The inspection software market has changed significantly in the past 12 months. PE acquisitions, price increases, and now client portal advertising have inspectors reconsidering their tools. This is an honest comparison for Canadian inspectors.
We build Expert Check, so we have a bias — we'll be upfront about that. But we'll also be honest about where other platforms are genuinely better. You deserve to make an informed decision.
The comparison at a glance
| Feature | Expert Check | Spectora | ISN (PalmTech) | HomeGauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price (CAD) | $29.99 | ~$150–160 | ~$270+ | ~$100–120 |
| Pre-built narratives | 1,300+ | ~1,500 | Limited | ~800 |
| Offline support | ✓ Full PWA | ⚠ Partial | ✗ | ⚠ Desktop only |
| Client portal ads | ✓ None | ✗ Yes — mandatory | ✗ Third-party referrals | ✓ None |
| Canadian-built | ✓ Yes | ✗ No — US | ✗ No — US | ✗ No — US |
| Priced in CAD | ✓ Yes | ✗ No — USD | ✗ No — USD | ✗ No — USD |
| AI writing | ✓ Pro+ plan | ✓ Included | ✗ | ✗ |
| PE/Corporate owned | ✓ No | ✗ Yes — Radian | ✗ Yes — Porch Group | ✗ Yes — Radian |
Spectora
What Spectora does well
- Polished, modern interface with strong mobile reporting
- Large inspector community (Spectora HQ) with shared templates and peer advice
- AI writing assistance included in the base plan
- Website builder and marketing tools as add-ons
- Good ecosystem of third-party integrations
Where Spectora falls short for Canadians
- USD pricing — $109 USD/month becomes $150–160+ CAD after conversion, HST, and foreign transaction fees
- Now owned by Radian Capital (private equity) — pricing and product direction are no longer founder-driven
- Client portal advertising was introduced in 2026, and inspectors cannot opt out — your clients see third-party ads alongside your report
- Offline support is partial — some features require an active connection
- Not designed around Canadian inspection standards or provincial requirements
ISN + PalmTech
What ISN does well
- Comprehensive scheduling and office management — originally built for multi-inspector firms
- Deep integration between scheduling (ISN) and report writing (PalmTech)
- Long track record in the industry
Where ISN falls short for Canadians
- Owned by Porch Group — known for aggressive upselling and monetizing the client relationship through third-party referrals
- Combined cost of ISN + PalmTech is approximately $195 USD/month (~$270+ CAD) — the most expensive option by a wide margin
- No offline support at all
- Limited pre-built narrative library compared to competitors
- USD pricing with no Canadian billing option
HomeGauge
What HomeGauge does well
- No third-party ads in the client portal
- Established platform with a loyal user base
- More affordable than Spectora and ISN at ~$100–120 CAD/month
Where HomeGauge falls short for Canadians
- Acquired by Spectora/Radian Capital — future direction uncertain under PE ownership
- Desktop-heavy workflow with an aging UI that hasn't kept pace with mobile-first competitors
- Offline support limited to the desktop application — no mobile offline capability
- Smaller narrative library (~800) compared to Expert Check and Spectora
- USD pricing, US-built
Expert Check
What Expert Check does well
- Most affordable full-featured option at $29.99 CAD/month — priced in Canadian dollars
- 1,300+ pre-built InterNACHI narratives covering common Canadian inspection findings
- Full Progressive Web App with complete offline support — works in basements and rural areas with no signal
- No third-party ads in the client portal, ever
- Built by a Canadian inspector who understands the market
- Independently owned — no PE firm, no corporate parent monetizing your client relationships
- AI writing assistance available on Pro+ plan
- Built-in CRM, invoicing, calendar, and route planning
Where Expert Check falls short
- Newer platform — smaller community than Spectora
- Fewer third-party integrations currently available
- No website builder or marketing add-ons
- No multi-inspector team management (solo and small operations only for now)
Worth noting: ISN was one of the first platforms to monetize the client relationship through third-party referrals. Spectora appears to be following the same path.
Who each platform is best for
Spectora is best for:
- Multi-inspector firms in the US that need team management and a large community
- Inspectors who want a website builder and marketing tools from one vendor
- Those who prioritize community and peer templates over cost savings
ISN + PalmTech is best for:
- Large multi-inspector operations that need advanced scheduling and office management
- Firms already deeply integrated into the ISN ecosystem with established workflows
HomeGauge is best for:
- Inspectors comfortable with desktop-based workflows who want an ad-free client portal
- Those already invested in HomeGauge templates who don't want to switch
Expert Check is best for:
- Canadian solo inspectors and small operations who want professional software without the premium US price tag
- New inspectors starting their business who need to keep overhead low
- Any inspector who values offline reliability, ad-free client portals, and independent ownership
- Inspectors who want software priced in CAD without exchange rate surprises
Try Expert Check free for 14 days
No credit card. No currency conversion. No ads in your client portal. $29.99 CAD/month after trial.
Start Free Trial →Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest home inspection software in Canada?
Expert Check is the most affordable full-featured home inspection software available in Canada at $29.99 CAD/month. It includes 1,300+ pre-built narratives, offline support, AI writing assistance, CRM, invoicing, and calendar — all priced in Canadian dollars with no hidden fees.
Which inspection software has no ads?
Expert Check and HomeGauge do not display third-party ads in the client portal. Spectora introduced mandatory client portal advertising in April 2026, and ISN has long used third-party referral monetization through its platform.