ArkonOne vs SMART Scaffolder (CADS)
SMART Scaffolder is a modular UK suite for estimating, compliance and site paperwork. ArkonOne puts estimating, field operations and built-in accounting in one system.
Checked 2026-11-14
At a glance
SMART Scaffolder (CADS) is for
UK scaffold contractors using tube-and-fitting and system scaffolds: estimators, contracts managers and designers. The vendor is based in Broadstone, Dorset.
What SMART Scaffolder (CADS) does well
- 3D estimating that produces drawings, material lists and branded quotes.
- Compliance checks to BS EN 12811-1 and TG20:21, plus digital inspections, handovers, RAMS and forms on a phone.
- Imports IFC, DWG, DXF and PDF files, exports pricing to Xero, Sage and QuickBooks, and publishes from-prices for three modules.
Where SMART Scaffolder (CADS) stops
- No accounting module. Invoicing, wages, labour and enquiries modules are listed as coming in 2027.
- No inventory or yard management published.
- The Revit add-in is early access only.
- System requirements are not published.
ArkonOne is for
ArkonOne is for scaffolding and trade businesses that want estimating, crews, stock and books in one system, with unlimited users on every plan.
Feature by feature
| Feature | ArkonOne | SMART Scaffolder (CADS) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and estimating | Yes Estimating, bids, quotes and price lists | Yes SMART Estimator: 3D models, material lists, quotesVendor home page and CADS product page. |
| 3D scaffold design | Yes 3D scaffold designer (Complete plan) | Yes 3D estimating plus compliance design checksEstimator and Compliance modules; Revit add-in is early access. |
| AI estimating | Yes Type, say or sketch a job (Complete plan) | Not published Not publishedNo AI estimating listed. AI assistance is mentioned only for SMART Forms. |
| Field operations and jobs | Yes Jobs, crews, work orders, inspections, daily reports | Yes Manager, Inspector, Handover, RAMS, FormsMobile apps with photos and signatures, per the vendor. |
| Scheduling and dispatch | Yes Crew calendar, dispatch board, trucks and driver app | Not published Not publishedCrew scheduling and dispatch are not described on the pages we read. |
| Inventory and rental | Yes Stock, shipments, rental agreements, lost and damaged items | Not offered No inventory or yard management publishedExtra hire is listed as a form; yard stock management is not published. |
| Accounting | Yes Built-in books on Complete; QuickBooks and Xero sync optional | Via integration Pricing export to Xero, Sage, QuickBooksInvoicing and wages modules are listed as coming in 2027. |
| Financial reports | Yes Profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, job profitability | Not published Not publishedNo financial reports are listed on the vendor pages. |
| Multiple locations | Yes Multiple locations and legal entities (Complete plan) | Not published Not publishedNo multi-location feature is described on the pages we read. |
| AI features | Yes AI estimating, AI phone receptionist, Help assistant | Partial AI assistance in SMART FormsVendor home page. No other AI features published. |
| Platform | Yes Web browser and mobile app | Partial Desktop estimating, mobile apps, cloud reportsOperating system requirements are not published. |
| Pricing | $99, $399 or $999 per month, unlimited users | Modular subscription, from GBP 75 to 325 per monthCompliance from GBP 75 per company, Manager from GBP 140, Estimator from GBP 325, excl. VAT, checked 2026-11-14. Other modules: not published. |
| Setup fee | None shown on the ArkonOne price list | Not published; free 8-week onboardingThe vendor says new customers get free 8-week onboarding. |
| Per-user fees | None: every plan has unlimited users | Not publishedCompliance is quoted per company. The basis for Manager and Estimator is not stated. |
What you may still need next to SMART Scaffolder (CADS)
SMART Scaffolder customers typically cover estimating, compliance and site forms in the suite, then add other tools for the business side.
