At a glance: comparison table
A quick overview before the detailed reviews. The platform that is right for you depends primarily on your team size and whether you need inductions as a standalone tool or as part of a broader compliance workflow.
| Platform | Best for | Price | Hardware needed | Offline | All-in-one |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AttendIQ | Small-medium contractors wanting compliance + attendance + forms | From £4.50/worker/month | No | Yes | Yes |
| MSite / Infobric | Tier 1 large sites with hardware budgets | Not published | Yes (core) | Yes | Yes |
1. AttendIQ - best overall for small and medium UK contractors
AttendIQ was built specifically for the Tier 2 and Tier 3 construction market. It is not a generic HR tool with an induction module bolted on, and it is not enterprise software with a simplified pricing tier added as an afterthought. The platform is designed around the practical compliance needs of contractors running between 20 and 500 workers across one or more active sites.
What it does
Site inductions in AttendIQ are structured as site-specific sequences combining video content, quiz questions, and acknowledgement sections. Workers complete their induction on their phone - before arriving on site if required - and the completion record is stored automatically in each worker's digital passport. There is no paper to collect, no spreadsheet to update, and no chasing supervisors for sign-off sheets.
The key differentiator is enforcement. AttendIQ's access rules engine can block a worker from clocking in if they have not completed the required site induction. This is enforced at the gate, not just advisory. If a worker has not watched the induction video or failed the quiz, they are denied access until the requirement is met. For supply chain workers, induction completion can be required before mobilisation - so your PC can see that every subcontractor worker on their site has been inducted through your system, not just your own directly employed workforce.
Pricing
- Essential: £4.50 per worker per month (annual billing), £1,000 one-off setup fee
- Complete: £7.00 per worker per month (annual billing), £1,500 one-off setup fee
- Monthly billing available at higher rates
Pros
- All-in-one: inductions, attendance, competency tracking, digital forms, and payroll in one platform
- No hardware - workers use their own phone
- Live on the same day - no lengthy implementation project
- Induction completion enforced at the clock-in gate, not just tracked
- Supply chain portal included at no extra cost
- Offline capable: workers can complete inductions without a signal
- Full audit trail for HSE or personal injury claims
Cons
- Per-worker pricing means very small teams (under 20 workers) may find flat-rate alternatives cheaper depending on headcount
- One-off setup fee applies
Best for: Contractors with 20-500 workers who need site inductions as part of a broader compliance workflow rather than as a standalone document sign-off tool. Especially suited to contractors who supply workers to principal contractors and need to demonstrate compliance across their supply chain.
2. MSite / Infobric - enterprise only
MSite (now part of the Infobric group) is the dominant platform on Tier 1 UK construction projects. It powers access control on major infrastructure projects, integrates with physical turnstiles, and provides comprehensive workforce management for sites with hundreds or thousands of workers.
What it does
MSite combines digital site inductions, biometric access control, attendance, CSCS card verification, and supply chain management into a single platform. For a Tier 1 principal contractor running a £500m project with physical access control requirements, it is the right tool.
Why it is not the right choice for small contractors
MSite is not designed for companies with 20-100 workers. There is no public pricing - engagement begins with a sales process designed around enterprise procurement. Implementation typically takes weeks and requires hardware (access control terminals). The platform's depth becomes overhead for a small contractor who needs to be live tomorrow.
If your principal contractor requires you to register on MSite as part of site access, that is a separate process to your own workforce management platform. You do not need MSite yourself. You can use AttendIQ or an equivalent for your own records and export compliance reports to satisfy PC requirements.
Best for: Tier 1 principal contractors only. If you are a subcontractor or small-to-medium PC, MSite is the wrong tool for you regardless of its quality.
How to choose the right platform
The right tool depends on your team size, your compliance obligations, and whether you need inductions as a standalone capability or as part of a wider compliance workflow.
