Comparisons
Nakelo or Elper?
Elper, formerly hoptimize, is Montreal software in French, English and Spanish, with data hosted in Quebec: estimates approved online at a fixed price, by the hour or cost plus, deposits, a site log, a GPS time clock, budget versus actual costs, purchase orders and an integration with Sage, Acomba and QuickBooks. It charges per company plus an amount per active employee. Nakelo adds what’s specific to renovation in Quebec: legal hypothecs, RBQ licences, holdbacks on both sides and change orders born from the client’s selections, with email and team chat in the same app. If your crews’ GPS time clock comes first, Elper is an excellent choice.
Comparison made in October 2026; check each provider’s current offer.
In short
Nakelo fits best for…
Quebec renovation contractors who want to follow their projects from the estimate to the release, with change orders, holdbacks and legal hypothecs, at one price.
Elper fits best for…
Contractors in every trade who mostly want estimates, their crews’ GPS time clock and cost tracking, with Sage or Acomba.
Side by side
| Criterion | Nakelo | Elper |
|---|---|---|
| Made in Quebec | NakeloYes, A Quebec company, data in Montreal | ElperYes, A Montreal company, data in Quebec |
| French interface | NakeloYes, French first, English if you prefer | ElperYes, French, English and Spanish |
| Estimates | NakeloYes, By section, options, allowances, markup, signed online | ElperYes, Fixed price, hourly or cost plus, approved online |
| Change orders and selections | NakeloYes, Approved online; a pick above the allowance becomes a change order | ElperNot mentioned on its site |
| Holdbacks | NakeloYes, On the client’s payment schedule and on subcontractors’ invoices | ElperNot mentioned on its site |
| Legal hypothecs and RBQ licences | NakeloYes, Notices and releases tracked; licences checked against the RBQ’s list | ElperNot mentioned on its site |
| Hours on site | NakeloYes, Hours and purchases per project, with a photo of the receipt | ElperYes, GPS time clock |
| Costs per project | NakeloYes, Hours, purchases and subcontractor invoices tracked per project | ElperYes, Budget versus actual, purchase orders |
| Accounting | NakeloYes, QuickBooks both ways, export for Acomba and Sage 50 | ElperYes, Sage, Acomba and QuickBooks |
| Email, team chat, signature, files | NakeloYes, Included in the same app | ElperIn part, Focused on estimates, the site and costs |
| Price | Nakelo$99 a month plus taxes; AI by usage | ElperAn amount per company plus one per active employee; onboarding fee on monthly |
Comparison made in October 2026; check each provider’s current offer.
Choose Elper if…
- Your crews’ GPS time clock matters most.
- You often bill by the hour or cost plus.
- You work in trades other than renovation and your accountant is in Sage or Acomba.
Choose Nakelo if…
- You want to track legal hypothecs and check your subcontractors’ RBQ licences.
- You handle holdbacks on both sides and change orders born from the client’s picks.
- You want schedules that skip Quebec holidays and the construction holiday.
- You want one price for the whole team, with no amount per employee.
- You want email, team chat, e-signature and an AI assistant in the same app.
Switching to Nakelo
Elper exports its reports to Excel; for your client list, ask its support for the file. 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, from Elper’s file.
- Your current projects stay in Elper: upcoming projects start here from an estimate.
- The import also knows Buildertrend, JobTread and Jobber.
Frequently asked questions
Elper and Nakelo are both from Quebec: what’s the difference?
Elper is strong on estimates, the GPS time clock and cost tracking, for every construction trade. Nakelo is made for renovation: change orders born from the client’s selections, holdbacks on both sides, legal hypothecs, RBQ licences, and email and team chat in the same app.
Does Nakelo check RBQ licences?
Yes. The app checks licences against the RBQ’s public list of licence holders, updated weekly, and prints your licence number on your estimates. For a large contract, also check on the RBQ’s website.
Can I import my clients from Elper?
Yes, from an Excel or CSV file of your clients: the guided import matches the columns, with a preview and a one-click undo. Your current projects stay in Elper.
How much does Nakelo cost compared with Elper?
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. Elper charges per company plus an amount per active employee: compare with the prices on its site.
Try Nakelo with your real data
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See the app for renovation contractors