If your team has outgrown LiveCosts’ focus on purchase orders and invoice digitisation, you’re likely looking for software that brings budgets, valuations, forecasting, and retention management together — without requiring a full ERP rollout.
Why Contractors Look Beyond LiveCosts
LiveCosts is a smart entry point for digitising purchase orders and invoices. Yet many commercial and finance teams soon want deeper functionality — budget vs actuals, subcontractor valuations, retentions, and cost-to-complete forecasting — that LiveCosts doesn’t natively provide, according to public reviews.
Common reasons teams move beyond LiveCosts:
- Limited forecasting and valuation workflows.
- No built-in cost-to-complete or EAC functionality.
- Reliance on Excel for CVR and margin tracking.
- Incomplete integration with accounting beyond invoice sync.
If your projects are growing in scale and financial risk, a more comprehensive commercial control platform becomes essential.
What to Look for in a LiveCosts Alternative (Financial Focus)
When comparing next-step platforms, prioritise:
- Real-time job-costing and CVR (Cost Value Reconciliation).
- Budget-based controls from tender through to valuation.
- Automated forecasting and margin tracking.
- Accounting integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage.
- Valuations and retentions compliant with UK-style processes.
- Fast rollout — days, not months.
Quick Comparison Grid – Top LiveCosts Alternatives
| Tool | Primary Strength | Financial / Commercial Depth | Accounting Integration | Best For | Time to Adopt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planyard | Financial-first cost control platform |  Very high – budgets, valuations, forecasting, retentions | Xero, QuickBooks | Contractors seeking spreadsheet-free CVR | Days to 1 week |
| Procore | Broad construction management suite | High – integrated financial modules |  Limited SME accounting integration | Mid-to-large contractors needing project & field tools | Weeks |
| Access COINS | ERP for finance, supply chain, and project control | High – full ERP commercial coverage | Internal ERP ledger, not Xero/QBO | Larger firms with ERP ambitions | Months |
| Eque2 | Sage & Microsoft-tied construction ERP | High – advanced reporting and finance link | Sage/BC-native only | Contractors embedded in Sage or Dynamics | Weeks–months |
| Archdesk | ERP-style all-in-one operations suite | High – procurement, forecasting, commercial | Slower onboarding | Mid-sized firms centralising operations | Weeks |
| Payapps | Streamlined valuations and payment claims | Moderate – valuations only, limited budgeting | ERP & finance integrations | Contractors focused on claim workflows | Days |
Deep Dive: Key Alternatives
1. Planyard
Overview
Planyard builds on LiveCosts’ simplicity by adding full commercial control: budgets, commitments, subcontractor valuations, retentions, forecasting, and cost-to-complete. It integrates directly with Xero and QuickBooks, enabling real-time collaboration between site teams, QSs, and finance.
Financial / Cost-Control Fit
- Real-time budget vs actuals and forecasting.
- Built-in valuations, variations, and retentions.
- Approval workflows before posting to accounting.
- Live cost-to-complete visibility for every project.
Who It’s Best For
Contractors and developers wanting end-to-end financial control without the complexity of ERP.
When to Consider Planyard Instead
When your team has outgrown simple cost capture and needs forecasting, valuation, and retention management.
Link to detailed comparison
See full comparison: LiveCosts vs Planyard →
2. Procore
Overview
Procore is a comprehensive construction management suite covering documents, site operations, and financial modules. It suits firms that want a single system across projects, fieldwork, and back-office functions.
Financial / Cost-Control Fit
Procore includes cost codes, budgets, commitments, and pay-app style billing, but many teams still handle forecasting and CVR externally.
Who It’s Best For
Mid-sized and enterprise contractors that need integrated project and site management.
When to Consider Planyard Instead
If you need deep forecasting and CVR tools with simpler implementation and pricing, Planyard delivers faster value.
Link to detailed comparison
See full comparison: Procore vs Planyard →
3. Access COINS
Overview
Access COINS is an ERP platform covering finance, supply chain, and project management. It’s powerful but complex, requiring significant configuration and training.
Financial / Cost-Control Fit
Extensive commercial coverage, but finance-led — project teams often still rely on spreadsheets for CVR and forecasting.
Who It’s Best For
Larger contractors standardising across multiple business units.
When to Consider Planyard Instead
For leaner operations focused on job-level control rather than full ERP management, Planyard is faster and lighter to deploy.
Link to detailed comparison
See full comparison: Access COINS vs Planyard →
4. Eque2 (Construction Manager / EVision)
Overview
Eque2 integrates closely with Sage and Microsoft Dynamics 365, offering strong ERP-style controls for financial and project management.
Financial / Cost-Control Fit
Excellent for finance-led environments; setup often involves partner-led configuration and longer rollout.
Who It’s Best For
Contractors already invested in Sage or Dynamics looking to stay within that ecosystem.
When to Consider Planyard Instead
If you prioritise flexibility, speed, and integration with cloud accounting tools like Xero or QuickBooks.
Link to detailed comparison
See full comparison: Eque2 Construction Manager & EVision vs Planyard →
5. Archdesk
Overview
Archdesk combines operational, commercial, and financial management in an ERP-style platform. It includes estimating, procurement, and project workflows.
Financial / Cost-Control Fit
Covers broad financial needs but can require heavier setup and process change.
Who It’s Best For
Mid-sized firms seeking to centralise procurement, operations, and project finance.
When to Consider Planyard Instead
For contractors prioritising commercial accuracy and rapid rollout, Planyard offers a simpler, purpose-built financial system.
Link to detailed comparison
See full comparison: Archdesk vs Planyard →
6. Payapps
Overview
Payapps is focused on progress claims and valuation workflows, making it a strong point-solution for payment certification.
Financial / Cost-Control Fit
Excellent for valuations and approvals but lacks broader budgeting, forecasting, and CVR functions.
Who It’s Best For
Contractors focused solely on improving payment claims and valuation compliance.
When to Consider Planyard Instead
If you need valuations tied directly to budgets, commitments, and forecasting in one system.
Link to detailed comparison
See full comparison: Payapps vs Planyard →
Why Planyard Is the Best Fit for Teams Moving Beyond LiveCosts
- Built for budgets, valuations, forecasting, and CVR, not just purchase orders.
- Native integration with Xero and QuickBooks.
- Faster rollout – live in days instead of weeks.
- Lower total cost of ownership – fewer modules, clearer workflows.
For teams ready to step up from LiveCosts’ spend tracking to full project financial management, Planyard is the natural next stage.
Migration / Switching from LiveCosts
- Export project budgets, supplier, and PO data.
- Import cost codes and budgets into Planyard.
- Connect your accounting system (Xero / QuickBooks).
- Validate on a pilot project for valuations and CVR.
- Scale portfolio-wide once verified.
Next Steps
- Start a free trial to explore live budgeting and forecasting.
- Book a demo to map your current LiveCosts workflow to Planyard’s financial controls.