Skip to main content
The Site Book
Start free

2026 comparison guide

Best RAMs App Alternatives for UK Builders (2026)

RAMs App is a popular choice, but it is not the only option. Here are the best alternatives for creating RAMS and managing construction compliance in the UK.

Why look at alternatives?

RAMs App does a good job at what it does — providing a template-based library for creating risk assessments and method statements. It has helped thousands of UK builders produce professional RAMS quickly.

But every builder is different. Maybe you want documents created from a job description instead of browsing templates. Maybe you need more than just RAMS — you want your CPP, site inductions, and COSHH records all in one place. Maybe you are a sole trader looking for a free tier, or a larger firm needing enterprise features. Whatever your reason, it is worth knowing what else is out there.

We have put together this guide to help you compare the main options. We have tried to be fair — every tool has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on your situation.

The best RAMs App alternatives for 2026

Five options compared — from full compliance platforms to the trusty Word template.

1. The Site BookBest for small builders

Sole traders and small builders who want site-specific documents from a job description

Complete compliance platform built specifically for sole traders and small builders. Describe your job in plain English and get site-specific RAMS, CPP, site inductions, COSHH records, and more — all created from one project description.

Price: Free tier, then from £39/mo

Pros

  • Site-specific RAMS created from a job description
  • Free tier available — no credit card required
  • Full document suite: CPP, site inductions, COSHH, emergency plan, F10
  • Fully mobile-friendly — works on your phone in the van
  • Compliance dashboard tracks everything in one place
  • Transparent pricing with no enterprise-only plans

Cons

  • Newer platform — still building its track record
  • Smaller template library than established competitors
2. HandsHQ

Mid-to-large contractors with dedicated H&S teams

Award-winning, enterprise-grade compliance platform trusted by many of the UK’s largest contractors. Offers a large template library with a powerful editor, team collaboration features, and detailed reporting.

Price: Contact for pricing

Pros

  • Award-winning platform with a strong industry reputation
  • Large, curated template library covering many trades
  • Team collaboration and approval workflows
  • Trusted by major UK contractors

Cons

  • Enterprise pricing — contact for a quote
  • Requires a demo and onboarding process to get started
  • Not specifically designed for sole traders or very small firms
  • Desktop-focused workflow
3. CDM Wizard

Builders new to CDM 2015 who want to understand the basics

A free, CITB-backed tool that helps builders understand CDM 2015 and produce a basic Construction Phase Plan. It is a great learning resource and starting point for anyone new to construction compliance.

Price: Free

Pros

  • Completely free — no cost at all
  • CITB-backed with credible industry support
  • Good educational tool for understanding CDM 2015 basics
  • Simple and straightforward to use

Cons

  • CPP only — no RAMS, no site inductions, no COSHH
  • Basic checklist output, not a full professional document
  • No AI — everything is manual
  • Limited to learning and basic CPP creation
4. Sitepass

Large sites needing worker tracking and site access control

A workforce management and site access control platform. Sitepass focuses on managing who is on your site, tracking competencies, and controlling site access — rather than creating compliance documents.

Price: Contact for pricing

Pros

  • Strong workforce management and site access control
  • Competency tracking across large workforces
  • Good for large sites with many workers coming and going
  • Integrates with access control hardware

Cons

  • Focused on site access, not document creation
  • Not designed for RAMS or CPP creation
  • Enterprise-oriented — overkill for small domestic jobs
  • Contact for pricing — not transparent
5. DIY with Word or Excel templates

Builders who genuinely enjoy paperwork (there are not many)

The traditional approach: download a template from the internet, open it in Word or Excel, and fill in the blanks yourself. It costs nothing and you have full control, but it takes time and there is always a risk of missing something important.

