The best Bidhive alternatives in 2026 are Loopio for teams that want a mature answer library and questionnaire automation, a soft FM specialist at #2 for cleaning, security and facilities contractors, and AI Tender Writer for UK SMEs that want matched tender alerts, fit scoring and AI drafting in one tool. Responsive, AutogenAI and mytender.io cover enterprise response management and dedicated AI bid writing. Frankly, most small teams don't need a full bid management system at all.
Bidhive is a capable bid management system, and teams that run lots of live bids often like its structure. People look for Bidhive alternatives when their main problem sits somewhere else: they want AI that writes full answers rather than helps manage the process, they want UK tenders delivered to them, or they want a price they can see before booking a demo. The six tools below are ranked on those needs, each with pricing, best-fit and limits sections.
Bidhive at a glance¶
Bidhive is a cloud bid management platform based in Australia. It digitises the bid process from opportunity through to post-bid review: planning, task management, compliance matrices, a content library, reporting and generative AI to help draft and review content. It links to SharePoint, Google Drive and Dropbox, and has included an opportunity search built on open contracting data covering the UK and Australian governments.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What it is | Bid management platform with generative AI features |
| Pricing | Not published; sold on a quote basis |
| Free plan or trial | Check with the vendor; no public price list |
| Best suited to | Bid teams coordinating many live bids and wanting a structured process |
| UK tender feed | Opportunity search based on open contracting data; not a matched UK alert service |
Based on Bidhive's website, the Open Contracting Partnership case study and third-party reviews, checked September 2026.
Independent reviews describe Bidhive as strong on workflow and bid governance. The fair limits they raise are that it's quote-only, that it's less suited as a primary writing tool (one review suggests pairing it with a dedicated writing or library tool), and that UK and EU buyers should check data residency, since the company is based in Australia. Those are the gaps the alternatives below fill.
| Feature | Bidhive | Loopio | CleanTender | AI Tender Writer | Responsive | AutogenAI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full AI drafting from your content | ||||||
| Bid workflow and task management | ||||||
| Matched UK tender alerts | ||||||
| AI bid/no-bid or fit scoring | ||||||
| Published pricing | ||||||
| Free plan |
Based on each vendor's public website in September 2026. Features change often, so check before you buy.
How we picked these Bidhive alternatives¶
We picked tools that bid teams realistically compare with Bidhive: response and bid platforms with AI, and AI tender writers. We then rated them as a UK supplier would, bidding on Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland and Sell2Wales.
- Writing: can the AI produce a full, evidenced answer, or only suggest snippets?
- Workflow: tasks, reviews and deadlines for teams running several bids at once.
- Finding work: matched UK tender alerts and a quick bid/no-bid check.
- UK fit: Procurement Act 2023, PPN 002 social value and UK data handling.
- Price transparency and a way to try it without a long sales cycle.
- Set-up effort for a small team versus a large bid function.
1. Loopio: Best for teams answering repeat questionnaires¶
Loopio
Best for teams answering repeat questionnairesRFP response software built around a content library.
Pricing
Quote on request
Loopio is one of the most widely used response management platforms for RFPs, security questionnaires and due diligence forms. It pairs a governed answer library with review cycles, assignments and AI that suggests and auto-fills answers. It's the natural step for Bidhive users who want stronger content management with solid collaboration.
- Answer library with review cycles
- AI-suggested responses
- Bulk auto-fill of questionnaires
- Collaboration and assignments
- CRM and document connections
Pros
- Mature, widely used content library
- Strong for repetitive questionnaires
- Good collaboration and review features
Cons
- No UK public-sector tender feed
- Less suited to long narrative method statements
Verdict: The best Bidhive alternative for teams that live in a shared answer library.
Visit LoopioLoopio pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Quote on request | Pricing not published | Contact the vendor for a quote based on your team size and scope |
When to choose Loopio
- You answer lots of similar questionnaires, including security and due diligence forms.
- You want answers owned, reviewed and kept current.
- You need CRM and document connections for private-sector RFPs.
Where Loopio falls short
- Pricing not published.
- Library-first, so long public-sector method statements need more manual writing.
- No UK tender feed or fit scoring.
2. CleanTender: Best for facilities management SMEs¶
CleanTender
Best for facilities management SMEsAI tender writing built for UK soft FM.
Pricing
Free plan (1 scan a month); Pro £99/month or £990/year
CleanTender runs the same AI engine as AI Tender Writer, specialised for cleaning, security, grounds maintenance, waste and catering contracts. It finds soft FM tenders, checks them against sector compliance requirements and drafts method statements in the language FM evaluators expect.
