HiveSmartHQ: The All-In-One Beekeeping Software & Hive Inspection App
When you care for bees
HiveSmartHQ
Easy to use
Fast entry
Works anywhere
Desktop + Mobile
Why choose HiveSmartHQ as your Beekeeping software?
Covers inspections through to sales of Honey, Hives & related items (e.g. beeswax, propolis).
Save time. Improve productivity.
Varroa monitoring records, inspection compliance, plus honey inventory from hive to sale.
Bio-security tracing & record-keeping for honey industry compliance (NZ, Australia, Canada, UK, US+).
Helps hobbyists and professional beekeepers.
Easily tailored to suit your region and needs.
Just some of the feedback…
"Fantastic tool for our business."
"Saves us time and money."
"Using this has really improved our record keeping."
"Having the history for a hive on hand is so useful."
"Gives us the option to update in the field."
"Covers all the bases."
"So many useful reports."
"Tech support is prompt and thorough."
Tap the link to open the hive management tool* (Opens in a new window)
* Supersedes the prior app-based versions
No login required. Subscription-free. Obligation-free. No Advertising.
Tap to open the demo with sample data
(Opens in a new window)
Overview Videos
For a quick fly-through of key features: App Overview — A flyover
To see how it supports the range of beekeeping activities: App Overview — Activities
When starting out, see the videos on our Tips page: Getting started
Features
Hive Inspections App Features
- Rate the condition of the Hive
- Record the Hive structure/components
- Track the status of the Queen
- Track the Hive Population
- Use Observation flags
- Track Varroa tests performed
- Note any disease seen & treatments
- Log the honey boxes harvested
- Record Hive movements between locations
- Capture notes for specific Hives or the Apiary
- Log Collections (Propolis, Pollen, Queens, Cells, Wax etc)
Honey Extraction & Inventory
- Record Extraction batches by Location (&/or Hive)
- Track extraction progress (against harvested boxes)
- Manage honey storage Vessels (containers)
- Record moisture readings (per Extraction & Vessel)
- Track transfers of honey between Vessels
- View the source-of-origin for honey in each Vessel
- See the current amount of honey on hand
- Know the value of your sold and unsold honey
Beekeeper Views & Analytics
- See current Hives by Location (Hive Inventory)
- View current Queen status by Hive
- See a Hive's complete history
- Compare inspections for a Hive over time
- Compare Varroa tests over time by Hive & Location
- Compare Extractions by Location & Moisture readings
- View Production by Location or Hive
- View the calendar of Honey, Hive & Other Sales
Adaptable
- Select how you rate Hive condition
- Tailor Observation flags to your needs
- Choose the Honey Box sizes you use
- Modify selection choices to suit your region
- Tailor Varroa testing methods
- Supports a mix of boxed and Top Bar Hives
- Choose metric or imperial measurements
Other Tools
- Manage your Equipment Inventory (In Use & In Stock)
- Log things to do — Action items
- Develop a KnowledgeBase about your Apiary
- Create Seasonal Checklists for efficiency
- Safeguard your data in the cloud
- Transfer your data to another device
- Context-sensitive help & tips throughout
Frequently Asked Questions
(Tap a question for the answer.)
Who is HiveSmartHQ for?
It's ideal for solo beekeepers running several hundred hives or hobbyists with just a handful. It can also support larger commercial operations (see FAQ below).
We appreciate that folks keep bees for different reasons and there's a variety of different philosophies and approaches.
HiveSmartHQ is a versatile beehive management app that supports end-to-end business processes from maintaining hives through to the sale of honey and/or hives.
How does HiveSmartHQ help?
In short, using it provides the information needed to save time and improve the productivity of your hives.
Keeping records is key to this — and often required under local/national regulations when selling bee products.
Will HiveSmartHQ run on my mobile device?
It's available on any mobile device with a web browser — including smartphones and tablets such as iPhones, iPads as well as Android phones and tablets.
Browsers we've used include Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera and Brave (with the default Privacy settings and JavaScript enabled).
We've designed things so that you can even operate the web application in more remote locations without internet access*.
* A small number of features require the internet for brief periods e.g. displaying a map of your Hive Locations, using the Transfer Data option, and purchasing additional Service Credits.
Can I use HiveSmartHQ on a computer?
Absolutely! As long as you've got a browser you're good to go (with the default Privacy settings and JavaScript enabled).
As per mobile devices, you'll need internet access initially to load the website, but only occasionally after that for certain features.
Why is HiveSmartHQ a website rather than an app?
It's about making HiveSmartHQ more easily accessible (on a desktop or laptop as well as mobile devices) and economics.
Website browser capabilities have come a long way and now offer a much broader range of features, universally available on computers and mobile devices.
Maintaining a website is simpler, faster and allows us greater control. The resources and costs associated with building and maintaining apps on iOS and Android continue to increase.
Our goal continues to be to provide an affordable hive management software and record-keeping tool for hobbyists and commercial beekeepers alike.
