Alert65 (Food Alert)vsPaddl
Alert65 is Food Alert's cloud-based safety compliance software for food safety and health & safety. Food Alert positions it as a consultant-backed platform for daily checks, HACCP, risk assessments, audits, training, reporting, and inspection readiness.
44 features compared · 19 Paddl only · prices verified 11 September 2026
Paddl is food safety, compliance and operations software for UK hospitality: digital SFBB, HACCP plans, allergens and Natasha's Law labels, temperature, cleaning and training records, and an EHO-ready audit pack. £69 per location per month with every feature included, a 30-day free trial and no contract. Alert65: Quote-led; Capterra lists from £20,000 a year, a three-site basic package was quoted at about £2,250 a year.
Used Daily & Trusted By:
Used Daily & Trusted By: Edgie Eats, Frothed, Good Chemistry Brewing, Paper Tiger Food Services, Restore, Royal Marine Hotel, The Staff of Life, The Tower Inn, World Famous Dive Bars.
Built by Someone Who Knows Your Pain
“I was paying £149+VAT per site, per quarter with Alert65, plus extra for setup and onboarding. I wanted clean, fast interfaces that empower my whole team, not just managers.”
Paddl Co-Founder
Before Paddl existed, our co-founders ran a hospitality business using Alert65. They knew exactly what they needed, so they built it.
Why they switched:
Paddl isn't theoretical software designed in a boardroom. It's built by hospitality people who've lived your daily frustrations.
Alert65 pricing
Alert65 does not publish its prices. What is known, checked 11 September 2026, comes from capterra.co.uk.
Sold with Food Alert consultancy and audits; the software is not bought on its own. Confirm package scope and quote with Food Alert.
Every feature. 5 owner and manager users per location, £2.99 a month for each extra; staff do not take a seat. 30-day free trial, card required, no contract.
- One site, 12 staff: £89.93 a month
- One site, 40 staff: £173.65 a month
- Five sites, 100 staff: £569.25 a month
Alert65 reviews: what customers say
4.7 out of 5 from 126 reviews on Trustpilot, read 11 September 2026.
Alert65 vs Paddl: what matters most
Last reviewed: 11 September 2026
Consultancy-backed vs software-first
Alert65 is tightly connected to Food Alert's consultancy model. That can be valuable if you want experts to help build and maintain your safety system. Paddl is software-first: it gives operators AI-assisted setup, mobile workflows, and transparent pricing without requiring a consultancy-led implementation.
Pricing transparency
Food Alert's public Alert65 pages focus on capabilities and expert support, not fixed pricing. Based on first-party commercial knowledge from the Paddl founding team, Alert65's basic package has been quoted at approximately £2,250/year for 3 locations. Confirm current package scope, modules, onboarding, and contract terms directly with Food Alert before signing.
AI automation
Food Alert describes Alert65 as built by food safety professionals and software developers. Paddl goes further on AI workflows: HACCP generation, SFBB setup, document extraction, allergen extraction, equipment health analysis, and insurance gap analysis are part of the product experience.
Where Alert65 and Paddl differ
From the 44-row grid below, checked against Alert65's published feature list on 11 September 2026.
Food Safety & Compliance
Paddl has, Alert65 does not: Digital SFBB Packs, AI HACCP Generation.
Alert65 covers in part: One-Click Audit Packs, Fire Safety - Drills, Certificates & Expiry Alerts.
Operations & Equipment
Paddl has, Alert65 does not: AI Equipment Anomaly Detection, Maintenance Swimlanes.
Alert65 covers in part: Equipment Tracking, Supplier Management.
Team & Training
Paddl has, Alert65 does not: Rota Building & Publishing, Shift Swaps & Open Shifts, Holiday & Leave, Timesheets & Payroll Export, GPS Check-in, Shift Handovers / EOD Reports, Team Chat & Direct Messages.
Alert65 covers in part: Staff Inductions, Staff Notifications.
Documents & Knowledge
Paddl has, Alert65 does not: Insurance Gap Detection, Lease & Property Management.
Alert65 covers in part: Knowledge Hub, Digital Signatures, Licence Management.
Reporting & Incidents
Paddl has, Alert65 does not: Complaint Monitoring, EHO Visit Dashboard.
Alert65 covers in part: AI Legal Guidance & Evidence Packs.
Platform & AI
Paddl has, Alert65 does not: Mobile Manager View, AI Assistant, AI That Carries Out Tasks, AI Document Extraction.
