Software Comparisons

Access EasyBuild replacement: Planyard vs your options

This page explains what to do if you’re on Access EasyBuild or were considering it. We summarise your options and compare Planyard with Access COINS so you can choose the right fit for your team in the UK and Ireland.

Notice: Access state that “Access EasyBuild ERP is no longer being developed. Instead, we are offering Access Coins ERP for construction businesses.”

On this page

  • Your options after EasyBuild
  • Reviews at a glance
  • Side-by-side: Planyard vs Access COINS (and what to know about EasyBuild)
  • How they handle CVRs, valuations, variations, retentions and reporting
  • Implementation timelines and pricing transparency
Book a 30-minute demo See pricing

Integrates with

Xero integration QuickBooks integration
Hero image

Your options after EasyBuild

  • Move to Access COINS – Access’ recommended successor ERP. See a focused comparison: COINS vs Planyard.
  • Choose a focused stack with Planyard – Keep your ledger (Xero, QuickBooks Online, or Sage Accounting) while Planyard runs commercial control: CVR, forecasting, commitments & POs, subcontractor applications, valuations and retentions.

Both routes work. The difference is rollout speed, user experience, flexibility and cost transparency. The sections below help you decide.

Reviews at a glance

Public ratings from Capterra UK.

Programme Rating Summary
Planyard 4.6 / 5.0
Frequently praised for ease of use, fast setup, and clean sync with Xero or Sage.
Access EasyBuild 3.0 / 5.0
Legacy product; Access directs new buyers to COINS.

Quotes used below are taken from public Capterra UK reviews.

Read success stories from our customers

See how Planyard helps businesses like yours succeed - read their stories in our blog.

"Planyard is exactly what I’m after as a business owner: a good-value system that keeps everything in one place, saves me money and makes sure I’m not losing any money on projects. As a businessman, that’s a no-brainer."

Read more
Lee Covington, Owner
Lee Covington Owner  ·  E&N Group Ltd  ·  London, United Kingdom

"For me Planyard is essentially the go to software for SMBs. There are other software packages out there that are a large investment upfront with a significant monthly cost. These are all potential solutions once you get to a very large business but they are not a solution for SMBs."

Paul Howarth, Experienced FD/Consultant
Paul Howarth Experienced FD/Consultant  ·  Live Management Accounts

Trusted by construction companies globally

Access EasyBuild replacement: Planyard vs your options TITN Empower Brown & Bancroft Keane Intra interieur Skyler Bonava

Why teams pick Planyard

“Easy to use and logical. Real-time overview without the spreadsheet hassle.”

  • Fast rollout. Connect your accounts, import cost codes and a live budget. Pilot on one project in minutes, roll out in weeks.
  • Easy to use. Built for commercial managers and quantity surveyors. POs, commitments, valuations and variations are straightforward with a clear audit trail.
  • Real-time CVR and forecasting. Budgets, cost-to-complete and profit forecasts update as orders, invoices and variations are approved.
  • Works with your ledger. Only approved costs sync to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting so the general ledger stays clean.
  • Transparent pricing. Public per-user plans and a free trial. No hidden setup fees.
  • UK workflows. CIS handled together with your accounting system, plus valuations and retention schedules in one place.Planyard construction budgeting software showing the budget overview screen with real-time updates on project costs, purchase orders, and invoices.

Quick summary

  • Planyard. Easy to use, quick to roll out, and transparent per-user pricing with a free trial. Replaces Excel for budgets, commitments, variations, valuations and retentions. Connects to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting.
  • Access COINS. Full ERP for contractors across finance, project and supply chain. Strong once embedded; expect training, configuration and specialist reporting skills. Pricing by quote.
  • EasyBuild. No longer being developed by Access; existing users are typically offered COINS as the path forward.

Side-by-side comparison

Aspect Planyard Access COINS EasyBuild (legacy)
Time to implement
Days to pilot a live job
Weeks to months depending on scope
Not marketed for new deployments; Access directs to COINS
Complexity of implementation
Low. Connect accounting and import budgets
Medium to high. Discovery, setup and training
Legacy
Training required
Light for QS, PM, commercial and finance
Requires training and experience for best use
Legacy
User experience
Intuitive for QS, commercial, PM and FD
Powerful but can feel complex for new users
Legacy
Reporting
Real-time CVR and forecasting in app
Flexible reports but often need setup time
Legacy
Accounting fit Connects to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting Full ERP including finance; often replaces standalone ledgers ERP with integrated finance (legacy)
Pricing
Public per-user plans and free trial
By quote
Legacy
Best for Firms escaping spreadsheets with full commercial control Companies that want end-to-end ERP and are ready to invest in rollout Existing users planning a migration

Implementation timelines

What to expect before you go live.

