Site Samurai vs Complys: operations-led, or compliance-led construction platform?
Honest comparison of Site Samurai and Complys for UK construction. Both go beyond RAMS - Site Samurai is operations-led (NEC4, CIS, estimating, snagging), Complys is compliance-led (RAMS, subcontractor compliance, training, AI tender writing). Reviewed May 2026.
- Your starting point is compliance - RAMS, training matrix, subcontractor compliance management, certificate tracking
- You are a principal contractor who needs to request and receive compliance from subbies with AI adequacy reviews
- You want Network Rail or infrastructure-specific cover sheet support
- You want a public worker directory with verified badges to drive inbound enquiries
- You want AI tender writing and grants finder built in
- You want a 90-day free trial vs Site Samurai 14-day
- Your entry tier needs to start cheaper - Complys Pro is GBP 30/mo vs Site Samurai Professional from GBP 50/mo
- Your starting point is commercial operations - applications for payment, NEC4, CIS, estimating, BOQ parsing
- You run a larger team and need unlimited users without per-seat fees being a deal-breaker
- You need integrated snagging and QA inspections tied to the same project records
- You need fleet and supply chain management as part of the same platform
- You want construction quotes and estimates that flow through to invoicing in one tool
- You want SubbyPower CIS subcontractor database integration
Two construction platforms with different centres of gravity
Site Samurai and Complys are the closest overall-scope competitors - both are full construction platforms, both go well beyond RAMS, both have AI features. The difference is starting point. Site Samurai is operations-led: commercial workflows, NEC4 contracts, applications for payment, CIS, estimating, snagging. Complys is compliance-led: RAMS, subcontractor compliance, training, certificates, AI adequacy reviews. Here is what Complys does that Site Samurai does not:
Upload a subbie RAMS PDF, get a PASS / FAIL / BORDERLINE verdict with feedback. Site Samurai has RAMS but not the AI-review-of-incoming-RAMS workflow.
Request compliance from subbies, they upload once, you get a clean shareable profile. Free Compliance Sharer tier for the subbie side. Not in Site Samurai.
AI proposes the right cover sheet during questioning, with auto-fill for PCN, AP Mechanical, IC Lead, Estates PM, PIA reference fields. Not in Site Samurai.
Track CSCS, IPAF, PASMA, working at height with expiry alerts. Build training matrix to see who needs which course next. Complys is people-compliance led.
Free Compliance Sharer tier lists you in the public Complys directory with a verified badge. Drives inbound enquiries from principal contractors searching for compliant trades. Not in Site Samurai.
AI-assisted competitive tender response writing. AI grants finder surfaces UK construction-relevant funding opportunities. Not in Site Samurai.
QR sticker per vehicle, mandatory odometer photo, photo evidence on failed items. Defects auto-created. Not in Site Samurai.
PAT testing, LOLER, PUWER inspections via phone scan with photo evidence. Not in Site Samurai (they have inspections but not the QR-asset workflow).