- Soft FM tender feed
- Compliance checks for BICSc, COSHH, SIA/ACS, BS 7858, HACCP, FHRS and waste carrier licences
- NHS cleaning specification awareness
- AI method statements and SQ answers
- Social value generator
- Free plan
Pros
- Sector-specific compliance checks
- Lowest published price on this list
- Finds soft FM tenders as well as writing them
Cons
- Soft FM only
- Lighter bid workflow than Bidhive
Verdict: The best Bidhive alternative for cleaning, security and soft FM contractors.
Visit CleanTenderCleanTender pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | Soft FM tender feed, 1 AI scan a month |
| Pro (monthly) | £99/month | AI drafting, soft FM compliance checks and full tender feed |
| Pro (annual) | £990/year | Everything in Pro, billed yearly |
When to choose CleanTender
- You bid for cleaning, security, grounds, waste or catering contracts.
- You want sector compliance checked before you commit to a bid.
- You want a low, published monthly price instead of a quote.
Where CleanTender falls short
- Soft FM only, so it won't suit IT, construction or consultancy bids.
- No multi-bid task management or approval workflow like Bidhive.
- Drafts still need your own evidence and editing.
3. AI Tender Writer: Best for UK SMEs, tender to draft¶
AI Tender Writer
Best for UK SMEs, tender to draftFind, score and write UK government tenders with AI.
Pricing
Free plan (1 AI scan a month); Pro £149/month or £1,490/year
AI Tender Writer pulls every UK public-sector tender daily from Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland and Sell2Wales, emails you the matches, scores your fit in under a minute and drafts full tender and Selection Questionnaire answers from your evidence library, exported to Word.
- Live UK tender feed refreshed daily
- Matched email alerts
- AI fit score and bid/no-bid check
- AI tender and SQ drafting exported to Word
- Social Value (TOMs) generator
- Compliance Vault with certificate expiry reminders
Pros
- Published pricing and a free plan
- Unlimited bid drafting on Pro
- Finds, qualifies and writes in one place
Cons
- Lighter bid workflow and reporting than Bidhive
- Drafts still need your review and real evidence
Verdict: The best Bidhive alternative for SMEs that need more tenders and faster drafts, not more process.
Start freeAI Tender Writer pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | Browse UK tenders, 1 AI scan a month, no card needed |
| Pro (monthly) | £149/month | Unlimited bid drafting, 30 AI scans a month, all tools |
| Pro (annual) | £1,490/year | Everything in Pro, billed yearly |
When to choose AI Tender Writer
- You're a UK SME in any sector and a full bid management system is more than you need.
- You want matched UK tenders emailed to you with a fit score.
- You want unlimited AI drafting at a fixed monthly price.
Where AI Tender Writer falls short
- Fewer task, approval and reporting features than Bidhive.
- Built for UK public-sector tenders, not global private-sector RFPs.
- Drafts still need your editing and real evidence.
4. Responsive: Best for enterprise response automation¶
Responsive
Best for enterprise response automationStrategic response management, formerly RFPIO.
Pricing
Quote on request
Responsive, formerly RFPIO, is an enterprise response management platform for RFPs, security questionnaires and proposals. It combines a content library, project management, an AI assistant and analytics, with links into CRM and collaboration tools.
- AI response assistant
- Central content library
- Project and task management
- Connections to CRM and collaboration tools
- Analytics
Pros
- Built for large, multi-team response programmes
- Wide range of connections to other tools
- Workflow and content in one platform
Cons
- Enterprise pricing and set-up
- Not focused on UK public-sector tenders
Verdict: The enterprise Bidhive alternative when workflow and content both need to scale.
Visit ResponsiveResponsive pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Quote on request | Pricing not published | Contact the vendor for a quote based on your team size and scope |
When to choose Responsive
- You're a large organisation with sales, legal and bid teams contributing.
- You want workflow, content and analytics in one enterprise platform.
- Much of your volume is private-sector RFPs and questionnaires.
Where Responsive falls short
- Enterprise pricing and a longer set-up.
- No UK tender feed or public-sector specific features.
- More than a small bid team needs.
5. AutogenAI: Best for enterprise bid teams¶
AutogenAI
Best for enterprise bid teamsGenerative AI built for bids, tenders and proposals.
Pricing
Quote on request
AutogenAI is a generative AI platform built for bid writing. It drafts, rewrites and improves answers from a company knowledge library and helps review drafts against the question. It suits teams whose Bidhive set-up handles process well but who want much stronger writing.
- AI drafting and rewriting for bid answers
- Company knowledge library
- Tone, style and word-count controls
- Research and summarising of tender documents
- Team collaboration and review
Pros
- Purpose-built AI writing for bids
- Strong rewriting and editing tools
- Widely used by large UK bidders
Cons
- No built-in UK tender feed
- Pricing not published and aimed at larger bid teams
Verdict: Choose it if writing, not workflow, is where your bid team loses time.