Product Typical duration Typical steps
Planyard
A few days to a week
  1. Connect accounting and import budgets
  2. Pilot one live project during the first week
  3. Roll out to more jobs once the team is confident
Access COINS
Several weeks to months
  1. Discovery and configuration
  2. Data migration and training
  3. Report and dashboard setup
EasyBuild
Legacy
 Access recommends moving to COINS rather than starting new EasyBuild deployments

Actual timelines vary by scope, data quality and internal capacity.

Pricing and packages

Planyard has transparent per-user plans and a free trial so you can budget clearly and start a pilot in days. Access COINS pricing is provided by quote.

Estimating
$82
/ month / project manager
 

Cost Estimating

Try for free
Essential
$166
/ month / project manager
$49
for supporting staff
Perfect for support roles or stakeholders—gain access to essential project features and view key financial data without full platform permissions, enabling users to stay informed and contribute without hands-on tasks.

Usually selected for: site engineers, principals, estimators or auditors.

Estimating and Budget Control

  • Everything in Estimating
  • Track budgets and actual spend
  • Manage purchase invoices automatically
  • Reuse active project cost data for estimating
  • Sync invoices to Xero and QuickBooks
Try for free
Professional
$250
/ month / project manager
$49
for supporting staff
Perfect for support roles or stakeholders—gain access to essential project features and view key financial data without full platform permissions, enabling users to stay informed and contribute without hands-on tasks.

Usually selected for: site engineers, principals, estimators or auditors.

Estimating, Cost Control and Purchase Orders Management

  • Everything in Essential
  • Issue and manage purchase orders
  • Track committed cost on the budget
  • Forecast project profitability in real-time
  • Create cashflow forecasts
  • Manage principal contracts and progress reports
Try for free
Ultimate
$333
/ month / project manager
$49
for supporting staff
Perfect for support roles or stakeholders—gain access to essential project features and view key financial data without full platform permissions, enabling users to stay informed and contribute without hands-on tasks.

Usually selected for: site engineers, principals, estimators or auditors.

Full Functionality

  • Everything in Professional
  • Automate subcontractor and vendor quoting
  • Track subcontracts and progress
  • Manage subcontractor variations
  • Collect subcontractor progress claims
Try for free

ERP or focused stack

If you need an ERP that runs finance and operations in one place, Access COINS is a strong option. If your finance team prefers a dedicated accounting system such as Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks, then Planyard plus your ledger can deliver the same value or better. Planyard handles commercial control and CVRs, applications/valuations and retentions. Your ledger remains the system of record for tax and statutory accounts. This keeps each tool focused and reduces change risk.

When Access COINS is the right call

  • End-to-end ERP footprint. Finance, commercial, project delivery, procurement, inventory and plant in one system to standardise processes.
  • Group-level controls. Approvals, segregation of duties and audit across multiple companies, currencies and cost structures.
  • Complex supply chain operations. Deep purchasing, stock and framework/vendor management for high-volume, multi-project environments.
  • Enterprise reporting and consolidation. Board-level packs and CVR roll-ups once configured to your standards.
  • Access ecosystem fit. Aligns with other Access Group products if you’re consolidating onto a single vendor stack.

Want a deeper dive? Read COINS vs Planyard.

Who should choose what

  • Choose Planyard if you want quick results, a tool the whole team will use and transparent pricing without a heavy IT project. Run forecasting, subcontractor claims, valuations and retentions in one place while your ledger handles accounts and tax.
  • Choose Access COINS if you want an end-to-end ERP for finance and operations, have time to train users and are ready to invest in configuration and reporting setup.

In one paragraph

If you’re moving on from EasyBuild, Planyard is the easy, quick-to-roll-out choice for full commercial control next to your ledger. Access COINS is a comprehensive ERP that centralises finance and projects but typically needs more time for setup, training and report configuration. The right pick comes down to whether you want an ERP or a focused stack where each tool does what it does best.

Sources and last updated. Access EasyBuild brand page (status), and ratings/quotes from public Capterra UK listings. Last reviewed 30 September 2025.