Software · Malaysia · Head-to-head

RIB CostX vs SQL Account

Two Malaysia software options, compared side by side for Malaysia trades.

Which should you choose?

SQL Account is Tier S: our check found its prices published on its own website. RIB CostX is Tier A. Compare the typical pricing shown for each below. The tier is not a quality ranking: weigh the pros, cons, pricing and Malaysia-specific notes below against your trade and region.

RIB CostX

Tier A · Listed

2D and BIM takeoff with estimating spreadsheets live-linked to drawings

RIB CostX, first sold as Exactal CostX, is a takeoff, estimating and reporting product from RIB Software, which says it is part of Schneider Electric. It measures from 2D drawings, PDFs and 3D BIM models into live-linked estimating workbooks, and comes in Complete, Core and Quantify packages. RIB lists APAC offices in Australia, China, India and New Zealand but none in Malaysia.

Pros

+ Takeoff from 2D drawings, PDFs and 3D BIM models
+ Estimating spreadsheets live-linked to drawings
+ Automatic revision handling
+ Standalone, network or cloud (CostX Cloud) licensing

Cons

− No public prices: custom quote only
− No Malaysian office listed by RIB
− Estimating only: no accounting or e-invoicing
− Aimed at quantity surveyors and estimators, not small trade firms

Malaysia note

RIB lists no Malaysian office, so Malaysian buyers get prices through RIB's global quote form. CostX is a takeoff and estimating layer only; it does no LHDN MyInvois or SST work, so pair it with local accounting software.

Typical Malaysia pricing: Quote-based; no public prices. RIB gives custom prices for its Complete, Core and Quantify packages through a form on its site.

Full review → Visit →

SQL Account

Tier S · Published prices

Malaysian accounting and payroll software, desktop or cloud, with LHDN e-Invoice

SQL Account is developed by E Stream MSC Sdn Bhd, founded in 2003, with offices in Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur. It runs on the desktop, on SQL Cloud or on a private cloud, alongside SQL Payroll, SQL HRMS and other add-on products. E Stream says more than 320,000 companies use SQL and that it has over 1,000 business partners.

Pros

+ Published cloud prices from RM79 per month
+ E-invoice, consolidated and self-billed e-invoices to LHDN MyInvois
+ Desktop, public cloud or private cloud deployment
+ Support centres across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak

Cons

− No public prices for desktop licences
− Additional cloud users cost RM60 per month each
− SST treatment of the listed prices not stated
− General accounting, not a construction-specific product

Malaysia note

E Stream says SQL Account submits e-invoices to LHDN MyInvois in one click, supports consolidated and self-billed e-invoices, and can generate a QR code so customers enter their own details for an e-invoice. E Stream MSC Sdn Bhd is a Peppol certified access point under MDEC, and its site says SQL Account covers SST.

Typical Malaysia pricing: SQL Account Cloud: Essential RM79/month, Pro RM109/month, plus RM60/month per additional user. SQL Payroll Cloud from RM69/month per company (up to 20 staff). E Stream's pricing page does not say whether SST is included. Desktop licences: no public prices; sold through partners.

Full review → Visit →

More Malaysia options

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