This page compares Planyard with Simpro so you can choose the right fit for your commercial and project teams. We look at ease of use, rollout speed, pricing clarity, and how each tool handles UK and Ireland needs such as valuations, retentions, and CIS.
You will also see where Simpro focuses on all-in-one operational workflows across quoting, scheduling, jobs, and billing, and when Planyard helps commercial teams move beyond spreadsheets with forecasting, subcontractor claims, and client applications built in.
On this page
If you are comparing options, here is the short version to help you decide quickly.
| Aspect | Planyard | Simpro |
|---|---|---|
| Time to implement |  Days to pilot a live job |
 Weeks depending on modules and training |
| Complexity of implementation | Low. Connect accounting and import budgets |
Medium to high. Configure projects, workflows, job types, mobile, and billing |
| Training required | Light for QS, PM, commercial, and finance |
Moderate to heavy. Formal onboarding recommended |
| Ease of use | Intuitive for QS, commercial, PM and FD |
Powerful but complex. Broader scope means steeper learning curve |
| Reporting | Real time CVR, forecasting and project P&L in app |
Strong operational reporting but financial forecasting is more manual |
| Accounting fit | Connects to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting | Connects to Xero, Sage, QuickBooks and MYOB |
| Pricing | Public per-user plans and free trial |
By quote only. Pricing varies by modules and licenses |
| Best for | Firms escaping spreadsheets with full commercial control | Companies wanting an all-in-one system for jobs, scheduling, field, and billing |
Where it fits. Simpro is a strong fit for businesses that want a full operational platform covering quoting, jobs, scheduling, maintenance, field apps, and billing.
Common drawbacks. Many SMEs find the configuration and training requirements heavy when they mainly need forecasting, subcontractor claims, and retention management. Detailed commercial control is often run in spreadsheets alongside Simpro.
See how they compare on cost to complete, commitments, variations, and valuations, including UK specifics like CIS and retention.
You need a live view of cost to complete, early warning on overruns, and a forecast you can trust without rebuilding it in spreadsheets.
Shows real-time CVR and forecast updates as orders, invoices and variations are approved.
Tracks estimated vs actuals and WIP, but detailed cost-to-complete forecasting often requires manual updates or spreadsheets.
One source of truth for committed spend, clear approvals, and clean handoff to accounts so the general ledger stays tidy.
Lets PMs and QSs raise and approve POs and subcontracts in the app, then syncs only approved costs to Xero, QuickBooks Online or Sage.
Manages supplier invoices, POs, job costs and inventory. Strong operational workflows, but commercial teams may still export data for deeper cost control.
No credit card required. No sales or IT support needed.
Variations must be logged fast, approved with an audit trail, and instantly reflected in the forecast and margin.
Logs and approves variations with a clear trail and updates budgets and forecasts automatically.
Supports variations on jobs and projects. Financial impact often requires manual budget updates or spreadsheet modelling.
Smooth valuations, accurate retention schedules, and a clear status for what is certified, due or released.
Generates valuations and retention schedules in the app and keeps the budget and forecast in sync.
Handles progress claims and retention invoices for client billing. Many contractors still manage detailed subcontractor valuation status externally.
Here is what to expect before you go live.
| Product | Typical duration | Typical steps |
|---|---|---|
| Planyard | A few days to a week |
|
| Simpro | Several weeks |
|
Actual timelines vary by scope and data quality.
Simpro is praised for its depth in operational management, quoting, job control, and field workflows. Some users note that commercial and financial control can feel heavier than needed for SMEs. Planyard reviews highlight ease of setup, clean Xero syncing, and real-time budget control. Both are cloud-based. Planyard goes deeper on forecasting, subcontractor workflows and valuations so you can avoid Excel.
Planyard has transparent per-user plans and a free trial. Simpro pricing is provided by quote after a demo.
Cost Estimating
Estimating and Budget Control
Estimating, Cost Control, and Purchase Orders Management
Full Functionality
Planyard is the quick-to-roll-out choice for full commercial control that replaces Excel and sits next to your ledger. Simpro is an extensive operational system, strong for jobs and scheduling, but many SMEs keep forecasting and subcontractor retention schedules in spreadsheets.
Sources and last updated. Ratings and positioning from public vendor pages and Capterra listings. Last reviewed 29 September 2025.
Planyard gives UK and Ireland contractors full cost control with live budgets, forecasting, valuations, retentions and CIS workflows. Dext focuses on automating invoice capture and bookkeeping, and can be used alongside Planyard for advanced OCR plus complete project visibility.
Procore runs field/project workflows; Planyard is the lightweight financial control—budgets, POs, pay apps, change orders, and profitability forecasts.
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Planyard usually pilots in days and rolls out in weeks. Simpro often takes several weeks due to configuration and training.
It reduces duplicate entry across jobs and operations. Many teams still export data for detailed forecasting or subcontractor retention workflows.
Planyard replaces spreadsheet-based cost control with in-app budgeting, CVR, commitments, variations, valuations, and retention schedules. Simpro provides strong job and billing workflows, but many contractors keep advanced forecasting or retention status in spreadsheets.
Planyard has transparent per-user plans and a free trial. Simpro pricing is provided by quote after a demo.
Yes. Planyard sits alongside your ledger and syncs approved costs to Xero, QuickBooks Online and Sage Accounting.
Yes. Planyard supports valuations, CIS workflows, and retention schedules. Simpro supports client-side progress claims and retention invoices; many teams manage subcontractor retention status externally.
Yes. Most teams connect accounting, import a live budget and trial Planyard on one project first.
No credit card required. No sales or IT support needed.