Visit AutogenAIAutogenAI pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Quote on request | Pricing not published | Contact the vendor for a quote based on your team size and scope |
When to choose AutogenAI
- You have an established bid team and want the most capable AI writing.
- You already manage workflow elsewhere and need better drafts.
- You're comfortable with an annual enterprise contract.
Where AutogenAI falls short
- No UK tender feed or fit scoring.
- Prices aren't published and suit larger teams.
- Lighter on bid planning and task management than Bidhive.
6. mytender.io: Best for UK bid teams automating first drafts¶
mytender.io
Best for UK bid teams automating first draftsAI tender writing built around your past bids.
Pricing
Quote on request
mytender.io is a UK AI bid writing platform. You upload a tender pack, it pulls out the questions and requirements, and it drafts answers from your past bids and company documents, with compliance checks against the requirements.
- Question and requirement extraction from tender documents
- AI drafting from past bids
- Content library
- Compliance checking against requirements
- Collaboration for bid teams
Pros
- UK public-sector focus
- Works directly from the tender pack
- Suits smaller bid teams as well as larger ones
Cons
- Pricing not published
- Works best when you already have a strong library
Verdict: A UK-focused writing tool for teams that want drafts, not a full bid management system.
Visit mytender.iomytender.io pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Quote on request | Pricing not published | Contact the vendor for a quote based on your team size and scope |
When to choose mytender.io
- You want AI drafting from your past bids with a UK public-sector focus.
- You'd like tender packs broken into questions automatically.
- You don't need Bidhive-style task and approval workflow.
Where mytender.io falls short
- No published price list.
- No matched UK tender feed.
- Output depends on how good your existing library is.
Bidhive alternatives pricing summary¶
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loopio | Quote on request | No | Repeat questionnaires |
| CleanTender | £99/month or £990/year | Yes (1 scan a month) | Facilities management SMEs |
| AI Tender Writer | £149/month or £1,490/year | Yes (1 AI scan a month) | UK SMEs, tender to draft |
| Responsive | Quote on request | No | Enterprise response automation |
| AutogenAI | Quote on request | No | Enterprise bid teams |
| mytender.io | Quote on request | No | UK bid teams automating first drafts |
| Bidhive (for reference) | Quote on request | Not published | End-to-end bid management |
Prices from vendor websites, September 2026, excluding VAT.
How to choose a Bidhive alternative¶
- 1
Decide what you're replacing
Workflow, content library, AI writing or finding tenders? Few tools do all four equally well.
- 2
Size it to your team
A bid team of ten needs approvals and reporting. A two-person SME needs tenders and drafts.
- 3
Test the writing
Put a real quality question through each tool and compare with your last submitted answer.
- 4
Check data and hosting
Ask where content is stored and whether it trains models.
- 5
Plan the move
Export your library and templates, then time the switch around your renewal date.
What to check before you switch¶
- Export everything. Take your content library, compliance matrices and templates out of Bidhive before you cancel.
- Don't buy workflow you won't use. If your team is small, matched tenders and fast drafts matter more than approval chains.
- Compare full yearly cost. Add seats, onboarding and any per-bid limits.
- Check UK data handling. Ask each vendor where data is hosted and what their terms say about model training.
- Record how you use AI. Under PPN 017 buyers can ask about AI use in your bid, so keep a note of your review steps.
- Cover social value. PPN 002 sets a minimum 10% weighting for in-scope central government contracts, so a tool that helps draft it saves marks.
Related guides: bid management software, tender management software, bid tracking software, the bid management guide and the best AI tender software. Free tools: bid cost calculator, procurement threshold checker and bid answer grader.
Sources
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
- Loopio is the best-known alternative for teams that want a strong answer library and collaboration. UK SMEs that want matched tenders, fit scoring and AI drafting should look at AI Tender Writer, and soft FM contractors at the sector specialist ranked #2.
- For teams running many bids at once, Bidhive's structured workflow, compliance matrices and reporting can be worth it. If your main need is writing full answers or finding tenders, a writing-first or feed-first tool is likely better value.
- Bidhive doesn't publish a starting price. It's sold on a quote basis, so contact the vendor with your team size and bid volume.
- AI Tender Writer publishes its prices: Pro is £149 a month or £1,490 a year, and there's a free plan. The soft FM specialist at #2 is cheaper still; the pricing table above lists every published price.
- Yes. AI Tender Writer has a free plan with one AI scan a month and no card needed, and so does the soft FM tool ranked #2. For simple bid tracking, a shared spreadsheet also works for very small teams.
- Yes. Bidhive is used for public-sector bids and its opportunity search has drawn on UK open contracting data. It's headquartered in Australia, so UK teams should check where data is hosted.
- If you lose time coordinating people, deadlines and approvals, bid management software helps most. If you lose time writing answers or finding the right tenders, an AI tender writer with a tender feed will save more hours.