Our original benchmark was the Black can Sport-Tuned motors which we used to use. And that's a pretty fair comparison as we found it took nearly 6 months before we started breaking the old lap records from the Sport-Tuned days with the Hobbywing systems fitted.
They 'FEEL' a hell of a lot quicker, but it's mainly a torque difference.
Software? We specify the complete HW system, so you use what they come with, and its not upgradeable.
And its pretty much unanimous here that this was the best change we ever made to Mini racing. Some of my HW systems are over 3 years old and still perfect.