Alert65 covers in part: Offline Mode.
Where Alert65 is stronger
- Established UK food safety consultancy behind the software
- Consultants can help set up HACCP, risk assessments, and safety policies
- Covers everyday compliance workflows including checklists, audits, and training
- 24/7 Food Alert advice line for expert support
- Strong fit for businesses that want software plus human consultancy
Side-by-side feature comparison
Food Safety & Compliance
| Feature | Paddl | Alert65 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital SFBB PacksPaddl only | ||
| HACCP Plans | ||
| AI HACCP GenerationPaddl only | ||
| Allergen Management | ||
| Risk Assessments | ||
| EHO Report Generation | ||
| One-Click Audit Packs | ||
| Fire Safety - Drills, Certificates & Expiry Alerts | ||
| COSHH Management |
Operations & Equipment
| Feature | Paddl | Alert65 |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Tracking | ||
| AI Equipment Anomaly DetectionPaddl only | ||
| Temperature Monitoring | ||
| Maintenance SwimlanesPaddl only | ||
| Supplier Management | ||
| Delivery Checks |
Team & Training
| Feature | Paddl | Alert65 |
|---|---|---|
| Team Management | ||
| Rota Building & PublishingPaddl only | ||
| Shift Swaps & Open ShiftsPaddl only | ||
| Holiday & LeavePaddl only | ||
| Timesheets & Payroll ExportPaddl only | ||
| Training Tracking | ||
| Staff Inductions | ||
| GPS Check-inPaddl only | ||
| Shift Handovers / EOD ReportsPaddl only | ||
| Staff Notifications | ||
| Team Chat & Direct MessagesPaddl only |
Documents & Knowledge
| Feature | Paddl | Alert65 |
|---|---|---|
| Document Management | ||
| Knowledge Hub | ||
| Digital Signatures | ||
| Licence Management | ||
| Insurance Gap DetectionPaddl only | ||
| Lease & Property ManagementPaddl only |
Reporting & Incidents
| Feature | Paddl | Alert65 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaint MonitoringPaddl only | ||
| Incident & Accident Reporting | ||
| EHO Visit DashboardPaddl only | ||
| AI Legal Guidance & Evidence Packs |
Platform & AI
| Feature | Paddl | Alert65 |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile App | ||
| Mobile Manager ViewPaddl only | ||
| Offline Mode | ||
| AI AssistantPaddl only | ||
| AI That Carries Out TasksPaddl only | ||
| AI Document ExtractionPaddl only | ||
| Compliance Dashboard | ||
| Multi-Location |
What Alert65 does not do, shown in Paddl
Screenshots of the Paddl features the grid marks as missing or partial in Alert65.
Shift handovers and end-of-day reports
Paddl AdvantageStaff submit an end-of-day report with urgent actions, stock shortages and equipment problems. The incoming shift acknowledges the handover before starting.
Push notifications to staff on shift
Paddl AdvantageTemperature alerts, handover submissions and maintenance updates go to the people checked in that day, not the whole team.
Equipment records with AI health checks
Paddl AdvantageEvery fridge, oven and extractor with its service history and temperature logs. The AI flags a unit whose readings are drifting before it fails.
Report a fault from the app
Paddl AdvantageStaff log a breakdown or a safety concern with a photo and a priority, and the manager sees it the moment it is raised.
AI HACCP plan generation
Paddl AdvantageThe AI reads your business, routines, equipment and menu, then drafts a complete HACCP plan with process steps and critical control points for you to review.
Ask Paddy: AI that does the admin
Paddl AdvantageAsk Paddy books the contractor visit, builds the routine, drafts the risk assessment and gathers the inspection pack. You confirm every action, and it never fills in or signs a compliance record.
Manager view in the mobile app
Paddl AdvantageManagers switch to an admin view on their phone: team progress, compliance status, recent activity and SFBB state across every site.
AI insurance gap detection
Paddl AdvantageUpload the policy documents and the AI reads the cover, lists the gaps and says what to ask the broker.
