Both HiveSuite and Powered Now are UK-based contractor software platforms. Both promise to simplify quoting, invoicing, and job management. But they take very different approaches - and the right choice depends on what you actually need from your business software.
This isn't a marketing comparison where we claim HiveSuite is better at everything. It's an honest assessment of where each platform excels, where they fall short, and which contractors each one suits best.
Quick Summary
| Factor | HiveSuite | Powered Now |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £24.99/month (Founding 100), then £34.99/month | £29/month + VAT (1 user) |
| Best For | Solo contractors & small teams (1-10 people) | Established firms with larger teams |
| Mobile Experience | Winner Mobile-first design, PWA | Mobile app available |
| AI Features | Winner HiveIntel natural language queries | None |
| Payment Processing | Winner Integrated Stripe (included) | GoCardless integration (additional cost) |
| Learning Curve | Winner Minimal - intuitive design | Steeper - more complex features |
| Pricing Model | Winner All features included | Add-ons increase cost |
| Established Track Record | Newer platform (2024) | Winner Est. 2011, proven reliability |
Feature Comparison
Quoting & Invoicing
| Feature | HiveSuite | Powered Now |
|---|---|---|
| Professional quote templates | Custom templates with AI converter | Pre-built templates |
| Mobile quote creation | Optimised for mobile | Via mobile app |
| Recurring invoices | Automated, set-and-forget | Available |
| One-click convert quote to invoice | Instant conversion | Available |
| Payment collection | Stripe integrated (card payments) | GoCardless (direct debit, extra cost) |
| Automatic payment reminders | Customisable schedules | Available |
Verdict: Quoting & Invoicing
HiveSuite wins on ease of use and integrated payments. Stripe payment links in every invoice mean customers can pay instantly with a card - no setting up GoCardless accounts or waiting for direct debits to process. Powered Now offers more complex pricing structures (useful for larger projects), but HiveSuite's simplicity gets you paid faster.
Job Scheduling & Management
| Feature | HiveSuite | Powered Now |
|---|---|---|
| Visual job scheduling | HivePlanner drag-and-drop | Diary view |
| Team dispatch | Via HiveCrew mobile app | Via mobile app |
| GPS integration | One-tap directions | Available |
| Job status tracking | Real-time updates | Available |
| Time tracking | Basic (job duration) | Detailed time sheets |
| Multi-day projects | Supported | Advanced project management |
Verdict: Job Scheduling
Draw, depending on your needs. HiveSuite's HivePlanner is more intuitive for simple scheduling - perfect for solo contractors or small teams doing day-to-day reactive work. Powered Now has more depth for complex project management and detailed time tracking - better if you're running multi-week projects with multiple team members.
Mobile Experience
| Feature | HiveSuite | Powered Now |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile app type | Progressive Web App (works like native) | Native iOS/Android apps |
| Mobile-optimised interface | Mobile-first design | Mobile-friendly |
| Photo uploads from site | Direct camera integration | Available |
| Create quotes on mobile | Full quote builder (2-3 minutes) | Available but slower |
Verdict: Mobile Experience
HiveSuite wins. Built mobile-first from the ground up. Every feature is optimised for touch screens and on-site use. Powered Now has mobile apps, but the interface wasn't designed for mobile originally - you can tell. If you spend most of your day on job sites, HiveSuite's mobile experience is significantly better.
Business Intelligence & Reporting
| Feature | HiveSuite | Powered Now |
|---|---|---|
| AI-powered insights | HiveIntel natural language queries | No AI features |
| Financial reports | Real-time dashboard | Comprehensive reports |
| Ask questions in plain English | "Who owes me money?" gets instant answer | Must navigate to reports manually |
| Custom reports | Visual query builder (no SQL), custom dashboards, automated delivery | Advanced report builder |
| Export capabilities | PDF, Excel | Multiple formats |
Verdict: Business Intelligence
HiveSuite wins on ease of use, Powered Now wins on depth. HiveIntel lets you ask "Which customers haven't paid?" and get an instant answer - no navigating menus or learning report builders. Powered Now offers more detailed, customisable reports for accountants and complex analysis. If you want quick answers, HiveSuite. If you need comprehensive accounting reports, Powered Now.
Pricing Comparison
HiveSuite Pricing
- Founding 100 Offer: £24.99/month for 12 months (1 seat, all features, first 100 customers)
- Starter: £34.99/month thereafter (1 seat included, all features)
- Team plans: Small Team, Growing Business, Professional, and Enterprise bundles for up to 5, 10, 20, or 50 seats
- Free Trial: 30 days, no credit card required
- What's Included: Everything. No feature locks or add-ons—every plan includes HiveIntel, HivePlanner, and Operations Hub.
Powered Now Pricing
- Starting Price: £29/month + VAT (£34.80 total) for 1 user
- Additional Users: £15/month + VAT per user
- Free Trial: 14 days
- Add-Ons: GoCardless integration, advanced features may cost extra
How the pricing models differ
Powered Now uses per-user pricing—each additional team member increases your monthly bill. HiveSuite uses seat-based bundles (1, 5, 10, 20, or 50 seats) with all features included on every plan.
For the most accurate costs for your team size, compare the latest pricing pages for both platforms. HiveSuite's bundles are designed to keep pricing predictable as you grow.
Pros & Cons
HiveSuite Pros
- Simple seat-based bundles for teams
- Superior mobile experience (mobile-first design)
- HiveIntel AI makes data insights accessible to non-technical users
- Integrated Stripe payments (no additional setup)
- All features included (no add-ons or feature locks)
- Simpler, easier to learn
- 30-day free trial (vs 14 days)
HiveSuite Cons
- Newer platform (less established track record)
- Fewer integrations (no Xero/Sage yet)
- Less advanced project management features
- Smaller user community
- Limited time-tracking depth
Powered Now Pros
- Established since 2011 (proven reliability)
- More integrations (Xero, Sage, etc.)
- Advanced project management tools
- Detailed time tracking
- Larger user base and community
- More comprehensive reporting
Powered Now Cons
- Expensive per-user fees (costs add up for teams)
- Steeper learning curve
- Mobile experience not as polished
- No AI features
- Payment integration requires GoCardless setup
- More complex than many contractors need
Which Should You Choose?
Choose HiveSuite if:
- You're a solo contractor or small team (1-10 people)
- You work primarily on mobile/on-site
- You want simple, intuitive software that "just works"
- You want to get paid faster (integrated Stripe is easier than GoCardless)
- You want AI-powered insights without learning complex reporting tools
- Budget matters and per-user fees would add up quickly
- You value modern UX/UI and mobile-first design
Choose Powered Now if:
- You're an established firm with complex project needs
- You need deep integration with Xero/Sage accounting software
- You require detailed time tracking for employee billing
- You're managing long-term projects with multiple phases
- You prefer GoCardless (direct debit) over card payments
- You value a proven track record over cutting-edge features
- You're willing to invest time learning a more complex system
The Bottom Line
Both are solid platforms for UK contractors, but they serve different needs.
Powered Now is the established choice for larger firms who need complex project management, deep accounting integrations, and don't mind paying per-user fees. It's been around since 2011, and that experience shows in the depth of features.
HiveSuite is the modern alternative for solo contractors and small teams who want simple, mobile-first software that gets them paid faster. The AI features, integrated payments, and all-inclusive feature set make it strong value for small operations.
If you're running a 20-person construction firm managing multi-month projects, Powered Now probably makes sense. If you're a solo electrician, 2-person plumbing firm, or small team doing reactive day-to-day work, HiveSuite will save you money and time.
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