

Takeoff, estimate, bill and get paid — no juggling a takeoff app plus spreadsheets plus your accountant.

AI does the grunt work

Detect scale, read schedules and auto-count symbols in one pass, then price from your own rate library.

UK tax built in

CIS deductions and VAT domestic reverse charge handled automatically on your Applications for Payment.

Works anywhere

Any browser on Windows, Mac, tablet or phone — snap a drawing on site and get quantities back.

Fair, honest pricing

Start free, then £29–£79/month. Pay for active projects, not per seat.

Xero in one click

Send any valuation to Xero as a draft invoice with CIS and reverse charge handled.

TradeOff vs CostX — FAQs

See why subcontractors switch to TradeOff

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