Who should choose Alert65, and who should choose Paddl
Choose Alert65 if
- You want consultant-backed implementation and ongoing advice
- You prefer Food Alert to help build HACCP, risk assessments, and policies for you
- You want Alert65's basic package and are comfortable confirming module scope through Food Alert
- You want a traditional compliance-provider relationship alongside software
Choose Paddl if
- You want AI-powered HACCP, SFBB, and document extraction
- You need equipment management with AI health ratings and actionable diagnostics
- You prefer all features in one transparent price (£69/month) with no contract
- You want a modern, mobile-first experience built on latest technology
- Shift handovers and real-time compliance scoring matter
- You want insurance gap detection and proactive maintenance alerts
Switching from Alert65 to Paddl
- Alert65 is sold with Food Alert consultancy; Paddl is self-serve software with AI doing the drafting work a consultant would bill for
- Published pricing at £69 per month per location instead of an annual quote with onboarding and audit visits priced separately
- AI HACCP, SFBB, document and allergen extraction and equipment diagnostics reduce the need for a retained consultant
- Rota, leave, timesheets, shift handovers, supplier records, complaints, documents, licences and insurance sit in the same platform
- Month-to-month rather than an annual contract
Most teams set up Paddl without a site visit. Bring across the records Food Alert produced for you as documents, configure your locations and routines, and start a fresh evidence trail from day one; the old audit reports stay valid as history.
How the switch works
- Download your Alert65 records and audit reports before the contract ends and file them in Paddl documents
- Set up locations, staff and the daily routines; the templates cover the standard checks
- Let the AI draft the HACCP plan, SFBB pack and COSHH assessments from your menu and chemical list
- Decide whether you still want an independent audit visit; Paddl does not replace a consultant's site inspection, it removes the software fee that comes bundled with it
- Switch the tablets over once the first week of records is in
What you keep
- Daily checks with photo evidence
- Temperature records
- Audit-ready reporting for an EHO or a landlord
- Multi-site dashboards
What you give up
- Food Alert's on-site audits and consultancy as part of the package
- Their helpline for one-off compliance questions (Paddy, the AI assistant, answers most of these)
Alternatives to Alert65 for UK hospitality
| Product | Category | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Paddl | Food safety, compliance and operations | £69 per location per month, every feature included, 30-day free trial. No tiers and no volume discount. |
| Trail (by Access) | Food safety and compliance | From £38 per site per month on a 12-month term (Team); £75 Standard, £82.50 Trail Evo; unlimited users |
| FoodDocs | Food safety and compliance | From $99 a site a month (Lite); the HACCP plan is on Standard at $199; 20% less billed annually |
| Navitas Safety | Food safety and compliance | Quote-led; Capterra lists from £90 a month, Culinary Key from around £39 a month plus hardware on a 12 to 24 month contract |
Alert65 comparison questions
How much does Alert65 cost?
Food Alert does not publish Alert65 pricing. Capterra lists a starting price of £20,000 a year and Culinary Key reports a similar figure for a multi-site estate; the Paddl founding team was quoted about £2,250 a year for a three-site basic package, so the range depends heavily on the consultancy bundled in. Paddl is £69 a location a month with every feature and no consultancy required.
What do Alert65 reviews say?
Food Alert, the company behind Alert65, holds a 4.7 rating from 126 Trustpilot reviews, most of them about the consultancy and audit service rather than the software on its own. Alert65 has a single Capterra review.
Is Alert65 the same as Food Alert?
Alert65 is Food Alert's safety compliance software platform. Food Alert is the consultancy and service provider behind it, offering food safety and health and safety support alongside the software.
How much does Alert65 cost?
Food Alert does not publish standard Alert65 pricing publicly, but based on first-party commercial knowledge from the Paddl founding team, Alert65's basic package has been quoted at approximately £2,250/year for 3 locations. Ask Food Alert to confirm current pricing, contract term, onboarding, and included modules in writing.
What is the best Alert65 alternative?
Paddl is a strong Alert65 alternative if you want modern food safety software with transparent pricing, AI HACCP and SFBB setup, mobile checklists, allergens, COSHH, training, equipment, documents, and EHO-ready records without a consultancy-led buying process.
Should I choose Alert65 or Paddl?
Choose Alert65 if you specifically want Food Alert consultants and software together. Choose Paddl if you want a software-first platform with AI automation, self-serve setup, clear monthly pricing, and broader operations features like shift handovers, equipment health, supplier records, and mobile staff workflows.
Try Paddl alongside Alert65 for 30 days
£69 per location per month, every feature included, 30-day free trial. No tiers and no volume discount. Card required to start, nothing charged until the trial ends.
Every feature during the trial · Setup from your own paperwork · Cancel any time