Comparison
SPEKD vs. Ivy (by Houzz)
Ivy is Houzz's all-in-one platform for residential design firms — project management, client billing, procurement, and vendor catalogs in one place. SPEKD is narrower and faster, focusing only on the cross-vendor search experience.
About Ivy by Houzz
Ivy is Houzz's interior design business platform, acquired and integrated over several years. It's a complete business-management tool that includes project tracking, invoicing, procurement, and access to Houzz's vendor network.
About SPEKD
SPEKD does one thing: cross-vendor AI search across a deeply tagged trade catalog. It does not manage projects, generate invoices, or handle procurement. It's a tool you layer on top of whatever business platform you already use.
Feature comparison
| Feature | SPEKD | Ivy by Houzz |
|---|---|---|
| AI cross-vendor search | Yes | Keyword search |
| Project management | No | Yes |
| Billing and invoicing | No | Yes |
| Procurement workflow | No | Yes |
| Vendor catalog depth | 20+ premium trade | Houzz marketplace |
| Speed to first result | Seconds | Varies |
Use SPEKD when
- You need faster cross-vendor product search
- You already have project management tools
- You work primarily with premium trade vendors
Use Ivy by Houzz when
- You want one platform for project management and sourcing
- Your business is already inside the Houzz ecosystem
- You prefer consolidated tooling over best-of-breed
Frequently asked questions
Is SPEKD a replacement for Ivy by Houzz?
Ivy is Houzz's all-in-one platform for residential design firms — project management, client billing, procurement, and vendor catalogs in one place. SPEKD is narrower and faster, focusing only on the cross-vendor search experience.
Can I use SPEKD and Ivy by Houzz together?
Yes — many designers use both. SPEKD does one thing: cross-vendor AI search across a deeply tagged trade catalog. It does not manage projects, generate invoices, or handle procurement.
Can I use SPEKD alongside Ivy?
Yes. Ivy handles project management, billing, and procurement. SPEKD handles the search phase — finding the right product across 20+ vendors using AI. They serve different parts of the design workflow.