HandsHQ vs Complys: which RAMS builder is right for you?
Honest comparison of HandsHQ and Complys for UK construction RAMS. Pricing, features, AI generation, Network Rail support, and which is the right fit for your team size. Reviewed May 2026.
- You want AI-generated, site-specific RAMS from a natural-language brief, not a template library you fill in by hand
- You work on Network Rail or infrastructure jobs that need formal cover sheets and rail-specific clauses
- You need to review subcontractor RAMS for adequacy and get a clear PASS/FAIL/BORDERLINE verdict
- You want flat pricing that does not surprise you with per-seat charges as the team grows
- You are a 1-30 person team and want everything in one place without paying for enterprise-tier features you do not use
- You want a 90-day free trial with full access and no card
- You have a 10+ person firm with a dedicated H&S manager who is happy with a template-based workflow
- You need integration with Procore, Zapier, or Microsoft Power Automate today
- You need SSO via Okta or Azure Active Directory
- Your team uses HandsHQ's Training Register and you want RAMS pulling from the same competency records
- You want a tool with a longer track record and a larger established customer base
- You need a 15,000+ substance COSHH library that is updated daily
Complys does more than RAMS - and HandsHQ does not
HandsHQ is a focused RAMS document tool. Complys is a full construction compliance and operations platform - you get a RAMS builder AND a lot more for the same money. Here is what is in Complys that is not in HandsHQ:
Send a compliance request to a subbie, they upload their docs once, you get a clean profile back. Track outstanding requests, set deadlines, see who has responded. The viral way that principal contractors gather compliance from subcontractors.
CSCS, IPAF, PASMA, IPAF, asbestos awareness, working at height - upload once, get reminded before they expire. Worker passports show all certificates in one place.
Who in your team is trained on what, with expiry dates and gap analysis. Build the matrix once, see at a glance who needs which course next.
Assign equipment to workers, generate QR stickers, workers scan and complete daily checks. PAT testing, LOLER, PUWER inspections all tracked digitally with photo evidence on failed items.
QR sticker per vehicle, scannable by drivers. Photo of the odometer captured every check. Photo evidence required on failed items. Defects auto-created and assigned to the fleet manager.
Send branded quotes to clients, convert to invoices when accepted. Full CRM with trade categorisation, contact history, document trail. Run the business side of compliance from the same place as the RAMS.
Verified-badge profile in the Complys public directory drives inbound leads. Introduce feature gives you a structured referral system to grow word-of-mouth.
AI helps write competitive tender responses. AI grants finder surfaces UK construction-relevant funding opportunities. Both available on contractor tiers with credit allowances.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Public profile & marketing
| Feature | Complys | HandsHQ |
|---|---|---|
Public verified profile / mini-site A public-facing profile page customers can find via Google. Lists your services, accreditations, recent projects, photos and areas covered. | Available Live at complys.co.uk/c/your-business. Indexed by Google, ranks for local trade searches. AI-assisted setup in under 10 minutes. | Not available No public-facing profile feature - their software is internal-only. |
Verified contractor badge An embeddable HTML badge that contractors paste on their own website, certifying their Complys verification. Customers can click it to view your profile. | Available Light and dark variants available. One-click copy-paste HTML snippet. Help guides for Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Gmail and more. | Not available Not offered. |
Auto-verified email signature Every outbound email you send through the platform automatically includes a verified-by-Complys badge linking to your profile. Customers, suppliers and main contractors see your credentials are independently verified. | Available Auto-appended to quotes, intros, RAMS bundles, compliance requests - everything. Opt-out available. Defaults to on for maximum trust signal. | Not available Not offered. |
Core RAMS features
| Feature | Complys | HandsHQ |
|---|---|---|
AI-generated RAMS Generate site-specific RAMS from a natural-language brief in minutes, not by filling in template fields | Available Generate a full RAMS in under 5 minutes from a project description | Not available Template library only - select trade, fill in fields, edit output |
Trade template library Pre-built risk assessment and method statement templates per trade | Available 22+ master trade packs covering scaffolding, electrical, gas, decorating, demolition, groundworks and more | Available 40+ trade categories in their content library |
Network Rail compliant cover sheets Auto-generated cover sheets for Network Rail and infrastructure submissions | Available AI proposes the right cover sheet during the RAMS questioning step, including PCN, AP, IC Lead, Estates PM and PIA fields where relevant | Not available Not advertised on their pricing page |
COSHH library Substance library for chemical risk assessment | Partial COSHH is included in generated RAMS but Complys does not maintain a standalone COSHH substance library yet | Available 15,000+ substances, updated daily per their pricing page |
Construction Phase Plans (CPP) Project-specific Construction Phase Plans for CDM 2015 compliance | Coming Q3 2026 On the roadmap - currently you can export your RAMS as part of the CDM pack | Available Project-specific CPP in minutes per their pricing page |
Customisable risk matrix Pick your own scoring grid for risk vs likelihood | Available 5x5 matrix in generated assessments | Available 5x5 or 3x3 with customisable colours and labels |