Why does HiveSmartHQ request permission to access certain device features?
Enhanced security in more recent browser versions means permission is requested to be able to use certain device features. We use these ethically and with full transparency.
| Permission | How this is used |
| IP Address | Terms: Momentary use to confirm the location when agreeing to the Terms & Conditions. (IP address is not stored.) |
| Location access | Hive Locations: Momentary use if choosing to map a Hive Location (Optional). |
| Internet access | Various: Hive Locations, Transfer Data, Top-up Service Credits. All features are optional. |
| Notifications | Reminders: Actions and Seasonal Checklists can set reminders (Optional). |
| Compass | Services & Apiary Notes: Optional use of the device compass to obtain Wind Direction. |
Where can HiveSmartHQ be used?
Anywhere! HiveSmartHQ is designed for on-site use. It works even in very remote locations with no phone/data coverage or wifi (data is kept on your device rather than requiring a constant internet connection).
For those who prefer not to use their device in the field — use our forms while in the field and update your device later. Service and Extraction forms are available on our Tips page.
How do I protect data entered into HiveSmartHQ?
Whenever your device is connected to the internet, use the Transfer Data > Upload dataset feature (via App Options & Settings). We recommend doing this each day if you've added or updated any data.
Note: This is a really wise move in case you lose your device/computer, it's stolen or it breaks — your data stays safe and available for download.
Can HiveSmartHQ be used in a large commercial operation?
Yes. There are currently two alternatives:
- Recommended: Use a single (central) device to capture operation-wide data using printed Forms to capture on-site information.
- Alternatively, assign a device for a specific location (or group of locations) for Hive Management data and a separate device for Extraction, Inventory & Sales.
And if you're an employed beekeeper, you can use it for just the Hives and Locations that you look after.
How much does HiveSmartHQ cost?
It requires a whole lot of nothing to get going…
HiveSmartHQ is free to start and comes with 100 Service credits. Add as many Locations and Hives as you wish. After the first Service/inspection for a Hive, each subsequent one consumes 1 Service credit.
The initial 100 credits represents about a year's worth of inspections for 5 Hives. Just maintain the Service credit balance above 0 to keep adding services at less than $0.10 per Service (inclusive of sales tax).
Various-sized bundles (30, 60, 100, 500, or 1,000 credits) can be purchased from within the web application. Even if the Service Credit balance reaches 0, all other features continue to be accessible.
Why is HiveSmartHQ a subscription-free alternative to traditional beekeeping software?
Many beehive management software platforms lock your data behind steep monthly subscriptions, and your records can be lost if the subscription lapses. We believe our usage-based approach using Service credits is much fairer.
Traditional subscriptions stay the same regardless of the season. With HiveSmartHQ, you only pay for what you actually use, making it a highly cost-effective hive management tool that respects your budget.
By avoiding fixed subscriptions, you will always retain full access to your historical records even during the off-season when your hives are quiet, and your unused Service credit balance never expires.
Does HiveSmartHQ require any personal information?
None. No "stings" attached: it's obligation free — HiveSmartHQ does not require any personally identifiable information, nor does it access any of your personal info on your device.
Please view our Terms and Privacy Policy for more details.
Is the data entered into HiveSmartHQ shared with anyone?
Nope. While we do use a 3rd-party cloud-storage service to safely store your data if you choose to use the Transfer Data feature, the data is yours and is not shared with, or provided to, any third party. Please view our Privacy Policy for more details.
Is there a limit on the number of Apiaries, Hives or Services?
If you've got more than 10,000 Locations (apiaries) then yes — we're so sorry! If you've got more than a million Hives, apologies again. On the other hand, the number of Services (inspections) is completely unlimited.
Why the term Hive "Service" rather than "Inspection"?
We just appreciate that beekeepers do more than just observe when they're looking after their Hives. A "Service" better reflects all of the tasks and effort involved in taking care of your bees.
Can I access the same data on more than one device?
Yep, you sure can. On the device you last updated, use Transfer Data > Upload dataset (via App Options & Settings) to copy your latest data to the cloud. Then on another device use Transfer Data > Download dataset to load it.
The key is to upload your dataset daily after changes — this also safeguards your data.
How do I keep up to date with HiveSmartHQ news?
- Follow our Facebook page (@HiveSmartHQ)
- Check our Tips page for the Latest News
- Register your email address via News Registration in App Options & Settings
- Contact us via the Support section below
Ready to see it in action?
The demo has sample hives, inspections, varroa records, extractions and sales already loaded.
Explore the demoHiveSmartHQ Support
Have a Question, Suggestion, Issue or Feedback for us?
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Fill out the form below and submit.
Alternatively, contact us via…
- Chat (Online daily: NZST 8am–10pm. Offline: Leave message.)
- Our Facebook page (tap to open)
- Yes (supplied via email or Chat to counter spam/scam calls)
Open HiveSmartHQ
Tap: https://hshq.appibee.com (Opens in a new window)
No login required. Subscription-free. Obligation-free. No Advertising.