vs. BuildHub
The UK equivalent of Powered Now
Powered Now is a reputable UK trades app that specializes in invoicing and job management. Here’s a comparison with BuildHub for builders seeking additional features — including project communication, variations, and AI-driven quoting.
Last verified: June 2025 · BuildHub editorial group
At a Glance
The Headline Verdict
Fueled Now
Reliable UK invoicing and job management application designed for tradespeople. Ideal for sole traders requiring quick invoicing. Not as robust in areas such as project communication, variation management, and client portals.
BuildHub
Designed for UK residential builders managing projects with homeowners. AI-enhanced quoting, a personalized client portal, and the 3-Stage Handshake for variations — all for a fixed monthly fee.
Powered Now excels for tradespeople focusing on invoicing and scheduling. BuildHub is the superior choice for builders managing residential projects, offering effective homeowner communication and formal variation management.
Quick Reference
Feature Comparison
| Feature | BuildHub | Powered Now |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | UK (London) | UK |
| Built for | Small UK residential builders | UK tradespeople (all trades) |
| Starting price | £0 Free Starter | Paid plan from ~£15/mo |
| Paid plan from | £22/mo (Solo) | ~£15/mo |
| Per-user fees | None — whole company on one price | Yes — per additional user |
| VAT / CIS aware | Yes — built in | Yes — UK tax handling |
| AI quoting | Yes — 90-second estimates + AI draft quotes | No |
| Homeowner portal | Yes — branded, with variation sign-off | Limited client view |
| Variation management | 3-Stage Handshake — formal sign-off | Basic |
| Mobile app | PWA — installs on iOS & Android | Native iOS & Android app |
Pricing
How the Costs Compare
Powered Now offers pricing beginning at approximately £15/month for a sole trader, with extra fees for additional users. In contrast, BuildHub launches at £0 for a single live project, with paid plans starting at £22/month, which provides full coverage for your entire company without any per-user charges.
| BuildHub | Powered Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free Starter (1 live project, unlimited users) | No — paid plans only |
| Entry paid plan | £22/mo — Solo | ~£15/mo (1 user) |
| Additional users | Included — no per-user fee | Charged per user |
| Contract | Monthly, cancel any time | Monthly or annual |
BuildHub's fixed-rate pricing ensures cost predictability as your team expands. In contrast, Powered Now charges on a per-user basis, which can become costly for builders who require access for subcontractors or site personnel.
In Depth
Feature by Feature
Quoting & Estimating
Powered Now
Powered Now has a quoting and invoicing module suited to tradespeople. It does not include AI-assisted drafting or the estimate-to-quote workflow.
BuildHub
BuildHub drafts a full line-item quote from your drawings, with margin visible before you send. AI estimates generate a Low/Mid/High range in about 90 seconds on the first site visit.
Verdict: BuildHub is stronger for builders who want to quote faster with AI assistance. Powered Now covers basic quoting well for simpler jobs.
Client Communication & Portal
Powered Now
Powered Now offers a client view but it is primarily invoice-focused. There is no branded homeowner portal or formal project communication thread.
BuildHub
BuildHub's homeowner portal is white-labelled to your firm, with project updates, document sharing and one-tap approvals all in one branded space.
Verdict: BuildHub is significantly stronger here. For builders running residential projects with homeowners, the portal is a key differentiator.
Variation Management
Powered Now
Powered Now does not have a dedicated variation or change order management workflow.
BuildHub
BuildHub's 3-Stage Handshake formalises every scope change with a digital sign-off before work starts — and stores a permanent record in The Vault.
Verdict: BuildHub wins clearly. If formal variation management matters to your business, Powered Now is not designed for it.
UK Market Fit
Both are constructed in the UK — yet designed for distinct workflows.
Both Powered Now and BuildHub operate within the UK, meaning they address VAT and utilize UK terminology. However, their workflow priorities differ: Powered Now is predominantly centered on invoicing and job scheduling across various trades. In contrast, BuildHub is tailored specifically for the relationship between residential builders and homeowners, with top-tier features for project communication, variation approvals, and a branded client portal, rather than treating them as secondary options.
Honest Assessment
Strengths & Weaknesses
Powered Now — Strengths
Powered Now is a recognized name in the UK trades sector, earning positive feedback for its user-friendly interface. Invoicing and certificate creation are quick and dependable. The mobile application performs effectively on-site.
Powered Now — Weaknesses
Pricing based on user numbers leads to increased expenses as your team expands. Communication with clients and managing variations are restricted when compared to an exclusive project management platform.
BuildHub — Strengths
BuildHub's homeowner portal and the 3-Stage Handshake workflow are designed specifically for residential builders in the UK. With AI-driven quoting and flat-rate pricing, it offers excellent value for small businesses.
BuildHub — Limitations
BuildHub specializes in residential construction and does not provide equal coverage for all trade categories. The generation of certificates and compliance documents for specialized trades may not reach the same level of detail as Powered Now.
Decision Guide
Which One Is Right for You?
Opt for Powered Now if:
- — You are a sole trader or specialist tradesperson who primarily needs fast invoicing
- — You need compliance certificate generation for gas, electrical or similar trades
- — You do not run residential projects requiring formal homeowner communication
Opt for BuildHub if:
- ✓ You are a UK residential builder running projects with homeowners
- ✓ You want a branded client portal with formal variation sign-off
- ✓ You want flat-rate pricing that covers your whole team
- ✓ You want AI-assisted quoting to quote faster and win more jobs
Transitioning from Powered Now to BuildHub
The majority of builders can transition within a single day. Simply export your client database and job history from Powered Now, then import it into BuildHub. Our UK team will guide you through each step, allowing you to use both platforms simultaneously until you feel at ease.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BuildHub a good Powered Now alternative for builders? +
Yes, particularly for residential builders. BuildHub adds a full homeowner portal, AI quoting and formal variation management that Powered Now does not cover.
Is Powered Now suitable for builders (not just trades)? +
Powered Now works for all trades including builders, but its feature set is optimised for invoicing and job scheduling rather than the residential builder–homeowner relationship.
How does BuildHub pricing compare to Powered Now? +
BuildHub starts at £0 free and paid plans from £22/month for your whole company with no per-user fees. Powered Now starts from around £15/month but charges per additional user.
Can I try BuildHub for free? +
Yes. The Free Starter tier lets you run one live project with full feature access, no credit card required.
Methodology
In June 2025, we examined Powered Now's public pricing information, feature documentation, as well as its UK App Store and Play Store listings. All pricing reflects public listings; enterprise pricing may differ. This page is managed by the BuildHub editorial team.
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