Nearest A&E lookup Auto-populate the closest hospital to the worksite | Available Local hospital information included in generated method statements | Available Locate nearest A&E with a few clicks per their pricing page |
Compliance workflows
| Feature | Complys | HandsHQ |
|---|---|---|
Subcontractor RAMS review Review uploaded subcontractor RAMS for adequacy with a clear verdict | Available Upload a subcontractor PDF, get a PASS/FAIL/BORDERLINE verdict with specific feedback | Not available Not advertised - HandsHQ focuses on documents you create, not documents you receive |
Send RAMS to client with delivery tracking Email RAMS and see if recipients opened the link | Available Shareable compliance links with delivery confirmation | Available Email tracking and open notifications |
Digital signatures from team and clients Capture electronic signatures on RAMS | Available | Available Sign on any device with version control |
Internal approval workflow before client RAMS reviewed and signed off internally before going to client | Coming Q3 2026 Internal review queue on the roadmap | Available Built-in approval queue |
Version history and audit trail Every change tracked with timestamp and editor | Available | Available Reason-for-edit can be enforced |
Worker compliance directory Public-facing directory of your compliant workforce for marketing | Available Live shareable compliance profile + verified badge + directory listing on Complys Share tier | Not available Internal workforce profiles only, not a public-facing directory |
Vehicle daily walkaround checks QR-scan-based daily check forms on company vehicles | Available QR sticker per vehicle, scannable by workers with photo evidence required on FAIL items | Not available Not advertised - HandsHQ focuses on RAMS documents |
Tender response writing AI-assisted writing of competitive tender bids | Available AI tender writing with credits-based usage on contractor tiers | Not available Not part of HandsHQ scope |
Training Register integration Pull worker training and competency records into RAMS | Coming Q3 2026 Training register and matrix coming - currently competencies are added per-person to the compliance profile | Available Integrates with HandsHQ Training Register product (separate subscription) |
AI features
| Feature | Complys | HandsHQ |
|---|---|---|
AI risk identification AI identifies the risks specific to your site and trade | Available AI questions you about the project, then drafts your RAMS | Not available Risks come from the static template library |
AI cover sheet generation AI proposes the right cover sheet for the project type | Available AI proposes Network Rail, NHS, MOD or generic cover sheets based on project type, with smart field auto-fill | Not available |
AI subcontractor RAMS review Upload a subcontractor's RAMS, AI tells you if it is adequate | Available PASS, FAIL or BORDERLINE verdict with specific feedback on weaknesses | Not available |
Spanish language support Generate documents in Spanish | Not available English only - we are UK-focused | Available Spanish supported, more languages coming per their site |
Pricing & plans
| Feature | Complys | HandsHQ |
|---|---|---|
Entry price Lowest monthly subscription | Available Compliance Share GBP 15/mo - or Free tier (Compliance Sharer) for sharing your own documents | Available Basic plan GBP 30/mo or GBP 300/yr per GetApp UK |
Free trial Try before you pay | Available 90-day free trial on any paid tier, no card required, keep your documents at the end | Partial Free trial and live demos available per their marketing pages - duration not publicly stated |
Free forever tier Genuinely free plan with usable features | Available Compliance Sharer (companies) and Contractor Free both free forever | Not available No free version per Capterra |
Flat-rate pricing (no per-seat surprise) One price, the whole team uses it | Available Subscription tier includes everyone - no per-user fees | Partial Subscription tiers, but enterprise pricing scales with company size and features per public pricing |
Pricing transparency Headline pricing visible on the website | Available All tiers and prices on /pricing | Available Pricing page lists Basic, Advanced and Pro tiers - premium features need a sales call |
Support & setup
| Feature | Complys | HandsHQ |
|---|---|---|
Onboarding support Help getting set up | Available Setup checklist + in-app help + email support; under 10 minutes to be up and running | Available Customer success team onboarding from day one per their marketing |
Single Sign-On (SSO) Login via Okta or Azure Active Directory | By design Complys focuses on small-to-mid teams who do not need enterprise SSO - on the roadmap if customer demand justifies it | Available Okta + Azure Active Directory SSO + 2FA enforcement available |
Procore integration Auto-upload approved RAMS into Procore projects | By design Complys is the source of truth - share via secure link rather than tool-to-tool integration. Procore connector on the roadmap if customer demand justifies it | Available Approved RAMS auto-upload to linked Procore projects |
API access Programmatic access to your data | Coming Q4 2026 API on the roadmap - data is currently accessible via secure shareable links and CSV exports | Available API + Zapier + Microsoft Power Automate |
UK-built and UK-focused Built for UK construction compliance | Available Built by a working UK scaffolder for UK contractors. CDM 2015, NASC TG20, HSE compliant by default | Available UK-based |
Pricing comparison
Tiered by role and team size. Free forever tier (Compliance Sharer / Contractor Free) for sharing documents and receiving compliance requests. Share GBP 15/mo for a live shareable compliance profile with verified badge. Pro GBP 30/mo adds AI RAMS builder and contractor search. Growth Plus and Diamond tiers for larger teams. All tiers include everyone - no per-seat fees. 90-day free trial on any paid tier with no card required.
