When commercial and residential general contractors look to replace manual spreadsheets with modern compliance software, SubDoc and Billy (billyforinsurance.com) frequently stand out as leading construction-focused solutions.
While both platforms specialize in the construction industry, they solve different operational challenges. Billy operates as a broader accounts payable risk management suite, uniting Certificate of Insurance (COI) tracking with electronic lien waivers and native ERP payment blocks. SubDoc focuses specifically on automated insurance certificate intelligence: 5-second AI OCR parsing, passwordless magic links for trade brokers, and seamless 1-click payment hold exports for QuickBooks and Sage.
In this guide, we evaluate how SubDoc and Billy compare across feature sets, verification turnaround times, submission UX, and pricing transparency.
Side-by-Side Comparison: SubDoc vs Billy
The table below provides a comprehensive comparison of core capabilities, cost structures, and implementation timelines:
| Feature / Dimension | SubDoc | Billy |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Core Focus | Automated COI tracking, endorsement checks, & payment holds | Construction accounts payable, lien waivers, & COI tracking |
| Verification Engine & Speed | 5-second instant AI OCR ACORD 25 field extraction | AI Review Assistant document parsing |
| Pricing & Contract Terms | Published: Free ($0 up to 3 subs); Pro from $20/mo ($14/mo intro; $96/yr annual) | Custom volume-based enterprise quote ($3,500 to $10,000+/year) |
| Subcontractor Upload Experience | Passwordless magic upload link (zero logins or app downloads) | Vendor portal login account |
| Broker Delegation Workflow | Direct 1-click broker invite link (passwordless) | Broker portal request workflow |
| Vendor Onboarding Fee | 100% Free Forever for all trade subcontractors ($0) | $0 to vendors |
| Accounting & Payment Holds | 1-click CSV payment hold exports for QuickBooks, Sage, and Yardi | Native ERP payment blocks (Sage, Vista, CMiC, ProcorePay) |
| Setup & Implementation Lead Time | Self-service in 5 minutes (zero sales calls or setup fees) | 1 to 3 weeks (sales demo & onboarding configuration) |
AI Verification Engine: 5-Second Extraction
Both SubDoc and Billy use artificial intelligence to read Certificates of Insurance, replacing manual data entry.
SubDoc AI OCR Intelligence
- • 5-Second Extraction: Parses ACORD 25 fields instantly upon upload with 99%+ accuracy.
- • Visual Endorsement Check: Audits CG 20 10, CG 20 37, and CG 24 04 riders side-by-side with document previews.
- • Carrier Rating Verification: Cross-references issuing insurers with A.M. Best financial strength databases.
Billy AI Review Assistant
- • Document Parsing: Scans submitted ACORD forms and extracts coverage limits.
- • Endorsement Gap Flagging: Flags missing endorsement clauses for project managers.
- • AP Context: Connects COI compliance status with active subcontractor pay applications.
Pricing Transparency: Self-Service vs. Enterprise Quotes
One of the clearest differences between the two platforms is how you get started.
Billy requires general contractors to book sales demonstrations, negotiate annual contracts, and commit to custom volume-based enterprise proposals starting at $3,500 to $10,000+ per year.
SubDoc provides 100% transparent, self-service pricing:
- Free Forever Plan: Track up to 3 active subcontractors at $0 forever with complete AI OCR extraction.
- Pro Tier: Starts at $20/month ($14/month intro for the first 3 months; $96/year annual) with unlimited document storage and automated renewal emails.
- Zero Vendor Fees: Subcontractors and insurance agents never pay fees to submit paperwork.
Accounting Payment Gate: QuickBooks, Sage & Yardi
Both solutions prevent non-compliant subcontractors from being paid, but through different mechanisms:
- Billy: Features bi-directional ERP connectors that automatically lock vendor payments inside heavy enterprise systems like Sage 300, Viewpoint Vista, CMiC, and ProcorePay.
- SubDoc: Generates clean, 1-click CSV payment hold exports formatted specifically for QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage 100/300, and Yardi, giving controllers full control without complex API setup.
Decision Guide: Which Platform Fits Your Business?
- Choose Billy if: You are a mid-market or enterprise general contractor seeking an all-in-one accounts payable suite that manages lien waiver exchanges, W-9 collection, and direct ERP payment blocks inside Viewpoint Vista or ProcorePay.
- Choose SubDoc if: You want fast, dedicated software to automate Certificate of Insurance tracking, extract ACORD 25 forms in 5 seconds with AI OCR, send passwordless magic links to trade brokers, and export QuickBooks/Sage payment holds with zero sales calls.