If you have 20 to 500 workers and need inductions as part of broader compliance: AttendIQ is the strongest fit. The combination of induction enforcement at clock-in, supply chain portal, competency tracking, and attendance in one platform removes the need to stitch together multiple tools. For contractors who need to demonstrate compliance to principal contractors - or who run their own supply chain - having one system of record is genuinely valuable.
If your principal contractor requires you to register on MSite: You do not need to buy MSite yourself. The PC is managing their site access through MSite; you are managing your own workers. Use AttendIQ (or an equivalent) for your own workforce records, inductions, and timesheets. Export compliance reports when the PC requests them. The two systems serve different purposes and there is no requirement for a subcontractor to run MSite internally.
Key questions to ask any vendor before buying:
- Does it enforce induction completion at clock-in - or is completion just recorded? There is a meaningful difference between a system that logs who completed an induction and one that physically prevents an un-inducted worker from clocking in.
- Does it handle supply chain workers? If you have subcontractors on your sites, can you require their workers to complete your site induction before they mobilise?
- Is there a genuine offline mode? Ask specifically: can a worker complete the full induction sequence with no mobile signal? Does it sync automatically when connection returns?
- What does the audit trail look like? If an HSE inspector or solicitor asks for proof that a specific worker completed a specific induction on a specific date, can you produce a timestamped, tamper-evident record?
- How long does setup actually take? "Live on day one" is a common marketing claim. Ask for a realistic timeline including content upload, user setup, and worker onboarding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best site induction software for small contractors?
For small UK construction contractors (under 100 workers), the best options are AttendIQ, The Site Book, and Keyzo. AttendIQ is the strongest all-in-one choice - it combines site inductions with attendance, competency tracking, and digital forms in one platform, starting from £4.50 per worker per month with no hardware required. The Site Book suits contractors who want RAMS-focused simplicity at a flat rate. Keyzo suits teams needing automated training workflows with QR verification.
Do small construction companies need site induction software?
Yes. Under CDM 2015, all workers must be inducted before starting on site regardless of company size. Paper sign-in sheets and email PDFs are difficult to defend in an HSE inspection or personal injury claim. Digital induction software provides an automatic audit trail, timestamped completion records, and the ability to update inductions when site conditions change - all without a paper trail to maintain.
How much does site induction software cost for small contractors?
Pricing varies significantly. AttendIQ starts from £4.50 per worker per month (annual billing) with a one-off setup fee. The Site Book offers flat-rate pricing starting around £50-100/month regardless of worker count, which suits very small teams. MSite and Infobric do not publish prices but are designed for larger Tier 1 operations. For most small contractors with 20-80 workers, budget £200-500/month for a full-featured platform.
Can site induction software work offline?
Yes - good construction induction apps work offline. Workers can complete inductions on their phone without a signal. Completion syncs to the server when connectivity returns. This is essential for sites in rural areas or basement works where mobile signal is poor.
What does CDM 2015 say about site inductions?
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 require the principal contractor to ensure that all workers on site receive suitable site induction before starting work. The induction must cover site-specific hazards, emergency procedures, welfare arrangements, and access routes. For smaller projects without a principal contractor, the contractor is responsible for inducting their own workers. The regulation does not specify format - paper and digital are both acceptable - but digital provides a more defensible audit trail.
How long should a site induction take?
A typical site induction takes 15 to 30 minutes when delivered digitally. This covers the mandatory content: site hazards and controls, emergency procedures, welfare facilities, permit-to-work requirements, and site rules. The advantage of digital induction is that workers can complete it before arriving on site - so they are not standing in a site cabin for half an hour on their first morning when they could be working. Refresher inductions (when site conditions change) can be delivered in 5-10 minutes as targeted updates rather than repeating the full induction.
Can I use one induction software system for multiple sites?
Yes - all of the platforms reviewed here support multiple sites. Each site has its own induction configured with site-specific content (hazards, emergency contacts, welfare locations). Workers who move between your sites see the induction for each new site before they access it. Some platforms allow you to share a common base induction across all sites and add site-specific sections on top, which reduces admin when running several projects simultaneously.