See full Complys pricing →Subscription-based, typically billed annually. Basic GBP 30/mo or GBP 300/yr. Advanced GBP 70/mo or GBP 672/yr. Pro GBP 135/mo. Premium features (custom formatting, project detail customisation, SSO) on higher service packages. Per their public pricing pages reviewed May 2026 - check their site for current rates and enterprise pricing.
HandsHQ pricing (external) →Frequently asked questions
Is Complys cheaper than HandsHQ?
For most small-to-mid teams, yes. Complys Share is GBP 15/mo and Complys Pro (with the AI RAMS builder) is GBP 30/mo, which matches HandsHQ's Basic plan price but adds AI generation. HandsHQ's Advanced tier (GBP 70/mo) and Pro tier (GBP 135/mo) get expensive faster than the equivalent Complys tiers, especially as your team grows. Both publish transparent monthly and annual pricing on their websites.
Does HandsHQ have AI-generated RAMS?
No. HandsHQ uses a 40+ category template library where you select your trade, fill in the project details, and edit the generated content. Complys uses AI to interview you about the project and write the RAMS based on your answers. This typically takes minutes versus an hour or more of template editing for a complex job.
Which is better for scaffolders?
Complys was built by a working scaffolder (DDC Scaffolding) and includes scaffold-type-specific RAMS (tube and fitting, system, mobile towers, suspended access), NASC TG20 / SG4 / SG6 references built-in, and Network Rail-compliant cover sheets for rail jobs. HandsHQ has scaffolding in its 40+ category library but it is one trade among many. For a scaffolding firm doing infrastructure work, Complys is a tighter fit.
Does Complys integrate with Procore?
Not yet directly. Complys generates documents you can share via secure link or attach to Procore manually. HandsHQ has direct Procore integration that auto-uploads approved RAMS to linked projects. If your team lives in Procore, this is a real HandsHQ advantage. Complys's approach is share-by-link which works with any tool but adds a manual step in Procore-heavy workflows.
Can HandsHQ review subcontractor RAMS?
Not as a feature. HandsHQ helps you create your own RAMS. Complys has a dedicated subcontractor RAMS adequacy review feature - upload the PDF, get a PASS / FAIL / BORDERLINE verdict with specific feedback. This matters if you are a principal contractor receiving RAMS from subbies and need to check they are good enough before approving them for site.
Which has a longer track record?
HandsHQ has been around longer and has a larger established customer base, including QHSE managers at firms like Nicol of Skene and Jessella who feature in their testimonials. Complys launched in 2025 and is a newer product. If long track record is the deciding factor for you, HandsHQ wins on that front. If you weight feature set, AI generation, and price, Complys is the modern choice.
Does HandsHQ have a free tier?
No - HandsHQ does not have a free version per Capterra UK. Their cheapest paid plan starts at GBP 30/mo. Complys has two genuinely free forever tiers: Compliance Sharer (for any company sharing documents) and Contractor Free (for principal contractors requesting compliance from subbies). AI features on the free tiers run on credit top-ups.
Can I import my existing HandsHQ RAMS into Complys?
You can re-create a RAMS in Complys quickly because the AI builds the document from the project description, not by transcribing an existing one. Many customers find the AI-generated version improves on what they had. For documents you want to keep verbatim, you can upload PDFs to your Complys account for reference and sharing.
Also compare Complys with
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