HiveSuite vs YourTradebase: Two UK Platforms, Very Different Approaches

YourTradebase and HiveSuite are both UK companies building contractor software. That's where the similarities end. One focuses on traditional feature depth, the other on AI-powered simplicity.

This comparison shows exactly what each platform does well, where they differ, and which contractors should use which system.

The Quick Summary

Pricing: The Major Difference

This is where the platforms diverge significantly.

HiveSuite Pricing

• Founding 100: £24.99/month for 12 months (1 seat included, first 100 customers)
• Starter: £34.99/month thereafter (1 seat included)
• Team plans: Small Team, Growing Business, Professional, and Enterprise bundles for up to 5, 10, 20, or 50 seats
• 30-day free trial, no credit card required

YourTradebase Pricing

• Base plan: £29/month including one user (prices subject to VAT)
• Additional users: £15/month each
• Annual option: 2 months free when billed annually
• Trial: 30-day free trial with no credit card required

Core Features Comparison

The AI Difference: Why It Matters

YourTradebase is comprehensive traditional software—lots of features, lots of data entry, lots of manual reporting. HiveSuite adds intelligence:

• Cash flow forecasting: "You'll run low in Week 6 unless you chase that £4,500 invoice"
• Pattern detection: "Your most profitable jobs are kitchen rewires (42% margin) vs bathroom work (28% margin)"
• Pricing guidance: "Similar bathroom refurbs averaged £6,200, you quoted £4,900"
• Automated follow-ups: Reminds you to reactivate past customers, chase payments, follow up on quotes
• Natural language queries: "How much profit did I make last quarter?" "Which customers owe money?"

YourTradebase approach: You input data, run reports manually, analyse them yourself. Powerful, but time-consuming.

HiveSuite approach: You input data, AI analyses it for you, surfaces insights automatically.

Feature Depth vs Simplicity

This is the fundamental difference between the platforms.

YourTradebase Philosophy: Everything Included

• Comprehensive CRM with lead pipeline
• Advanced stock/inventory management
• Asset management (track equipment, vehicles, tools)
• Purchase orders and supplier management
• Time tracking and attendance
• Custom forms and checklists
• Advanced permissions and user roles
• 50+ report types

Good if: You want every possible feature in one platform. You're willing to invest time learning it.

Problem if: You find complexity overwhelming. You just need core features (quotes, jobs, invoices).

HiveSuite Philosophy: Streamlined + AI

• Core features only (quotes, jobs, scheduling, invoicing, customers)
• AI handles what would otherwise require advanced features
• Simple, fast, minimal learning curve
• Focus on getting contractors productive immediately

Good if: You want simple software that's powerful through AI, not feature lists.

Problem if: You need specific advanced features (stock management, asset tracking, etc.)

What HiveSuite Does Better

What YourTradebase Does Better

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose HiveSuite if:

• You want software you can start using today (60-second setup, zero training)
• You value modern, intuitive design that your team will actually enjoy using
• You want AI-powered insights and automation without manual analysis
• You prefer predictable bundle pricing over paying per additional user
• You need core contractor features (quotes, jobs, invoicing, scheduling) done brilliantly
• You want automated workflows (customer notifications, payment reminders, quote follow-ups)
• You prefer simplicity and speed over feature bloat

Choose YourTradebase if:

• You need comprehensive stock/inventory management
• You want every possible feature in one platform
• You need advanced CRM with lead pipeline
• You're willing to invest weeks learning the platform
• You need asset/equipment tracking
• Per-user add-ons (£15 per extra user) fit your team size and budget

The Bottom Line

YourTradebase is comprehensive traditional software from 2014. Lots of features, but a £29 base price with £15 per additional user (VAT applies), a complex interface requiring significant training, and manual workflows throughout.

HiveSuite is modern software built for 2025 and beyond. You're productive in 60 seconds, not days. The interface is intuitive enough that your team won't need training. Workflows are automated (customer notifications, payment reminders, quote follow-ups). AI provides insights automatically. And bundle pricing stays predictable as you grow.

The fundamental difference? YourTradebase gives you lots of features and expects you to figure out how to use them. HiveSuite gives you intelligent automation that does the work for you.

Instant leads from your website: HiveSuite's built-in custom forms can be dropped onto your site or shared via link. New enquiries can optionally create a customer record and a draft quote, and any change you make to a form updates everywhere instantly—no coding, no third-party form tools. Forms are included on every plan, so you don't need separate Typeform/Jotform/Zapier subscriptions to turn enquiries into jobs.

For most UK contractors, HiveSuite is the smarter choice. You save time on setup (60 seconds vs weeks of training). You save time daily (automated workflows vs manual processes). You save money as you grow (bundle pricing vs a £29 base plus £15 per extra YourTradebase user). And you get modern AI insights that would require hours of manual analysis in traditional software.

Both offer free trials. Try HiveSuite first—you'll see the difference in the first 5 minutes.