The software listed here is not an exhaustive or authoritative guide. These are tools we have used directly — either within businesses we have consulted for or within our own operations — and found genuinely useful. There are many alternatives in each category. We'd encourage you to evaluate any software against your own business needs before committing.
JOB MANAGEMENT
Simpro
https://www.simprogroup.comEnterprise-level job management for established contracting operations. Covers quoting, project costing, scheduling, inventory management and financial reporting across multiple teams and complex project structures. A significant investment in both cost and implementation time — best suited to businesses with substantial turnover and operational complexity who need a platform that scales with them. TradeFlow AI works with Simpro as a partner and can assist with setup and configuration.
ACCOUNTING
Xero
https://www.xero.comCloud accounting software and the market standard for trade businesses in the UK. Integrates with most job management platforms. Making Tax Digital compatible. From around £15/month. If you're not already on cloud accounting, MTD for Income Tax from April 2026 makes this a near-mandatory move — Xero is the most widely supported option across the trade software ecosystem.
QuickBooks
https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ukStrong alternative to Xero. Widely used by contractors and often preferred for businesses with complex VAT requirements including CIS and the domestic reverse charge. From around £14/month. Worth getting a demo comparison against Xero before committing — the differences are subtle but the right choice depends on how your accountant works and what integrations you need.
QuickFile
https://www.quickfile.co.ukUK-built cloud accounting with a genuinely useful free tier for smaller businesses. A practical option for sole traders or small limited companies who need proper accounting software without the monthly subscription cost of Xero or QuickBooks. The free tier covers invoicing, bank reconciliation and VAT returns. Upgrade tiers are available as the business grows.
FreeAgent
https://www.freeagent.comCloud accounting particularly popular with sole traders and owner-managed businesses. Sometimes available free with certain business bank accounts — NatWest and RBS currently offer it as part of their business banking package. Worth checking your bank before paying for an alternative. Making Tax Digital compatible.
Technical Drawing & Design
AutoCAD LT
https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad-ltThe industry standard for 2D technical drawing. Widely specified on commercial projects — if a client or principal contractor asks for drawings in DWG format, this is what produces them. Subscription from around £350/year. Not essential for every contractor, but if you're regularly producing installation drawings or as-built records for commercial clients, it's the professional tool.
DraftSight
https://www.draftsight.comAutoCAD-compatible 2D drafting software with a free tier. Opens, edits and saves DWG files — the same format as AutoCAD. A practical option for contractors who occasionally need to produce or annotate technical drawings without the AutoCAD subscription cost. The free version covers most basic drawing needs.
Bluebeam Revu
https://www.bluebeam.comPDF markup and collaboration tool widely used by electrical contractors for drawing review, site documentation and RFI management on commercial projects. Allows you to mark up drawings, measure from PDFs and collaborate with design teams in a format they expect. From around £240/year. Increasingly standard on larger commercial projects — if your clients or principal contractors use it, you'll need it to participate in their document workflow.
Electrical Testing & Certification
NICEIC and NAPIT Certification Apps
https://www.niceic.com / https://www.napit.org.ukBoth certification bodies provide their own apps for generating electrical installation certificates and condition reports. If you're NICEIC or NAPIT registered, using their own app keeps your certification records in their system and simplifies the audit process. Check which your certification body recommends before committing to a third-party tool.
Certify
https://www.certifyapp.co.ukWidely used third-party app for generating EICRs, minor works certificates, installation certificates and test reports digitally. Not tied to NICEIC or NAPIT — works for any certified electrician. Produces PDF certificates that meet the required format. A practical replacement for paper certificates and a significant time saving on inspection and testing jobs.
Fluke Connect
https://www.fluke.com/en-gb/fluke-connectTest equipment data management platform from Fluke. For contractors using Fluke test instruments, Fluke Connect pulls test readings directly into reports, eliminating manual data entry and reducing transcription errors on EICR and installation certificate work. Particularly useful on large inspection jobs with high volumes of test results to record.