Price: Free

Pros

  • Free — no subscription cost
  • Familiar tools that most people already have
  • Full control over every word in the document
  • No learning curve for the software itself

Cons

  • Time-consuming — easily an hour or more per document
  • Risk of missing critical sections or using outdated templates
  • Not site-specific — generic templates do not reflect your actual job
  • No compliance tracking — you have to manage everything yourself
  • No digital sign-offs, no audit trail, no dashboard

How to choose the right tool

There is no single best option for everyone. The right tool depends on your specific situation. Here are the key questions to ask yourself:

How big is your team?

If you are a sole trader or have a team of under 10, you probably do not need enterprise features. Look for something lightweight and affordable. If you have 10+ people and a dedicated H&S manager, enterprise tools like HandsHQ may be worth the investment.

What is your budget?

Free options exist (CDM Wizard, Word templates) but they come with trade-offs in quality and coverage. Mid-range options like The Site Book start from £39/mo (u00a330/mo on annual plan) with a free tier. Enterprise platforms like HandsHQ require contacting sales for pricing. Be realistic about what you can afford, but also consider the cost of your time.

What documents do you actually need?

If you only need RAMS, a focused tool might be enough. But most projects need more: a CPP, site inductions, emergency plan, and potentially COSHH records and F10 notifications. Getting everything from one platform saves time and keeps things consistent.

Do you want AI or templates?

Templates work well if you know exactly what you need and prefer to customise from a known starting point. AI works well if you want documents created from your specific job details without hunting through a library. Both approaches produce professional output — it is a question of workflow preference.

How quickly do you need to get started?

Some platforms require a demo and onboarding process. Others let you sign up and create your first document in minutes. If you have a job starting on Monday and need documents now, look for something you can start using immediately.

The bottom line

RAMs App is a solid tool and there is nothing wrong with using it. But if you are looking for something different — whether that is job-specific documents, a broader compliance suite, a free starting point, or enterprise-grade features — there are good alternatives available in 2026.

For sole traders and small builders, we obviously think The Site Book is the best option (we would, we built it). But we genuinely believe in trying before you buy. The free tier lets you create your first RAMS and CPP without paying a penny, so you can judge for yourself.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to RAMs App?

It depends on what you need. For sole traders and small builders who want site-specific documents and the full compliance suite (RAMS, CPP, site inductions, COSHH, F10), The Site Book is the strongest option. For mid-to-large contractors with dedicated H&S teams, HandsHQ offers enterprise-grade features. For builders brand new to CDM 2015, CDM Wizard is a useful free starting point. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and what documents you need.

Are there any free RAMS generators?

Yes. The Site Book offers a free tier that lets you create a full, site-specific RAMS for your first project — no credit card required. Describe your job and a complete Risk Assessment and Method Statement is produced — with hazard identification, control measures, method of work, PPE requirements, and emergency procedures. You can also find basic Word and Excel templates online for free, but these require you to fill in everything yourself and are not site-specific.

Which RAMS software is best for sole traders?

The Site Book is designed specifically for sole traders and small builders. It offers transparent pricing starting from £39/mo (u00a330/mo on annual plan) with a free tier to get started, works on your phone, and creates site-specific documents from a plain English job description — no H&S qualifications or template libraries to navigate. It also covers more than just RAMS, giving you CPP, site inductions, COSHH, and a compliance dashboard all in one place.

Can I use RAMs App and another tool together?

There is nothing stopping you from using multiple tools, but it is usually better to keep everything in one platform. Using one tool for RAMS and another for CPP and site inductions means duplicating project information, managing multiple subscriptions, and losing the benefit of having all your compliance data in one place. Tools like The Site Book are designed to handle the full suite from a single project description.

New to RAMS?

Read our plain-English guide to Risk Assessments and Method Statements — what they are, when you need them, and common mistakes to avoid.

What is RAMS? →

See also

vs RAMs App

Job-specific vs template-based RAMS.

vs HandsHQ

Enterprise vs small builder.

vs CDM Wizard

From learning to producing.

Try The Site Book free

Create your first RAMS in minutes. No credit card required. See how job-specific documents compare to templates.

Start free trialSee pricing

All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. Use of these names does not imply endorsement. Information is based on publicly available data as of March 2026.