Feature-by-feature comparison
Public profile & marketing
| Feature | Complys | Site Samurai |
|---|---|---|
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 | Site Samurai |
|---|---|---|
AI-generated RAMS from project description | Available AI questions you, then drafts the RAMS | Available AI RAMS generation included on Professional tier |
Multi-trade content library | Available 22+ master trade packs | Available Trade-specific RAMS templates |
CDM 2015 compliance | Available | Available |
Network Rail compliant cover sheets | Available AI proposes Network Rail / NHS / MOD cover sheets with auto-fill | Not available Not advertised - Site Samurai is general UK construction |
Digital signatures + audit trail | Available | Available Timestamped sign-offs with audit trail |
Toolbox talks | Coming Q4 2026 | Available AI-generated toolbox talks included on Professional tier |
Construction Phase Plans (CPP) | Coming Q3 2026 | Partial Not headlined - Site Samurai focuses on operational records over CPP-style documents |
Compliance workflows
| Feature | Complys | Site Samurai |
|---|---|---|
Subcontractor RAMS adequacy review | Available PASS / FAIL / BORDERLINE with specific feedback | Not available Site Samurai creates RAMS, does not AI-review incoming ones |
Compliance request workflow | Available Free Compliance Sharer tier for subbie side - viral B2B workflow | Not available |
Public worker directory + verified badges | Available | Not available Site Samurai has SubbyPower partner for CIS subbies but not a public-facing directory of your own workforce |
Worker passports + certificate tracking | Available | Partial Site Samurai tracks workforce records via SubbyPower integration but not a standalone Complys-style passport system |
Training matrix | Available | Not available Not advertised as a feature |
Vehicle daily walkaround checks via QR | Available QR per vehicle, mandatory odometer photo, photo on fail | Not available |
Asset register + daily QR checks | Available Phone scan, photo evidence, defect auto-creation | Partial Site Samurai has site inspections workflow but not the QR-sticker-per-asset pattern Complys uses |
Snagging and QA inspections | By design Complys is compliance-focused - snagging lives in the operational/quality space which is Site Samurai territory | Available Headline feature - snag raising, assignment, sign-off, audit trail with photos |
Applications for payment + NEC4 support | Not available Complys is compliance not commercial - applications for payment lives elsewhere (Xero/Sage/dedicated tool) | Available Built-in support for applications for payment with NEC4 contract handling and CIS compliance |
Construction quotes / estimating | Available Quotes and invoices in Complys are standard sales-quote shape | Available Estimating with BOQ parsing via AI - deeper estimating workflow than Complys for builders pricing complex jobs |
Invoicing | Available | Available Site Samurai links quotes through to invoicing |
Fleet management | Partial Complys has vehicle records and daily checks but not full fleet management (fuel, maintenance schedules, etc) | Available Fleet module added per their about page roadmap |
Supply chain management | Not available Out of scope for Complys | Available Supply chain module added per their about page |
CIS subcontractor database | Partial Complys directory lists verified compliance profiles - not a database of CIS-registered subbies with payment status | Available SubbyPower partner integration provides UK CIS-verified subcontractor database |
Consortium tendering | Available Multi-firm joint tender submissions | Not available |
AI features
| Feature | Complys | Site Samurai |
|---|---|---|
AI RAMS generation | Available | Available Professional tier |
AI auto cover sheet generation | Available | Not available |
AI subcontractor RAMS adequacy review | Available | Not available |
AI tender response writing | Available | Available Site Samurai AI does tender opportunity discovery and contract risk review (via partner from GBP 149/mo) |
AI grants finder | Available | Not available |
AI toolbox talks generation | Coming Q4 2026 | Available Professional tier |
AI BOQ parsing for estimating | Not available Out of scope - Complys quotes are sales-quote shape not BOQ-priced builds | Available Headline Site Samurai AI feature - parse BOQs to accelerate pricing |
Pricing & plans
| Feature | Complys | Site Samurai |
|---|---|---|
Entry paid price | Available Share GBP 15/mo. Pro GBP 30/mo includes AI RAMS builder | Available Professional from GBP 50/mo (lowest tier with AI). Starter cheaper but no AI |
Free trial | Available 90-day free trial, no card required | Available 14-day free trial with full access to chosen plan |
Free forever tier | Available Compliance Sharer + Contractor Free | Not available Trial only - paid tiers required after 14 days |
Unlimited users on all plans | Available All Complys tiers include everyone on the team | Available Headline Site Samurai differentiator - unlimited users on every plan |
Support & setup
| Feature | Complys | Site Samurai |
|---|---|---|
Customer base claim | Partial Complys launched 2025, customer count growing - we do not publish a specific figure yet | Available Hundreds of UK construction companies per their about page |
Built by industry founders | Available Built by Tim, a working UK scaffolder running DDC Scaffolding alongside Complys | Available Built by ex-construction founders frustrated with spreadsheet chaos in their own businesses |
UK construction focus | Available | Available UK-focused, CDM 2015 / GDPR / Building Safety Act compliant |
Pricing comparison
Tiered by role and team size with flat monthly pricing. Free forever tiers (Compliance Sharer + Contractor Free). Share GBP 15/mo. Pro GBP 30/mo includes AI RAMS builder. Growth Plus, Diamond and larger tiers as you scale. All tiers include everyone on the team - no per-seat fees. 90-day free trial on any paid tier with no card.
