AnyInspect vs PocketSurvey

Quick Verdict

AnyInspect is the clear winner for building inspectors who want to work faster without sacrificing compliance quality. While PocketSurvey has served the UK surveying market for over two decades — and deserves credit for its breadth of inspection templates — it lacks the AI-powered automation that defines modern inspection software. AnyInspect's video-to-report pipeline lets inspectors record a walkthrough, then have AI transcribe, analyse, and auto-populate a full compliance report — something PocketSurvey simply cannot do.

The pricing difference is also significant. PocketSurvey charges per app, per user, per month — meaning an inspector who needs Fire Risk, HHSRS, and Stock Condition access is paying for three separate subscriptions at £125–£175 each. AnyInspect bundles all 16 inspection types into a single subscription, making it dramatically more cost-effective for firms handling multiple inspection types.

If you need a proven — albeit dated — survey tool with a long track record, PocketSurvey remains functional. But if you want AI automation, a modern mobile experience, and a pricing model that actually makes sense — AnyInspect is the platform to choose.

Feature Comparison

AI-Powered Video-to-Report Pipeline

This is where AnyInspect fundamentally changes how building inspections work — and where PocketSurvey has no answer.

With AnyInspect, an inspector walks through a property recording video on their mobile device — narrating observations as they go. The platform then processes this recording through a sophisticated AI pipeline. First, Deepgram transcribes the audio with high accuracy. Then, Google Gemini analyses the transcript against the specific inspection schema — whether that's a PAS 79 fire risk assessment, an HHSRS evaluation, or a stock condition survey — and auto-populates every section of the report with relevant findings, risk ratings, and recommended actions.

The inspector reviews the AI-generated content, accepts or adjusts individual items, and approves the final report. What previously took hours of manual typing now takes minutes of review.

PocketSurvey, by contrast, relies entirely on manual data entry. Inspectors tap through form fields, select dropdown values, and type observations by hand — the same workflow the industry has used for years. There is no video capture, no transcription, and no AI assistance of any kind.

For a busy inspector completing multiple inspections per day, this difference translates directly to revenue — more inspections completed in less time, with consistent compliance quality maintained by AI.

Inspection Type Coverage

Both platforms cover a broad range of UK building inspection types — this is, after all, PocketSurvey's strongest suit. However, the way they deliver that coverage differs dramatically.

AnyInspect includes all 16 inspection types — Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Door Inspection, Fire Safety Common Spaces, Fire Smoke Damper Inspection, Stock Condition Survey, HHSRS Assessment, Damp & Mould Inspection, Building Survey, EPC, Asbestos Survey, Legionella Risk Assessment, Health & Safety Inspection, Decent Homes Assessment, Planned Maintenance Survey, Home Purchase Survey, and Schedule of Condition — within a single subscription. Every inspector on the platform has access to every inspection type.

PocketSurvey offers a similar range but sells each as a separate app with its own subscription. Their pricing page lists three tiers — Lite at £75/month, Professional at £125/month, and Enterprise at £175/month — each charged per user, per app. An inspector needing access to Fire Risk (Professional tier), HHSRS (Professional tier), and Stock Condition (Enterprise tier) would pay £125 + £125 + £175 = £425 per month for a single user. That cost escalates quickly for firms with multiple inspectors.

AnyInspect's all-inclusive model eliminates this complexity entirely — one subscription, full access, no hidden costs.

Mobile Experience & Offline Support

AnyInspect's mobile app is built on React Native with Expo — the same technology stack used by leading consumer apps. The interface is clean, responsive, and designed for one-handed use in the field. Navigation follows modern mobile conventions — swipe gestures, smooth transitions, and intuitive information hierarchy.

PocketSurvey's mobile experience, while functional, reflects its age. The interface — built as a web application rather than a native mobile app — can feel clunky on modern devices. Input forms are dense, and the overall user experience lacks the polish that inspectors increasingly expect from professional tools.

Both platforms support offline functionality — a critical requirement for inspectors working in basements, plant rooms, and buildings with poor connectivity. AnyInspect takes an offline-first approach — data is stored locally and synced automatically when connectivity returns, with a queuing system that ensures nothing is lost. PocketSurvey also provides offline data collection, though the sync process is less seamless.

