GCPay alternative for general contractors
The verdict
SureHold is the self-serve, escrow-backed choice for small-to-mid GCs who want payment coupled to a signed waiver; GCPay is a heavier, ERP-integrated AP platform sold through a demo.
Choose SureHold if you want waivers and payment to release together automatically, with a free tier and same-day self-serve setup — no sales call.
Choose GCPay if you run a construction ERP (Sage, Viewpoint, CMiC, Acumatica) and need deep two-way pay-app sync plus in-platform online notarization.
SureHold vs GCPay: at a glance
| Capability | SureHold | GCPay |
|---|---|---|
| Funds held in escrow until the waiver is signed | YesHeld via Stripe Connect | NoGC-controlled approval, not a held-funds escrow |
| Payment releases automatically on signature | PartialLocked waiver required with the pay app; release is GC-driven | |
| Subcontractor can sign without an account | NoSubs work inside GCPay (implied by submission flow) | |
| Free tier | Yes10 payments/mo | |
| Self-serve signup (no demo required) | NoDemo / sales-led | |
| 50-state statutory waiver templates | ConfigurableCustomizable templates + state-compliance adaptation | |
| Conditional → unconditional handling on payment | Auto-convertConditional signed first; converts to unconditional when payment releases | Watermark releaseCollects a watermarked unconditional upfront; watermark removed on payment receipt — no conditional step |
| AIA G702 / G703 pay applications | ||
| In-platform online notarization | YesMarketed as compliant in all 50 states | |
| QuickBooks Online sync | Coming soonIn development, not yet live | NoNot listed among GCPay integrations |
| Procore integration | Coming soonIn development, not yet live | |
| Deep ERP integrations (Sage, Viewpoint, CMiC, Acumatica) |
Pricing: SureHold vs GCPay
| Plan / charge | SureHold | GCPay |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | $0 — 10 payments/mo | No free plan |
| Entry paid plan | $99/mo (Growth) — 25 payments, then $2 each up to 75 | Quote-only — not publicly disclosed |
| Top plan | $399/mo (Pro) — unlimited payments | Quote-only — not publicly disclosed |
| Pricing basis | Flat monthly + per-payment overage on Growth | Custom: by project volume, sub count, or annual subcontracted volume |
GCPay does not publish pricing; figures are quote-only and require a sales conversation (gcpay.com/pricing-for-general-contractors, verified 2026-06-09). SureHold pricing is from lib/billing.ts.
Which is best for you?
Small-to-mid GC running fewer than ~75 pay cycles a month
Best fit: SureHold
A free tier and $99–$399 flat plans cover the volume without a quote, and escrow release removes the manual "did the waiver come back?" step.
GC already standardized on Sage, Viewpoint, CMiC, or Acumatica
Best fit: GCPay
GCPay’s native two-way ERP connectors push pay-app and waiver data straight into the accounting system of record. SureHold’s integrations (QuickBooks Online and Procore) are still in development.
Projects in states that require notarized waivers
Best fit: GCPay
GCPay includes in-platform online notarization; SureHold does not offer notarization today.
GC who wants to start today without talking to sales
Best fit: SureHold
SureHold is self-serve with a free tier; GCPay is demo-led with no public trial.
Where GCPay genuinely wins
GCPay is an established, enterprise-grade platform. It genuinely outclasses a lightweight tool in several areas:
- Deep construction-ERP integration — native two-way connectors for Sage 100/300/Intacct, Viewpoint Vista/Spectrum, CMiC, Acumatica, and Procore Project Financials.
- In-platform online notarization marketed as compliant in all 50 states, covering jurisdictions that require notarized waivers.
- A mature, full AIA pay-application workflow with a long track record (4.6/5 across 411 Capterra reviews) and adoption among large contractors.
Switching from GCPay
Moving from GCPay to SureHold is mostly a vendor-list and project re-setup. Because subs sign SureHold waivers from an emailed link with no account, there is nothing for your subcontractors to migrate.
- 1Export your vendor/subcontractor list from GCPay (name, company, email).
- 2Import it into SureHold with the CSV vendor import on the Vendors page.
- 3Create your active projects and add each project’s retainage %.
- 4Create your first payment batch — subs get a signing link immediately, no onboarding.
- 5Heads up: SureHold’s QuickBooks Online and Procore integrations are coming soon, not yet live.
Typical effort: About an afternoon for a typical project portfolio
Frequently asked questions
Is SureHold a true GCPay alternative?
For the core lien-waiver-and-payment workflow, yes. SureHold sends subs a waiver, holds the payment in escrow, and releases it on signature. The main gap is deep ERP integration: GCPay connects to Sage, Viewpoint, CMiC, and Acumatica, while SureHold’s QuickBooks Online and Procore integrations are still in development.
How much does GCPay cost?
GCPay does not publish pricing. It is quote-only and based on factors like project volume, subcontractor count, or annual subcontracted volume, and requires a sales conversation. SureHold publishes its pricing: free up to 10 payments a month, $99/mo for Growth, and $399/mo for Pro.
Does GCPay hold funds in escrow like SureHold?
No. GCPay’s model is a GC-controlled approval where a locked waiver is required alongside the pay application; it is not a third-party held-funds escrow. SureHold stages funds via Stripe Connect and releases them automatically when the waiver is signed.
Do my subcontractors need a GCPay or SureHold account?
With SureHold, no — subs sign from an emailed link with no account. GCPay’s submission flow has subs work inside the platform.
Does SureHold support notarized waivers?
Not today. If your projects require notarized waivers, GCPay’s in-platform online notarization is an advantage. This is on SureHold’s roadmap.
Does GCPay convert conditional waivers to unconditional?
Not exactly — GCPay uses a different model. It collects a watermarked unconditional waiver upfront alongside the pay application, then removes the watermark automatically once the subcontractor is paid, which it says "eliminates the need for conditional waivers." SureHold instead has the sub sign a conditional waiver first and converts it to unconditional when the escrowed payment releases. Both tie a valid unconditional waiver to payment; the sequence differs.