Comparisons
Nakelo or Billdr?
Billdr is a Montreal company that presents its software as general contractors’ “AI operating system”: an AI estimator, change orders, invoices, a site log, portals for the client and subcontractors, purchase orders, profit per project and an AI receptionist. Its site is in French, but its app is listed in English only, and its terms let its AI act and send messages on your behalf. Nakelo is French first, tracks legal hypothecs, checks RBQ licences and handles holdbacks on both sides, and nothing its assistant does reaches a client without your OK. If you want to hand as much as possible to AI, take a close look at Billdr.
Comparison made in October 2026; check each provider’s current offer.
In short
Nakelo fits best for…
Quebec renovation contractors and small general contractors who want a French tool that knows local rules, at one price.
Billdr fits best for…
General contractors who want an AI to estimate, answer leads and act for them, with portals for subcontractors.
Side by side
| Criterion | Nakelo | Billdr |
|---|---|---|
| Made in Quebec | NakeloYes, A Quebec company, data in Montreal | BilldrYes, A Montreal company |
| French interface | NakeloYes, French first, English if you prefer | BilldrIn part, Site in French; app listed in English |
| Estimating | NakeloYes, By section, options, allowances, markup, signed online | BilldrYes, AI estimator, estimates approved in the portal |
| Change orders and selections | NakeloYes, Approved online; a pick above the allowance becomes a change order | BilldrYes, Change orders; selections on higher plans |
| Progress billing and holdbacks | NakeloYes, Payment schedule with holdback, client side and subcontractor side | BilldrIn part, Progress billing on the top plan; holdbacks not mentioned |
| Legal hypothecs | NakeloYes, Notices, releases and deadlines tracked per project | BilldrNot mentioned on its site |
| RBQ licences | NakeloYes, Checked against the RBQ’s public list, updated weekly | BilldrNot mentioned on its site |
| AI assistant | NakeloYes, Nothing reaches a client without your OK; everything undoes in one click | BilldrYes, Copilot, estimator and receptionist that can act on your behalf |
| Getting your data out | NakeloYes, Export your app whenever you want | BilldrNo published steps; its terms ask you to keep your own copies |
| Data hosting | NakeloYes, In Canada (Montreal), tools for Law 25 | BilldrIn Canada or the United States |
| Price | Nakelo$99 a month plus taxes; AI by usage | BilldrPlans by number of users, billed yearly, quarterly or monthly |
Comparison made in October 2026; check each provider’s current offer.
Choose Billdr if…
- You want an AI to prepare your estimates and answer your leads at any hour.
- You want portals for your subcontractors, with bid requests.
- Your office is fine with an app in English.
Choose Nakelo if…
- You want to track legal hypothecs: notices received, releases and deadlines after the work ends.
- You want to check your subcontractors’ RBQ licences and print yours on your estimates.
- You handle holdbacks on both sides.
- You want an AI assistant that never talks to a client without your OK, and whose work undoes in one click.
- You want an app in French, with email and e-signature in the same app, at one price.
Switching to Nakelo
Billdr doesn’t publish steps to export your data: ask its support for a file of your clients (Excel or CSV). Nakelo’s guided import matches the columns for you, shows what will be created before confirming, and the whole import undoes in one click.
- Clients and leads, from the file Billdr sends.
- Your current projects stay in Billdr: upcoming projects start here from an estimate.
- The import also knows Buildertrend, JobTread and Jobber.
Frequently asked questions
Billdr and Nakelo are both from Quebec: what’s the difference?
Billdr bets on an AI that estimates, answers leads and can act on your behalf, with portals for subcontractors. Nakelo is French first and follows Quebec’s rules: legal hypothecs, RBQ licences, holdbacks, schedules in Quebec working days, and its assistant never talks to a client without your OK.
Does Nakelo handle construction legal hypothecs?
Yes. For each project, the app tracks the contract notices received from subcontractors and suppliers, what is still owed to them until their release, the end of the work and the deadlines that follow.
Can I import my data from Billdr?
Yes for your clients and leads, from the file its support sends you: the guided import matches the columns, with a preview and a one-click undo. Your current projects stay in Billdr.
How much does Nakelo cost compared with Billdr?
Nakelo costs $99 a month for the whole team, plus taxes, with a 14-day free trial; AI assistant usage is added based on what you use. Billdr has several plans by number of users: compare with the prices on its site.
Try Nakelo with your real data
Your app is ready in under a minute. 14 days free, no credit card, then $99 a month plus taxes.
See the app for renovation contractors