Where AnyInspect pulls ahead is in what happens after the data is collected. Because AnyInspect captures video — not just form entries — the inspector's observations are preserved in their full context. Even details mentioned in passing during a video walkthrough are captured by the AI transcription and can be surfaced in the report.

Pricing

PocketSurvey's per-app pricing model is its most significant weakness. Here is a breakdown of their published rates:

A firm with 3 inspectors needing access to Fire Risk, HHSRS, Damp & Mould, and Stock Condition would face a monthly bill of approximately 3 users x (£125 + £125 + £125 + £175) = £1,650/month — before VAT.

AnyInspect offers all 16 inspection types in a single subscription at a fraction of that cost. The exact pricing varies by plan — but the all-inclusive model means there are no surprises as your team grows or takes on new inspection types.

PocketSurvey does offer a £25 trial for one month per app — a useful way to test individual modules — but the ongoing subscription costs add up rapidly for multi-discipline firms.

Who Should Choose AnyInspect?

AnyInspect is the right choice for:

- Multi-discipline inspection firms — If your team handles fire risk, HHSRS, stock condition, asbestos, and other inspection types, AnyInspect's all-inclusive pricing saves thousands compared to PocketSurvey's per-app model.
- Inspectors who value speed — The AI video-to-report pipeline eliminates hours of manual report writing. Record your walkthrough, review the AI output, and generate a professional PDF — all in a fraction of the time.
- Growing businesses — AnyInspect includes proposals, scheduling, invoicing, and a client portal — tools that PocketSurvey does not offer. You get a complete business platform, not just a survey tool.
- Technology-forward firms — If you want a modern mobile experience with AI capabilities — rather than a legacy web form tool — AnyInspect delivers a step-change in how inspections are conducted.

PocketSurvey may still suit solo surveyors who only need a single inspection type and prefer a familiar — if dated — workflow. But for any firm looking to scale, automate, and modernise, AnyInspect is the clear upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AnyInspect support the same inspection types as PocketSurvey?

Yes — and more. AnyInspect supports all 16 major UK building inspection types, including every type available in PocketSurvey's catalogue. The key difference is that AnyInspect includes all inspection types in a single subscription — there is no need to purchase separate apps for each inspection type.

How does AnyInspect's AI video-to-report pipeline work?

The process is straightforward — record a video walkthrough of the property on your mobile device, narrating your observations as you inspect. AnyInspect's AI pipeline transcribes the audio using Deepgram, then analyses the transcript against the relevant compliance schema using Google Gemini. The system auto-populates report sections with findings, risk ratings, and recommendations. You review the AI output — accepting, editing, or rejecting individual items — then generate a professional PDF report.

Can I use AnyInspect offline?

Absolutely. AnyInspect is built with an offline-first architecture — you can conduct full inspections, capture video, and take photos without any internet connection. All data is stored securely on-device and syncs automatically when connectivity returns. This is essential for inspectors working in basements, plant rooms, and rural properties.

Is PocketSurvey really that expensive for multi-discipline firms?

The costs are significant. PocketSurvey charges per app, per user, per month — with prices ranging from £75 to £175 depending on the inspection type. A firm with 5 inspectors needing access to 4 different inspection types could easily face monthly costs exceeding £2,000. AnyInspect's all-inclusive model avoids this entirely.

Does AnyInspect generate compliant reports?

Yes. Every inspection type in AnyInspect maps to specific UK compliance standards — PAS 79 for fire risk, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System for HHSRS, the Building Safety Act 2022, and Awaab's Law for damp and mould. AI-generated reports follow these standards precisely, and the inspector review step ensures every report meets professional quality expectations.

Can I manage my entire inspection business through AnyInspect?

Yes — AnyInspect goes beyond inspection data capture. The platform includes proposals and quoting, scheduling with calendar and map views, invoicing with a client payment portal, team management with role-based access, and professional PDF report generation. It is a complete business platform — not just a survey app.

How does AnyInspect handle data from PocketSurvey migrations?

AnyInspect's team can assist with migrating historical inspection data from PocketSurvey. Contact the AnyInspect support team to discuss your migration requirements — including transferring property records, historical reports, and asset databases.