When it comes to managing construction compliance, choosing the right software can make or break your workflows. Two of the top contenders, SmartCompliance and Billy, both offer valuable tools to streamline certificate of insurance (COI) tracking, automate documentation, and reduce compliance risk.

But how do they really stack up?

Let’s break down the features, strengths, and limitations of both platforms, so you can choose the best fit for your team, your budget, and your projects.

Why Use a Construction Compliance App?

Before diving into the head-to-head comparison, it’s important to understand why construction teams are adopting compliance software in growing numbers and how these tools are reshaping project management across the industry.

Compliance in construction isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about protecting your business, your clients, and your timeline. Between evolving regulations, layers of subcontractors, and the constant shuffle of insurance documents, managing compliance manually is not only time-consuming, it’s risky.

That’s where construction compliance apps come in. These digital platforms are designed to help general contractors, compliance officers, and project managers:

• Stay organized
• Avoid delays
• Reduce liability
• Simplify communication across teams
  

Here’s what modern compliance tools bring to the table:

Efficiency Through Automation

Say goodbye to spreadsheets, email chains, and missed follow-ups. Compliance apps automate routine tasks, like requesting certificates, tracking expirations, and sending renewal reminders, so your team can focus on the work that actually moves projects forward.

Accuracy You Can Trust

Manual processes often lead to human error: misplaced documents, overlooked expiration dates, and incorrect insurance details. Compliance software digitizes and centralizes your records, minimizing errors and keeping documentation accurate, up-to-date, and audit-ready.

Real-Time Visibility

When you’re managing multiple projects and vendors, visibility is everything. These tools offer dashboards and status tracking that allow you to see exactly which vendors are compliant, and which ones aren’t, so you can take quick, informed action.

Proactive Risk Management

Non-compliance can lead to serious issues: project delays, regulatory fines, or legal exposure. By automating alerts and tracking, compliance tools help you catch risks early, before they become costly problems.

Better Communication with Subs & Stakeholders

Centralized communication features, like shared portals or subcontractor dashboards, ensure everyone is aligned. Whether you’re working with 5 subs or 500, you can streamline document collection, clarify responsibilities, and reduce follow-up time.

Construction compliance software isn’t just a convenience, it’s a strategic advantage in a fast-paced, regulation-heavy industry. 

SmartCompliance: Built for Bigger, More Complex Projects

SmartCompliance is designed with large-scale construction firms in mind. It brings powerful automation, strong integrations, and customizable features that support intricate compliance requirements.

Key Features

• Automated Documentation: Automatically creates and updates compliance documents to match current regulations.
  
• Custom Alerts: Set reminders for upcoming expirations and project-specific milestones.
  
• Seamless Integrations: Connects with other project management and back-office tools for a centralized system.
  
• User-Friendly Interface: Despite its robust features, the platform is intuitive and easy to navigate.

Key Benefits

• Saves Time with automation across compliance processes
• Reduces Risk of non-compliance with real-time updates
• Enhances Communication between stakeholders and teams

Considerations

• Learning Curve: Teams unfamiliar with digital tools may need initial training.
• Cost: The pricing structure may be better suited for mid-to-large companies with more complex needs.

Billy: Built for Construction, Powered by Simplicity

Billy is purpose-built for the construction industry, offering a streamlined, AI-powered platform that simplifies certificate of insurance tracking for general contractors, subcontractors, and project managers alike. Designed with construction workflows in mind, Billy eliminates busywork, automates risk management, and keeps everyone on the same page.

Key Features

• AI-Powered Tracking: Billy uses artificial intelligence to extract, verify, and monitor insurance data, flagging compliance gaps and expiration risks in real-time.
  
• Designed for Construction Teams: Billy was created specifically for the construction industry, which means every feature, from document requests to project-based tracking, is tailored to how your team actually works.
  
• Subcontractor-Friendly Workflows: Collecting COIs from subs is often a bottleneck. Billy makes it easy for subcontractors to upload their documents, speeding up approvals and reducing follow-up.
  
• Mobile-First Experience: Access COIs, track compliance, and communicate with subs, all from the jobsite. Billy’s mobile tools keep you connected and compliant, wherever work happens.
  
• Automated Alerts & Reminders: Billy automatically notifies you (and your subs) of expiring documents, missing endorsements, and upcoming deadlines, so nothing slips through the cracks.
  
• Task & Project Management: Assign, track, and manage compliance tasks across teams, all within one dashboard.

Why Contractors Love Billy

• AI That Does the Heavy Lifting: Let the platform scan and verify COIs for accuracy and compliance, saving hours of manual review.
  
• No More Chasing Subs: Billy’s Insurance Wallet and automated reminders make it easy for subs to submit the right docs on time, without constant back-and-forth.
  
• Built for the Field: Billy’s mobile-first approach means teams can check compliance status, view COIs, and assign tasks without ever leaving the jobsite.
  
• Fast Onboarding, Zero Complexity: With a clean, intuitive interface, Billy is easy to roll out; no training team or IT department required.
  
• Affordable and Scalable: Whether you’re managing one jobsite or two hundred, Billy’s pricing and features scale with your business.
  

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re building skyscrapers or managing local renovation projects, compliance isn’t something you can afford to get wrong. The right platform can streamline your processes, reduce risk, and help your team stay ahead of deadlines and regulations.

Both SmartCompliance and Billy offer solid solutions, but which one fits your operations depends on:

• Team size and technical comfort
• Your ideal level of automation
• Integration needs
• Your budget
  

Take the time to assess what matters most to your team. A smart investment in compliance software today can save you serious time, money, and stress down the line.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Explore how Billy helps contractors, vendors and compliance teams simplify COI tracking with intuitive tools, mobile-first access, and smart automation. Reach out to start your free trial today!

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