| Accounting package | The suite exports pricing to Xero, Sage or QuickBooks. Invoicing and wages modules are listed as coming in 2027. | not published |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory or yard management | No inventory or yard management module is published. | not published |
| Scheduling and dispatch tool | Crew scheduling is not described on the vendor pages we read. | not published |
What it costs: a 10-person business
10 users, hosted plans, list prices published on 2026-11-14, no discounts, rounded. SMART prices are published in GBP, excl. VAT, and are not converted.
| Item | Per year | How it was worked out |
|---|---|---|
| SMART Compliance (GBP) | 900 | from GBP 75 per month per company x 12 |
| SMART Manager (GBP) | 1,680 | from GBP 140 per month x 12; the per-user basis is not stated, so this may be higher for 10 users |
| SMART Estimator (GBP) | 3,900 | from GBP 325 per month x 12; the per-user basis is not stated |
| Total | at least GBP 6,480 per year for three modules (from-prices, excl. VAT). Accounting, inventory and other modules: not published. | |
| ArkonOne | ArkonOne Complete: $11,988 per year ($999 x 12), unlimited users. Starter: $4,788 per year. | |
Where ArkonOne goes further
Books built in, not exported to
SMART Scaffolder exports pricing to Xero, Sage and QuickBooks, and lists invoicing and wages modules for 2027. ArkonOne Complete includes a general ledger, profit and loss, balance sheet, AR and AP and bank reconciliation today. QuickBooks and Xero sync is optional.
Stock and crews in the same system
ArkonOne has inventory and stock, shipments, lost and damaged stock, crew scheduling, a dispatch board, trucks and a driver app. The job, the stock and the crew sit in one record instead of separate tools.
Unlimited users on every plan
ArkonOne plans are $99, $399 and $999 per month with unlimited users, so there are no per-user or per-technician fees. SMART's from-prices are per module, and the per-user basis is not published for Manager and Estimator.
Estimating with working shown
On Complete, you can type, say or sketch a job, add photos or PDFs, and get a material list with the working shown, install and dismantle labour hours, price, margin and a stock check. The 3D scaffold designer is also on Complete.
Switching from SMART Scaffolder (CADS)
Moving from SMART Scaffolder to ArkonOne does not need a big-bang switch. You can test with your own data first and keep your current tool running until you are ready.
- Sign up for the 7-day free trial (no credit card).
- Import your customers and items with the importer.
- Run ArkonOne next to your current tool on a few live jobs.
- Switch over when the numbers match and your crews are comfortable.
The 7-day trial includes everything, and the importer brings in customers and items. ArkonOne Owned ($29,900 one time) includes free migration of existing data.
Questions people ask
Is ArkonOne an alternative to SMART Scaffolder?
Partly. Both cover scaffold estimating and field work. ArkonOne adds built-in accounting, inventory and scheduling in one system. SMART adds UK-specific compliance checks to BS EN 12811-1 and TG20:21, which ArkonOne does not state.
How much does SMART Scaffolder cost compared with ArkonOne?
SMART publishes from-prices in GBP, excl. VAT, as of 2026-11-14: Compliance from 75 per month, Manager from 140, Estimator from 325. Other modules are not published. ArkonOne is $99, $399 or $999 per month with unlimited users.
Can I switch from SMART Scaffolder to ArkonOne?
Yes. Start the 7-day free trial, import customers and items with the importer, and run both tools in parallel before you switch.
What does SMART Scaffolder do better?
It publishes UK compliance checks (BS EN 12811-1, TG20:21), imports BIM and CAD files such as IFC, DWG and DXF, and offers a free 8-week onboarding. If UK compliance design is your main need, it is a strong fit.
Does ArkonOne show a setup fee?
The ArkonOne price list shows no setup fee. SMART's setup fees are not published; the vendor says onboarding for new customers is free for 8 weeks.
Compare with other products
Try ArkonOne free for 7 days
Full access, no credit card. The ArkonOne price list shows no setup fee. Monthly plans, cancel from your subscription screen.
Start your free 7-day trial See ArkonOne pricing