See full Complys pricing →Three tiers: Starter (entry, no AI), Professional from GBP 50/mo (AI included - RAMS, toolbox talks, BOQ parsing, tender discovery), Enterprise (price on request). All plans include unlimited users at no extra cost. 14-day free trial with full access to chosen plan, cancel anytime. Tender review partner integration from GBP 149/mo with 25 percent discount for Site Samurai customers (free on Enterprise).
Site Samurai pricing (external) →Frequently asked questions
Is Complys cheaper than Site Samurai?
Complys Pro is GBP 30/mo with AI RAMS builder, Site Samurai Professional starts at GBP 50/mo for AI features. For RAMS plus AI, Complys is GBP 20/mo cheaper at the entry. Both offer unlimited users on their respective tiers. The comparison is not apples-to-apples though - Site Samurai Professional includes BOQ parsing, applications for payment, NEC4 support and snagging that Complys does not have. If you only need compliance, Complys wins on price. If you need the broader commercial workflow, Site Samurai may be worth the extra.
What is the real difference between Site Samurai and Complys?
Both are construction platforms that go well beyond RAMS - the difference is centre of gravity. Site Samurai is operations-led: commercial workflows are the core (applications for payment, NEC4 contracts, CIS, snagging, estimating, BOQ parsing). RAMS is one module among many. Complys is compliance-led: RAMS, training matrix, certificate tracking, subcontractor compliance, public worker directory. Commercial workflows are lighter (sales-quote shape rather than full BOQ-priced builds). If your daily problem is paying subbies correctly and tracking variations, Site Samurai. If your daily problem is keeping the H&S paperwork right and managing subbie compliance, Complys.
Can Site Samurai do AI subcontractor RAMS reviews like Complys?
No - Site Samurai AI helps you create RAMS but does not have the upload-a-subbie-PDF-get-a-verdict workflow. Complys subcontractor RAMS adequacy review gives you PASS / FAIL / BORDERLINE verdicts with specific feedback on incoming subbie RAMS. If you receive lots of subbie RAMS and need to check adequacy quickly, that is Complys-specific.
Does Complys have applications for payment and NEC4 support like Site Samurai?
No - applications for payment, NEC4 contracts and CIS payment workflows are core Site Samurai features that Complys does not have. Complys has quotes and invoices in standard sales-quote shape, suitable for trade firms billing client jobs. If you are working under NEC4 contracts with monthly applications for payment, Site Samurai is genuinely the better fit. If you bill clients straightforward quotes and invoices, Complys covers that.
Which is better for principal contractors managing subbies?
It depends what you mean by managing. For commercial side - paying subbies correctly with CIS, NEC4 applications, managing variations - Site Samurai is built for that workflow and partners with SubbyPower for CIS-verified subcontractor discovery. For compliance side - requesting and receiving compliance docs, AI-reviewing subbie RAMS for adequacy, tracking certificates, building a directory of trusted compliant subbies - Complys is built for that. Many principal contractors actually use both, each handling its own side.
Does Site Samurai have a public worker directory like Complys?
No - Site Samurai has SubbyPower partner integration for finding CIS-registered subcontractors, but not a public-facing directory of your own workforce with verified badges. Complys lists Compliance Share tier users in the public /directory with verified badges, which drives inbound enquiries from principal contractors searching for compliant trades. Different shape entirely.
Does Site Samurai have a free tier?
No - 14-day free trial only, then paid plans required. Complys has two genuinely free forever tiers: Compliance Sharer (any company sharing documents) and Contractor Free (principal contractors requesting compliance from subbies). AI features on Complys free tiers run on credit top-ups.
Can I use both Complys and Site Samurai together?
Yes - the products complement each other well. Site Samurai for commercial operations (estimating, applications for payment, NEC4, CIS, snagging) and Complys for compliance (RAMS, training, certificates, subbie compliance management, public directory). Many firms could legitimately use both. The duplication points are RAMS itself (only need one source of truth) and quotes/invoices (pick which tool handles client billing).
Also compare Complys with
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