LiveCosts alternative
LiveCosts is excellent at contractor job costing, especially next to accounting software. ConstructionPro.io is for owners and small teams who also need cash-flow, invoices, quotes, programme and a shareable project — without a second product.
Most LiveCosts switchers start on Contractor-Led ($16.99/mo) or Self-Build ($9.99/mo).
Honest differences. LiveCosts is the right tool for some teams. ConstructionPro.io is the right tool when the owner, the programme and the money need to live together.
| Capability | ConstructionPro.io | LiveCosts |
|---|---|---|
| Budget vs spend | 36 categories, live remaining | Strong job costing |
| Invoices on the same ledger | Upload, split, approve against budget | Costing-first; often paired with accounts |
| Cash-flow forecast | Real dates from invoices and stages | Cost visibility, not a full owner forecast |
| Quote comparison | Side-by-side bids on every plan | Not the primary workflow |
| Programme / timeline | Stages, tasks and snags next to the money | Costing, not a build programme |
| Homeowner-readable sharing | Family viewers; contractor invite; client portals on Pro | Built for the contractor office |
| AI grant finder (US / UK / EU) | Schemes matched to the project market | Not a grant product |
| Self-build plan with published price | From $9.99 · 90-day trial | Priced and positioned for contractors |
| Market localisation | Templates, currency, terms for US, UK, EU | Depends on your accounting stack |
If LiveCosts already sits neatly beside your accountant, keep it. Switch when the owner, the lender or the site still lives in a second spreadsheet.
Budget, invoices and cash-flow sit on the same project. You are not exporting a cost report just to explain remaining drawdown to a partner or a bank.
Stages, weather and site photos live with the numbers. A late slab pour is a cash-flow event, not a separate Gantt export.
US, UK and EU schemes, currency and terminology are product features — not a localisation project on top of a costing add-on.
Self-Build starts at $9.99. Invite a contractor or family viewers without buying an office suite you will not use.
No. LiveCosts is a contractor job-costing product. ConstructionPro.io is project and cost management for self-builders, contractor-led homes and small professional portfolios — budget, invoices, cash-flow, quotes, programme and sharing in one place.
No, and you should not. ConstructionPro.io is the project ledger you show an owner, lender or contractor. Export records for your bookkeeper; keep statutory accounts where they belong.
No. Onboarding can set up a fresh project or an in-flight one: opening balances, spend already committed, and a stage plan that matches where you actually are.
Yes. Every plan includes a 90-day trial. A card is required; you are not charged until the trial ends. Cancel anytime before then.
Full access on every plan. Card required — cancel anytime before the trial ends.