Software · United Arab Emirates · Head-to-head
Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud) vs First Bit ERP
Two United Arab Emirates software options, compared side by side for United Arab Emirates trades.
Which should you choose?
Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud) and First Bit ERP are both Tier A. Compare the typical pricing shown for each below. The tier is not a quality ranking: weigh the pros, cons, pricing and United Arab Emirates-specific notes below against your trade and region.
Autodesk Forma (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud)
Tier A · ListedAutodesk's construction platform, now sold as Autodesk Forma
Autodesk moved Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) into its Autodesk Forma brand on 24 March 2026 and renamed the products, for example Forma Build, Forma Data Management, Forma Takeoff and Forma Estimate. Autodesk sells them in three quote-based bundles, Model Management, Preconstruction and Construction Operations, which also include Navisworks Manage, BuildingConnected Pro, ProEst and Pype tools.
Pros
- + Model coordination, design collaboration and document management in one account
- + Bundles run from takeoff, estimating and bidding to field operations and closeout
- + User-, project- and account-based pricing options (per Autodesk)
- + 30-day money-back guarantee stated on the pricing page
Cons
- − No public prices for the construction bundles: quote-based
- − Product names changed in March 2026, so older guides use ACC names
- − Not an accounting or VAT tool
- − BIM depth is more than simple jobs need
United Arab Emirates note
Global Construction Review reported in November 2023 that from 1 January 2024 Dubai Municipality would accept permit applications only with BIM models for buildings above 20 floors (architectural models) or 40 floors (structural), large complexes, specialised buildings such as hospitals and universities, and all government projects, following the Dubai BIM standard. The mandate names no software, so Autodesk Forma is one option among several BIM tools.
First Bit ERP
Tier A · ListedConstruction ERP for UAE contractors: costing, procurement, accounting and payroll
First Bit sells a construction ERP that it says is built exclusively for UAE contractors, covering project cost control, procurement, accounting, VAT and corporate tax, HR and payroll, equipment and warehouse. The company was founded in Moscow in 1997, says it has been in the UAE for 13 years with a separate UAE legal entity since 2022, and has an office in Falcon House, Dubai Investment Park. First Bit says more than 2,000 UAE companies have chosen it.
Pros
- + Built for contracting: project cost control, procurement and equipment
- + VAT returns and corporate tax calculation built in (per First Bit)
- + Arabic-English bilingual reporting (per First Bit)
- + Cloud or on-premises, with implementation, training and support in the subscription
Cons
- − No public prices: quote based on users, deployment and scope
- − Phased ERP implementation takes time
- − More system than a small trade firm needs
United Arab Emirates note
First Bit describes the software as FTA-approved for VAT and says it covers corporate tax and supports UAE e-invoicing integration as the rules roll out. The FTA publishes a list of accredited tax accounting software with a validity date for each product, so check First Bit's current entry there before relying on the approval. First Bit is not on the Ministry of Finance list of accredited e-invoicing service providers (checked 30 September 2026), so UAE e-invoices would go through a separate accredited provider.
More United Arab Emirates options
See all United Arab Emirates software vendors and the rest of the United Arab Emirates directory.